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Travel advice for Cuba
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Cuba
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Freya Godfrey
updated 14.01.2021
Cuba’s captivating, colourful streets and carnaval feel make it appealing for travellers year-round. And, as relations with the US thaw, the country's popularity has skyrocketed, with visitor numbers showing little sign of abating.
Planning to join them? Start with our top tips for making the most out of backpacking Cuba.
15 days / from2867 USD
Cuba - Family, Beach, and Culture
Enjoy a 2-week family adventure visiting highlights and hidden gems of Cuba. Marvel at the colonial architecture in Havana, enjoy a ride in a Classic Car, explore the forests close to Trinidad, and relax on white sandy beaches of Cayo Levisa - this trip packs it all into one itinerary.
customize ⤍5 days / from975 USD
Bike Cuba
A moderately challenging cycling holiday through Cuban countryside visiting the tobacco fields of Viñales Valley and a pristine Caribbean beach in Cayo Jutias.
customize ⤍13 days / from3399 USD
Western and Central Cuba by E-bike
Combine a leisurely activity with an insight into some of Cuba’s most fascinating cultural highlights on this new e-biking tour of Western and Central Cuba. Explore the tobacco region of Viñales, cycle along the Bay of Pigs and relax on the fine sandy beaches of Cayo Las Brujas.
customize ⤍8 days / from1829 USD
Family Trip - an active adventure
Take the family a step back in time: Explore Havana in classic cars and on foot, take a boat trip to the Cueva del Indio in Viñales and relax on the white, sandy beaches of Cayo Levisa.
customize ⤍8 days / from1861 USD
Salsa Cubana
Only have a few days? Take this Highlight Tour of Western Cuba to explore the main areas: From Havana over the Viñales valley to Trinidad and Che's monument in Santa Clara. This fast-paced itinerary is packed with highlights.
customize ⤍11 days / from2135 USD
Salsa Cubana - Extended
Cuba, the island of rum, salsa, and the revolution. Explore the island's Western highlights on this trip: From Havana over the Viñales Valley to the famous Bay of Pigs and Trinidad - this trip has no shortage of highlights.
customize ⤍6 days / from1495 USD
Compact Cuba: Havana to Trinidad
Fall in love with Cuba as you explore Havana’s enticing and fading colonial streets, where salsa music emanates from every window, and the sweet pungent aroma of cigar smoke holds the air. Continue to the beautiful colonial city of Trinidad, and the fascinating Bay of Pigs.
customize ⤍8 days / from1950 USD
The Culture and Beaches of Cuba: From Havana to Varadero
This trip takes in three distinctly different areas of Cuba: begin at the iconic, cultural hub of Havana, before travelling to the picturesque rural town of Viñales, and then onto the picture-perfect Varadero Beach, one of the best in the Caribbean. Strike the perfect balance with this unique trip!
customize ⤍15 days / from2561 USD
Cuba Completa - Off the beaten track
Go off-the-beaten-track in Cuba. Explore the birthplace of Fidel Castro, relax on Cayo Saetia, an island that used to be Fidel's private holiday home, and explore the Eastern part with Santiago de Cuba.
customize ⤍15 days / from3191 USD
Complete Cuba: Nature, Tradition and Sights of the Revolution
This evocative country offers everything from rich history to exquisite cuisine, idyllic beaches, unique landscapes and charming, colourful cities. Discover the best Cuba has to offer with the complete itinerary encompassing sights related to its literary past and the revolution.
customize ⤍8 days / from1836 USD
Highlights of Cuba: Havana, Trinidad and Cienfuegos
Discover the charismatic country of Cuba. Begin in the iconic city of Havana, where you'll explore the old town, and enjoy a classic car tour! Head into the country, to Viñales and then Trinidad, the former centre of Cuba's sugar production. Continue to the Bay of Pigs, then return to Havana.
customize ⤍8 days / from1585 USD
Western Skyline Ride
Saddle up and enjoy a week-long cycling holiday through Western Cuba. Cycle through the countryside visiting Las Terrazas and the tobacco fields of Viñales via the spectacular Skyline Trail.
customize ⤍5 days / from1062 USD
Havana: History and Hemingway
Havana is like nowhere else on earth: the jewel in Cuba's crown effortlessly blends dishevelled beauty with risqué and vibrant charm. Spend a few days exploring Havana, including the old town, Ernest Hemingway's favourite cigar smoke-filled jazz club, and a tour of the city in a classic car!
customize ⤍10 days / from2320 USD
Cuba: A Feast for the Senses
Welcome to Cuba, an unbeatable bucket-list destination that is a feast for all the senses. This trip will take you beyond Havana's city limits, with its cigar smoke-filled jazz bars, to discover other towns, rural villages and plantations across Cuba, not to mention the idyllic Varadero Beach.
customize ⤍17 days / from3593 USD
Mi Cuba Linda
Your journey starts and ends in Havana, with stops in Viñales, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad in between. Staying at Casa Particulares and dining at private restaurants allows an authentic peek into Cuban life. The grand finale awaits at an all-inclusive resort in Cayo Santa Maria, promising relaxation.
customize ⤍Casa particulares are the best bet for accommodation in Cuba. You pay per room, so they can be more expensive than hostels in some other countries, but the chance to stay with a local family will give you a true insight into Cuban life.
Passing the day on a rocking chair, or drinking rum with your hosts, might be one of the most memorable experiences you have on your trip – and their tips and recommendations will be invaluable.
While you might think that driving around in a 1950s Ford or Buick will be expensive, many are private taxis – and they’re rarely more pricey than regular taxis. It can also be easier and cheaper to take a taxi colectivo (communal taxi) on long distances than a Viazul bus.
However, don’t expect a luxury journey. You’re likely to be squeezed in with other tourists, vintage cars rarely have seatbelts, and it’s not uncommon to switch cars once or twice before you reach your destination.
Whatever you do, be sure to arrange your price before the journey, as if you’re in a private car, it won’t have a meter.
And if you want some gorgeous, Instagram-worthy shots, consider taking a tour in a beautifully restored Classic Car in Havana. It'll cost you more than the communal taxis but the experience will be worth the investment.
While internet access is becoming increasingly available in parts of Cuba, it’s still not widespread, and you certainly won’t be able to log in to free wi-fi at your accommodation.
To access the internet, you’ll need to buy a timed ETESCA card and find a hotspot. It’s often not worth the hassle, so ensure your travel plans don’t rely on using the web.
From the songs blasting out of the taxi radio to live bands in restaurants and seemingly spontaneous dance shows in the street, salsa music will be a constant background beat when you're backpacking Cuba.
Whatever the setting, you won’t be able to help shaking your hips to its swinging sound. Try a dance class or ask a local for some tips and you’ll be ready to show off your moves at a Casa de la Música in no time.
Even in Cuba’s so-called dry season, heavy downpours can be sudden and unexpected, so be prepared for a soaking. Pack a raincoat and and remember, it’s unlikely to last long. The Caribbean heat will be with you soon enough.
Rum is cheap and easy to find in Cuba – and sometimes easier to source than bottled water.
Try a daiquiri in Havana, buy some rum to take back home, or relax on a palm-tree-lined beach sipping a mojito in the sun. If you're interested in how one of the world's most famous rum brands - Bacardi - came to life, check out the museum in Santiago de Cuba.
Shops can be hard to locate, the shelves are often half empty, and they tend to stock a bemusing range of fizzy drinks, rum and mayonnaise.
Look out for small bakeries, and if you spot a market, stock up on fresh fruit and veg. Markets are usually run in local currency, so they’re also a great place to exchange your convertible pesos for national pesos.
While many Cubans speak almost-fluent English, a little español will go a long way, particularly in casas particulares.
Strolling around colonial streets away from the main tourist hotspots will give you a better feel for Cuban life than most tourist activities. Friendly neighbours pass the time in doorways, street sellers with wooden carts hurtle down cobbled roads announcing their wares, and you’ll discover local places to eat.
Taxis will arrive at 10am "Cuba time", finding foodstuffs that are readily available elsewhere is difficult, internet is hard to find and the weather can vacillate from clear skies to sudden heavy downpours.
Take some tips from the easy going locals and you’ll soon relax and enjoy your stay.
It can seem as though every other house is a casa particular in Cuba – so it’s easy to find accommodation at the last minute.
In July 2015, diplomatic relations between Cuba and the US were restored. And now, while you’ll often see horses and carts in the streets, you’ll still rarely spot recognisable brands or modern cars. But this is changing fast, so if you dream of seeing Cuba's time-worn buildings and age-old cars, the time to go is now.
written by Freya Godfrey
updated 14.01.2021
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