6 Tips to Know Before You Go
1 – Cash is King
The U.S. embargo prohibits many things, but in particular transactions by U.S. banks. This means that no U.S. credit or debit cards work in Cuba. You need to bring all the cash that you need with you. Budget anywhere from $150-$400 per person per day, depending on where you are staying and what you plan to do. Exchange your U.S. dollars for the tourist currency CUC (Cuban Convertible Peso) at the airport, hotel, or cadecas (money exchange centers). The current (as of 1/15/19) exchange rate is one USD to one CUC, but it is always a good idea to check exchange rates prior to your trip. Although more restaurants, hotels, and entertainment centers are accepting dollars, not all do. Always be prepared with CUC.
2 – For Americans, Travel to Cuba is Easier Than Ever
Travel purely for tourism purposes is not legal from the standpoint of the U.S. government; however, travel to Cuba for Americans has become easier and with more choices. With the recent opening of commercial flights, Americans may travel to Cuba by self-certifying their travel itinerary. Upon purchase of a ticket, the passenger will receive a checklist of twelve travel categories that are permitted by the Office of Foreign Asset Control. Of these twelve, most choose educational, thus agreeing to travel with a full-time itinerary of educational activities and visits like the people-to-people tours (museums, historical visits, concerts, dance classes, etc.). For further clarification, we recommend checking the Cuba travel guidelines to ensure your visit falls within government guidelines.
3 – Be Prepared for Rustic Restrooms
Whether you’re staying in a hotel or in an Airbnb, you will find most if not all of the comforts you’d expect. However, when exploring the island, it will be a more rustic experience. No need to worry – just be prepared for something that may be out of the ordinary for you. In Cuba, it is common to find either a man or woman outside of the baños with a small table and basket. For twenty-five centavos, the bathroom attendant allows you to use the bathroom and gives you a few squares of toilet paper. In many bathrooms, there will be no toilet seat. Nicer bathrooms will have soap, but many others will not. It’s kind of like camping. Bring a supply of tissues with you as well as hand sanitizer.
4 – Be Ready to be Out of Pocket
Although there are some carriers who currently have phone service in Cuba like Verizon, the other big players do not. You can make landline calls from your hotel as well as find Wi-Fi in major hotels for a fee. Very, very slowly there are public hotspots popping up in the larger cities, but there is no guarantee you will find one. You can buy access to the hotspost via an Internet card sold by the government communications company ETESCA. Be aware that the connection is slow, and you won’t be able upload videos or large hi-res pictures. Take the opportunity to truly go out of office and immerse yourself in the experience without worrying about your emails or Instagram posts!
5 – BYO Medications, Over-the-Counter Drugs, & First Aid Kit.
There are no Walgreens or CVS in Cuba, so making a quick pit stop if you forget you aspirin is a difficult task. If you take medications, bring them with you in marked bottles. Also, if you occasionally take antacid pills or other over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, pack enough for the duration of your trip plus a little extra. With the U.S. embargo, finding your American pharmaceutical brands will be next to impossible and even simple OTC drugs will be scarce and expensive. Do yourself a favor and bring a travel first aid kit just in case, as it will save you a headache – no pun intended – if you feel ill or get a minor injury walking on the insanely bumpy cobblestone streets.
6 – Pack your Patience
You need this for travel anywhere, but especially in Cuba. The entire Caribbean nation takes “island time” to a completely new level, so go prepared with the knowledge that if you’re on time, you’re early, and if you’re late, you’re right on time. There is no rushing. So, take your time to enjoy the moment just as Cubans do. Sit down and savor your Cuban coffee or coconut ice cream. With more and more people traveling to Cuba, be prepared to experience long lines at some of the more popular spots like El Floridita and Catedral de San Cristóbal, but it will be an incredible experience worth waiting for!
