Cuba travel advice

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and Natural Disasters section. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

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Travel advice for this country

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Travel Summary

The hurricane season in Cuba normally runs from June to November. Hurricanes Gustav and Ike struck Cuba in August and September 2008 respectively causing considerable damage to tourism infrastructure and resulting in food shortages in many areas. You should seek assurances from tour operators and travel agents that suitable accommodation and supplies are available before travelling. See the Natural disasters section of this advice and Tropical Cyclones for more details.
Most visits to Cuba are trouble free. 255 British nationals required consular assistance in Cuba in 2006-07. The main types of incident for which they required consular assistance were for replacing lost or stolen passports (51 cases); dealing with deaths (4 cases); and hospitalisations (22 cases); dealing with arrests, for a variety of reasons (5 cases); and difficulties using debit/credit/cashpoint cards and exchanging money as US dollars are no longer legal tender in Cuba. See the General (Money) section of this advice for more details.
In view of serious accidents that have involved tourists, you should not use mopeds or three-wheel Coco-Taxis when travelling around Cuba. Also, crime is on the increase, most commonly in the form of opportunist theft (loss of travel bags, handbags, etc containing passports and funds).
You must pay an airport departure tax of 25 Convertible Pesos (CUCs) per person when leaving Cuba. This must be paid in local currency.
Dengue Fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. In 2007 there has been a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue across the region. See the Health section of this advice for more details.
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

In 1997, Miami-based Cuban exiles launched a short-lived bombing campaign against the Cuban tourist industry. An Italian tourist was killed and other tourists injured, following a bomb that exploded in one of Havana's main hotels. The Cuban authorities say they arrested Miami-based Cuban exiles entering Cuba with intent to attack tourist sites in early 2001.

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Crime is on the increase. Theft from luggage during baggage handling, both on arrival and departure, is common. You should remove all valuables, lock suitcases and have them shrink-wrapped before check-in.

In December 2006, a British tourist was stabbed in Havana. The non-fatal stabbing took place as the victim was being mugged in the early evening in the Vedado area of Havana. In October 2005 in Havana there were two incidents of robberies from foreign nationals by violence and stabbing. One stabbing was fatal the other was superficial. These attacks took place in the early hours in Centro Havana. You should take all necessary precautions if you are in Centro Havana at night. You should take a taxi to your accommodation rather than walk, even if your accommodation is only a few blocks away.

There are a small number of bogus tour agents/taxis operating at the airports and around old Havana. You should not travel with anyone other than your recognised tour operator. If you need to take a taxi, ensure it is a registered one and not a private vehicle. There have been a number of attempted robberies from vehicles on the Havana airport road; keep doors and boots locked and do not stop other than at traffic lights.

Car-related crime and mugging incidents are increasing, not only in Havana but Santiago and other areas less frequented by tourists. There have been attacks on foreigners using hire cars after staged punctures and by bogus hitch-hikers. Do not pick people up; if you get a puncture in a lonely spot, drive on several kilometres preferably to a town, before stopping.

Beware of pickpockets and bag-snatchers, especially in the area of Old Havana, on buses/trains, at major tourist sites and in nightclubs. Don’t carry large amounts of cash when away from your hotel; avoid wearing ostentatious/expensive jewellery; leave travellers' cheques, credit cards, passports and other important documents in a safe deposit or similar at your hotel. If you pick up hitch-hikers, ensure you have no valuables or important documentation temptingly within reach. You should carry a copy of your passport and not the original, which should be locked away with other valuables.

Beware of thefts from rooms, particularly in private guest houses (‘casas particulares’).

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Cuba Country Profile

Fidel Castro announced his retirement on 19 February. On Sunday 24 February the Cuban National Assembly elected Raul Castro to the Presidency. The political situation remains calm at present.

Cuba is a one-party state. There is a high level of social control and a strong police presence. There are widespread restrictions on freedom of speech, association and assembly for Cuban nationals. Political demonstrations or gatherings not sanctioned by the government may be broken up and should be avoided. The Cuban government discourages Cubans working in the tourist industry from developing personal relationships or accepting gifts from foreign nationals. The Government is however clear that it continues to welcome British tourists, and there has been no hostility shown to individual British visitors.

Local Travel

Road Travel

A valid UK driving licence is required to drive and/or rent a car in Cuba. If you decide to rent a car in Cuba, you should ensure that the insurance which is provided with the car, includes local third party insurance cover. All drivers and passengers of motorcycles and scooters are required by law to wear a crash helmet.

In view of serious accidents that have involved tourists, you should not use mopeds or three wheel Coco-Taxis for travel around Cuba.

Driving standards are variable. Many vehicles, including public transport, suffer from lack of maintenance and roads are poorly lit and sign-posted. Beware of cyclists, potholes and cars that stop without warning to pick up hitch-hikers.

You should avoid driving by night; animals, unlit vehicles and other hazards are a real danger.

The Cuban police are cracking down on drink driving.

If you have a traffic accident where someone is killed or injured, the police investigation may take several months during which time the driver will normally not be allowed to leave Cuba. There is no guarantee that criminal compensation payments will be made. If convicted of killing someone in a road traffic accident, the standard punishment is at least two years in jail. If the worst happens and you do have a serious accident, you should contact the British Embassy as soon as possible.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Air Travel

You must pay an airport departure tax of 25 Convertible Pesos (CUCs) per person when leaving Cuba. This must be paid in local currency.

You should consider using baggage plastic-wrapping facilities when travelling to and from Cuba as there have been instances of pilfering from luggage, even if locked, at Cuban airports on arrival and departure.

In 2003 and 2007 the Cuban authorities averted attempts by Cuban asylum seekers to leave the country by hijacking an internal passenger aircraft. The Cuban Authorities are known to restrict the amount of fuel on aircraft on internal flights to prevent such incidents.

There was a fatal air crash involving tourists in 2002; taken with concerns about standards of maintenance of public transport we recommend against internal air travel unless on flights recommended by or operated on behalf of recognised international tour operators.

For more general information see Airline Security.

Local laws and customs

Cuba is increasingly being used as a transit country for drugs destined for Europe. Cuban law allows for the death penalty and courts are handing out very severe penalties (in excess of twenty years) for all drugs related offences. Pack all your luggage yourself and don’t carry any items that do not belong to you.

Cuba prohibits the import of all meat products. The import of fruit is normally banned too. If you arrive in Cuba with any of the above you will have your goods confiscated and destroyed on arrival.

Avoid military zones and other restricted areas that are not always well sign-posted. Be particularly careful when taking photographs or video film.

The Cuban Authorities take a serious view of any breach of their immigration rules, in some cases those who overstay are detained by Immigration on departure and held in custody until reports are received on their activities whilst in the country.

Acceptance of gay relationships is more widespread than in the past. However, there are few places where gays can socialise openly and same-sex couples - particularly if one partner is Cuban - should be careful about public displays of affection, which can lead to unwelcome attention from the police and local authorities.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Entry requirements

Visas

All British nationals require a visa to enter Cuba. You need a visa before you travel and you should contact the Cuban Embassy in London for further information on entry requirements in good time.

You should get the correct visa for the purpose of your visit. As well as tourist visas, there are other visa categories for different types of visitors.

Dual nationals must contact the Cuban Embassy in London for for advice on entry requirements before travelling.

Passport validity

Your passport must be valid for 6 months after departure from Cuba.

Customs Regulations

Electrical items with heavy power consumption such as travel irons and kettles may be confiscated upon entry to Cuba. Global Positioning Systems (GPSs) are also subject to import requirements and may be confiscated. Such confiscated items are normally returned upon departure. For more information on Cuban Customs regulations currently in force, including lists of prohibited and regulated items, please visit http://www.aduana.co.cu/pasajero3.htm.

Health

The medical facilities in Havana are better than those available elsewhere in the country, but it is sometimes necessary to medically evacuate those who require urgent specialist care. This can be very expensive so you should ensure that your medical insurance covers you for this. If you require medical treatment you will be expected to pay in hard currency; a basic hospital stay can cost as much as £200 per day plus medical expenses.

Many medicines are unavailable in Cuba so you should bring any prescription drugs you take regularly. A copy of the prescription and a letter from your doctor explaining your condition can be helpful at customs.

Hepatitis A is common to Cuba, particularly in the summer. You should be aware that treatment is not readily available. Viral meningitis occasionally breaks out both in Havana and in other provinces of Cuba.

Dengue Fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. In 2007 there was an increase in the number of reported cases of dengue. The Cuban authorities are taking measures to eradicate the mosquito which transmits the disease to humans.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 6,200 adults aged 15 or over in Cuba were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Cuba and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

Natural disasters

The hurricane season in Cuba normally runs from June to November. See Tropical Cyclones for more details.

Hurricane Ike struck Cuba on 7 and 8 September and caused considerable damage in many parts of the country but particularly in the Provinces of Holguin (including the resort of Guardalavaca) and Pinar del Rio (including the town of Vinales). Travellers to these areas should be aware that major damage has been sustained to the tourism infrastructure including many hotels. There may also be food and water shortages in some resorts. Travellers should seek assurances from tour operators and travel agents that suitable accommodation and supplies are available before travelling. Independent travellers should seek advice from the local authorities about road conditions and tourist facilities.

Hurricane Gustav passed over the western Provinces of Cuba and Isla de Juventud during the afternoon and evening on Saturday 30 August causing extensive damage. Hurricane Ike also affected these areas a week later. Those intending to travel to the western Provinces and Isla de Juventud should be guided by their tour operators and the Cuban authorities on the ground.

Hurricane Paloma hit the southern coast of Cuba in the early morning of 9 November as a Category 3 hurricane and weakened rapidly to a tropical storm. We no longer advise against all but essential travel to the southern part of the Camaguey region.

You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation and the National Hurricane Centre. Please also see Tropical Cyclones for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a hurricane.

Good warning is given and due precautions must be taken but in the aftermath power, communications and water supplies can be disrupted for a week or more. Even in holiday resorts, utility services cannot be constantly guaranteed. Damage to infrastructure in affected areas can take sometime to be repaired. In the event of extreme weather conditions flights to and from Cuba could be delayed or cancelled.

2005 was a record year for the number of hurricanes in the region. Two hurricanes caused severe damage to parts of Cuba during 2005. Hurricane Dennis passed over Cuba on 9 July 2005, causing damage across much of the island and in October 2005, Hurricane Wilma brought severe flooding to the streets of Havana and other areas on the northern coastline of the island.

General

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. This should cover medical evacuation by air ambulance. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

You should keep a copy of the photo page of your passport in case your documents are stolen.

Travelling with babies

Baby food, disposable nappies etc. are patchily available in Havana and normally unavailable in the rest of Cuba; if you are bringing a baby it is best to come self-sufficient.

Money

You should check with your bank before you leave the UK to confirm that your debit/credit/cash point cards will work and will be accepted in Cuba. If your bank cannot confirm this then you should bring suitable Sterling or Euro alternatives, preferably in the form of travellers’ cheques. You should also be aware that there are virtually no cash-points available for drawing cash against Cirrus or Switch cards in Cuba. You should also be aware that Scottish and Northern Irish bank notes/coins cannot be exchanged in Cuba.

US Dollars are no longer accepted in Cuba, and you will be charged 10% commission to exchange them. The central bank re-valued the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) in March 2005. This no longer operates at 1-1 with the US dollar and has its own exchange rate. Following this revaluation, credit card transactions, including cash withdrawals from ATM machines, are subject to local commission charges of between 11%-13%.

American Express travellers' cheques are no longer accepted in Cuba. Travellers' cheques and/or credit cards drawn on all other American banks are also not accepted in Cuba.

The use of the convertible pesos (CUC) to include the tourist industry has inevitably meant an increase in the number of forged CUC banknotes of all denominations but in particular $100.00. You are strongly advised not to change money anywhere than at the airport Cadecas, hotel exchange bureaux or banks. Individuals offering exchange facilities to avoid queues should be avoided, and where possible small denomination bills should be requested.