Travel advisory · CubaSome governments advise against all but essential travel to Cuba.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice

Government	Advice	Updated	Read the advice
United Kingdom (FCDO)	Carefully consider if your presence in Cuba is essential; be prepared for significant disruption	–	Read the advice
United States (State Dept)	Exercise increased caution	May 7, 2025	Read the advice
Canada (Global Affairs)	Avoid non-essential travel	–	Read the advice
Germany (Auswärtiges Amt)	Von Reisen nach Kuba wird derzeit dringend abgeraten	Oct 13, 2026	Read the advice
New Zealand (SafeTravel)	Avoid non-essential travel to Cuba	–	Read the advice
Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs)	Avoid non-essential travel	–	Read the advice
France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)	voyages non essentiels déconseillés	–	Read the advice

Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.

Caribbean

Cuba

Travelers go for Havana's Spanish forts and streets, Trinidad's colonial old town and the beaches on the north coast.

Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Cuba

Cuba is an island country in the Caribbean and the largest country in the region by area. It lies south of Florida and north of Jamaica, and it includes the main island, Isla de la Juventud and thousands of smaller islands, cays and islets. Havana, the capital and largest city, has forts, including El Morro, La Fuerza, La Cabaña and Atarés, that were built or rebuilt in the 18th century to defend the harbor. Trinidad, dating to January 1514, keeps its colonial streets.

Most of the main island is flat to rolling plains, with the Sierra Maestra mountains in the southeast. Varadero is the main resort area on the north coast. The climate is tropical, with the drier season running from November to April. Hurricanes are most common in September and October. The blackouts from 2024 to 2026 were the most severe crisis since the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, so check current power and flight conditions before you go.

Five things to know before Cuba

Check entry rules for your passport before you book
Entry rules change, and US citizens face separate US rules. Check the Cuban requirements and your government's travel advice before you book. Visas and entry
Carry Cuban pesos for everyday spending
The Cuban peso (CUP) has been the only currency since 1 January 2021, when the dual system ended. Some shops accept only foreign currency, a practice that began in July 2020. Money and costs
Plan for power cuts and flight changes
Rolling blackouts hit the island in February 2026, with hospital shortages and flight cancellations. Carry a charged power bank and a flashlight, and confirm your flight the day before.
Watch the September and October hurricane peak
Hurricanes are most common in September and October, and Hurricane Irma caused widespread damage to Varadero in 2017. Check that your travel insurance covers trip cancellation before you buy. Travel insurance
Limit the trip to two bases
Varadero, Havana, Viñales and Trinidad are four separate bases, and each move between them is a road transfer. Choose two bases so you spend less of the trip in cars. Getting around

Cuba travel guides

Practical guides from writers who live there.

Havana

Old Havana, the El Morro and La Cabaña forts, and the harbor.

Read the guide Varadero

The main resort beach area on the north coast.

Read the guide Viñales

Western valley in Pinar del Río province, one of the four bases.

Read the guide Trinidad

Colonial town dating to January 1514, with streets from the Spanish period.

Read the guide Visas and entry

Tourist card, US citizen rules and what to check before you book.

Read the guide Money and costs

Cuban pesos, the end of CUC and shops that take foreign currency.

Read the guide

Top places to visit in Cuba

See all attractions in Cuba

Sight · HavanaEmbassy of the United States of AmericaThe embassy is a government office, so check its official website for current visitor and consular information before going.

Museum · HavanaPintura mural

Landmark · HavanaGrand Theater of Havana Alicia AlonsoAsk at the box office about guided tours and their available languages.

blue car on road near white concrete building during daytime

Landmark · HavanaNational Capitol of CubaGo to the ticket office across the street early to reduce the chance of waiting in line.

Destinations in Cuba

When to go

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best

JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Dry season, cooler
FebruaryClear6 rainy daysHigh28°Low20°Dry season
MarchClear5 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Dry, warming
AprilClear9 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Dry, warming
MayRain17 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Rains begin
JuneRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low25°Rainy season
JulyRain17 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low25°Hot, rainy
AugustRain17 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Hot, rainy
SeptemberRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low25°Hurricane peak
OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Hurricane peak
NovemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Dry season starts
DecemberPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°Dry season

Average daily high and low in Havana, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to CubaPut the places you like in Cuba on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Right now in Cuba

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 34°
Humidity: 60%
Wind: 12 km/h
Chance of rain: 95%

Cuba

03:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-5

Today32°22°95%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 95%.
Tue29°22°61%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 61%.
Wed30°22°92%Wednesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 92%.
Thu29°21°68%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 68%.
Fri29°22°28%Friday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 28%.
Sat29°21°24%Saturday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 24%.
Sun31°21°31%Sunday: Cloudy. High 31°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 31%.

Updated 11:21 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 24 CUP

Amount

Converted to

CUP · Cuban Peso

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Before you go to Cuba

eSIM for CubaCheck coverage before buyingRead the guide Travel insuranceCheck cover for hurricane cancellationsRead the guide Money in CubaCUP is the only currency; some shops take foreign cashRead the guide Visas and entryTourist card and current rulesRead the guide

Rules for Cuba, checked

Check the tourist card and entry rules with the Cuban embassy or consulate in your country before you book.

State security has put down protests, including a spontaneous one in Havana on 5 August 1994 and large anti-government protests in July 2021. Avoid demonstrations and check your government's advice before you travel.

Check Cuban customs limits on cigars and rum, and your home country's import rules, before you buy or carry them home.

Cuba FAQ

Do I need a visa for Cuba?

Most visitors need a tourist card to enter Cuba. US citizens face separate US rules, so check both the Cuban requirements and your government's advice before you book.

What currency is used in Cuba?

The Cuban peso (CUP) has been the only currency since 1 January 2021, when the dual currency system ended. Some shops accept only foreign currency, so carry some of that as well.

Do foreign bank cards work in Cuba?

Ask your bank before you go, and bring cash, since some shops accept only foreign currency.

When is the best time to visit Cuba?

The drier season runs from November to April, with about 21 °C in January and 27 °C in July. Hurricanes are most common in September and October.

How many days do I need in Cuba?

No set length fits every trip. Road transfers between Havana, Viñales, Trinidad and Varadero take time, so fewer bases means more time at each.

Is Cuba safe to visit?

Cuba is governed by one party, and independent journalism is repressed. Reporters Without Borders ranked it 171st out of 180 countries on the 2020 World Press Freedom Index. Check your government's travel advice, and avoid protests.

Will there be power cuts in Cuba?

Yes. Rolling blackouts hit the island from 2024 to 2026, so carry a power bank and a flashlight.