Cuba
Phone Code
+53
Capital
Havana
Population
11.2 Million
Native Name
Cuba
Region
Americas
Caribbean
Timezone
Cuba Standard Time
UTC-05:00
On This Page
Cuba is a time capsule like no other — the largest island in the Caribbean, where 1950s American cars cruise past crumbling Spanish colonial facades, salsa pours from every doorway, and the rhythms of son cubano, rumba and reggaetón form the soundtrack of daily life. Havana's Malecón seawall at sunset, with waves crashing against the rocks and locals gathering to socialise, is one of the great urban scenes on earth. Old Havana (UNESCO) is a labyrinth of baroque churches, art deco theatres, cigar factories and rooftop bars. Trinidad (UNESCO), frozen in the 19th century, is Cuba's best-preserved colonial town. The Viñales Valley — limestone mogotes rising from tobacco fields — produces the world's finest cigars. Varadero stretches 20 km of white sand into the Caribbean. And everywhere, live music: from Buena Vista Social Club veterans in Havana to son bands in Santiago de Cuba. Most visitors need a Tourist Card (Tarjeta del Turista) rather than a visa — available from airlines, travel agents or Cuban consulates for USD 25-100, valid for 30 days and extendable. US citizens face additional restrictions and must travel under one of 12 authorised categories. All travellers must have travel insurance covering Cuba. US credit and debit cards do not work — bring cash in Euros, GBP or CAD.
Cuba Entry Requirements & Tourist Card
Cuba requires most visitors to obtain a Tourist Card (Tarjeta del Turista) rather than a traditional visa. The tourist card allows stays up to 30 days (extendable once for 30 more days in Cuba) and is purchased from airlines at check-in, travel agents, or Cuban consulates before departure. Cost: USD 25-100 depending on source and nationality. US citizens require a specific pink tourist card and must travel under one of 12 authorised categories ("Support for the Cuban People" is the most flexible for general travel). All travellers need a valid passport, proof of travel insurance covering Cuba (mandatory — purchased before arrival or at the airport), proof of sufficient funds, and return or onward ticket. Critical: US credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba due to the embargo. Bring sufficient cash in Euros, Canadian dollars or British pounds — USD can be exchanged but incurs an additional penalty fee. Extensions are processed at immigration offices in major cities for approximately USD 25.
Common Visa Types
Tourist Card (General - Green)
For most nationalities (except US citizens) visiting Cuba for tourism. Purchase from airline check-in, travel agent or Cuban consulate before departure. Simple process — fill in your details, present at immigration on arrival.
Tourist Card (US Citizens - Pink)
For US citizens travelling to Cuba under one of 12 authorised categories. "Support for the Cuban People" is the most commonly used for general travel. Document your activities. Hotel restrictions may apply.
Business Visa (D-6)
For business travel, conferences and professional activities not covered by the tourist card. Requires invitation from a Cuban entity. Apply through a Cuban consulate.
Family Visit Visa (A-2)
For Cuban-Americans or family members visiting relatives in Cuba for extended periods. Multiple entries allowed. Requires proof of Cuban family ties.
Essential Information for Cuba Travellers
Travel Guide
Cuba is unlike anywhere else in the Americas. Havana alone could fill a week: the UNESCO-listed Old Havana with its baroque churches, plazas and cigar factories; the Malecón seawall where all of Havana gathers at sunset; the Vedado district's modernist architecture and Fábrica de Arte Cubano (a converted cooking-oil factory turned cultural centre); and the Hemingway trail — La Bodeguita del Medio for mojitos, El Floridita for daiquiris, Finca Vigía where he wrote The Old Man and the Sea. Trinidad, frozen in the 19th century, is a UNESCO gem of pastel-coloured colonial houses, cobblestone streets and Afro-Cuban drumming in the Casa de la Música. The Viñales Valley is Cuba's most dramatic landscape — limestone mogotes rising from vivid green tobacco fields, with farmers still drying leaves in traditional thatched barns. Varadero is a 20 km strip of white Caribbean sand. The Bay of Pigs (Playa Girón) has surprisingly excellent snorkelling and diving along the reef. Santiago de Cuba, the eastern capital, is the cradle of son cubano, carnival and revolutionary history. And through it all, the music: live salsa, son, timba and trova in bars, on street corners, in Casa de la Trova venues across the island. Cuba also happens to be extraordinarily affordable outside resort enclaves — a casa particular (private homestay) for USD 15-30, a full meal for USD 3-8, and a classic car taxi ride for a few dollars.
Ways to Experience This Destination
Old Havana (UNESCO, baroque plazas, cigar factories, rooftop bars), the Malecón seawall at sunset, Vedado's modernist architecture, Fábrica de Arte Cubano, the Hemingway trail (Bodeguita del Medio, El Floridita, Finca Vigía), Revolution Square, and Havana's jazz clubs. A city that rewards walking, wandering and getting lost.
Trinidad (UNESCO, 19th-century time capsule, pastel houses, cobblestones, Casa de la Música), Cienfuegos (neoclassical 'Pearl of the South'), Camagüey (labyrinthine streets, giant clay pots), and Remedios (one of Cuba's oldest towns). Colonial Cuba is beautifully preserved and largely untouched by mass tourism.
Cuba is where son, salsa, mambo, cha-cha-chá, rumba, timba and trova were born or perfected. Live music everywhere — from Buena Vista Social Club veterans in Havana to street musicians in Santiago. Casa de la Trova venues in every town. Salsa classes available. Santiago's carnival (July) is Cuba's biggest cultural event.
Viñales Valley (limestone mogotes, tobacco farms, caves, horseback riding), Varadero (20 km white sand strip), Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo (resort islands), Bay of Pigs (excellent reef snorkelling and diving), Topes de Collantes (mountain hiking near Trinidad), and Zapata Peninsula (wetlands, birdwatching, crocodiles).
Cuba produces the world's most celebrated cigars — visit tobacco farms in Viñales, watch rollers at the Partagás factory in Havana, and learn the difference between Cohiba, Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta. Havana Club rum distillery, local rum bars, and the cocktail culture that gave the world the mojito, daiquiri and Cuba libre.
Revolution Square and the iconic Che Guevara image in Havana, the Bay of Pigs invasion site at Playa Girón, Che Guevara's mausoleum in Santa Clara, the Moncada Barracks in Santiago, Sierra Maestra guerrilla trails, and Fidel Castro's legacy visible throughout the island. Cuba's revolutionary history is inescapable and fascinating regardless of political perspective.
Money & Currency
Cuban Peso (CUP)
Currency code: CUP
Practical Money Tips
Cuban Peso (CUP) and MLC — Bring Cash, No US Cards
Cuba operates a dual-currency system for tourists. The Cuban Peso (CUP) is the national currency; the MLC (Moneda Libremente Convertible) is a digital-only tourist currency used at state-run Cadeca exchanges and certain shops. The 2021 monetary reform abolished the CUC (Cuban Convertible Peso) — it no longer exists. US travelers face a critical restriction: American credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba due to the US embargo. US visitors must bring sufficient cash in EUR, CAD, or GBP. Non-US travelers: bring EUR or CAD in cash for the best exchange rates.
ATMs Exist But Are Unreliable — US Cards Completely Blocked
ATMs in Cuba are limited and frequently out of service or out of cash. Banco Metropolitano and Banco Popular de Ahorro have ATMs in Havana, Varadero, Trinidad, and Santiago de Cuba. Non-US Visa and Mastercard debit/credit cards may work at some ATMs — but success is inconsistent. US-issued cards of any network are completely blocked. Do not rely on ATMs as your primary cash source. Withdraw in CUP at official Cadeca exchanges where possible. Bring more cash than you think you'll need.
Very Limited Card Acceptance — No Apple Pay, No Google Pay
Cuba is almost entirely a cash economy for tourists. Card acceptance is limited to some state-run hotels (Meliá, Iberostar) and a handful of upscale restaurants. Apple Pay and Google Pay are not supported anywhere in Cuba. US-issued cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) do not work. Non-US Visa and Mastercard may work at ETECSA offices and some hotels, but always have cash as backup. Budget for a fully cash-based trip.
Bring More Cash Than Expected — EUR and CAD Work Best
Cuba is moderately priced for what you get. State-run hotel (3-star): USD 60–150/night. Casa particular (private guesthouse, strongly recommended): CUP 1,500–4,000/night (≈ EUR 12–32). Restaurant (paladar): CUP 800–3,000 per meal. Street food: CUP 50–300. Shared taxi (collectivo): CUP 50–300 per route. EUR and CAD attract better exchange rates than USD (USD incurs an additional 10% penalty tax at Cadeca exchanges for some transactions). GBP is also accepted but less common.
Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.
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Planning a trip to Cuba? Whether you need a tourist card, help understanding US travel categories, or guidance on entry requirements — get step-by-step support for your application.
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