I finally got to cross Cuba off my bucket list and it did not disappoint. Bursting with vibrant color and streets alive with music, Havana in particular is a city you will fall for. Follow this ultimate first timer’s guide to Cuba and it’ll make your trip planning process that much easier.
Guide to Cuba
Is Cuba safe to travel to as a solo female traveler?
Cuba is a relatively safe country with a fairly low crime rate. I traveled with a group of friends and we all felt very safe. As a solo female traveler, you can expect cat calling and piropos (still a form of cat calling in my opinion but these are supposed to be witty compliments). I know that street harassment can be a huge drain on your trip but unfortunately, it’s still the reality in many places. Try your best to ignore it and do not engage. Other than that, exercise any normal precautions you would in a foreign country and have a great time because all in all, Cuba is safe for solo female travelers.
How to get a Cuba visa
Despite what you may think, it’s relatively straightforward to get a visa as long as you qualify for a Tourist Card. Based on Cuba’s visa requirements, if you are flying from the United States, regardless of your nationality, and are visiting Cuba for 30 days or less, you qualify for a Tourist Card. It costs anywhere between $50-$100.
If your country is not listed below, you qualify for a Tourist Card
Visa required for entry:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka.
No Tourist Card or Visa required for entry:
Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Bosnia, China, Dominica, Grenada, Macedonia, Malaysia, Montenegro, Mongolia, Namibia, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Serbia, Singapore, and Vietnam.
How to get a Tourist Card for Cuba
It’s pretty easy to get a Tourist Card. You can either buy it online or secure it through your airline (which is what I did). I flew United and the process was simple. We arrived at the airport and told our airline which category we’d be traveling under and they issued us a tourist card. This can differ from airline to airline so just be sure to check with yours prior to arriving at the airport. For the most part, as a tourist, the category you will select will be support for the Cuban people.
Tips for Cuba Travel
- Bring a copy of your passport (you should always do this btw)
- Make sure you have converted currency to CAD or Euro in advance. I recommend $250-$300 USD converted per 4 days that you are there + another $250 in USD to bring with you for backup. You can convert USD in Cuba, it just comes with an additional fee. NO CREDIT OR DEBIT CARDS ARE ACCEPTED, SO CASH TO COVER THE WHOLE TRIP IS ESSENTIAL
- Prepare to be unplugged from your cell phone the entire trip. This was actually my favorite part of the trip. I really did feel like I was back in time with no access to the outside world. It was incredibly relaxing. Service is extremely spotty. You can buy wifi cards but don’t depend on this as wifi can still be unreliable. Without data and wifi, it is important to download everything you need in advance to get around – maps.me and Google offline maps are great. Also download Google Translator Spanish so you can use it offline.
- Bring your own shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, electrical converter to 2 and 3 prong outlet, sunscreen. Contact solution and tampons are especially hard to come by in Cuba.
- Keep all your receipts and this itinerary per U.S. regulation. Only spend money at local owned establishments. Do not go to or buy anything at government owned places.
- Always carry small change and toilet paper for the times you may need a restroom break
- Drink only bottled water
Places to Visit in Cuba
Havana
Obviously no trip to Cuba is complete without a visit to Havana. You will absolutely fall for this anachronistic city and feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It’s tough to describe the exact vibe of Havana. It’s colorful, lively, and a complete overload of the senses in the absolute best way. Stay tuned, because next week I will be posting a detailed guide to Havana! Be sure to subscribe to emails so you don’t miss it!
Viñales
From horseback riding to cigar rolling, Viñales has it all. With luscious greenery and stunning vistas, this valley is a must on your trip. You can visit this area on a tour from Havana that can be arranged both online or when you get there or you can plan your own visit. This can be done in a day tour but if you have the time to spare, I’d recommend breaking up the journey with an overnight stay.
Varadero
We didn’t get a chance to visit Varadero because of our time crunch but this area is incredibly popular for its beaches and resort vibe. It’s a bit further from Havana so I wouldn’t recommend trying to do this in a day trip and instead consider spending a couple of days there.
Playas del Este
Since we didn’t get to Varadero, we went to Playas del Este which is located just 30 minutes outside of Havana. After having been to multiple beach areas in different parts of Latin America, this one was one of my favorites simply because local vendors do not harass you on the beach. In fact, it’s not overrun with tourists in general which I loved. It’s a bit bare bones but they do have a drink service and food so with a steady stream of piña coladas, it really was the perfect day trip.
Hope you found this guide to Cuba helpful!
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