Havana

Currency

Cuba is the most complicated money situation of any destination here, and it changes frequently. Foreign cards issued by US banks do not work at all. Bring cash — euros are widely preferred — and verify the current exchange arrangements immediately before travelling.

ATMs & cards

Do not rely on ATMs. Machines are unreliable, frequently out of cash, and refuse many foreign cards outright. Plan the trip on cash you bring with you, and keep a reserve.

Machines are unreliable, frequently empty and refuse many foreign cards outright. Cards issued by US banks do not work anywhere in Cuba. Bring cash and a reserve.

Wherever you are: if the machine offers to charge you in your home currency, decline. That is dynamic currency conversion and the rate is set by the ATM's operator, not your bank.

Safety

Violent crime against visitors is rare and Havana feels safe to walk. The practical problems are shortages — of medicine, fuel and sometimes food — and frequent power cuts. Bring any medication you need and a torch.

Our own assessment, not a sourced index.

Entry & visa

Health & emergencies

Required to enter

• Proof of travel health insurance — this is checked on arrival
• Yellow fever certificate, but only if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is present

Worth having

• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid
• Tetanus up to date

Getting treated

Doctors are well trained and there is a parallel system for foreigners (Servimed/Cira García) that is decent, but shortages of medicines and basic supplies are chronic. Bring anything you might need, including painkillers and antibiotics if prescribed, because you will not reliably buy them there.

Do not drink the tap water. Insurance is a legal entry requirement, not a suggestion.

Orientation, not medical advice. Entry rules change and what you need depends on your own history and where you have been — check with a travel clinic or your national health service four to six weeks before you go.

Food tip

Paladares — privately run restaurants — are far better than state ones. Ropa vieja and moros y cristianos are the staples. Bring cash; card acceptance is unreliable everywhere.

Getting around

• Walking — Habana Vieja and Centro are compact and best seen on foot
• Classic car taxi — a fixed-price tourist experience, agree the fare first
• Colectivo — shared fixed-route cars, cheap and how locals actually move
• Coco taxi — the yellow three-wheelers, fun but negotiate hard
• Airport: taxi to Habana Vieja (30 min), agree the fare before departing

Must-see

Things to do

• Walk Habana Vieja at golden hour
• Sit on the Malecon at sunset
• Ride a classic car along the seafront
• See live son at a neighbourhood venue
• Visit Fabrica de Arte Cubano
• Day trip to Vinales tobacco country

Nearby day trips

Say a few words

Spanish (Latin American)

• HelloHolaOH-la
• PleasePor favorpor fa-VOR
• Thank youGraciasGRA-syas
• Yes / NoSí / Nosee / no
• Excuse meDisculpedees-KOOL-peh
• How much is it?¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAN-to KWES-ta
• The bill, pleaseLa cuenta, por favorla KWEN-ta
• Cheers!¡Salud!sa-LOOD

The c and z are said as an s here, not the Spanish "th" — gracias is GRA-syas.

Religion

Catholic and Santería

Officially atheist for decades and now openly plural. Santería, an Afro-Cuban tradition, is widely practised alongside Catholicism.

Do's and don'ts

Do

• Bring everything you need — medicine, toiletries, batteries; shortages are real and constant
• Carry cash and a reserve; cards frequently do not work at all
• Tip in cash, generously by local standards — it matters enormously here
• Ask before photographing people, and expect a request for a tip

Don't

• Do not criticise the government in public or push locals to do so; you leave, they do not
• Do not expect reliable internet or power; both are intermittent
• Do not photograph military or police installations
• Do not assume US-issued bank cards will work anywhere — they do not