Lately, visiting Cuba appears to be a scorching merchandise on many vacationers’ bucket lists. Impressed by the excitement surrounding Cuba, we couldn’t cross up the chance to go to Cuba, and after spending 3.5 weeks there, we actually really feel like we’ve realized a factor or two in regards to the nation.
It’s an incredible nation to discover, however even skilled vacationers will attest to how completely different Cuba journey is in comparison with different international locations.
In case you are planning on visiting Cuba, listed here are a number of useful Cuba journey ideas it is advisable to know earlier than you go!
Oksana and Max, Santiago de Cuba
Be taught Some Spanish Earlier than You Go
Skilled tour guides and people working within the tourism trade may have some data of English, however for essentially the most half, locals exterior of resorts converse no English in any respect.
Fortunately, Spanish is simple to study and having the ability to converse it offers you a critical leg up if you go to Cuba. Talking even somewhat little bit of Spanish offers you bargaining energy for excursions, actions, and procuring. It’ll additionally assist you get an perception into Cuban customs and study extra in regards to the historical past, tradition, and native methods of residing. With the ability to converse even somewhat will assist you acquire much more Cuba journey ideas from the locals.
Hitching a experience with an area in Vinales, on our journey to Cuba.
Deliver A Energy Converter For Your Electronics
Energy shops in Cuba vary between 110V- 220V. Some cities/areas have solely 110V sockets, whereas others have 220V.
Cellphone chargers, laptops, and most different fashionable electronics ought to work simply fantastic, however some hair dryers, hair straighteners, head buzzers, older video digital camera chargers, and so on., would possibly want a converter, which you should purchase forward of your Cuban journey.
Be taught The Distinction Between CUC And CUP
This could be a very powerful Cuba journey tip. When visiting Cuba, you’ll quickly study that right here, money is king. Bank cards are not often accepted, and ATMs are arduous to return by.
So, if you wish to keep away from cash issues in your Cuban journey, deliver sufficient money with you to final you the whole journey. Canadian {Dollars}, British Kilos, and Euros are the perfect. US {Dollars} might be transformed, however they incur a ten% trade price/premium. Australian {Dollars} should not extensively accepted.
It’s necessary to notice that Cuba operates a twin foreign money economic system, and there are two completely different Cuban Pesos. Historically, CUC (Cuban Convertible Pesos – payments with buildings on them) has been the designated Cuban foreign money for vacationers whereas CUP (Cuban Nationwide Pesos or Moneda Nacional – payments with folks on them) was the foreign money used solely by locals. So, when somebody references a Cuban Peso, ensure you know which one they’re speaking about.
Immediately, nonetheless, each Cuban Pesos currencies flow into freely available in the market (1 CUC = 24.03 CUP) and are utilized by each locals and Cuba vacationers.
For the CUC, Cuba’s official trade fee is pegged to the American Greenback, and all items and companies for Cuba vacationers are quoted in CUC costs. Nonetheless, it’s doable to trade your CUCs for CUPs and benefit from the low costs of the native retailers (hole-in-the-wall eating places), produce markets/fruit & veggie carts, transport (horse and buggy rides), and a few companies.
If it is advisable to trade foreign money if you get to Cuba, you’ve gotten a number of choices. You are able to do it on the airport, however the strains are usually lengthy. There are Cadecas, or trade homes, in each city, and you may find them earlier than your journey or ask your Casa Explicit proprietor or resort employees the place to go.
CUC on the left, CUP on the proper
Don’t Overlook To Pack The Necessities
Sadly, Cuba is just not a type of international locations the place you should buy something you might need forgotten at residence, so take the time to consider your packing checklist earlier than your Cuba go to. Listed here are some packing ideas we advocate from our expertise touring to Cuba.
Issues like shampoo, conditioner, and sunscreen are costly and arduous to seek out. Bathing fits and every other clothes objects are just about non-existent exterior of all-inclusive resorts. Even bathroom paper is a scorching commodity, and also you’ll discover that some public bathrooms don’t inventory it, otherwise you’ll have to purchase it from a rest room attendant. A straightforward approach round that is to hold a pack of tissues with you, simply in case.
Grocery store cabinets in Cuba might be fairly naked…
Toiletry bag with necessities inside
Getting Round Cuba Is Not Straightforward
Choices for getting round Cuba are nonetheless fairly restricted. Viazul is the most well-liked of solely 2 bus firms providing transportation round Cuba to vacationers (a number of others, like Omnibus are reserved strictly for Cuban nationals).
Viazul bus community connects all main cities and cities in Cuba you could need to go to throughout your time right here, however Viazul bus tickets are costly and really restricted. Nonetheless, you possibly can pre-purchase bus tickets on-line properly upfront of your journey to Cuba.
On-line ticket gross sales shut 1 week previous to the departure date, however usually talking, you possibly can nonetheless purchase tickets a number of days forward on the Viazul bus stations in each city.
Some of the necessary Cuba journey ideas, particularly for individuals who like to depart issues to the final minute – rocking as much as the bus cease an hour earlier than departure and not using a ticket is just not beneficial!
You may’t purchase tickets for the bus a number of hours earlier than departure. As a substitute, all vacationers with out tickets are added to the ready checklist and depend on no-shows for his or her tickets. (All passengers with tickets should examine in for the bus half-hour previous to departure. It’s at that time that the Viazul employees decide what number of additional seats there could be out there for these on the ready checklist).
Viazul Bus in Cuba
Keep With Locals At Casa Particulares
To save lots of on lodging and luxuriate in a extra genuine journey expertise, keep in Casa Particulares (licensed Mattress & Breakfasts).
Charges at Casa Particulares are $20-25 USD/night time in most cities in Cuba and $35 USD/night time in fashionable vacationer locations like Havana, Santiago de Cuba, and Varadero. Most Casas supply friends a non-public double room, typically with a separate bathroom, scorching water, AC, and generally even a fridge and a small kitchen/front room area.
Casas hosts will virtually all the time supply breakfast for $3-5 USD per individual, and a few additionally supply dinner for $7-10 USD per individual.
Wonderful coconut fish dinner at our Casa Explicit in Baracoa.
Most Casas are merely additional rooms in folks’s properties, so don’t count on the identical facilities and companies as you’d discover in resorts. Casas that supply greater than 1-2 rooms are known as Hostals (to not be confused with Hostels, which supply a typical dorm room setting). Outdoors of 1-2 correct hostels in Havana, you received’t discover typical backpacker hostels wherever in Cuba.
On the finish of your keep, ask your host to advocate a Casa for the following metropolis you’re touring to and luxuriate in not having to fret about discovering lodging upon arrival. Your new Casa handle win poor health almost definitely be given to you on a bit of paper.
Take into account that most addresses in Cuba indicate each the road on which the constructing is discovered and the 2 streets which it’s between. For instance, the handle of a constructing on Lamparilla Avenue between the streets Habana and Aguiar can be written Lamparilla e/ (or %) Habana y Aguiar (e/ being an abbreviation of entre, (which means between).
Feast on Cuban meals if you keep in a Casa Explicit!
Eat In Paladars Or In Your Casa
If our expertise is any indication, the perfect meals in Cuba is the one you’re served in Casas or in small family-run eating places known as Paladars. Consuming at your Casa is just not solely a good way to attempt all of the native meals at an affordable worth ($3-5 USD for breakfast, $7-10 USD for dinner) however additionally a great way to present again to the locals.
We did attempt a number of state-run eating places throughout our Cuba journey and had been virtually all the time dissatisfied with the meals.
4 Station Pizza at a state-run restaurant in Baracoa
Don’t Anticipate Dependable Web Entry
Sure, the rumours are true. There isn’t any free Web in Cuba. You received’t discover it in resorts, eating places, or wherever else for that matter. To entry the Web in Cuba, you’ll must buy an ETESCA Web card (that offers you a singular username and password) and discover one of many public wi-fi hot-spots (there are actually a number of in each metropolis) to get on-line.
Web playing cards are available 30-minute, 1-hour, and 5-hour denominations, price $1.05 USD or 25CUP per hour, and might be bought from the ETESCA workplaces throughout the nation (be ready because the strains are all the time lengthy). If getting on-line is necessary to you while you’re visiting Cuba, we advocate stocking up. You might be allowed to purchase 3 playing cards per individual (deliver your passport).
Obtain Maps.Me Earlier than You Go
Maybe one among our most necessary Cuba journey ideas is to obtain Maps.Me earlier than you go!
With out the Web, accessing Google Maps and navigating cities round Cuba might be very troublesome. However you don’t should depend on paper maps both. Obtain a cellular app known as Maps.Me and obtain an offline map of Cuba to make use of throughout your time within the nation.
You’ll be capable to use Maps.me’s navigation to get you from level A to Level B, search the map to your Casa places (quite a lot of them are marked on the map), and even discover eating places, bars, and supermarkets in any metropolis in your Cuba journey.
An offline map is crucial simply in case you’re having issues accessing the web.
What To Take To Cuba
As we stated earlier than, sure objects are arduous to get in Cuba. For that reason, it’s higher to pack upfront and determine what you will have in your journey. Listed here are a few of the objects you would possibly take into account:
- Journey health insurance coverage – is obligatory for everybody who’s visiting Cuba. Complete journey insurance coverage might be the easiest way to go.
- Photocopies of all paperwork – you would possibly want them relying on the place you go
- Loads of money – most transactions in Cuba are performed with money
- Spanish-English phrasebook or dictionary – In case you don’t converse Spanish, you would possibly take into account bringing alongside a pocketbook with some Spanish phrases and phrases.
- Mosquito repellant – Cuba is a subtropical nation and has many mosquitos that come out in pressure in the course of the wet season.
- Toiletries and Drugs – should not simply present in Cuba, so deliver sufficient in the course of your journey.
Most transactions in Cuba are performed with money. All the time deliver it with you!
Service In Cuba Is Horrible
The majority of service transactions you’ll expertise throughout your trip to Cuba might be with folks working in state establishments like state eating places, resorts, tour firms, and so forth.
Sadly, these of us are removed from being comfortable of their jobs. Anticipate seeing grumpy faces and feeling like you’re bothering your waiter or tour desk operator. Anybody who works in a state-run enterprise hates their life, and their perspective displays this. They receives a commission $20 a month; can you actually blame them?
Plaza Vieja, Havana
Tipping In Cuba
There are some things it is advisable to find out about tipping in Cuba. Drivers and tour guides in Cuba typically rely upon ideas, so gratuities are extremely appreciated. The identical applies to waiters and resort porters, whose wages are sometimes not excessive sufficient. Tipping between 10-15 % of the entire invoice ought to do the job.
What To Purchase In Cuba
Whereas sure objects are arduous or unattainable to seek out in Cuba, others are unique to the nation. In case you are visiting Cuba, there are some objects that make good presents and souvenirs.
Amongst a few of the hottest objects that Cuban vacationers typically buy are rum and cigars. Nonetheless, if you need to buy one thing other than these conventional staples, take into account buying Cuban stamps or cash, license plates or Ernesto Che Guevara’s beret, which might be discovered at a number of markets all through Havana, reminiscent of Havana Craft & Memento Market, SUPERMERCADO 70 and MERCADO CUBALSE.
What To not Deliver to Cuba
Earlier than you’re allowed to enter Cuba, you’ll have to cross the luggage inspection, the place Cuban customs officers will examine the contents of your suitcase and different baggage. All your baggage might be scanned and checked totally, so if one thing stands out, count on a query. In case you don’t need to get stopped earlier than you enter Cuba, take into account avoiding placing sure objects in your suitcase.
- Drones are sadly not allowed within the nation. If you wish to take pleasure in scenic views, make sure that to discover a good rooftop as a substitute.
- Grownup supplies of any kind should not allowed in Cuba, so if authorities discover it in your suitcase, will probably be frowned upon.
- Supplies which are vital of the Cuban authorities. This goes with out saying. Cuban officers received’t be amused in the event that they discover out that you’re carrying books, magazines or every other literature that’s vital of their authorities.
DO NOT deliver a drone to Cuba!
Be Ready For Disruptions In Your Cuba Journey Plans
Cuba journey is just not for the lighthearted or the inexperienced. The dearth of simply accessible Web makes all the pieces just a bit tougher. And it doesn’t assist that issues in Cuba typically simply don’t work the way in which they’re speculated to.
Buses are often offered out, casa reservations aren’t honoured, beneficial eating places find yourself being closed, ATMs are damaged down, and so forth. Some of the necessary Cuba journey ideas we are able to share is to deliver some endurance in your journey to Cuba and the flexibility to simply flow!
Cuba journey ideas: Put together to take a seat, wait and need…
It Is Doable To Simply Wing It
You may ebook your flight, pack your bag, arrive in Cuba, and have a good time exploring the nation with out making every other plans or preparations to your Cuba journey.
As a lot as it’s tougher to journey unprepared, particularly within the excessive season, and it could be a bit pricier, it’s not at all unattainable. You may present up in any metropolis and discover a fairly good Casa Explicit in beneath 10 minutes.
You could find a colectivo taxi to take you virtually wherever in Cuba any time you need, and you may safely eat in any hole-in-the-wall restaurant you come throughout when starvation strikes. In case you’ve bought a way of journey and an “up-for-anything” perspective, Cuba might be the proper place for an incredible escape.
Cruising in Havana
Cuba Journey Ideas for People
Familiarize Your self With Journey Restrictions
Technically, U.S. Residents are prohibited from touring to Cuba solely for vacationer actions. Nonetheless, the U.S. Division of Treasury’s Workplace of International Property Management (OFAC) has allowed for sure provisions, supplied that the vacationers can meet regulatory circumstances.
U.S. residents who want to journey to Cuba should apply for an OFAC licence. You may apply for an OFAC license on-line, however be ready to submit documentation that helps an accepted exercise.
Though journey restrictions for U.S. residents visiting Cuba had been lifted a number of years in the past, in 2019, america Treasury Division stated that group instructional and cultural journeys in Cuba, extra generally generally known as “folks to folks”, will now not be permitted. This restriction was put in place by the Trump administration to retaliate in opposition to Cuba for supporting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
As well as, cruises, yachts and different varieties of vessels are now not allowed to cease in Cuba.
At present, U.S. residents touring to Cuba for one of many following causes are allowed to enter the nation:
- Household visits
- Official enterprise of the U.S. authorities, international governments, and sure intergovernmental organizations
- Journalistic work
- Skilled analysis and conferences
- Non secular actions
- Instructional Actions
- Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and different competitions, and exhibitions
- Help for the Cuban folks
- Humanitarian tasks
- Actions of personal foundations or analysis or instructional institutes
- Exportation, importation, or transmission of knowledge or informational supplies
- Sure licensed exports
Whereas “folks to folks” tourism is now forbidden for American vacationers, there are nonetheless methods to go to the nation if you wish to journey independently. All it’s important to do is use ViaHero to skip the guided tour and as a substitute go for an unbiased tour with an area information, which might fall beneath the “Help for the Cuban Folks” visa class.
Nonetheless, whereas the U.S. has an issue with letting its residents go to Cuba for tourism, Cuba welcomes American passports and can fortunately stamp your Vacationer Card. All it is advisable to do is fly from a 3rd nation (reminiscent of Mexico) the place you should purchase a Journey Card and current it if you arrive in Cuba.
Revolution Sq. in Vedado, Havana
Deliver Money
Visiting Cuba entails bringing quite a lot of money with you as a result of you possibly can’t use U.S. credit score or debit playing cards in Cuba. It’s all the time higher to deliver greater than much less money if you happen to run out of cash throughout your Cuban journey.
Nonetheless, the U.S. Greenback is the worst foreign money to trade in Canada because it will get charged a ten % price on prime of the present trade fee. Different currencies, reminiscent of Euro, British Pound or Canadian Greenback don’t get any extra charges, so it’s a good suggestion to trade U.S. {dollars} to different international foreign money while you’re within the U.S.
Cuban Peso
Vacationers Aren’t Allowed to Couchsurf
Couchsurfing is just not allowed in Cuba. That is particularly necessary to know in case you are visiting Cuba on a finances and looking for low-cost lodging. Beneath Cuban legislation, each Cuba vacationer has to pay for lodging except they’re buddies with an area. Even then, an area has to supply authorities with proof reminiscent of photographs, letters and different technique of communication earlier than receiving permission to host a international nationwide at his or her place.
Grocery Shops and Markets are Restricted
Don’t count on a very good selection in terms of native markets. As a substitute, deliver some snacks and treats with you, as you in all probability received’t discover your favorite snacks simply at an area grocery store.
Journey In the course of the Dry Season
The most effective time for visiting Cuba is from November by way of March when the climate is dry and funky; nonetheless, be ready for the crowds as it is usually the busiest season.
Don’t Attempt to Deliver Rum and Cigars Residence
This one is a bummer, however Cuban alcohol and tobacco merchandise are prohibited within the U.S., and customs will in all probability discover it and confiscate it if you land.
Cuban cigars.
Be Cautious The place You Spend Your Cash
The USA authorities has a Prohibited Lodging Listing and a Restricted Entities and Subentities Listing with resorts, Casas, and different companies that U.S. residents are prohibited from coping with. I’m unsure how that is enforced, however to be on the protected aspect, keep away from any lodging which are run by the state. It may be arduous to inform whether or not a store or resort has affiliations with the Cuban army or intelligence, however you possibly can examine the Restricted Entities checklist if only for peace of thoughts. Once more, I don’t understand how that is enforced or what the implications are, nevertheless it’s one thing to concentrate on.
A Digital Customs Declaration Kind Is Required
As of January 2023, the Cuban authorities requires all guests to finish a web based customs declaration type earlier than touring to Cuba. This manner is named D’VIAJEROS and was applied to interchange the outdated paper model that guests beforehand stuffed out. Be certain that is accomplished 48 hours earlier than your journey. The shape might be accomplished right here.
You Want A Passport To Go to Cuba
A sound passport is required to journey to Cuba. For instance, U.S. nationals should have a sound passport that’s legitimate for not less than the following 6 months.
Cuba Visa Necessities
In relation to visas, residents of 19 international locations are allowed visa-free entry to Cuba for as much as 90 days. Vacationers from all different international locations should buy a Cuban Vacationer Card on-line, by way of your airline, or by way of an organized tour operator. The Cuban Vacationer Card is now additionally required for U.S. residents, and is designed because the Pink Vacationer Card. Be sure you do that earlier than checking in to your flight.
Havana, Cuba
Is Cuba A Protected Nation? Sure
Be careful for scams. Cuba doesn’t have violent crime. Nonetheless, petty thefts and different types of rip-off generally happen right here. Whereas most Cuban residents are pleasant, be cautious when somebody tries to point out you locations or stroll with you to a restaurant the place you would possibly find yourself footing the whole invoice.
Security Ideas For Touring To Cuba
- Know emergency contact numbers or hold them readily available. Be sure you can contact the police, emergency medical companies, and your nation’s embassy in Cuba
- Don’t carry quite a lot of money or put on flashy jewelry, garments, or watches. Strive to not entice undesirable consideration, and go away additional money in a protected place on the Casa Explicit or resort.
- Solely trade money at legit places. Strive to not trade cash by way of road vendors-you would possibly get counterfeit money.
- Keep away from consuming unfiltered faucet water. In case you’re not used to it, the faucet water in Cuba can result in some disagreeable gastrointestinal issues. Persist with bottled water, or deliver a reusable bottle with an connected filter. This manner, you possibly can drink faucet water with out creating the waste that comes with bottled water.
Have You Been To Cuba Earlier than? What Ideas For Cuba Journey Would You Add To This Listing?