Vintage cars, colonial streets, live son and salsa, and some of the Caribbean’s best beaches: Cuba is like nowhere else, and it is a wonderful place to learn Spanish where the language truly lives. This guide covers the practical essentials, when to go, how to get in, money, health and getting around, along with the culture, food and festivals that make the island so special.
Cuba Travel Guide
Cuba at a glance
| Capital | Havana (the largest city in the Caribbean) |
| Language | Spanish |
| Currency | Cuban peso (CUP) |
| Time zone | Cuban Standard Time (six hours behind Central European Time) |
| Best time to visit | The dry season, roughly November to April |
| Good to know | Travel health insurance is compulsory; carry cash |
Geography
Cuba is an archipelago consisting of the main island of the same name, Isla de la Juventud and around 4195 smaller islands. The archipelago belongs to the Greater Antilles. Cuba borders the Gulf of Mexico to the northwest, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. The island is approximately 180 km from the US and 210 km from Mexico.
When to go and the climate
Cuba is a year-round destination with a tropical climate and around 200 days of sunshine a year. The dry season runs from November to April and is the most popular time to visit; the wetter season is May to October, and the official hurricane season runs from June to November, when tropical storms are possible. Temperatures stay warm all year, typically in the mid-20s to low-30s Celsius.
Climate Chart (Havana)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | ||
| Maximum temperature | 26° | 27° | 28° | 29° | 30° | 31° | 31° | 32° | 31° | 29° | 27° | 27° | |
| Minimum temperature | 18° | 19° | 19° | 21° | 22° | 23° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 23° | 21° | 20° | |
| Hours of sunshine | 6h | 7h | 8h | 9h | 9h | 8h | 9h | 8h | 7h | 6h | 5h | 5h | |
| Water temperature | 25° | 24° | 25° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 27° | 27° | 27° | |
| Rainy days | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 6 |
Entry and visa
Most visitors need a tourist card (the tarjeta del turista) to enter Cuba, valid for a stay of up to 30 days and usually extendable once for a further 30 days. You buy it before you travel, from a Cuban embassy or, in many cases, through your airline or travel agent. For longer stays or study you may need a visa, which can take several weeks to process, so arrange it well ahead. Rules change, so always check the latest requirements before booking.
Currency
Since 2021 Cuba has had a single currency, the Cuban peso (CUP); the former convertible peso (CUC), once used by tourists, has been abolished. The money situation changes often and exchange rates can be volatile, so check current advice shortly before you travel. A few practical points hold true: cash is essential, cards issued by US banks generally do not work, and it is wise to bring enough money for your trip in a widely exchanged currency.
Language and Communication
The national language is Spanish, in a warm, musical Caribbean variety close to that of the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. A little Spanish goes a long way with famously friendly locals, which is exactly why Havana is such a rewarding place to learn.
Getting around
Cuba has an extensive road network, though surfaces are variable, so take care if you drive. For getting between cities, the Víazul coach network is the reliable option for visitors, and shared taxis (colectivos) and classic-car taxis are common in and around Havana, agree the fare first. Ferries link Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba, and the Isla de la Juventud.
Health
Travel health insurance is a condition of entry to Cuba, so bring proof (a certificate or insurance card). Make sure your routine vaccinations, such as tetanus, diphtheria and hepatitis A, are up to date, and for longer stays hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies are also worth discussing with your doctor. Tap water is not safe to drink, so stick to bottled water, and peel or cook fruit and vegetables. For current requirements, check your government's travel advice before you go.
Culture, music and history
Music and dance are the heartbeat of Cuba, the island gave the world son, mambo, cha-cha-cha, rumba and salsa, and you will hear live music everywhere. Literature matters too; the American writer Ernest Hemingway lived here for over twenty years. Cuba's history runs deep: home to indigenous peoples (chiefly the Taíno) before Columbus reached it in 1492, then a Spanish colony built on sugar and, tragically, enslaved African labour, becoming the world's largest sugar producer by the 1820s. Spain's rule ended after the 1898 war with the United States, and Cuba became an independent republic in 1902. The 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro reshaped the country, and its culture today reflects that whole layered past.
Food
Cuban cooking blends Spanish, African and Caribbean influences. The staples are rice and black beans, often served with pork or chicken and vegetables such as tomatoes, cassava, peppers and plantain. Family-run paladares (private restaurants) are the place to find good, affordable, authentic home cooking, while fish and seafood tend to be pricier and more common in hotels.
Etiquette and practical tips
A few things help you travel respectfully. Cubans tend to follow rules and regulations closely, so do the same. Sunbathing topless is not the norm outside all-inclusive resort beaches. If children ask tourists for money, it is best not to give it. Tipping is customary and genuinely appreciated, since it makes up an important part of many workers' income; a modest tip for good service, and something for a guide or driver, is the norm.
Summary
Cuba pairs extraordinary culture, music and beaches with the chance to learn Spanish where it is spoken with real warmth. Go in the drier months (November to April), sort your tourist card and compulsory travel insurance in advance, bring cash (the currency is the Cuban peso, and US-bank cards do not work), and expect limited internet. Then enjoy the son and salsa, the paladares and the vintage-car streets of Havana, ideally while studying Spanish there with SPRACHCAFFE.
FAQ
Spanish, spoken by virtually the entire population. Cuban Spanish has a distinctive rhythm and vocabulary, which makes the island a lively place to learn the language.
The dry season, from around November to April, brings the most reliable weather and is the peak for visitors. The summer months are hotter, wetter and within the hurricane season.
Options include vintage taxis, long-distance Viazul buses, domestic flights and rental cars. Travel can be slower than expected, so it is worth allowing extra time between destinations.
Cuba uses the Cuban peso, and card payment is unreliable, so carry enough cash and check current entry and currency rules before you travel, as they change.
A Spanish course in Cuba pairs lessons with the island's music, culture and daily life.
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