Cuba travel guide

Cuba Tourism | Cuba Guide

You're Going to Love Cuba

A country filled with bright architecture and gorgeous beaches, Cuba is a unique mixture of old and new. Visitors see a traditional side of the country while also experiencing the modern explosion of art, music, and food that it has undergone in recent years.

What to do in Cuba

1. Visit the Viñales Valley

Consider paying a visit to the Viñales Valley.

This lush region of Cuba is known for being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and for having many scenic hiking and biking trails.

2. Pay a Visit to Old Havana

This neighborhood is considered to be the center and the most popular area of Cuba's capital city.

3. Go to Cayo Largo del Sur

The island is a popular destination among visitors due to the fact that it is a common area for sea turtles to lay their eggs.

4. Go to Castillo de la Real Fuerza

The fort is located directly on the ocean that dates back to the 16th century and includes a war museum that contains a selection of artifacts and photographs.

5. Visit Finca Vigía

This was the home of the famous writer Ernest Hemingway, which has since been restored and can now be toured by visitors.

1. Visit the Viñales Valley

Consider paying a visit to the Viñales Valley.

This lush region of Cuba is known for being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and for having many scenic hiking and biking trails.

2. Pay a Visit to Old Havana

This neighborhood is considered to be the center and the most popular area of Cuba's capital city.

3. Go to Cayo Largo del Sur

The island is a popular destination among visitors due to the fact that it is a common area for sea turtles to lay their eggs.

4. Go to Castillo de la Real Fuerza

The fort is located directly on the ocean that dates back to the 16th century and includes a war museum that contains a selection of artifacts and photographs.

5. Visit Finca Vigía

This was the home of the famous writer Ernest Hemingway, which has since been restored and can now be toured by visitors.

When to visit Cuba

The most popular period to visit the country is between the months of December and May, as this is the dry season, meaning there is ideal weather for going to the beach.

How to Get to Cuba

Entry Requirements

Citizens of most countries need to have a visa tourist card in order to enter Cuba, with some exceptions being Montenegro, Serbia, and Singapore. As of 2017, Americans can visit the country for one of the 11 reasons designated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, with one of the most common being Support for the Cuban People.

Plane

Flying is the most common way to arrive in Cuba, and many travelers land at Jose Martí International Airport, the largest airport in the country that services flights from the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Canada.

Boat

Although there are no official ferries or boats that will bring you to the country, travelers that are operating their own private vessels are able to enter Cuba from marinas in either Havana or Varadero.

Entry Requirements

Citizens of most countries need to have a visa tourist card in order to enter Cuba, with some exceptions being Montenegro, Serbia, and Singapore. As of 2017, Americans can visit the country for one of the 11 reasons designated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, with one of the most common being Support for the Cuban People.

Plane

Flying is the most common way to arrive in Cuba, and many travelers land at Jose Martí International Airport, the largest airport in the country that services flights from the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Canada.

Boat

Although there are no official ferries or boats that will bring you to the country, travelers that are operating their own private vessels are able to enter Cuba from marinas in either Havana or Varadero.

Popular airlines serving Cuba

KLM
Good (1,350 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,839 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (8,825 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,640 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,897 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,669 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,874 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,202 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,534 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (8,147 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (238 reviews)
Avianca
Good (2,867 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (1,952 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (2,021 reviews)
Air China
Good (176 reviews)
Air Europa
Good (573 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (1,850 reviews)
American Airlines
Good (12,237 reviews)
Air Transat
Good (387 reviews)
VivaAerobus
Good (854 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Cuba

When looking for lodging in Cuba, many travelers often opt to stay in a hotel that is run by the state, a majority of which are placed in colonial buildings that have since been restored, or in family-owned bed & breakfasts.

Where to stay in popular areas of Cuba

Most booked hotels in Cuba

Melia Habana
5 stars
Excellent (9.8, Excellent reviews)
$327+
Hotel Nacional De Cuba
5 stars
Good (7.3, Good reviews)
$330+
Hotel Copacabana
3 stars
Poor (0, Poor reviews)
$188+
Hotel Deauville
3 stars
Okay (4.9, Okay reviews)
$97+

How to Get Around Cuba

Public Transportation

Buses are the most popular, affordable and effective modes of transportation in Cuba. In Havana and Santiago de Cuba, public buses will bring you to the most popular spots throughout the city.

Trains

The primary train that runs throughout Cuba is the line that connects the cities of Santiago de Cuba and Havana, with a major stop being Camagüey.

Bus

If you would like to take a bus to explore the country, you will find that Víazul is the largest company to travel with. This company will take you to a selection of popular cities, including Santa Clara and Trinidad.

Car

It is possible for travelers to rent a car in Cuba, with the recommendation being that you pick up the vehicle from the airport. Depending on what model you opt to drive, the price will be approximately 65 CUC (65 USD) per day, including insurance.

Plane

The quickest way to travel between two different cities is by flying, and Cuba has several local airlines to choose from, including Aero Caribbean and Cubana de Aviación.

Public Transportation

Buses are the most popular, affordable and effective modes of transportation in Cuba. In Havana and Santiago de Cuba, public buses will bring you to the most popular spots throughout the city.

Trains

The primary train that runs throughout Cuba is the line that connects the cities of Santiago de Cuba and Havana, with a major stop being Camagüey.

Bus

If you would like to take a bus to explore the country, you will find that Víazul is the largest company to travel with. This company will take you to a selection of popular cities, including Santa Clara and Trinidad.

Car

It is possible for travelers to rent a car in Cuba, with the recommendation being that you pick up the vehicle from the airport. Depending on what model you opt to drive, the price will be approximately 65 CUC (65 USD) per day, including insurance.

Plane

The quickest way to travel between two different cities is by flying, and Cuba has several local airlines to choose from, including Aero Caribbean and Cubana de Aviación.

The Cost of Living in Cuba

This country accepts two primary currencies, which are known as the Cuban Peso and the Cuban Convertible Peso, and both debit and credit cards are rarely used. If you will be eating dinner in a state-run hotel or restaurant, you can expect to pay between 20-30 CUC (20-30 USD) for your meal, while souvenirs, such as a locally made CD containing traditional music will cost you approximately 20 CUC (20 USD). When grocery shopping, you will find that 2 lb of local apples will cost you less than 3 CUC (3 USD), and bread for two people is between 0.70-0.80 CUC (0.70-0.80 USD). If you purchase a monthly transportation pass, you can expect to pay closer to 23 CUC (23 USD).

Popular cities in Cuba