Security in Cuba: Is it safe to travel to Cuba?

Cuba is one of the safest countries in the world and on your trip you should not worry about anything if you travel with common sense and follow the recommendations we have prepared in this post. Our goal is that you can travel safely to Cuba, so here you can read about how to avoid possible scams, petty theft or be prepared for inclement weather because at certain times of the year there may be hurricanes.

We will also talk about travel insurance since it is mandatory to access the country. Then we tell you what you should look for before deciding on one insurance or another, always taking into account the activities you will do during your trip and your own needs. In addition, we have also prepared a section with many other travel tips that will help you get around with the safety of a local.

1. Is it safe to travel to Cuba from the U.S.

Traveling from the United States to Cuba has been a subject of debate and concern for many travelers due to political restrictions and perceptions about safety. However, those who have traveled there can confirm that it is completely safe to travel to Cuba from the U.S.. And the experience is always positive in terms of personal safety.

Cuba is known for having one of the lowest crime rates in the Caribbean, which means that, as a tourist, you can move freely and at ease in the streets of the country. In addition, police presence abounds in the most tourist areas, contributing to a safe environment for visitors.

If you are traveling from the United States, the only challenge you will face are the pre-trip arrangements. As you may already know, from the US you are not allowed to travel to Cuba for tourist purposes, but you must prove that your trip is contemplated in one of the 12 travel categories allowed by the US government. In this post you can read more about the 12 categories: 12 legal travel categories for Cuba. Here you will find the necessary information on the process of getting the authorization, which you will see is not very difficult. It simply requires some time and patience as you will need to detail your itinerary and provide evidence that the reason for your trip fits the category.

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.

2. How to avoid possible scams in Cuba

Cuba welcomes travelers with an attentive and hospitable culture. But as with many other destinations, it’s wise to be on the lookout for potential scams or rip-offs such as the ones mentioned below.

One of the most common scams involves “jineteros”, people who approach tourists offering to help guide them around the city, take them to restaurants or private homes for lodging. Although they may appear to be genuinely kind people, the truth is that in return they will ask for money or for you to buy them a meal. The best way to avoid this is to politely decline the offer and trust your own itinerary.

Another common scam is the sale of counterfeit cigars. Cuba is famous for its high-quality cigars, but on the streets you’ll come across sellers offering cigars at a bargain price. Be aware of these vendors as they usually offer poor quality cigars. If you want to buy authentic Cuban cigars, we recommend that you buy them only from official stores or recognized factories.

Currency exchange scams are also quite common. Some may try to confuse you with currencies of lower or even no longer valid value. Always exchange money at authorized places, such as banks or official exchange houses (CADECA), and check what the local currency looks like before your trip.

And finally, let’s talk about self-assigned tips. As a general rule, a 10% tip is usually left. Some restaurants include it in the ticket, but there are others that, in a non-consensual way, charge it directly from the change, even exceeding 10%. This can also happen in cabs. To avoid it, try to pay the right price and demand the change if you see that they take longer than usual.

You will now be able to easily identify the typical scams in Cuba, which although not very frequent, sometimes happen and can affect your experience and enjoyment of the trip.

3. Check the weather forecast before traveling to Cuba

Before embarking on your adventure to the island of Cuba, it is essential to check the weather forecast. Cuba has a tropical climate, with two distinct seasons: a hot, humid one from May to October, and a drier, cooler one from November to April. But in this case, what we are interested in being prepared for the possible hurricane season.

Hurricane season runs from June to November. And although early warning systems in Cuba are efficient, it is prudent to plan your trip outside this season or be prepared for possible changes in your plans.

4. Is it safe for single women to travel to Cuba?

Traveling to Cuba as a single woman is generally safe, but it never hurts to take some extra precautions. Cuba is a very safe country, so if you are traveling alone, be guided by common sense and inform yourself well before embarking on your trip.

As with any solo travel, it is important to take basic precautions. Be informed about local customs, stay in well-lit and well-populated areas at night, and avoid sharing personal information with strangers.

Although street harassment can occur, it is mostly pirouettes or attempts to have a conversation with no intent to annoy. Many women report feeling safe exploring the country thanks to the friendliness and hospitality of Cubans.

5. Take care of your belongings in crowded places

As experienced travelers at Passporter, we know all too well that in the busiest places it is vitally important to always keep our personal belongings in sight, especially if they are of value.

In places like markets, transport stations, tourist attractions and festivals, although there is usually more police surveillance, pickpockets are also more common. So you know, carry your belongings in bags or backpacks with secure closures and always facing the front. Use money belts or inside pockets to store important documents and cash, and maintain an attitude of alertness, without becoming paranoid.

In addition, it is advisable not to display valuables, such as jewelry or electronic devices, in an ostentatious manner. If you follow these tips you will be able to travel safely to Cuba without having any problems during your stay.

6. Choose the best travel insurance for Cuba

Hiring travel insurance to Cuba is not only essential for the peace of mind and security it offers, but it is also mandatory for entering the country.

Travel insurance will allow you to travel with financial security as it will cover any medical needs. Health care costs for tourists can be high. Travel insurance also provides 24-hour assistance, essential in emergency situations.

But that’s not all. Travel insurance is not limited to medical coverage. It also protects you against trip cancellation due to unforeseen events, reimbursing expenses such as flights and accommodation. This aspect gives us a lot of peace of mind if we travel in times of life uncertainty.

In emergency situations, such as natural disasters or flight problems, the insurance also offers assistance and evacuation coverage. And many insurances also include protection in case of loss or theft of belongings, including luggage and valuables.

When you buy travel insurance we recommend you look carefully at the fine print and choose one or the other depending on what it includes and the type of activities you are going to do during your trip.

7. Other tips for traveling safely to Cuba?

In this post you can read in detail all the travel tips to Cuba so that your trip goes perfectly: Best travel tips for Cuba. And here’s a summary in case you’re in a hurry.

• Check well the important information for traveling to Cuba that we discuss in this post before you embark on your trip.
• Don’t lose sight of your belongings. As in any tourist destination, there is a risk of theft in popular areas, especially in tourist areas and markets.
• The currency of Cuba is the Cuban peso.
• Check the weather forecast: travel outside the hurricane season or prepare adequately if you decide to travel during this time.
• Respect local regulations: Be informed about Cuban laws and customs to avoid misunderstandings or legal problems.
• Avoid discussing sensitive political issues. Politics can be a sensitive topic, therefore, it is wise to avoid discussions on this subject.
• The official language is Spanish, but you will also be able to communicate perfectly well in English.
• Travel with a first aid kit with basic medicines, there may be shortages in pharmacies.
• U.S. credit and debit cards don’t work in Cuba; you’ll need to bring cash and exchange it for Cuban pesos. We tell you more about Cuba’s currency in this post: Cuban currency: How much money can I bring on my trip to Cuba.
• Always drink bottled water.
• Take sunscreen with you, especially in the summer months, as well as light clothing that covers you from the sun’s rays and stay hydrated.
• Always have your travel documents handy.
• If you are a U.S. citizen, you should keep all tickets and receipts from Cuba for 5 years.

8. How to organize a trip to Cuba

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travelers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Check out important information for traveling to Cuba and necessary documents.
• Organize your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or typology (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information of the trip.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodations, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app to always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travelers with your experience. In addition, you will be able to share the most important information about safety in Cuba.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions when traveling to Cuba