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.

Havana

Havana is Cuba's capital, on the island's north coast. Go for its colonial old town, the Malecón seawall and the 1950s American cars that still run the streets.

Find a room in Havana Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Havana

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Havana is the capital of Cuba and sits on the island's northern coast. Most first-time visitors spend their days in Old Havana, the colonial core with historic squares, churches and restored plazas. In the evening, locals gather on the Malecón, the long seawall road that follows the shore. Vedado, a short ride west of the center, has wider streets, mid-century houses and a quieter residential feel.

Havana suits a first trip to Cuba if you want history, live music and busy street life, and you are happy to walk. Plan for power cuts and bring cash, because foreign cards often do not work. Taxis link the main neighborhoods, and casas particulares, which are rooms in family homes, are a common place to stay. The dry season, roughly November to April, is the most comfortable time to visit. Two to three days cover the main neighborhoods without rushing.

Havana in five

Read the UK travel advice firstThe UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Cuba (advice updated 25 September 2026): fuel shortages have grounded many flights, and power, water and card payments are unreliable.UK travel advice
Fill in D'Viajeros before you flyCuba asks every traveler to complete the free D'Viajeros online form before arrival. Keep the QR code on your phone for the airport.D'Viajeros
Bring cash in euros or dollarsThe UK advice says Visa and Mastercard are no longer accepted in Cuba, so ATMs do not work with international cards. Carry enough clean euros or dollars for rooms, meals and taxis.
Expect power cutsBlackouts are frequent across Cuba. Pack a power bank and flashlight, and ask your host whether the house has a backup supply.
US travelers: check the rules firstUnder US law, tourism to Cuba is not allowed for people subject to US jurisdiction; trips must fit one of the authorized categories set by the US Treasury.

Things to do in Havana

See all attractions in Havana

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.

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

Need to know

Airport: José Martí (HAV), about 30–40 min to Old Havana by taxi
Getting there: Few flights run; check your airline and the travel advice
Getting around: Walking, taxis and classic car hire
Best base: Old Havana for the sights, Vedado for a calmer stay
Time needed: 3 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Dry, pleasant
FebruaryClear6 rainy daysHigh28°Low20°Dry, busy
MarchClear5 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Dry, warm
AprilClear9 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Warm, dry
MayRain17 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Rains start
JuneRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low25°Hurricane season
JulyRain17 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low25°Hot, humid
AugustRain17 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Hot, storms
SeptemberRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low25°Peak hurricanes
OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Hurricane risk
NovemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Drier
DecemberPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°Dry, holidays

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

Right now in Havana

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

Feels like: 30°
Humidity: 76%
Wind: 8 km/h
Chance of rain: 96%

Havana

03:06 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-5

Today28°23°96%Monday: Rain. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 96%.
Tue29°23°88%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 88%.
Wed29°22°82%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 82%.
Thu29°23°41%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 41%.
Fri29°23°37%Friday: Clear. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 37%.
Sat29°22°28%Saturday: Clear. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 28%.
Sun29°22°37%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 37%.

Updated 01:11 PM 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

Day trips by train

Viñalesabout 2.5–3 hours by carTobacco farms and limestone hills; better as an overnight.Read the guide
Playas del Esteabout 30 min by carThe nearest white-sand beaches to the city.
Matanzasabout 1.5–2 hours by carA port city of bridges and rivers on the way to Varadero.

Before you go to Havana

eSIM for HavanaETECSA cards and Wi-Fi hotspotsRead the guide

Insurance for HavanaMedical cover for Cuba entryRead the guide

Money and cards in HavanaCards and cash for the tripRead the guide

Where to stay in HavanaOld Havana and Vedado areasRead the guide

Rules for Havana, checked

Most visitors need a Cuban tourist card to enter. Airlines and travel agents usually sell it; confirm the rule on your nearest Cuban embassy or consulate site.
Carry health insurance that covers you in Cuba. Entry rules call for it; check the current wording with your airline or the Cuban consulate.
Foreign bank cards often fail in Havana. Ask your bank before you leave which cards work, and bring enough cash for the whole trip.

Plan around Havana

Viñales

Tobacco farms and mogotes, about 2.5 to 3 hours west

Read the guide Trinidad

Colonial streets and beach on the south coast

Read the guide All of Cuba

Entry, money and the current travel advice

Read the guide Entry rules for Cuba

Forms and visas before you fly

Read the guide Insurance and travel advice

Why cover can be void against government advice

Read the guide

Havana FAQ

Can I use my card in Havana?

No. The UK advice says Visa and Mastercard are no longer accepted, so bring enough cash for the whole trip.

Where should I stay in Havana?

Old Havana puts you in walking distance of the main sights. Vedado is greener and calmer, with more music at night. Most visitors stay in a casa particular, a licensed private home.

How many days do I need in Havana?

Three days covers the old town, the Malecón, a classic car ride and an evening of music in Vedado. Add Viñales or Trinidad afterward.

Can Americans travel to Havana?

Only under one of the authorized categories in US law, such as support for the Cuban people, not for tourism. Check the US Treasury rules before you book.

Is it safe to travel to Havana right now?

Check official advice first. The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Cuba (updated 25 September 2026), citing fuel, power and water shortages and disrupted flights. Read your government's advice and your insurer's terms before booking.