Cuba (CU)

Extend your e-Visa stay (prorroga) before it expires if staying beyond 90 days

From January 2026, Cuba's e-Visa grants 90 days on entry. If you want to extend your stay for up to an additional 90 days (180 days total maximum on tourist status), you must apply for a prorroga at a Cuban Inmigración office before your 90-day expiry date. Process: go to the nearest Inmigración office (in Havana: Calle Factor y Tulipán, Nuevo Vedado — or some hotels catering to tourists). Bring: passport, printout or digital copy of your e-Visa approval, and confirmation of your accommodation. The extension fee is approximately 25 CUP. Allow 1–3 hours for the process. Do NOT let your authorisation expire — overstaying is a serious offence.

Ensure your accommodation provider registers you with police within 24 hours

Cuban law (Decreto-Ley) requires that all casas particulares and rental accommodation providers register their foreign guests with the local PNR (Policía Nacional Revolucionaria) within 24 hours of arrival. This applies to all foreigners, including those staying with Cuban friends or family. For hotel guests, the hotel handles this automatically. For casa particular guests, confirm with your host that they have completed this registration. Failure to register is an offence for both the host and the guest. This is important for longer stays — if you move accommodation, the new host must also register you.

Prepare sufficient foreign cash — no US cards work in Cuba

This is the most critical practical preparation for Cuba. All US-issued bank cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover from any US-headquartered bank) are BLOCKED in Cuba due to the US embargo. Even non-US travellers should be aware that ATMs in Cuba are extremely unreliable for foreign cards. You must arrive with sufficient cash in EUR, CAD, GBP, or other non-USD currencies to cover your entire stay. USD cash can be exchanged but incurs a 10% penalty at official CADECA exchanges. Budget $50–100 USD/day for comfortable travel; $25–40 USD/day for budget travel. Bring more than you think you need — adding cash once inside Cuba is nearly impossible.

Arrange mandatory travel insurance valid in Cuba

Travel insurance is legally mandatory for all tourists entering Cuba since November 2010. Cuban immigration may verify your coverage on arrival. Your policy must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Cuba and must include medical coverage. Important: check that your policy explicitly covers Cuba — some insurers (particularly US-headquartered companies) exclude Cuba due to the embargo. The Cuban state insurer Asistur can be purchased at José Martí Airport on arrival as a backup, but this gives minimal coverage. A comprehensive policy with emergency evacuation is essential given Cuba's limited medical infrastructure for serious cases.

Save Cuban emergency numbers and Servimed contact

Cuba's emergency numbers differ from international norms: ambulance is 104 (not 911 or 112), police is 106, fire is 105. More importantly for foreigners, save the Asistur 24-hour emergency number: +53 7 866-4499. Asistur provides medical assistance coordination, emergency evacuation, and insurance liaison for foreigners. Also save Clínica Cira García (Havana's foreigner hospital): +53 7 204-2811. Know the nearest hospital to your accommodation outside of Havana. Program these into your Cuban SIM before you need them.

Bring sufficient medication supply from home — shortages are severe

Cuba faces chronic medication shortages in 2026. Many common Western drugs (antibiotics, antifungals, antihistamines, specific blood pressure medications, insulin analogues, contraceptives, asthma inhalers, and many others) are either unavailable or available only intermittently. Do not assume you can purchase your regular medications in Cuba. If you take any prescription medication, bring a 2–3 month supply (or the full duration of your stay, whichever is shorter within your airline's medical goods allowance). Also bring a basic first aid kit: antiseptic, bandages, rehydration sachets, anti-diarrhoeal medication, paracetamol, and any topical medications you use.

Obtain your Cuban e-Visa before departure (Tourist Card abolished from 2026)

From January 1, 2026, Cuba replaced the paper Tourist Card (Tarjeta de Turista) with a mandatory electronic e-Visa applied for online before travel. The e-Visa is required for all nationalities entering for tourism. Apply online (official Cuban consulate portal or licensed third-party processors); you receive the approval by email. The e-Visa grants 90 days on entry (up from 30 days under the old tourist card), extendable once for an additional 90 days at a Cuban Inmigración office. Cost: approximately $25–50 USD depending on nationality and processing speed. For stays beyond tourism or non-tourist purposes, a separate Cuban visa is still required from the Cuban embassy.

Review your full insurance coverage for Cuba-specific risks before departure

Standard travel insurance often has gaps when it comes to Cuba. Review your policy carefully for: (1) Medical coverage limits — ensure at least $50,000 USD medical coverage; $500,000+ for emergency evacuation. (2) US-carrier exclusion — many US-headquartered insurers (including some credit card travel insurance) exclude Cuba entirely. (3) Property/contents insurance — standard home contents policies do not extend to items in Cuban rental accommodation; bring only what you can afford to lose. (4) Trip cancellation — airlines serving Cuba can cancel or change routes with little notice; trip cancellation coverage must explicitly include Cuba. (5) Political risk — Cuba's political situation means demonstration-related cancellations or flight disruptions are possible; check whether your policy covers "political unrest" events.

US citizens: understand and comply with OFAC Cuba travel regulations

US citizens travelling to Cuba must comply with OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) licence requirements. Travel to Cuba from the US is permitted under specific licensed categories including: Support for the Cuban People, Family Visits, Journalistic Activity, Educational Exchange, Religious Activities, and several others. You must qualify for and operate within a specific category. Document all your activities in Cuba with receipts and records (accommodation, meals, cultural activities, etc.). From January 2026, US citizens apply for the same e-Visa as other nationalities — note your OFAC general licence category when applying. Keep all receipts — OFAC compliance requires evidence that your time and money were spent in accordance with your licence category.

Register with your home country embassy in Havana

Register your presence in Cuba with your home country's embassy or consulate in Havana as soon as possible after arrival for any stay over 2 weeks. Most embassies have an online or email registration system. Registration means: your embassy can contact you in an emergency, provide consular assistance if you are detained or have a medical crisis, and include you in any emergency evacuation communications. Cuba's unique political situation and restricted communications make embassy registration more important than in most tourist destinations.

Understand Old Havana (Habana Vieja) navigation and cultural etiquette

Old Havana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Cuba's most visited area. It's also the area with the highest density of tourist scams, street vendors, and jineteros. Practical navigation tips: the four main plazas (Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de San Francisco de Asís) are connected by pedestrian streets. The Malecón (seafront esplanade) is a 5km walk and a social gathering spot. Key cultural rules: you can enter most churches for free (be respectful). Street musicians expect payment if you linger to listen (20–50 CUP). Photography of military or police is prohibited. The Museo de la Revolución (formerly the Presidential Palace) is well worth the entrance fee.

Exchange foreign currency at official CADECA offices only

Always exchange your foreign currency (EUR, CAD, GBP, etc.) at official CADECA (Casa de Cambio) offices. These are located at: José Martí Airport (arrivals hall), Hotel Nacional, Hotel Habana Libre, and various city-centre locations. CADECA gives the official exchange rate with no black market risk. Never exchange money with street touts (jineteros) — this is illegal and you will likely receive counterfeit or short-changed currency. USD incurs a 10% penalty at CADECA — bring EUR or CAD for the best rates. Keep your exchange receipts.

Buy a CUBACEL SIM card at the airport or ETECSA office

Cuba has one mobile operator: CUBACEL (operated by ETECSA). Getting a Cuban SIM on arrival is highly recommended as WhatsApp is the primary communication tool in Cuba for everything from arranging transport to contacting casa particular hosts, doctors, and local contacts. Tourist SIMs are available at ETECSA offices including at José Martí Airport (arrivals hall). Bring your passport. Cost: approximately 10–20 CUP or USD equivalent. You can top up with Nauta Móvil credit for data (250 CUP for 600MB) and calls. International SIM roaming in Cuba generally does not work reliably.

Download offline maps of Cuba before departure

Internet access in Cuba is unreliable and expensive. Google Maps works but requires data connection. Before arriving, download offline maps of Cuba (and specifically Havana, your destination cities) on Maps.me (MAPS.ME) — a free app that works without internet once maps are downloaded. Download: Havana detailed map, and maps of any provinces you plan to visit. Cuban roads are not always perfectly mapped but offline maps are far better than nothing when your WiFi is down. Cuba does not have standard street-level GPS navigation comparable to Western countries in some rural areas.

Set up a VPN before arrival to access restricted websites

Cuba blocks or restricts access to many international websites, news sites, and social media platforms. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows you to bypass these restrictions. IMPORTANT: VPNs must be installed and configured BEFORE arriving in Cuba — you cannot reliably download or set them up inside Cuba due to the restricted internet. The best VPNs for Cuba use obfuscation technology to bypass deep packet inspection: NordVPN (obfuscated servers), ExpressVPN (Lightway protocol). Download, install, test, and subscribe before departure. Free VPNs are generally not reliable in Cuba.

Prepare your full digital toolkit for Cuba's restricted internet environment

Cuba's internet is slow, expensive, restricted, and intermittent. Everything you need digitally must be prepared before arrival. Before leaving home: (1) Download offline apps — Maps.me (Cuba + Havana maps), Duolingo Spanish (offline mode), Google Translate Spanish (offline language pack), Wikipedia offline (Kiwix app), e-books for entertainment. (2) Install and test your VPN — NordVPN or ExpressVPN with obfuscated servers. (3) Download entertainment — Netflix downloads, Spotify offline playlists, podcast episodes. (4) Backup critical documents — store passport scan, insurance certificate, embassy contacts, and medical information in an offline app or encrypted local folder. (5) Set up email aliases and reduce data-heavy notifications. (6) Invest in a high-capacity power bank (20,000mAh+) — devices must be charged during power-on periods.

Research schooling options for children accompanying you to Cuba

Parents bringing school-age children to Cuba have limited but viable options. (1) Havana International School (HIS) — the primary international school, based in Miramar (Calle 18 No. 418 e/ 4ta y 6ta, Miramar; tel: +53 7 204-7508). English-medium, IB curriculum, Nursery through Grade 12. Fees: approximately $10,000–20,000 USD/year depending on age group. Serves diplomat, NGO, and expat families. (2) Lycée Français de La Havane — French-medium international school in Siboney, for French-speaking families. Contact through the French Embassy. (3) Cuban state schools — theoretically accessible to children of long-term residents, taught entirely in Spanish, no English support. Only realistic for children with strong prior Spanish or Cuban residency. For short stays (under 3 months), home-schooling using home-country online curricula is the most practical approach.

Understand work authorisation requirements before starting any paid work in Cuba

Foreign nationals are not permitted to work in Cuba without specific legal authorization. There are three pathways: (1) Visa de Trabajo (Work Visa, type D-2) — for foreigners employed by a Cuban state entity, joint venture, or internationally accredited organization. Your employer applies on your behalf before you arrive. (2) TCP licence (Trabajador por Cuenta Propia) — self-employment, available to Cuban citizens and certain categories of long-term residents, not standard tourist card holders. (3) MIPYMES director/partner — for eligible residents with Cuban institutional support. Working on a tourist card, including remote freelance work paid by foreign clients, exists in a legal grey area and is not formally authorized. Consult Bufete Internacional for your specific situation.

Prepare complete family travel documentation and understand Cuban entry rules for minors

Families travelling to Cuba with children need additional documentation. Cuban immigration applies strict rules for minors: (1) Both parents must be named in the child's passport or travel document, or the travelling parent must carry a notarized letter of consent from the absent parent (translated into Spanish). (2) Single parents or grandparents travelling with a minor should carry a certified copy of the custody agreement or parenting order. (3) Children under 16 cannot be left in Cuba without a legal guardian — confirm your child's legal status if your stay will exceed your tourist card period. (4) Cuban law under the 2022 Family Code gives equal rights to same-sex parents — carry the same documentation as opposite-sex parents. All consent letters should be notarized AND apostilled (Hague Convention) for maximum reliability.

Create a monthly budget for Cuba's dual-currency economy

Cuba operates with two practical monetary systems in 2026: CUP (Cuban Peso, official currency, ~200 per USD at market rate) for most local transactions, and MLC (Moneda Libremente Convertible) for hard-currency stores stocking imported goods. Foreign nationals live almost entirely in the USD/EUR/CUP economy — you convert your foreign currency to CUP at CADECA. Typical monthly budgets for Havana: budget expat $600–800 USD (basic casa, local food, minimal travel), comfortable expat $1,000–1,400 USD (good casa with generator, mix of paladares, regular travel, Spanish lessons), diplomatic-standard $2,000–4,000 USD (premium Miramar villa, frequent restaurants, car, satellite internet). Remote workers earning foreign salaries live very well in Cuba. Key budget items: accommodation ($150–500/month), food ($200–400/month), transport ($50–100/month), internet/ETECSA ($30–60/month), entertainment ($50–150/month).

Register with Clínica Cira García (Servimed) on arrival in Havana

Within your first few days in Havana, visit or call Clínica Central Cira García (Calle 20 No. 4101 esq. 41, Miramar; tel: +53 7 204-2811) to register as a patient and confirm your insurance details. This foreigner-oriented hospital is your primary healthcare facility in Cuba for non-emergency and emergency medical needs. Having your records on file means faster service in an emergency. Bring: passport, insurance certificate, list of current medications and allergies.

Use bottled or purified water — do not drink tap water

Tap water in Cuba is not reliably safe to drink for foreigners. While Cuban public water is treated, the aging infrastructure means contamination risk is significant, especially after water supply interruptions (which are common). Always drink bottled water or use purification tablets/a water filter. Bottled water is available at CADECA, MLC stores, and from casa particular hosts (usually for 10–20 CUP per litre). For longer stays, a portable water filter (LifeStraw, Sawyer) is excellent value and reduces plastic waste.

Prepare for daily electricity outages (apagones)

Cuba's ongoing electricity crisis means daily power cuts (apagones) of 4–14 hours per day depending on province and neighbourhood in 2026. Havana's diplomatic areas (Miramar) have somewhat shorter outages. Tourist areas have some protected circuits. For any stay of over 3 days, pack: a powerful portable battery (20,000mAh+), a USB fan, a head torch/flashlight, and power adaptors (Cuba uses US-style Type A/B sockets at 110V). Check the outage schedule for your area when you arrive — ETECSA publishes neighbourhood schedules via WhatsApp groups and social media.

Book casa particular accommodation and verify legitimacy

Casa particulares (licensed private guesthouses) are the recommended accommodation for most expats in Cuba — better value than state hotels, more authentic, and your money goes directly to Cuban families. When booking, verify: the casa is licensed (should have a blue anchor symbol or "Arrendador" sign), confirm the address is real (look on Google Maps Satellite view), communicate directly with the host via WhatsApp before arrival, and confirm the price AND currency. Airbnb, casaparticularcuba.org, and Cuba Travel Network are reliable platforms. Be wary of very cheap listings with no reviews.

Start pet import process 60 days before travel to Cuba

Bringing pets to Cuba requires advance planning. The process involves: (1) obtaining an import permit from CENSA (Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria) via the Cuban embassy in your home country; (2) getting an official government-certified vet health certificate within 10 days of departure; (3) ensuring your pet is microchipped (ISO 15-digit chip), rabies vaccinated (min. 21 days before travel), and has all required vaccinations; (4) booking cargo transport with your airline (pets generally travel as cargo for international flights to Cuba). Start this process at least 60 days before your travel date. Consult your nearest Cuban embassy for current requirements.

Apply for appropriate long-stay visa if planning to stay beyond 90 days

The e-Visa maximum tourist stay is 90 days (extendable once for an additional 90 days, for a maximum 180-day tourist stay). For stays beyond this, you must apply for a proper Cuban visa — work visa (Visa de Trabajo), student visa (Visa de Estudios), research/cultural visa, or special residency authorization. These must be applied for at a Cuban embassy in your home country before arrival OR arranged through a sponsoring Cuban institution. You cannot convert an e-Visa to a long-stay visa inside Cuba without leaving the country first. Start this process at least 4–8 weeks before your intended longer stay.

Learn basic Spanish and Cuban phrases before arrival

Spanish is the only language you can rely on in Cuba outside tourist hotels. Unlike many popular destinations, English-speaking locals are rare except in top hotels and some tourist restaurants. Even A1/A2 Spanish dramatically improves your experience: ordering food, taking almendrones, asking for directions, and making emergency requests all become possible. Cuban Spanish has specific features: dropped "s" sounds, "¿Qué bola?" (What's up?), "asere" (friend/buddy), "guagua" (bus), "paladar" (private restaurant). Start with Duolingo Spanish 3–4 weeks before departure, focusing on practical phrases.

Know the cigar and rum export rules before buying

Cuba is famous for its cigars and rum. Understanding the legal export limits saves you from having goods confiscated at departure. CIGARS: without official purchase receipt, you may take up to 50 cigars. With a receipt from Habanos S.A. official stores, up to 250 cigars. All cigars in official boxes must have a Cuban tax hologram stamp. RUM: up to 3 litres per person duty-free on departure. COUNTERFEIT CIGARS: the street cigar scam is Cuba's most prevalent tourist fraud — street sellers claiming to offer "factory direct" Cohibas or Montecristos are almost always selling fakes. Buy only from official La Casa del Habano or Habanos S.A. stores.

Learn to recognise and avoid common tourist scams in Cuba

Cuba has several well-documented tourist scams that target new arrivals: (1) Jinetero/a "guides" who earn commissions from businesses they steer you to; (2) Street "factory cigar" sellers offering fake Cohibas; (3) Taxi overcharging, especially at the airport; (4) Currency confusion between CUP and former CUC amounts; (5) Unsolicited "art gallery" invitations. None of these are violent or dangerous — they are purely financial. Learning to recognize and calmly decline is the key skill. A firm "No, gracias" and walking away ends 95% of unwanted approaches. Never follow strangers to "better" restaurants, shops, or experiences.

Understand Cuba's 2022 Family Code rights (same-sex couples)

Cuba's new Código de las Familias, approved by referendum on 25 September 2022, made Cuba one of the most legally progressive countries in the Americas for LGBTQ+ rights. Key provisions: same-sex marriage fully legal, same-sex adoption legal, gestational surrogacy regulated, multi-parent families legally recognized, full inheritance and property rights for same-sex spouses. For same-sex expat couples visiting or living in Cuba, this means: your marriage (if legally married) may be recognized in Cuba, joint visa/residency applications with a Cuban same-sex partner are legally equivalent to opposite-sex couples. Same-sex public displays of affection are legal and increasingly socially accepted in Havana.

Arrange veterinary care and source pet supplies for your stay in Cuba

Pet owners in Cuba face significant practical challenges: veterinary care and pet supplies are limited outside Havana. State veterinary clinics (ZOOVET) exist in Havana and major cities but have irregular supplies of medicines and equipment. Private veterinarians registered as TCP professionals are increasingly available in Havana and offer better service — ask in the "Expats in Havana" Facebook group for current recommendations. Pet food: imported brands are available intermittently at MLC hard-currency stores (Miramar Trade Centre area) but supply is unpredictable. Bring a 3-month supply of your pet's regular food if possible. Veterinary treatments (flea/tick prevention, heartworm prevention) should also be sourced from home — Cuba's tropical climate makes parasite prevention essential year-round. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at UNAH (Universidad Agraria de La Habana) in San José de Las Lajas offers specialist referral services.

Apply for a Carnet de Extranjería if granted long-term Cuban residency

Foreign nationals granted long-term or permanent residency in Cuba must obtain a Carnet de Extranjería (Foreigners' Identity Card) from the Dirección de Inmigración y Extranjería (DIE). This document functions as your primary identification card in Cuba for the duration of your authorized residence and is required for many official transactions: opening a Cuban bank account, accessing subsidized services, signing contracts, and dealing with government offices. The application is made in person at the DIE offices in Havana (Calle Factor y Tulipán, Nuevo Vedado). Documents required: valid passport, long-stay visa or residency authorization, proof of Cuban accommodation, and photographs. Processing takes 2–6 weeks. The Carnet must be renewed in line with your residency status.

Research and book VIAZUL bus or colectivo transport for intercity travel

If you plan to travel between Cuban cities (Havana to Trinidad, Havana to Viñales, etc.), book VIAZUL tourist buses in advance. VIAZUL is the only reliable, scheduled, air-conditioned intercity bus service for tourists. Routes: Havana–Trinidad ($25 USD), Havana–Varadero ($10 USD), Havana–Santiago de Cuba ($51 USD), and more. Book at viazul.com before departure or at VIAZUL terminals on arrival. Buses can fill up, especially in high season (December–April). Alternative: shared colectivo taxis (faster but less predictable; ask your casa particular host to arrange).

Understand Cuba's social support system — what foreign nationals can and cannot access

Cuba operates a state welfare system for Cuban citizens: the libreto (ration book) provides subsidized food staples; free universal healthcare is available to Cuban citizens and residents; free education from nursery through university is available to Cuban citizen children. Foreign nationals on tourist cards or standard visas access NONE of these subsidized services — you pay foreigner prices for healthcare (Servimed rates), market prices for all food, and cannot enrol Cuban-citizen schools without appropriate visa/residency status. For long-term residents with Cuban spouses: some benefits may become partially accessible through Cuban family registration. Foreign nationals facing genuine hardship in Cuba have extremely limited local support — your home country embassy and your personal financial reserves are your safety net.