What You Need to Know Before You Travel to Cuba
I love to travel to Cuba. Cuba is a fascinating country. It is beautiful, vibrant, and an overall incredible place to visit.
Due to its relative isolation from much of the rest of the world, life in Cuba is a little different than other places you might have visited. That’s why I’ve put together this guide to introduce you to what you need to know before you travel to Cuba.
If you missed out on my guide that was specific for Americans traveling to Cuba, you can read it here.
Where to Stay
There are hotels in Cuba, mostly run by the government, but the best way to support the Cuban people and experience local culture is to stay in one of the Casas Particulares or Airbnbs when you travel to Cuba.
Either can be found and reserved ahead of time online. A lot of people have luck finding people who own or know someone who operates one of the Casas Particulares when they arrive. My first trip to Cuba, I wasn’t brave enough to try that, but I might next time.
These are very safe and affordable options. Although these stays take place in people’s homes, they are regulated by the government for safety and quality standards. My boyfriend and I stayed in a lovely, modern apartment for less than $30 per night.
You can find an Airbnb here or a Casa Particular here. Also replace this with imbedded reel of cuba house bamf
Internet, more like interNOT
There are not a lot of places to access the internet in Cuba, and free Wi-fi is not a thing. Typically, people access the internet in specific parks that are designated as such. Tourists staying at hotels may have access there as well.
Some Airbnb’s and Casas Particulares (very similar concept to Airbnb but specific to Cuba) have started offering Wi-Fi on the premises, and sometimes the hosts will even supply a few Internet cards for you upfront.
When you are in a place with Wi-Fi, you cannot access the internet without a NAUTA card. You purchase it in 1-5 hour increments (1 CUC per hour) and scratch the scratch off second on the back to reveal your password. Put 1.1.1.1.1 in your browser to log in.
Shopping
If you’re someone who likes to do a lot of shopping on vacation, you might find mixed results in Cuba. When it comes to items like clothes, cliche souvenirs, and other leisurely trips to the store, you might have a hard time finding what you want.
Although you’ll find the locals have a very unique, interesting sense of style while you explore Havana, you won’t find many clothing stores or any malls. There are some places to buy clothes, but a lot of people also find items on the “black market.” My taxi driver tried to sell me a dress he bought wholesale in Madrid.
While you won’t find many “I <3 Cuba” t-shirts or fridge magnets, there are vendors selling other, more memorable souvenirs. We came across a small market in Havana that sold handmade purses, cultural items, and pieces of art.
Safety
In general, Cuba is a very safe place for travelers. Discrimination is illegal, and the culture is overall very welcoming. Coming from the United States, a country which has had a very tense history with Cuba, I did not have any issues.
Follow basic safety measures that you would anywhere–don’t wear extremely expensive jewelry out and about, have a safe way to get home if you plan on drinking, and be mindful of poorly lit areas at night.
Even though I encourage you to practice safety measures, it’s very unlikely anything bad will happen. There are bad people in every country, but overall Cuba has few issues with theft, assault, and similar dangers.
One way you can take precautions against theft is to purchase an anti-theft backpack. It has RFID-blocking slots for your passport and wallet to stop your identity from being stolen, locking compartments, anti-pickpocketing zippers, and other awesome features. It’s also made out of slash-resistant material so potential thieves can’t cut it open and grab your things. I highly recommend somehting like this any time you travel.
Currency
Cuba, like most countries, has its own currency. However, unlike many other countries, Cuba has two different forms of currency; one for locals and one for foreigners.
The first of Cuba’s pesos is called CUP, or moneda nacional. It is equivalent to about .04 USD and .03 EUR. If a store or restaurant gives you CUP as change, politely ask if you can receive CUC instead (or leave it as a tip if it’s less than 1 CUC).
If you don’t realize until later that you have CUP, you should try to spend it right away, because you cannot take it out of the country.
CUC, or Cuban convertible pesos, are what you will be using as a visitor. They are worth approximately .83 EUR or 1 USD.
Check out this incredible guide for more information on Cuban currency.
Transportation
When traveling within a city, your best options are taking taxis or walking. Walking is a great way to explore, but for longer distances it might get tough.
Taxis are very affordable in Cuba. If you are navigating a reasonably short trip within a city’s limits, you shouldn’t pay more than 5 CUC. If you’re going a longer distance, for example from the airport to Old Havana, expect to pay closer to 25-30 CUC. A good rule of thumb is to pay around 1 CUC per km with a base fee of 1 CUC, give or take.
In Havana, there are taxis that go up and down main streets, just back and forth all day, where you pay 1 CUC per person to ride and simply let them know when to pull over and let you out.
Most roads in Cuba are very bicycle-friendly, but often poorly lit at night, so ride in the daytime if you choose to find a bike. Make sure you stick to the right side of the road when possible.
Traveling longer distances across the country can get tricky. You can find some taxi drivers who will take you to other cities, but they are going to cost a lot more than some other options.
There are airports in many of the major cities, such as Havana and Cienfuegos, and flying is the fastest way to get around the island. You can book ahead or grab tickets at a local Cuban travel agency.
Trains and buses also travel across the country, albeit more slowly than planes. Viazul is one of the most popular bus companies, and they tend to stop around lunch and dinner time so travelers can get off and eat. You’ll need to reserve a seat in advance.
If you are a US citizen, be careful to avoid buses associated with the military organization GAESA, such as Transgaviota. You could get in trouble back home.
Restrictions
There are a handful of restrictions when traveling to Cuba, both in terms of what you can take into/out of the country as well as visa requirements for different places.
Check with your individual country’s requirements, as they vary from place to place. Typically you can’t take currency home with you, and there is a limit to how many cigars you can bring. Research is king.
Cuba is one of my favorite places I’ve visited so far. With this guide as a starting point, you should be able to find out everything you need to know to have a great trip when you travel to Cuba.
Have you ever been to Cuba? What do you think is the most important thing to know before you go?
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