Practical A–Z
Entry & Visa
Tourist Card (Tarjeta de Turista)
German citizens need a tourist card for Cuba (not a classic visa) — valid for 30 days, extendable once for 30 days. You can get it:
- At the airline: Condor and Eurowings sell the card at check-in (approx. €25).
- Online: Order in advance from providers like cubaviajes.com (€25–35).
- Cuban Embassy: In Berlin, in person or by mail (€22).
What you need
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the trip)
- Tourist card (correctly filled out — no Tipp-Ex allowed!)
- Travel health insurance — mandatory! Foreign health insurance is occasionally checked upon entry. Without insurance: purchase possible at the airport (approx. 3 USD/day).
- Return ticket and hotel proof (address of the Casa Particular is sufficient)
Achtung
Cuba requires travel health insurance — bring the proof printed out! US insurance is NOT accepted. A European foreign health insurance usually covers Cuba.
Internet & Communication
Internet in Cuba — The Reality
Internet in Cuba is slow, expensive, and restricted — but it's getting better. There is no nationwide Wi-Fi and no mobile internet for tourists. You need an ETECSA card (Cuba's telecom monopoly) or an eSIM.
Options
- ETECSA Card (Nauta): Prepaid cards for Wi-Fi hotspots (1–2 USD/hour). Available at ETECSA offices (expect a queue!) or from street vendors (markup). The card works at all public Wi-Fi hotspots — in parks, hotels, and squares. Speed: slow.
- Hotel Wi-Fi: Most hotels have Wi-Fi — often with an ETECSA card or their own card at the reception.
- eSIM: Some international eSIM providers offer Cuba packages — check before the trip if your provider covers Cuba. The best option, if available.
EU Roaming
EU roaming does NOT apply in Cuba! Turn off data roaming, or you risk astronomical costs. Cuba is not in the EU and has no roaming agreements with European providers.
Tipp
Download everything you need BEFORE the trip: offline maps (Maps.me or Google Maps Offline), translation apps, travel guide PDFs. Plan the internet as a conscious experience — 30 minutes in the park, check emails, then put the phone away. It's liberating.
Safety
Cuba is one of the most secure travel destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The main issue: petty crime and scams (Jineteros).
Jineteros & Jineteras
Jineteros are Cubans who approach tourists to sell them cigars, rum, restaurant visits, city tours, or taxi services — often with a markup or counterfeit products. They are not dangerous but persistent. A friendly "No, gracias" is usually enough.
Prevention
- Leave valuables in the hotel safe — street crime is rare, but avoid unnecessary risks.
- Buy cigars only in official shops (Casa del Habano).
- Be attentive at night in Centro Habana — unlit streets.
- Collectivo taxis: Only use the "official" Almendrones, no private rides with strangers.
| Risk | Assessment | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Petty crime | Low | Pickpocketing is rare but possible |
| Violent crime | Very low | Extremely rare against tourists |
| Scams (Jineteros) | Medium | Counterfeit cigars, overpriced services |
| Natural hazards | Medium | Hurricanes (Jun–Nov), heat |
Health & Packing List
Health
- Travel health insurance: Mandatory! Without proof, you may be denied entry.
- Vaccinations: No mandatory vaccinations. Recommended: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Diphtheria. Yellow fever only when entering from an endemic area.
- Tap water: DO NOT drink! Always buy bottled water (agua purificada). Ice cubes can also be problematic — in good paladares, the ice is safe.
- Mosquito protection: Dengue fever occurs in Cuba. Bring mosquito repellent with DEET. Mosquito nets in Casas Particulares are common.
- Sun protection: The tropical sun is intense — SPF 50+, hat, and sunglasses are mandatory.
- Medications: Pharmacies in Cuba are poorly stocked. Bring everything you need — even basics like headache tablets, diarrhea remedies, and band-aids.
Packing List
- Cash in EUR: Enough for the entire trip (€50–80/day). ATMs are unreliable!
- Travel adapter: Type A/B (US sockets) — 110V in many buildings! Some hotels also have 220V with Type C.
- Mosquito repellent (DEET): Hard to find in Cuba — a must-bring.
- Sunscreen SPF 50+: Expensive and hard to find in Cuba.
- Flashlight: Power outages (apagones) occur regularly — a small LED flashlight is invaluable.
- Toilet paper: Not available in many public toilets — always have some with you.
- Host gifts: Cuban hosts appreciate gifts: soap, shampoo, pens, T-shirts, cosmetics — items that are scarce in Cuba.
Tipp
Pack host gifts! Your Casa Particular hosts appreciate hygiene products, cosmetics, pens for the children, or clothing. It's not mandatory, but a gesture that opens doors and hearts.
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