voyage a cuba

20 things to know before visiting Cuba

Jan 5, 2024 • 8 min read

Be ready for your visit to Cuba with these top tips on what to expect © Westend61 / Getty Images

To a first-time traveler, Cuba can seem like a confusing jigsaw puzzle, particularly if you’re breaking free of the resorts and traveling around on your own.

The Spanish spoken here is fast and hard to decipher, many streets have two different names and the country’s fickle and highly complicated monetary situation could fill its own guidebook. Yet the country’s pleasures are well worth the research you should do before you set off.

To help you be prepared, here is everything you need to know before planning a trip to Cuba.

1. Double-check your insurance

You are required to have medical insurance to visit Cuba and will need to bring digital or printed proof of your policy. Random checks are made at the airport. If you arrive without insurance, you’ll be asked to buy a Cuban policy at the airport for US$30.

2. Fill out your passenger information in advance

Cuba uses an online form called  D’Viajeros  to gather traveler information, including immigration and health data, in advance of travel. Fill out the form digitally up to 72 hours before your arrival in Cuba.

3. Every visitor needs a tourist card

To enter Cuba, all visitors need to present a completed tourist card . It’s usually available through your airline (ask when booking) and included in the price of your ticket.

If not, you can purchase one through a Cuban travel agency. Costs range from US$50 to US$85. Citizens of 20 African and Asian countries require a formal visa to enter Cuba. Check the situation for your country before booking.

4. Cash and currency: it’s complicated!

Money in Cuba is confusing, even to Cubans . Since the country abolished convertibles (CUC) in January 2021 and took the US dollar out of circulation in June 2021, there has been massive inflation and the emergence of a rampant black market. The knock-on effect is a bewildering dual economy.

The official currency of Cuba is the Cuban peso (CUP), but foreign currencies are also widely accepted, especially by private businesses who need hard cash to buy non-rationed goods in MLC (freely convertible currency) shops.

State-run enterprises and banks use official exchange rates. However, the prices of the superior services offered by private businesses generally reflect black market exchange rates.

Hence a main dish in a private restaurant in Havana will cost around CUP$500 (US$21). That’s an expensive meal if you’re paying in pesos bought from a Cuban bank.

However, most private restaurants will also accept payment in euros using a more favorable exchange rate. Some will even have a separate menu with prices printed in euros.    

When buying something from a private business – be it a restaurant, casa particular (private accommodation) or taxi service – it’s usually best to pay in a foreign currency. Always ask upfront what currencies they accept and what exchange rate they use for their published peso prices.

Euros is the most interchangeable currency and the one preferred by Cubans. You can also use and exchange Canadian dollars and pound sterling.

US dollars still circulate on the black market, but we don’t recommend bringing them. The best bet, when you arrive, is to keep most of your money in a foreign currency and only change small amounts into pesos for incidentals like museum entry, concert tickets and tips.

5. MLC is a currency with no cash form

The Moneda Libremente Convertible (MLC) is a currency approved by the Cuban government in 2020 that can be used in certain shops to buy higher-end goods.

The currency doesn’t exist as cash and its value is pegged with the US dollar. It’s used mainly by Cubans with special magnetic cards. 

Tourists needn’t worry too much about MLC$, although prices will sometimes be displayed in the currency in state-run enterprises such as cigar shops or airport souvenir stores where you can pay with a non-US credit card.

6. Only some credit cards will work

Credit cards are increasingly popular in Cuba and in many state-run businesses are the preferred (and sometimes only) method of payment.

Despite promises made in the Obama era, credit cards linked to US banks are not accepted. Private businesses almost never have credit card machines, meaning your only option is cash.

7. Pack your favorite casual clothes – and men need a shirt

Dress in Cuba is casual, so you can leave your high heels and tux behind. The only real dress code is in cinemas, theaters and nightclubs, where male patrons are required to wear long trousers and shirts with sleeves or half-sleeves.  

8. Cuban Spanish is fast and often informal

If you speak Spanish, you’ll find that Cubans mostly use the informal tú form of address, rather than usted . In the plural, ustedes is used over vosotros .

If you don’t know someone, it’s best to address them as señor or señora , though you’ll hear Cubans use all kinds of substitutes such as socio , hermano , papa , chica/o  and asere .

9. Cuban cities are where the streets have two names

In most Cuban cities , the streets have two names: a contemporary one that is noted on maps and marked on street signs, and a pre-revolutionary one that is still used widely by the locals.

This can become confusing, especially when locals, unaware of the new street names, start giving out directions or addresses using the colloquial nomenclature. Always double-check addresses and, if possible, get two potential names for the street you’re looking for.

10. Understand the local art of queueing

Cubans have to endure a lot of long waits in boring queues, so they’ve invented a way of doing it that doesn’t involve standing in line. In a Cuban queue, you simply roll up at the bakery/clinic/visa office and yell out to the assembled masses, "Quien es último?" (Who’s last?).

Hopefully, someone in a 400m vicinity will answer your polite entreaty with the word, "yo" (me). That person is your yardstick. As long as they’re still around, feel free to go for a walk, sit in the lotus position or buy ice cream. When they get called up, be on your toes, you’re next!

11. Ask questions more than once  

Thanks to heavy bureaucracy, answers to simple requests aren’t always straightforward – or even correct. Probe politely and ask at least five different people before you make important decisions.

12. Bring something to keep you warm on a cold bus journey

Cuba has a countrywide state-run bus service called  Víazul that connects all of the main cities and some of the smaller towns. Prices are charged in MLC$ (the same rate as the US$) and tickets must be paid for with a credit card either in person or online.

A second service called Conectando, run by Cubanacán, also puts on buses in peak season along some of the more popular routes. Bring a sweater/jacket for long bus rides – the air-conditioning is akin to a chilly day in Vancouver.

13. Cuba is considered a safe place to travel

Cuba is one of the safest countries in the Americas in terms of violent crime. Pick-pocketing is more common but not rampant, and is mostly avoidable if you follow a few basic precautions: Wear a money belt, use safe boxes in hotel rooms and don’t flash your cash in public.

14. Solo female travelers report receiving unwanted attention

Solo female travelers report experiencing a good deal of unwanted attention, but it didn't necessarily spoil their enjoyment of traveling in Cuba.

There is a fine line between being open and friendly and harassment, and some men can cross that line by being overly familiar or asking too many personal questions. Learn some key phrases in Spanish that make it clear when you're not interested.

15. Beware of forgeries

Never change money with unlicensed traders on the streets. You run the risk of receiving estafas (forged notes).

16. Bring your own medicines

On one level, Cuba has a good health system (it invented and quickly distributed three COVID-19 vaccines); on the other, it is perennially short of pharmaceuticals.

Bring all the prescription medications you think you’ll need, as well others you might like ibuprofen or paracetamol. If you’d like to donate some medicines to the people of Cuba, it is currently possible to bring in 10kg of medical supplies tax-free (pack them in a separate bag). 

17. Avoid dodgy cigars

Cuba has its share of jineteros (touts) spinning elaborate stories about super-cheap, high-quality cigars procured by their brother/mother/cousin from the factory. Don’t believe them. Instead, buy your cigars in state-run shops such as the Casa del Habano chain. Cigars sold on the street are invariably factory cast-offs and not genuine.

18. Driving is not as easy as you think

With light traffic on the road, driving might seem like an easy proposition , but with elevated rental prices and cars often in short supply, it’s not always so.

Add in sporadic signposting, potholed roads and a wide array of hazards – goats, horses, bicycles, kids and slow-moving, fume-belching trucks – and you might want to consider getting the bus or, at least, employing the services of a chauffeur .

19. Bring toilet paper and sanitary products

The pandemic made the provision of antiseptic hand lotion more common, but the same can’t be said of toilet paper. Carry your own roll and/or gravitate to four- or five-star hotels when you’re caught short in the city.

Re-usable pads and silicon cups, or disposable pads and tampons are must-pack items if you're expecting your period while you're in Cuba. These are in high demand here.

20. Don’t drink the water

The water won’t kill you, but it might give you a little queasiness or an upset stomach. Fortunately, bottled water is abundant and cheap. An even better idea is to bring your own filter bottle or water purification tablets.

This article was first published Feb 5, 2022 and updated Jan 5, 2024.

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Vacations in Cuba

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When to book a vacation in Cuba

Tips for finding cuba package deals.

• There are loads of types of vacations in Cuba and the cost will depend on what type of trip you’re taking and for how long you’d like to stay. Here are the latest prices for a 3 night trip for 2 travelers: Top vacation $720; Romantic vacation $720.

Why should you book a vacation package to Cuba?

When should you book a vacation package to cuba.

The best time to visit is from December to May, when you can expect sunny weather and clear skies. This is the main festival season, when Cuba celebrates Carnaval in April. The low season begins in June until October, when there are inexpensive vacation packages and fewer tourists around. However, the weather can be quite unpredictable.

Where should you stay in Cuba during your vacation?

For any vacation type in cuba:.

The well-known Hotel Capri in the capital is a six minute walk from the nightlife of the Vedado district. This polished, high-rise hotel is close to the lively Malécon boardwalk, and less than 2 miles from the Gran Teatro de La Habana. To get here from Jose Marti Airport will only take around 30 minutes by taxi.

The picturesque Villa Gavioto is located in the residential area of Vista Alegre, Santiago de Cuba. Just a few minutes from the historical center, its natural environment features extensive vegetation and large gardens. Conveniently, it is only just over 6 miles from the airport.

For family vacations in Cuba:

CasavanaCuba is is a family-friendly guesthouse in the cosmopolitan area of Vedado, Havana. In addition to spa services, a terrace and tour assistance, it provides a round-trip airport shuttle available 24 hours. A full buffet breakfast is provided. The establishment boasts wonderful views of the city and is only a short taxi ride from the Old Town.

Iberostar Playa Pilar in Cayo Guillermo is a family-friendly five star resort and wellness spa on a tropical island in the Jardines del Rey archipelago, off central Cuba. The nearest airport is Jardines del Rey and an airport shuttle will get you to the resort in around 40 minutes.

For romantic vacations in Cuba:

Melia Habana is located in Havana's Miramar district and is a great choice for honeymooning couples. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant in addition to an outdoor pool and hot tub. Views of the sea, garden or city are a feature of certain rooms. José Martí International Airport is 8 miles away.

Starfish Cayo Santa Maria offers an outdoor pool and views of the sea from its restaurant. Some rooms include a private bathroom with a spa bath and there is a 24-hour front desk/gift shop. The nearest airport is Jardines del Rey International Airport, 47 miles away.

For luxury vacations in Cuba:

Hotel Nacional del Cuba is a historic art deco hotel, with elegant rooms featuring old-world decor. It has several restaurants, bars and a cafe. Amenities include two outdoor pools, a tennis court and a fitness room with a sauna. Massage services and regular live entertainment are available.

Melia Santiago de Cuba is located in a high rise at Avenida de las Américas. An iconic city hotel, it has amazing 360 degrees views of the city and the Sierra Maestra mountains, as well as four restaurants plus art and authentic/traditional live music.

For budget vacations in Cuba:

Las Americas Hotel in Santago de Cuba is an understated hotel that's a seven minute walk from Cementerio Santa Ifigenia and 1 1/2 miles from the Diego Velazquez Museum. Basic rooms with old-fashioned decor provide cable TV, as well as balconies or terraces.

Hotel Isla de Cuba is in Camaguey, Cuba's third largest city. It is inexpensive and offers a great location for exploring historic parts of the city. It will suit young travelers on a budget, being close to the main street and its bars, restaurants and attractions.

Where to stay in Cuba

Cuba vacation information, popular package vacation destinations in cuba.

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• Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Paredón & Cayo Cruz
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Ultimate Guide to Travel to Cuba (2024 Update)

Cuba is well known for its white sand beaches, delicious rum, and world-famous cigars… but you might be surprised learn just how much Cuba has to offer travelers. From incredible hiking destinations and wildlife preserves to fascinating historical sites and modern art galleries, Cuba is so much more than most visitors expect.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion about who can travel to Cuba (hint: yes, Americans can travel to Cuba ! ) and how to travel to Cuba. Thankfully, Cuba travel is easy for just about anyone.

In this ultimate guide to travel to Cuba, we’re covering a ll the details about how to travel to Cuba, the best things to do in Cuba, and why you need to add Cuba to your travel bucket list .

Plus, keep reading for all the inside tips we’re sharing about what to pack for your trip, and what to leave at home.

This post contains affiliate links that may reward me monetarily or otherwise when you use them to make qualifying purchases – at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please read our  disclosure policy .

Cuba at a Glance

Who can travel to cuba.

Everyone can travel to Cuba! – even U.S. citizens or citizens of other countries traveling through the United States. U.S. citizens are required by the United States government to only spend money at private businesses (rather than government-run establishments) while there – which is quite easy to do.

Read More: Ultimate Guide to Travel to Cuba from the United States

Cuba uses the Cuban peso , valued at 24 pesos to $1 USD . However, since 2021 Cuba has been experiencing high inflation, and the official exchange rate is much lower than the one you’ll find if you exchange your money with a moneychanger.

Read More: Currency in Cuba: Ultimate Guide to Changing and Using the Cuban Peso

Spanish is the only language spoken in Cuba, with English occasionally spoken in the tourism industry . Download Google Translate before your trip to help. Check out our guide to the apps you’ll need for travel in Cuba for more recommendations.

Cuba is known for being an extremely safe country , much safer than most other places in Latin America or the Caribbean.

Take precautions that would generally when traveling – don’t be excessively flashy with jewelry, hold on to your stuff well in crowded areas, etc. You can find more Tips for Visiting Cuba like these from a fellow traveler here.

Electricity

Some areas of Cuba use 110V electricity while others use 220V electricity , and you’ll find a mix of plug types in different places around the island. We recommend bringing along a universal travel adapter and electrical converter so you can use your devices while there.

Internet in Cuba isn’t everywhere yet, but it is generally easy to access , although slower than you may be used to. We wrote a complete guide to using the internet in Cuba with all the details.

We recommend using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) when using the internet in Cuba. Check out our complete guide to using a VPN in Cuba for more details.

Required Insurance for Travelers

Cuba requires that all travelers show proof of travel insurance coverage upon arrival. We recommend Visitors Coverage for American and Canadian citizens and World Nomads for those of other nationalities.

Read More : Ultimate Guide to Cuba’s Travel Insurance Requirements

Our Most Popular Cuba Guides

• How to Legally Travel to Cuba from the United States (It’s Easy!)
• Ultimate Guide to Havana, Cuba
• Ultimate Guide to Varadero Beach, Cuba
• How to Get the Tourist Visa to Cuba
• Cuba’s Required Travel Insurance: What You Need and How to Get It

Weather in Cuba

A tropical country, Cuba has two seasons: the wet season and the dry season . The heat will generally dip slightly in the winter months (November through April) , but not much.

While the dry season generally attracts more tourists, the weather is perfect for a visit. May is a good time to visit as well, with the weather still nice and fewer tourists.

Dry Season: November – April

Wet Season: May – October

Don’t forget, Cuba occasionally experiences hurricanes . Peak hurricane season is from mid-August through mid-October.

Peak Tourist Season

Peak tourist season in Cuba lasts from early December through the end of March. Peak tourist season generally starts with a huge spike around the holiday season , when many Cubans living abroad come home to visit family.

Visiting around Christmas and New Year is when I’ve seen the greatest price increase in the price of flights and accommodations across the island – try to avoid these weeks if you can.

Best Things to Do in Cuba

Visit havana.

The craziest and most beautiful city in the world in our most humble opinion, Havana is like no other place on the planet.

Many say it’s stuck in the 1950s, but they couldn’t be more wrong – Havana holds on to its history beautifully while moving forward in a wholly modern way that will leave you enchanted.

Some of the best things to do in the city include exploring Old Havana , taking in the view over the city at the Cristo de la Habana , and ending the night with a drink and a show at the Fábrica de Arte Cubano .

Planning A Trip to Havana?

Check out our travel guides for insider information:

• Ultimate Travel Guide to Havana, Cuba
• Where to Stay in Havana
• The Best Airbnbs and Casa Particular Rentals in Old Havana
• The Best Airbnbs and Casa Particular Rentals in Vedado
• The Best Cafes in Havana and The Best Brunch in Havana

Visit Cuba’s Beaches

Cuba is known for having some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Not only that, but many of them are as close to virgin, untouched beaches as you can still find in the Caribbean, which makes for an unmatched experience.

Check out our guide to the Top 10 Best Cuban Beaches to help you choose which to add to your itinerary.

The Beaches of Holguin

The province of Holguin is home to some of Cuba’s best beaches – Guardalavaca, Playa Pesquero, and Playa Esmeralda. Check out our ultimate guide to Holguin, Cuba for more details. 

Varadero is the best-known beach in Cuba due to its proximity to Havana – it’s the perfect getaway from Havana for those looking to spend time in both the city and at the beach. If you’re picturing crystal clear waters and white sand , you’re thinking of Varadero.

While Varadero has a built-up infrastructure so you’ll have everything you’d want at your fingertips, there are also areas of Varadero where you can still get a slice of the beach all to yourself.

Read More: Ultimate Guide to Varadero, Cuba  

Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo

This incredible pair of ‘cayos’ aka ‘keys’ located on the north shore of Cuba are served by their own international airport and have about a dozen large international hotel chains between them.

They’re some of the most underrated islands in the Caribbean .

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive beach experience, I recommend checking out these two keys and some of the incredible hotels they have to offer. The beaches here are truly pristine – some of the best beaches in Cuba .

Playa Ancón – Trinidad, Cuba

Playa Ancon is known as one of the most beautiful beaches on the southern part of the island, and is close to Trinidad, Cuba , an absolute colonial gem of a city that will take your breath away.

If you’re looking to get outside of Havana and Varadero track, which most travelers visit, we definitely recommend considering Trinidad and Playa Ancon!

Ride in A Classic American Car

The cars in Cuba are absolutely enchanting. While they’ve been kept on the road mostly out of necessity, it makes for a car-lover’s dream to see city streets packed with them.

A ride in a vintage convertible along Havana’s famous Malecón sea wall is a must while in Cuba.

Visit A Tobacco Farm in Viñales

Get up close and personal with one of Cuba’s most famous exports in Viñales , at the heart of the best tobacco-growing region in the country.

Here you can travel by horseback to beautiful tobacco farms where you’ll learn about how tobacco is grown, dried, and formed into world-famous cigars.

Viñales is also one of the most beautiful places in Cuba – this stunning valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Center . It’s an unforgettable way to see a stunning area of the country while this excursion!

What to Pack for Cuba

Check out our  Ultimate Cuba Packing List   to help you pack for your trip – we’re sharing exactly what to bring to Cuba and what we never travel without.

Learn About the Cuban Revolution

Cuba is so much more than the Cuban Revolution! The evidence of the revolution is everywhere, certainly, but there is so much more you’ll see and learn here as you meet the people, try the food, and see the art here in Cuba.

Make sure to visit these sites if you’re interested in learning more about the Cuban Revolution:

• Plaza de la Revolución in Havana
• Comandancia de la Plata in the Sierra Maestra mountains , the mountain base where Fidel and his band of revolutionaries launched their attacks
• Museo de la Revolución , a former presidential palace converted into the Museum of the Revolution in Havana. You’ll find American tanks captured in the attack on the Bay of Pigs behind the museum.

Learning more about the Revolution can be absolutely fascinating for visitors, and a great way to understand more of what you’re seeing and experiencing.

Make sure to check out this free walking tour in Havana focused on the Revolution as a fantastic way to learn more about what you’ll see in Cuba!

Want to learn more?

We made a list of a few books to read and movies to watch to inspire your travel and help you learn more about Cuba, past and present. Check them out before you go to learn more about the Cuban Revolution and much more.

• Books to Read Before You Travel to Cuba
• Movies to Watch Before You Travel to Cuba

Top Activities in Cuba

This list doesn’t even scratch the surface of what Cuba has to offer.

Make sure to check out our complete guide to the best travel experiences and activities in Cuba – totally travel-restriction compliant for travelers from the United States!

Where To Stay in Cuba

Casa particularles.

Casas Particulares – or, guest houses – are a fantastic option for staying in Cuba. You can find an amazing selection of rentals of all kinds, from luxury beach houses to staying with a family in a spare bedroom or renting a simple city apartment.

Not only do rentals usually get you a lot more for your money, but you’re supporting small business in Cuba and you’ll get a much richer cultural experience.

We’ve always had the best luck searching with, ironically, Hotels.com .

Despite their name, Hotels.com actually has a great selection of guest houses, private apartments, and Airbnbs for rent – with the best selection for Cuba!

Casa Particular Guides:

• Best Casas Particulares in Old Havana
• Best Casas Particulares in Vedado, Havana
• Best Casas Particulares in Viñales, Cuba
• Best Casas Particulares in Holguin, Cuba

Airbnb is one of the most popular platforms for finding rentals, but plenty of others exist as well and many people rent their listings across multiple platforms.

While we always recommend staying in a casa particular over a hotel, there are more and more amazing options in Cuba these days.

There are several new luxury hotels in Havana and in Cuba’s beach towns, but I recommend the boutique hotels like this one which can be just as luxurious and offer a more personalized stay.

All-Inclusive Resorts

There are many all inclusive resorts in Cuba, especially from companies like Iberostar and Melia , and they’re especially lovely ones located in Varadero and the Cayos – the Keys – on the northern coast of Cuba.

Cuba Accommodation Guides

• Where to Stay in Viñales, Cuba
• Where to Stay in Holguin, Cuba

Cuba can be a tough place to pack for – you’ll probably be combining time in the city, on the beach, or in the countryside.

Plus, there are a lot of things you just WON’T be able to find in Cuba no matter how hard you look, meaning you need to plan ahead!

We created an  ultimate packing list for Cuba  – so make sure to click through to this list to see all of our recommendations for packing (for men and women), plus important travel essentials!

Cuba Travel Essentials

• CASH – if you’re a U.S. citizen, you won’t have access to debit or credit cards while in Cuba . Check out our guide to traveling with cash in Cuba for more details.
• SteriPen – purify water from any source so you won’t get sick!
• Water Bottle (with water filter!)
• S-Biner locks for backpacks and purses while out and about
• Luggage locks
• Comfortable and lightweight basics – I love Los Angeles Apparel clothes for travel, especially to Cuba. These high-quality basics are perfect for layering, and mixing and matching for traveling light (PLUS they’re ethically produced in the United States).
• Go Toobs are the BEST for bringing toiletries.
• Make a mini first-aid kit with a few bandaids, aspirin, triple antibiotic, and alka seltzer just in case!
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Light clothing that will keep you cool in the sun
• Comfortable shoes – get ready for a lot of cobblestones and uneven sidewalks
• Feminine Hygiene Products- I have NEVER been able to find tampons in Cuba – and the period products I have had to purchase there are incomparably bad. Absolutely come prepared, ladies!
• A electrical plug adapter and converter
• A tablet (we love the Amazon Fire !) pre-download some audiobooks and any TV shows or movies you’ll want to watch while you’re in Cuba… internet speeds in Cuba will make downloads slower than you’re used to or impossible.
• A spare memory card for your camera – also something that can be extremely challenging to find in Cuba!
• NordVPN or another Virtual Private Network service . Not a physical product, but something you shouldn’t travel without! Check out our guide to using a VPN in Cuba , and our guide to using a VPN for international travel .

Carley Rojas Avila

Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual travel writer, editor, content marketer, and the founder of the digital travel publications Home to Havana and Explorers Away. She is a serial expat and traveler, having visited 40+ countries and counting. Carley has written for publications like Travel + Leisure, MSN, Associated Press, Weather Channel, Wealth of Geeks, and more. Find her front row at a Bad Bunny concert, befriending street cats, and taste-testing every pizza in Havana.

Find out here the dates of upcoming events and enjoy them on your trip to Cuba. 

Find here information about Cuba that will encourage you to visit and enjoy its culture, nature, beaches.

•   GEOGRAPHY

The culture of Cuba is one of its biggest assets. Diverse and mixed, it takes part in the identity of the Cuban and in the construction of the nationality.

The Cuban archipelago is located in the most occidental part of the insular Caribbean. Groups the island of Cuba, the island of La Juventud and more of four thousand islets and keys. The territory emerged is one of 111 thousand km². The geography of Cuba, with 6 thousand km of shores, houses numerous inlets, bays and beaches.

The nature of Cuba is rich and curious in all its extension. The Flora distinguishes by the endemic and diversity of its plant communities. Of all this groups, the orchids, cacti and palms are the highlighted ones. The fauna of Cuba has the peculiarity of having in the smallest its most exclusive features, and in the 368 different bird species, the reptiles and amphibians, the exclusivity has high percentage.

The official language in Cuba is Spanish, and because of the high level of education of the population, its use is correct and with a wide vocabulary of “cubanismos”. A good part of the population also speaks English, and the tourist sector speaks frequently speaks German, French, Italian and Russian.

The weather in Cuba is tropical, seasonally wet, with maritime influence and semi continental features; however, coexist other weathers located in the mountains systems and on the coasts. The weather in Cuba is divided in two periods:

Cuba is an archipelago made up of the largest island of the Antilles called Cuba, Isla de la Juventud (formerly called Isle of Pines), and another 4,195 cays, islets and adjacent islands. It is located in the Caribbean Sea (or Caribbean Sea), near the coast of the United States and Mexico. Its limits are to the north with the Strait of Florida, to the east with the Paso de los Vientos, to the south with the Caribbean Sea and the west with the Gulf of Mexico. It has an area of ​​109 884.01 square kilometers.

Discover the magic of Cuba's Cities

Cuba's cities are the perfect mix of incredible music, warm and cheerful people, Spanish colonial architecture surrounded by cars of the decade, spectacular contrast of colors, which are part of the local lifestyle.

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Methods of payment in Cuba, How can I pay in Cuba?

One of the most frequent concerns for travelers when organizing a trip is the issue of currency: how much money do we need, what currency (or currencies) should we bring, what payment methods should we use and how difficult it can be to obtain it.

Sunwing Airlines restores flights to Cienfuegos and Manzanillo destinations

Canadian airline Sunwing Airlines will resume flights to the cities of Cienfuegos and Manzanillo, starting this December 8.

Varadero Gourmet International Festival 2023 is about to happen in Cuba

The XIII Edition of the Varadero Gourmet International Festival will be held from September 20 to 23 at the Plaza America Convention Center, located in the seaside resort of this tourist destination, under the theme "La salvaguarda de la comida criolla cubana " (Safeguarding Cuban Creole Food).

The Tourist Destination Villa San José del Lago, in the Center of Cuba, Receives Traveller's Choice Award

Hotel Group received the Travellers Choice award granted by the Tripadvisor travel website to those accommodations, attractions and restaurants that constantly receive excellent opinions from travelers and are among the top 10% of the best establishments on this platform.

OUR DESTINATIONS

Discover the charm of each destination and choose where to go

PINAR DEL RIO

VARADERO MATANZAS

CAYO LARGO ISLA DE LA JUVENTUD

VILLA CLARA

TRINIDAD SANCTI SPIRITUS

JARDINES DEL REY CIEGO DE ÁVILA

SANTIAGO DE CUBA

BARACOA GUANTANAMO

SUN AND BEACH

NAUTICAL SPORTS

Map of Cuba

Browse the map to discover sites of interest

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Cuba Travel Guide

Your ultimate cuba travel guide, with tips, things to do, and best things to see in cuba. great for first-time and returning travelers..

Located on the largest island of the Caribbean, Cuba is a very popular tourist destination and for good reason.

Cuba is home to beautiful white-sand beaches, impressive rainforests and waterfalls, vibrant culture, and lively cities .

Due to various trade restrictions over the years, Cuba has many described by many as like walking into a time capsule and is now a unique blend of the past and present, where vintage cars roam around colorful historic buildings and towns.

The birthplace of salsa music, Cuba is also full of rhythm. Add in its sub-tropical climate, and it is a great place to vacation.

This Cuba travel guide will help you plan your next vacation.

Popular Guides

• Things to do in Havana
• Cuba Photos

Our Highlight

Table of contents

Table of Contents

Fast Facts about Havana

• Power voltage is 110V-220V at 60 Hz. Type A, B, C, and L.
• Cuba’s two currencies are the Cuban Peso and the Cuban Convertible Peso, mainly used for tourists.
• 1 Cuban Convertible Peso is equal to 1 USD.
• The best way to get around Cuba is by bus or taxi. If taking a taxi, make sure the taxi is licensed before riding.
• You need a tourist card to enter Cuba, as well as a passport that is valid for two months after your trip ends. The tourist card allows you to stay in Cuba for up to 30 days.
• The most popular cellular networks in Cuba are Cubacel and Digicel and both offer SIM cards. It should be noted the SIM cards can only be used on unlocked GMS phones. To rent a SIM card, you need a passport and your IMEI (phone ID) number.
• Cuba has a sales tax rate of 2% on wholesale sales and a 10% rate on both retail sales and services.
• SIM Cards : Cuba has very limited Internet and the best bet for visiting Cuba is to unplug, relax and if you have to, use your hotel’s limited WiFi for emergencies.
• It is advisable to download offline maps and any apps offline that you use to travel.

Things to See and Do in Cuba

• Hike Through Sierra Maestra:  Cuba’s largest mountain range and the start point of the Cuban Revolution. Take a tour to learn more about Cuba’s history and enjoy a beautiful hike and great mountain views.
• Varadero Beach:  Visit this pristine and popular beach in Sol Palmeras. Walk through the sand, swim in the clear waters, get to know other tourists or locals, or simply relax and take in the beautiful views.
• Old Havana:  Old Havana is the city center of Havana is considered a crucial part of any trip to Cuba. Stroll through one-of-a-kind historic streets and buildings to see the history of Cuba.
• Tropicana Club:  Head to the famous Tropicana Club for some great nightlife entertainment. Get dinner and enjoy the thrilling cabaret show that’s been running since the 1930s, featuring lively song and dance numbers.  

Cuba Travel Guides

• 36 Fantastic Things to do in Havana, Cuba

Accommodation

Budget:  Cuba offers family-run bed and breakfasts (or casas particulares) for around 15 to 25 pesos per night.  

Mid-Range:  For mid-range hotels, expect to pay roughly 70-130 pesos per night.

High-End:  Upscale hotels will cost about 150-250 pesos per night.

Check out our favorite booking platforms Booking.com , Tripadvisor and VRBO for the best deals on accommodation.

If you’re on a budget, you can find options for pizza or spaghetti at around 3-4 pesos each.

Coffee lovers can find delicious cups of coffee for around 0.10 pesos. Restaurants are a good way to learn more about Cuban cuisine.

Expect to pay around 10-15 pesos for a meal at a restaurant. 

The Best Ways to Get Around Cuba

Getting to cuba:.

Getting to Cuba:  While there are 10 international airports in Cuba, the Aeropuerto Internacional José Martí in Havana is the main one, with the Gualberto Gómez International Airport in Varadero being a close second.

Flights:  You can check for the best flights to Cuba on  Skyscanner .

Transportation:

Transportation:  Look for the Viazul buses, which are made especially for tourists and feature air-conditioning. Great for long distances, you can travel from Trinidad to Havana in six hours for just 25 pesos.

You will want to arrive at the station in advance to get a spot.

Trains : The train system in Cuba runs the length of the island and is a good way to meet the locals.

Go from Havana to Santa Clara for just 20 pesos, or from Santa Clara to Santiago de Cuba for 50 pesos. Be advised that the trains only run every few days, so planning ahead is key.

Taxis:   Taxis are an alternative way to get around Cuba.

Fares start at 1 peso as a flat rate and increase by 1 peso for each kilometer traveled.

To travel from Old Havana to Miramar, for example, costs 8 to 12 pesos.

Car Rental:   It is possible to rent a car in Cuba, but it is expensive and can be convoluted. Take care when you do. Check rates and availability here.

When to go To Cuba

Between November and April is the most popular time to go to Cuba, as temperatures range from 78 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and skies tend to be blue.

You can find higher temperatures (up to 90 degrees) and lower hotel rates in August but note that hurricane season is between August through October. 

Where to Stay in Cuba

Iberostar Grand Packard  – Located on the Malecon and walking distance to Old Havana, this is the premier place to stay in Cuba.

Hostal Las Palmas :One of the most highly rated bed and breakfasts in Trinidad. Explore Trinidad and the Playa Ancon beach, which are both close by.

Suite Florencia :  Built-in 1940, this colonial house turned hotel in Santa Clara is right in the middle of everything. Descend the white marble staircase into this romantic hotel.

Enjoy beautiful views of Santa Clara from your room, or roam about Santa Clara and visit the nearby restaurants and bars.

What to Pack for Cuba

Cuba has a tropical climate so you can count on it being hot and humid.

• Swimsuit:  With Cuba”>
• Sunscreen:  Protect your skin from the powerful sun with some sunscreen.  
• Cash:  As you may not be able to withdraw money from your bank accounts while in Cuba, make sure to bring an appropriate amount of cash based on what you think you’ll spend.
• We didn’t have a problem withdrawing from ATMs in Havana, but it is better to be safe

Cuba Travel Guide: Best Booking Resources

Whenever we travel to we make sure to start with these companies. We have tried a lot of different ones over the years and all of these have consistently proven to be the best when it comes to offering great prices.

We have used every one of these personally and continue to do so.

• Booking.com : This is our go site to when comparing prices for accommodation. It usually has the cheapest prices, especially in Europe and we love their interface. Not to mention you get free cancellation and you are guaranteed the best price.
• Trip Advisor :  What we like about Trip Advisor is that we can look at all the reviews and then book our accommodation. TripAdvisor is where we go when we want to compare prices with multiple accommodation providers.
• VRBO : is the main search engine we use when we are looking for a home or apartment rental. It can sometimes be cheaper than hotels and it is the best way to stay in areas that offer a more local feel.
• Hostelworld :  With one of the largest databases of hostels in the world, Hostelworld is the go-to site when you are looking for budget accommodation.
• Skyscanner : This is the first place we check for flights. It consistently comes back with the cheapest and best options. It allows us to compare a lot of airlines to get the best price.
• Rome 2 Rio :  If you want to see how to get somewhere by plane, train, bus, ferry or car Rome2Rio lays it all out for you as well as related costs.I love how they show it all to you on a Google Map and it works offline.
• Get Your Guide:  For all your day trip and city guide needs, we use Get Your Guide. It has the world’s largest collection of things to do with more than 30,000 activities in 7500 destinations.
• World Nomads Insurance:  When traveling to Italy you should always have travel insurance. We have found the best bang for your buck is by far World Nomads.

Cuba Travel Guide: Related Articles

To browse all our articles and guides about Cuba Click Here.

19 Unforgettable Places to Visit In Cuba in 2024

Cuban Food: 23 Cuban Dishes You Can Try at Home

19 Fun Facts About Cuba You Never Knew

Cuba Tours & Vacations

Behind the hum of vintage cars, pastel hues of 16th-century buildings and wafts of cigar smoke, the real Cuba shines bright.

A country caught in a cultural time warp,   Cuba   is a bright snapshot of the mid-20th century; a true feast for the senses. Watch as Cadillacs roll down the coastal boulevards, walk through traditional tobacco plantations in Vinales and see cigar production in full swing, laze on the shores of the   Caribbean   on some of the world’s whitest sands, and feel the sultry and spicy vibes of salsa as you dance the night away in Havana. With all of this on offer in one of the world’s best climates, what’s stopping you from checking out Cuba’s kaleidoscope of color and charisma?

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Cuba at a glance

Capital city.

Havana (population 2.1 million)

11.3 million

(GMT-05:00) Bogota, Lima, Quito, Rio Branco

CALLING CODE

Electricity.

Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin) Type B (American 3-pin)

Learn more about Cuba

Culture and customs.

With   Spanish ,   African   , and Creole influences, modern Cuba is home to so many cultural components – some of which don’t feel super ‘modern’ at all!

You won’t be surprised that Cubans love music and dancing – with everything from Afro-Cuban rhythms to classic melodies filling the air in clubs, bars, restaurants, and on street corners. The modern arts are also alive here, with ballet, contemporary dance, and film rising in popularity – so much so, Havana is now home to internationally recognized film, literature, and music festivals.

Living in a Communist country means Cubans sometimes go without the luxury items that many Westerners take for granted, with certain foods and consumer goods not available. Despite this, events like birthdays, holidays, and marriages are celebrated with gusto, with special meals, music, and dance featuring. This love of life is also evident in the street parties, festivals, and fiestas that are celebrated throughout the year. Coffee, cigars, and rum flow freely, and people dance to the sound of trumpets and guitars in city streets.

Life in the cities and life in rural areas can be quite different, but the pace of living is consistently Cuban – you’re on local time now, so go with the flow. Experience Cuban culture on our 8 day Beautiful Cuba trip.

History and government

Ancient history.

Before the arrival of the Spanish in 1492, Cuba was home to Mesoamerican cultures, including the indigenous Guanajatabey and Taino people. The Guanajatabey were hunter-gatherers and fishers, and Taino communities also harvested yuca, cotton, and tobacco. Spanish colonialist Bartolome de las Casas estimated that Taino populations in Cuba had reached 350,000 by the end of the 15th century.

By then, Christopher Columbus had landed in Cuba and claimed the land for   Spain, naming it Isla Juana. In 1511, Diego Velazquez de Cuellar founded Baracoa, the first Spanish settlement in Cuba, and three years later what’s now known as Havana was built.

20th century

In 1902, after periods under Spanish, British, and United States rule and involvement in the Spanish–American war, Cuba got its independence. Despite the economy booming, leaders at this time ruled through corruption and control. This was until revolutionary Fidel Castro led a 9000-strong guerrilla army into Havana in 1959, forcing military dictator Fulgencio Batista to flee. Castro became the leader and his brother, Raul, his deputy. What followed was an attempt by the United States to overthrow Castro’s communist rule at the Bay of Pigs, and tension and trade embargoes following the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

Standing alongside Castro as an equally prominent political figure, Che Guevara (although Argentinean) holds a very important place in Cuban history. A revolutionary, author, doctor, and military leader, Guevara played a pivotal role in the guerrilla campaign leading up to the Cuban Revolution and the defense of the Bay of Pigs, as well as in diplomatic relations, up until his death in 1967. It’s impossible not to notice the reverence for Guevara when visiting Cuba, with street art, statues, and museums dedicated to the man Cubans simply call ‘El Che’ found all over the country.

In April 2011 Fidel Castro was succeeded as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba by his brother Raul Castro. Cuba’s political relationship with other countries, including its close neighbors, is ever-evolving, with the US recently beginning to ease restrictions on trade, tourism, and other industries. But a snapshot of 50 years of isolation remains in the cars, architecture, and culture that is a contemporary Cuban street. Learn about Cuba's fascinating past on our 15 day Best of Cuba adventure.

Eating and drinking

Cuba may not have culinary fame compared to some of its neighbors, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be missing out on some great food during your time here. Cuba typically doesn’t have access to a wide range of ingredients, so your dining experience may not be as varied as you’d expect from some other   nearby destinations. Regardless, there are some Central American favorites that are definitely worth trying. Try out the local cuisine on our 8 day Cuba Highlights tour.

What to eat in Cuba

Pastelitos These small pastries can be either sweet or savory. Cream cheese, guava, and beef are the most popular fillings and make for a cheap, tasty meal on the run. Think empanadas, Cuban style.

Cuban sandwich Otherwise known as a mixto, this sandwich is a simple snack that has made its way north into Florida and has become one of the quintessential images of Cuban food beyond its borders. Ham, pork, cheese, mustard, and sometimes salami layered between bread and grilled – what’s not to like?

Ropa vieja Not only is this one of the national dishes of Cuba, but it’s also found all over the Caribbean, in Spain, and even the Philippines! It may literally translate to ‘old clothes’, but that’s definitely not what it tastes like – slow-cooked pulled beef with vegetables, usually served with maduros (fried plantains), black beans, and rice.

Fritura de maiz These deep-fried cheese and cornmeal fritters are popular street food snacks in Cuba. A great choice for vegetarians; throw a couple of these back and you’ll be feeling the Cuban spirit.

Moros y cristianos

Rice and beans is ot just rice and beans. Black beans and white rice are added to a base of peppers, garlic, and onion and simmered with herbs, creating a flavorful addition to any meal and served up at virtually every Cuban restaurant you'll come across.

If you're a little bit peckish and are on the go, seek out some tostones. These twice-fried plantain chips are very popular in a lot of Latin America countries and are an easy (and often cheap) snack.

Although flan is known all around Central and South America as an essential dessert, Cuban flan has a slightly different spin. It's made with evaporated and sweetened condensed milk, giving it a thicker and creamier caramel custard finish than fresh milk varities. Get ready for a seriously delicious sugar high.

Coppelia ice cream Line up with locals to savor a sweet scoop from Coppelia ice cream parlor. This Cuban institution serves tried and true flavors like chocolate and vanilla as well as exotic favorites like mango and coconut.

What to drink in Cuba

Rum The tipple of choice in Cuba is rum, obviously. Savour some Havana Club straight up, have it mixed in a minty mojito, or sip on a Cuba Libre – rum, cola, and lime.

Coffee Cuban coffee is of legendary quality, so be sure to get your caffeine hit with a small but rich cup of liquid gold. Drink it like the locals do, as a cafecito or Cafe Cubano. This type of espresso-style coffee is usually sweetened with raw cane sugar and stirred in with the first drips of espresso to get the best result.

Geography and environment

This island nation sitting in the Caribbean Sea is home to a diverse range of environments: rolling hills to tobacco plantations, beaches, and coral reefs to tropical rainforests. With more than 20% of the island covered with natural parks, there's incredible biodiversity, making it a great place for eco-adventures, hiking, snorkeling, and diving.

Large cities like Havana evoke a time gone by. Grand buildings dating back to the 1950s exude a fading beauty, which makes for great photographs but can also make daily life quite difficult. Due to a lack of building materials, new housing, and infrastructure are rare, making living conditions quite cramped for Cuban city dwellers. Rural life offers more space and a quieter pace, but reduced access to services. Regardless of where you holiday in Cuba, the people are generally kind and hospitable in both the big cities and small towns. Wander the magnificent landscapes, both natural and manmade, on our 8 day One Week in Cuba adventure.

Cuba may not be known for its shopping, but look closely and you’ll find lots of unique souvenirs to take home as a reminder of your holiday. Before heading home, check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to import some items back into your home country. Australia and New Zealand, for example, have strict quarantine laws. The United States also has restrictions on the amount of tobacco and alcohol that can be brought back from Cuba.

What to buy

Art Cuba has a keen appreciation of the fine arts, so it’s not hard to find unique artworks by up-and-coming local artists being sold at galleries and markets. It also makes for a meaningful memento of your time away.

Cigars The cliche is unsurprisingly true – cigars are everywhere in Cuba. Be sure to buy cigars from authorized sellers, as fakes are common. Purchasing straight from the factory is usually best.

Coffee Cuban coffee is top quality, so stock up before you leave to enjoy a taste of Cuba in the comfort of your own home. Do check, however, if your country of origin allows plant-based materials to pass through quarantine.

Music With such a rich musical heritage, Cuba is a great place to pick up a hand-crafted instrument or, if traveling light, a CD or a local artist’s info to add to your playlist.

Do some serious souvenir shopping on our 8 day Premium Cuba tour.

Festivals and events

Havana international jazz festival.

Local and international artists head to Havana every January to become a part of the happening jazz scene. From the impressive Teatro Nacional de Cuba to the city streets, the sweet sounds of jazz fill the air of Havana for the duration of the festival.

Habanos Cigar Festival

In February, cigar connoisseurs gather to celebrate their love of the best cigar in the world – the Habano. With tastings, visits to plantations and factories, master classes, and cigar-rolling contests on offer, this festival will intrigue curious travelers and delight cigar enthusiasts.

Santiago de Cuba Carnival

Watch this historic city come alive in July with street parades full of vibrant costumes, drums, and dancing. This epic public celebrations date back to at least the 17th century and are held all around the country, but Santiago de Cuba hosts the biggest, brightest, and most traditional of them all.

Public holidays that may impact travel include:

Liberation Day

Victory of the Armed Forces

Anniversary of Jose Marti’s birth

Bay of Pigs Victory

National Revolutionary Festival

Anniversary of Che Guevara’s death

Independence Day

Anniversary of Camila Cienfuegos’s death

Anniversary of Antonio Maceo’s death

Please note dates of Cuba's public holidays may vary.

Similar destinations

Thinking about a trip to Cuba but still browsing other destinations? Or, maybe you've already traveled to Central America and you're looking for somewhere similar? Check out tours to neighboring locations:

Further reading

For inspiring stories to prepare you for your holiday in Cuba, check out these books:

• Our Man in Havana   – Graham Greene
• Before Night Falls   – Reinaldo Arenas
• Broken Paradise   – Cecilia Samartin
• Take Me with You   – Carlos Frias
• Adios, Havana   – Andrew J Rodriguez
• Blessed by Thunder: Memoir of a Cuban Girlhood   – Flor Fernandez Barrios
• Conversations with Cuba   – C Peter Ripley
• Havana Fever   – Leonardo Padura
• The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love   – Oscar Hijuelos

Cuba travel FAQs

Do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

When is the best time to visit Cuba?

Cuba's subtropical climate is ideal for exploration, with most places catching the cool trade winds that blow in from the coast, providing pleasant year-round temperatures. June, July and August are usually the hottest months – the dry season runs from November to April and the wet season from May to October. Even in the rainy season, downpours are short and shouldn't impede travel plans. Tropical storms and hurricanes are more prevalent in September and October but rarely cause problems for travelers.

Do I need a visa to travel to Cuba?

Tourists of most nationalities require a 'Tourist Card' which is similar to a tourist visa. These can be obtained through travel agents in your home country, or directly from Cuban embassies and consulates. Depending on the airline you are traveling with to Cuba, you may also be able to purchase the tourist card at the airport from the airline on the day of your departure – please check with your airline for more information. 

If you are a US citizen, American permanent resident, or hold any type of American Visa and are considering traveling to Cuba, please refer to the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website –  travel.state.gov  – for the latest advice.  

We recommend traveling to Cuba via Canada, Europe, and South or Central America. Travelers who have been to Cuba are ineligible to participate in the ESTA Visa Wavier Program and must apply for a tourist visa to enter or transit via the United States.  

Remember to check the entry requirements for any destinations you will travel or transit through both to and from Cuba. 

The page is for general information only and may be subject to change. It is your responsibility to obtain relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates. 

Last updated: 14/11/2023

Is tipping customary in Cuba?

As most Cubans live modest lifestyles, leaving a tip for good service is a great idea and welcomed.

There is almost always free entertainment in bars and restaurants; the musicians and singers are usually not paid by the venue, so we encourage you to tip when you have enjoyed the performance. Tour leaders, restaurant workers, hotel porters, cleaning staff and taxi drivers will appreciate a small sum – but be sure to tip in Cuban pesos as foreign currency isn’t easily exchanged in Cuba.

It’s important to carry around small denominations of currency to leave tips during your holiday, so you can tip an amount you feel comfortable with.

What is the internet access like in Cuba?

Internet access isn't widespread throughout Cuba, but availability is improving. The internet can sometimes be accessed from government departments and larger hotels, and main squares in many cities now have wi-fi accessibility. You will need to purchase an internet card from certain hotels and outlets to gain access in any location, including in public areas.

Please note that although connectivity is improving, the connection may still be slow, some websites may be censored, and the cost is typically quite high.

Can I use my cell phone while in Cuba?

Your cell phone may or may not work while in Cuba, depending on what type of phone you have. Before leaving your home country, ensure roaming is activated with your provider, but be aware that your phone may not get reception due to Cuba having the lowest cell phone network penetration in Latin America.

If you intend to activate global roaming while in Cuba, be sure to check with your service provider to find out about any fees you may incur when using this option, as sometimes this can be expensive.

What are the toilets like in Cuba?

Public toilets are rare in Cuba, but western-style flushable toilets are available in hotels, bars, and restaurants. Bringing your own toilet paper and hand soap or hand sanitizer is recommended as often these are not provided. Due to import restrictions, toilet seats can be considered a luxury and may be missing from some facilities.

Can I drink the water in Cuba?

It's not advisable to drink water from the tap in Cuba. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable bottle or canteen with filtered water if you can – your group leader will provide larger and less disposable water containers for refills on private transport days when they have the resources available. It's also best to avoid ice in drinks and to peel fruit and vegetables rather than eating washed or unwashed produce.

Are credit cards widely accepted in Cuba?

Some credit cards are accepted in Cuba (Visa and Mastercard are usually more widely accepted), although some cards linked to US banking institutions won't be accepted. Debit cards (even Visa debit) generally have problems working. We recommend you bring multiple cards from different banks to be sure you have access to funds. Ensure you also have enough cash and other forms of payment, as credit card facilities may not always be available.

What is ATM access like in Cuba?

ATMs are accessible in large cities like Havana and Santiago de Cuba but are rare and almost non-existent in other parts of Cuba. Ensure you have other payment options available in case you cannot access an ATM while traveling.

What is the weather like in Cuba?

Cuba enjoys Caribbean vibes all year round, and sits below the Tropic of Cancer, so you’ll enjoy a tropical climate with north-easterly trade winds that blow year-round.

May to October is usually considered the wet season, with higher maximum temperatures each day (around 90°F) and more sunlight each day, averaging 10 hours. September and October is hurricane season in the region, and this time of year is usually hot and overcast, with a higher chance of rainfall.

November to April is usually the drier season in Cuba, with maximum temperatures sitting around 79°F and an average of 8 hours of sunlight each day. The winter months are clearer, slightly more humid, and more comfortable than summer.

Is Cuba safe for LGBTQIA+ travelers?

Cuba has made some significant steps in recent years to ensure LGBTQIA+ rights in the country. Homosexuality is legal and accepted in Cuba, and there are some anti-discrimination laws in place for employment, service provisions, and gender identity. However, same-sex marriage recognition is still pending, and stigma still remains in some parts of society, especially in rural areas.

The Cuban National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX) works to support the LGBTQIA+ community in Cuba and hosts rallies to educate and advocate.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting   Equaldex   or   ILGA   before you travel.

If you are traveling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travelers who do not wish to share a room.

Last edited: 14/11/2023

Is Cuba accessible for travellers with disabilities?

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

As Cuba has not had the same infrastructure development as other countries, you may find some mobility challenges when traveling. Havana’s streets are often crowded, and sidewalks can at times be rugged or even nonexistent. This is the same with other cities and towns around the country. Also, a lot of public transportation isn’t geared toward travelers who use a wheelchair, so private travel may be the only option to get around.

If you do live with a visual, hearing, or other impairment, let your booking agent or group leader know early on so they’re aware and suitable arrangements can be made. As a general rule, knowing some common words in the local language, carrying a written itinerary with you, and taking to the streets in a group, rather than solo, can help make your travel experience the best it can be.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling?

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to:  Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to:  UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to:  Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to:  US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners, Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Eden Reforestation Projects

Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation

Cuba 144 offres au départ de Paris

Voyage Cuba : vacances et séjours pas chers à Cuba

Club Framissima Sol Palmeras

Cuba - Varadero

11240 avis**

Inclus : Vols + Transferts + Club + Tout inclus

Magnifique plage de sable blanc

Découvrir la Havane le temps d'une journée

Durée(s) disponible(s) : de 5 à 17 nuits

jusqu'à -81 %

dès 1041 €

VOS AVANTAGES FRAM

Circuit Trésors Cubains

La Havane - Arrivée et retour La Havane

Inclus : Vols + Transferts + Circuit + Repas

Immersion dans la campagne cubaine

Musée du Rhum à La Havane

Durée(s) disponible(s) : 7 nuits

jusqu'à -75 %

dès 1349 €

Hôtel Starfish Varadero

4271 avis**

Inclus : Vols + Transferts + Hôtel + Tout inclus

Sur l'une des plus belles plage de Varadero

Formule tout inclus 24h/24

dès 985 €

Circuit Perle des Caraïbes

3 sites inscrits au patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO

Séjour de 2 nuits au Framissima Sol Palmeras

jusqu'à -78 %

dès 1049 €

Circuit Cuba en grand avec logement au Framissima Sol Palmeras

Visite de 5 sites inscrits à l'UNESCO

Percussions ou salsa à Trinidad

Durée(s) disponible(s) : 14 nuits

jusqu'à -72 %

dès 1569 €

Hôtel Iberostar Grand Packard

Cuba - La Havane

2572 avis**

Inclus : Vols + Transferts + Hôtel + Petit Déjeuner

La vue imprenable sur la baie du Malecon

La piscine sur le toit terrasse

jusqu'à -79 %

dès 1230 €

Hôtel Iberostar Bella Vista Varadero

4540 avis**

Sur la plage de Varadero

Parc aquatique et mini-club pour les enfants

dès 1062 €

Hôtel Iberostar Parque Central

9729 avis**

Excellent emplacement dans la Habana Vieja

Piscines et solarium sur les toit-terrasse

jusqu'à -80 %

dès 1102 €

Circuit Grand Tour de Cuba

Visite du musée d'Ernest Hemingway à La Havane

Visite d'une ferme de cacao à Baracoa

Durée(s) disponible(s) : 16 nuits

jusqu'à -59 %

dès 2549 €

Club Bravo Club Arenal

1433 avis**

Accès direct à une plage de sable blanc

Situé à proximité de La Havane

Durée(s) disponible(s) : de 5 à 14 nuits

dès 951 €

Hôtel Iberostar Tainos

6562 avis**

Sa situation sur la plage de Varadero

La formule tout compris 24h/24

jusqu'à -84 %

dès 988 €

VOS AVANTAGES PLEIN VENT

Hôtel Melia Las Antillas Adult Only +16

7025 avis**

Réservé aux adultes pour un séjour romantique

Ses jardins tropicaux face à la plage paradisiaque

dès 917 €

Hôtel Melia Peninsula Varadero

8914 avis**

Plage de Varadero en accès direct

Emplacement idéal

dès 1115 €

Club Lookéa Sol Caribe Beach

Sa proximité avec le centre de Varadero

Sa plage de sable blanc, longue de 1200 m

dès 1090 €

Hôtel Melia Marina Varadero

5429 avis**

À proximité de la plage de Varadero

Situé dans une réserve écologique

dès 886 €

Hôtel Iberostar Bella Costa

5944 avis**

Plage de Varadero

Diverses activités nautiques

dès 947 €

Hôtel Roc Arenas Dora

6336 avis**

Ses beaux jardins tropicaux qui mènent à la plage

Ses 2 fabuleuses piscines extérieures

dès 1181 €

Hôtel Paradisus Varadero Resort & Spa

8583 avis**

Situation idyllique sur la plage de Varadero

Eco Resort dans un cadre raffiné

dès 1166 €

Hôtel Club Tropical

Inclus : Vols + Hôtel + All Inclusive

• Hôtel Climatisé
• Accès internet
• Activités enfants
• Réception 24/24

Durée(s) disponible(s) : de 5 à 15 nuits

dès 990 €

Hôtel Adult Only - Starfish Cuatro Palmas

4625 avis**

En plein cœur de Varadero

Ses jardins tropicaux

jusqu'à -83 %

dès 1003 €

Découvrez Cuba et sa capitale La Havane qui font fera voyager par sa culture et son histoire. De nombreuses cascades et forêts plairont aux plus sportifs ! Pour les adeptes du farniente la mer des caraïbes est idéale, elle vous proposera aussi plusieurs activités nautiques qui vous feront découvrir les fonds marins. Marine Spécialiste zone Caraïbes

Partez en voyage à Cuba

Découvrez cuba, la terre brûlante des caraïbes.

Cuba, l'île des Caraïbes, avec ses rues pavées et ses vieilles voitures américaines, est un voyage dans le temps. Cette île vous offre un mélange unique de culture, de musique, de nature et de plages idylliques. Les vacances à Cuba attirent tous les ans des voyageurs du monde entier en quête d'une expérience véritablement atypique. Promovacances vous présente cette perle cachée des Caraïbes, que vous soyez à la recherche d'un séjour relaxant sur la plage ou d'une immersion totale dans la culture cubaine. De La Havane à Trinidad, en passant par les plages de Varadero, Cuba est un pays qui ne manque pas de surprises. Alors, préparez-vous à plonger dans l'atmosphère envoûtante de ce joyau des Caraïbes.

Que faire à Cuba ? Notre top 10 des activités

• Visiter une fabrique de cigares à Viñales : Explorez une fabrique de cigares emblématique de Vinales pour découvrir le savoir-faire traditionnel des torcedores cubains et déguster des cigares de renommée mondiale.
• Prendre des Cours de Salsa à La Havane : Imprégnez-vous de l'ambiance festive de La Havane en prenant des cours de salsa dans les quartiers animés, où la musique et la danse rythment la vie quotidienne.
• Faire de la plongée dans l'archipel les Jardins de la Reine : Explorez les fonds marins spectaculaires de l'archipel les Jardins de la Reine lors d'une excursion en plongée inoubliable réputée pour sa richesse marine et ses épaves colorées.
• Visiter le musée des beaux-arts de La Havane : Admirez la plus grande collection d'art cubain au Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes à La Havane. Il offre un aperçu fascinant de l'histoire artistique et culturelle du pays.
• Explorer les mangroves en kayak sur le Rio Negro : Partez en kayak à la découverte des mangroves riches en biodiversité du Rio Negro. Vous pourrez y observer une riche variété d'oiseaux endémiques tropicaux et profiter d'une expérience naturelle unique.
• Suivre les traces d'Ernest Hemingway à La Havane : Plongez dans l'univers littéraire d'Ernest Hemingway en visitant ses lieux emblématiques à La Havane, tels que sa maison-musée Finca Vigia et les bars historiques qu'il fréquentait.
• Déguster des langoustes dans un village de pêcheurs : Savourez des langoustes fraîches préparées de différentes manières dans un village de pêcheurs authentique, offrant une expérience culinaire typique de Cuba.
• Farnienté sur les plages paradisiaques de Varadero : Profitez du soleil et du sable chaud sur les plages idylliques de Varadero, propices à la détente et aux activités nautiques pour une escapade balnéaire parfaite.
• Explorer les campagnes cubaines de Vinales en Jeep : Partez en excursion en Jeep pour explorer les paysages sauvages et pittoresques près de Viñales pour une immersion authentique dans la campagne cubaine.
• Visiter une ancienne raffinerie du sucre à Remedios : Plongez dans l'histoire sucrière de Cuba en visitant une ancienne raffinerie du sucre à Remedios où vous pourrez découvrir le processus traditionnel du raffinage du sucre et déguster un délicieux jus de canne à sucre.

Si vous souhaitez plus d'idées d'activités à Cuba, nous vous recommandons aussi le musée Castillo de la Real Fuerza à la Havane, le château de San Pedro de la Roca à Santiago, les îles de Cay Largoe et Cayo Jutias à Vinales ainsi que le marais de Zapara dans le parc national du même nom.

Où partir en voyage à Cuba ?

Découvrez les lieux les plus emblématiques où passer des vacances inoubliables à Cuba, chacun offrant son propre charme et ses attractions uniques :

• La Havane : Explorez la capitale animée et culturelle de Cuba. La Havane est célèbre pour sa vieille ville, classée au patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO pour son architecture coloniale, ses voitures vintage et ses places historiques. Promenez-vous le long du Malecón, visitez le musée de la Révolution et le quartier de Vedado pour une immersion complète dans la vie cubaine. Enfin, n'oubliez pas le musée Che Guevara pour un voyage enrichissant.
• Varadero : Cette destination balnéaire est prisée pour ses plages de sable blanc et ses eaux turquoise. Profitez du soleil sur la plage, pratiquez des sports nautiques et découvrez les récifs coralliens lors de plongées sous-marines.
• Trinidad : Ville coloniale pittoresque, Trinidad possède un charme authentique. Flânez dans ses rues pavées, visitez les musées locaux et dansez au son de la salsa dans les bars traditionnels.
• Viñales : Cette région rurale pittoresque entourée de mogotes spectaculaires est propice aux activités en plein air. Explorez les plantations de tabac, faites de la randonnée dans la vallée verdoyante et visitez les grottes naturelles.
• Cayo Coco : Cette île paradisiaque est idéale pour une escapade romantique ou familiale. Détendez-vous sur des plages isolées, observez les flamants roses dans les lagunes et profitez d'une atmosphère paisible.
• Santiago de Cuba : Deuxième plus grande ville de Cuba, c'est aussi le berceau de la musique cubaine. Visitez le Castillo del Morro, assistez à des concerts de musique traditionnelle et explorez les quartiers historiques de la ville comme la plaza de Marte et la calle Heredia.

Quelles sont les plus belles plages de Cuba ?

• Playa Pilar : elle est connue comme étant la plus belle plage de Cuba, vous aimerez son eau transparente et son sable fin, vous pouvez y louer des chaises longues et aurez accès à des restaurants et bars.
• Plage de Varadero : magnifique plage au sable blanc à l'eau turquoise, s'étalant sur 20 kilomètres. Vous pourrez trouver des coins tranquilles et paisibles ou bien louer des transats.
• Playa Maguana: à 25km du nord de Baracoa cette plage de sable blond vous séduira par son cadre paradisiaque. Si vous êtes adepte de snorkeling, vous pourrez voir à 40m de la plage une barrière de corail.
• Playa Periquillo : située à Cayo Santa Maria, vous aurez l'occasion d'explorer des épaves et les récif de corail lors d'une expédition snorking. Le sable blanc et l'eau transparente sont aussi au rendez-vous.
• Playa Las Tumbas : pour une journée bronzette et bain de mer en toute tranquillité cette plage est parfaite. Située à 70 km de La Bajada vous ne vous retrouverez pas entouré d'un grand nombre de touristes.

Partir en vacances en famille à Cuba

Cuba est une destination de vacances unique et excitante pour les familles. En effet, des un séjour à Cuba offre une expérience culturelle riche, des paysages époustouflant et des activités amusantes pour tous les âges. Les plages de sable blanc aux eaux turquoises invitent à la détente tandis que les villes historiques telles que La Havane et Trinidad proposent des découvertes architecturales et culturelles passionnantes. Les activités comme la salsa, la dégustation de rhum et la visite de fermes biologiques locales offrent une immersion dans la vie cubaine. En outre, les Cubains sont connus pour leur hospitalité chaleureuse et leur culture amicale, ce qui en fait une destination idéale pour les vacances en famille. En somme, un voyage en famille à Cuba est un excellent choix pour s'émerveiller dans un cadre unique et depaysant.

Nos offres vol et hôtel club à Cuba

Pour un séjour à Cuba entre détente et aventure, optez pour un de nos clubs de vacances. Vous pourrez vous détendre tout en vous dépaysant. Les clubs de vacances à Cuba proposent des installations modernes, des restaurants délicieux et un service attentionné pour que vous puissiez vous détendre en toute tranquillité. De plus, les excursions organisées et les activités de la journée vous permettront de découvrir tout ce que le pays a à offrir. En optant pour un club vacances à Cuba tout compris vous aurez accès à de nombreuses activités sportives comme des terrains multisports, du beach volley et des sports nautiques. Vous pourrez même suivre des cours d'introduction à la plongée sous-marine !

Retrouvez touts nos offres de voyage tout inclus à Cuba pour choisir le meilleur club hôtel chez Promovacances et faire de votre voyage un moment unique.

Marine Spécialiste zone Caraïbes

La Météo Cuba

Quand partir à cuba .

La meilleure période pour partir en vacances à Cuba va de décembre à avril quand les températures sont douces et les pluies rares. Pendant l'été, la chaleur peut devenir accablante à Cuba . C'est pourquoi les mois de mai à novembre sont considérés comme la basse saison touristique. Cependant, vous pourrez profiter d'un voyage pas cher axé sur la plongée sous-marine et l'exploration des récifs coralliens. Il est également possible d'observer les spectaculaires ouragans qui touchent l'île à cette période de l'année, mais attention aux risques potentiels !

Vacances à Cuba : les questions fréquentes posées par nos clients

• Jours 1 & 2: La Havane - Explorez la vieille ville, admirez les sites historiques comme la Place de la Cathédrale et le Palais des Gouverneurs et détendez vous dans l'un des nombreux bars. N'oubliez pas de visiter le Musée de la Révolution.
• Jours 3 & 4: Vinales - Admirez les paysages naturels à couper le souffle, comme les formations rocheuses de Vinales Valley, et visitez les plantations de tabac pour en savoir plus sur l'origine des cigares cubains. Découvrez les grottes de Santo Tomás et leurs formations calcaires étonnantes.
• Jours 5 & 6: Trinidad - Plongez dans l'histoire coloniale en visitant la vieille ville classée au patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO. Visitez les musées, par exemple le Musée d'Histoire de Trinidad, et participez aux soirées animées de la ville à la Casa de la Musica.
• Jours 7 & 8: Cienfuegos - Appréciez l'architecture néoclassique de la ville comme le Teatro Tomas Terry et la Place José Martí. Profitez de la plage de Rancho Luna pour vous détendre et faire de la plongée.
• Jours 9 & 10: Santiago de Cuba - Visitez le Monastère de San Francisco de Asis et le cimetière de Santa Ifigenia. Assistez à un spectacles de rumba à La Casa de la Trova.
• Un passeport valide pour au moins six mois après la date d'entrée à Cuba
• Un billet de retour ou un billet vers un autre pays
• Un visa touristique ou carte de tourisme). Ce document est utilisable pendant 6 mois après son obtention et valable pendant 30 jours une fois entré sur le territoire cubain
• Une assurance voyage valable pour toute la durée du séjour

PLUS DE SEJOURS D'EXCEPTION : Saint Martin Republique Dominicaine Saint Barthelemy Panama Antilles Jamaique Kenya Cap Vert Botswana Afrique Du Sud

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Vacances Cuba

144 Vacances dès 843€ TTC

Nouvelles Recherches

• Billet d'avion Cuba
• Autotour à Cuba
• Circuit à Cuba
• vacances dernière minute à Cuba

Dernières demandes Cuba

Voyages autour de Cuba

• Voyage en République Dominicaine
• Voyage au Mexique
• Voyage à Cancun
• Voyage aux Antilles
• Voyage en Guadeloupe
• Voyage en Martinique
• Voyage aux Iles Grenadines
• Voyage à La Barbade
• Voyage en Jamaïque
• Voyage au Panama
• Voyage aux Etats-Unis

Cuba : vous aimez ?

Consultez nos meilleures adresses d'hôtels que nous avons sélectionnées pour vous : Perle des Caraïbes , Cuba en grand avec logement au Framissima Sol Palmeras , Couleurs de Cuba avec logement au Starfish Varadero , Couleurs de Cuba et extension 2 nuits au Starfish Varadero ou Memories Miramar ainsi que le Melia Habana . Nos clients aiment aussi les hôtels Charmes de La Havane et plages de Varadero (Melia Habana 5* + Framissima Sol Palmeras 4*) et [nom de l’hôtel Cuba chez l'habitant, en casa particular (7 nuits) et Perle des Caraïbes en privatif et extension au Framissima Sol Palmeras . Retrouvez un large choix d’hôtels répondant à toutes les envies. Pour des vacances en famille, entre amis ou en couple, nous vous proposons le Iberostar Parque Central , le Couleurs de Cuba avec logement au Framissima Sol Palmeras mais également le Couleurs de Cuba et extension au Framissima Sol Palmeras .

Nous vous suggérons aussi les hôtels suivants : Hôtel Couleurs de Cuba en privatif et extension 2 nuits au Starfish Varadero , Cuba en grand en privatif avec logement au Framissima Sol Palmeras et l'hôtel Perle des Caraïbes (circuit privatif) . A découvrir aussi sans hésiter : l'Hôtel Iberostar Grand Packard , Découverte du Panama et Santa Clara et l’hôtel Découverte du Panama . A voir également dans le cadre de votre sélection : le Kappa Dreams Playa Bonita Panama et le Toutes les Couleurs du Panama .

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Voyage Cuba

Voyage cuba : informations générales, le meilleur de votre voyage à cuba.

• Cayo Santa Maria
• Santiago de Cuba
• Manzanillo de Cuba
• Santa Lucia

Quand partir?

Les forfaits cuba.

• Articles connexes

Vous planifier un voyage à cuba , voici les informations importantes sur la destination :

Nom officiel

République de Cuba

Situation géographique

Pays insulaire des Grandes Antilles, entre la mer des Caraïbes au sud et l’océan Atlantique à l’est. L’île se trouve au sud des États-Unis (Floride), à l’est de Mexique, à l’ouest d’Haïti et au nord de la Jamaïque.

Climat tropical. Saison sèche de novembre à mars. Saison des pluies d’avril à octobre. Saison des ouragans de la mi-mai à novembre. La moyenne annuelle des températures est de 25 ◦C.

Saison touristique

De décembre à avril.

Durée du séjour

Jusqu’à six mois pour les voyageurs canadiens. Une demande de prolongation de séjour est requise auprès d’un bureau du tourisme ou des autorités de l’immigration avant le 90e jour suivant l’arrivée à Cuba.

Aéroports internationaux

Havana (HAV), Varadero (VRA), Cayo Santa Maria (SNU), Cayo Coco (CCC), Holguin (HOG), Camaguey (CMW), Santiago de Cuba (SCU), Manzanillo de Cuba (MZO), Cienfuegos (CFG), Cayo Largo (CYO)

Lignes aériennes

Sunwing, Air Transat, Air Canada/Air Canada Rouge, Westjet, Air Cubana

Le peso cubain convertible (CUC) est la monnaie utilisée par les étrangers.

Le peso national cubain ou moneda nacional (CUP) est utilisé par les locaux. Sa valeur est inférieure à celle du CUC. 1 CUC = 25 CUP.

On ne peut obtenir des devises cubaines en dehors de Cuba.

Il est préférable de convertir des devises canadiennes en devises cubaines puisqu’une surcharge de 10% s’applique à la conversion des dollars américains en pesos convertibles (CUC).

La conversion de devises peut se faire dans les bureaux de change des hôtels, des aéroports et des zones urbaines ainsi que dans les banques.

Normalement ouvertes de 8h30 à 15h30. Il est possible d’y obtenir une avance de fonds sur carte de crédit.

Port de croisières

Fuseau horaire

Temps de vol

Santé et services médicaux

Tous les prix affichés et/ou demandés sont en pesos convertibles (CUC). Les cartes de crédit et de débit ne sont pas largement acceptées sur l’île et les guichets automatiques sont peu communs. Les cartes de crédit VISA et débit-VISA issues de banques canadiennes sont acceptées dans la majorité des hôtels et des centres commerciaux gérés par le gouvernement cubain.

Télécommunication

Le réseau de téléphone permet les communications directes à l’intérieur et à l’extérieur du pays. Plusieurs hôtels fournissent la connexion à Internet et l’accès au WIFI. L’accès à Internet et au réseau de téléphonie n’est pas gratuit. Vous pouvez vous procurer des cartes d’appels ou d’accès internet dans les hôtels et auprès des compagnies locales de téléphone.

Appeler à Cuba du Canada :

Composez le préfixe pour appel international : 011

Composez le code national de Cuba : 53

Composez ensuite code régional.

Composez finalement le numéro de téléphone.

Tension électrique

220/240 volts

Passeport canadien valide au moins 1 mois après la date de votre retour de voyage.

Carte ou visa touristique

Requis pour entrer à Cuba. Le transporteur aérien vous le remet à l’aéroport ou dans l’avion.

Autres exigences d’entrée

Assurance maladie valide pour toute la durée de votre séjour.

Taxe de départ

Une taxe de 25 CUC par personne est exigée pour quitter le pays. Il est possible que cette taxe soit incluse dans le prix de votre billet d’avion ou de votre forfait voyage.

Quoi apporter

Partez l’esprit tranquille grâce à notre liste aide-mémoire Dans ma valise j’apporte… : Cliquez ici .

Quoi acheter

Rhum, cigares, café, tableaux et autres œuvres artistiques, souvenirs artisanaux, une Guayabera (chemise cubaine traditionnelle) et des CD de musique!

Quoi manger

La langouste, le poisson, les fruits de mer, la ropa vieja (plat de bœuf effiloché).

Se déplacer

autobus, taxi, coco taxi, location de scooter, location de voiture, bicyclette, transport privé et excursion via votre représentant à destination.

Soyez vigilants lorsque vous louez un véhicule ou un scooter. Si vous êtes responsable d’un accident, les autorités cubaines se réservent le droit de vous interdire de quitter le pays jusqu’à ce que les dommages et intérêts soient payés ou jusqu’à la fin du procès s’il y a lieu.

Vivez le meilleur de votre voyage à cuba grâce à :

• Des centaines de kilomètres de plages de sable blanc et d’eau cristalline.
• À peine 3h30 de vol.
• Une culture colorée, riche, festive et sensuelle.
• Un paysage figé dans le temps.
• Terre d’accueil d’un un grand nombre de sites déclarés patrimoine mondial par l’UNESCO.

Préparez-vous à faire votre entrée dans un monde à part. Figé dans le temps, Cuba déploie tout son charme dès les premiers instants. Une fois la zone aéroportuaire franchie, la vraie vie cubaine s’ouvre à vous. Les vielles bagnoles déambulent, les écoliers et écolières vêtus de leur joli uniforme gambadent sur le chemin de l’école et les jeunes adultes se courtisent sur un rythme de salsa sous le regard bienveillant des plus anciens qui, un cigare à la bouche, jouent aux échecs à l’ombre d’un arbre du parque central . Il fait beau, il fait chaud, le rhum coule à flots ; bienvenue à Cuba!

Terre d’accueil de deux zones classées Réserves mondiales de la Biosphère, Cuba est choyé par la nature et est riche en écosystèmes. Les expéditions sont nombreuses, allant de la mangrove à la forêt tropicale, jusqu’aux sommets verdoyants de la Vallée de Vinales. La faune et la flore aquatique sont aussi d’une grande richesse. Une journée en mer s’impose pour plonger et explorer les fonds marins encore intacts.

Pays de soleil et de chaleur, les côtes cubaines abritent un peu plus de 600 plages. Toutes paradisiaques, grâce à leur sable blanc et leur eau limpide, elles invitent au farniente!

Lors de visites de plantations de café, de fabriques de cigares, de distilleries de rhum ou de champs de canne à sucre, le peuple cubain partage son précieux savoir-faire.

Entre la mer et les montagnes se trouvent des villes coloniales où l’on peut s’imprégner de l’histoire fascinante d’une île à la culture vibrante. Faites le plein de souvenirs dans les nombreux musées et sites historiques, émerveillez-vous devant l’art cubain et risquez quelques pas de danse à la discoteca!

Voyage Cuba : une île, 10 destinations

Découverez nos meilleurs destination pour Voyager à Cuba :

1. Varadero

• 21 kilomètres de sable blanc et d’eau turquoise.
• Une proximité sans pareille avec les locaux.
• Une vie nocturne exaltante.

Véritable paradis caribéen, la péninsule de Varadero à Cuba offre plus de 21 kilomètres de plages de sable blanc et d’eau turquoise. D’un bout à l’autre de la planète, on s’entend pour dire que ce sont là les plus belles plages au monde. Les amoureux de la mer peuvent aller à la rencontre de l’océan Atlantique lors d’une balade en catamaran, d’une excursion de pêche en haute mer ou encore de plongée sous-marine dans la région de Jibacoa. La station balnéaire et ses environs regorgent d’activités et d’excursions de tous genres. Golf, visite de grottes, randonnées pédestres, découverte de la faune et de la flore à la Réserve écologique Varahicacos, visite de La Havane et spectacle en plein-air au Cabaret Tropicana Matanzas ne sont que quelques exemples. Prenez place à bord de l’autobus touristique Hop on, Hop off et partez à la découverte de la ville. Faites connaissances avec les locaux aux marchés publics et découvrez les saveurs cubaines dans l’un des nombreux restaurants. En soirée, laissez-vous porter par la frénésie de la vie nocturne. Laissez-vous surprendre par la fièvre de la danse dans l’un des bars, cabarets, discothèques et cafés de la ville.

2. Cayo Santa Maria

• Plages idylliques où se reposer en famille et en amoureux.
• De fascinantes villes coloniales à visiter.
• Paradis des sports nautiques.

Dans la province de Villa Clara, au large de la côte nord de Cuba dans la Bahia de Buena Vista, se trouve la sublime station balnéaire Los Cayos de Villa Clara . La station fait partie de l’archipel Jardines Del Rey et elle regroupe 3 îles appelées Cayo Las Brujas, Cayo Ensenachos et Cayo Santa Maria. Destination par excellence pour les escapades entre amoureux, ses plages immaculées, sa mer scintillante et les cocotiers valsant au gré du vent en font un lieu paradisiaque. Cayo Santa Maria est l’endroit idéal pour se détendre et lézarder au soleil dans une ambiance intime. S’amuser dans le sable, jouer dans l’eau ou rencontrer des dauphins rendront les enfants heureux comme des poissons dans l’eau. Bien qu’il soit difficile de quitter la plage, Santa Clara et Remedios sont deux villes fascinantes à découvrir. Lorsque le soleil se couche et que la chaleur s’estompe, les voyageurs peuvent s’aventurer au Pueblo Las Estrellas, une plaza touristique où l’on retrouve un marché d’artisanats, des boutiques, des bars, des restaurants, une discothèque et une aire de jeux pour les enfants.

3. Cayo Coco

• 400 kilomètres de récifs coraliens.
• Endroit reconnu pour la pratique du kitesurf .
• 22 km de plages peu profondes et idéales pour les enfants.

Cayo Coco et Cayo Guillermo sont deux îles de l’archipel Jardines del rey situées dans la province de Ciego de Avila. Elles attirent chaque année bon nombre de voyageurs en quête de détente et de bains de soleil. Réputé pour ses plages, dont la célèbre Playa Pilar, ses eaux calmes et peu profondes, Cayo Coco est sans contredit une destination de choix pour les vacances au bord de la mer en famille, en couple ou entre amis. Les conditions qu’offre Cayo Guillermo sont idéales pour le kitesurf, sport emblématique de la destination. Les 400 kilomètres de récifs coraliens ont de quoi éblouir les fervents de plongée sous-marine. Outre la mer, Cayo Coco à Cuba se distingue par son environnement naturel luxuriant. Entre mangroves et flamants roses, une journée en plein-air vous permettra de découvrir son abondante biodiversité. Montez à bord du Jardines del Rey Panoramic Bus Tour pour découvrir les environs. Riches culturellement, les villes de Moron et Ciego de Avila sont un charme à explorer. Faire la fête à Cayo Coco est aussi un incontournable. Déhanchez-vous au club de danse La Grotta ou faites la fiesta sur la plage au coucher du soleil.

4. Cayo Cruz

• Nouvelle destination cubaine depuis 2019.
• Idéal pour la pêche en haute mer.
• 25 km de plages immaculées accompagnées d’eaux cristallines calmes.

Destination nouvellement offerte sur le marché touristique, Cayo Cruz saura plaire aux amateurs de plage et de pêche sportive. Cet îlot fait partie du même archipel que les fameuses Cayo Coco et Cayo Guillermo. Pour s’y rendre, on doit atterrir à l’aéroport de Jardines del Rey à Cayo Coco. Cela donne l’occasion de profiter de vues imprenables sur la mer une fois sur la route vers ce petit paradis. Le farniente est à l’honneur lorsque l’on visite cet havre de paix. Prenez une marche sur la plage longue de plusieurs kilomètres ou encore montez à bord d’un catamaran le temps d’un après-midi pour profiter des vents marins et du soleil. Pour les plus sportifs, partez à l’aventure à bord d’une embarcation conçue pour la pêche et profitez d’une expérience exceptionnelle dans un des parcs marins les plus réputés du pays. Il est aussi possible de faire plusieurs autres activités nautiques sur les eaux turquoises et calmes de Cayo Cruz.

• Combine la mer, la campagne et la ville
• Superbes plongées en apnée
• Villages pittoresques dans les environs

Prisée pour ses chaudes températures durant les mois d’hiver, ses paysages ruraux, ses reliefs verdoyants et sa musique cubaine entrainante, Holguin est une destination de choix. Elle combine le meilleur des deux mondes; une ville coloniale au charme infini et des plages de sable fin bordant le grand bleu d’azur. Surnommée La ville des parcs , une visite d’Holguin est un incontournable pour s’imprégner de son histoire, de sa culture et de sa personnalité. À vélo ou en vielle bagnole, admirez toute la splendeur des paysages naturels. Profitez d’une belle journée à la plage et explorez quelques-uns des plus beaux sites de plongée en apnée de l’île. Près de la mer se trouve le petit village de Guardalavaca où il fait bon faire des emplettes au marché d’artisanat ainsi que le village de pêcheurs Santa Lucia où il faut absolument s’arrêter le temps de partager un café avec l’habitant.

6. La Havane

• Centre historique et culturel.
• Excellente gastronomie.
• Incroyable vie nocturne et nombreuses options de divertissement.

Capitale du pays, capitale de la culture et centre historique, La Havane est un véritable musée à ciel ouvert. Une simple balade dans les rues pavées, colorées et sinueuses de la Vieja Havana vous permet d’apprécier la beauté exceptionnelle de l’architecture coloniale. Les nombreux musées, sites historiques, théâtres et galeries d’art rassasient l’appétit des plus curieux. Un arrêt à la Plaza de la Revolucion vous transportera dans une époque intense et marquante de l’histoire du pays. Succombez au charme de la ville et allez à la rencontre des cubains sur la promenade du Malecon, prenez l’apéro au célèbre Bodeguita del Medio, savourez un repas cubain au restaurant El Patio et faites incursion dans la culture cubaine au célèbre Cabaret Tropicana. Offrez-vous une expérience unique et authentique, posez vos valises quelques jours à La Havana!

7. Cayo Largo

• Évasion dans un cadre naturel et intime.
• Plage pour naturiste.
• Présence accrue de la faune.

Vous rêvez d’une évasion lointaine sur une île vierge de la mer des Caraïbes? Cayo Largo est une île paradisiaque où l’on peut se laisser bercer par le vent chaud et la douceur des vagues. Si cela vous chante, laissez tomber tous vos vêtements et dévoilez-vous aux rayons du soleil sur la plage naturiste. Outre les journées de détente à la mer, la petite île est également l’endroit idéal pour explorer les récifs coraliens et les épaves de naufrages survenus entre 1563 et 1784. Faites connaissance avec les tortues marines au centre de protection des tortues et découvrez la merveilleuse faune environnante. Les singes de Cayo Cantiles vous feront sourire, tandis que la grande variété d’oiseaux de Cayo Pajaras vous éblouira. L’île voisine s’appelle l’île de la Jeunesse, un lieu unique et magnifique à visiter. Les sports nautiques sont en tête de liste et la pêche y est souvent miraculeuse! Thon, mérou et barracuda sur le grill sont délicieux.

8. Cienfuegos

• Architecture raffinée et histoire fascinante.
• Lieu de naissance du célèbre chanteur cubain Benny Moré.
• Trinidad, ville classée au Patrimoine culturel par l’UNESCO.

Cienfuegos, appelée La Perle du Sud, est une ville singulière de par son apparence raffinée. On y ressent encore l’influence des colons françcais, ce qui en fait un lieu historiquement fascinant et architecturalement prestigieux. Non loin de là se trouve la ville éclatante de Trinidad . Classée au Patrimoine culturel par l’UNESCO, une visite de quelques heures n’est pas suffisante! Outre les découvertes citadines, la région offre de belles plages donnant sur la mer des Caraïbes, d’excellents restaurants de poissons et de fruits de mer ainsi que des spectacles de musique enivrants. Cienfuegos est également la ville d’accueil de nombreux événements et activités culturels. C’est là qu’a lieu le Festival international de Musique Pop Benny Moré, les régates et autres tournois aquatiques.

9. Santiago de Cuba

• Vaste éventail d’activités en nature.
• Visite de distilleries et dégustation de rhum cubain.
• Attrayante ville caribéenne.

Entre les splendides montagnes de la Sierra Maestra et la paisible baie de Santiago de Cuba, à tous points de vue le panorama est magnifique. Renouvelez sans cesse le contact avec la nature grâce aux nombreuses réserves naturelles et biosphères de la région. Les plages de sable doré et la mer calme appellent à la détente. Situé au sud de Cuba, la chaleur torride et le soleil constant vous y attendent! La région abrite plusieurs plantations de café et distilleries de rhum. Lors d’une visite, les propriétaires vous partageront avec générosité leur savoir-faire. Ville cosmopolite à l’histoire fascinante de par son rôle important dans la révolution cubaine, Santiago de Cuba mérite qu’on s’y attarde, ne serait-ce que pour apprécier sa beauté architecturale, son atmosphère caribéenne et son riche héritage culturel. Réputée comme étant le lieu de naissance de nombreux styles musicaux, une part importante de l’identité cubaine, la ville regorge de bars, cafés et cabarets de spectacles musicaux.

10. Manzanillo de Cuba

• Une destination encore peu fréquentée.
• Lieu par excellence pour les activités en nature.
• Visite des villes de Manzanillo, de Bayamo et de Pilon.

Manzanillo de Cuba, située dans la province de Granma, est une destination encore préservée du tourisme de masse. Le paysage est parsemé de vastes étendues vertes, des sommets de la Sierra Maestra, de plantations de bananes et de café , d’une végétation luxuriante, de petits villages campagnards et de sympathiques paysans au travail. Lieu par excellence pour les activités en nature, seuls les bruits de la mer, des oiseaux et du vent se font entendre. Vous ferez d’incroyables découvertes en parcourant le Parc National de la Sierra Maestra ou en explorant les splendeurs des récifs coralliens du Golfe de Guacanayabo. Visitez les villes de Manzanillo, de Bayamo et de Pilon pour goûter pleinement les saveurs cubaines.

11. Santa Lucia

• Des plages à perte de vue, parfaites pour les longues marches.
• Abrite l’une des plus importantes formations de récifs coralliens .
• Expérience culinaire authentique chez l’habitant.

De longues plages et des vacanciers souriants peuplent la station balnéaire de Santa Lucia. L’eau calme et peu profonde est parfaite pour une journée de détente à la mer et de belles marches au soleil. Il y a, au large de la côte, l’une des plus importantes formations de récifs coralliens. Les fonds marins réservent de magnifiques surprises aux amateurs de plongée. D’autres sports nautiques tels le paddle, le kayak et la pêche gardent les vacanciers actifs. La faune et la flore terrestres sont toutes aussi impressionnantes et diversifiées. La destination accueille chaque année un important festival de danse, une occasion unique de plonger dans l’univers sensuel et festif de la musique cubaine. Vivez une expérience culinaire authentique en dégustant un savoureux repas de langouste chez l’habitant dans le village de La Boca. À 90 kilomètres de la mer se trouve la ville colorée de Camaguey. Lors de sa visite, vous serez ébloui par son architecture coloniale et ses nombreux monuments historiques.

Avec sa chaude température, ses plages idylliques et sa grande accessibilité, Cuba est une destination très prisée durant toute l’année. Toutefois, la meilleure période pour éviter le plus possible les précipitations est de novembre à mai. Dès le mois de juin, les après-midis sont souvent accompagnés de pluies abondantes. La bonne nouvelle est que ces averses sont très souvent de courte durée et la température se fait très chaude et humide. Alors, cela ne gâcherait pas les journées prévues pour parfaire votre bronzage. Il faut aussi noter que la saison des ouragans a lieu de la mi-mai à la fin novembre. Pendant les mois hivernaux, la température reste agréable sur l’ensemble de l’île. Pour s’assurer de quelques degrés supplémentaires, il est recommandé de passer ses vacances dans les destinations balnéaires qui sont le plus au sud: Holguin, Cayo Largo et Santiago de Cuba. Cela dit, les autres stations telles que Varadero, les Cayos (Coco, Guillermo, Cruz et Santa Maria) sont un tantinet moins chaudes, mais décidément à ne pas manquer. L’eau de la mer varie entre 24 et 30 degrés selon l’endroit et la période de l’année. La baignade y est toujours agréable.

*Température moyenne **Pluie moyenne mensuelle ***Nombre d’heure moyen d’ensoleillement par jour

Cuba est la destination par excellence pour une évasion romantique. Les couples peuvent profiter d’une ambiance suave dans l’un des complexes réservés aux adultes de Varadero, de Cayo Santa Maria, d’Holguín ou de Cayo Coco. Les plages paradisiaques sont idéales pour un souper au coucher du soleil, un massage en duo, de longues balades matinales, des journées de détente ou une cérémonie de mariage. L’île invite les amoureux à faire le plein de souvenirs et de romance en sillonnant les rues pavées de Trinidad, de Santiago de Cuba et de la Havane.

Enfants heureux, parents heureux dit-on ! Soyez comblé de bonheur à la vue de vos enfants qui barbotent dans l’eau calme de Cayo Coco, qui découvrent les poissons colorés d’Holguín, qui nagent avec des dauphins à Varadero et qui s’émerveillent devant les bébés tortues à la ferme de Cayo Largo. Aventure en bateau, soirée carnaval et visite de grottes, Cuba a de quoi divertir petits et grands!

Entre amis(es)

Partez à l’aventure entre amis(es) sur un bateau de pêche en haute mer, naviguez les eaux chaudes à bord d’un catamaran ou faites la bronzette sur une plage immaculée bordée de cocotiers. De jour, découvrez les campagnes cubaines en Jeep Safari ou dégustez le fameux rhum Havana Club lors d’une visite de distillerie. En soirée, délectez-vous des saveurs cubaines dans l’un des restaurants de Varadero et laissez-vous porter par la frénésie de la vie nocturne. Un vaste choix d’hôtels animés en formule Tout inclus est offert aux groupes!

• Départ de Kingston --> Départ de Bagotville Départ de Charlottetown Départ de Fredericton Départ de Halifax Départ de Moncton Départ de Montréal Départ de Ottawa Départ de Québec Départ de St. John's Départ de Toronto
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Destinations

Colorful houses in the Havana

Photo: Shutterstock

In the heart of the Caribbean, Cuba is home to stunning beaches, mountains, waterfalls, incredible festivals, historic forts and the Caribbean’s premiere art scene.

City Guide: Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos is a picturesque coastal town with laid back charm known as Cuba's Pearl Of The South. Top drawcards include the historic city center and nearby beaches.

Wildlife & Nature

The Landscape of Cuba: Topes de Collantes

Enter and Explore Topes de Collantes. Home to amazing waterfalls in Cuba like Salto del Caburní and Salto Vegas Grandes.

Visit Chinatown in Havana

Visit the only Chinatown in Cuba, right in Central Havana, and learn how Chinese Cubans have attributed to Cuban Culture.

Beaches & Islands

Five of the Best Beaches in Cuba

Taking a vacation to Cuba means swimming in crystalline waters, playing in the powdery sands, and absorbing the ultra-Caribbean atmosphere - and the entire island is covered with these scenic locations!

History & Heritage

Visit the Museo de la Revolución

Havana’s Museo de la Revolución offers a thorough look at Cuba’s recent history, through a fascinating collection of artifacts.

Explore Varahicacos Ecological Reserve

Indulge in the landscape of Cuba at Varahicacos Ecological Reserve, with rare abundant flora, and ancient caves once inhabited by Taíno Indians.

Beyond Havana: Four Other Cuban Cities to Explore

Discover Cuba beyond Havana and uncover the charm of lesser-known

Scale the Peaks of Sierra Maestra

Enter the extensive Sierra Maestra mountains in Cuba, full of

Valley of the Sugar Mills

The historic Valley of the Sugar Mills near Trinidad awaits.

Cayo Coco: The Ideal Cuban Paradise

Of all the Cuban islands, Cayo Coco has some of

Explore the Glittering Caves of Bellamar

Dive into one of Cuba's most dazzling adventures in the

Visit the Sanctuary of San Lázaro

Visit the San Lázaro national pilgrimage site near Havana for

Lesser Known Parts of Cuba to Discover This Year

Escape the crowds and Look further into the Cuban landscape

See Cuban Nature Up-close at Sierra Del Rosario

Reconnect with nature at Cuba's Sierra del Rosario nature reserve.

Discover the best Cuban beaches making a splash in the

Cienfuegos is a picturesque coastal town with laid back charm

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Les meilleures villes

Les voyageurs choisissent Varadero pour ces thèmes : plage, climat tropical, tranquillité.

Havana est très appréciée des voyageurs pour : histoire, concerts, art.

Cayo Santa Maria

Cayo largo del sur, les meilleurs hôtels.

Doté d'un restaurant, d'une terrasse et d'installations de sports nautiques, le Memories Varadero - All Inclusive se trouve à Varadero, dans la région de Matanzas.

Memories Varadero - All Inclusive

Note de commentaires moyenne : 6,4

Situé à Varadero, le Grand Memories Varadero propose un jacuzzi, des installations de sports nautiques et un restaurant sur place.

Grand Memories Varadero - All Inclusive

Il n'y a pas encore de commentaire

Bénéficiant d'une piscine extérieure et d'une terrasse toute l'année, le Be Live Experience Varadero est situé à Varadero dans la région de Matanzas.

Be Live Experience Varadero

L'Ocean Vista Azul se situe à seulement 5 minutes à pied de la place principale de Varadero et à 700 mètres du parc Josone.

« Piscine Appartment Clean Staff »

Ocean Vista Azul

Note de commentaires moyenne : 7,7

L'Hotel El Bosque propose un hébergement à La Havane, ainsi qu'un restaurant et un bar sur place.

Hotel El Bosque

Note de commentaires moyenne : 5,6

L'Ocean Varadero El Patriarca dispose d'une piscine, d'une terrasse et d'un vaste jardin. Cet hôtel vous accueille sur la plage de Varadero, à 40 minutes de route de l'aéroport Juan Gualberto Gomez.

Ocean Varadero El Patriarca

Note de commentaires moyenne : 7,4

Topes de Collantes

Santiago de cuba, playa jibacoa, alameda del siboney, maría la gorda, cayo guillermo, playa esmeralda, playa pesquero, playa yuraguanal, sites d'intérêt, puerto escondido, punta blanca, playa giron, revolution square, havana boardwalk, banes south, disco ayala, estación de cromo, paredon grande, punta alegre, cathedral of havana, estación de miramar, revolution museum.

Profitez de : histoire, concerts et cuisine locale lors de votre séjour à proximité de ce site d'intérêt : Revolution Museum !

Camino Cienfuegos

Las guasimas battlefield, estación casilda, revolutionsmuseum, jardines del rey international airport, aéroport de camagüey-ignacio agramonte, josé martí international airport, frank país international airport, aéroport internation antonio maceo, aéroport abel santa maria, juan gualberto gómez airport, vilo acuña international airport.

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Tourisme à Cuba : Le guide ultime pour votre voyage !

Découvrez l’île de cuba et sa beauté.

Cuba est l’île ultime. Cet endroit que vous aimerez avec toutes ses bonnes choses et ses mauvaises choses. Une île difficile à comprendre et difficile à expliquer. Un lieu plein de contradictions, mais avec de beaux endroits, des plages de rêve, de la musique cubaine, de la danse et du chant. Cuba est spéciale, elle est unique. C’est pourquoi nous avons tant faire du tourisme à Cuba.

C’est une destination dans les Caraïbes qui se distingue des autres par la variété de ses attractions touristiques : si elle est avant tout une destination de plages et de soleil, elle possède également d’importantes attractions historiques et culturelles, écologiques et naturelles, des villes et des stations thermales minérales-médicinales qui lui confèrent une diversité qui en fait une destination intéressante pour de larges secteurs du marché touristique et pour un large éventail d’intérêts et d’âges parmi les voyageurs.

Dans ce guide complet pour voyager à Cuba, vous trouverez des informations pratiques pour organiser votre voyage à travers le pays, nous espérons que vous le trouverez utile !

Informations générales pour le tourisme à Cuba

La République de Cuba est un pays situé dans la mer des Caraïbes. Elle est composée de l’île principale, l’île de la Jeunesse, et d’un millier de petites îles et de cayes qui l’entourent. La ville la plus peuplée – et aussi la plus touristique – est La Havane.

Cuba est un pays aux paysages scandaleux : immenses plantations de café, de tabac et de sucre, mogotes et plages paradisiaques qui entourent tout le pays. Ses villes reflètent clairement l’histoire du pays. Donc si vous décidez de la visiter, n’oubliez pas de lire un peu sur son passé et son présent pour essayer de comprendre les circonstances économiques, sociales et politiques de Cuba.

Les endroits les plus populaires pour le tourisme à Cuba

Varadero et La Havane sont généralement dans l’esprit de tous les voyageurs. Ils ne pouvaient donc pas manquer dans ce guide complet sur Cuba. La Havane est une ville qui a beaucoup évolué ces dernières années, mais qui n’a pas perdu une partie de cette décadence qui en fait un lieu si unique. En outre, il est facile de se perdre dans ses rues étroites et de s’éloigner de la foule et du tourisme pour découvrir La Havane de façon plus locale.

Varadero, contrairement à ce que beaucoup de gens pensent, est plus que des bracelets, des cocktails et des stations balnéaires. Il y a un Varadero à bas prix, un Varadero de routard qui vaut le détour.

Préparer un voyage de 30 jours à Cuba : itinéraire et transport

Si vous allez préparer un voyage à Cuba, il est normal que vous ayez des doutes de ce type : combien de jours je consacre à Santiago de Cuba, comment fonctionne le transport à Cuba, combien de temps me faudra-t-il pour aller d’une ville à l’autre, comment me rendre d’un endroit à l’autre ?

Eh bien, nous allons tenter de dissiper tous ces doutes sur la planification de votre voyage. Lorsque vous voyagez à Cuba en tant que routard ou voyageur à bas prix, il n’y a pas beaucoup d’informations sur Internet pour vous renseigner. Vous trouverez donc ici notre itinéraire, les jours que nous avons passés dans chaque endroit et comment nous nous sommes déplacés d’un endroit à l’autre. Il ne s’agit pas d’un guide sur ce qu’il faut faire dans chaque endroit, mais d’un document pratique qui peut vous aider à établir votre itinéraire.

Bien que nous vous laissions ici des informations utiles basées sur notre expérience, à Cuba, il faut se laisser aller, être patient et attendre presque partout, demander son chemin et demander presque tout. C’est le mantra cubain et vous savez, où que vous alliez… faites ce que vous voyez.

Notre itinéraire à travers Cuba débute depuis Miami, nous prenons alors l’avion pour Holguin. En revanche, les vols internationaux “classiques” qui arrivent d’Espagne se rendent généralement dans la capitale, La Havane.

Jour 1 : Vol Miami – Holguin

Le premier contact avec Cuba est toujours spécial, c’est pourquoi nous garderons Holguin dans nos cœurs comme l’un des endroits spéciaux de notre voyage. Nos premières bières de boucanier pas très froides, les premiers repas vraiment bon marché, les premières promenades et aussi la première fois que nous avons été escroqués.

Jours 2-4 : Holguín Guardalavaca

Guardalavaca est l’endroit où vous allez vous perdre. Pour nous, elle rentre rapidement dans notre top trois des plus belles plages cubaines. Ce n’est pas un endroit très visité par les touristes, mais, plutôt par les locaux.

Dans la ville de Guardalavaca, il y a des maisons à louer et aussi une place avec plusieurs établissements et des stands de nourriture. On vous suggère de prendre le petit déjeuner au stand de Juan Peña et votre déjeuner et dîner à la Fonda de Pepe .

Jours 4-7 : Santiago de Cuba

Le quatrième jour était consacré au voyage de Guardalavaca à Holguin et de Holguin à Santiago de Cuba.

À Santiago de Cuba, il y a beaucoup à voir et à faire, nous vous conseillons d’y rester trois nuits. Nous pensons que c’était la durée idéale pour tout voir de la zone.

De Santiago de Cuba, vous pouvez aller à Baracoa, un autre paradis cubain. Il faut environ 5h via Viazul, bien qu’il y ait sûrement d’autres possibilités de transport comme des taxis.

Jour 7 : Voyage Santiago de Cuba – Camagüey

Une dure journée s’annonce ! À la gare routière de Santiago, vous trouverez des taxis ou de petites camionnettes qui vous déposeront Camagüey pour environ 10 CUC, le même prix que de Santiago à La Havane (ce qui représente le double du trajet).

Jours 8-9 : Camagüey

Camagüey peut être parfaitement vu en une journée entière. On l’appelle la ville des jarres, bien qu’il en reste peu. Mais c’est une ville assez colorée, et elle en vaut la peine.

Jours 9-11 : Santa Lucia

Il y a très peu de touristes, mais aussi peu d’endroits pour manger à bon prix !

À quelques kilomètres de cet archipel, on dit que c’est la deuxième plus grande barrière de corail du monde, après celle de l’Australie et un paradis pour les activités nautiques, dont la plongée ! 

Jours 11-14 : Trinidad

On vous recommande de passer trois nuits à Trinitad, voir un peu plus si vous avez le temps. Bien qu’assez axée sur le tourisme, c’est de loin la plus belle ville de Cuba pour nous. Très soigné et préservant ce style colonial qui caractérise tant la ville. Outre la ville, plusieurs excursions peuvent être faites dans les environs, comme la visite de Playa Ancón ou la Valle de Los Ingenios.

Jours 14-17 : La Havane

La Havane a beaucoup à offrir : le Callejón de Hamel, la Vieille Havane, les couchers de soleil sur le Malecón, boire un mojito sur une des terrasses des grands hôtels, etc.

À lire également : Notre guide pour visiter La Havane

Jours 17-21 : Pinar del Río et Viñales

À Pinar del Río, on vous recommande de passer 4 nuits. Le top, c’est que depuis Pinar del Río, il y a des voitures partagées qui vont assez fréquemment à Viñales, une zone naturelle et de plages magnifiques !

Jours 21-22 : Matanzas

Matanzas ne nécessite qu’une journée durant votre errance de tourisme à Cuba pour se promener dans ses rues. L’endroit est intéressant à visiter, et nous avons trouvé le meilleur restaurant italien de l’île. Et juste pour ça, ça vaut le coup de s’arrêter.

Jours 22-28 : Varadero

Oui, nous avons passé plus de jours que partout ailleurs à Varadero. Mais Varadero a un côté très intéressant pour les randonneurs et si vous avez fait de la randonnée pendant trois semaines, vous aurez envie d’y aller et de profiter de l’eau cristalline et d’un bon verre de rhum et de limonade.

Jours 28-30 : Santa Clara

Nous avons consacré deux nuits à Santa Clara, même si une nuit et un jour auraient suffi. La vérité est que la ville peut être vue paisiblement en un jour.

Budget pour faire du tourisme à Cuba

Combien coûte un voyage à Cuba ? Quelles sont les options les moins chères ? Quels sont les prix indicatifs que je devrais connaître pour ne pas me faire arnaquer ? Si vous vous posez ces questions lors de la préparation de votre itinéraire de voyage à Cuba, prenez-en note, car nous vous indiquons notre budget pour les voyages à Cuba.

Pesos cubains : que sont-ils et comment les obtenir pour faire du tourisme à Cuba

À Cuba, vous payez avec des pesos cubains et il en existe deux types différents :

• CUC (peso cubain convertible). Vous pouvez aussi l’appeler peso, convertible ou dollar. C’est la monnaie qui peut être échangée contre toute autre monnaie internationale. Il a approximativement le même taux de change que l’USD (dollar américain). Nous payons en CUC pour tous les hébergements, certains aliments, les boissons alcoolisées, tous les bus et taxis touristiques, les produits importés et les cartes internet.
• CUP (peso cubain). Ils les appellent juste peso, nous les appelions pesito. 1 CUC équivaut à environ 25 CUP. Cette monnaie est principalement utilisée pour payer les repas aux guichets et dans de nombreux restaurants, ainsi que pour les camions et les bus locaux. Nous n’avons eu aucun problème pour obtenir la Coupe. Il ne faut pas vous en priver parce que vous êtes un étranger.

Vous pouvez obtenir la monnaie dans les bureaux de change (CADECA). Il y en a généralement un par ville et vous devez y aller avec votre passeport. Là, vous obtenez le CUC à partir de devises étrangères et le CUP à partir du CUC.

Combien de pesos cubains (CUP) puis-je échanger ?

Notre conseil, surtout si vous voyagez en mode économique, est que pour chaque 1 CUC, vous en changez 35 en CUP. Si vous changez des dollars américains (USD) et non des euros, vous devrez payer une taxe de 10 % pour le changement d’espèces, il est donc préférable de prendre une autre devise.

Si vous n’avez pas d’argent liquide à échanger à Cuba, vous devriez vous adresser à une banque internationale. Avec votre carte de crédit, vous recevrez des CUC. 

Très peu d’endroits acceptent les cartes de crédit, dans certaines cafétérias et certains supermarchés seulement. Nous ne l’avons jamais utilisé quand nous étions là-bas.

Budget pour se rendre à Cuba 1 mois

Le budget par couple et pour un mois de voyage à bas prix est de 1500 €. Les vols ne sont pas inclus dans ce budget.L’assurance médicale pour se rendre à Cuba n’est pas incluse également dans ce budget.

Prix indicatifs

La liste de prix suivante peut vous donner une idée du coût des choses et vous donner une référence pour négocier.

• Bus urbain/camion : 1-5 CUP
• Autobus/camion longue distance (2-3 heures) : 30-50 CUP
• Pizza/spaghetti : 15-30 CUP
• Assiette complète : 25-50 CUP
• Collation (sandwich) : 5-15 CUP
• Café en vente libre : 1-2 CUP
• Chambre dans une maison de location : 10-20 CUC
• Taxi partagé (30-60 minutes) : 1-2 CUC
• Grande bouteille d’eau : 0,70-1,20 CUC
• Cocktail sur la plage : 2-3 CUC
• Bière : 1-1,25 CUC

Conseils pour économiser à Cuba 

• Mangez dans les restaurants locaux. Pour environ 5 CUC/personne (5 dollars), vous pouvez subvenir à vos besoins chaque jour.
• Chaque fois que vous allez dans un restaurant et qu’on vous propose un menu en CUC, vous pouvez demander s’il est en CUP. Parfois, il est moins cher parce qu’il s’agit du menu de la population locale 😉
• Même s’il n’apparaît pas sur les menus, les restaurants ont généralement un « complet », c’est-à-dire un plat de riz, de légumes, de nourriture et de viande. Il est généralement très économique.
• Voyagez en camion et en bus local autant que possible. Les prix sont vraiment bas, environ et selon l’itinéraire, environ 20 CUP/personne par heure de voyage. (80 centimes)
• Apportez une bouteille de rhum à la plage. Ainsi, au lieu de payer environ 3 CUC (3 $) pour un cocktail, vous pouvez payer 1 CUC (1 $) pour une limonade ou un soda et le transformer en quelques boissons.
• Ne pas dormir dans des endroits très touristiques. Par exemple, à Viñales, il est très difficile de manger à bon marché, c’est pourquoi nous avons séjourné à Pinar del Río et fait des excursions. Les taxis collectifs de Pinar del Río à Viñales coûtent 1 CUC/personne (1 dollar) et sont assez fréquents le matin et l’après-midi. Dans le cas de Varadero, aucun logement n’était en dessous de 30 CUC/personne (30 dollars) et nous sommes restés à Santa Marta – le village voisin – pour la moitié.
• Manger de la glace à Coppelia. Ils sont vraiment bon marché et certains sont bons, comme ceux à la banane ou à la vanille.

Hébergement à Cuba – Maisons privées et tourisme à Cuba

Si vous préparez votre voyage, vous vous êtes certainement posé de nombreuses questions concernant l’hébergement à Cuba : comment rechercher des maisons privées ? Combien vaut une chambre dans une maison privée à Cuba ? propose-t-on le petit déjeuner ?

Essayons de résoudre certaines de ces questions sur l’hébergement à Cuba dans des maisons privées, qui ne sont rien d’autre que des maisons ou des appartements avec des chambres pour les touristes. En général, ces chambres ont une salle de bain privée et l’air conditionné, elles sont presque toujours équipées d’un réfrigérateur et parfois d’une télévision. Dans certaines maisons, elles sont équipées d’un « split », qui est le dispositif de climatisation le plus moderne et le plus silencieux et dans lequel la température peut être régulée.

Ces maisons de location sont signalées par l’icône en bleu sur l’image. Les maisons qui ont la même icône, mais en rouge ne sont destinées qu’à accueillir des Cubains.

Les Cubains en général sont de grands hôtes.  Au-delà du fait que le thème des maisons de location est un business, c’est aussi pour eux l’occasion de rencontrer des personnes de différents pays, d’autres cultures et d’autres langues. Dans un pays où l’accès à Internet coûte deux dollars de l’heure, la possibilité d’accueillir des touristes chez soi est une fenêtre sur le monde. Et pour vous, ce sera une excellente façon de les découvrir, les Cubains, chez eux, avec leurs histoires. C’est la meilleure façon de connaître le peuple cubain, en entrant chez lui et en lui faisant la conversation.

Comment trouver un logement

Dans les villes les plus touristiques, certains Cubains ont tendance à se rassembler en dehors des gares routières pour vous proposer leur maison à louer, leur transport ou autre. Ils peuvent devenir un peu lourds, donc la meilleure solution est de ne pas donner lieu à une conversation.

Si, à votre arrivée dans une ville, qu’elle soit touristique ou non, vous n’avez pas de logement, nous vous recommandons personnellement de suivre les étapes suivantes :

• Descendez quelques rues près du centre, frappez à la porte d’une maison de location et demandez si elle est disponible.
• S’ils le sont, ils vous laisseront entrer pour voir les chambres.
• Si vous aimez ce que vous voyez, demandez le prix. Ils vous donneront toujours un prix élevé. Négociez.
• Si vous parvenez à un accord, félicitations, vous avez déjà une chambre. Si ce n’est pas le cas, continuez à chercher.

Comment trouver un logement sur Airbnb

Aujourd’hui, il y a beaucoup de maisons sur Airbnb, je vous recommande donc d’y jeter un coup d’œil.

AirBnb fonctionne particulièrement bien dans trois cas :

• Si vous voyagez à Cuba pour une courte période et que vous ne pouvez pas perdre de temps à frapper aux portes.
• Si vous voyagez en haute saison et que vous souhaitez que tous les hébergements soient contractés afin de ne pas courir de risques.
• Si vous ne voulez pas voyager avec trop d’argent liquide. Dans Airbnb, vous pouvez payer par compte bancaire ou par PayPal. C’est beaucoup plus pratique dans ce sens.

N’oubliez pas que si c’est votre première fois sur Airbnb, si vous vous inscrivez sur la plateforme avec ce lien , vous recevrez une réduction sur votre première réservation.

Enregistrement à l’arrivée

À votre arrivée, ils vous demanderont votre passeport pour vous enregistrer dans la maison. C’est une chose que vous devez faire pour déclarer l’argent que vous apportez et payer les impôts.

Budget pour les maisons privées

La clé est de négocier. Si vous voyagez en basse saison (septembre-octobre), vous pouvez marchander beaucoup plus le prix de votre hébergement. Si vous êtes en groupe, vous pourrez également mieux négocier. Et plus vous restez longtemps dans un logement, plus le prix que vous pouvez obtenir est avantageux. Nous sommes restés pour une moyenne de 15 CUC.

L’endroit le plus cher pour trouver un logement à Cuba est La Havane. Il est difficile de trouver des maisons privées pour moins de 25 CUC.

Ce que vous trouverez dans votre chambre

Normalement, dans les chambres, vous aurez une barre de savon, des serviettes et du papier toilette, rien d’autre. Nous vous recommandons d’apporter une trousse de toilette avec les éléments de base. Si vous êtes à court de quelque chose, vous trouverez dans les grandes ou petites villes des supermarchés qui ont pratiquement tout. Il y a quelques années, il était plus difficile de trouver des produits d’hygiène personnelle, mais aujourd’hui, c’est plus facile.

Petit-déjeuner et déjeuner

Dans les maisons de location, ils proposent généralement le petit déjeuner et les repas. Le petit déjeuner dans les maisons privées coûte généralement 3 CUC (3 euros). Si vous avez prévu un voyage à bas prix , vous pouvez constater qu’il existe des options bien moins chères dans la rue.

Réseau d’hébergement

Non pas qu’il existe un réseau d’hébergement à Cuba en tant que tel (du moins, nous ne le connaissons pas), mais il y a beaucoup de bouche à oreille. Nous entendons par là que vous séjournez dans une maison privée dans une ville et qu’ils peuvent probablement vous recommander une maison privée d’un ami ou d’une connaissance dans une autre ville. Cela a très bien fonctionné pour nous parce que lorsque nous sommes arrivés à la ville suivante, nous avions déjà un endroit où aller et nous n’avions pas besoin d’aller le chercher.

Lorsqu’il s’agit de payer

Vous devrez payer en CUC. Nous arrivions, nous négociions un prix et nous nous installions. On ne nous a jamais demandé de payer à l’avance ou quoi que ce soit de ce genre. Nous avons payé au fur et à mesure, quand nous étions en bonne santé. Dans ces cas-là, j’aime bien demander « quand est-ce que c’est bon pour vous d’être payé », puis vous acceptez pendant un moment et c’est tout.

Serrure et clé dans les chambres

Dans toutes les maisons, nous avons eu notre propre clé de la maison et de la chambre, sauf à quelques reprises. Une fois qu’on ne nous a pas donné de clé, nous avons simplement dû faire confiance aux propriétaires de la maison.  La bonne chose, c’est qu’ils nous ont été recommandés par les propriétaires d’une autre maison dans laquelle nous avions séjourné. Et l’autre fois, nous n’avions pas la clé de la porte d’entrée, mais nous avions la clé de notre chambre. Dans les deux cas, il n’y a pas eu de problème.

Si vous ne vous sentez pas à l’aise de laisser vos affaires sans clé, c’est l’une des choses que vous devez demander lorsque vous arrivez chez vous.

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Faire la rencontre d’une population souriante et bienveillante . Les cubains sont de nature joyeux et très accessibles favorisant les échanges. La sécurité est de mise au pays , assurant un séjour en toute tranquillité avec de belles rencontres.

Voyager à contre-courant dans un pays où la mondialisation n’a pas encore frappé . Cuba est encore qualifiée de destination hors des sentiers battus, ici on ressent encore les effets de l’embargo américain , laissant un goût d’originalité aux voyageurs.

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Home » Central America » Cuba » Backpacking Guide

Backpacking Cuba Travel Guide 2024

For decades, Cuba has been a reserved communist island nation very much cut off from the majority of the outside world. In recent years, Cuba has began to slowly open its doors to foreign visitors—which is awesome. The result is that backpacking Cuba has become a must-visit destination for travelers looking to experience a truly unique country in its tourism infancy.

Backpacking in Cuba offers up the amazing opportunity to discover the island’s famous beaches, delicious rum, friendly locals, off the beaten path adventure, complex history, beautiful cities, and fascinating Cuban culture.

Cuba is one of the least explored Caribbean nations and there are many opportunities for budget backpackers to go on pretty epic adventures. Point being… backpacking in Cuba is a ton of fun!

In this guide, I break down everything you need to know to have a truly rewarding backpacking experience in Cuba.

This Cuba travel guide will help you get to grips with this fascinating country. Together, we will explore Cuba’s best places to visit, the top things to do in Cuba, where to stay, Cuba backpacking itineraries, travel costs, travel tips, and much more.

No matter what kind of travel adventure you are after, you can be sure that backpacking Cuba will be a truly epic life-experience. There is something for every backpacker to discover!

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Why Go Backpacking in Cuba?

As the Caribbean’s largest island, Cuba has plenty of cool places and areas to explore. Cuba is made up of several distinct geographical regions and landscapes (and many more sub-cultural regions). The amount of things to do and places to visit in Cuba is incredible – to the point where you’ll struggle to fit everything.

Cities like Havana and Santiago de Cuba make up the most populous urban centers. Of course, Cuba is an island so there are world-class beaches and coastal stretches too. Then you have the Sierra Maestra  and the other the mountainous/jungle regions of the largely rural interior.

The main highways of the country determine what is accessible and what is not. Large sections of the north coast of Cuba are not developed and there the main continuous highway does not run along that portion of the country.

Cuban cities offer up the biggest dose of Cuban culture. Colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, salsa clubs, retro cars, and the appearance of an emerging “modern Cuba” define the country’s urban centers.

Cuba’s beaches have been popular with foreigners for at least a century. Some classic white-sand beaches like Cayo Levisa are touristy, whilst many other beaches are virtually off the radar.

There are at least 10 major biospheres, nature reserves, and national parks in Cuba. Each one has something unique and interesting for backpackers. All of Cuba’s great diversity is showcased in its national park system. In fact, the diversity of Cuban landscapes make up a large part of what makes Cuba such an awesome place to visit.

Now, let us take a look at some of your itinerary options for your backpacking Cuba adventure…

Best Travel Itineraries for Backpacking Cuba

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Looking for a Cuba backpacking itinerary ? Whether you have 2 weeks in Cuba or a month to really explore, I have assembled several Cuba backpacking itineraries to help you make the most of your time in this epic country.

These Cuba backpacking routes can easily be combined or customized!

Cuba in 7 Days: Havana, Cigars, and Beaches

Havana -> Vinales -> Trinidad

Only have one week to travel around Cuba? No problem. There is PLENTY of to do in just 7 days.

For this Cuba itinerary, as well as the others, I will assume that you will be starting your journey in Havana, Cuba’s capital.

Cuba is a surprisingly big place. Because of that, I recommend that you don’t try to plan too many things at once. A realistic 7 day itinerary for Cuba does keep you moving, though with some restraint so that you can actually enjoy and experience the places you are visiting!

To get to grips with Cuba, you are going to need a few days getting to know the great time machine that is Havana. I recommend spending at least three days in Havana.

Over the course of your three days in Havana, you will start to picture what modern life is like in a country slowly stepping into the modern world (through a communist filter). Here is what you should do with your time in Havana:

• Visit Old Havana
• Listen to live music, i.e Salsa
• Visit Plaza de la Revolución
• Explore the Callejón de Hamel neighborhood
• Take a tour of a cigar factory
• Visit a museum or two: Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes and Museo de la Revolución (are my top picks)

You’ll find that Havana is a really awesome place to wander around and soak up the vibes. There is always something interesting happening in Havana and if you are looking to party…well, weekends at the legendary clubs of Havana are where it’s at.

After Havana, head a few hours down the road to  Vinales . Vinales is one of my favorite places in Cuba. Spend a day or two exploring the beautiful green limestone mountains. Check out a tobacco farm. You can hire horses to visit a far-flung farm in the valley.

Next stop is Trinidad . Spend your final days in Cuba learning about the history of Trinidad, and, of course, enjoying the beautiful beach at nearby  Playa Ancón . 

Cuba in 14 Days: Beaches, Mountains, Cities

Havana -> Cienfuegos -> Trinidad ->  Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata -> Vinales

This 14-day itinerary allows for a bit more in-depth exploration of a few places mentioned in the 7 day itinerary above. The same thing applies though: don’t try to do too much when backpacking Cuba.

Choose between 5-7 places and really experience those places. Backpacking Cuba is all about taking things slow, so embrace it!

For this 14 day Cuba itinerary, you will be taking another route out of Havana, saving Vinales for the end.

After exploring Havana for a couple of days, head to Cienfuegos . Cienfuegos is the “real Cuba” experience and you won’t find many other backpackers here normally (though this is changing). Check out the impressive  Teatro Tomás Terry and the nearly two-century-old  Cementerio la Reina .

On your second day in Cienfuegos, you can cross the bay on the ferry to Castillo de Jagua , an 18th-century fortress.

After Cienfuegos, take between 3-5 days to really settle into Trinidad . Waterfall hikes, gorgeous beaches, tobacco farm tours, and horseback riding adventures are all on offer here. Certainly, dedicate a full day to exploring  Parque Natural Topes de Collantes , which is best experienced if you hire a guide and some horses.

Now it’s time to head back west en route to Vinales . From Trinidad to Vinales you are looking at at least a 7-hour bus ride, so it is best to break up the journey with a stop at  Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata or Playa Large  near the Bay of Pigs .

You can spend your final few days in Cuba falling in love with beautiful Vinales .

Cuba in 1 Month: See the Whole Country!

Havana -> Vinales ->  Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata  -> Bay of Pigs -> Cienfuegos -> Rancho Luna ->  Trinidad -> Santa Clara ->  Parque Nacional de Turquino -> Santiago de Cuba -> ?

If you have a month or more to explore Cuba you can really see a good chunk of the country. This Cuba itinerary will take you off the beaten path and allow you to get to know a part of Cuba that few travelers ever get to see.

With so much time on your hands, there is no need to rush. Really like Havana? Spend a week there. Fall in love with Vinales? Stay a little longer. Another benefit of having a month to backpack Cuba is that you can make it to the less visited eastern part of Cuba.

You can base yourself in Cuba’s 2nd biggest city, Santiago de Cuba , and explore the nearby  Parque Nacional de Turquino.  There are countless adventures to be had in eastern Cuba and the fact is many people who visit Cuba don’t make it beyond Santa Clara!

Point being, there is no real time pressure on you so you can take the opportunity to be spontaneous, explore the national parks, go scuba diving, learn Spanish, etc.

If you manage to extend your visa for another 30 days, I recommend volunteering on a farm or in a school during your Cuba backpacking adventure.

Remember, you can always fly or take the train from Havana to Santiago de Cuba and start your 1 month itinerary from there. You should note that internal flights within Cuba are expensive. Since you are in no hurry, a combination of bus, train, and hitchhiking is the way to go.

Backpacking Havana

Havana is without a doubt the beating heart and vibrant soul of Cuba. One’s first impression of Havana is indeed that of a time warp. 1950s era classic cars blend with rows of pastel-colored houses. Cuban music wafts out of open windows. Street vendors sell tasty treats from carts sometimes drawn by horses.

As much as Havana conjures up nostalgia, it is certainly a city on the move. With its different neighborhoods, you’ll have a lot of choices for where to stay in Havana .

To start, head directly to Old Town Havana to walk the cobblestone streets and soak in the colonial architecture from the Spanish era. Whilst Old Town is charming as hell, Havana Centro is where the real action is. This is where you’ll find most of Havana’s hostels and backpacker accommodations.

We opted to stay in Old Town for the first four days of the trip. Old Town Havana is shockingly touristy in places, so do your best not to get ripped off for simple things like taxi rides and food.

For lunch, eating at a  paladar  is a quintessential Havana experience. A  paladar  is a sort of in-house restaurant run by a small family. They often offer cheap, delicious eats.

Take the walk from  La Rampa in the Vedado neighborhood to the  Malecón and beyond, The Malecón is a seawall skirting along the coast for a few kilometers, and sunset walks here are best. If you take a taxi 15 minutes outside of Havana along the Malecón you can find more secluded sunset spots.

For a slightly cliche yet thoroughly entertaining activity, rent an old car to transport yourself back in time in style. You can always visit the rum museum if you want to learn about Cuba’s national drink.

See my Cuba 7 -day itinerary above for even more awesome things to do in Havana.

Backpacking Vinales

The small town of Vinales and the surrounding  Vinales Valley  are blessed with some of the most stunning natural scenery in the whole county. Rolling green tobacco farms and impressive rocky outcroppings make a big first impression.

Rent a bike in town and head to the  Mural de la Prehistoria (4 km from Vinales). The mural itself took 18 artists a staggering 4 years to complete! Very impressive indeed. In the hills above the mural, you can undertake a hike to the tiny community of Los Aquaticos . Be aware of scammers offering fake tours. You really don’t need a guide to walk.

For one of the best sunsets of your life, you can head to the Valle Del Silencio . You can find some reasonably priced  real tours in town, but a sure way not to get scammed is to go through the Villa Los Reyes hotel .

They take you to visit a tobacco plantation en route to an epic sunset spot where you can soak in the day’s final lights with a cold mojito in hand. Not bad, right?

Other fun activities in Vinales included cigar-rolling, horseback riding (as is an option in most of Cuba), and rock climbing if you’re keen. I’ll add that the rock climbing around Vinales is some of the best climbing to be had anywhere in Cuba.  Cueva de la Vaca is one of the best climbing spots!

Backpacking Cayo Jutías

For some reason, few backpackers head further west to the coast after visiting Vinales. If you travel on deeper into the Pinar del Río province, you’ll find perfect white sand beaches, ample diving and snorkeling opportunities, and far more local Cubans than tourists.

To reach Cayo Jutías you can hire a shared taxi. Be sure to negotiate heavily for a fair return price. Also, confirm the exact time you want to head back as many drivers will not make the journey after dark.

As of now, there are no places to sleep on Cayo Jutías (it’s rather small) though if you have a good tent, you can sleep there for free!

Cayo Jutías is a true, gorgeous Cuban beach paradise. That said, the mosquitoes are ruthless and will eat you alive if you don’t cover up (especially around sunset.) The alternative to camping in Cayo Jutías is to sleep back in Vinales.

Backpacking Cienfuegos

The French colonial town of Cienfuegos is a charming Cuban town on the south-central coast. It is a very lowkey place with a much more relaxed, local vibe. Depending on who you are and where you’re coming from – e.g. Havana or Trinidad – it will feel like either a welcome or abrupt change of pace.

Most people travel to Cienfuegos just to catch a boat to Cayo Largo. It could be worth spending a day or two in the city though.

The city center is the natural place to begin your exploration of Cienfuegos. Blessed with beautiful French colonial architecture and attractive streets, the city center of Cienfuegos has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 2005. One of the best (and most attractive) parts of the city is in and around  Jose Marti Square .

From there, you can take a stroll down one of Cuba’s longest boulevards, simply named the Cienfuegos Boulevard . It is interesting as you start getting to know Cienfuegos, it really doesn’t look or feel like any other city in Cuba.

Apart from strolling along the seawall near Punta Gorda and taking in the architecture in the city center, Cienfuegos is a great place to go out partying/dancing (despite being far more mellow than Trinidad or Havana). Bring your A-game. Cubans really know how to cut a rug.

The beaches around the city have the reputation of being polluted and dirty, but certainly, the severity of this depends on the season. Playa Rancho Luna is the most popular beach nearby, and I’d rate it as “just alright. You can take either a very crowded local bus or a private taxi to get there.

Backpacking Trinidad

Trinidad is another Cuban city that makes you feel like you woke up in a different decade: classic cars and stunning colonial architecture abound. Trinidad’s history has a lot to do with how nice it currently looks.

In the boom years of sugar cane, tobacco, and cattle production (often worked by African slaves in the past), the town became very wealthy indeed. The extravagant plazas and brightly painted houses are a reflection of that economic period.

A refreshing must-try local beverage (that isn’t rum) is sugar cane juice. Don’t forget to mix in a little rum though in the evenings ;). Trinidad is an excellent place to keep it simple. One could easily spend 3-5 days in Trinidad, walking the cobblestone streets, catching live music shows, partying when the sun goes down, or just relaxing in a cafe after hitting up a museum or two.

Highlights of the city include the Plaza Mayor (avoid the touts by going in the early evening), a climb up the Bell Tower for epic views, and eating delicious Cuban food  (anytime). The Cave Disco Club is a pretty happening spot to catch some nightlife.

When the urge arrives to hit the beach, head down the road to Playa Ancon . The taxi ride shouldn’t be more than a few bucks. Be aware that at certain times of the year, the mosquitoes can be fucking terrible at Playa Ancon. I itch just thinking about it.

Backpacking Playa Larga/Bay of Pigs

Well, thankfully the days of the CIA-backed invasion of the Bay of Pigs  are long over. Shady history aside, Playa Larga is a must-visit beach if you are in the area.

I will say that Playa Larga can feel quite touristy, but in Cuba, touristy doesn’t necessarily mean tacky, overrated, and exploding with foreigners.

Playa Larga is one of the best places in Cuba to go diving. If you’re like me and need to get a scuba fix on any given backpacking trip, you’re going to really dig Playa Larga. Some of the best diving can be found around Punta Perdiz, though there are quite a few badass dive sites in the Playa Larga area.

In between dives be sure to check out the  Cueva de Los Peces (fish cave).

Another fun option for the afternoon is to rent a bike. With a bike, you can easily get to  Criadero de Cocodrilos , which I have mixed opinions about. On one hand, this crocodile farm essentially saved a nearly extinct species of Cuban crocodile. On the other hand though, some are eaten or made into leather handbags. Individual judgment is for you to decide.

Backpacking Santa Clara

If you have even the slightest interest in learning about Che Guevara or the Cuban revolution, you will find Santa Clara to be a fascinating place. Really, it seems like you can’t go anywhere in Santa Clara without seeing Che’s face.

When in Santa Clara, you must visit  Conjunto Escultorico Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara ( Che Museum ) . In addition to being a great museum for all things Che, it is also where Che is buried and home to his mausoleum.

If you didn’t go to a cigar factory back in Havana, check out the cool  Fabrica de Tabacos Constantino Perez Carrodegua  factory. You can take a laid-back tour of the factory and sip locally roasted coffee—cigar in hand— at tours end.

Take in the pulse of modern life in Santa Clara at  Club Mejunje . Any given night of the week there is something interesting on here. Art shows, salsa night, and even Cuba’s only drag show…

For an even more locals-only type spot, head to  Parque Leoncio Vidal . Bring a takeaway dinner (or a bottle of rum) and hang out with locals enjoying family/friend time in the park. This place gets pretty rockin’ on the weekends FYI.

Backpacking Parque Nacional de Turquino

The mountains and dense jungle that make up  Parque Nacional de Turquino also include an area known as the Sierra Maestra . Why is the Siera Maestra important? For one, it was the base of Fidel Castro’s rebel army for a majority of the Cuban revolution.

It’s easy to see why Fidel chose this part of Cuba. The high mountains (averaging 4,500 feet) are draped in thick tropical vegetation, mist, and well, plenty of places to hide.

To familiarize yourself with the park, you can climb Pico Turquino . It is the tallest mountain in Cuba at 6476 feet. A hell of an adventure and epic views of sprawling tropical forest await. There are various routes to choose from to get to the summit—each of which will take you at least 2-3 days round trip.

Unfortunately, guides are mandatory in order to tackle this hike. I do not have any information about doing this hike independently, other than it is technically forbidden. The police may or may not enforce this. Definitely hike Pico Turquino in the dry season.

Since guides are mandatory, they can be arranged through Flora y Fauna employees at  Villa Santo Domingo  or at the small hut at Las Cuevas .

Backpacking Santiago de Cuba

Located on a bay in Cuba’s far southeastern corner is Santiago de Cuba . Cuba’s second largest city is known for its distinctive Afro-Cuban cultural influences, revolutionary history, and stunning colonial architecture (most of Cuba’s urban architecture is pretty alright).

The  Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca del Morro is a wonderfully positioned 17th-century UNESCO world heritage site. It’s a bit out of the city (10 km southwest), but the views of the sea and the surrounding Sierra Maestra make it well worth the effort to get here.

For music lovers, a night at the Casa de las Tradiciones will be one for the ages. There are many hidden gem and hole-in-the-wall music venues in Cuba, and Casa de las Tradiciones is one of them. Spend a few hours taking in the scene at the often crowded, smoke-filled bar, and get the essence of what backpacking Cuba is all about.

Carnival in Santiago de Cuba (July) is a real treat. If you happen to be in Cuba during July, plan on spending 10 days in Santiago de Cuba for a marathon period of parades, music, rum, and dancing.

Backpacking Baracoa

Cuba’s oldest colonized city is Baracoa . Located on the eastern tip of the island, Baracoa receives a fair bit more rainfall than other parts of Cuba, and the result is a lush green, dazzling subtropical landscape. Baracoa isn’t super easy to reach due to it being in the far corner of Eastern Cuba, but I’d say it’s worth the effort to get there.

It is possible to visit some of the awesome cocoa and coconut plantations that dot the rural interior around Baraco, though the main attraction in Baracoa is the canyon of the Yumuri River . That said, if you just want to hang out in the town center, play some dominoes, and relax on the beach, I understand.

The  Yumuri Canyon  looks like something out of the Lost World. In my opinion, you can’t visit Baracoa without seeing the canyon and the river. The water is a clear turquoise-blue and the vegetation snakes its way up the steep canyon walls in a sea of green and tangled vines. Hiring a boat is the best way to see the canyon and all it has to offer.

From Baracoa,  Playa Manglito beach  is just a short taxi ride (or hitchhike ride) away.

Backpacking Sancti Spíritus

For an authentic, small-town experience in Cuba, head to colorful Sancti Spíritus . There is definitely a  gringo route in Cuba and Sancti Spíritus is not on it.

You’ll find that tourism is not booming here like it is in Trinidad or Vinales. If you want an honest glimpse into what life is like in a Cuban town far from the influences of tourism, Sancti Spíritus is a sure bet for that.

The  Taberna Yayabo down by the river is a fine place to grab a drink and hang out with locals. For live music, head to the Uneac Club .

There aren’t a ton of “must see” attractions in Sancti Spíritus and that is what makes it so special. If you’re looking to improve your Spanish and get off the beaten path, you’ll feel right at home here.

Off the Beaten Path in Cuba

Perhaps more so than in any other Caribbean nation, getting off the beaten path in Cuba isn’t difficult. For one, the island is fairly big and large-scale, wide-spread tourism infrastructure does not exist (yet).

To get the most out of your backpacking Cuba adventure, getting off the beaten path will allow you to experience life like the locals, which is crucial to understanding and capturing the magic that is Cuba.

If you are sailing the Caribbean , it’s very easy to put Cuba on your itinerary. The wild north coast of Cuba is not heavily trafficked by foreigners, making it a prime candidate for exploration.

The small towns and villages in the rugged and remote interior are full of untapped cultural gems and beautiful natural landscapes.

Like I said, there are also a handful of beaches that are the “known, famous” beaches. Some of the best beaches in Cuba are not famous and do not see the same tourist hordes as the others.

Because tourism in Cuba is a relatively new phenomenon, backpacking Cuba independently isn’t always easy for certain activities.

Camping and doing a bit of cooking for yourself is also very crucial to getting off the beaten path in Cuba. If you are self-reliant, you can really discover a whole other side of Cuba.

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

Below I have listed the  10 best things to do in Cuba :

1. Explore Old Town Havana

Cobblestone streets, classic cars, and beautiful brightly-painted townhouses that transport you back in time? That is L a Havana Vieja .

2. Go to a Baseball Game in Cuba

Cubans are mad about baseball, their national sport. Catch a game at the  Estadio Latinoamericano , or at another one of Cuba’s fine baseball parks.

3. Go Scuba Diving

Cuba is blessed with some truly excellent scuba diving opportunities. The best part? Diving is affordable in most places!

4. Visit a Tobacco Plantation

Visit the plantations where the island’s legendary tobacco is grown.

5. Go to the Vegas Grande Waterfall

This few hour day hike out and back to one of the prettiest waterfalls in Cuba was one of the best things we did on our entire trip. If you go to Trinidad, this waterfall hike is an absolute must.

6. Visit the Che Guevara Moslouem and Museum in Santa Clara

Che Guevara is one of the most important and iconic revolutionary figures from the 20th century. His legacy in Cuba is forever enshrined in his museum in Santa Clara.

7. Climb Pico Turquino

Scale Cuba’s highest mountain for an epic multi-day Cuban adventure.

8. Explore the Vinales Valley by Bike

Vinales and the surrounding area offers up some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Cuba. The beaches nearby aren’t so bad either.

9. Hire a Classic Car

You’ll find classic cars all over Cuba. There is perhaps no better way to see the island than from behind the wheel of a ’62 Bel Air.

10. Experience Carnival in Santiago de Cuba

Like in most Latin American countries, Carnival is a big deal. Cuba is no different. Come and experience the biggest festival on the island, and remember to pace yourself… it is indeed a marathon.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Finding backpacker accommodation in Cuba is not always easy. There are just a handful of hostels on the island as of now. Though luckily, the hostels that do exist are often found right where you need them, along the Cuba backpacking route.

Surprisingly, Havana alone has over 100 hostels! I’m sure in the years to come, there will be an explosion of hostel development throughout the rest of Cuba.

When hostels are not available, the next best thing is  casas particulares . Casas Particulares are basically glorified homestays of typically solid and dependable quality (and less expensive than hotels). There are TONS of casas particulares throughout Cuba. Whilst you don’t get the same vibe as you do at backpacker hostels, I would argue that the overall experience (especially from a cultural perspective) is better.

Many casas particulares do not have websites (another new phenomenon in Cuba is business marketing). If you want to book a night in another casa particular, simply ask your host to phone a friend in the next town over and you’ll be sorted.

Hotels are without a doubt the most expensive option in Cuba, and a great way to eat a huge hole in your budget. Also, I’d avoid all-inclusive resorts like the plague.

We used Airbnb a few times too. You can find some solid options on there including casas paticulares.

Wild Camping in Cuba

Wild camping is legal in Cuba; I never heard otherwise. There are plenty of awesome places to pitch your tent. Obviously, the mountains and the Sierra Maestra are ideal camping candidates (if you want to follow in the revolutionary soldiers’ footsteps).

You might find camping to be rather uncomfortable at low elevations on the coast. Cuba is hot and humid and the mosquitoes can be insane! Coastal camping might prove to be more trouble than it is worth. Pray for a breeze if you wind up camping at the beach!

If you are unsure if a potential campsite is on private land, at least make an effort to ask the owner, if you can get by the language barrier that is—Spanish isn’t too hard, you can do it!

In general, if you pitch your tent around dusk and are gone by 7 am or so, no one should hassle you.

Get familiar with   “leave no trace principles”  and put them into practice.

If you are in the market for a solid, lightweight, and reliable tent, I highly recommend the  MSR Hubba Hubba 2-person tent . This compact tent is up to the challenge of battling Cuba’s subtropical weather. To get to know this tent better, check out my in-depth  MSR Hubba Hubba Review .

Backpacking in Cuba is neither super cheap nor crazy expensive. Your biggest costs for backpacking in Cuba will be your accommodation and food.

Solo travel in Cuba is a bit of a bitch in regards to the cost of accommodation and transportation. If you are a couple or a group of several friends, splitting the cost of rooms and taxis will save you cash.

A reasonable daily budget for backpacking Cuba is between $40-70 USD/day . With this amount, you can eat well, do fun stuff, take a few cab rides, split a private room, and knock back a few mojitos.

Certainly, Cuba can be done on a barebones broke backpacker style budget, but that would require cooking for yourself (remember grocery stores are shockingly bare) and using Couchsurfing/camping out (for free).

A Daily Budget in Cuba

Here is what you can expect to spend on a daily basis whilst backpacking Cuba:

Money in Cuba

As of January 1st, 2021 Cuba’s money situation got a whole lot easier. Previously, there were two currencies in use, but these days there’s just one, the CUP , also known as the Cuban Peso.

Find out how much your money is worth today by using the up-to-date converter below.

My Experience With Cuban Money

Keep in mind that if you bring plenty of cash (which you need to do) into Cuba you might lose as much as 10% when you convert it to Cuban money if you change it at the airport – which FYI you should NOT do!

We found changing money on “the black market” super easy. Just ask the host of your casa particular about changing money and they will likely give you the fair 1:1 rate. We never had any problems changing money around Cuba – just never do it at the bank or at an official money changer otherwise you will lose a lot of money in the exchange.

Top Tips For Broke Backpackers

• Camp : With plenty of gorgeous places to sleep out, Cuba can be a great place to camp in the rural areas or in the mountains. Check out this post for a breakdown of the  best tents to take backpacking.  
• Cooking : If you are camping a lot or really want to save some cash, it could be worth bringing a  portable backpacking stove  so you can do some of your own cooking.
• Couchsurf:  Cubans are awesome; get to know some! Check out Couchsurfing to make some real friendships and see this country from the perspective of locals. Obviously, things have changed in times of Covid – so Couchsurfing may be on hold for a couple of years.
• Hitchhike : Where appropriate, hitchhiking is a great way to save money on transportation costs.

Why You Should Travel to Cuba with a Water Bottle

Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful

You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. And I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller .

Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

As Cuba is a Caribbean island , it enjoys fairly mild weather year round…with a few exceptions.

The best time to visit is from  December  to May , when you can expect dry, sunny days and plenty of blue skies. For trekking and scuba diving in Cuba, dry season makes outdoor activities more enjoyable and/or doable.

The wet season begins in June and, usually, tourists avoid travel in Cuba entirely between August and October , when there is also a risk of hurricanes. Hurricane season in Cuba is NOT to be underestimated. I would avoid coming to Cuba in Late September/ October all together, mostly because I love to dive.

That said, you will find lower prices and fewer tourists in September and October. Also you could be lucky and have long stretches of fine weather (save for a little bit of rain). Get your haggle game ready and you can score some seriously good deals on things like car rentals, accommodation, and food.

Pick up a good rain jacket, especially if you plan on visiting during the hurricane season. Check out my list of the  best jackets to take traveling . Having a waterproof backpack does have its advantages as well.

Prices in Cuba are at their highest from December—March FYI.

Festivals in Cuba

There is always something fun to get into in Cuba. Depending on the time of year you find yourself backpacking in Cuba, there are many cool festivals to check out. Here are a few of the  top festivals in Cuba :

• Havana International Book Fair – February : Actually this event is held all over Cuba. The book fair is attended by book lovers, publishers, writers and celebrities. Apart from book sales, the event includes lectures from some of the authors, theatre and dance performances, and film sessions.
• Festival Del Habano – March : The is Cuba’s most important festival for cigars. It attracts cigar lovers from all over the planet.
• May Day Celebrations – May : The 1st of May is a special day in Cuba. It’s when Cuba honors workers of all classes and occupations celebrate national pride.
• International Electroacoustic Music Festival – March :  Previously known as the Varadero Spring Festival, the Electroacoustic Music Festival is now held at different venues in Old Havana. It is an international event that attracts prominent composers and personalities of this genre from around the world.
• Carnival in Santiago de Cuba – July : Come on out for one of the biggest parties to be found in the whole Caribbean.

What to Pack for Cuba

Properly packing for Cuba is the first step to having a successful trip. On every adventure, there are six things I never go traveling without:

Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Sea To Summit Micro Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!

I am pleased to report that Cuba is one of the safest countries to visit in all of Latin America. Certainly, in terms of other Caribbean nations (like Jamaica for example), Cuba is super safe.

I have heard very little about backpackers being the targets of pickpockets, and even less so of violent crime (pretty much unheard of). Maybe the low crime rate is the result of an ultra-authoritarian government for 50+ years?

Maybe this safety situation is partly due to the extreme and authoritarian nature of the Castro regime spanning the last 50 years. Cubans don’t want the police (and especially the army) to visit them!

If you are planning to rent a motorbike, always wear a helmet!

Though one thing to watch for are  jineteros.  Jineteros are dudes that will offer to take you to the closest casa particular…with a catch. What they don’t tell you is that upon arrival they expect (and will demand) a small payment from you.

Though Cuba is super safe it never hurts to take extra steps to protect your valuables.

Check out  Backpacker Safety 101  for more tips and tricks to stay safe whilst backpacking in Cuba.

Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll in Cuba

Drug laws in Cuba are severe. Whilst you can get a way with smoking a joint or two, even buying weed can be risky. You also never know what you’re going to get. People may try to sell you cocaine that actually ends up being laundry powder!

I was asked by random dudes on the street if I wanted to buy both coke and weed and I was also approached by prostitutes three times in Old Havana. Once out of Havana, street hustlers pretty much left us alone.

The obvious drug of choice in Cuba is alcohol. You can buy it literally everywhere…and it’s pretty cheap too (you can find shots for as little as 12 cents!).

Maybe I am overreacting to the drug laws in Cuba, but seriously, you don’t want to end up in a fucking Cuban prison full of gnarly, hardened criminals/enemies of the state.

I suggest that if you befriend a local whom you TRUST, inquire where you might be able to discreetly buy a little pot. Certainly “where can I buy some weed?” should not be the first question you ask any new Cuban friend.

In Cuba, there is no shortage of occasions or opportunities in which to get down. So. Much. Rum. I am all for people having a good time and letting loose. That said, don’t drink so much that you embarrass yourself, your country, and everyone within 100 feet of you.

I am far from innocent. There have been many times during my travels where I let myself and the situation get out of hand. It’s easy to do! With all the booze in Cuba, it doesn’t take much before you do something that you will later regret.

Travel Insurance for Cuba

Traveling without insurance would be risky so do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

The main international airport for Cuba is the  José Martí International Airport in Havana.

Surprisingly though, there are 10 international airport in Cuba! That said, flying into Havana will be the cheapest option. If you are arriving to Cuba from Mexico, you can find budget flights under $100 one-way through Interjet Airlines.

Entry Requirements for Cuba

Ah the Cuban tourist visa…

Don’t worry, these days getting a tourist visa is pretty straight forward – yes, even for Americans. All travelers to Cuba must possess a valid passport, a return ticket, travel insurance policy with medical coverage, and a visa or tourist visa. They might ask you to present all or none of these things when you go through customs in Havana. Print all the documents needed just in case.

When you buy your flight to Cuba you may receive a 30-day tourist card along with your ticket and often travel insurance too as was the case when I booked with Jet Blue. Most airlines sell/give the tourist card to you at the airport.

In any case, the price for the tourist card can range from $20-$100 depending on your nationality and the airline company. As far as I know, there is not a streamlined rate for tourist cards.

I paid $50 at the Jet Blue counter in JFK airport in New York. I literally just walked up to the counter and got it sorted in 5 minutes. I think you do not need to go with any sort of visa service for this.

Once in Cuba, you’ll need to present your tourist card at customs. If, for some reason, you didn’t get the tourist card in advance, you can purchase one in the airport in Havana upon arrival. Whatever you do, don’t lose your tourist card!

Also, once you are inside the country you can extend your 30-day visa/tourist card for another 30 days (90 days for Canadians!).

Cuba Tourist Visas for Americans

For American backpackers traveling to Cuba, things are not as easy as they are for Europeans or other nationalities.

Now is the time I get to thoroughly confuse you, but I’ll do my best to make things clear! But let me get this out of the way first: AMERICANS CAN 100% travel to Cuba as tourists , even if you don’t get to say that is the reason specifically.

America and Cuba have not had diplomatic relations essentially since the time Fidel Castro seized power in 1959. In March 2016, President Obama announced the beginning of a process of normalizing relations between Cuba and the United States. Since then, Trump has done his best to fuck up the US-Cuba relations progress Obama opened up just like he is doing with every other aspect of the county.

So… what does all of this mean for American backpackers?

This is the official word from the US Department of State: “Tourist travel to Cuba remains prohibited. You must obtain a license from the Department of Treasury or your travel must fall into one of 12 categories of authorized travel.”

Authorized Travel Categories For Americans

The 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba are: family visits; official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations; journalistic activity; professional research and professional meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions, and best of all, the very vague “support for the Cuban people”.

My friends and I (all Americans) came into Cuba on the “Support for the Cuban people” declaration and I suggest you do the same.

Many backpackers just say they are Catholics going to Cuba to visit its impressive churches and cathedrals and get a tourist visa based on religious grounds, with little to no proof required (praise the lord).

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The three main transportation options in Cuba are bus , taxi/private car , and renting a car . You can opt to take internal flights within Cuba but these are very expensive as I mentioned before.

When it comes to taxis it is all about the negotiation process. Taxi drivers will ALWAYS charge you more than a Cuban person. Note: taxi companies do not allow Cubans and foreigners to ride in the same taxi, so you can’t opt to share a taxi (unless maybe you speak perfect Spanish and/or look Latino).

When it comes to long-distance transport by private car, aka a taxi – I was truly shocked at how expensive it was. We were sometimes quoted as much as $500 for 5 people for a 4-5 hour car journey.

In general, transportation options in Cuba are very slow and very limited – so there were times on my trip where we had no choice but to take a taxi up to 4 hours away. If we did not do it that way, we were looking at losing potentially days of time from our trip working around bus schedules.

Viazul bus is the top bus company in Cuba for backpackers. Their prices are not super cheap but they make up for that by having very comfortable buses. The distances in Cuba can be huge, especially if you are traversing the entire island. Sometimes the prices of the bus and the taxi are the same (or less0, so if you have time to check both and compare, there might be an opportunity to save some money.

Renting a car or a motor bike will certainly give you the freedom to roam and go where you want. Each car rental company has different rules regarding how far you can travel in your rental car. Car rentals can also be expensive so shop around to find the best deal. We recommend purchasing the rental insurance with RentalCover.com to cover your vehicle against any common damages such as tires, windscreens, theft, and more at a fraction of the price you would pay at the rental desk.

The other main option is the train. Cuban trains are generally in poor condition, never run on time, and make for a pretty rude journey no matter how far you are going. That is what we heard. I actually did not take the train once while I was in Cuba fyi.

The way nicer (and way more expensive) overnight Tren Francés can get you from Havana to Santiago de Cuba quicker than any other public transport.

Onward Travel from Cuba

Since Cuba is an island, you will certainly be flying out when the time comes to wrap up your backpacking trip.

There are cheap daily flights running between Havana and Cancun, Mexico if your journey is taking you to Mexico and beyond Central America .

For flights to the US, the cheapest option will probably be to fly into Miami and catch another flight from there. I recommend checking out Skyscanner for the best prices on cheap flights from Cuba.

For most countries, Cuba included, solo travel is the name of the game. That said, if you are short on time, energy, or just want to be part of an awesome group of travelers you can opt to join an organized tour. Joining a tour is a great way to see a majority of the country quickly and without the effort that goes into planning a backpacking trip. However—not all tour operators are created equal—that is for sure.

Hitchhiking in Cuba

There are conflicting opinions regarding hitchhiking in Cuba. On one hand it  may be illegal for Cubans to have foreigners in their cars without the proper bullshit paper work.

Other folks have told me that by law, drivers are required to pick up hitchhikers! Polar opposite information, I know, but I have not come across anything from the Cuban government specifically speaking to this.

I have also heard that in Cuba,  picking up hitchhikers is mandatory by government vehicles , if passenger space is available. Hitchhiking is encouraged, as there are few cars in some areas, and designated hitchhiking spots are used. Waiting riders are picked up on a first come first go basis.

In any case, you should not find it too difficult to hitch a ride in the rural areas of Cuba (and there are many of them).

For the record, I have not personally hitchhiked in Cuba, otherwise I might have a more informed opinion on all of this.

My advice for hitchhiking whilst backpacking Cuba: go for it!

There are many ideal Central American bases that are enticing for Digital Nomads…and speaking from experience – Cuba is not one of them.

Out of all the countries I have traveled to, the internet situation in Cuba is so out-dated, expensive, and slow that working online from Cuba in any sort of real capacity really is not possible.

Also because of the nationalized nature of the communist system – it is not easy, nor financially viable for foreigners to try to work for Cuban businesses. Maybe this will change down the line, but for now, it is possible to check your email in Cuba, but beyond that consistent, accessible, fast internet does not exist.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

What to Know About WIFI/Internet in Cuba:

Getting wifi access requires a bit of effort. You need to buy “wifi cards” – they cost $1/hour. There are special government shops that sell them, but the lines are often insane. I recommend going to any big hotel – like the Hotel Inglaterra in Havana for example – and buying as many as they will sell you (10-20).

You then need to find places with a wifi hotspot, like big hotels, public parks, and sometimes even cafes. You have to then individually input the card numbers every time you connect. Not the most efficient system in the world.

Volunteer in Cuba

Volunteering abroad is an amazing way to experience a culture whilst helping your host community. There are plenty of different volunteer projects in Cuba including teaching, construction, agriculture and pretty much anything.

High levels of poverty throughout Cuba mean there are plenty of opportunities for backpackers to offer up some time and skills. The country is in constant need of medical volunteers, English teachers, and help with conservation projects. It’s also possible to find opportunities in social work and construction. Most travelers can volunteer in Cuba on the regular tourist card for up to 6 months. 

Our go-to platform for finding volunteering gigs is Worldpackers who connect travellers with host projects. Have a look at the Worldpackers site and see if they have any exciting opportunities in Cuba before signing up.

Alternatively, Workaway is another excellent common platform used by travellers searching for volunteering opportunities. You can read our review of Workaway for more info on using this terrific platform.

Volunteer programs run through reputable work exchange programs like Worldpackers and platforms like Workaway are usually very well-managed and reputable. However, whenever you are volunteering do stay vigilant, especially when working with animals or children.

Onto one of my favorite subjects! There are plenty of tasty Cuban dishes to try in Cuba. The various origins that make up the Cuban population greatly add to the diversity of flavors found in their cuisine. Let’s take a look at some of my favorite Cuban dishes to try…

Tamales : Similar to the Mexican tamales. In Cuba, however, the meat is actually mixed with the dough and not used as a filling.

Pulled Pork : A classic, tasty, and often cheap street food.

Medianoche : The classic, late night (or literally “midnight”) sandwich found all over Cuban cities. In the States, you will find versions of the sandwich simply called a “Cuban” or “Cubano.” Ham, pulled pork, cheese, and pickles galore.

Pernil Relleno de Moros y Cristianos : This Cuban dish is made more interesting as it is filled with another Cuban dish! A pork shoulder is marinated in orange juice, garlic, oregano and pepper and then filled with rice and beans and cooked in the oven.

Ropa Vieja : The national dish of Cuba. A tasty blend of slow cooked tender beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices.

Ajiaco : This stew contains a little bit of everything: potatoes, pumpkin,  malanga  (a vegetable similar to topinambur), plantain, corn, meat, tomato paste, spices, beers, lemon juice and pretty much any other ingredient available.

Cuba’s population is an obvious reflection of its complex history. Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different backgrounds. As a result, some Cubans do not treat their nationality as a citizenship with various ethnicities and national origins comprising the “Cuban people.” The majority of Cubans descend from Spaniards, or so they claim.

There is a West African cultural component (West Africans were brought to Cuba to work on plantations as slaves) which has been somewhat influential, with many Afro-Cubans also being of Jamaican or other Afro-Caribbean origin.

After years of being closed off from the world under a rather harsh dictator, I believe Cubans are genuinely happy to have more travelers visit their island paradise. If you can speak some Spanish, many are keen to open up for a good conversation.

Certainly, Cubans are very hospitable and welcoming people. Don’t be surprised if you make some new friends!

Cuba Travel Phrases

Learning a bit of Spanish is a great way to get the most out of your trip. When I became fluent in Spanish, it really changed the way I was able to travel in Cuba and beyond. It is such a useful language to know! You can speak it in over 20 countries!

Here are a few helpful/basic Cuba travel phrases with English translations for your backpacking Cuba adventure:

Hello –  Hola

How are you? –  Como estas?

Good Morning –  Buenos dias

I don’t understand – No entiendo

How much? – Cuánto cuesta?

Stop here –  Te detienes aquí

Where is the toilet? – Donde esta el baño?

What is this? – Que es esto? 

No plastic bag –  Sin bolsa de plastico

No straw please –  No paja por favor

No plastic cutlery please –  No hay cubiertos de plástico por favor

Sorry –  Lo siento

Help! – Ayudame!

Cheers! –  Salud!

Dick head! –  Cabron!

Dating in Cuba

Dating and sex in Cuba are just as complicated as every other unique-to-Cuba aspect. At the same time, casual encounters/one-night stands between locals and tourists – especially local men with foreign women – are quite common and if that is something you are interested in pursuing, you just need to be safe/smart about it.

One should consider that prostitution in Cuba for both men and women is very wide-spread…some would say rampant. Because of this, it is hard to know when someone is actually interested in a romantic relationship with you vs trying to seduce you into paying them for sex – this is very true for young foreign men (yeah mate, she might actually be that into you).

Basically, if you have any hope of having a relationship with a Cuban beyond “hola” you’ll need to be in a situation where they feel comfortable to talk to you, which might be inside of a music club, bar, or on some section of beach.

Cuba almost feels like a country under some kind of strange conservative Sharia law… except when you go out and see what the people are wearing it actually has nothing to do with conservative law. On the law books, Cuba actively enforces tourist-Cuban segregation. Which feels equally bizarre. That said, I had plenty of experiences hanging out with local Cubans and the police did not bother us. In Havana, inter-nationality mingling is commonplace.

Good luck to you if you try to crack the Cuban dating code.

Books to Read About Cuba

There are so many fantastic books about Cuba that it’s hard to pick just a few! Here are some of my favorite books set in Cuba:

• The Old Man and the Sea  — The Old Man and the Sea is one of Hemingway’s most enduring works. Told in a language of great simplicity and power, it is the story of an old Cuban fisherman, down on his luck, and his supreme ordeal — a relentless, agonizing battle with a giant marlin far out in the Gulf Stream.
• Our Man in Havana  — First published in 1959 against the backdrop of the Cold War, “Our Man in Havana” remains one of Graham Greene’s most widely read novels. It is an espionage thriller, a penetrating character study, and a political satire of government intelligence that still resonates today.
• Explosions in a Cathedral — This swashbuckling tale set in the Caribbean during the French Revolution focuses on Victor Hugues, a historical figure who led the naval assault to take back the island of Guadeloupe from the English at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
• Guerrilla Warfare —”Guerrilla Warfare” by the revolutionary Che Guevara has become the guidebook for thousands of guerrilla fighters in various countries around the world. Very interesting even if you do not intend on fighting in a revolution. I have read it twice lol.
• Lonely Planet Cuba — It’s always handy to have a Lonely Planet in your backpack.

Brief History of Cuba

Over the course of the last 500+ years, the fate of Cuba has taken many different twists and turns.

Here is a short but important timeline to consider when trying to understand a bit of the history of Cuba:

1492  – The navigator Christopher Columbus claims Cuba for Spain.

1511  – Spanish conquest begins under the leadership of Diego de Velazquez, who establishes Baracoa and other settlements. 15 years later, the African slave trade begins.

1763  – After a year of capture by the British, Havana returned to Spain by the Treaty of Paris.

Fast forward nearly 200 years.. and plenty of really important stuff happened including the abolition of slavery (1886)… though we will focus on more recent events.

1959  – Castro leads a 9,000-strong guerrilla army into Havana, forcing Batista to flee. Castro becomes prime minister, and his brother, Raul, becomes his deputy. Che Guevara becomes third in command. A year later, all US businesses in Cuba are nationalized without compensation.

1961 – The US sponsors an abortive invasion by Cuban exiles at the Bay of Pigs; Castro proclaims Cuba a communist state and begins to ally it with the USSR.

Basically, from 1959 until the present day, Fidel Castro (until his death in 2016), and now his brother Raul in 2018 have governed Cuba under communist rule continuously. Recently, Raul Castro announced he will be stepping down as Cuba’s leader, which will mark the first time since 1959 that Cuba will exist not under a Castro individual.

For many backpackers, coming to Cuba opens up a whole new world of exciting life experiences. Backpacking Cuba offers up the unique opportunity to dive into one of Latin America’s most interesting cultures.

Between the friendly locals, beautiful natural landscapes, nightlife, and great food, backpacking Cuba is a never ending feast of awesome experiences.

Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.

Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!

Trekking in Cuba

After years of government restriction, the wild landscapes of Cuba have opened up to trekkers for the first time. Here are the 5 best hikes in Cuba:

1.  El Yunque : The approximately four-hour hike is a challenging one, especially if the trail is wet. Wildlife is abundant along the trail and the view of Baracoa and the Rio Yumuri from the top is breathtaking.

2. Vegas Grande Waterfall Hike: This was hands-down one of the best day hikes we did in Cuba. After an hour or so of hiking through jungle-forest, you reach the epic falls and turquoise pool. An excellent place to swim as well!

3. Pico Turquino : Located in the  Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra , this trek to the peak is a challenging two to three day adventure to the top of Cuba’s highest mountain.

4. Revolutionary Hikes : There are a number of old hiking trails formerly used by rebel soldiers during the Cuban Revolution. Their main hideout— Comandancia de la Plata located in Granma Province’s Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra – was never discovered by Batista’s forces. You can now make the 4 km hike to see the site of the old camp. Pretty awesome if you like a mix of history and beautiful scenery.

5. Parque Nacional Alejandro Humboldt Hike from Moa : You can hire a guide for a short, but epic 7 km hike through one of the most biodiverse wildlife habitats in Cuba. The night hike is awesome because you can see the world’s smallest frog species (if you look closely).

Scuba Diving in Cuba

Scuba diving in Cuba can be excellent, depending on the time of year. Thanks to strict environmental protection laws and the resulting crystal clear waters, scuba diving in Cuba is world-class.

Myself and a few friends went diving off the coast of Playa Ancon. For two dives, all the gear, boat, and guide, the cost for person (who is already Open water certified) was around $60 USD. We went with Playa Ancon Dive Center (located at the end of the beach, next to the big hotel). Staff were professional and nice. They don’t have a website, so you just need to show up the day before and organize your trip with them.

I recommend that you come to Cuba as a certified open water diver. If you are not a certified diver already, you can get your certification in Cuba, it is just more expensive than getting it in say Thailand, for example (and PADI does not operate in Cuba we found out).  Here are some of the best scuba dive sites in Cuba to get you stoked on some prime Cuban diving:

• Punta Frances: Off the Isla de la Juventud.
• Around Playa Ancon (Trinidad area)
• Jardines de la Reina: South Coast.
• Cayo Largo: Another fine south coast site.
• Punta Perdiz: Right next to Cayo Largo, but located near the coast.
• Bay of Pigs: Cool shipwrecks and fish spotting around the Bay of Pigs.
• Cayo Coco:  West coast, popular, though very good diving.

Cuba has done a great job protecting its coastal ecosystems. When diving in Cuba, don’t touch any of the coral or remove any shells.

Organized Tours in Cuba

G Adventures  is a solid down-to-earth tour company catering to backpackers just like you, and their prices and itineraries reflect the interests of the backpacker crowd. You can score some pretty sweet deals on epic trips in Cuba for a fraction of the price of what other tour operators charge.

Check out some of their awesome  itineraries for Cuba  here…

You are now fully armed with the important information you need to have an awesome time backpacking Cuba.

Some advice:

Climbing on ancient fort walls, revolutionary monuments, or other historical artifacts should be avoided. Duh! Learn to appreciate the cultural treasures of Cuba and don’t be that asshole who adds to their demise.

Cuba is one of the most untouched gems in the Caribbean, and all of Latin America for that matter. I won’t tell you that you have to hurry up and get there, otherwise it will change for the worst, but, honestly, that sentiment is probably true.

Go to Cuba and have the time of your life; do the things you’ve dreamed of, but  be respectful  along the way.  Traveling the world makes you an ambassador for your country , which is awesome.

The entire world is changing a little every day and Cuba is no different. Sure, in 20 years Cuba will no longer be a off the beaten path destination, but such is life in the 21st century.

Whenever you do indeed make it to Cuba, I hope your time there is magical and rewarding. Cuba has a lot to offer backpackers, and it is my hope that you take the time to enjoy it thoroughly.

Have a great time backpacking in this truly epic island paradise.

Adiós amigos…

• Is Central America Safe for Travel?
• Traveling on a Budget
• Make Money While Travelling
• How to hitchhike

*Special thanks to my good mate  Andrea Cacciatori for his thoughtful contributions to this Cuba travel guide and especially his stunning photography skills! In fact, Andrea is one of the best up-and-coming travel photographers and drone operators around. You can check out more of his awesome photos/drone work on Instagram @dronextravelxearth

Will Hatton

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13 Comments

I plan on traveling to Cuba from the United States for 3-4 weeks in January 2024. I’ve done a lot of research online. I want to do some Snorkeling and diving, As well as some swimming. I am also interested In music and dance. Maybe what’s going on out on the street rather than going to expensive clubs. Also I don’t like to stay out real late. I generally prefer Villages to cities, but I am open to both. I am a retired teacher so I do not have lots of money. I’m hoping to spend Less than an average of $80 a day for everything. I plan on staying in casa particulares . Just looking for clean safe places nothing fancy. I want to connect with the Cuban people as well. I have been having Spanish conversational lessons online for a few years now so I can have conversations in Spanish, especially if people speak slowly enough. I live in the mountains in North Carolina where we have lots of natural beauty and waterfalls. So I might be looking for something a little different than that. I do not like to lay out on the beach. I actually prefer watching waves crashing into rocks than Sandy beaches. I know some mosquitoes are inevitable But I would prefer to minimize biting insects, maybe with a windier beach? I am interested in visiting caves and Swimming in natural pools. I plan on using transportation such as collectivos and viazul. I have made several trips over the years to Latin America including Guatemala Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Chile Ecuador. Usually just 1 country for each trip of 3-7 . Just to say traveling in Latin America is not new to me.

My current plan is to go to Viñales after landing in Havana. Maybe spend a week there including going to Cayo Jutia and possibly maria la gorda ( day trip from Viñales ?) for diving and or snorkeling. Hoping to go to many caves in the Viñales area. Then I was going to playa Giron to snorkel and scuba dive Possibly caleta buena and Punta Perdiz. Then maybe to playa larga, to do some tours in Cienaga la Zapata. Then Trinidad for the music at night and Topes De Collantes during the day. Possibilities include: Lago habanabilla El Nicho waterfalls, Sendero Vegas Leaping Caburní (Salto de Caburní) Parque Guanayara La Batata

That might be it for 3-4 weeks. Based on my criteria of snorkelling diving swimming caves connecting with cubanos, Not spending too much money, and avoiding too many tourists. Does this sound like a good plan? I know I’m missing northern and eastern Cuba. And I don’t wanna spend too much time traveling between places. Would you suggest additional or substitute Locations? Are the northern beaches windier and less mosquitoes? Any recommendations of where to see waves crashing into rocks? Any possibility of going to Snorkeling and diving sites with more Coral and animal life without spending too much money? Other ideas of where to see music and dance, again without spending too much money? Do I need to reserve my transportation between cities beforehand with viazul? Or could I go In colectivos? That way would I not need to reserve in advance? Are colectivos usually air conditioned or At least comfortable? Do I need to reserve casa particulares in advance? I like the flexibility of being able to change my plan But I also don’t wanna be stuck somewhere because I don’t have transportation or a place to sleep. I greatly appreciate your time and advice.

Any idea how the internet situation has developed since this article was written? 🙂 I’m trying to go to Cuba while working remotely!

Hello, I have been in Cuba as recently as 2 weeks ago and I can tell you that the internet situation has NOT improved at all. In most cases, wifi is gained with a prepaid card (which you must wait in line for forever if you don’t buy it from the fancy hotels at a steeper cost) that costs a dollar an hour. Cuba is decades behind the rest of the world in terms of internet access. It is an awesome country to explore and disconnect for a digital detox, but perhaps the worst country I have ever been too in terms of getting shit done online.

If you are looking for a digital nomad destination, Cuba ain’t it my friend. Some cafes offer “free” wifi, but it is super slow and pretty much impossible to get any work done on that kind of connection. Go explore Cuba…it’s a rad country for sure! But don’t plan on doing much work otherwise (like me) you’ll spend way too much time hunting the internet that barely works in the first place. cheers.

Hi Craig, are you sure? Because alot of people are telling me you can’t and mentioned since trump’s laws he is making it impossible. Or only if you are coming in with a cruise? Is that true?

Hi Heather, Actually from what I have researched USA cruise ships can no longer dock in Cuba (which is probably a good thing!). The US government is cracking down on US mass tourism, probably because they can’t control it. Independent travelers can still visit Cuba despite Trump’s BS. I’m actually going back in a few months! It is possible to visit Cuba if you stick to local businesses and lodges and have a ” cultural itinerary” planned. When applying for the visa, you need to pick a “category” that you fall under. I suggest going for the “Support for the Cuban people” category. Check out this article for more info on what that entails. Good luck!

Hi there, yes I’m sure. I was there in October and I’ll be back in December. When you buy your plane ticket there are different categories and I select support for the Cuban people, which is indeed why I go. It’s that simple.

Do you know if American’s can go to Cuba or not yet?

Hi Heather, Indeed Americans can go to Cuba right now!

great in-depth article covering a lot of topics. I do think it would be good to discuss more in-depth whether you’re likely to get sick from eating food from Street vendors and whether or not you can drink water at various places or whether or not you need bottled water. Loved the article and I took a lot of notes.

Hi Craig, you’re right, that info is super relevant. We actually cover all of those topics in our Cuba Safety Guide !

Fantastic and thorough article, thanks for all the great info! This feels like it could be a one-stop shop for any Cuba adventure planning needs. I’ll be heading there soon; will let you know if anything has changed.

Enjoy your trip! Let us know what you find.

I’m landing there in two weeks, this article is a blessing. Thank you so much for publishing this! Great help. Do you have any specific recommendation (based on your experience) on where to camp and where not to? For instance you were talking about avoiding the coastline.

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Woman, 25, accused of human smuggling after 16, including kids, die at sea

Woman faces 10 federal charges after deadly voyage from cuba.

Andrea Torres , Digital Journalist

MIAMI – Prosecutors say a 25-year-old woman is to blame for a tragedy at sea in 2022.

A survivor reported that about 16 fellow migrants vanished — including children — when an overloaded boat without life vests sank about 30 miles off the coast of Cuba.

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The U.S. Coast Guard reported recovering the bodies of four of the drowning victims on Nov. 16, 2022, detaining three suspects, and investigating the incident as a “smuggling venture.”

According to prosecutors and investigators, Yaquelin Dominguez-Nieves, who lives in south-central Florida, was one of the human smugglers behind the voyage.

Coast Guard Investigative Service Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. Margelot and U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe announced the case on Friday after CGIS agents arrested Dominguez-Nieves, of Sebring, in Highlands County.

“Human trafficking enterprises put the lives of migrants at risk in the pursuit of profit. Human traffickers exploit immigrants’ hopes for a better life,” Lapointe said in a statement.

Dominguez-Nieves is facing 10 counts of encouraging and inducing or attempting to bring aliens into the United States resulting in death. She faces a maximum penalty of life in prison or death.

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Key West, U.S. Border Patrol, The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office, and Highlands County Sheriff’s Office deputies assisted CGIS agents with the case.

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About the Author

Andrea torres.

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.