Practical Info A-Z

Casas Particulares are Cuba's brilliant alternative to hotels — private accommodations with Cuban families, recognizable by the blue anchor symbol on the door. Since legalization in the 1990s, they have become the backbone of Cuban tourism and by far the best way to stay in Cuba.

What to Expect?

• Room: Clean double room with private bathroom, air conditioning, often with a fridge. Quality ranges from simple to luxurious
• Breakfast: Fresh tropical fruits, eggs, toast, coffee, juice. 3–5 € extra (always worth it!)
• Dinner: The Casa kitchen is often the highlight of the trip. Complete dinner (starter, main course, dessert, drink) for 8–15 €. Lobster for 12–18 €. Order in advance!
• Hosts: Cuban families who often speak English or even German. They give the best tips, organize taxis and Collectivos, and arrange Casas in the next city

Prices

Booking

• Airbnb: Works in Cuba — the largest selection. However: The hosts' internet connection is limited, responses can take days
• Direct: Via email or WhatsApp. Many Casas now have smartphones with mobile internet
• On-site: Simply arrive in town and look for the blue anchor. Almost always works, except in the absolute peak season (Christmas/New Year)
• Network: Every Casa knows Casas in other cities. Your host calls there and reserves for you — the perfect system!

German citizens need the following to enter Cuba:

• Passport: Valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the trip
• Tourist card (Tarjeta de Turista): Mandatory! Serves as a visa for tourist stays up to 30 days (extendable by another 30 days)
• Travel health insurance: Mandatory! Must be presented upon entry. The insurance must NOT be from a US company
• Return ticket: Proof of departure may be required

Obtaining the Tourist Card

At the Airport

Entry at José Martí Airport can take a long time (1–2 hours of waiting is normal). Officials check your passport, tourist card, and insurance proof. Occasionally, they ask for the accommodation address — have the address of your Casa Particular ready!

Cuba's monetary system is the most complicated in the world — and a constant source of confusion for travelers.

Cuban Peso (CUP)

Since the currency reform in 2021, there is only one official currency: the Peso Cubano (CUP). The old CUC (convertible Peso) has been abolished.

• Official rate: 1 EUR ≈ 120 CUP (CADECA/Bank)
• Informal rate: 1 EUR ≈ 250–350 CUP (Casas, Paladares, street — fluctuates greatly)

Almost all private providers (Casas, Paladares, taxis) calculate at the informal rate or directly in EUR/USD. State institutions (hotels, museums, Viazul) use the official rate or calculate directly in EUR.

Cash is King

• Bring EUR: Sufficient EUR in cash is the most important travel rule for Cuba! Plan 50–100 €/day/person
• ATMs: Exist but are often empty, defective, or do not accept European cards. Do NOT rely on them!
• Credit cards: Visa/Mastercard only work in large hotels and some state stores. Never in Casas or Paladares. US cards are generally NOT accepted
• Exchange: Best to exchange with the Casa Particular host (informal rate). CADECA exchange offices exchange at the official rate (unfavorable). Never exchange on the street!
• Small bills: 5, 10, and 20 EUR bills are more practical than 50 or 100

Cuba's healthcare system is excellent for a developing country — doctors are well-trained, and basic medical care is free. The problem: medications and equipment are chronically scarce due to the embargo and economic crisis.

Vaccinations

No mandatory vaccinations for entry from Germany. Recommended are:

• Hepatitis A (mandatory!)
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid (for longer stays)
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio (booster)
• Rabies (for trekking/rural areas)

Travel Pharmacy — MANDATORY!

Medications are hardly available in Cuba. Be sure to bring:

• Painkillers (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol)
• Diarrhea medication (Imodium, electrolytes)
• Antibiotic (broad-spectrum, after doctor's advice)
• Sunscreen (SPF 50+, very expensive in Cuba)
• Insect repellent (DEET-based, against mosquitoes/Dengue)
• Plasters, disinfectant, blister plasters
• Personal medications (with prescription/certificate)
• Activated charcoal or stomach medications

Dangers

• Sunstroke/Heatstroke: The most common health hazard. Hat, sunscreen, drink plenty of water
• Gastrointestinal issues: Do not drink tap water! Only bottled or boiled water. Be cautious with ice cubes and salad in simple eateries
• Dengue fever: Transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes (active during the day!). Wear mosquito protection, especially in the morning and evening
• Zika virus: Possible occurrence. Pregnant women should take special precautions

Internet in Cuba is a lesson in patience. The infrastructure is one of the slowest and most expensive in the world — but it's getting better.

WiFi Hotspots

The most common way to go online: ETECSA WiFi hotspots in parks, squares, and hotels. Recognizable by the crowds staring at their phones.

• Nauta cards: Prepaid WiFi cards from ETECSA. 1 hour = 1–2 €. Available at ETECSA offices (long lines!) or from private sellers (slightly more expensive)
• Speed: Slow (1–3 Mbit/s). Enough for WhatsApp, emails, and simple browsing. Forget video streaming
• Hotspot locations: In Havana: Parque Central, Plaza de Armas, Hotel Nacional. In Trinidad: Parque Céspedes. In Viñales: Main square. At least one in every city

Mobile Internet

Since 2018/2019, there is mobile internet via ETECSA SIM cards. Coverage is 3G/4G in cities, often only EDGE or nothing in rural areas.

• SIM card: Buy at the ETECSA office (bring your passport). 1 GB data = about 1–2 €
• Alternative: eSIM providers like Holafly or Airalo offer Cuba packages — often more convenient but more expensive (10–20 € for 5–10 GB)

Phone

Calls to Germany via ETECSA phones or hotel phones. Expensive (1–3 €/min). Cheaper: WhatsApp calls over WiFi. Roaming with a German SIM is possible but extremely expensive (up to 10 €/MB!) — be sure to deactivate roaming!

Cuba is one of the safest travel countries in Latin America. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The risk is limited to petty crime and scams.

Risks

• Pickpocketing: Rare, but possible in crowds (Malecón at night, festivals). Leave valuables in the hotel safe, don't wear a conspicuous camera around your neck
• Jineteros/scams: The most common "crime" — people selling you fakes or leading you to overpriced restaurants. Not dangerous, but annoying. Politely decline
• Taxi scams: Always negotiate the price before the ride! Official taxis are more reliable than private ones
• Fake cigars: 99% of cigars offered on the street are fakes. Only buy in official shops

General Tips

• Cuba is also relatively safe for solo female travelers. Catcalling (Piropos) is common but rarely threatening. Take normal precautions at night
• LGBTQ+: Cuba has become significantly more open in recent years. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2022. Havana and Santa Clara are the most open cities. The rural east can be more conservative
• Drugs: Drug use is severely punished in Cuba. Cannabis is illegal, and possession can lead to long prison sentences. Stay away!
• Emergency numbers: Police: 106, Fire: 105, Ambulance: 104

Cuba's electrical system is chaotic: There are both 110V and 220V sockets, often in the same building. The plug types also vary:

• Type A: American flat plug (2 pins) — most common in older buildings
• Type B: American flat plug with grounding (3 pins)
• Type C: European round plug — in newer hotels and some Casas

Recommendation: Bring a universal adapter that covers both Type A/B and Type C. In Casas Particulares and hotels, ask what voltage the socket has (110V or 220V). Modern chargers (phone, laptop) automatically handle 100–240V.

Within Cuban cities, there are various transport options:

In Havana

• Bici-Taxis: Bicycle rickshaws. 1–3 € for short distances. Negotiate the price beforehand!
• Coco-Taxis: Spherical yellow tricycles. 3–5 €. Fun, but only for short distances
• Almendrones: Vintage shared taxis on fixed routes. 10–20 CUP (0.10–0.20 €!). Authentic, cramped, adventurous
• Official Taxis: Yellow taxis with a meter (rarely works) or fixed price. 5–10 € within Havana
• Hop-on-Hop-off Bus: Habana Bus Tour. 10 €/day, 2 lines. Convenient for an overview
• Ferry: Casablanca/Regla ferry from Terminal Sierra Maestra. 1 CUP (almost free). Great view!

In the Countryside

• Horse-drawn carriages (Coches): The main mode of transport in many small towns. 1–5 CUP per person
• Camiones: Trucks with benches on the loading area. The cheapest transport, but uncomfortable and slow. For adventurers
• Hitchhiking (Botella): Completely normal in Cuba. Hitchhikers wait at yellow-marked spots (Amarillos), sometimes organized by state hitchhiking coordinators

Cuba is a shortage economy — many things that are taken for granted elsewhere are not available here. Be sure to bring:

Mandatory

• Sunscreen (SPF 50+) — extremely expensive or unavailable in Cuba
• Insect repellent (DEET) — against mosquitoes, especially in the evenings
• Travel pharmacy — medications are scarce (see Health)
• Cash in EUR — sufficient! (see Money)
• Universal adapter — for US and EU sockets
• Power bank — power outages are frequent
• Offline maps — download maps.me beforehand

Recommended

• Gifts for Casa hosts: Soaps, shampoo, toothpaste, pens, clothing, children's toys. Highly appreciated and the nicest way to say thank you
• Ziplock bags: For documents, phone at the beach, wet clothes
• Copies of travel documents: Passport, tourist card, insurance — digital and on paper
• Spanish dictionary or app: Outside tourist centers, hardly anyone speaks English
• Flashlight: For power outages and nighttime walks on unlit streets
• Water purification tablets: As a backup, in case bottled water is unavailable

Import to Cuba

• Personal items, 2 liters of alcohol, 200 cigarettes
• Medications with a doctor's certificate
• Gifts up to 1,000 CUP value (interpreted generously)
• Prohibited: Drones (!), GPS devices (in practice, phones with GPS are tolerated), pornography

Export/Return to Germany

• Cigars: Max. 50 pieces without a purchase receipt. With an official invoice (from La Casa del Habano) up to 100 pieces. Anything above will be taxed or confiscated
• Rum: 1 liter duty-free (airport duty-free counts extra)
• Art: For paintings and sculptures, an export permit is required (issued by the gallery owner)
• Corals, shells, snails: Export prohibited! (Species protection, CITES)

Souvenirs

• Cigars: Only buy in official La Casa del Habano shops (guarantee of authenticity + purchase receipt for customs)
• Rum: Havana Club 7 Años or Selección de Maestros as a souvenir. Often cheaper at the airport than in the city
• Art: Havana has a vibrant art scene. Galleries and the Mercado de San José offer paintings, prints, and sculptures
• Music: CDs of Cuban musicians in the EGREM studios or music stores

Public Holidays

Festivals

• Carnival Santiago de Cuba (July): The largest carnival in the Caribbean — Congas, Comparsas, fireworks, and days of street parties. Absolutely worth seeing!
• Havana Jazz Festival (December): International jazz festival with Cuban and international stars. Concerts throughout the city
• Festival del Habano (February): The mecca for cigar fans. Tastings, factory visits, gala dinners
• Parrandas de Remedios (December 24): Cuba's craziest festival — two neighborhoods compete in a contest of fireworks, floats, and music. In Remedios near Santa Clara
• Festival del Caribe / Fiesta del Fuego (July, Santiago): Afro-Caribbean cultural festival with music, dance, and rituals

Calling

• Cuba area code: +53
• Mobile numbers: +53 5XXXXXXX
• Landline Havana: +53 7XXXXXXX
• Roaming: Works with German SIMs but is extremely expensive (5–10 €/MB data, 3–5 €/min call). Be sure to deactivate data roaming!
• ETECSA SIM: Buy a local SIM (at the ETECSA office, bring your passport). Calls to Germany: about 1 €/min
• WhatsApp calls: Over Wi-Fi — the cheapest option

Mail

Postcards to Germany take 2–6 weeks (or never arrive). Stamps are available in hotels and post offices. Price: about 1 € for a postcard to Europe. Tip: Drop postcards in the mailbox at the airport — they are more reliably delivered than from the country.