5 Essential Tips for Traveling to Cuba

Since the United States began normalizing relations with Cuba, there has been a flurry of interest in traveling to this Caribbean paradise. While travel to Cuba is now legal for U.S. citizens, there are still some hoops that must be jumped through before you can start packing your bags. 

Cuba is a beautiful country with a complex history. But if you’re considering visiting, you’re probably wondering what you can expect on your trip and how to get there and around. Here are some valuable tips that will help you prepare.

Know the local language and know where to go

When you are traveling to a foreign country, it is very important to know some of the local languages. When you travel to Cuba, it is very important to know some Spanish. It is not a requirement for traveling or for meeting people in Cuba, but it is always good to know some Spanish. For example, when you are at the street markets, you can ask customers what they are selling. If you ask the prices in Spanish, then you will get a better price. Also, if you can communicate with your AirBnB host or with other Cubans, then they will be more willing to help you.

Know how to get there and around

The United States Department of the Treasury has issued a list of 12 categories of prohibited Cuban goods under the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR), which control trade with Cuba. The categories include weapons, drugs, and anything that could be used to promote “republicanism.” There are no laws against Americans traveling to Cuba, but they must have a license to spend money there and a Cuba visa. To learn more about the process of obtaining a license, read the State Department’s FAQs.

There are currently only 12 airlines and 2 cruise lines that fly to Cuba. You will still be required to fly to another location, usually within the Caribbean, before flying to Cuba. Check your travel dates because you will not be allowed to enter Cuba outside of a few designated entry points. However, as of 2017, cruises are allowed to go to Cuba.

Stock up on supplies

If you want to travel to Cuba, you will need to bring a lot of things with you. The most important thing is to bring toiletries. While Cuba does have a lot of public bathrooms, there are not a lot of toiletries available. Bring things like hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and toothbrushes. You will also want to bring sunscreen, bug spray, and other skincare products. When it comes to clothing, you will want to make sure you have enough pairs of socks and underwear and shirts and pants. You will also want to bring a towel or two, as well as a beach towel.

Cuba has a lot of things to offer, like the most incredible rum in the world, stunning beaches, and beautiful historical sites. But you might find that you start running low on your essentials once you get there. First up, if you plan on staying in a casa, you should know that they often don’t have a lot of toiletries in stock. So if you have long hair, you might also want to get a hairdryer. Also, if you plan on going on a tour or anything that requires you to travel by bus, you should definitely bring a neck pillow with you. The quality of hotels is fine, but in casa particular, the pillows are usually really uncomfortable.

Keep cash with you

While you can use your credit card in Cuba, it’s not a good idea. The banking infrastructure is not very good, and it’s a lot easier to deal with cash. If you must use a credit card, keep a small amount just in case something goes wrong. It’s not impossible to get cash in Cuba. Just go to the nearest ATM to find a place that will give you cash over the counter.

You can pay for almost everything in Cuba with a credit card or debit card, but some people will advise you to keep some cash in your wallet for the times you need it. We never had a problem with credit cards, but I will say that we were constantly approached by people asking us to buy them things. Whether they were asking us to buy sandwiches, cigars, drinks, or just food to feed their family, we were constantly buying things. If you have cash, it can save you a lot of time.

Eat local and Get accommodation when you get there

Cuba is not a place you can navigate through with your GPS and hotels. The number of people traveling to Cuba has doubled in the last two years, and because of the embargo on the island and the lack of direct flights to Cuba, the country’s tourism infrastructure isn’t exactly developed. Therefore, understand how to get a visa for Cuba from your country and book a room at a casa particular. These are the Cuban bed and breakfasts that are available at AirBnB.

The best thing to do when visiting Cuba is to immerse yourself in the culture and try as much local food as possible. There are three main meals in Cuba, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is not very important, but you will find a lot of variety in Cuban food. Lunch and dinner are where you will find the most popular dishes. These meals are served in the home of the host as a sign of respect. It would be best if you did not eat at restaurants unless it is your last resort. The food is fresh and delicious, and it is prepared with love.