Visas & entry
Most non-Cuban-resident visitors need a passport valid for at least six months, a Cuban eVisa/tourist visa, medical insurance, onward travel and a D’Viajeros arrival form completed within 72 hours; save or print its QR code. Canadians often receive the tourist visa with direct Canada–Cuba holiday flights, but need to check routing; UK, EU, Australian and most other visitors should arrange an eVisa in advance. U.S.-jurisdiction travelers cannot lawfully visit for pure tourism and need to comply with an OFAC-authorized purpose and restricted-entity rules; travelers who visit Cuba may also lose ESTA eligibility for later U.S. travel. Verify all rules immediately before booking.
Getting in
- Havana — José Martí International Airport: The main gateway for independent travelers and, under the October 2026 aviation-fuel disruption, the only airport to treat as plausibly usable without confirmation. The UK advisory reported only Terminal 3 operating; flight schedules can change abruptly.
- Varadero — Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport: The usual international entry point for Varadero package holidays and resort stays. It is useful only if flights are actually operating and the resort supply situation is acceptable.
- Cayo Coco/Jardines del Rey — Jardines del Rey Airport: A resort-charter gateway for Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo rather than a sensible entry point for exploring Cuba. It is operationally vulnerable and disconnected from the country’s urban itinerary.
- Santa Clara — Abel Santamaría Airport: Normally used for Cayo Santa María and north-central Cuba, and occasionally useful for an open-jaw itinerary. Check current service directly with the airline before relying on it.
- Holguín — Frank País Airport: The practical eastern gateway for Guardalavaca and parts of eastern Cuba when international flights run. It does not make Havana or western Cuba a quick add-on.
Getting around
Do not build a Cuba trip around the assumption that buses, taxis, fuel and domestic flights will operate to plan. In normal periods, pre-arranged private transfers or shared taxis are often more practical than public transport for intercity travel; a rental car gives reach but not immunity from fuel shortages or breakdowns. Domestic flights and long-distance transfers are especially unreliable in the current crisis, so keep the itinerary geographically tight and retain cash and spare days.
Money
Cuba uses the Cuban peso (CUP), but visitors should arrive with substantial foreign cash—euros or Canadian dollars are commonly more useful than relying on cards. Foreign cards can fail, U.S.-issued cards generally do not work, exchange rates vary sharply, and small tips in cash matter for drivers, hosts and service staff.
- As of October 2026, official Canadian and UK advice warns against non-essential or all-but-essential travel because of severe shortages, long blackouts, disrupted transport and unstable flights; travel only with a serious contingency and exit plan.
- Carry enough cash for the trip plus a reserve, and do not count on ATMs, card terminals or app-based payments working when needed.
- Print or save offline your D’Viajeros QR code, insurance details, accommodation contacts and onward-flight information; airport and mobile connectivity can be poor.
- Keep water, snacks, a torch/power bank, essential medicines and basic toiletries with you. Pharmacies and shops may be poorly stocked, and hotels or casas can lose water and electricity.
- Use a trusted casa host, driver or local contact to confirm transport shortly before departure rather than treating a booking confirmation as proof that a vehicle will appear.
- For U.S.-jurisdiction travelers, keep a compliant full-time itinerary and receipts, and avoid restricted entities and prohibited accommodation; a tourist card alone does not make the trip lawful.
Entry rules change — verify visa requirements for your passport before booking this country.