6 Tips to Make Traveling to Cuba Easier
No matter where or when you travel, there are some tips that will help make things easier. For example, avoiding overpacking and booking your flights at the right time will help save on travel costs. However, there are a few locations that require specific advice, as their laws and customs are significantly different than the rest of the world. Cuba is one of those locations. If you want to travel to Cuba, here are six tips you’ll want to know.
Have the Proper Documentation
The first thing you’ll want to take care of is the documentation you’ll need to travel to Cuba. Unlike in some other countries, you can’t simply hop on the next flight with your passport and get into Cuba. Most travelers will need a Cuban Tourist Card to enter. If you’re flying from the United States, there are also additional restrictions due to embargo laws, which require that you declare an approved travel category.
Thankfully, recent changes have made getting approved for entry into Cuba easier. According to Easy Tourist Card, “In 2024, the Cuban government introduced eVisas, making travel to Cuba easier than ever. If you are from one of the eligible nationalities, you can now apply for an eVisa to enter Cuba.” This online process makes it easier to get approval into Cuba and ensures there are no issues during your travel.
Bring Plenty of Cash
The next important thing to know is that you can’t use U.S. credit or debit cards inside Cuba. This means that you’ll want to bring plenty of cash along to pay for everything you’ll need on the trip. ATMs are also scarce throughout the island, so you can’t necessarily count on being able to get the cash you need when you need it.
Determine ahead of time how much cash you’ll likely need for your trip, then pad on a little extra in case of an emergency. Then, when you arrive on the island, you can exchange your cash for Cuban pesos. Once you check into your hotel room, you may wish to deposit some of your cash in a safe location so that you’re not walking around with all your money.
Prepare for Limited Internet Access
While in Cuba, you should assume that you won’t have access to a reliable internet connection. Internet throughout Cuba is restricted and slow, with the few designated hotspots available offering unreliable connections. You can buy ETECSA internet cards to use at designated Wi-Fi hotspots, but they won’t always work.
Therefore, you should download what you’ll need ahead of time. For example, you may wish to save local maps or translation apps on your phone so that you don’t need internet access. Also, if this is a working trip to Cuba, you may wish to let your coworkers know that your internet connection will be unreliable, making you unavailable for extended periods of time.
Plan Ahead of Time
Like with any travel experience, it’s a good idea to plan out as much as you can ahead of time. Book your accommodations in advance, especially if you plan on staying at multiple locations throughout Cuba. This way, you don’t have to worry about finding your next place to stay without a reliable internet connection.
A popular option when traveling to Cuba is staying in casas particulares (private homestays) instead of hotels. Doing so provides a more authentic traveling experience and can often be more affordable than a hotel, all while supporting local families. If there’s a particular spot you want to stay in Cuba, book your accommodations early before someone else grabs them.
Learn Some of the Language
English isn’t widely spoken throughout Cuba, especially if you travel outside the main tourist areas. To help you get around and make your trip more enjoyable, consider learning some basic Spanish. There are plenty of apps, podcasts, videos, and books that can teach you common phrases, such as asking for directions or ordering food at a restaurant. Having a translation app stored on your phone is also useful for those situations where you don’t know the right words to say.
Know the Local Laws and Customs
Finally, make sure you know the local laws and customs before you travel. Cuba has strict laws when it comes to currency exchanges, photography, and even interactions with locals. For example, there are restrictions on taking photos of government buildings, and discussing politics openly is a bad idea. Finally, be mindful of your shopping, as some items may be freely available for tourists but scarce for locals.
If you can keep all the above advice in mind, you should find that your trip to Cuba is much more enjoyable. There are a few extra hurdles when it comes to traveling to Cuba versus other countries, but once you get to experience the Cuban culture, you’ll find that these hurdles were worth the time.