ECC’s Top Cuba Travel Tips

  • Electrical Outlets

    Most of the power supply is 110 volts in Cuba, which is the same as what we use in the United States. Bathrooms usually have 110 volt sockets that will accommodate shavers and hair dryers. The same plugs that you use in the United States will also work in Cuba.

  • Don't Drink The Water

    Easy and Simple. Buy and drink bottled water only, otherwise your tummy may not be happy about it.

  • Pack Snacks

    Markets in Cuba do not offer a wide variety of snacks or sweets; they are VERY rare to find. You may consider bringing some of your favorites with you.

  • Currency Exchange

    CADECA’s are currency exchange places in Cuba. However, the US Dollar is the worst currency to exchange in Cuba. It gets charged an additional 10% fee in addition to the current exchange rate while other currencies do not.

  • Weather and Seasons

    Mid November to March will be the coolest and driest months in Cuba. This makes it the busiest season. May and June tend to be rainy months, but the storms usually occur in the late afternoons and pass quickly. July to November is hurricane season, so there is a greater chance of rain and storms during this time.

  • WiFi and Internet

    Don’t expect internet or WiFi to be reliable, fast, or even available in Cuba. Recently, WiFi hotspots were added in major cities, which can be used with the purchase of a WiFi card that allows use for 1 hour. The cards can be bought at the local telecommunications company ETECSA FOR $2.50 an hour.

  • Americans Can't Use Credit Cards

    Cuban Sanctions imposed by the U.S. do not allow any Americans to use credit or debit cards while in Cuba. Hopefully this restriction will be lifted once relationships improve!

  • Always Print

    Always print out all travel documents before you leave the U.S. for Cuba. Tech is hard to come by in Cuba, so it is always a good idea to have everything preprinted before you come.

  • Take More Cash

    Cuba is still mainly a cash economy, and Americans can only use cash in Cuba. Always take more cash than you intend on spending. This will serve as a safety net in case anything were to happen.

  • Tell Your Bank

    It is not only highly recommended that you tell your bank when you are traveling outside the country, it is very important that you tell them when you travel to Cuba.

  • Prescriptions and Medications

    When traveling to Cuba, you need to be sure that you bring ALL your prescription medications and any over the counter medications that you may need. These items are extremely difficult to obtain once you get to Cuba. Always be sure to bring prescription medications in their original bottles and plan on bringing extra in case of any travel delays.

  • Personal Care Items

    We highly recommend bringing all your personal care items with you when traveling to Cuba. Items such as shampoo, soap, deodorant and razors are very hard to come by. And if by chance you do come across these items, most likely they will not be the brands that you are used to.

  • Cigars & Rum

    Americans are now allowed to buy and bring home as many cigars and bottles of rum as they want. There are no longer any special restrictions on these items, and guidelines follow the same limits as any other country. So, stock up with all you want, it just must be for personal use, with no intentions of resale once you get home.

  • Taxis

    Taxis in Cuba are very accessible and easy to find. You can expect to pay a range between $5 and $20 dollars for rides anywhere within a city. For example, a fare between Old Havana, Vedado, and Centro Havana neighborhoods is around $3-$5 CUC. A ride from Old Havana to Miramar would have an average cost of $8-$12 CUC.

  • Food

    There are no shortages of places to get food in Cuba. You do however, want to be careful in choosing where. Because of shortages, lack of variety can be an issue, and traditionally, Cubans do not tend to use spices of any sort. A big part of our job is to show you the places that have food we know you will enjoy. We will make sure to provide you with Cuba’s top food choices and venues.