Remote Expeditions
Cuba Travel Guide
What decides a first trip to Cuba: the paperwork before you fly, cash because your card will not work, how much of the island is realistic in one go, the birds, and three journeys we run here.
Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos, Trinidad, Sancti Spiritus, Cuba © Tristan Quevilly
This is the Cuba guide we would hand a traveller before they book anything.
It covers what decides a first trip u2014 the entry paperwork, money, timing, how much of the island is realistic in one go u2014 and it ends with three journeys we actually run here. It is not a list of places; it is the order we would do them in.
Cuba is one of the few countries where the practicalities decide the route more than the map does. Fuel, electricity, transport and cash shape a week more than any wish list does, so this is written to be useful on that basis rather than encouraging.
Chapter 1
Cuba at a glance
The bare facts before any planning: the time zone you will be operating on, the emergency numbers that matter, and the handful of figures people ask about first.
Country facts
- Official Name: Republic of Cuba
- Continent: North America
- Time zone(s): Cuba Standard Time (UTC-5), Cuba Daylight Time (UTC-4, observed March–November)
- Capital City: Havana
- Population: Approximately 11.2 million (2023 estimate)
- Official Language(s): Spanish
- Government Type: Unitary Marxist–Leninist one-party socialist republic
- Primary Economy Sectors: Tourism, healthcare, biotechnology, agriculture (sugar, tobacco), mining (nickel)
- Currency: Cuban Peso (CUP)
- Voltage and Plug Type(s): 110V/220V, Type A (flat parallel pins) and Type C (European two-pin) plugs
- International Calling Code: +53
- Main International Airport(s): José Martí International Airport (HAV, Havana), Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport (VRA, Varadero)
Chapter 2
Before you go
Nine things that decide how smoothly a first trip runs, from the tourist card at the border to how much cash to carry out of Havana. Cuba is a country where the preparation does more work than the itinerary, so this is the section we would read twice.
Climate and when to go
- Best Months to Visit: Plan around November to April, when Cuba’s dry season brings warm, sunny days and cooler evenings, though December through February can be breezy and occasionally cool.
- Climate Type and Temperatures: Cuba has a tropical climate moderated by trade winds, with average highs near 27–32°C across the year, dipping only slightly in winter and rising in the humid summer.
- Rainfall and Seasons: The wet season runs from May to October, bringing heavy afternoon showers and higher humidity, while the dry season is markedly sunnier and less oppressive.
- Regional Variations and Risks: Coastal areas stay warmer and breezier than the interior mountains, and the hurricane season from June to November poses the main weather risk, with August through October being most active.
- What to Pack: Lightweight, breathable clothing suits the warmth, but carry a rain layer for summer downpours and a light sweater for cooler winter evenings, plus high-factor sun protection year-round.
Visa and entry
Check your visa and passport requirements before booking, complete the D’Viajeros form before arrival and carry proof of medical insurance. Before booking, check the current visa or entry authorisation, passport validity and onward-ticket requirements with Cuban authorities and your airline. You may be asked for proof of accommodation and medical insurance covering Cuba.
Travellers also complete the online D’Viajeros form before arrival and present its QR code. Check the current submission window and keep a copy accessible offline. Travellers subject to US rules should check the separate restrictions on travel to Cuba; a visit can also affect future US entry arrangements for some nationalities.
As of 5 November 2026, the UK and Canada advise against all but essential or non-essential travel respectively. Check your own government’s latest advice and whether your insurance remains valid before making plans.
Money
The Cuban peso (CUP) is the national currency; as of November 2026, international cards and ATM withdrawals are unavailable, so confirm payment arrangements and bring sufficient cash. As of 5 November 2026, UK travel advice reports that international Visa and Mastercard cards are no longer accepted in Cuba and international cards cannot be used for ATM withdrawals. Payment arrangements can change, so confirm directly with your providers before departure.
If travel is necessary, take enough suitable cash for your stay and unexpected delays or medical costs. Ask your accommodation and transport providers how they accept payment, check the current rules on currency declarations, and use authorised exchange facilities. Keep cash secure and divided between safe places.
Safety
Current conditions: As of 5 November 2026, the UK and Canada advise against all but essential or non-essential travel respectively. Shortages of fuel, electricity, water, food and medicines can disrupt travel and healthcare. Check your own government’s current advice and confirm arrangements locally before travelling; circumstances and insurance coverage may change.
Keep valuables secure, use trusted transport and take care on unfamiliar streets, especially after dark. Save copies of important documents and emergency contacts. Hurricane season runs from June to November: follow forecasts and local instructions, and allow for changes or delays.
Health
Carry proof of medical insurance covering Cuba, and bring sufficient prescribed medication because shortages can affect pharmacies and healthcare. Choose a policy that covers Cuba, your planned activities, emergency assistance and medical evacuation, and carry proof of cover. Check the policy conditions carefully against current government travel advice.
Consult a travel-health professional before departure. Shortages can affect medicines and healthcare, so bring enough prescribed medication for the journey and possible delays, in its original packaging, with a copy of your prescription; check Cuban import rules first. Pack personal essentials, use mosquito repellent, protect yourself from sun and heat, and follow current advice on safe food and water.
Getting around
Distances are long and fuel shortages can disrupt transport, so allow time between stops, confirm arrangements locally and keep your itinerary flexible. A shorter route with time to stop is often more rewarding than trying to see everything. Private transfers, shared taxis, coaches and rental cars may be options, depending on availability and the trip you choose.
Road conditions, schedules and fuel supplies can change. As of November 2026, fuel shortages can disrupt road travel; check current conditions and arrangements with your provider before committing to a route. Leave room for delays, carry water and essentials, and keep your next accommodation informed if plans change.
What to pack
Pack for warm weather and for the places on your route: lightweight clothes, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sun protection, insect repellent, a light rain layer and a small daypack. A light long-sleeved layer is useful for cooler evenings and sun protection.
Bring your prescribed medication and personal essentials, copies of your passport and insurance, and enough suitable cash for the trip and contingencies. Power cuts can occur: check your device’s voltage, bring the right plug adapter and consider a power bank, respecting your airline’s battery rules. If you photograph, bring the batteries, memory cards and rain protection you need; supplies can be difficult to replace locally.
Where to sleep
Casas particulares are licensed private guesthouses and can offer a chance to meet Cuban hosts. There are also small hotels, larger city hotels and beach resorts; facilities and standards vary, so choose according to the route and comfort you need.
Before booking, confirm availability, payment and access to essentials such as water and electricity. Current shortages may affect any kind of accommodation. Tell us about dietary requirements early: we can discuss the options, but availability and cross-contamination controls should be checked directly.
Culture
Cuba rewards travellers who accept that daily life is communal, improvisational and shaped by shortage, family networks and an Afro-Cuban inheritance. The Spanish you hear is quick, affectionate and laced with slang, while greetings are warm and unhurried; a host’s invitation to a paladar for congrí and ropa vieja may matter more than any monument. Outside, son played on the tres, and rumba pulse from doorways, José Martí’s verses still underpin civic pride, and Santería altars sit quietly in homes, while festivals such as Santiago’s Carnaval mix Catholic saints with Yoruba deities; dress neatly for official spaces, but expect conversation, music and shared food to blur formal etiquette.
Chapter 3
Where to go
Cuba is three travel regions on one very long island, and the distance between them is the first decision you make. We start from the bases we actually sleep in and work outward from there.
Chapter 4
Don't miss
A short list rather than a long one, spread across the island instead of stacked in Havana: the squares, valleys and fortresses we go back to ourselves, and the ones that reward an early start.
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Malecón de la Habana
Malecón is a 5-mile long seafront promenade that stretches along the coast in Havana. It's a social hub where locals and tourists gather to enjoy the sea view and socialize.
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El Capitolio
El Capitolio, or the National Capitol Building, is a grand building in Havana. It was the seat of government in Cuba until the Cuban Revolution and is now home to the Cuban Academy of Sciences.
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Plaza Vieja
Plaza Vieja is a historic square in Havana known for its well-preserved colonial buildings. It's a great place to experience Cuban culture.
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Escuela de Boxeo Rafael Trejo
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Valle de Viñales
Valle de Viñales is a scenic valley in Pinar del Río. It's known for its traditional agriculture, including tobacco farms, and mogotes, or limestone cliffs.
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Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata
Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata is a national park located within the Ciénaga de Zapata. It's home to a wide variety of wildlife and offers great birdwatching opportunities.
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Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor is the main square in Trinidad, surrounded by well-preserved colonial buildings. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of the city.
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Valle de los Ingenios
The Valle de los Ingenios, or Valley of the Sugar Mills, is a series of three interconnected valleys just outside Trinidad. It was a center of sugarcane production from the late 18th century until the late 19th century.
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Palacio de Valle
The Palacio de Valle is an architectural jewel located in Cienfuegos. It's known for its unique blend of architectural styles, including Gothic, Moorish, and Venetian.
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Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
The Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Santiago de Cuba is a historic cathedral that houses a statue of the Virgin Mary that's an important religious symbol.
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Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca
Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca, also known as El Morro, is a historic fortress in Santiago de Cuba. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea.
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Santa Ifigenia Cemetery
Santa Ifigenia Cemetery in Santiago de Cuba is a historic cemetery. It's the final resting place of several important figures, including Fidel Castro and national hero José Martí.
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El Yunque
El Yunque is an iconic flat-topped mountain near Baracoa. It's a popular hiking destination, offering beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and the Bay of Honey.
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Alejandro de Humboldt National Park
Alejandro de Humboldt National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its biodiversity. It's a great place for hiking and birdwatching.
Chapter 5
Birds you can photograph
Cuba’s endemics are the reason bird photographers come here, and several of them are confiding enough to photograph properly. These are the species travellers ask for, and the ones a week here can realistically deliver.
Chapter 6
Suggested itineraries
Three ways we actually travel here, day by day: a ten-day run through Havana, Viñales and Trinidad, a twelve-day version with the Zapata wetlands, and the full crossing to Santiago and Baracoa. They are samples rather than fixed products — the sequence is the useful part.
Cuba Photography Tour: Classic Cars, Colonial Towns & Tobacco Fields
10 days
- Day 1First relax photo walk to get acquainted with the city (in Cuba) (Chacon 160)
- Day 2Stroll and street and portrait photography in Havana Vieja, Privilege to document and photography a boxing training, national sport in Cuba, Discover of the iconic sites and squares, Golden and Blue Hour shot in Havana (Chacon 160)
- Day 3Morning walk in Paseo Del Prado, Photography Session in Barrio Chino, Havana Centro for a street photo session, Capitolio Area, Riding in an American car & discovery of the surroundings of Havana, Blue hour in Central Park (Chacon 160)
- Day 4Vinales Discovery Tour, Sunset from Hotel Jasmin (Hostal Buena Vista Viñales)
- Day 5Sunrise from a nice viewpoint, Hike in Viñales’s tobacco field and visit of a farm, Horse Carriage Ride in Viñales Valley, Sunset from Hotel Jasmin (Hostal Buena Vista Viñales)
- Day 6Stop Over in Cienfuegos, first walk in Trinidad to discover the city, Golden and blue hour photos in Trinidad (Casa Colonial Torrado 1830)
- Day 7Morning walk before breakfast to see the city waking up, Visit of the palaces of Trinidad, Street Photography and impromptu portraits, Valle de los Ingenieros and Manaca Iznaga (Self Guided), Back in the center for more street photography with impromptu models, Golden & Blue Hour shots (Casa Colonial Torrado 1830)
- Day 8Parque El Cubano Hike + Tocororo+ Javira Waterfall. Possibility to swim (Self Guided), Free Solo Street Photography in Trinidad, Photoshoot with a Horse Carriage, Shooting from a Tour point of the city, Street photos with impromptu models until sunset and blue hour (Casa Colonial Torrado 1830)
Cuba Birding & Culture Photography Tour
12 days
- Days 1-3Havana street photography and classic cars | A three-day photography-focused stay in Havana covers the Old Town, Havana Centro, the Malecón, the Capitolio area, a boxing training, and a classic American car ride.
- Days 4-5Viñales valley and tobacco farms | A two-day stay in Viñales explores the valley with a discovery tour, a tobacco farm hike, an optional horse carriage ride, and sunsets from Hotel Los Jazmines viewpoint.
- Days 6-7Ciénaga de Zapata birding | Two days of birdwatching in Ciénaga de Zapata target the Bee Hummingbird and Cuban Tody, with a visit to the Ciénaga de Zapata Crocodile Park and an overnight base at Casa Ana Birding.
- Days 8-10Trinidad colonial streets and El Cubano | A three-day chapter based in Trinidad includes a Cienfuegos stop, colonial palaces and street photography, a self-guided visit to Valle de los Ingenios, and a hike to Javira waterfall in Parque El Cubano.
- Days 11-12Havana farewell and the Malecón | The journey returns to Havana for a last walk through Havana Centro and along the Malecón, a rooftop cocktail, and a final transfer to José Martí airport.
Cuba Photography Tour: Street, Portrait & Landscape Photography from Havana to Baracoa
16 days
- Days 1-9First relax photo walk to get acquainted with the city (in Cuba)
- Days 10-12Santiago de Cuba & the Far East | Fly east to the heart of Cuban music and culture: Santiago's colonial streets, live venues, and the family warmth of Cayo Granma.
- Days 13-16Baracoa & the Yunque | Cuba's oldest city, wrapped between the Yunque table mountain, the Caribbean, and its Taino heritage.
Chapter 7
Practical questions
The questions that come up on every Cuba enquiry, answered plainly — including the ones about money, water and how far you can realistically get in a week.
Cuba is unique for its vibrant culture, revolutionary history, and resilient spirit. It boasts a mix of Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences in its music, dance, and cuisine. The country's socialist system, shaped by Fidel Castro's revolution, sets it apart politically and economically in the Western Hemisphere. Classic American cars from the 1950s still roam its streets, a nostalgic reminder of its past. Cuba's free healthcare and education systems are notable achievements, despite economic challenges. Its pristine beaches, lush tobacco fields, and UNESCO-listed colonial cities like Havana and Trinidad add to its distinct charm. The island's isolation has preserved a timeless, authentic character.
The best time to go to Cuba, if you want to avoid precipitation, is between December and May, during the dry season. If your stay with TUI takes place mainly in Havana, the capital of the island, we advise you to leave in February or March because the rainfall is only 40 mm. These are therefore also the months when the sunny weather is the most important throughout the year.
The answer is YES! Although it is actually a "Tourist Card" that must be applied for in advance of your trip. To get it you can go to the office of one of the Cuban consulates in Spain, although the best thing is to go to some online company specialized in this procedure, which obviously will charge you a supplement (to our taste, it's worth it). You will also need to take out a mandatory travel insurance. We always travel with IATI, here we tell you how to choose the best travel insurance.
The cost of living in Cuba is a little more affordable than in France.
For your information, meals in restaurants cost between 3 and 9 € per person, fast-food menus cost an average of 5 €.
For transportation, count about 0.5 € per bus ticket.
Taxi fares cost an average of €0.5 to €0.9 per kilometre.
If you plan to rent a car, you should know that the price of a litre of unleaded petrol varies between €1 and €1.5.
In short, plan to spend at least €60 per person per day for a comfortable holiday in Cuba.
A basic itinerary needs a minimum of 15 days and could be the following: Havana (2 days) - Trinidad (2 days) - Santa Clara (1 day) - Cayo Santa María (3 days) - Varadero (3 days) - Viñales (2 days) - Havana (1 day).
You can take a plane if you want to move quickly through the island and its archipelagos. Otherwise, you can take the bus, either to get around the city or to get to the different points of interest. Taxis are also a good solution for your stays in the city.
Finally, if you have your driving licence, you can rent a car.
In Cuba, there are different categories of hotels and there is something for all tastes and budgets: from BnB to 2*, 3*, 4* and 5*
Most accommodations in Cuba include breakfast (desayuno) and the arrival and departure times are 12:00-14:00.
The water is theoretically drinkable, but we recommend that you don't drink the tap water. Try to buy closed bottles, your stomach will thank you and you will avoid possible indigestions.
If you are weighing up a trip to Cuba — timing, how much of the island is realistic in one go, whether the current travel advice changes what you had in mind — reply to the email this came in and tell me where you are in the thinking. I answer those myself.
Travel Cuba with us
Small-group journeys, personally guided, with time to look properly.
