Cuba travel tips for visiting this colourful island

An affordable Caribbean island that is blessed with stunning countryside, beautiful architecture and fantastic people? It’s got to be Cuba. By far the biggest of the Caribbean islands the friendly hospitable nature of Cubans makes them the best hosts you could have, and with tourism outside of the resorts in Cuba still a new phenomenon, Cubans are enthusiastic to show guests their country and culture. The romantic image of old Havana with its antique cars and colonial buildings will certainly seduce you but if you get the chance, you should get out of the city and explore the smaller towns and countryside.

A trip to Cuba is not like any other however and sorting out your flight route and visas can seem a bit daunting. Cuba is happy to welcome tourists however, so don’t let this deter you. If you’re planning a trip to Cuba and are not sure what to expect, here are some helpful tips for navigating this unique country

Money

Right image courtesy of James Byrum.

There are 2 currencies in Cuba, it’s weird, we know.

Locals use the Cuban national peso (CUP), while tourists are required to transact in Cuban convertible peso (CUC) also known as the Cuban dollar. Prices between these two currencies will vary as the Cuban economy is heavily reliant on tourism. Try not to let the price difference get to you- the chances are whatever you’re paying is less than the cost back home anyway.

Bring some Euros with you

If you want to bring other money with you, bring Euros. Or more accurately, don’t bring US dollars. Euros and pounds Sterling are easy to change but shop around for the best exchange rate. If you happen to be handy with Spanish however, you may well find that people are happy to accept payment in Euros over either form of Cuban currency.

Tell your bank you’re going

This is purely precautionary, but the last thing you want is to be far from home without internet and unable to access your account. Tell your bank in advance that you are travelling to Cuba and they can advise you of charges for transactions and withdrawals while you are abroad.

If you plan on leaving Havana, take out cash before you go

In Havana banks and ATM machines are easy to come by but this is not true of other locations. The Cuban countryside is very remote and even smaller, but well-known towns like Viñales don’t have ATM machines.

Getting around

Image courtesy of Brian Ledgard.

Print your travel documentation

Most of us are now used to storing everything bar our passport on our phones but aside from the issues around roaming costs and constantly keeping your smartphone charged, you may find it hard to come across a constant supply of internet in Cuba. For travel and arrival in particular, make sure to print your visa, travel insurance and any other documentation you may require when you travel. It will make things a lot easier for you.

Infrastructure is limited

It’s a well-known fact that transportation and infrastructure in Cuba are somewhat lacking and that travel takes place at a much slower pace than you may be used to. If you’re looking to get from place to place, try asking your host if you can hitch a ride with them or a friend for a few pesos or try renting a car. It gets seriously hot so unless you are very much acclimatised to this, try to avoid the heat at midday and steer clear of cycling tours unless you’re comfortable doing cardio in 40 degrees Celsius.

What to Bring

Image courtesy of Martin Fisch.

Pack Light but stock up on travel supplies

As we mentioned, getting around Cuba can be tricky, so the last thing you want is to be dragging heavy suitcases around in the afternoon sun. Backpacks are by far the best way to carry your stuff around with you. The one thing you should most definitely bring with you are pharmaceuticals and travel supplies: sun cream, plasters, insect repellent, over the counter painkillers and any prescription medication will be hard to come by and if you do find them, they will cost you. Best to pack in advance.

Learn how to live without the internet, but with a map

If you’re the kind of person that always like to stay connected to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, you’re going to have a hard time in Cuba. Thankfully, you can still have a great time, even if you can’t alert your peers via social media and there are plenty of things to grab your attention in Cuba. To discover them though, you should download some offline maps to your phone to find your way around. Try Galileo an offline map that you can download before you go.

Casas Particulares

Who am I staying with?

Staying in a homestay in Cuba means that you are with a local who knows Cuba better than you ever will. They are used to having guests from all over the world come and stay with them and know that Cuba may seem like a country that is unusual or different to you as a traveller. Ask them about their country and their culture and they will be only too happy to talk or to point you in the direction of someone who can answer your questions.

Go with the flow

Image courtesy of Brian Ledgard.

The last piece of advice probably encompasses all I’ve said above and can be applied to travel anywhere and that’s not to plan too much. Your host may be able to recommend a great baseball game or the best place to buy cigars that you've never even heard of or even somewhere you can make your own! Let yourself go with the flow and ask your hosts for their advice on what you should see and do. Chances are it’s not in your guidebook and is a once in a lifetime experience.

-

---

Looking for a homestay in Cuba? Check out our listings for our casas particulares to find the host that's right for you.