Things to know Before Visiting Havana Cuba
We are living in a wonderful time for world travel. For the past half-decade, the US travel ban to Cuba has been lifted. Now, so many travelers are allowed to make their way to the vibrant and beautiful city of Havana, Cuba. I was lucky enough to be among those traveling there back in 2019. I got to taste the lovely flavors of authentic Cuban food. Then, I learned the history of the country, its residents, and explored everything the old city has to offer. Traveling to Havana, Cuba is an incredible experience, however, it is no easy one. There are so many restrictions, requirements, and important aspects that need to be discussed before even booking the ticket. If you are interested in traveling to the capital of Cuba this year, here are things to know Before visiting Havana, Cuba.
Visa and Requirements
First and most important, you need to know what is required to visit Cuba. The last thing you want is to book your ticket and hotel, pack all your essentials, and be turned around at the gate. There are quite a few requirements necessary to visit Cuba. You must check every single one off the list before you book anything.
You’ll want to start with a visa. The visa to get into Cuba is known as the Cuban Tourist Card. These tourist cards allow you to stay in Cuba for a maximum of 30 days. Then they are only valid for a single entry. They range anywhere from $25 to $100, depending on where you get it. You can buy one with your airline, at the airport, with a travel agency, or online. You can also get it from your country’s Cuban embassy. If you are going with the Cuban embassy or consulate route to get your tourist card, be sure to request with enough time in advance, as they are notorious for slow response times.
Once you’ve acquired your visa to travel to Cuba, you want to make sure you adhere to the remaining US and Cuba Requirements. You must have travel insurance that covers any health issues or unexpected medical bills. Then lastly, you’ll need a valid passport.
Currency
The second thing you need to know before visiting Havana, Cuba is how to pay. I’ll go over the Cuban currency, what payments are allowed in what places, and whether or not you should bring your credit card into the mix.
Though in the past you may have heard of the Cuban Convertible Pesos(CUC) and Cuban Pesos(CUP) as the national currency, things have changed. Since 2021, Cuba has dropped the use of the Cuban Convertible Pesos(CUC). So if you are looking to travel or exchange for Cuban Convertible Pesos, it will not be accepted. Now in 2024 and forward, Cuba’s sole national currency is the Cuban Pesos(CUP). 1 US Dollar(USD) is equal to 23.94 Cuban Pesos(CUP).
With all these confusing conversions, you may be wondering if you can just get through Cuba the easy way by using a credit card. It is important to know that US-issued credit cards and debit cards are not accepted anywhere in Cuba. No restaurant, in-person excursion, or shopping mall will accept these credit cards. Knowing this, when you arrive at the airport in Havana or at your hotel you want to make sure to use the ATMs to convert your US dollar(USD) into Cuban Pesos (CUP).
Conversions at first seem confusing but keep a general idea of the number when you travel. This way you can ensure ATMs and exchanges are giving you the right amount of money for your dollar.
Wi-Fi and Calling
Third on our list of things to know before visiting Havana Cuba is Wifi and phone connection. In the past two decades, our lives have revolved around the use of the internet. I know many are unable to live without it. If you would like to make wi-fi calls to family or handle mainland business while traveling to Cuba, there are a few things you need to know.
The good news is, there is plenty of wi-fi in Havana Cuba. Almost every resident in Havana, Cuba has access to the internet. However, the bad news is that it is hard to come by and often unreliable. To start, Cuba does not have any free internet. No hotel, resort, or restaurant will have free connection. This is because it is not up to the hotel, resort, or restaurant. The Cuban government is in control of the internet everywhere, so this means you will have to pay for it wherever you go.
To use this internet, you will have to purchase a NAUTA card. With a NAUTA card, you will be able to use the wi-fi at most airports, hotels resorts, and wifi hotspots. So even with the NAUTA card, you will only be able to use the wifi in a few places, most likely at your hotel and wifi hotspots in the city.
Then once you have finally accessed wifi and internet, it is important to note that the internet is quite slow, many hotspots are poor, and certain apps, services, and websites are blocked.
It is best not to rely on the internet in Havana, Cuba. Instead, ensure your phone company allows international data in Cuba, download all important files, documents, maps, itineraries, and entertainment, and save all important work for home.
Transportation
Next, before visiting Havana, Cuba, you need to know how you will get around. Many often neglect this detail until they arrive, but this is a must-know before traveling because it will determine your safety and your punctuality. To start, rideshare applications such as Lyft and Uber do not operate in Cuba. There is no quick app that will take you around town with the click of a button.
In Cuba, you will have to rely on Taxis, rental cars, or pre-booked tour buses. If you choose to travel via taxis, you are in luck to know that most accept both US Dollars(USD) and Cuban Pesos(CUP). On top of this, taxis are not ridiculously expensive as in certain cities in the US or Europe. The only issue, for those not confident, is hailing a taxi. They do, however, hang around most tourist locations looking to pick up tourists, so it may be simple to hail one if you are in common spots.
If you are brave enough to opt for a rental car, it is imperative to book before you arrive. The service at Cuban rental car locations are not always reliable, if you wait for the last minute, you may find there are no cars left or none of the size that you need. Be sure to book with a known company in advance, that way, your car is reserved and waiting for you by the time you get there. Then, when renting a car, you also want to be aware of the driving culture in Cuba. watch a few “driving through Havana Cuba” videos to familiarize yourself with the way locals drive and what the street and highway rules are.
Weather
The very last thing to know before visiting Havana, Cuba is the weather. What is the weather like? That is one of the most important questions to ask yourself when traveling anywhere. The weather determines everything about your trip, what you wear, pack, and what your itinerary consists of. This is why it is important to know that Cuba is rainy. This is something I am used to, living in Miami, Florida, however, if you don’t live somewhere that rains often, it might come to you as quite a shock. You want to be aware of this.
As a general tip, the summer months in Cuba are the most rainiest. Then in the months from November to January, you’ll find little rain. However, the possibility for rain showers is always there, being where in the world Cuba is located. That being said, if you are traveling during the summer months, prepare for the possibility of stormy winds and heavy rainfall. Check the weather during the days of your trip and plan around it. On the day with the most rain, plan to visit any indoor museums, restaurants, or shopping strips. Then if there is a light drizzle or light rain, use that day to fulfill all your outdoor excursions, hikes, and explorations.
Try to plan your visit around the dry months or before the peak of the rainy season. However, if you must go during the rain, know you can still enjoy yourself. Luckily, the city does not shut down over a bit of rain. Bring a pair of extra socks, an umbrella, and any rain gear you need, and get out there and enjoy the beautiful city of Havana, Cuba
Taking a long flight from your country to Havana, Cuba? Check out tips for your first long-haul flight!