Practical Information

The best period to visit is from December through April, when the weather is pleasant and settled. July and August have torrid rainfall and September to November are prime hurricane months. Rain can occur year-round, but is concentrated from June to November, when hotel and car rental rates drop.

Many key festivals are held in Havana from November to December, including the Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano and the Jazz Festival.

Getting There

Charter and regular scheduled flights arrive from Europe, Canada, and Central and South America. Cuba hasten international airports, but most visitors land at either Havana’s José Martí International Airport (HAV) or the Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport at Varadero (VRA). Virgin Atlantic has three flights a week from Gatwick to Havana. Cubana flies from Europe. Air Canada serves Cuba from gateways in Canada. Avianca, AeroMexico, and Copa fly from Central America. There are special flights from the US for eligible licensed travelers.

Personal Security

Cuba, as a rule, is incredibly safe. However, petty theft does occur, so be careful when carrying cameras and other valuables loose on your shoulder. It is best to keep all of your valuables in sight at all times or locked away in a hotel safe.

Be wary of pickpockets on public transportation and in crowded city centers. If you have anything stolen, report the crime within 24 hours to the nearest police station and take your passport with you. If you need to make an insurance claim, get a copy of the crime report (denuncia). Contact your embassy if your passport is stolen, or in the event of a serious crime or accident.

Health

Emergency medical care for visitors is given at International Clinics and at local hospitals. You will need to show your medical insurance documents. You may be charged a fee for any treatment that you receive, but you may be able to claim the money back later. As such, it is important to arrange medical insurance.

Passports and Visas

Visitors must have a valid passport, onward ticket, proof of travel insurance, and a tourist visa (tarjeta de turista), issued by your airline upon airport check-in. Visas are valid for 30 days (Canadians receive 90 days), and can be extended. US citizens cannot visit Cuba simply for the purpose of tourism. In order to visit Cuba, a license is required from the US Department of the Treasury. The reason for travel must fall under a choice of 12 categories, including family visits, education, and journalism.

LGBT+ Safety

Cuba has liberalized significantly in recent years. The LGBT+ community no longer faces persecution by police, and the government now actively promotes tolerance of same-sex relationships and transgender persons. Informal gay bars and clubs exist in most cities. Countryside populations are generally more conservative, but social acceptance is such that public displays of same-sex affection will result in bemusement, not hostility.

Money

Cuba’s currency is the peso, but all tourist transactions are in convertible pesos (designated as CUC$), which can be exchanged for foreign currency at Cadeca exchange bureaux (a surcharge applies for converting US

dollars), often located near shops. Euros can be used in Cayo Coco, Varadero, and Cayo Largo. Credit cards are accepted for many tourist transactions. All beach resorts and major cities have state-owned banks serving foreigners but opening times can vary so check before you make a special trip.

Cell Phones and Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is widely available in most hotels and parks, as well as a few cafes and restaurants. All users must purchase a scratch card issued by Etecsa, the state telecommunications company. The card includes a username and password for a specific number of hours’ use. A few hotels offer free Wi-Fi, while others charge their own rates.

Visitors bringing cell phones should check with their service providers to determine if they will work in Cuba and if they will be subject to roaming charges. A SIM card can be purchased from Cubacel offices for local calls and messages within Cuba. Note that an activation fee also applies.

Visitor Information

Official Cubatur offices in the United Kingdom and Canada provide brochures. Infotur has offices in major cities. A huge amount of information about Cuba is available online. All websites originating in Cuba are state-run and care should be taken if making bookings online.

At a Glance