Cuba

SAFETY & SECURITY

• Opportunistic crime against foreigners is rising due to economic collapse and weakened police response; petty theft (pickpocketing, bag snatching, car theft) occurs routinely in crowded places, resorts, and isolated areas.

Prepare: Keep your passport, cash, and cards in a money belt worn under clothing; do not pack valuables in checked luggage.

• Violent crime during robbery or burglary is uncommon but occurs — assaults happen mainly as part of theft; sexual assault against women has been reported at beach resorts.

Prepare: Stay in accommodations with visible security; keep windows and doors locked at night; avoid secluded resort areas, beaches, and walking alone after dark.

• Scammers and hustlers target tourists at airports, bars, and beaches; fraudulent guides, taxi drivers, and tour agents pose as friendly helpers; theft after sexual encounters and false child-abuse accusations have been used as extortion.

Prepare: Use only officially marked taxis with pre-agreed fares; book tours through your resort or well-known operators; avoid street vendors and strangers offering deals.

• Demonstrations against the government are illegal — all arrests are possible even for bystanders near gatherings; police may detain you without clear grounds.

Prepare: Avoid any public gathering or protest; monitor local media daily for unrest; comply with all police instructions immediately.

• Harassment of women, LGBTQ+ persons, and racialized individuals occurs — verbal abuse and threats are reported; some travellers face detention or legal harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Prepare: Avoid travelling alone at night; do not engage with confrontational strangers; report harassment immediately to the nearest Canadian office.

HEALTH

• No active disease outbreak warnings are in effect for Cuba, but routine vaccinations (measles, mumps, rubella, polio) should be current; typhoid and hepatitis A vaccination is recommended.

Prepare: Consult a travel health clinic 4–6 weeks before departure; ensure all routine vaccines are up to date.

• Malaria is not present in Cuba, but dengue fever and Zika are endemic; no vaccine exists for either, so mosquito avoidance is essential.

Prepare: Bring insect repellent (DEET 20–30%); wear long sleeves and pants at dawn and dusk.

• Medical care is poor and medicines are severely scarce; private clinics in Havana are better than public hospitals, but supplies are unpredictable and costs are high.

Prepare: Bring all prescription medications in original containers plus a 30-day backup supply; carry a basic first-aid kit and over-the-counter medications (antihistamines, antacids, painkillers).

• Food and water safety is compromised by power outages — refrigeration fails, leading to spoilage even in restaurants and hotels; tap water quality is unreliable outside Havana.

Prepare: Eat only hot, freshly cooked food; drink bottled water; bring water purification tablets as backup.

VISA & ENTRY

• Canadian passport holders do not need a visa — a tourist card (valid 30 days, renewable to 90 days) is issued on arrival; cost is approximately USD 25–30 and may vary by airline.

Prepare: Confirm the exact tourist card fee and process with your airline before departure; carry extra USD cash if the fee cannot be paid by card.

• Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay; check expiry now and renew if necessary.

Prepare: Check your passport expiry date today; if it expires within 6 months, apply for renewal immediately.

• Ebola-related entry screening may apply if you have recently visited an affected region (currently parts of Africa); if suspected of symptoms, isolation or quarantine is possible.

Prepare: If you have travelled to West Africa in the past 21 days, disclose this to Cuban health officials on arrival.

Verify all visa and entry requirements directly with the nearest embassy or consulate before travel. Requirements can change without notice.

LOCAL LAWS & CULTURE

• All government demonstrations are illegal; participation or proximity to gatherings can result in arrest and detention regardless of your intent or nationality.

Prepare: Do not photograph protests; do not engage in any political discussion in public; leave any area where crowds are gathering.

• Illegal drugs carry severe penalties — possession of any quantity can result in lengthy prison sentences; enforcement is strict and foreigners receive no leniency.

Prepare: Do not possess, use, or transport any controlled substances under any circumstances.

• Sexual conduct with minors is a serious crime — false accusations are sometimes used as extortion schemes; convicted offenders face lengthy imprisonment and deportation.

Prepare: Avoid bars and resorts where sex workers are present; do not engage with anyone whose age is uncertain; never accept drinks or food from strangers in bars.

• Photography of government buildings, military installations, airports, and police is prohibited and can result in arrest; always ask permission before photographing people.

Prepare: Do not photograph government or security infrastructure; respect requests not to be photographed.

• Homosexuality is no longer criminalized but social acceptance is low outside Havana; LGBTQ+ persons report harassment and discrimination; the "X" gender identifier on your Canadian passport may not be recognized by Cuban systems.

Prepare: Do not display affection in public if you are LGBTQ+; carry both a digital and hard-copy record of your Canadian documents; be discreet about gender identity in conversation with officials.

PRACTICAL & CONNECTIVITY

• Cuba is a cash-based economy; the local currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP) — ATMs are unreliable and often out of service; credit cards work in some tourist hotels and resorts but not elsewhere.

Prepare: Bring sufficient USD or EUR cash for the entire trip (assume ATMs will not work); exchange money at your hotel or at official cadecas (exchange houses); avoid black-market money changers.

• Carrying large amounts of cash makes you a robbery target — theft from hotel rooms and cars is common; never display money in public.

Prepare: Use a money belt under your clothing; divide cash into multiple locations; keep only daily spending cash in your wallet.

• Power outlet type is flat two-prong (110V, 60Hz) and three-prong designs vary — bring a universal adapter; voltage converters are needed for devices rated 220V.

Prepare: Buy a dual-voltage charger before departure; bring a surge protector.

• Telecommunications are extremely unreliable — Canadian cell phones often do not work; internet is nearly unavailable and heavily censored; connections drop during power outages.

Prepare: Install a VPN app before leaving Canada and test it; assume you cannot rely on phone or email; keep digital and hard-copy emergency contact details; consider purchasing a local prepaid SIM if your phone is unlocked (service is slow and expensive).

• Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated in restaurants (5–10% if service charge is not included) and for helpful staff.

Prepare: Bring small USD bills for tips; do not leave an open tab in bars.

• Public transportation is dangerous and unreliable — buses are overcrowded, poorly maintained, and run sporadically; taxis are unlicensed old vehicles without safety equipment or insurance; rental cars risk fuel stranding.

Prepare: Use only officially marked taxis and agree on the fare before entering; use tour company or resort-organized transport; avoid driving after dark; never pick up hitchhikers; always confirm fuel availability before driving.

CLIMATE & TIMING

• Hurricane season runs June to November with peak risk August to October; Cuba experiences frequent 24+ hour power outages and fuel shortages that worsen during storms, compounding infrastructure collapse.

Prepare: Avoid travel June–November; if you must go, purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers hurricane-related disruptions.

• Dry season (November to March) offers the best weather — temperatures are mild (20–25°C) and rainfall is minimal, though January can be crowded with peak tourism.

Prepare: Book flights and accommodations in October if winter travel is unavoidable; expect higher prices.

• May to September brings heat, humidity and afternoon rainstorms — temperatures exceed 30°C and rain can disrupt activities and ground transportation for hours.

Prepare: Pack lightweight, breathable clothing and waterproof bags; carry an umbrella; schedule outdoor activities for early morning.

TOP SIGHTS

• Havana's Old City (La Habana Vieja) — UNESCO World Heritage colonial architecture, museums, and the historic waterfront; walkable neighbourhood with police presence, though petty crime is common in crowds.

• Viñales Valley — tobacco plantations, limestone caves, and rural hiking in a scenic region; visit with a tour operator to avoid isolation and fuel-stranding risks.

• Varadero Beach — Cuba's main beach resort town with calm waters suitable for swimming; lifeguard coverage is inconsistent and standards differ from Canada; avoid swimming alone or after dark.

• Santiago de Cuba — Caribbean coastal town with colonial architecture, museums, and Afro-Cuban cultural sites; second-largest city with good tourist infrastructure; safe in daytime with a guide.

• Trinidad — well-preserved colonial town with cobblestone streets, museums, and nearby waterfalls; walkable during daylight but avoid isolated areas and nighttime travel.

WHERE TO STAY

Havana

• Vedado — upscale residential neighbourhood with modern hotels, restaurants, and nightlife; heavily policed with adequate street lighting; closest to Canadian embassy; avoid the outer edges after dark.

• Miramar — diplomatic and business district with international-standard hotels and security; quieter than Vedado with good road infrastructure; farther from Old City sights.

• Old City (La Habana Vieja) — tourist core with colonial hotels and attractions; well-lit and patrolled but crowded and prone to petty theft; do not wander side streets at night.

Varadero

• Varadero Beach Strip — resort-heavy peninsula with all-inclusive and standalone hotels; self-contained and security-conscious; limited access to town services and walkability requires taxis.

Santiago de Cuba

• Centro Histórico (Historic Centre) — colonial Old Town with museums and local colour; concentrated police presence; avoid the waterfront after dark and walking alone.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Embassy of Canada in Havana: +53 (7) 204-2516 (switchboard); emergency consular assistance available 24/7 via the Emergency Watch and Response Centre at 1-800-387-3124 (from Canada) or +1-613-944-6788 (international collect calls).

Prepare: Save both numbers in your phone; register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service before departure to receive direct alerts.

• Cuban Police (Policia Nacional Revolucionaria): 106 (national emergency); uniformed police may speak only Spanish; always request a formal complaint receipt ("comprobante de denuncia") if you report a crime.

Prepare: Learn basic Spanish phrases for emergencies or use a translation app; keep a hard copy of the embassy phone number in your pocket.

• Ambulance (Servicio de Emergencias): 104.

Prepare: Assume response times are slow due to fuel shortages; use private medical transport (ambulatoria) if available at your resort.