Canada Travel Warning Cuba: Advisory & Entry Requirements (2026)

Required Documents

• Valid Canadian passport: Must be valid for the duration of your stay. Cuba does not require 6 months validity beyond your return date (unlike many countries), but it must not expire during your trip.
• Cuban Tourist Card (visa): Required for all Canadian tourists. Allows stays of up to 90 days. Tour operators and airlines with direct flights from Canada typically include the tourist card in the package. If traveling via a third country, you must obtain a Cuban electronic visa in advance.
• Proof of travel medical insurance: Mandatory. Must be valid in Cuba. Cuban immigration officials may ask for proof at the border.
• D’Viajeros online customs form: Must be completed up to 72 hours before arrival. Generates a QR code for Cuban immigration.
• Return or onward flight ticket: Proof of departure may be requested at entry.
• Proof of accommodation: A hotel reservation or casa particular booking may be requested.

Insurance Requirements

• Must be valid in Cuba: Not all Canadian insurance policies cover Cuba specifically. Verify with your provider before traveling.
• Minimum coverage: Cuban law requires at least $10,000 USD in medical coverage.
• Must cover: emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and medical evacuation/repatriation.
• If you lack proof: You will be required to purchase a local Cuban insurance policy at the airport upon arrival.
• Provincial health cards: Canadian provincial health insurance does not cover you outside Canada. Supplemental travel insurance is essential.

Key Safety Issues

• Power outages: Ongoing nationwide electricity crisis causes multi-hour blackouts daily. Affects air conditioning, refrigeration, elevators, and Wi-Fi even at resorts.
• Food and water shortages: Resorts may have reduced menu options. Bottled water can be scarce. Bring water purification tablets as backup.
• Rising petty crime: Economic hardship has increased theft and scams targeting tourists. Keep valuables secure and avoid displaying expensive electronics.
• Medical care limitations: Hospitals face severe shortages. Carry a personal first-aid kit and all prescription medications. Medical evacuation insurance is strongly recommended.
• Transportation disruptions: Fuel shortages can affect taxi availability and domestic flights. Build flexibility into your itinerary.

Major Airlines & Routes

• Air Canada / Air Canada Vacations: Direct flights from Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), and seasonal service from other cities to Havana (HAV), Varadero (VRA), Holguín (HOG), Cayo Coco (CCC), and Santa Clara (SNU).
• WestJet: Direct flights from Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg to Varadero, Havana, Cayo Coco, and Santa Clara.
• Sunwing: Charter flights from multiple Canadian cities to Varadero, Cayo Coco, Holguín, Cayo Santa María, and Havana.
• Flair Airlines: Budget carrier with seasonal Cuba routes from select cities.

Flight times: Toronto to Havana approximately 3.5 hours. Toronto to Varadero approximately 3.75 hours. Most affordable when booked as part of all-inclusive packages during off-peak season (May–November).

What Canadians Need to Know

• Currency: Cuba uses the Cuban Peso (CUP). The government exchange rate differs significantly from the informal rate. Check our Cuba exchange rate tracker.
• Canadian credit/debit cards: May work at some resorts and CADECA exchange houses, but service is unreliable. Never depend solely on cards.
• Best strategy: Bring CAD, USD, or EUR in cash. USD and EUR often get better exchange rates than CAD at informal exchanges.
• ATMs: Available in larger cities but frequently out of service or out of cash. Do not rely on ATMs.
• Budget: $80–$150 CAD/day for independent travel (casas, paladares, transport). All-inclusive resort packages start around $1,200–$2,500 CAD/week from Canada.