Cuba Travel Restrictions, Prohibited Hotels & Havana Safety Guide

1. Embassies & consulates in Havana

Register with your embassy before you fly via your foreign ministry's traveller-registration system (US: STEP; UK: FCDO; Canada: ROCA). Most foreign missions cluster in Miramar (Playa) and Vedado. All numbers below are in international dialling format.

2. Where to stay — hotels & casas particulares

The properties below are a mix of international-brand hotels, long- established Cuban hotels (most in the GAESA / Gaviota / Habaguanex orbit — check the CPAL and CRL before booking) and licensed casas particulares in safer neighbourhoods (Vedado, Miramar (Playa), Habana Vieja, Nuevo Vedado). For US persons travelling under the §515.574 "Support for the Cuban People" general license, casas particulares and private paladares are the compliant default; large state-owned hotels on the Cuba Restricted List are not. Concierges and casa hosts can arrange airport transfers, which is the single most important logistics call you make on this trip.

3. Where to eat — paladares & restaurants

All entries are well-established paladares (private, MIPYME-licensed restaurants) and a few state restaurants in Vedado, Miramar and Habana Vieja. Reservations are essential (paladares are small and fill fast); cash USD or EUR is the reliable form of payment because US-issued credit and debit cards do not work anywhere in Cuba. For §515.574 compliance, prioritise paladares over state-run venues.

4. Hospitals & medical providers

Cuba requires every foreign visitor to hold a Cuban-law travel-insurance policy at port of entry — immigration will spot-check. Most travellers buy through Asistur on arrival or have a Cuban-recognised policy from home. For foreigners, the default facility in Havana is the Cira García Central Clinic (Miramar) under the Servicios Médicos Cubanos / CSMC network; CIMEQ handles complex cases. Public Cuban hospitals will treat foreigners but typically refer to Cira García. Confirm direct billing with your international travel-medical insurer (International SOS, Cigna Global) before you fly.

5. Ground transport & drivers

The single most important rule: pre-arrange your José Martí (HAV) airport transfer through your hotel or casa particular before flying. Cuba does not have ride-hail apps; almendrones (collective Lada taxis), cocotaxis and private taxis (Cubataxi, Taxis Cuba) are the on-the-ground options. Carry small USD or EUR cash for fares — meters are rarely used and you must agree the price before getting in.

6. Corporate security & assistance

Cuba has comparatively low violent-crime rates by regional standards; the dominant risks are petty theft and pickpocketing in tourist zones (Habana Vieja, Vedado, Varadero), jinetero hustles, power outages (apagones), structural collapses in Habana Vieja and Centro Habana, and Atlantic hurricane season (June–November). The default in-country assistance provider for foreign visitors is Asistur S.A. (24/7 medical, legal, repatriation, insurance liaison). For executive protection or journey management, engage an established international security firm that maintains vetted Cuban relationships rather than contracting a local vendor cold.

7. Communications, ETECSA & eSIMs

Cuba's sole telecoms operator is ETECSA (state monopoly). US-carrier roaming is unreliable and US-billed eSIMs sit in a CACR / OFAC grey area; many travellers use a non-US eSIM provider activated before you fly, or buy a Cuban tourist SIM / data plan from ETECSA on arrival. Wi-Fi is available in most hotels and ETECSA hotspots but is metered and slow. Several news and messaging sites are blocked or throttled — configure a VPN at home before you leave (and note that even possessing a VPN can be questioned at the border).

• Local SIM cards (Cubacel / ETECSA)

  ETECSA is the state telecom monopoly. Cubacel SIMs are sold at ETECSA offices (passport required), at HAV airport, and at some hotels. NOTE for US persons: ETECSA appears on the State Department's Cuba Restricted List, so direct purchase by US persons is a CACR compliance grey area — most US-compliant travel providers route around it via eSIM.

• eSIM (recommended for short trips)

  Airalo and Holafly both sell Cuba eSIM data plans that activate before you board. Prices are higher than a local SIM but you skip the in-country activation step entirely AND avoid the ETECSA Cuba-Restricted-List issue for US persons. Confirm your phone is carrier-unlocked and supports eSIM.

• Hotel & casa particular Wi-Fi

  Most modern Havana hotels offer Wi-Fi included or for a per-day fee. Casas particulares typically do not have in-room Wi-Fi; expect to use ETECSA's NAUTA pre-paid Wi-Fi cards (sold at ETECSA offices) at public Wi-Fi parks (the canonical example is Parque Central, Parque Fe del Valle in Centro Habana, and the Vedado Malecón hotspots).

• VPN

  Many Western platforms (LinkedIn, US news outlets, some messaging apps) are intermittently throttled or blocked on ETECSA's network. Configure a reputable VPN (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Mullvad, ProtonVPN) before arrival; doing it after landing is unreliable. WhatsApp and Signal generally work without a VPN.

• Roaming

  Most US carriers do not offer Cuba roaming or only at very high rates ($2-5/min calls, $0.50-2/MB data). Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile users should NOT assume cellular roaming will work. Plan around an eSIM or pre-paid ETECSA Wi-Fi cards.

8. Money, MLC & banking

US-issued credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba (Visa, Mastercard, Amex are all blocked because of CACR correspondent-banking restrictions). Bring physical USD or EUR cash in small, clean, recent-series notes — budget for the trip end-to-end. Convert at CADECA (state currency exchange) into CUP for day-to-day spend; the informal CUP/USD rate (tracked by the elTOQUE TRMI) is many multiples above the BCC official rate. MLC (Moneda Libremente Convertible) is a hard-currency token used in MLC-only retail outlets and is loaded onto a Cuban Banco Metropolitano / FINCIMEX-issued card; non-residents typically don't need it.

• Cash is mandatory (especially for US travellers)

  Bring 100% of your trip budget in cash, in advance. US-issued credit and debit cards do NOT work in Cuba under the embargo — no exceptions, no workarounds. Euro cash receives a slightly better exchange rate than USD because Cuba applies a 10% penalty on USD cash exchange. Notes must be undamaged and post-2009 series.

• Cuban peso (CUP) cash

  Carry CUP cash for street-level micro-purchases, taxi tips, and casa particular incidentals. Exchange at CADECA bureaus (state) at the official BCC rate, or via your casa host at the informal rate (typically 2-3x more favourable). DO NOT exchange back to USD on departure — it is illegal to take CUP out of Cuba.

• Card payments (non-US issued cards)

  Non-US issued Visa and Mastercard work at some hotels, international restaurants, and a few CADECAs. Acceptance is inconsistent. UK, Canadian, and EU-issued cards work better than Asian or Middle Eastern cards. American Express does not work anywhere in Cuba (US-issued by definition).

• ATMs

  ATM withdrawals work for non-US issued Visa cards in Havana city centre but daily limits are tight (typically equivalent of USD 100-200 in CUP) and many machines run out of cash during high-tourist season. Treat ATMs as a contingency, not a planned source of funds.

• MLC (Moneda Libremente Convertible)

  Some Cuban state retail outlets (TRD Caribe, certain supermarkets, gas stations) accept ONLY pre-loaded MLC cards denominated in USD/EUR equivalents. Foreign visitors generally do not need MLC cards — ignore unless your stay involves buying groceries at a state MLC supermarket.

• Informal exchange rate (elTOQUE TRMI)

  The elTOQUE TRMI (Tasa de Referencia del Mercado Informal) is the rate that actually clears in private commerce, casas particulares, and paladares. It runs typically 2-3x the official BCC rate. Cuban Insights publishes the daily TRMI on the homepage — check before negotiating cash exchange. See live rates →

• Wise / Western Union / Remitly

  Western Union restored US-Cuba remittance services in 2023 (after a Trump-era pause) and is the canonical channel for USD remittances to Cuban families — but NOT for foreign business travellers funding their own trips. Wise does not support outbound transfers to Cuba.

9. Pre-departure checklist

Work this list end-to-end at least two weeks before departure. For U.S. persons, keep written records of your authorized travel category, itinerary, lodging, private-sector support, and any counterparties you screened against CPAL, CRL, and OFAC lists.

• Confirm your visa / Tourist Card status

  Most nationalities (UK, EU, Canada, Mexico) need a Cuban Tourist Card (Tarjeta del Turista) purchased through their airline or a Cuban consulate. US persons need to qualify under one of the 12 OFAC general-license categories AND buy a Tourist Card. Use our Visa Requirements tool to check the current rules for your passport. Open the tool →

• [US persons] Document your CACR general-license category

  Before departure, document in writing which of the 12 OFAC general-license categories under 31 CFR § 515.560–.578 your trip qualifies for (most commonly 'Support for the Cuban People' under § 515.574). Build and retain a 'full-time schedule' of qualifying activities (paladar meals, casa particular stays, MIPYME tours, cultural visits). Retain records for 5 years (the OFAC recordkeeping window). Open the tool →

• Verify travel insurance covers Cuba (mandatory under Cuban law)

  Cuban entry law requires every traveller to hold valid medical-travel insurance — proof may be requested at immigration. Many US-issued policies explicitly EXCLUDE Cuba. Confirm in writing that your policy covers (a) hospitalisation in Cuba, (b) medical evacuation to Mexico/US, and (c) trip-cancellation due to hurricane / civil unrest. Asistur (Cuba's state insurer) sells a top-up policy on arrival if your home policy doesn't qualify.

• Photocopy passport, Tourist Card & insurance card

  Carry a paper photocopy + a digital copy in encrypted cloud storage. Leave a third copy with a contact at home. The PNR spot-checks documents at hotels and airport transit zones.

• Complete the D'Viajeros online declaration

  Cuba requires every arriving traveller to complete the free online D'Viajeros customs and health declaration within the 72 hours before arrival. The form is free at https://dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu/ — paid 'official' versions are scams. Save the QR code to your phone and a printed copy. Open →

• Register with your embassy

  Free, takes 5 minutes. Once enrolled, your government can locate and contact you in a crisis (hurricane evacuations are the most common scenario). US: STEP. UK: GOV.UK email alerts. Canada: ROCA. See the full list at the top of this page. Jump to the registration section ↓

• Pre-arrange airport transfer & first night

  Book your inbound HAV airport transfer in writing through your hotel or casa host before you board. Confirm and prepay the first night's accommodation.

• Bring 100% of your trip budget in cash (USD or EUR)

  US-issued cards do NOT work in Cuba. Even non-US cards are inconsistently accepted. Bring euro cash if possible (no 10% USD penalty), in small undamaged post-2009 notes. Budget USD/EUR 100-200 per day for casa + paladar + transport.

• Set up an eSIM (recommended) or accept pre-paid Wi-Fi

  Buy an Airalo or Holafly Cuba eSIM before departure and activate on landing. Avoids the ETECSA Cuba-Restricted-List issue for US persons and skips the in-country SIM activation queue. Alternative: rely on pre-paid NAUTA Wi-Fi cards at hotel lobbies and Wi-Fi parks.

• Install and test a VPN

  Choose ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Mullvad or ProtonVPN. Install on phone and laptop, sign in, and confirm it works before you board — many VPN provider sites are blocked from inside Cuba.

• Pre-load offline maps

  Download Havana in Google Maps for offline use, plus a backup (Maps.me or Organic Maps). Cell data is expensive and patchy.

• Hurricane-season awareness (June–November)

  Atlantic hurricane season runs June–November and Cuba sits directly in the path. Build a flexible flight booking, monitor the National Hurricane Center, and have a contingency exit plan (Cancún, Nassau, Miami).

• Emergency contact card

  Print a pocket card with: hotel/casa name + phone, your embassy's after-hours line, your insurer's 24/7 number, Asistur (+53 7 866-4499), and a domestic emergency contact. In Spanish if possible.

10. Personal safety checklist

These are the on-the-ground rules that experienced visitors, diplomats and journalists treat as non-negotiable.

• Stay in central Havana (Miramar / Vedado / Habana Vieja core)

  Miramar (Playa municipality), Vedado, and the restored core of Habana Vieja are the safer business and tourism districts and host most foreign-investor meetings, embassies, international hospitals, and quality casas particulares. Avoid the outer barrios after dark — Marianao, parts of Cerro, and Diez de Octubre have higher petty-crime rates and limited street lighting during apagones (power outages).

• Petty crime, not violent crime, is the dominant risk

  Havana has a notably lower violent-crime rate than other Latin American capitals. The dominant risks for foreign visitors are: pickpocketing on Calle Obispo and around the Plaza de Armas, distraction theft (the fake-bird-poo scam), short-change at CADECAs, jinetero / jinetera approaches in tourist zones, and snatch-and-run on cameras / phones held in hand. Stay aware, not paranoid.

• Pre-book taxis through your hotel or casa host

  State Cubataxi from a hotel rank is reliable. Almendrón shared cars on fixed routes are reliable. AVOID flagging private cars from the street, especially at night. NEVER accept a cab from someone who approaches you at HAV airport.

• Apagón awareness (rolling power outages)

  Cuba experiences daily rolling blackouts (apagones) of 4–12 hours, sometimes longer. Carry a charged power bank, a small headlamp, and a paper map. Hotels in central Havana run on generator backup but elevators and air-con may stop working outside the lobby. Refrigeration interruptions raise the risk of foodborne illness — favour cooked-to-order paladar meals over buffets during sustained outages.

• Carry water and basic OTC medicine

  Cuban pharmacies face severe shortages of basic medicines (ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antihistamines, antibiotics, ORS). Bring a 7-day kit: pain reliever, anti-diarrhoeal, ORS, antihistamine, broad-spectrum antibiotic if your doctor prescribes one, and any chronic medication in its original packaging plus the prescription. Bottled water is widely available but not always cold.

• Low profile, low value

  No visible jewellery, expensive watches, or DSLR cameras swung on a strap. Keep phones in pockets when not in use. Tourist-photographer behaviour attracts pickpocket attention in Habana Vieja and Centro Habana — not violence, just theft.

• Carry cash dispersed

  Distribute cash across multiple pockets, the casa safe, and your bag. Never carry your entire bankroll on you.

• Comply at PNR / customs checkpoints; do not photograph officials

  Cuban Policía Nacional Revolucionaria (PNR) and customs agents may spot-check documents. Be polite, present passport + Tourist Card, do not photograph or film officials, and do not negotiate. Do NOT photograph government buildings (the Capitolio is fine; the Plaza de la Revolución is fine; MININT, MINFAR, port and airport infrastructure are NOT).

• Avoid demonstrations and political gatherings

  Public protest is rare on the island but the risk profile spikes around politically sensitive dates (11 July anniversary, Communist Party congresses, election cycles). Foreign participation in any protest is a deportation risk and may trigger immigration consequences.

• Two-deep comms

  Share your daily itinerary with a trusted contact at home. Check in by message at least twice a day. If you go silent, they should know who to call (your embassy + Asistur).

• Hurricane / tropical storm awareness

  Atlantic hurricane season runs June–November; Cuba is directly in the path. Monitor the US National Hurricane Center and Cuba's INSMET. If a storm warning is issued during your trip, follow your embassy's advice immediately — evacuation flights fill up within hours.

11. Emergency numbers

Save these to your phone before you fly. In a serious incident, call your embassy first, then your security/medical assistance provider, then local emergency services.