Planning: What to Expect in Cuba!
Cuba is a wonderful island: The Pearl of the Caribbean. However, it's important to acknowledge that many aspects of Cuban life may differ significantly from what Americans are accustomed to, including language, climate, customs, and demeanor.
Cubans are renowned for their ultra-courteous, gracious nature, and their candidness, along with a great sense of humor, adds to the charm of interactions with them. It's worth noting that while Cubans strive for punctuality, delays are not uncommon due to transportation and communication challenges. However, such issues are not typical for our programs.
The island's extreme shortages in various aspects of daily life have necessitated great innovation among the Cuban people. While navigating these differences, we advise adopting a mindset of going with the flow while keeping your eyes wide open to the unique experiences Cuba has to offer. Patience, flexibility, and understanding are key virtues to embrace during your time in Cuba.
The words of wise travelers ring true: If you approach Cuba with a mindset focused on finding problems, you may indeed find them abundantly—whether it be transportation, food, accommodations, and more. However, if you approach your journey with an open mind and a spirit of curiosity to learn about the wonderful people and their unique society and culture, your experience will be unparalleled. Cubans are genuinely delighted to welcome you as their guest, and the opportunity to get to know them is equally exciting for you.
Need Help Arranging your Trip to Cuba?
Join a group or organize your own Private Custom Tour, all to Support the Cuban People.
Call: Mariah Travel at 1-406-222-5660
Email: info@mariahtravel.com
Can Americans Legally Travel to Cuba?
The simple answer is YES! It’s perfectly legal for Americans to travel to Cuba with a current U.S. passport.
For the past two decades, Mariah Travel, has been operating trips under many of the legal categories, including humanitarian, religious, academic, professional meetings, and Support for the Cuban People, which is now one of the easiest ways for the average American to legally visit Cuba. A simple process is to travel with an authorized tour provider such as Mariah Travel, ensuring the trip follows the rules required by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Independent travel is permitted, but arranging activities, communication with Cuban providers, and island logistics are difficult and very time-consuming. Mariah Travel assures your trip follows all the legal requirements and everything is in order before you leave the U.S.
Categories of Legal Cuba Travel
You can go to Cuba legally as long as your purpose of travel fits into one of these eleven U.S. government-approved categories:
Professional research and professional meetings in Cuba
Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions in Cuba
Religious activities in Cuba
Humanitarian projects in Cuba
Journalistic activities in Cuba
Family visits to close relatives in Cuba
Activities in Cuba by private foundations, or research or educational institutes
Support for the Cuban people
Exportation, importation, or transmission of information technologies or materials
Certain authorized export transactions, including agricultural and medical products, and tools, equipment, and construction supplies for private use
Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
U.S. visitors are required to engage in a full-time itinerary of activities related to the above categories of travel. If your travel falls within one of these categories, you are automatically authorized to visit Cuba legally.
Purely touristic travel, such as spring break partying and relaxation at an all-inclusive beach resort, is prohibited. Likewise, lounging around all day in a rented casa and drinking mojitos all night in Havana is forbidden. Rule: Full-time engagement within the context of the travel category you choose.
American residents and citizens require a valid passport from any country, a Cuban Tourist Visa, and mandatory Cuban emergency medical insurance to enter Cuba. Cuban emergency medical insurance is generally included in the cost of commercial airline flights. Confirm with your airline.
Money Matters in Cuba
Carefully plan trip spending before you go to Cuba.
The Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) is no longer official and is worthless. Do not accept any CUCs as change or for any other reason from Cubans.
The U.S. Dollar is now the unofficial currency of Cuba. The Cuban Peso (CUP) is the local currency. The government rate of exchange is approximately 125 CUPs to 1 USD. At this point, there is no real advantage to having euros or Canadian dollars. Mariah Travel's guides can always find a better rate of exchange. You can expect 350-375 CUPs to 1 USD. Expect the rate to change daily.
Plan Cuba spending money carefully. U.S. credit and debit cards don’t work in Cuba! Don’t get stuck without funds. American Express traveler’s checks can be redeemed but are difficult and not dependable. Western Union can dispatch funds to Cuba in an emergency, but they are not consistent and currently are not making any transfers. If there is an emergency and cash is necessary, please contact our office, and we'll make arrangements for supplemental funds.
Suggestion: Carefully evaluate daily spending needs prior to departure. A minimum of $100 USD per day is recommended. It is better to plan to take more money than to get caught short of funds. Mariah Travel can assist with daily budgeting.
When budgeting, don’t forget about gratuities. Cubans need and expect tips.
Tipping in Cuba
Cuban tour guides and tour bus drivers depend upon tips and share them with their coworkers and family. They also contribute a hefty percentage of tips to the national health and education systems.
Hint: Treat tipping in Cuba as you do at home. Be generous with those who assist.
Here are a few guidelines for tipping, but always at your discretion. You can always leave more or less:
Tour Guide: 10.00to10.00to15.00 USD per day per person.
Waiters and Waitresses: 10% - 15%+ of the total bill.
Fishing Guide: 50−50−100 USD per day, depending on their service.
Tour Bus Driver: 5.00to5.00to8.00 USD per day per person.
Hotel Porters: $1.00 USD per person or more if you have lots of luggage.
Chambermaids: $1.00 USD per day per person.
Museum Guides and Special Guides: $1.00 USD per person.
Musicians at Restaurants: $1.00 USD per person.
Money: Safety and Security
You can change your money into CUPs at the airport on arrival, at a Cuban bank, or CADECA (exchange bureau). We suggest you wait and discuss with your guide where to find the best exchange. Your passport is necessary to exchange money. It costs more to exchange money at your hotel. Never exchange money on the street or with an individual Cuban. However, at this time, the best rate is on the street. Please refer to your guide to assist with the exchange.
All visitors should keep extra cash, important documents, identification, and other valuables in safe locations.
When leaving your hotel, only take the amount of money you plan on spending on that outing, plus a photocopy of your passport. Leave your passport in your hotel lockbox unless you plan to exchange money.
Ostentatious displays of jewelry, cameras, and spending will attract pickpockets and panhandlers.
Keep valuables firmly secured to your person.
Gifts and Donations
Cubans warmly welcome gifts, however small. Everything you contribute is an offer of friendship – and a great way to bring a smile to everyone. Cubans lack many basic items we take for granted.
We strongly advise against handing out gifts or money to individuals you meet on the street. In areas frequented by tourists, attempts may be made to persuade foreign guests to give them cash or items they can sell on the black market.
We suggest giving your donations to Cuban NGOs, schools, clinics, and community organizations. This way, many Cuban families and communities benefit from your generosity. We can assist with reputable organizations to give donations.
Suggested Gifts for Your New Cuban Friends:
Any and all art supplies
Musical instruments, guitar strings, reeds for wind instruments
Metronomes, pitch pipes, tuning forks, sheet music
Theatre make-up, ballet slippers
Baseball bats, balls, and gloves, footballs, sport helmets, and padding
Aspirin and substitutes, Band-Aids, multiple vitamins, and vitamins A, B, C, D, E
Medical gloves and masks, medical thermometers
Condoms, sanitary napkins, tampons, adult diapers, and baby diapers
School supplies, all kinds, toys for children
Laptop computers no more than four years old
Spanish/English dictionaries and phrase books
High-quality summer-oriented used clothing and shoes
Sheets and towels
Kitchen gloves and sponges
USB memory sticks (favorite)
Nice chocolates, attractive jewelry
Cool new T-shirts, caps with neat logos, new sunglasses, hip key chains
AA batteries! Boring, yes. But they are scarce, costly, and appreciated
Anything you’d give your friends at home
Reading glasses for elders
Oh, Chocolates! You'll make friends for life with chocolates!
Do Not Bring These Items to Cuba:
Fresh food items, live plants, or seeds
Outdated school textbooks
Expired medicine or vitamins
Old or non-functioning computers
Items considered to be weapons
Narcotics, pornography of any kind
What to Take to Cuba? Packing for Your Cuba Tour
Cuba is a wonderfully warm tropical island, so cotton and other light natural fabrics are ideal. Cubans dress sharp and contemporary – a consideration when selecting your travel clothing.
Casual clothing (shorts, tee shirts, etc.) is the general rule while daytime touring. However, men should not wear shorts to evening events or important venues. Suits and ties are not worn or necessary.
Consider a light jacket or sweater, as resorts, restaurants, tour buses, and other public areas can be overly air-conditioned.
An umbrella or parka comes in handy, as brief rains are common from May through October.
Laundry services are provided at hotels and resorts for a fee (there are no public laundromats in Cuba).
The best rule is to pack once, then cut it by half. Airline weight limits change constantly. Check with your airline prior to packing to avoid over-limit luggage fees. Consider leaving some space for gifts and humanitarian donations.
Here’s a Checklist of Personal Items Customized for Cuba Travel:
Essentials – Documents and Money:
Passport (must be valid for six months beyond your stay)
Airline tickets purchased separately
Cuban tourist visa supplied by airline or other distributors
Cuban medical insurance supplied by airline or other distributors
Cash (U.S. credit cards don’t yet work), at least $100 per day
Travel pack or money belt
Copy of all documents packed in a separate location
Clothes and Accessories:
Pants and shorts
Shirts and T-shirts
Men: shirt and slacks for evening events such as the Tropicana Cabaret, etc.
Women: skirt or slacks for evening events such as the Tropicana Cabaret, etc.
Sweater or light jacket
Swim suit and towel
Underwear and socks
Comfortable shoes (don’t break in new shoes on this trip)
Waterproof sandals
Belt, watch, prescription glasses (extra pair if available)
Sunglasses, sunscreen, umbrella/rain parka
Cap or sun hat (purchase in Cuba)
Medicine, Hygiene Products, and Health Concerns:
While many foreign guests and Cubans have no problems with the water, we recommend you drink bottled water at all times.
A doctor or nurse is available to participants throughout the tour either at your hotel or at a nearby clinic.
Band-Aids or a miniature first aid kit, earplugs (if trouble sleeping)
Deodorant, fragrance, moisturizer
Face cloth, shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, comb, hairbrush
Fingernail clippers, lip balm
If you are sensitive to foreign food and water, bring Kaopectate or Imodium
If you use prescription drugs, bring a two-week supply
Insect repellent such as citronella essence
One roll of toilet paper, sanitary napkins or tampons, condoms
Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash, shaver and supplies
Vitamins, aspirin or equivalent
Useful Travel Items:
Camera, lots of memory, extra batteries
Electricity is 110 and 220 AC – a 220 adapter may be useful
Reading material, guidebook, Spanish dictionary, notebook, and pens
Rubber bands, plastic bags, super glue, safety pins, sewing kit
Snacks, dried fruits, and nuts
Vaccinations and Cuba Health Concerns?
There are no requirements for vaccinations to visit Cuba.
Zika Virus in Cuba: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that travelers protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Cuba is not considered a risk country for hepatitis B, malaria, typhoid, or other tropical diseases.
If you have concerns about travel vaccinations or immunizations, please discuss them with your doctor or a travel clinic.
Bringing Home Souvenirs, Cigars, Rum, etc.?
Americans may bring back $800 worth of souvenirs to the U.S. from Cuba duty-free. Unfortunately, travelers are prohibited from returning to the U.S. with Cuban alcohol or tobacco products, no cigars! Enjoy them on the island, but they can't make the trip back.
Download Your Free Map App for Cuba!
Never get lost in Havana or anywhere in Cuba. Maps.me is an incredibly comprehensive offline map app for Android and Apple phones and tablets.
YOU MUST DOWNLOAD BEFORE YOU COME TO CUBA (because the internet in Cuba is really slow when available)!
Maps.me functions entirely offline with many great features. Most importantly, you don’t get costly roaming charges or need to subscribe to American or Cuban cellular services. It’s free, fast, detailed, and entirely offline maps with turn-by-turn navigation, visual and voice.
Finding a paper map of Cuba is difficult, and they are pricey when available. Most lack detail or are out of date. They are cumbersome, rip, tear, and get wet.
Maps.me is a great addition for traveling to Cuba. Find your way and have fun doing it!
This article has been written in a professional manner, ensuring no single word is missing and all headings and paragraphs are presented in the required format.