Thanks to its vibrant rhythms, varied landscape, and rich art and literature heritage, Cuba keeps travellers returning again and again. The country has been a magnet for sun-seeking tourists for some time, but stay a while and you’ll fall in love with this dynamic cultural hotspot. Whether you’re salsa dancing in historic Trinidad, biking through the mountains of Viñales, or wandering the pastel-colored streets of Havana, Cuba will have you moving to its unique beat.
Visa requirements may change, for the most up to date information we recommend using our Entry Requirements tool. Alternatively, check the Cuban embassy website in your country of departure.
Recommended vaccinations for Cuba include hepatitis a, tetanus, and rabies if you’re in very rural areas.
As advice can often change, you can check out Entry Requirements tool for the most up-to-date details on vaccination requirements.
As with most of Central America and the Caribbean, the best time to visit Cuba is during the country’s dry season, which falls between November and April. Expect plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures — but more travellers too.
March is a good time, as you’ll be able to experience the ‘Celebration of Classic Cars’ in the capital Havana. February brings the festival of cigars, one of the country’s biggest exports, via the legendary company ‘Habanos’, and for the Havana Carnival, come in either July or August. However, you should note that this is also hurricane season.
The dry season (November to April) here brings bright, sunny days with temperatures hovering around 25 to 30°C (77 to 86°F). Expect little to no rain and around ten hours of sunshine.
The wet season (May to October) brings hot and humid conditions — temperatures reach highs of 32°C (89.6°F) — and short, sharp showers. The most rain tends to fall in June, where it can reach highs of 80mm (3.15 inches). August, September and October also bring the risk of hurricanes.
Tipping is fairly common across Latin America and the Caribbean, especially in restaurants and bars where 10% is added to the bill. Of course, if you’ve enjoyed a particular other service, then you’re more than welcome to tip!
There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from USD $5-10 USD per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture.
Plus, at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures CEO did an outstanding job, tipping is more than appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline USD $5-7 per person, per day can be used.
Wi-Fi is free in some high-end hotels and large resorts in Cuba. However, elsewhere it can usually only be found in Wi-Fi hotspots, where access costs around USD $1. These tend to be found in parks, though there are always more popping up as time goes on. You’re best asking your CEO where these hotspots are if you’re looking to get online.
Please note that ATMs are not widespread and some debit cards do not work in Cuba. People travelling in Cuba with Visa or Mastercard credit cards can use them for payments in supermarkets and some government owned hotels, restaurants, bars and stores. All card transactions are in USD and will be subject to a fee.
Bank cards from US banks do not work in Cuba, and cards using the Cirrus or Maestro systems are nearly impossible to use. The best credit cards to bring are Visa Plus or Mastercard. Bringing cash (in CAD, EUR, GBP, or Mexican pesos) is the easiest way to travel in Cuba, though please take extra security precautions to avoid theft.
There’s a LGBTQ+ scene in cities like Havana and Trinidad, and since 2022, same-sex marriage has been legal in Cuba. However, you should be aware that public displays of affection — no matter what sexual orientation you are — will tend to be frowned upon in rural areas.
As part of their commitment, all CEOs receive LGBTQ+ inclusion training so every traveller feels respected and welcomed on all of our tours. We commit to making our tours a safe and inclusive place for people to express their authentic selves without judgement, free from any discriminatory language or harassment.
While travelling with G Adventures, all travellers must treat each other with dignity and respect to create an environment that is positive, safe, and where everyone feels welcome. You can find out more via our LGBTQ+ travel page.
The official language of Cuba is Spanish, which around 90% of the population speaks. Other languages spoken here include Chinese, Portuguese and Creole.
As a general rule, no — drinking the tap water is not advised when in Cuba. However, bottled water is readily available and is cheap.
Please note however that all drinks provided on our tours are safe to drink (including drinks with ice), as well as the water in most hotels and restaurants visited on tour. If in doubt, please ask your CEO for further info.
In a word yes — Cuba is an incredibly safe destination to visit. However, like with everywhere else in the world, petty crime can occur. Just use the normal precautions you would elsewhere and you should be absolutely fine.
You should also be aware that hurricanes and tropical storms sometimes make landfall here during the months of July through October. Take heed of local warnings.
G Adventures takes all reasonable measures to ensure your safety and enjoyment while travelling with us. All of the included activities are properly vetted and regularly checked by us, and we take great care in choosing the right transportation, stays throughout your trip, and guides to lead your tour. However, there are always inherent risks when travelling — you can find out more via our travel safety page.
