Cuba

Practical information for Cuba

Entry requirements can change: we review them with you before every trip.

Airports

La Habana (HAV) · Varadero (VRA) · Holguín (HOG) · Santiago de Cuba (SCU)

Documents for US citizens

NOTICE FOR TRAVELERS FROM THE U.S.: tourism to Cuba is PROHIBITED by U.S. law (embargo, CACR regulations, 31 CFR 515). U.S. citizens and residents may only travel if their trip falls under one of the 12 categories authorized by OFAC (general license; you self-certify when checking in with the airline, and you must keep receipts and your itinerary for 5 years): 1) family visits; 2) official business of governments and intergovernmental organizations; 3) journalism; 4) professional research and professional meetings; 5) educational activities (institutional programs only; individual 'people-to-people' travel was eliminated in 2019); 6) religious activities; 7) public performances, workshops, clinics, athletic competitions and exhibitions; 8) support for the Cuban people (full-time schedule with private businesses: casas particulares, paladares, entrepreneurs); 9) humanitarian projects; 10) private foundations or research institutes; 11) exportation, importation or transmission of information or informational materials; 12) certain authorized export transactions. Staying at hotels on the State Department's Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List (CPAL) and doing business with entities on the Cuba Restricted List (GAESA, Gaviota, CIMEX, Cubanacán and others) is prohibited; the policy in force since 2025 tightened its enforcement. Recommendation: casas particulares and private businesses. Cuban requirements for travelers NOT born in Cuba: valid passport, tourist visa/Cuban tourist card (approx. US$50-100 depending on the airline; Cuba is moving to the official electronic visa; the airline will tell you how to get it), medical insurance valid in Cuba (normally included in the ticket) and the D'Viajeros form online before arrival (generates a QR code). CUBAN-BORN TRAVELERS: Cuba still considers them Cuban citizens even if they hold U.S. citizenship, and they must enter and leave with a valid CUBAN PASSPORT (since April 1, 2025, an expired passport is no longer accepted). Passports issued since July 1, 2023 are valid for 10 years with no extensions; earlier ones follow their own extension rules. They do not need a tourist card. Those who emigrated before January 1, 1971 may enter with a foreign passport and an HE-11 visa (check with the consulate). U.S. permanent residents of another nationality: must comply with the OFAC rules plus the Cuban requirements for their nationality; check according to nationality. This is a changing legal matter: confirm with the Cuban consulate and OFAC before ticketing.Read more ▾

Currency

Cuban peso (CUP). Cards issued in the United States do NOT work in Cuba: bring cash (USD or EUR) for the whole trip. Cash USD is highly valued and the informal rate is far higher than the official one; many state stores sell only in foreign currency by cardRead more ▾

Language

Spanish

Time zone

Same as Miami/New York; Cuba also observes daylight saving time (changeover dates may differ by a few days)

Plugs

Type A/B (110V) and also C/L (220V) in newer hotels; bring a universal adapter

Weather

Tropical, 25-32 °C. Rain May-October. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 (peak August-October). Frequent power outages throughout the country

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