Cuba Travel Guide for UK & Ireland Visitors (2026)

Required Documents for UK Travellers

• Valid British passport: Must remain valid for the duration of your stay in Cuba. Cuba does not require the standard “6 months validity” rule, but your passport must not expire while you are on the island.
• Cuban Tourist Card (Tarjeta del Turista): All UK visitors require this document. The green Tourist Card (for travellers not originating from the United States) costs approximately £15–25. You can purchase it through JetSaveTravel (the official UK reseller authorised by Gaviota Tours), from your airline at check-in, or directly at certain UK airports. The card must be obtained before departure — it cannot be purchased on arrival in Cuba.
• D’Viajeros online declaration: Cuba requires all travellers to complete a digital customs and health declaration at dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu up to 72 hours before arrival. This generates a QR code that Cuban immigration may check on entry.
• Proof of travel medical insurance: Cuba legally requires all visitors to hold valid travel medical insurance. Cuban immigration officials can — and sometimes do — ask for proof on arrival. NHS cover does not apply outside the UK, and EHIC/GHIC cards are not valid in Cuba.
• Return or onward flight ticket: Immigration officials at Cuban airports may request evidence that you have a confirmed departure flight.
• Proof of accommodation: A confirmed hotel booking or casa particular reservation may be requested. Resorts typically provide a voucher; casa hosts often send a confirmation letter.

What Your Policy Must Cover

• Must be valid in Cuba: Some standard UK travel insurance policies exclude Cuba. Read the policy wording carefully or call your insurer to confirm Cuba is included.
• Minimum medical coverage: Cuban regulations require at least USD $10,000 in emergency medical coverage. Most reputable UK travel insurers far exceed this threshold.
• Emergency evacuation: Medical evacuation to Jamaica or the United States in a serious emergency can cost £20,000–£60,000. Ensure your policy includes medical repatriation.
• NHS cover: The NHS covers you only in the UK. It provides zero cover for treatment in Cuba. EHIC and GHIC cards are EU reciprocal health cards — they are not valid outside the EU/EEA and do not apply in Cuba.
• If you arrive without valid insurance: Cuban airports sell a local Asistur policy on arrival at approximately $3–5 USD per day. This meets the entry requirement but offers lower coverage limits than most UK travel policies.

UK Card & Currency Essentials

• British bank cards: Visa and Mastercard issued by UK banks generally work at major Havana hotel payment terminals and CADECA (official exchange bureau) offices. Acceptance is patchy outside Havana and Varadero. Never rely solely on your card.
• Best currencies to bring: Euros are the most widely accepted foreign currency at Cuban exchange offices and often fetch a better informal rate than GBP. Sterling also exchanges at CADECA without problem. Avoid bringing USD, which incurs a 10% surcharge at Cuban exchange offices.
• Cuban Peso (CUP): Cuba operates a single currency. Exchange at CADECA offices, which use the official government rate. Informal exchange rates may differ — check our Cuba travel hub for current rate guidance.
• ATMs: Available at some Havana hotels and city centres, but frequently out of cash or out of service. Do not plan your budget around ATM access.
• Budget guide: Budget travellers (casas particulares, paladares, public transport) should plan for approximately £40–60/day. Mid-range independent travellers: £80–120/day. All-inclusive resort packages from UK tour operators start around £800–1,000 per person per week (flights and accommodation), rising to £1,500+ for premium resorts in peak season.

UK Airlines & Routes to Cuba

• Virgin Atlantic: Scheduled year-round service from London Heathrow (LHR) and London Gatwick (LGW) to Havana (HAV). Flight time: approximately 9.5 hours. Virgin Atlantic tends to have among the most reliable direct schedules from the UK.
• TUI (formerly Thomson): Charter and package flights from London Gatwick (LGW), Manchester (MAN), and Birmingham (BHX) to Varadero (VRA), Havana (HAV), and Holguín (HOG). Strong family and all-inclusive packages.
• Jet2: Seasonal charter flights from Leeds Bradford (LBA), Edinburgh (EDI), Newcastle (NCL), East Midlands (EMA), Manchester (MAN), and Glasgow (GLA) primarily to Varadero. Good value packages combining flights and accommodation.
• Thomas Cook (rebranded): Seasonal Cuba programme from select UK airports — check current schedules as the brand has restructured.
• Connecting via Europe: Iberia (Madrid), Air France (Paris CDG), KLM (Amsterdam), and Condor offer connections to Havana. These routes can be cheaper, especially from regional UK airports without a direct Cuba service.

Flight time from London to Havana is approximately 9 hours 30 minutes westbound (longer eastbound returning). Cuba operates on UTC-5 (CDT) in summer — 5 hours behind London during BST, 6 hours behind during GMT.

Practical Notes for Irish Travellers

• No direct Dublin–Havana service: Aer Lingus does not fly to Cuba as of 2026. Most Irish travellers connect via Madrid (Iberia), London (Virgin Atlantic or TUI), or another European hub. Iberia’s Madrid–Havana route is popular from Dublin given multiple daily Madrid connections.
• Tourist Card: Irish passport holders purchase the same green Tourist Card as UK visitors. When routing via Madrid, purchase it from the airline or an authorised Spanish reseller rather than the UK-specific JetSaveTravel. Cost is typically €20–30.
• Insurance: As in the UK, Irish public health (EHIC/GHIC) entitlements do not extend to Cuba. Purchase a private policy that explicitly covers Cuba before departure.
• Currency: Irish-issued Visa and Mastercard cards have the same unreliable-but-functional status as UK cards in Cuba. Euros exchange well — Ireland’s euro-denominated cash is ideal for Cuba.
• Irish Embassy in Cuba: Ireland does not maintain a resident embassy in Havana. The Irish Embassy in Mexico City has jurisdiction. For emergencies, contact the British Embassy Havana (+53 7 214 2200) — UK consular officers assist Irish nationals in countries where Ireland has no diplomatic presence under a bilateral agreement.

What to Expect in 2026

• Power outages (apagones): Nationwide electricity shortages cause rolling blackouts lasting 8–16+ hours in some areas. Even major Havana hotels experience periods without power. Pack a portable battery bank, download entertainment offline, and check your hotel’s generator policy before booking.
• Food and supply shortages: Supermarkets and pharmacies in Cuba face chronic shortages. Resort kitchens generally have sufficient supplies, but independent travellers should bring personal medications, insect repellent, and toiletries from the UK.
• Petty crime: Pickpocketing and bag-snatching have increased in tourist areas including Central Havana and Vedado. Keep valuables in hotel safes, use sturdy bags, and be alert in crowded markets and at night.
• Scams: “Jineteros” (touts) may approach tourists near major attractions with offers of cigars, taxi rides, or private accommodation. Prices are often inflated; use officially metered taxis or pre-arranged transfers.
• Hurricane season: June through November is hurricane season. Cuba lies in the Caribbean hurricane belt. The FCDO may upgrade its advisory during significant storm events. Monitor the Met Office and Cuban civil defence for storm warnings if travelling during this period.
• Medical facilities: Hospitals in Cuba face severe shortages of medicines, equipment, and supplies. The Clínica Central Cira García in Havana’s Miramar neighbourhood is the main facility for foreign visitors (tel: +53 7 204-2811). Medical evacuation insurance is strongly advised.