The land of beaches, salsa, and music, Cuba is a fascinating country with beautiful nature and a unique culture.
1. Cuba Quick Facts
Language Spanish
Religion Christianity
Currency Cuban Peso (CUP, $MN)
Visa
The Cuban Tourist Card can be obtained at the airport upon presentation of your ticket reservation confirmation if you are traveling to Cuba on a Cuban airline.
You will need to purchase a visa (Tourist Card/Tarjeta del Turista) in advance at your stopover or departure point to enter Cuba. The visa (Tourist Card) you use to enter the country for tourism purposes is essentially a 30-day authorization, so if you plan to stay in Cuba for more than 30 days, you will need to extend your visa. You can extend it twice for a total of 90 days.
Power Plugs 110 V, 220 V 60 Hz (A/B Type)
Capital Havana
ATM
You can withdraw cash from your card at ATMs. We recommend that you use a debit card that works internationally, and that you pre-register your country of use before you leave.
As with credit cards, use may be limited by ATM machines.
Cash withdrawals are typically subject to a 3% fee.
Use card
Cards issued by U.S. banks such as Citibank and American Express are not accepted.
Visa, Mastercard, etc. may be accepted, but use may be restricted depending on the POS terminal or communication environment on the day. Credit cards can only be used at hotels and foreign currency exchange outlets, and cannot be used at other general stores, restaurants, or shops.
APP
Google Maps
Tryposo Cuba
2. Packing for your trip
Air plain Ticket
Dollar Flight Club has made it easier and cheaper to buy flights to Airport.
SIM card
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving you access to 200+ eSIMs (digital SIM cards) globally at affordable prices.
New member one-time use 15% discount coupon
10% discount coupon for multiple use by all members.
Pacsafe Pro safe 800 Luggage Lock
Good protection against snatchers or impulse thieves.
Universal Power Adapter
One of the most essential but most forgotten items in your travel gear? A power adapter!
Travel insurance
Prepare for risky situations Travel insurance can be a big help in the event of an emergency
GoPro HERO11
If you want to capture your own memories of your travels, GoPro is the way to go. It’s small, has great image quality, and is easy to carry around
3. Transportation
Public transportation in Cuba is fairly inadequate. For foreigners, taxis are the safest option for traveling within the city and Viazul buses for traveling outside of the city.
Government taxis (yellow sedans or vans) are preferred, but in major tourist areas, private taxi drivers will often solicit foreign passengers.
Fares are negotiable, but overcharges are common if you don’t know the approximate price or don’t speak Spanish.
Since April 23, fuel shortages have worsened and public transportation has virtually collapsed, so taxis are the only option.
Buses
City buses are notoriously difficult for foreigners to use due to their irregular schedules and lack of information on routes.
For traveling between cities, Viazul buses are the most common, and tickets can be purchased in advance.
Taxis
There are two types of taxis: regular taxis and shared taxis (colectivo). Regular taxis have a base fare of around $ 5 and require bargaining before boarding.
Shared taxis are cheaper as they travel to and from set routes. The base fare is CUP 20 ($0.18).
4.Safety
There is a police presence throughout the city, so the main streets are relatively safe, but Old Havana has pickpockets, even during the day.You should also be aware that walking along the Malecon at night can make you a target for petty crime.
Sexual harassment is also common, especially for women traveling alone, so be aware (and be firm in your refusal).
5. Climate
Cuba has a tropical climate, with mild weather year-round.
Average temperatures range from 77°F (25°C) to 81°F (27°C), with no significant weather extremes.
6. price
Prices for travelers are relatively high compared to locals, but are cheaper or similar to other countries in Central and South America.
McDonald’s Combo Meal: $ 5.30 USD
Water (1.5 liters): $ 0.99 USD
Milk (1 liter): $ 3.50 USD
7. Travel precautions
Due to the communist nature of Cuba, you should refrain from political activities and avoid openly practicing religion.
Healthcare facilities in Cuba are poor, so travelers are advised to get vaccinated against endemic diseases such as malaria, dengue, and typhoid, which can be fatal.
8. Etiquette & Service Tip
All foreigners are subject to surveillance, so avoid making unnecessary political statements in the country.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in Cuba, but if you are satisfied with the service you receive, it is recommended.
A 10% service charge is included in the bill at restaurants, hotels, etc. so you don’t have to pay a separate tip, but if it’s not included, it’s customary to tip around 10%. In hotels, it is polite to tip a dollar or 1 CUC to the luggage boy or the housekeeper in your room.
10. Holidays
The following are the national public holidays for 2024:
1 Jan Mon Liberation Day
2 Jan Tue Victory Day
29 Mar Fri Good Friday
1 May Wed Labour Day
25 Jul Thu National Revolutionary Holiday
26 Jul Fri National Revolutionary Day
27 Jul Sat National Revolutionary Holiday
10 Oct Thu Independence Day
25 Dec Wed Christmas Day
31 Dec Tue New Year’s Eve
2025 National Public Holidays:
Wednesday, 1 January : Liberation Day
Thursday, 2 January : Victory Day
Friday, 18 April : Good Friday
Thursday, 1 May : Labour Day
Friday, 25 July: National Revolutionary Holiday
Saturday, 26 July: National Revolutionary Day
Sunday, 27 July: National Revolutionary Holiday
Monday,28 July: National Revolutionary Holiday
Friday, 10 October : Independence Day
Thursday, 25 December: Christmas Day
Wednesday, 31 December: New Year’s Eve