Country
Cuba
Check first: the US rates Cuba Level 2 (exercise increased caution), but in September 2026 the UK advises against all but essential travel, Canada says avoid non-essential travel and Australia says reconsider your need to travel, because fuel, power and flights keep failing. Americans also need a legal OFAC travel category: tourism is not one. If you still go: 4 nights in Havana, 2 in Viñales and 3 in Trinidad, with cash for the whole trip, a return flight on an airline still flying, and two buffer days.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More: share, save offline, report a correction
Key facts
- Currency
- Cuban peso (CUP)
- Language
- Spanish
- Plugs
- A · B · C · L · 110 V and 220 V
- Time zone
- UTC−5
Rules in force · 3Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bah…
- Caribbean ↗Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bahamas and Jamaica) jail visitors for a single stray bullet or cartridge in their luggage; empty every bag and pocket before you pack.
- Caribbean ↗From August to October keep a free last day before your flight home and check the national hurricane centre daily; airports close when a named storm approaches.
- Caribbean ↗Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in several islands, including Barbados, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica; leave it at home, children's clothes included.
Understand in one strip
- Capital
- Havana (La Habana), about 2 million people
- Language
- Spanish
- Currency
- Cuban peso (CUP); dollars and euros widely used in cash
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C and L; 110 V and 220 V both in use
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Tipping
- Expected: 10% in restaurants, a dollar or two for musicians and guides
- Emergency
- 106 police · 104 ambulance · 105 fire
- Time zone
- UTC−5; daylight saving UTC−4 from March to November
Cuba is a large island where distances, fuel shortages and power cuts shape every plan, and in 2026 the crisis has deepened: aviation fuel ran out, many airlines suspended flights, the grid has collapsed island-wide several times, and international Visa and Mastercard cards no longer work. Cash in euros or dollars runs the trip. Stay in casas particulares with a generator or solar backup, book transport ahead, keep slack in every week, and treat hurricane season (June–November) as a planning constraint. US citizens and residents face US sanctions rules on top of Cuban entry rules: no tourist travel, one of 12 authorised categories (most use "support for the Cuban people"), no stays at listed state hotels, and no US-issued cards at all.
Where's good this month
Hurricane peak.
Where's good: no region is at its best; pick the fair ones below
- West and HavanaHavana, Viñales, VaraderoAvoidAvoidstorm: typhoon or flood risk
Dry season November–April, 20–27 °C (68–81 °F); hot and humid May–October with afternoon storms; cold fronts can bring cool, windy spells in January.Dry season November–April, 68–81 °F (20–27 °C); hot and humid May–October with afternoon storms; cold fronts can bring cool, windy spells in January.
- Centre and south coastTrinidad, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, CamagüeyAvoidAvoidstorm: typhoon or flood risk
Similar pattern, slightly warmer; the Escambray hills are cooler.
- OrienteSantiago de Cuba, Baracoa, HolguínAvoidAvoidstorm: typhoon or flood risk
Hottest region; Baracoa is wet much of the year. The east took the worst of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.
Holidays and festivals in September
No national holiday that changes transport or opening hours in Cuba this month.
Pick a route
Havana and Viñales
- Havana, 5 nightsArrival + day plans
- Viñales, 2 nightsNo guide yet
Come back to Havana at least a day before your flight.
Classic west and centre
- Havana, 4 nightsArrival + day plans
- Viñales, 2 nightsNo guide yet
- Cienfuegos, 1 nightsBasic guide
- Trinidad, 3 nightsBasic guide
Book colectivos for each leg the day before.
Across the island
- Havana, 5 nightsArrival + day plans
- Viñales, 2 nightsNo guide yet
- Trinidad, 3 nightsBasic guide
- Santa Clara, 1 nightsBasic guide
- Santiago de Cuba, 3 nightsBasic guide
Santiago only if a domestic flight runs that week; otherwise add Cienfuegos and Playa Girón.
Top destinations in Cuba, ranked
Ranked for a first trip in the dry season, if you go despite current advice.
Havana
Arrival + day plansOld town, music, the only reliable gateway.
4 nights in Havana · Best Nov–Apr
Viñales
No guide yetTobacco valley.
2 nights in Viñales · Best Nov–Apr
Trinidad
Basic guideColonial town and valley.
3 nights in Trinidad · Best Nov–Apr
Cienfuegos
Basic guideBay city.
1 night in Cienfuegos · Best Nov–Apr
Santiago de Cuba
Basic guideMusic and history.
3 nights in Santiago de Cuba · Best Dec–Mar
Bay of Pigs
No guide yetHistory and snorkelling.
1 night in Bay of Pigs · Best Nov–Apr
Decide the trip
What the country is like, who it suits and how long to give it
Open Decide the tripClose Decide the trip7 partsUnderstand in one strip · At a glance · Understand · First vs second trip · Good for · Time math · Fit my nights
Understand in one stripCapital · Language · Currency · Plugs · Driving · Tipping · Emergency · Time zone
- Capital
- Havana (La Habana), about 2 million people
- Language
- Spanish
- Currency
- Cuban peso (CUP); dollars and euros widely used in cash
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C and L; 110 V and 220 V both in use
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Tipping
- Expected: 10% in restaurants, a dollar or two for musicians and guides
- Emergency
- 106 police · 104 ambulance · 105 fire
- Time zone
- UTC−5; daylight saving UTC−4 from March to November
Cuba: open now, and what is next
3 regions planned
On this page
- 1 of 4 regions open, with where to sleep and for how long
- 1 trip line with arrival paths and day plans
- 5 basic city guides
- How to split 5, 9, 14 days
- Money: cash, cards and ATMs
- Safety notes and the rules that apply on every page below
Coming as the guide grows
- Viñales and the west — Tobacco valley and limestone hills; walking and cycling · 2–3 nights
- Central Cuba (Trinidad, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara) — Colonial towns and the south coast · 3–4 nights
- Oriente (Santiago de Cuba, Baracoa) — The east; music, mountains and a long way from Havana · 4–5 nights
At a glance
Each bar is 1 to 5. Green means the score makes the trip easier, amber is middling, red is harder; the words next to each score say what that end of the scale means, so colour is never the only signal.
Casas are cheap; transport and imported goods expensive in 2026.
Cash only: foreign cards stopped working in 2026.
English in casas and tourist spots; Spanish needed elsewhere.
Slow, expensive data; outages during blackouts.
Fuel shortages cut buses, flights and taxis.
Low violent crime but rising theft; unrest and blackouts.
Hot, and air conditioning fails in blackouts.
Understand
The largest Caribbean island, a Spanish colony until 1898, US-dominated until the 1959 revolution, and a one-party socialist state since. About 9.7 million people (falling fast with emigration). Since 2020 the economy has shrunk sharply: currency reform, lost tourism, US sanctions and oil shortages have produced blackouts, inflation and the largest exodus in its history.
- People
- About 9.7 million and falling; more than a million left since 2021 (check).
- Government
- One-party state led by the Communist Party; President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
- Land
- About 110,000 km² (42,471 sq mi); 1,250 km (777 mi) long.About 42,471 sq mi (110,000 km²); 777 mi (1,250 km) long.
History that still shows on the ground · 8 dates
| When | What happened | Where you meet it today |
|---|---|---|
| 1492 | Columbus lands | Taíno population collapses under Spanish rule. |
| 1519 | Havana moved to its current site | Treasure-fleet port. |
| 1868–1898 | Wars of independence; US intervenes | José Martí, and the US Platt Amendment. |
| 1959 | Revolution: Fidel Castro takes power | Nationalisations; US embargo from 1960–62. |
| 1991 | Soviet collapse; 'Special Period' | Tourism opened to earn hard currency. |
| 2014–2016 | US–Cuba thaw; Obama visits | Reversed from 2017. |
| 2021 | Currency unification; 11 July protests | Inflation and mass emigration. |
| 2024–2026 | Repeated grid collapses; US oil squeeze; flights suspended | The crisis shaping travel now. |
Read or watch before you go
- Cuba: An American History — Ada Ferrer.
- Our Man in Havana — Graham Greene.
First trip vs second trip
| Trip | Go to | Why | Leave for later |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short trip (5 nights) | Havana with a Viñales day trip | Least transport risk. | The east. |
| First trip (9–10 nights) | Havana + Viñales + Trinidad | The classic western and central loop. | Driving yourself. |
| Longer trip (14 nights) | Add Cienfuegos, Santa Clara and Santiago by flight if available | Music and history of the east. | Baracoa while Melissa damage persists — check. |
Good for…
Verdict is how well Cuba works for that traveller in 2026 conditions.
First-timers
hard workBlackouts, cash-only and transport gaps make it a tough first trip.
- Havana — stay in one base.
Food trips
works- Havana — the best paladares.
Tight budgets
works- Viñales — cheap casas and bikes.
Families with kids
hard workHeat without power and medicine shortages.
- Havana — casas with backup power.
Couples
works- Trinidad — music on the steps at night.
Solo travellers
works- Havana — casa hosts help with everything.
Luxury
hard work- Havana — a few boutique casas.
Time math
- 5 days in total
- Havana 5, with one day trip
- 9 days in total
- Havana 4 + Viñales 2 + Trinidad 3
- 14 days in total
- Havana 4 + Viñales 2 + Trinidad 3 + fly or bus east to Santiago 4 + one buffer night
Which regions fit my nights?
Tick the regions you are weighing up. The nights are the ranges this guide gives for each region.
Tick the regions you are considering.
Cities
Regions, cities and the places between them
Open CitiesClose Cities5 partsRegions · Cities · Other destinations · See · Do
Regions
Tobacco valley and limestone hills; walking and cycling
2–3 nights in this region
Colonial towns and the south coast
3–4 nights in this region
The east; music, mountains and a long way from Havana
4–5 nights in this region
Cities
Old Havana, the Malecón, Vedado, music and museums; the only city with regular international flights in 2026.
Colonial sugar town with cobbled streets and the Valle de los Ingenios.
Tobacco village in a valley of limestone mogotes.
French-founded bay city with neoclassical centre.
Afro-Caribbean music capital of the east.
Che Guevara memorial and student town.
Maze-like colonial centre and clay pots (tinajones).
Remote eastern town of cacao and rivers; hit by storms.
Other destinations
| Place | What | Getting there | Why go / verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Havana (Habana Vieja) | UNESCO old town | Walk from Vedado or stay inside | Four squares, fortresses and restored colonial streets. |
| Viñales valley | Tobacco and karst | 3.5 h from Havana | Farms, caves, horseback rides among mogotes. |
| Trinidad and Valle de los Ingenios | UNESCO town and valley | 6 h from Havana | Sugar-era mansions, towers and beaches at Playa Ancón. |
| Cienfuegos → | UNESCO bay city | 1.5 h from Trinidad | Palacio de Valle, promenade and the botanical garden. |
| Bay of Pigs (Playa Girón) | History and reef | Between Havana and Cienfuegos | 1961 invasion museum and snorkelling cenotes. |
| Santiago de Cuba → | Music city | Flight or long road trip | Casa de la Trova, El Morro, Moncada barracks. |
| Varadero | Beach resort strip | 2 h east of Havana | Long white-sand beach; resorts affected by closures in 2026 (check). |
| Cayo Santa María and the northern cays | Resort islands | Causeway from Caibarién | Beach resorts; many closed or consolidated in 2026 (check). |
See
Havana
- Plaza de la Catedral and Plaza Vieja · Old Havana
- Malecón at sunset · Havana
- Museo de la Revolución · Havana
Explore on foot in the morning; evenings on the Malecón.
Colonial towns and valleys
- Plaza Mayor, Trinidad · Sancti Spíritus province
- Viñales mogotes · Pinar del Río
- Cienfuegos historic centre · Cienfuegos
Stay two nights in each to allow for transport delays.
Do
| Activity | Where | Best months | Cost (2026 estimate) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live music | Havana, Trinidad, Santiago | Nightly, when there is power | US$5–15 | The heart of any trip. |
| Tobacco farm visit | Viñales | Harvest Jan–Mar | Tips | See cigars rolled by hand. |
| Classic car ride | Havana | Daytime | US$30–50 an hour — check | Touristy but fun. |
| Salsa lesson | Havana, Trinidad | Any day | US$10–20 | Book through your casa. |
| Snorkelling and diving | Bay of Pigs, María la Gorda | Nov–Apr | US$25–50 | Healthy reefs; boats depend on fuel. |
Connect the cities
Ready-made routes, the route builder and the legs between cities
Open Connect the citiesClose Connect the cities3 partsItineraries · Route builder · Between cities
Itineraries by length
Built for 2026 conditions: fewer moves, longer stays, a buffer before the flight home.
7 days
Havana and Viñales
Havana → Viñales → Havana
- Havana5n
- Viñales2n
Come back to Havana at least a day before your flight.
10 days
Classic west and centre
Havana → Viñales → Havana → Cienfuegos → Trinidad → Havana
- Havana4n
- Viñales2n
- Cienfuegos1n
- Trinidad3n
Book colectivos for each leg the day before.
14 days
Across the island
Havana → Viñales → Havana → Trinidad → Santa Clara → Havana, or fly to Santiago if flights run
Santiago only if a domestic flight runs that week; otherwise add Cienfuegos and Playa Girón.
Build a route
Based on: Classic west and centre (10 days, itineraries by length)
- Havana4 nightsBus / van · Víazul tourist bus · about 3 h 30 min · About US$15–40 — check
- Viñales2 nightsTransfer not on file yet: check the A-to-B tool.
- Cienfuegos1 nightSee the options All options →
- Trinidad3 nights
Book colectivos for each leg the day before.
What this route costs
- Havana4 nightsUS$900
- Viñales2 nightsUS$450
- Cienfuegos1 nightUS$250
- Trinidad3 nightsUS$700
Total, 2 travelers
US$2,500
Per person per day: US$120
2026 estimate (check): rooms for two, food, local transport and sights; international flights, visas and insurance excluded. Tweak it in the budget calculator.
Getting between cities
| Between | Fastest | Other ways | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Havana to Trinidad | Car / taxi · 5–6 hCar |
| All options → |
| Havana to Viñales | Bus / van · about 3 h 30 minAbout US$15–40 — checkVíazul tourist bus | — |
How each mode works hereAny two places: A-to-BIs a rail pass worth it?
This month
Weather and crowds by month
Open This monthClose This month2 partsYear at a glance · Climate
Year at a glance
Every month in one list: how it rates, how busy and pricey it is, and which holidays land in it.
- Busiest or big holidays
- Jan–Mar, Jul, Dec
- Rated avoid
- Aug–Oct
Jan
CautionCrowds: highPrices: high- Triumph of the Revolution and Victory of the Armed Forces (medium impact)
Feb
CautionCrowds: highPrices: highMar
CautionCrowds: highPrices: high- Good Friday (low impact)
Apr
CautionCrowds: mediumPrices: medium- Good Friday (low impact)
May
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: low- International Workers' Day (medium impact)
Jun
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: lowJul
CautionCrowds: mediumPrices: medium- Santiago de Cuba carnival (high impact)
- Day of the National Rebellion (medium impact)
Aug
AvoidCrowds: mediumPrices: mediumSep
AvoidCrowds: lowPrices: lowOct
AvoidCrowds: lowPrices: low- Independence Day (start of the 1868 war) (low impact)
Nov
CautionCrowds: mediumPrices: medium- Havana's founding day (low impact)
Dec
CautionCrowds: highPrices: high- Christmas (medium impact)
- New Year's Eve (medium impact)
Climate by region and month
| Zone | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West and HavanaHavana, Viñales, Varadero | best | best | best | best | ok | wet | hot | storm | storm | storm | ok | best |
| Centre and south coastTrinidad, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, Camagüey | best | best | best | best | ok | wet | hot | storm | storm | storm | ok | best |
| OrienteSantiago de Cuba, Baracoa, Holguín | best | best | best | ok | wet | hot | hot | storm | storm | storm | wet | best |
- West and Havana
- Dry season November–April, 20–27 °C (68–81 °F); hot and humid May–October with afternoon storms; cold fronts can bring cool, windy spells in January.Dry season November–April, 68–81 °F (20–27 °C); hot and humid May–October with afternoon storms; cold fronts can bring cool, windy spells in January.
- Centre and south coast
- Similar pattern, slightly warmer; the Escambray hills are cooler.
- Oriente
- Hottest region; Baracoa is wet much of the year. The east took the worst of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.
In 2026 blackouts and fuel shortages matter more than the weather: heat without fans or air conditioning is the real summer problem.
Cost
What a day costs, and how to pay
Open CostClose Cost4 partsMoney at a glance · Daily budget · Costs · Money & passes
Money at a glance
Currency and cash
Cuban peso (CUP); dollars and euros widely used in cash
Cash for almost everything
Cash or card
ATMs
On landing: Change a little at CADECA; keep the rest hidden in several places.
A day, per person
Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% in cash.
- Casa hosts, drivers, musicians: US$1–5.
Also
Money & passesCard, cash or ATM: the cheapest way to payTipping calculator
Budget per day, per person
Per person per day, sharing a room at mid and comfort, paid in cash. International flights excluded. 2026 estimate.
| Tier | Bed | Food | Transport | Sights | Extras | Total, bed included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BudgetCasa room, street food and cheap paladares, colectivos | US$12–25 | US$12–20 | US$8–15 | US$3–10 | US$5–10 | US$40–80 |
| Mid-rangeBetter casa, paladar meals, private taxis | US$25–50 | US$25–45 | US$20–45 | US$10–30 | US$10–20 | US$90–190 |
| ComfortBoutique casa, private driver, guides | US$60–150 | US$45–80 | US$60–120 | US$30–60 | US$20–40 | US$215–450 |
Costs per day
Budget
US$45–60
Casa particular room, cheap paladar meals and street food, colectivos.
Per person per day · Includes a bed
Mid-range
US$110–180
Better casa with generator or solar, paladar dinners, private taxis, guided tours.
Per person per day
Comfort
US$220+
Boutique casas or top hotels, private driver, guides.
Per person per day
| Typical price | Amount |
|---|---|
| Casa particular double room | US$25–60 — check |
| Paladar main course | US$8–20 |
| Mojito | US$3–6 |
| Colectivo Havana – Trinidad | US$30–40 per seat — check |
| E-visa | US$25–100 by seller — check |
2026 estimate, per person, paid in cash. Prices move quickly with the exchange rate and fuel costs; state hotels charge more for less reliable service.
Budget calculator
- Beds1 room × 10 nightsUS$450
- Food and drink2 × 10 daysUS$700
- Local transport2 × 10 daysUS$700
- Sights and tours2 × 10 daysUS$400
Trip total, 2 travellers
US$2,500
Per person per day: US$120
2026 estimate. Beds priced per room for two; international flights, insurance and visas excluded. International flights, e-visa and insurance are not included; add a cash reserve of at least US$300–500 for emergencies.
Money & passes
Cash necessity: 5/5 (5 means cash for most things)
- Currency is the Cuban peso (CUP). There are three official rates: 24 and 120 CUP per US dollar for state accounting, and a managed "floating" rate launched in December 2025 (about 680 CUP per US$1 in late September 2026). The informal street rate tracked by elTOQUE was about 730 CUP per US$1 on 26 September 2026. Rates move weekly — check before you go (checked 2026-09).
- Bring enough cash for the whole trip in US dollars or euros, in clean, undamaged small notes: US-issued cards never worked in Cuba, Visa and Mastercard from any country stopped on 6 June 2026, and ATMs will not pay out on foreign cards. Only cash and Cuban prepaid cards (Clásica, Tropical) work.
- US dollars and euros are both widely accepted for exchange and by private businesses (UK FCDO, September 2026); which one gets the better rate changes — ask your casa host.
- Casas particulares, taxis and most restaurants want cash; many private businesses price in dollars or euros. Keep small notes.
- Change money only at official CADECA houses, banks or your casa by agreement; illegal street exchange carries fines (check current rules). Declare over US$5,000 on arrival; you may take out at most US$5,000 (check).
Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry
Getting in
Before you go, entry rules and the first day
Open Getting inClose Getting in5 partsBefore you go · Arrive · Entry · Documents · First 24 hours
Before you go
What to sort, and by when, before a trip to Cuba. Pick your passport and flight date; everything else follows.
Add your flight date to turn “weeks before” into dates.
Passport valid long enough
90 days beforeValid 6 months from arrival and 3 months after departure.
Apply for the e-visa (90 days)
30 days beforeCost: About US$25–50 through embassies or agents; more via airlines — check. E-visa (tourist card) before flying; D'Viajeros form within 72 h; insurance. Get the e-visa before check-in and fill D'Viajeros. Extend once in Cuba at an immigration office (check). Apply only on the official site.
Travel insurance
30 days beforeMedical cover valid in Cuba; US insurers are generally not accepted, but US airfares include a Cuban policy (check).
Vaccines and medicines
30 days beforeSome vaccines need weeks or two doses; carry prescriptions in their boxes.
eSIM or roaming
2 weeks beforeETECSA is the only operator; tourist SIMs and eSIMs are sold with passport at the airport and ETECSA offices (check eSIM).
Cards and cash
2 weeks beforeCash for almost everything (cash need 5/5). Bring enough cash for the whole trip in US dollars or euros, in clean, undamaged small notes: US-issued cards never worked in Cuba, Visa and Mastercard from any country stopped on 6 June 2026, and ATMs will not pay out on foreign cards. Only cash and Cuban prepaid cards (Clásica, Tropical) work.
Pack a plug adapter (type A or B or C or L)
7 days beforeSockets here: type A, B, C, L. UK plugs need an adapter. Mains is 110 V against 230 V at home: phone and laptop chargers cope (check the label says 100–240 V); hair dryers and straighteners usually do not.
Arrival card or e-arrival form
3 days beforeD'Viajeros form online within 72 h before arrival (QR code, includes health and customs declaration); insurance proof; e-visa code.
Lead times are Voykit's safe margins, not official deadlines (check the official portal). The full countdown with calendar reminders: Before-you-go countdown · Passport check.
Arrive
HAV
José Martí International (Havana)
About 30–45 min by pre-booked taxi to Old Havana or Vedado; only Terminal 3 operating in September 2026 (UK FCDO; check)
VRA
Juan Gualberto Gómez (Varadero)
Mostly package flights for the Varadero resorts; many suspended in 2026 — check
HOG
Frank País (Holguín)
Gateway to the east and the northern beach resorts; check current flights
SCU
Antonio Maceo (Santiago de Cuba)
Gateway for Oriente; check current flights
Entry: visas and borders
Most visitors need a Cuban e-visa, which replaced the paper tourist card (mandatory from 1 July 2025; paper cards stopped being valid after 31 December 2025). It covers a single stay of up to 90 days, extendable once in Cuba. Buy it through the official eVisa portal, a Cuban embassy, your airline or an authorised agent; the price depends on the seller: roughly US$50 through Delta, JetBlue or Southwest and about US$85–100 through American Airlines on flights from the US, and about US$20–75 through embassies elsewhere (check). Everyone must complete the D'Viajeros online form within 72 hours before arrival and show its QR code, and carry medical insurance. Passports must be valid 6 months from arrival. A few nationalities, such as Russians, enter visa-free. US citizens and residents must also fit one of 12 OFAC travel categories (checked 2026-09).
Get the e-visa before check-in and fill D'Viajeros.
- Cost
- About US$25–50 through embassies or agents; more via airlines — check
- Form to fill
- E-visa (tourist card) before flying; D'Viajeros form within 72 h; insurance.
- Arrival card
- D'Viajeros form online within 72 h before arrival (QR code, includes health and customs declaration); insurance proof; e-visa code.
- Passport
- Valid 6 months from arrival and 3 months after departure.
- Onward ticket
- Return or onward ticket required.
Extend once in Cuba at an immigration office (check).
| Who | Rule | Stay | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most nationalities (EU, UK, Canada, Latin America, Australia) | E-visa (tourist card) | Up to 90 days, extendable | D'Viajeros form within 72 h and insurance proof on arrival. |
| US citizens and residents | E-visa plus an OFAC category | Usually 30 days, extendable (check) | Tourism is illegal under US law; fines are possible. |
| Cuban-born travellers | Cuban passport (habilitado) required | — | Cuba treats you as a Cuban national — check with a consulate. |
| Russia, China and some others | Visa-free | Up to 90 days (check) | D'Viajeros and insurance still needed. |
By land and river
| Crossing | To / from | Mode | Visa there | Trap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No land borders | — | Air only for visitors | — | Cruise calls from the US ended in 2019; private yachts need permits. |
- US policy: the US re-listed Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism in January 2025, so anyone who has visited Cuba since 12 January 2021 cannot use ESTA and needs a US visa — check.
- Banned or confiscated on arrival: drones, stand-alone GPS devices, fresh meat and dairy; declare cash over US$5,000.
- Hospitals may charge uninsured visitors; Cuban insurance (Asistur) is sold at the airport.
Documents checklist
0/5 ready
First 24 hours
Do these on arrival.
Immigration: Show passport, e-visa, D'Viajeros QR and insurance.
Checked on arrival.
Transfer: Taxi pre-booked by your casa.
Few taxis at night; no fuel means no cab.
Cash: Change a little at CADECA; keep the rest hidden in several places.
Cards do not work.
SIM: ETECSA tourist SIM or eSIM.
WhatsApp with drivers and hosts.
Backup plan: Ask your host about generator hours, water and the next day's transport.
Blackouts reshape each day.
Getting around
Modes, times and the clock
Open Getting aroundClose Getting around2 partsGet around · Local time
Get around
| Mode | Havana → Santiago de Cuba | Cost | Use it when | What breaks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Víazul tourist bus | Havana – Viñales about 3.5 h, Havana – Trinidad about 6 h | About US$15–40 — check | The standard tourist link when running. | Routes cut or cancelled with fuel shortages in 2026; book online well ahead (check). |
| Taxi colectivo (shared car) | Often faster than the bus | US$20–40 per seat on main routes — check | Most reliable in 2026 if drivers have fuel. | Fares rise with black-market fuel; confirm pickup the day before. |
| Private taxi | Around cities | US$10–35 from HAV to the centre — check | Pre-book through your casa. | Old cars without seatbelts; agree the fare first. |
| Rental car | Freedom on quiet roads | US$70–120 a day — check | Rarely worth it in 2026. | Fuel is scarce; queues for petrol take hours. |
| Domestic flight | Havana – Santiago about 1.5 h | Check | Saves two days across the island. | Very few flights; aviation fuel shortages. |
| Train | Very slow | Cheap | Only for rail enthusiasts. | Cancelled often; no reliable timetable. |
| Bicycle and horse cart | Viñales, Trinidad | US$5–15 a day | Good for the valleys. | Heat; rent from your casa. |
Local time
What time it is there now, compared with the clock on your device.
Havana
…
Checking your clock…America/Havana
Practical
Money rules, safety, holidays, health, phones and phrases
Open PracticalClose Practical14 partsNext 90 days · Holidays · Safety & health · Safety · Safety by region · Health · Scams · Emergency card · Practical · Connect · Talk · Survival phrases · Cope · Who travels
Holidays in the next 90 days
Oct 10
in 10 days
Independence Day (start of the 1868 war)Minor
Oct 10
Holiday.
Nov 16
in 47 days
Havana's founding dayMinor
Nov 16
Locals circle the ceiba tree at El Templete.
Dec 25
in 86 days
ChristmasSome impact
Dec 25
Holiday; peak visitor season.
The full holiday listHolidays on your datesFestivals by month
Holidays and festivals
| When | What | Impact | What it does to a trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 Jan | Triumph of the Revolution and Victory of the Armed Forces | medium | Closures; events in Havana. |
| Mar–Apr (varies) | Good Friday | low | Holiday since 2012. |
| 1 May | International Workers' Day | medium | Mass rallies in Havana (check). |
| Jul | Santiago de Cuba carnival | high | Street parades and congas; rooms scarce. |
| 25–27 Jul | Day of the National Rebellion | medium | Marks the 1953 Moncada attack; closures. |
| 10 Oct | Independence Day (start of the 1868 war) | low | Holiday. |
| 16 Nov | Havana's founding day | low | Locals circle the ceiba tree at El Templete. |
| 25 Dec | Christmas | medium | Holiday; peak visitor season. |
| 31 Dec | New Year's Eve | medium | Buckets of water thrown out at midnight; parties. |
Safety and health at a glance
Government travel advice
- United States (State Department): Level 2 — Exercise increased cautionOpen ↗
- United Kingdom (FCDO): Against all but essential travelOpen ↗
- Canada: Avoid non-essential travelOpen ↗
- Australia (Smartraveller): Reconsider your need to travelOpen ↗
Checked 29 September 2026: UK and Canada pages read directly; the US level is from US Embassy Havana notices and reporting (travel.state.gov blocked automated reading); Australia from Smartraveller's June 2026 update. Open your own government's page before deciding.
Emergency numbers
Where to take care
3/5 for a careful visitor · Low violent crime but rising theft; unrest and blackouts.
- high Oriente · Hurricane Melissa damage; long blackouts, water shortages.
- medium Havana · Theft, blackouts, protests.
- medium Viñales and the west · Blackouts; fuel for transport.
- medium Central Cuba · Blackouts; bus cancellations.
Tap water
Health
Main risks: Medicine shortages, Dengue, chikungunya, Oropouche, Heat during blackouts, Food hygiene.
Top scams
- 1. Street money changers · Use CADECA or your casa; street deals bring fake notes and legal trouble.
- 2. 'Jineteros' steering you to a casa or cigar deal · Book casas yourself; they pay commission to touts.
- 3. Fake cigars · Buy from state shops with receipts; export limits apply (check).
Safety
- Emergency: 106 police, 104 ambulance, 105 fire.
- Traffic drives on the right; roads are poorly lit and animals, cyclists and horse carts use them at night.
- Island-wide power cuts and fuel shortages were frequent through 2026: carry a torch, a power bank, water purification and snacks.
- Petty theft and street hustlers exist in tourist areas, and opportunistic crime is rising with the crisis: keep cash split in several places.
- Medical supplies are short: bring a full supply of any medicines you need, plus a first-aid kit.
- Protests over blackouts have been dispersed by force; stay away from gatherings and do not film police.
- Hurricane season (Jun–Nov): follow local warnings and your airline; if a storm is forecast, leave early or shelter where your accommodation tells you.
From the US, American and Delta fly Miami–Havana and Southwest flies Tampa–Havana (September 2026 — check; frequencies were cut and some flights make fuel stops). Otherwise Cuba connects via Mexico and Panama. In 2026 Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat suspended all Cuba flights, Air France suspended Paris–Havana into 2027, Iberia suspended Madrid–Havana until at least 24 October 2026, and Turkish and Russian carriers pulled out (check). There is no ferry service to neighbouring countries for visitors.
Safety by region
Violent crime is still low; the crisis — power, water, fuel, unrest — is the risk everywhere.
| Region | Risk | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Havana | medium | Theft, blackouts, protests. |
| Viñales and the west | medium | Blackouts; fuel for transport. |
| Central Cuba | medium | Blackouts; bus cancellations. |
| Oriente | high | Hurricane Melissa damage; long blackouts, water shortages. |
Stay healthy
| Risk | Where / when | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine shortages | Everywhere | Bring all medicines, a first-aid kit, oral rehydration salts. |
| Dengue, chikungunya, Oropouche | Island-wide outbreaks in 2025–26 | Repellent day and night; seek care for fever. |
| Water | Everywhere; worse in the east | Bottled or treated water; bring purification tablets. |
| Heat during blackouts | Summer | Choose a casa with a generator or solar; rest at midday. |
| Food hygiene | Cheap street food | Eat hot, freshly cooked food. |
Scams and overcharges
| Trap | Where | Defence |
|---|---|---|
| Street money changers | Havana old town, Trinidad | Use CADECA or your casa; street deals bring fake notes and legal trouble. |
| 'Jineteros' steering you to a casa or cigar deal | Bus stations, Havana streets | Book casas yourself; they pay commission to touts. |
| Fake cigars | Street sellers | Buy from state shops with receipts; export limits apply (check). |
| Salsa or festival 'invitation' ending in a large bar bill | Havana | Decline; pay only for your own drinks. |
| Unofficial e-visa sellers | Search ads | Buy from the embassy, your airline or a known agent. |
Emergency card
Cuba emergency numbers — screenshot this card
Natural and on-the-ground hazards
| Hazard | When / where | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Grid collapse | Any time | Torch, power bank, water; stay in and follow your casa host. |
| Hurricanes | Jun–Nov | Follow Civil Defence instructions; leave early if a storm is forecast. |
| Unrest | During long blackouts | Avoid gatherings; do not film. |
Alerts and apps
- Offline maps and a VPN; download documents before arrival.
Police, embassies, paperwork
- Clínica Central Cira García in Havana treats foreigners (check); shortages affect all hospitals.
- Consular help may be limited if the situation worsens; register with your embassy.
Emergency card · Cuba
Necesito un médico
I need a doctor · say “neh-seh-SEE-toh oon MEH-dee-koh”
- My passport
- — · find my embassy
- Insurance
- —
- Staying at
- —
Hospitals with emergency care
- Clínica Central Cira García · Miramar (check), Havana
- Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras · Centro Habana (check), Havana
Practical
110 V and 220 V · 60 Hz
Casas often have both; check before plugging in.
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled water can be scarce, so bring a filter bottle or tablets.
- Toilets
- Often without seats or paper; carry tissue and small coins for attendants.
- Weekly closing days
- Opening hours shrink during fuel crises; banks and offices may close early.
Tipping by situation
| Situation | What locals do |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% in cash. |
| Casa hosts, drivers, musicians | US$1–5. |
Opening hours
| What | Typical hours | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Museums in Havana | Tue–Sun, varies | Closures during blackouts. |
| CADECA exchange | Business hours | Queues. |
Connect
- ETECSA is the only operator; tourist SIMs and eSIMs are sold with passport at the airport and ETECSA offices (check eSIM).
- Data is slow and pricey; networks go down during grid collapses. Download maps and documents offline before you land.
- Numbers
- Country code +53.
- Internet
- ETECSA 3G/4G and Wi-Fi hotspots; slow, filtered, and down during blackouts.
Talk
Cuban Spanish is fast, drops final consonants and is full of slang. English is spoken in casas and tourist businesses, rarely elsewhere. Afro-Cuban religion adds Yoruba words.
| Where | Lingua franca | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole island | Spanish | Limited | Casa hosts often speak some English. |
- 'Asere' is a friendly 'mate'; 'la cola' is the queue; 'no hay' (there isn't any) is what you will hear most in shops.
Survival phrases
Cope
- Pharmacy
- State pharmacies are nearly empty; bring everything.
- Supermarkets
- Dollar shops and private mipymes stock imported goods at high prices.
- Power
- Carry a power bank, head torch and rechargeable fan.
Travellers with specific needs
| Traveller | On the ground | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Families | Welcoming, but blackouts, heat and shortages make it hard with small children. | Choose casas with backup power. |
| Wheelchair users | Very hard: broken pavements, few lifts. | Ground-floor casas in Vedado. |
| Music lovers | Live music every night in normal times. | Casa de la Música, Casa de la Trova; check schedules. |
Culture and food
Rules, manners, what to eat, where to sleep and what to buy
Open Culture and foodClose Culture and food6 partsRules · Respect & laws · Eat · Drink · Sleep · Buy
Country rules
- US State Department: Level 2, exercise increased caution (in place since 2025; the US Embassy reported another island-wide blackout on 18 September 2026). UK FCDO: against all but essential travel (updated 25 September 2026). Canada: avoid non-essential travel (updated 28 September 2026). Australia: reconsider your need to travel. Read your own government's advice and check your insurance still covers Cuba before booking (checked 2026-09).
- Check entry rules for your passport with the Cuban embassy or official sources; most visitors need an e-visa (formerly the tourist card) and the online D'Viajeros form, and requirements change.
- US citizens and US residents (US persons) may not travel to Cuba as tourists. The trip must fit one of 12 OFAC general-licence categories: family visits; official government business; journalism; professional research and meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, competitions and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; private foundations and research institutes; information and informational materials; and certain export transactions. Most independent travellers use 'support for the Cuban people', which needs a full-time schedule of activities with Cuban people and private businesses (casas, paladares, private guides), and records kept for 5 years. US persons may not stay at properties on the State Department's Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List (11 more Havana hotels added 14 July 2025) or deal directly with entities on the Cuba Restricted List (GAESA and other military-linked businesses). Rules tightened in 2025–26; check OFAC before booking (checked 2026-09).
- Medical insurance is compulsory for entry: carry proof of a policy valid in Cuba, or buy a Cuban (Asistur) policy on arrival. US-based insurers are generally not accepted in Cuba; flights from the US include a Cuban medical policy in the fare — keep the boarding pass as proof (check with your airline). Hospital bills are payable in cash only, so buy cover with medical evacuation as well (checked 2026-09).
- No cards: US-issued debit and credit cards have never worked in Cuba because of the embargo, and since 6 June 2026 Visa and Mastercard cards from any country are no longer accepted (Cuban Central Bank, after a foreign processor dropped FINCIMEX under US Executive Order 14404). Bring enough US dollars or euros in cash for the whole stay plus an emergency reserve (checked 2026-09).
Etiquette
- Ask before photographing people; some will expect a tip.
- Tipping is expected and much appreciated in restaurants, casas and taxis.
- Avoid political discussions with strangers and do not photograph police, military or government buildings.
- Gifts of medicines, soap and other basics are welcomed by hosts; ask what is needed rather than assuming.
- Hurricane season (Jun–Nov, peak Aug–Oct)
- Storms can close airports and ports for days; ferries and small flights are cancelled first.
- Christmas–New Year and Easter
- Peak season: casas and buses sell out early.
- July (Santiago de Cuba carnival)
- Santiago fills up; book the east early.
- Island-wide grid collapses (any time in 2025–2026)
- Power, water pumping, mobile data and card-free payments stop for hours or days.
Respect and laws that surprise
| Topic | The rule | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Politics | Criticism of the government can put Cubans at risk; let them lead any conversation. | Trouble for your hosts. |
| Photography | No photos of police, military or government sites; ask people first. | Detention, deleted photos. |
| Drugs | Zero tolerance; long sentences. | Prison. |
| Currency exchange | Official channels only. | Fines or detention. |
| Santería | Ask before photographing ceremonies or people in white initiate clothes. | Offence. |
Everyday manners
| Situation | Do | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting | Handshake, or a cheek kiss among acquaintances | Rushing straight to business |
| Casas | Respect the family's routine and water use | Leaving air conditioning on in blackouts or low supply |
| Shortages | Share useful supplies if asked | Handing out gifts in the street |
| Politics | Let hosts lead | Pushing people to criticise the government |
Eat
Cuban food is Spanish-Creole: pork, black beans, rice, cassava and plantain, seasoned with garlic, citrus and cumin rather than chilli. Private paladares serve the best food; in 2026 menus are shorter and prices higher because of shortages, and many dishes depend on what arrived that week.
| Region | Style | Order this |
|---|---|---|
| Havana and west | Paladares, street snacks | Ropa vieja, sandwich cubano |
| Centre | Home cooking in casas | Lobster, lechón |
| Oriente | Coconut and cacao cooking | Congrí, cucurucho in Baracoa |
Dish finder
Region
Diet
13 of 13 dishes
- Ropa viejaNationwide
Ropa vieja
Shredded beef stewed in tomato and peppers.
Lunch or dinner · Usually has beef
- Moros y cristianosNationwide
Moros y cristianos
Black beans and rice cooked together.
Every meal · Usually has pork · vegetarian version exists — ask
- CongríOriente
Congrí
Red beans and rice, often with pork fat.
Every meal · Usually has pork · vegetarian version exists — ask
- Lechón asadoNationwide
Lechón asado
Roast pork marinated in sour orange and garlic.
Festive, weekends · Usually has pork
- Yuca con mojoNationwide
Yuca con mojo
Boiled cassava with garlic-citrus sauce.
Side dish · No meat or fish in the usual version · vegetarian version common
- TostonesNationwide
Tostones
Twice-fried green plantain.
Side dish · No meat or fish in the usual version · vegetarian version common
- PicadilloNationwide
Picadillo
Minced beef with olives and raisins.
Lunch · Usually has beef
- AjiacoNationwide
Ajiaco criollo
Root-vegetable and meat stew.
Lunch · Usually has pork, chicken, beef
- LangostaCoast, paladares
Langosta
Grilled spiny lobster.
Dinner · Usually has fish/seafood
- Sandwich cubanoHavana
Sándwich cubano
Pressed roll with roast pork, ham, cheese and pickles.
Snack · Usually has pork, milk
- Tamal en cazuelaNationwide
Tamal en cazuela
Soft corn porridge with pork.
Lunch · Usually has pork
- CucuruchoBaracoa
Cucurucho
Coconut, honey and fruit sweet in a palm-leaf cone.
Snack · No meat or fish in the usual version · vegetarian version common
- FlanNationwide
Flan
Caramel custard.
Dessert · Usually has egg, milk · vegetarian version common
Tags describe the usual recipe, not every kitchen. Stocks and sauces hide animal products: ask, or show the allergy card below.
Table manners
- Tell your casa host a day ahead if you want dinner; they buy food specially.
Allergy / diet card — show it, do not say it
Tengo una alergia grave a ___. ¿Este plato contiene ___ o se cocina con eso?
“I have a severe allergy to ___. Does this dish contain ___, or is it cooked with it? (Spanish)”
- Peanuts
- maní
- Tree nuts
- nueces / frutos secos
- Shellfish
- mariscos / camarones / langosta
- Fish
- pescado
- Milk
- leche / lácteos
- Egg
- huevo
- Wheat / gluten
- trigo / gluten
Diets: the reality
| Diet | On the ground | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetarian | Possible but monotonous: rice, beans, eggs, plantain; beans are often cooked with pork. | Ask for 'sin carne, sin manteca de cerdo'. |
| Gluten-free | Rice and cassava are staples. | Bread and sandwiches are wheat. |
| Nut / shellfish allergy | Nuts are rare; lobster and shrimp common. | Show the Spanish card; bring your own adrenaline pens — pharmacies are empty. |
Drink
- Legal age
- 18 (loosely enforced).
- Drink-driving
- Illegal; serious penalties after accidents.
| Drink | What it is | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| MojitoMojito | Rum, lime, mint, sugar and soda. | US$3–6 |
| DaiquiríDaiquirí | Frozen rum and lime, Hemingway's drink at El Floridita. | US$4–8 |
| Cuba libreCuba libre | Rum and cola. | US$3–5 |
| BeerCristal / Bucanero | Local lagers, often out of stock. | US$2–4 |
| CoffeeCafé cubano | Tiny, very sweet espresso. | US$0.50–2 |
| Sugar-cane juiceGuarapo | Pressed fresh at stalls. | Cents |
- Imported drinks and even local beer can run out; casas often stock them.
Sleep
| Type | Price (2026 estimate) | Use it for | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casa particular | US$25–60 | Everywhere | Ask about generator, solar batteries and water tank before booking. |
| Boutique casa | US$60–150 | Havana, Trinidad | Better backup power. |
| State hotel | US$80–250 | Havana, resorts | Many on the US Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List; service and power erratic in 2026. |
| All-inclusive resort | Package | Varadero, cays | Several closed or merged in 2026 — check. |
Registration and the law
- Casas register your passport with the authorities; that is normal.
Booking reality
- Book casas directly or through platforms that still operate for your country (US platforms are limited — check).
Buy
Cigars, rum, coffee, art and music; shops are thin on stock in 2026.
Prices and bargaining
- Bargain gently in craft markets; state shops have fixed prices.
What to bring home
| Item | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Cigars | State Casa del Habano shops | Keep receipts; export limits apply (check). US persons may bring back limited amounts only under current rules (check). |
| Havana Club rum | State shops | US persons: check whether allowed. |
| Art | Galleries, San José market | Get an export certificate for paintings. |
Customs allowances on arrival
| What | Limit or rule |
|---|---|
| Cigars | About 50 without a receipt; more with official receipt (check) |
| Cash out | Up to US$5,000 (check) |
Deep dive
Questions, where next, photos, reading and every source
Open Deep diveClose Deep dive4 partsGo next · FAQ · Deep dive · Sources
Go next
Havana
City page
Arrival and base.
Mexico
Flights from Havana to Cancún and Mexico City
The most common link.
Dominican Republic
Flights via Panama or direct — check
Caribbean alternative with full services.
Jamaica
Occasional flights — check
Nearest English-speaking island.
Caribbean
Subregion
Islands, seasons and combinations.
Cuba travel FAQ
Answers are 2026 desk estimates; entry rules marked (check) change.
Is it safe to travel to Cuba now?
The US rates Cuba Level 2 (exercise increased caution), while the UK advises against all but essential travel, Canada against non-essential travel and Australia says reconsider your need to travel (September 2026), because of fuel, power and flight collapses. Violent crime is still low; the crisis is the risk. Read your government's advice first.
Do I need a visa?
Most visitors need a Cuban e-visa (the tourist card) and the D'Viajeros form; a few nationalities are visa-free (check).
What is D'Viajeros?
The online arrival form with health and customs questions, filled within 72 hours before arrival; show the QR code.
Can Americans go?
Yes, legally, but only under one of 12 OFAC general-licence categories such as family visits, journalism or support for the Cuban people; tourism is banned. Stay in casas particulares, eat at private paladares, avoid hotels on the Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List and businesses on the Cuba Restricted List, and keep records for 5 years (check).
Will my US bank card work?
No. US-issued cards have never worked in Cuba, and since June 2026 no Visa or Mastercard works there. Bring all the US dollars you need in cash.
Will a Cuba trip affect my ESTA?
Yes: visitors to Cuba since 12 January 2021 cannot use ESTA and must apply for a US visa (check).
Do cards work?
No: Visa and Mastercard stopped working on 6 June 2026. Bring cash euros or dollars for the whole trip; only Cuban prepaid cards still work.
How much cash should I bring?
Your daily budget times the days, plus at least US$300–500 in reserve.
Are flights still running?
Some: in September 2026 American and Delta still flew Miami–Havana and Southwest Tampa–Havana, with flights from Mexico and Panama, but Canadian airlines, Air France and Iberia suspended service in 2026 — check your route.
How often are there blackouts?
Daily in many areas, with island-wide collapses several times in 2026; pick a casa with backup power.
How do I get around?
Shared taxis (colectivos) are most reliable; Víazul buses when fuel allows.
Is tap water safe?
No; bring purification and buy bottled water when you see it.
When is the best time?
December to April, the dry season, outside hurricane months.
Can I use the internet?
Yes, via ETECSA data or Wi-Fi, but slow and down during blackouts; some sites need a VPN.
Sources compared: Wikivoyage — Cuba · Wikipedia — Cuba · Wikipedia — 2026 in Cuba. Section coverage was checked against these community guides (CC BY-SA) as secondary sources; the text on this page is Voykit's own, with facts cross-checked against the official sources above.
Deep dive
The Caribbean's largest island: a Spanish treasure port, a sugar colony, a US playground, a revolution, and since 2020 a country in deep economic crisis. Six chapters on the history, the people and their music, the kitchen, the land, the US–Cuba relationship, and what travelling looks like in 2026.
1From treasure port to revolution1 min
Spain conquered Cuba from 1511; within decades the Taíno population had collapsed. Havana became the gathering port for the treasure fleets, guarded by the Morro and La Cabaña fortresses. From the late 18th century sugar made the island rich, worked by hundreds of thousands of enslaved Africans; slavery ended only in 1886.
Independence wars ran from 1868, with José Martí as their voice, until the US intervened in 1898. The republic lived under US influence — the Platt Amendment, the Guantánamo base, sugar and casinos — and a series of dictators ending with Fulgencio Batista. Fidel Castro's guerrillas took power on 1 January 1959, nationalised US property and allied with the Soviet Union; the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion failed and the 1962 missile crisis brought the world close to nuclear war.
- Havana founded
- 1519 (current site)
- Abolition of slavery
- 1886
- Revolution
- 1 January 1959
2People, faith and music1 min
Cubans descend from Spanish, especially Canary Islander and Galician, settlers, from enslaved West and Central Africans, and from Chinese and other migrants. Santería (Regla de Ocha), which blends Yoruba orishas with Catholic saints, is practised widely alongside Catholicism; initiates wear white for a year.
Son, born in the east, fed into salsa worldwide; rumba, danzón, mambo, cha-cha-chá, bolero and nueva trova all came from Cuba. The Buena Vista Social Club records of 1997 revived old son for global audiences. In every town the Casa de la Trova is the place to hear it — when there is power.
- Population
- About 9.7 million, falling (check)
- Signature genres
- Son, rumba, danzón, mambo
3Rice, beans and the ration book1 min
Cuban cooking is Spanish-Creole: roast pork in sour-orange mojo, black beans with rice, ropa vieja, cassava and plantain, little chilli. Since 1962 the 'libreta' ration book has supplied subsidised basics, shrinking over the decades; in the 2020s many staples ran short, and families now rely on remittances and dollar shops.
Private paladares, legal since the 1990s and expanding after 2010, serve the best food, from home cooking to creative menus in Havana. In 2026 menus depend on what imported goods arrive; hosts in casas particulares still cook generous breakfasts and dinners on request.
- Ration book
- Since 1962
- Private restaurants
- Paladares
4Valleys, reefs and mountains1 min
Cuba stretches 1,250 km from the tobacco lands of Pinar del Río to the mountains of the east. Viñales' limestone mogotes rise from red-earth fields; the Zapata swamp holds crocodiles and the bee hummingbird, the world's smallest bird; the Sierra Maestra reaches 1,974 m at Pico Turquino. Coral reefs and cays ring much of the coast.
Hurricanes shape the land and its people: Irma (2017), Ian (2022), Oscar and Rafael (2024) and Melissa (October 2025) hit homes, crops and the grid. Cuba's Civil Defence is known for evacuating people efficiently, but rebuilding has been slow in the crisis.
- Highest peak
- Pico Turquino, 1,974 m
- Smallest bird
- Bee hummingbird (zunzuncito)
5The embargo and the traveller1 min
The US embargo dates from 1960–62 and was written into law by the Helms-Burton Act of 1996. US citizens and residents may visit only under 12 categories of OFAC general licences — family visits, official business, journalism, professional research, education, religion, performances and competitions, support for the Cuban people, humanitarian projects, private foundations, information materials and certain exports. Tourism remains banned.
Rules have swung with each US administration: opened under Obama (2014–16), tightened from 2017, eased in 2022, tightened again from 2025, when a reissued presidential memorandum expanded the Cuba Restricted List of military-linked businesses and the Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List of hotels (11 more added in July 2025). Cuba's return to the US State Sponsors of Terrorism list in January 2025 means that anyone who has visited since 2021 cannot use ESTA. In 2026 US pressure on oil shipments deepened the fuel crisis, and a May 2026 executive order cut Cuba off from Visa and Mastercard processing. US-issued cards never worked in Cuba anyway, so American visitors travel on cash (check the current rules).
- Helms-Burton Act
- 1996
- OFAC travel categories
- 12
6Travelling in the 2026 crisis1 min
Since the 2021 currency reform the peso has lost most of its value, more than a million Cubans have emigrated, and the power grid has failed island-wide repeatedly. In February 2026, after the US cut off oil shipments, Cuba said its international airports would have no jet fuel; Air Canada, Air Transat, WestJet, Air France, Iberia, Turkish and Russian carriers suspended flights, while American, Delta and Southwest kept flying from Florida with reduced schedules (check the current list). Visa and Mastercard stopped working on 6 June 2026, after a US executive order pushed foreign partners to cut ties with the Cuban card processor.
In September 2026 the US kept Cuba at Level 2 (exercise increased caution), while the UK advised against all but essential travel, Canada against non-essential travel and Australia said reconsider your need to travel. Those who go travel on cash in euros or dollars, stay in casas with generators or solar, move by shared taxi, carry medicines and water purification, and keep days in reserve. Casa hosts, drivers and guides depend on visitors; a respectful, well-prepared visit still matters to them.
- Cards
- Visa/Mastercard not accepted since June 2026
- Emergency
- 106 police · 104 ambulance
Read, watch, wordsReading · Watching · Glossary · Sources
Reading
- Cuba: An American History — Ada FerrerPulitzer-winning history of Cuba and the US.
- Our Man in Havana — Graham GreeneComic spy novel of 1950s Havana.
- Dirty Havana Trilogy — Pedro Juan GutiérrezLife in the 1990s Special Period.
Watching
- Buena Vista Social Club — Wim Wenders (1999)The musicians behind the revival.
- Strawberry and Chocolate — Tomás Gutiérrez Alea and Juan Carlos Tabío (1993)Friendship and censorship in Havana.
Glossary
| Term | Local | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Casa particular | Licensed private home renting rooms. | |
| Paladar | Private restaurant. | |
| Colectivo | Shared long-distance taxi. | |
| Apagón | Blackout. | |
| Libreta | Ration book. | |
| CADECA | State exchange office. |
Read for this deep dive
- UK FCDO travel advice: Cuba ↗
- Government of Canada: Cuba travel advice ↗
- US Treasury OFAC — Cuba sanctions ↗
- Wikipedia — 2026 in Cuba ↗
- Wikivoyage — Cuba ↗
Background reading only: the text above is written by Voykit, not copied from these pages.
Sources
- officialUK FCDO travel advice: Cuba
- officialUK FCDO: Cuba entry requirements
- officialGovernment of Canada: Cuba travel advice
- officialUS State Department: Cuba travel advisory
- officialUS Treasury OFAC — Cuba sanctions
- officialUS State Department — Cuba Restricted List
- officialUS State Department — Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List
- officialFederal Register: Updating Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List (14 July 2025)
- officialOFAC FAQ 695: general travel authorizations for Cuba
- official31 CFR 515.574 — Support for the Cuban people
- officialUS Embassy Havana: alerts
- officialAustralia Smartraveller: Cuba
- secondaryCayman Compass: credit card payments halted in Cuba (6 June 2026)
- secondaryCNN: airlines rethink Cuba flights as US squeezes oil supply (9 February 2026)
- officialD'Viajeros arrival form
- secondaryWikivoyage — Cuba