Cuba is a dream destination for anyone who loves to travel. It is one of the islands with the most personality and colour in the Caribbean. It concentrates a very significant history, culture and tradition, worthy of knowing and admiring. There is so much to see on your trip to Cuba, and every corner of the island is an important part of its charm and attraction. Knowing the requirements for travelling to Cuba is essential to make your experience in this country the most exotic and surprising adventure. Read on to find out everything you need to know to organise your trip to Cuba.
Do I need a visa to travel to Cuba?
Yes, one of the essential requirements for travel to Cuba is a tourist visa. The price varies depending on the tourist agency that handles it. It’s usually around 40 euros and can be obtained online very easily. Unless you go directly to the embassy or consulate, where it costs 22 euros. It takes about 4–5 days to process.
In addition, you will need a valid passport, return tickets and medical insurance to cover possible expenses for Covid-19.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Is vaccination one of the requirements for travel to Cuba?
There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to Cuba. However, it is always advisable to have your routine vaccinations up to date (MMR, diphtheria, tetanus…).
However, there are some diseases to watch out for: dengue fever, a disease endemic in Cuba, and Zika, which is of particular concern for children, the elderly and pregnant women. Both diseases are spread by mosquito bites, so it is advisable to always carry mosquito repellent, as well as long-sleeved shirts and trousers, and to cover containers with drinks. Finally, it is recommended to take extreme hygienic measures and be careful with tap water to avoid gastrointestinal diseases.
Cuban Currency
Cuba’s currency is the Cuban peso. Currently, the exchange rate against the euro is around 1€ / 26.80 CUP, however, it is advisable to check before your trip to avoid excessive exchange rates. It is important to remember that, until 2021, Cuba had two different currencies, the CUP and the CUC, the latter of which is no longer in use.
Carrying cash is one of the essential requirements for travelling to Cuba, as most establishments only accept this method of payment. However, the use of credit and debit cards has become popular, especially among hotels, resorts and some shops. Cards from US banks are not allowed, but you can carry up to US$5,000 in foreign currency in cash (about €4,500), which you’ll need to declare on arrival.
The most common thing to do in Cuba is to exchange currency at the CADECAs, official exchange houses belonging to Cuba’s central bank, which can be found at tourist sites such as airports.
Travel insurance: one of the requirements for travelling to Cuba
Another essential requirement for travelling to Cuba is to have travel insurance with medical coverage issued by recognised insurers in the country that covers risks associated with Covid-19. If you don’t have this insurance on arrival, you can get it from a Cuban insurance company at the entry points. It is recommended that you have good insurance, as the Cuban authorities prohibit you from leaving the country as long as you are in debt to the Cuban health service.
Which airlines travel to Cuba and to which cities?
Depending on the country you’re travelling to Cuba from, you’ll have different air connections. From Spain, France and Italy there are direct flights to Havana and Santiago de Cuba with World2fly, Iberojet, Iberia, Air Europa, Cubana de Aviación, Air France and Neos. Germany has direct flights to Havana, Holguín and Varadero with Condor.
In the case of the United States, tourist flights as such have been banned to Cuba since Donald Trump’s term in office and have not yet been reauthorised. However, there are 12 reasons why people can travel to Cuba, including family visits, journalistic work and work for the US government, and aid to the Cuban people. The latter is the most common reason for travellers making stopovers in the United States to request access to the country. Also, it is worth remembering that if you make a stopover in the US you will need to apply for ESTA, the US visa.
What are the Covid restrictions in Cuba?
Like most countries in the world, Cuba has restrictions on admitting travellers at its borders to protect the country from Covid-19. Like the pandemic situation, countries’ restrictions are constantly changing. Therefore, it is best to check for yourself before travelling to Cuba what the Covid-related requirements are from your country. To do this you can use the Sherpa or Skyscanner tool which, by indicating the country of origin and destination, shows you a breakdown of the restrictions.
The mask is mandatory in enclosed spaces. At the moment there is no mandatory quarantine, but there are two essential requirements for all travellers, whether or not they have passed Covid-19:
- A negative PCR test must be submitted.
However, there are exceptions:
- Travellers arriving from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi and Eswatini, in addition to a negative test, will be tested upon arrival and will also be quarantined for 8 days.
- Children 12 years of age and adults, who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, do not have to present a vaccination schedule.
Tips for your trip to Cuba
- Stay in private homes to save some money, hotels are state-owned and are often quite expensive.
- Rental cars are in short supply and are expensive. The most convenient way to travel around the country is by bus.
- Find out the price of taxis before you get in with the driver.
- Try to have cash on hand to pay for taxis, bus fares, buy food at street stalls.
- The best time to travel to Cuba is the dry season, from November to April.
- Avoid walking on pavements, especially in areas where buildings are older or more dilapidated. On some occasions there have been landslides.
- Attempts to promote local products in terms of gastronomy and handicrafts.
- Help preserve the environment. Don’t litter the ground and respect wildlife.
- Although Cuba is a safe country, remember to exercise caution. Keep an eye on your personal belongings at all times. As in all tourist areas, there is some risk of pickpocketing.
- Cover yourself against possible medical malfunctions. Always travel with insurance, even if it’s not one of the mandatory requirements for travel to Cuba.
- Use the 10 best travel Apps.
How to organise your travel itinerary to Cuba?
Now, once you know what you need to travel to Cuba, it’s time to plan your trip. And Passporter is your ally in doing so! Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities
- Make any modifications you need to make, and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Cuba
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