30+ Cuba Travel Tips You Need to Know Before You Go

POPSUGAR Photography | Hilary White

I had barely put down my fork after finishing a Cuban meal prepared in a privately owned restaurant called a paladar when someone grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet. Live music accompanied our meal, and turning down an impromptu salsa dance just isn't acceptable — so dance I did.

Light-footed from sips of Havana Club rum and ready to try out the moves I learned at a lesson earlier in the week, I couldn't help but smile at my situation. Traveling to Cuba as an American means a lot of things. It means navigating a rather complicated system of rules, restrictions, and politics. It means dealing with the reality of a president who is currently making it harder by the day to experience all this country — just 90 miles off the United States coast — has to offer. It means understanding and respecting the harder realities of what Cubans and Cuban-Americans have gone through and are still going through — something tourists should be aware of.

I was able to travel to Cuba with Backroads, an active travel company that made a biking trip through the country launching in January 2017 — full of logistical complications and red tape — look like a breeze and seem like a complete dream.

The trip began in Havana, a city with crumbling historical homes juxtaposed beside colorful structures and shiny, newly reconstructed buildings. We biked daily through towns along the northern coast, by farmland, over hills, and past parts of lush jungle and forest. Experiencing a trip like this, in the open air rather than closed up in a tour bus or car, was like nothing else I've ever done. After eight days, a thousand answers and even more questions, new friendships with Cubans, and yes, a few cigars and sips of Cuban coffee and rum, I learned a thing or two about a place that is in some ways a bit of a mystery to many Americans, due in large part to the embargo and the nature of US-Cuba relations for the past 50+ years.

These takeaways and tips will help you plan your Cuban trip and will hopefully help make your time on this Caribbean island as wonderful (and enlightening!) as my own experience. I'm already counting down the days until I can return to this beautiful place.

01
Carry Cash!

Carry Cash!

In Cuba, cash is an absolute necessity. If you're from the United States, you will be completely unable to use your debit and credit cards — and that includes pulling out money at ATMs. Travelers from other countries don't have the same restrictions but should still have ample cash because that is what is mainly used by Cubans. Plan ahead and bring more money than you think you'll need, because once you run out, you're out for good (if you're American). Stash cash in several places to ensure you have backup if you need it.

02
You Must Have Cuban Health Care to Visit

You Must Have Cuban Health Care to Visit

As per the Cuban government, all travelers to Cuba are required to purchase Cuban health insurance. Visitors must have proof of this insurance upon entry to the country, and it can be purchased separately or — as was the case when flying JetBlue for me — the insurance was automatically (and helpfully!) included in the cost of my plane ticket to Cuba.

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You Also Must Have a Visa

You Also Must Have a Visa

As of late 2017, regular tourist travel to Cuba remains prohibited. According to the US Department of State, you must obtain a license from the Department of Treasury OR your travel must fall into one of 12 categories of authorized travel.

The 12 "categories of authorized travel" are:

  • Family visits
  • Official business of the US government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
  • Journalistic activity
  • Professional research and professional meetings
  • Educational activities
  • Religious activities
  • Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions
  • Support for the Cuban people
  • Humanitarian projects
  • Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
  • Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials
  • Certain authorized export transactions

In the past, "people-to-people" travel has been considered a form of acceptable travel to Cuba, which is what most American travelers fall under. As of November 2017, nonacademic people-to-people travel was prohibited by the president. For now.

04
Know the Differences in Currency

Know the Differences in Currency

Cuba has a dual currency system that can be confusing, so here's an overview: Cubans are paid by the government in Cuban Pesos (pictured here), also known as national pesos or CUPs, which have a completely different value than what tourists use. The commerce industry for visitors to the country uses Cuban Convertible Pesos, known best as CUCs (pronounced kind of like "cooks"). Currently, one CUC is equal to one USD, whereas one CUC is equal to 24 CUPs.

Stay with me.

When you exchange your USD or other form of currency for Cuban money, you'll get CUCs (make sure you do!). If you're exchanging USD to CUCs, be prepared to pay some hefty fees. The rate for USD when I traveled in late 2017 was about .87 to the dollar, not including a 10 percent tax on American money. While things are generally less expensive in the country, the US dollar doesn't necessarily go further because of the fees and taxes imposed. When you convert any unused CUCs back to USD, you will be losing out on a certain amount.

Tip 1: Before leaving the US, you can convert your dollars to Euros or even Canadian dollars so that when you arrive in Cuba, you will be converting your foreign cash into CUCs, but you won't be charged the extra tax for converting USD. I did this with Euros and got a better exchange rate than my travel mate, who directly converted USD to CUCs. It's one extra step, but depending on how much you are taking out at the time, it can make a difference.

Tip 2: Convert your Euros/USD/etc. into CUCs at the Cuban airport when you land — you'll likely get a better exchange rate than doing this elsewhere.

Tip 3: Convert any leftover cash back to USD while still in Cuba, as most places in the States (if any, due to current conditions) will not be able to change it back for you.

05
Make Sure Your Passport Is Valid!

Make Sure Your Passport Is Valid!

Your passport must be valid — and must not expire for six months! Make sure you check your expiration dates before you start planning your trip and get your passport renewed if need be. Passport renewal times can vary, so give yourself several months of wiggle room to get an updated one before your departure date.

Important Takeaways:

  • Two pages of passport are required for entry/exit stamps
  • Passport should be valid for at least six months after you return home
  • Apply several months in advance for a new passport/renewal
06
Give Yourself Plenty of Time in Havana

Give Yourself Plenty of Time in Havana

Where to begin with this famous Caribbean city, part of which also happens to be a UNESCO world heritage site? The moment I stepped foot onto the streets of Old Havana, I was immediately won over by the vibrant colors, sights and sounds of city, and the history of a place that isn't just meant to be viewed but rather to be felt.

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While all of Cuba offers endless diverse experiences, make sure to carve out a pocket of time in Havana. Stay at casa particulares and get to know the Cuban people who are inviting you into their homes; eat at paladares and try Cuban cuisine and other offerings the city fare has; get lost down alleys with markets, street food, stores, and landmarks from names you'll certainly know, like Ernest Hemingway and Victor Hugo.

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Take in the nightlife from hipster spots like Roma, where you'll wait in line and ride an old-fashioned elevator to a rooftop bar overlooking the city; learn about Cuba's past and present by seeking out famous monuments, plazas, and government buildings like the newly restored Capitol; and stroll down Havana's Malécon, an esplanade, roadway, and seawall that runs five miles by the coast.

Must Dos in Havana:

  • Take a tour of Old Havana
  • Walk along the Malécon
  • Visit the Plazas de la Revolución: Plaza de Armas, Plaza de San Francisco, Plaza Vieja, and Plaza de la Catedral
  • Sightsee down El Prado aka Paseo de Martí
  • Go to the National Museum of Fine Arts
  • Walk to Catedral de San Cristobal
  • Hunt down Hemingway haunts like Sloppy Joe's, La Floridita, La Bodeguita del Medio, and Hotel Ambos Mundos
  • View incredible artwork at Fábrica de Arte Cubano aka La Fac
  • Ride in a 1950s convertible
  • See old mansions in Vedado
  • Dance, eat, stay out late, and explore!
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But Don't JUST Stay in Havana!

But Don't JUST Stay in Havana!

Cuba's landscape changes by the minute. One moment, you're in the lively city of Havana, the next you're traveling through farmland, and before you know it, you might be ascending rolling hills or passing by miles of ocean. When you visit, make sure to take time in Havana, of course, but don't miss out on places like Trinidad, Viñales Valley, Santiago de Cuba, Cienfuegos, and the countless beach towns throughout the country.

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Brush Up on Your Spanish

Brush Up on Your Spanish

While many Cubans speak some (or even a lot!) of English, you should remember that you're visiting a Spanish-speaking country, so brushing up on some basic phrases isn't just helpful, but shows appreciation and respect for the culture. You can expect to find things like menus, road and store signage, reading materials, and more in Spanish as well, so it's smart to practice your skills in preparation for your travels.

11
Stay in a Casa Particular

Stay in a Casa Particular

Casa particular, which translates to "private house," is a private homestay in Cuba, which is comparable to a bed and breakfast. Home owners in Cuba can rent out rooms of their homes to visitors, and these B&B-style accommodations are great for interacting with Cubans and becoming more familiar with the culture. Plus, they typically are in ideal locations!

Casas are also generally much less expensive than hotels, often starting around 30 or 40 CUCs to 70 or 80, depending on where you are in the country. Breakfast is sometimes included in the price, too.

Having stayed in more modest inns, luxury hotels, and casa particulares during my stay in Cuba, I highly recommend casas for the prices, the comfort, and the potential for further immersing yourself in Cuban culture!

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Eat at Paladares

Eat at Paladares

Paladares are private restaurants run by Cubans who, up until recently, were not allowed to own and operate these types of businesses — and if they did, they were taxed and had limitations on who could work there (it used to be only family members) as well as the number of guests that could be accommodated (at one time, it was up to 12 people per paladar). However, laws have loosened to give people the opportunity to provide services from their homes. While traveling through Cuba, allow yourself to stumble spontaneously into these cozy houses for authentic Cuban fare and extra time with locals.

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The restaurant pictured here is called Ranchón Cuajani, and it's located in Viñales Valley, about three hours outside of Havana. We were treated to a delicious lunch (and guarapo — freshly squeezed sugarcane juice) before biking our way to our next destination.

Paladares can be found nearly everywhere you go in Cuba now, so be on the lookout!

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Don't Rely on Cell Service

Don't Rely on Cell Service

Many cell phone carriers in the United States do not provide service in Cuba, and if they do, roaming comes at a very steep cost. For instance, I have Verizon, and my plan includes international data in nearly every other country for $10 a day. However, Cuba is not included with this; everything would be done by the minute, by each text, and by each MB if I turned on my data.

So basically: calls for me were $2.99/min and it was $0.50 to send a text, $0.05 to receive a text, and $2.50 per MB.

To put this into perspective, just sending an email with a couple of pictures can be 500kb (half a MB), according to POPSUGAR IT. "You also have to take into account that apps are constantly syncing and updating in the background so just turning your phone off of airplane mode can be well over 50 to 100MB," said Desktop Support Technician Rodrigo Urbina.

It was still nice to have this option for backup in case of emergency, but it's much more economical to just connect to WiFi when you can and make calls that way using services like Facetime voice or video, Skype, and WhatsApp.

Another Option: You can buy a burner phone when you get to Cuba, which will allow you to make calls solely within the country (which can be good for emergencies and logistical planning purposes!), or you can look for casa particulares and/or hotels and hostels that offer the usage of a phone there. Some even offer a cell phone to be used for the duration of your stay!

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Don't Rely on Having Internet, Either

Don't Rely on Having Internet, Either

Yes, you can get WiFi in certain parts of Cuba, particularly at hotels in cities like Havana. However, it will generally always cost you, and oftentimes WiFi is only available in hotel lobbies, not necessarily in rooms, and typically not in casa particulares (private homes). One way to get internet in the country is to buy cards from an ETECSA telecommunications centre, but prepare to wait in line for these. The papers allow you an allotted amount of WiFi time. The cards I purchased for a few CUCs all offered one hour of internet each. You can use them more than once — just make sure to log off WiFi when you're finished using yours, and whatever time you didn't spend will be leftover for your next login.

That being said, the speed of WiFi can vary, even once you get it. Overall, I had relatively reliable service, depending on where I was (countryside vs. city) and was able to check emails, upload photos, and even watch GIFs and videos. Still, as with anything in Cuba, go with the flow, because you might not always have the fast service you may be used to. Embrace it and allow yourself time to enjoy being unplugged!

16
Cuba Is Very Safe (but Stay Smart)

Cuba Is Very Safe (but Stay Smart)

Cuba is extremely safe. Guns are illegal and drug crime is not prevalent.

I explored the streets of Havana alone with no issue (apart from vendors and cabs calling out their services, of course!). Any type of traveler — including solo and even the not-so-adventurous — will feel completely comfortable exploring the country. However, as with anywhere in the world, particularly cities, there is petty theft, pick pocketers, etc. As a tourist who may or may not stick out (and who is probably carrying a lot of cash), be a smart traveler and stay aware of your surroundings. Plenty of your new Cuban friends will most likely look out for you as well!

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Cuban Cigars Are a Must

Cuban Cigars Are a Must

I'm not a cigar smoker, and the times I've dabbled in the practice, I haven't always been a fan — that is, until I traveled to Cuba. On one particular evening, we were treated to a Cuban rum and cigar pairing where the history of the tobacco industry was explained to us, and we were able to try a top-notch classic cigar brand.

Maybe it was the interesting history, or the rum, or the live performance of African and Spanish fusion music while we puffed, or all of the above, but the Cuban cigars tasted very fine indeed — especially on a palate readied with sweet spirits. Trying a Cuban cigar is a classic bucket list item that's fun to check off if you're up for it!

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Carry Small Change and Toilet Paper With You

Carry Small Change and Toilet Paper With You

When traveling through Cuba, make sure to have small change for stopping at restaurants, hotels, paladares, ranchons (roadside stops), etc., to use the restroom. Often there will be a bathroom attendant who keeps things in order and who provides toilet paper as part of a small fee (usually .25 or .50 CUCs) to enter.

Alternatively, it's smart to carry a small pack of tissue with you when you're exploring further outside cities and into the country. Toilets don't always come with a paper roll, so if you find yourself in a bind, a little extra tissue can be a lifesaver.

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Take a Cab Ride in a Vintage Car

Take a Cab Ride in a Vintage Car

You can spot cars from the '50s and '60s everywhere you turn in Cuba — especially in and around Old Havana, which is a more touristy area of the city. Many of the cars have recently been updated and refurbished, allowing Cubans looking to make extra money with an opportunity to get in on tourist dollars.

Hopping in the backseat of a brightly colored vintage car may cost you a few dollars more than a regular cab, but it's totally worth it. When will you ever get the chance to ride in a 1957 Chevy convertible while taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of a beautiful Caribbean island? This is one tourist attraction I highly recommend — not just for the photos (but definitely for those too!), but also because your extra CUCs go toward a driver working hard to get in on a entrepreneurial opportunity not always afforded to Cubans. If you're lucky, they even will play tour guide for you and point out spots that can't be missed.

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Don't Miss Out on Cuban Night Life — Especially the Music!

Don't Miss Out on Cuban Night Life — Especially the Music!

Whether you're hopping out of your seat to salsa to live music in your restaurant or bar — with strangers and friends alike — breaking into an impromptu dance party on the street (highlight of my trip), or listening to the sounds of bongos, congas, and batá drums paired with claves (wooden sticks hit together to keep the beat), nighttime activities in Cuba won't disappoint.

The history of music in Cuba is layered; many genres of music we know today were influenced by what came from the country. Make sure to schedule time to experience live performances of different types of Cuban music and learn even more about where the sounds came from and how they have been woven together to form beautiful blends that are unique to Cuba — and which have found their way in to many other cultures today.

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Flexibility Is Key

Flexibility Is Key

Sometimes you won't have WiFi or cell service; sometimes (OK, usually oftentimes) things won't go as planned. A restaurant that says it will be open may be closed, and it may literally rain on your parade. One night you may return to your hotel and find you have no running water (I took a dip in the ocean, which in my opinion is much better anyway).

The key to having an amazing time in Cuba (and in any country you're not familiar with!) is approaching your experience with flexibility, open-mindedness, and an open heart. It's all part of the ride, and when you encounter hiccups with a smile instead of a frown, you never know who might welcome you into their homes with a cup of Cuban coffee, a shot of rum, and amazing stories about family, friends, and what daily life is like in this beautiful country.

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Try Cuban Rum

Try Cuban Rum

Don't miss out on the unique flavors of Cuban rum. Derived from sugarcane, you'll see bottles of Cuban rum like Havana Club wherever you go. It is distilled from molasses, which gives the alcohol a sweet and smooth taste.

Try variations to find out your favorite and take some back to home to share with friends and family. Drinks like mojitos, daiquiris, Cuba libre, and piña coladas flow freely in Cuba — especially for tourists looking to try the island's spirits while they travel around the country. Arrange a rum and cigar pairing (or do your own!) to experience a delicious combination of flavors, the likes of which you won't experience anywhere else in the world.

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Be Prepared For All Kinds of Weather

Be Prepared For All Kinds of Weather

The climate of the country is subtropical, so depending on the time of year you go, you can expect warm weather, balmy days and nights, and sometimes the potential for rainstorms — especially during wetter months like June. While days can be hot (average temperatures can range from the 80s to 90s), the evenings can cool down to the 60s and 70s November through March.

I was in the country for eight days in early December, traveling along the northern coast through country, jungle, and beach landscapes, and experienced sun every day but one rainy afternoon in Havana.

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Nature-Lovers: Explore National Parks and Biospheres

Nature-Lovers: Explore National Parks and Biospheres

If you're a nature-lover, then Cuba is definitely the place for you. Include visits to national parks and biospheres to your bucket lists.

Cuba has six biospheres throughout the country, which are internationally recognized areas protected by the national government that promote ecotourism. The biospheres are intended to conserve landscapes and ecosystems, develop these areas for people and the economy in a sustainable way, and to support research and education.

Cuban Biospheres:

  • Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve in eastern Cuba
  • Zapata Peninsula Reserve on Cuba's southern coast
  • Buenavista Biosphere Reserve on the northern coast
  • Baconao Biosphere Reserve in southeastern Cuba
  • Guanahacabibes Peninsula Biosphere on the southwestern tip
  • Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve on the eastern side of the Guaniguanico Mountain Range
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Get a Tour Guide

Get a Tour Guide

If you're a history buff or just want to know anything and everything you can about the area you're in, consider hiring a guide who can fill you in on the most interesting details of the city or town. We took a walking tour of Old Havana, and our guide (who was an architect expert as well!) had all the answers to our many questions.

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Drink Cuban Coffee

Drink Cuban Coffee

Cuban coffee, or Cuban espresso, is an espresso shot made with demerara sugar as it is being brewed rather than adding sugar after the fact. Don't skip this cultural tradition while you're visiting the country!

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Immerse Yourself in the Culture

Immerse Yourself in the Culture

Part of the nature of the US-required people-to-people travel in Cuba is the emphasis on interactions with the Cuban people, as well as on the culture and history of the country. My biggest takeaway from my own experience is to truly embrace this aspect of your visit! Everyone I had the chance to meet was extremely(!) welcoming and open, and one of the things I loved most about traveling here was learning from, and listening to, the people we encountered.

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Take the Time to Learn and Understand Cuban History

Take the Time to Learn and Understand Cuban History

Cuban history is complicated — and spans back further than even that of the United States.

In modern history, the Cuban Revolution, which began in July 1953, was a revolt led by Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, and the 26th of July Movement against the then-Cuban President Fulgencio Batista. By January 1959, the Cuban government was defeated and replaced with a socialist state, which would eventually become a Communist Party in 1965. This system sought to bring about political and social change, and it radically transformed the country, the effects of which, of course, remain controversial both within the country and in relation to the United States to this day.

There is nothing simple or black and white about Cuba's history. So before you travel there (and while you are there, too), familiarize yourself with the country's past and present, because context during your travels is essential in order to understand the place you are visiting and to appreciate what you are experiencing — both the easier and more difficult aspects of the island.

The key to better understanding the history of Cuba, Cuban politics, and the complicated ties between the United States is to listen, do your homework, ask questions, and learn.

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You'll Have Many Opportunities to Support Locals

You'll Have Many Opportunities to Support Locals

Take the chance to support local artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs by putting your tourist dollars toward handmade items and Cuban services.

The artist pictured here opened his home to us, and we were able to speak with him about leaving his life as a farmer to pursue his passion. We visited his studio and viewed unique landscape pieces that completely captured the beauty of the area of the country we were in.

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Bring home one-of-a-kind souvenirs you won't be able to find anywhere else.

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Be Respectful When Talking Politics

Be Respectful When Talking Politics

There is a range of openness you may experience from Cubans when speaking about politics and the current state of affairs in the country. Be respectful of the nature of circumstances you are in, and allow those with whom you interact to express to you the thoughts and feelings they are comfortable sharing at their own discretion.

Barack Obama took major strides to end a 50+-year-long separation between the United States and Cuba, and although the latest US administration has caused Cuban-American relations on the travel and political front to hit a snag, the overall sentiment of the Cuban people is that of overwhelming acceptance of Americans and appreciation for their visit to the country (and their tourist dollars!).

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Don't Miss Out on the Amazing Art Scenes

Don't Miss Out on the Amazing Art Scenes

Cuban artwork is everywhere. From galleries and private sellers to street art, museums, and more, you aren't experiencing Cuba until you seek out this amazing scene.

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From graphic design and clothing to political pieces and representations of the country and its people, don't miss the chance to check out art whenever and wherever you can.

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Yes, You Can (and Should) Tip

Yes, You Can (and Should) Tip

Tipping culture varies greatly throughout the world, so it's important to know the customary amounts for Cuba when you travel there. While sometimes tips (service charges) are included on bills at restaurants, it's also smart to have a few extra CUC on you when dining out, drinking at bars, or paying hotel employees and other members of the service industry.

People working in service industries are often paid an hourly rate that is relatively low, so tipping 10 to 15 percent can be very helpful and is usually appreciated. As mentioned before, keep change on you for restroom attendants, hotel maids and valets, street performers, tour guides, etc.

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Visit Markets

Visit Markets

While you can get handmade trinkets, souvenirs, and authentic Cuban art everywhere you turn, make sure to pass through markets when you spot them. There's always an array of items that make great gifts, provide Cuban artisans with valuable tourist dollars, and remind you of your experience when you return home.

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Cuba Is Unlike Any Other Caribbean Island

Cuba Is Unlike Any Other Caribbean Island

Because travel to Cuba from the United States has been limited for the past half of a century, there's much about the country that Americans in particular don't know — and are missing out on. Cuba is unlike any other Caribbean island you've been to, so get to know it yourself as soon as you get a chance. It is incredibly special.

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Leave Your Preconceived Notions Behind

Leave Your Preconceived Notions Behind

Leave your expectations at the door. There is so much to see, do, hear, eat, learn, and experience. The number one thing running through my head the moment I hopped onto my plane back to the States was wondering just how soon I could get back.

Travel and accommodations paid for in part by Backroads Travel Company for the purpose of writing this story.