Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Cuba depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for CubaEmergency Numbers
- Police
- 106
- Ambulance
- 104
- Fire
- 105
Currency
- Name
- Cuban Peso
- Code
- CUP
- Symbol
- $
Cuba's currency situation is complex — the dual currency (CUC/CUP) was unified in 2021 but hyperinflation and shortages continue. USD cash is the most practical for tourists and can be exchanged at CEDECAs (official exchange offices). EUR and CAD also practical. Cards issued by US banks do not work in Cuba. ATMs unreliable — bring enough cash. Cuba is one of the most cash-dependent tourist economies in the world.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type A, Type B
- Voltage
- 110V/220V (varies)
- Frequency
- 60Hz
Time Zone
CST (UTC−5) — CDT (UTC−4) in summer
Best Time to Visit
November–April is the dry season — ideal for Havana (Habana Vieja, Malecón, El Floridita, museums), Trinidad (perfectly preserved colonial town, beaches), Viñales (tobacco farm stays, mogote rock formations), and the Cayos (offshore cays). May–October is hurricane season; July–August peak for Atlantic storms.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10–15% | Tipping in CUP is appreciated; USD or EUR even more so — tourism workers are among the best-paid in Cuba |
| Taxi drivers | Round up or 10% | — |
| Casa particular hosts | 5–10 USD per night stay | — |
| Street musicians | 1 USD per performance | — |
Dress Code
- Casual and colourful throughout
- Modest dress at churches
Social Etiquette
- Cuba is genuinely unlike anywhere else — the combination of the US embargo, the revolution's legacy, and the sheer vitality of Cuban culture creates a unique world
- Cubans are extraordinarily warm, musical, and resilient — the difficulties of daily life (shortages, power cuts, economic hardship) coexist with extraordinary cultural richness
- Casa particulares (private home stays) are the best way to experience Cuba — you stay with a family, eat home-cooked food, and get an honest window into Cuban life
- Classic American cars (from the 1950s, still running because of Cuban mechanical ingenuity) are not just a tourist prop — they are the everyday transport
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- US citizens can visit Cuba legally under specific travel categories (educational, cultural, etc.) — the 'tourist' category is technically prohibited under US law but enforcement has varied
- Photography of military installations, police actions, and infrastructure restrictions — ask before photographing officials
- LGBTQ+ rights: Cuba legalised same-sex marriage in a 2022 referendum — the most progressive LGBTQ+ laws in the Caribbean; Havana has an active gay scene
- Cannabis is illegal
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Cuban Spanish) | Que bola? / Asere | keh BOH-lah — 'what's up?'; 'asere' (ah-SEH-reh) means 'dude / mate' |
| Cool (Cuban slang) | Chevere / Bacano | cheh-VEH-reh / bah-KAH-noh — both mean 'cool / great' |
| Thank you (Cuban Spanish) | Gracias / Gracias, asere | GRAH-syahs |
| Local drink | Mojito / Daiquiri | The mojito (white rum, lime, mint, sugar, soda) was invented in Havana; so was the daiquiri (at El Floridita bar) |
| Cheers! (Cuban) | Salud! | sah-LOOD — with a mojito or Cuba libre |
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