Cuba is like an alternate universe, where the cars are older, time moves slower, and the stresses of the 21st century is but a vague memory. Here’s your all-inclusive guide to prep you for the country that’s guaranteed to shatter your expectations, but fulfill your Caribbean wanderlust.
Quick Facts
Population: 11.27 million ((2013)
Size: 42,426 mi2 (roughly the size of Tennessee)
Language: Spanish
Time zone: Eastern Standard Time GMT.
Packing List
Clothing: With over 300 days of sunshine and warm tropical breezes, summer clothes are all you need. Linen and breathable fabrics are perfect for Cuba’s sweat-inducing heat and humidity. There’s no social dress code, so feel free to show as much or as little skin as you like. T-shirts, shorts and sundresses should be all you need. Leave behind your designer gowns and tailored suits, otherwise you’ll look out of place. For your feet, comfortable walking shoes are a must. A pair of flip-flops, sturdy sneakers, and some sandals should be enough. Birkenstock sandals are a comfortable and sturdy option, available in a range of styles and colors. Don’t forget to pack a sweater for those cooler winter nights and light rain gear for the summer storms.
Entertainment: Use this time to unplug from the digital world. Leave the laptop at home and bring a couple of books to keep you entertained in your downtime. Check out Ernest Hemingway’s Nobel prize-winning novel The Old Man and the Sea, which was inspired by the author’s close observations of Cuban fishermen and the hunt for their livelihood. If you're looking for a guide book to take with you, the Lonely Planet Cuba is one of the best on the market, offering detailed insights and recommendations for every region on the island.
Sunscreen and bug spray: Bring enough sunscreen to slather on several times a day. Alba Botanica’s sunscreens are chemical free, environmentally friendly, and last up to 80 minutes in the water, like Alba Bontanica's Very Emolient Continuous Clear Spray Sunscreen SPF 50. There have been a few cases of Zika on the island, so make sure you protect yourself from mosquitos. When long sleeves aren’t enough, keep mosquitos and other bugs away with bug spray. For a non-toxic spray, use Repel’s Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent. It’s also useful to keep citronella-scented bands on for added protection.
Toilet paper: Cuba is known for toilet paper shortages. Consider packing a personal roll.
Do a little good: Cuba has limited access to a lot of things we would consider commonplace, so bring items to donate, like old books, movies, clothes, and toys. I guarantee it’ll be put to good use.
Visas: It’s still technically illegal for Americans to go to Cuba for tourism only, according to the U.S. Department of State. But with loosening travel restrictions, Americans can travel to the island on a general license that qualifies you for one of 12 special categories without requesting prior approval from the State Department. U.S. travelers mostly apply under ‘support for the Cuban people.’ You can buy a visa from a travel service provider or at the airport. To travel on this people-to-people exchange, visitors may need to keep a daily record of their activity in case they need to verify their itinerary with the Cuban government.
Money
Currency: Cuba has a confusing two-currency system, although the government is in the process of unifying them: convertible pesos (CUC$) and Cuban pesos (referred to as moneda nacional, MN$). Be careful, Cubans refer to both as pesos, so make sure to specify which currency you’re talking about. As a foreigner, you’ll mostly deal in CUC (accommodation, hired cars) but carrying around Cuban pesos will help prevent you from getting ripped off. TIP: MN$ 100 a week should be enough to pay for collectivo taxis, local produce, street food, among other things.
Exchange rates:
- CUC$ 1 = $1 US
The convertible peso, also known as the tourist currency, was introduced to replace foreign currency circulation. The convertible peso mimics the US dollar, so when the dollar is up, the CUC is too.
MN$ 24 = CUC$ 1
Exchanging money: The best place to exchange money is at a CADECA (Casa de Cambio), a national change bureau. These are government run, so the rate is constant. You can also exchange currency at major hotels at the reception desk, but the exchange rate is much worse. TIP: Never exchange currency in the street: you’ll most likely get ripped off and scammed with counterfeit bills.
US Dollars: The US dollar is the worst currency to bring to Cuba. There’s an added 10 percent commission when exchanging dollars for pesos. TIP: Bypass this tax by first converting your dollars into euros, Canadian dollars, or pounds, and then into pesos.
Cards vs. cash: Cuba is a cash country. Other than places like museums and hotels, expect to deal solely in cash. ATM’s are popping up all over Havana. CADECAs are the best place to withdraw cash from the ATM. You can also find them in some hotels and in banks. American credit and debit cards are not accepted. It’s best to bring your money in cash. TIP: Only carry up to CUC$ 100 on your person at once; hide the rest in a secure place in your luggage.
Tipping: Tipping is very important in Cuba. It’s always good to leave a 10 percent tip at restaurants and during guided tours.
Climate
330 days of sunshine.
Dry Season: November-April; high season
Average temperatures: 70°F (21°C) - 77°F (25°C)
Coolest and driest: December-February
Wet Season: May-October; cheapest time to travel
Average temperatures: 77°F (25°C) – 81°F (27°C)
Hottest and most humid: June-September
Hurricanes: Expect high winds, thunderstorms, and lots of rain from June to November.
Peak: August-October
Accommodation
The two main types of accommodation you’ll encounter are hotels and casa particulares.
Hotels: The Cuban government owns at least 51 percent of all tourist hotels and resorts. The level of service and cleanliness varies from the most budget-friendly (hostales, or state-run hotels) to international luxury chains comparable to those in other resort destinations.
Price range: Depending on location and season, prices for a standard double occupancy room start at CUC$ 70 per person per night and rise well past CUC$ 300.
Casas particulares: Casas are the best accommodation option on the island. These are family-owned homes renting out private rooms to independent travelers, usually providing breakfast and dinner (for an extra CUC$ 10 per meal per person). They’re also usually in better condition than many state-run hotels, and hosts are more welcoming, so you get more bang for your CUC. For less than CUC$ 50 a day, you’ll get a bed, sometimes a private bathroom, a fan or air conditioner, and an unparalleled glimpse into everyday Cuban home life. TIP: Hosts make for the best tour guides, so ask for neighborhood and restaurant recommendations while you’re there.
Price range: CUC$ 20 to CUC$ 50 per room per night. TIP: Rooms sometimes come with two beds, so take advantage of low prices and split the cost with a friend.
Food profile: Burdened by embargoes and food shortages, Cuba imports 70 to 80 percent of its food, according to the United Nations’ World Food Programme. Cubans eat what their island can produce: yucca, mango, papaya, eggplant, plantains, avocado, and of course, rice and beans. They also eat a lot of meat, mainly beef, pork, chicken, and seafood. People with dietary restrictions may have a hard time. TIP: Potatoes are pricy. Don’t expect to see French fries.
National holidays: Several times a month throughout the year, cities host internationally-acclaimed fairs and festivals that are worth going to if you can. Havana hosts lively local events, especially its Carnaval in late July and early August with colorful slides and Rumba parades, and its esteemed International Jazz Festival in December that has hosted artists like Dizzy Gillespie and Chucho Valdéz. Cubans love to celebrate their country and its accomplishments, like January 28, Cuba’s hero, Jose Marti’s birthday, and August 13, Fidel Castro’s birthday. Check out the annual calendar of Cuban event and festivals at Cubawhatson.com.
Health and Safety
Crime: Although the government does not release official crime statistics, Cuba has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the Western hemisphere. But just like any popular travel destination, you’ll encounter pickpockets and scammers. In a crowd, keep your eyes on your belongings. Keep items in front of you when you can.
Women: Ladies, you’ll be safe walking around either alone or at night, since violent crime is basically non-existent. Famous for romance and flirtation, however, Cuban men will compliment, whistle or kiss at you any chance they get. These piropos are harmless, but take getting used to, so just ignore them and go about your day.
Insurance: Foreigners are required to have local medical insurance to visit Cuba. If you’re flying on a charter flight, it’s included in your ticket. If you’re flying commercial, you can either purchase it before you go or upon arrival with Assistur Travel Insurance company for $4.50 a day. Airlines like JetBlue automatically include it with the purchase of your plane ticket. Double check with your airline before you go.
Hospitals: Cuba has one of the best healthcare systems in the world; in 2005 it had three times the number of doctors per 100,000 people than the United States with 627 to the latter’s 225, according to the World Health Organization. That being said, its national hospital facilities are pretty under par compared to what other Western countries are used to. Think Cold War era waiting room decor and nurses’ uniform. The embargo adds another burden, limiting the entry of essential ingredients to life-saving medicines. Cubans are covered by state-run health care, offering free medical attention to all citizens. Foreigners only have access to for-profit hospitals in the major cities specifically for foreigners. Walk-ins are welcome with presentation of your proof of medical insurance. Be prepared to pay in cash. TIP: Ask your host or hotel for the nearest international clinic.
Tap water: Do not drink the tap water. With the most recent cholera outbreak being just four years ago, even nationals avoid swallowing tap water. Most Cubans boil out impurities before drinking, but always ask if the ice cubes are made from tap water. That also goes for other uses. Brush your teeth with bottled water to be on the safe side.
Internet: Internet is a rare luxury on the island. Most major hotels will have access for about CUC$ 4 an hour. And although there are hot spots in the metropolitan cities like Havana and Santiago de Cuba you can connect to for CUC$ 2 an hour, the already limited connection is poor and overcrowded with locals trying to reach the web. TIP: Power down while you’re there. This is the perfect time to retreat from the Wi-Fi. Use that time instead to talk to locals and explore your surroundings.
Gay friendliness: Cuba is among the most gay-friendly countries in Latin America. Compared to more accepting countries, Cuba’s tolerance is fairly “don’t ask, don’t tell,” but that’s slowly changing. In recent years, Havana and Santiago de Cuba have started hosting annual pride parades, and LGBT rights activists like Fidel’s daughter, Mariela Castro, are leading the way to legalizing same-sex marriage and normalizing gender and sexuality equality in Cuba.