In this post about ‘how to plan your trip to Cuba’ we’ll discuss popular topics about trip planning to Cuba such as Cuban currencies, Cuban tourist visa, how to get around Cuba, and much more.
Cuba, the pearl of the Antilles, is a place where history and music reign supreme, and time seems to have stood still. Everywhere you look, you’ll find indelible marks of history, from depictions of iconic figures like Castro and Che Guevara to museums proudly showcasing revolutionary weaponry. Classic Cadillacs from the 1950s still roam the streets, evoking a sense of nostalgia, while sugar cane and coffee plantations harken back to bygone eras of prosperity. The vibrant sounds of live jazz and Cuban salsa spill out from the windows of Central Havana, creating a unique atmosphere that momentarily distracts from the poverty that surrounds.
We spent two weeks travelling around Cuba and we will take you there through our words.
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How to Plan Your Trip To Cuba
Must know before planning a trip to Cuba
Cuba is a country rich in history, culture, and traditions. A magic place where time seems to have frozen back in the days, with the sound of Cuban music – renowned all over the world – playing loud from every corner.
FAQ CUBA
Cuba is located in the Caribbean, positioned between the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea
Cuba is known for several distinctive features and cultural elements, including classic cars, Cuban cigars, and music and dance
Cuba is a safe country with low criminality rates
What's the Best Time to Visit Cuba?
Generally speaking, Cuba can be visited in any season, however, the best time to go is from December to May.
The country has a tropical climate with two seasons: the dry season, December to May, sees warm, sunny days with temperatures ranging between 26 °C and 32 °C during the day.
On the contrary, the wet season, June to November, sees unpredictable weather with quick and hard rainfalls, and high humidity with temperatures around 27 °C and 34 °C during the day. Generally speaking, Cuba can be visited in any season, however, the best time to go is from December to May. During this time, the temperatures are not too high and it rains sporadically. In addition, between August and October, there is a risk of hurricanes.
What is Needed to Enter Cuba
To visit Cuba, most tourists need the following:
- A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date of entry
- A return ticket
- Travel insurance with medical coverage
- Booked accommodation
- A tourist visa (Tarjeta del Turista)
You can obtain the visa through the Cuban embassy or consulate in your country, or through specialized travel agencies. Upon arrival, you’ll need to show your visa, accommodation details, travel itinerary, and travel insurance. It’s not necessary to have accommodation booked for the entire stay—just for the first few nights. The tourist visa is valid for 30 days with a single entry. Some airlines may require you to show your travel insurance before boarding, so it’s wise to get it in advance.
Note: As of September 2020, Cuba exempted certain countries from requiring a visa and adjusted the maximum stay depending on the nationality. Always check with your nearest Cuban consulate for the latest details.
How to Get to Cuba
Cuba has 25 airports, but the main international gateway is José Martí International Airport in Havana.
We managed to secure a great deal on our flights by traveling on a holiday. While most people avoid flying on festive days and prefer to include them as part of their trip, airlines often lower their prices on these days. This could be a fantastic opportunity for you to save money on flights too!
Getting From Havana Airport to City Centre
Upon arriving at Havana Airport, you’ll need to take a taxi or a bus. Several drivers will approach you outside the terminal, but many of them do not have official licenses and may inflate prices for tourists. To avoid this, we recommend booking a safe and official transfer in advance. While it may be a bit more expensive, it ensures you go directly to your destination, which is especially convenient if you have heavy luggage.
Alternatively, you can take buses P16 or P19 from Terminal 2, which will take you to Plaza de la Revolución. The P16 also stops in Vedado. These buses don’t have a fixed timetable but run frequently, with a journey time of about 50 to 60 minutes.
Exchanging Money in Cuba
The CUP (Peso Cubano) is now the only official currency in Cuba. Visitors can exchange Cuban currency at banks, hotels, and government currency exchange houses (CADECA). These offices are the safest place to exchange your cash. Just look for the CADECA sign. They are usually located in airports, hotels, and shopping centres. You can also withdraw money from an ATM using a credit or debit card.
In Cuba, it’s best to stick to official channels for exchanging money. Avoid exchanging money on the street, even if someone offers attractive exchange rates—it’s illegal and likely a scam.
Additionally, American cards are not accepted in Cuba. While some American banks are working on deals to enter the country, it’s safer to bring cash. Non-American credit and debit cards are becoming more widely accepted, but you’ll still need cash for most transactions. USD, EUR, and CAD are commonly accepted, so make sure to carry some of these currencies.
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What to Pack for a Trip to Cuba
Cuba enjoys warm weather year-round, with temperatures and humidity rising during the wet season. When packing for your trip, it’s important to be smart and travel light. Consider using a backpack instead of a trolley, as you’ll be moving around frequently and the streets can be uneven. Additionally, bring along a small everyday bag for essentials like your camera, sunglasses, rain jacket, and water, which you can also take with you on the airplane. Pack mostly lightweight clothing suitable for warm weather, but remember that it can get cold at night, so include some warmer layers as well.
Here is what you should pack for a trip to Cuba
- Good quality backpack: We recommend the Lowe Alpine Airzone Trail for its durability and comfort.
- Microfiber towel: Compact and quick-drying, ideal for beach days.
- Swimwear: Essential for enjoying Cuba’s beautiful beaches.
- Bio-certified sun cream: Protect your skin and the ocean with Sun Care Organic – Alga Maris from Laboratoires de Biarritz.
- Shorts/skirts: Perfect for warm days.
- Jeans and nicer clothes: For evenings out.
- T-shirts: Bring 4 or 5 for everyday wear.
- Comfortable shoes: Opt for Skechers, ideal for long walks.
- Waterproof jacket: Always handy to have in case of rain.
- Fleece or jumper: For cooler evenings.
- Tissues: Carry plenty for convenience.
- Flip-flops and sandals: One for the beach, one for walking around.
- Pharmaceuticals: Paracetamol and Alka Seltzer for emergencies.
- Power Bank: to be kept in your everyday bag.
- Toiletry bag: Include essentials like shampoo, conditioner, soap bars, toothbrush, toothpaste, sunscreen, deodorant, and mosquito repellent.
- Travel adaptor: Cuba uses the same wall power outlet as the USA and Canada, so bring an adaptor if you’re from elsewhere.
QUICK TRAVEL TIPS
As a general rule, pack only the essentials to travel light. There’s no need to bring too many clothes, as you can easily have them washed while you’re there. Shopping in Cuba differs from what you might be used to—there are no large supermarkets, even in cities like Havana, and many shops have empty shelves. Because of this, it’s a good idea to bring extra soap and tissues with you.
How to Plan Your Trip to Cuba: Getting around Cuba
Renting a car in Cuba has several drawbacks. First, the prices are quite high, and rental car companies often have limited availability. But the biggest concern is that if you have an accident, Cuban law prevents you from leaving the country until the legal process is complete. This could take months! Given this, renting a car may not be the best option for tourists looking for flexibility and ease.
Getting around Cuba by taxi
Taxis are abundant in Cuba and can take you anywhere on the island. In places like bus terminals, you’ll often encounter “jinteros” (unofficial taxi drivers) who may offer you a casa particular (private accommodation) and taxi services. While tourism is their main livelihood, it’s important to avoid being scammed and pay a fair price for services.
When you need a taxi, haggling is essential. Drivers will usually quote a price much higher than necessary, but with some negotiation, you can bring it down. If they won’t lower the price, simply walk away—this often convinces them to reconsider.
For small groups, taxi compartidos (shared taxis) are a popular and affordable way to travel. It’s a shared ride with other travelers, splitting the cost of the journey. We used a shared taxi for a short 30-minute ride, as we preferred buses for longer trips. Some fellow travelers mentioned their shared taxis often made multiple stops to pick up more passengers, which extended their travel time.
Getting around Cuba by organized tours
If haggling is not exactly for you, there are several other options to travel around Cuba. For instance, taking part in one of the many organized tours will give you the comfort to have the trip set up for you and not need to spend too much time on planning. Below are a selection of the most popular tours in Cuba.
Getting around Cuba by bus
The Viazul bus company travels all over the island. You can find their timetables and book the rides on their website. We travelled with Viazul on four occasions and, despite the not-so-good reviews they have, it was a good experience. The buses were always on time, which is all we needed after all. We booked the rides well in advance as we knew that during peak season, tickets tend to sell out fast. At the Viazul station in Vedado, people showed up to buy tickets on the day but trips were all sold out.
Where to stay in Cuba
Staying in a casa particular is one of the most traditional things you could do in Cuba. These are essentially private houses where the owners rent out rooms to tourists.
Note: most casa owners advertise themselves as “hostals”. Make sure you do not confuse them with backpacker hostels: it is not the same!
Staying in casas particulares will definitely add extras to your overall experience. Their service is much more personal than in hotels, meaning you will get to meet and know locals and experience a bit of Cuban culture and lifestyle. They are very welcoming, and always very keen to give you insightful information about anything. For reasonable prices, they will cook great meals and will arrange transfers and laundries for you. Having dinner at casas was actually one of the best experiences in Cuba. We stayed in 5 different casas in Cuba, and we were happy with all of them.
Here Are Some Useful Tips to Keep in Mind
Are you even more excited about your upcoming trip to Cuba now? We’re sure it will be an unforgettable experience, and you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime. To help make your trip planning easier, we’ve included some extra tips and useful information for you!
Getting internet in Cuba
Telecommunication in Cuba is government-owned, and there are no private internet companies. While this might sound inconvenient, it could also be a great opportunity to detox from the internet and social media during your stay.
To access the internet, you can buy a NAUTA internet card from an ETECSA office. You can also find these cards in some hotels or from street vendors (though at a higher price). The card works like a scratch card, providing you with a username and password to access the internet at a wi-fi hotspot. Don’t worry—there are plenty of hotspots around the country, and they’re easy to find.
When you see a group of people with their heads down staring at their phones, that is a wi-fi hotspot 😊
Hotels and resorts in Cuba usually offer Wi-Fi, but often limit guests to just one hour of internet per day. Some casas particulares (private homestays) may also have Wi-Fi, but it’s not common.
A key tip: avoid using your data provider while in Cuba, as data roaming can be extremely expensive and will quickly eat up your credit. Stick to the NAUTA cards or Wi-Fi hotspots for affordable internet access!
Casas particulares
Casas Particulares are private homes where you stay, and the owners often offer to cook meals for a fee. While the quality of the meals can vary depending on the host, it’s important to note that Cuban cuisine typically relies on fresh, locally sourced ingredients like eggs and fish. Most of the time, you’ll enjoy simple but delicious meals. Overall, staying in a casa and sharing a meal with a local family is a fantastic and authentic experience!
Paladares
The paladares are privately owned restaurants or family-run restaurants which typically offer traditional meals. Prices tend to be higher than those in government-run restaurants but you’ll probably gain in variety and quality of food. We recommend La Casa as a paladar in Havana. Pork, fish, chicken, shrimp, and lobster are among the most popular dishes and they are usually accompanied by fried banana croquettes, rice, or beans. A national dish which we liked particularly is Ropa Vieja. Literary meaning “Old Stuff”, it is an ancient dish consisting of shredded beef with vegetables served with rice and black beans.
Drinks
Drinks in Cuba are a treat! Cubans love putting their own spin on famous cocktails like Piña Coladas and Mojitos, and we have to say, they’re absolutely delicious. After all, they’re made with Cuban rum 😊. You’ll also find some unique local cocktails, like the Canchanchara in Trinidad, which is a must-try. Just a heads up though, tap water isn’t drinkable, so make sure to bring your own bottle and avoid ordering tap water at restaurants. It’s a small thing that will make a big difference during your trip!
Tipping in Cuba
Tipping in bars and restaurants in Cuba isn’t mandatory, but it is always appreciated. Many places even feature live music to enhance your dining experience, and the musicians often pass by the tables for tips. While tipping them is not required, it’s a nice gesture to show your appreciation for their performance. Keep in mind that Cubans rely heavily on tourism, so your tips can make a meaningful difference to their livelihoods.
The Best Salsa Clubs in Cuba
Music is everywhere in Cuba, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere. Nearly all bars and restaurants feature live Cuban music, and even if you don’t know how to dance Cuban salsa (which is incredibly catchy!), you can still enjoy the rhythm of the music. Some places even turn into dance clubs after dinner, giving you the chance to join in or simply watch the locals dance.
If you’re looking for the best Cuban clubs to experience the island’s musical scene, here are some top recommendations:
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La Casa de la Musica: With locations in both Miramar and Central Havana, as well as one in Trinidad (which we highly recommend), this is a fantastic spot for live Cuban music and dancing.
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Café Cantante: A famous venue, located within the National Theatre of Cuba, offering incredible performances.
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La Cecilia: Popular with locals, this is a great place to experience local bands and Cuban music at its best.
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El Floridita: A historical Havana landmark where Ernest Hemingway once hung out. While it can be crowded with tourists, it’s definitely worth visiting for its great drinks.
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Club Salseando Chevere: A unique mix of a nightclub, theater, and dance school where you can dance the night away and maybe even learn some moves!
Do You Like Cuban Music?
Are you completely caught up by the Cuban and Afro-Caribbean rhythms just like us? Then why not make the most of your time in Havana embracing Cuba’s incredible culture of music and dance by taking a Dance Class? There would be no better way to learn how to dance salsa, merengue, and cha-cha-cha than while in Cuba!
Want to know more about Cuba?
Don’t forget to read our blog post Two Weeks in Cuba: Must-See Highlights for an Unforgettable Trip
We will be talking about the top things to do in Havana (yes including riding a vintage car); explore Trinidad, a cute town frozen in time; take you to some of the best Cuban Cayos – beach lovers stay tuned – and finish up our amazing trip in Varadero.
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