Cuba

Violent crime

Foreigners may experience violent crimes, such as assault, sexual assault and robbery.

Petty crime

Pickpocketing, bag snatching and other petty crime is common, especially on public transport and intercity buses.

It also happens at major tourist areas such as:

• Old Havana
• El Centro
• Vedado
• the Malecon
• the beaches of Playa del Este, Varadero and Santiago de Cuba

Power outages are common and can last from minutes to several hours. The opportunity for theft increases during these outages.

Thefts from hotels and guesthouses occur. Keep the doors and windows at your accommodation locked.

Airport-based crime

People have reported thefts from checked baggage at Cuban airports.

When travelling through airports, keep a close eye on your valuables, including during security screening. Keep your valuables on you or place them in your carry-on baggage on flights. Don't check in jewellery, cameras or electronic devices.

Criminals posing as tour agents or taxi drivers operate at the airport and in Havana.

Road-based crime

Thieves may slash car tyres and help with repairs while an accomplice steals from the vehicle. Thieves who pose as hitchhikers are also common.

To protect yourself from road-based crime:

• only use established tour operators and registered taxis
• keep doors locked, windows up, and valuables out of sight, even when moving
• don't pick up hitchhikers
• be wary of people who offer to help if your car is damaged

If you're a victim of crime or theft, get a written police report (Comprobante de Denuncia) from the Cuban police (Policia Nacional) before you leave Cuba. Be aware that you can't get a police report once you leave Cuba.

Kidnapping

Kidnapping can happen anywhere, anytime, including destinations that are typically at lower risk. The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.

More information:

• Kidnapping

Fraud

Instances of credit card and ATM fraud can occur. Be careful when using debit or credit cards:

Overcharging

Some establishments, particularly taxis and classic car rentals, may attempt to impose excessive fees, potentially leading to disputes and violence.

• Confirm prices before using a service or consuming goods 
• Avoid running tabs
• Refrain from leaving your credit card with bar or restaurant staff
• Check your bill to ensure accuracy.

Scams

Some individuals specialise in deceiving tourists, often presenting as friendly English speakers. They may offer tour guide services or assistance purchasing items and resorting to violence to achieve their objectives. Only use reputable tour operators and registered taxis 

Solo travellers

If you're a victim of sexual assault, promptly report the incident to the nearest Australian Embassy or Canadian Embassy in Havana and seek immediate medical attention. Additionally, reporting the incident to Cuban authorities is essential, ensuring that local police provide you with a 'Comprobante de Denuncia' confirming the report filing.

A criminal investigation may not be possible if a formal complaint is not made to Cuban authorities before departing the country. 

Food and drink spiking

Be cautious about snacks, beverages, gum and cigarettes as they may contain drugs, putting you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.

More information:

• Cyber security when travelling overseas

Telecommunications

The telecommunications network in Cuba may be unreliable and intermittent.

Some international cell phones may not work, especially in rural areas. Internet access is limited across the island. Local authorities control telecommunications and may block access during civil unrest or before demonstrations.

Local authorities may break up demonstrations or gatherings not sanctioned by the government. They may also block access to the Internet, including social media, without notice. Be aware that participating in demonstrations in Cuba might be illegal.      

To protect yourself during periods of civil unrest:

• avoid protests, demonstrations and public gatherings
• monitor the media for reports of potential unrest, and avoid those areas
• leave an affected area as soon as it's safe
• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Swimming

Rescue services may not consistently meet international standards and unpredictable tidal changes can result in powerful currents and rips. Lifeguards and warning flags may not be present on all beaches to signal hazardous conditions. Avoid swimming alone or after hours.

Diving

Tour operators and diving centres may not adhere to international standards. Choose a reputable company with proper insurance coverage.

Recreational Boating

If planning a boating excursion, familiarise yourself with navigation rules and carry a VHF marine radio that can relay your position in case of an emergency.

Cuba experiences natural disasters and severe weather, including:

• hurricanes
• severe storms
• earthquakes
• tsunamis

If a natural disaster happens:

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof place
• monitor local media 
• follow the advice of local emergency officials
• keep in contact with friends and family 

Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.

If you're travelling to Cuba during hurricane season or after a natural disaster, monitor weather reports. Contact your tour operator or airline to check if the severe weather has affected your travel plans.

More information:

• Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency

Hurricanes and severe weather

The hurricane season is from June to November. Landslides, mudslides and flooding also occur. The direction and strength of hurricanes can change suddenly.

If there's a hurricane or severe storm:

• you may not be able to leave the area
• flights could be delayed or suspended
• you may not be able to access ports
• roads could be blocked

Natural disasters can disrupt essential services. This includes power, communication systems, emergency and medical care, food, fuel and water supplies.

In some areas, adequate shelter from a hurricane may not be available if you stay.

If a hurricane is approaching:

• know your hotel or cruise ship's evacuation plans
• identify your local shelter
• closely monitor alerts and advice from the US National Hurricane Center and local authorities

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Cuba is in an active earthquake zone. Tsunamis can also happen.

Familiarise yourself with earthquake safety measures for each place you stay and visit.

To receive tsunami alerts, register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System.

Move immediately to high ground if advised by local authorities or if you:

• feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
• feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
• see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
• hear loud and unusual noises from the sea

Do not wait for official warnings. Once on high ground, monitor local media.

More information:

• US Geological Survey

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave.

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. 

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

More information:

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips (Healthdirect Australia)

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Cuba. Take enough legal medication for your trip.

Many medications are in short supply or unavailable in Cuba.

Carry a copy of your prescription and a dated letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

More information:

• Embassy or consulate of Cuba
• Medication

Insect-borne diseases

Outbreaks of dengue and chikungunya are common. Risks are higher during the wet season, from April to November.

Zika and oropouche are a risk. If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health recommends you discuss travel plans with your doctor. Consider deferring non-essential travel to affected areas.

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Get medical help if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common. These include:

• typhoid
• hepatitis
• meningitis
• leptospirosis
• viral meningitis
• conjunctivitis
• rabies
• COVID-19

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

Outbreaks of cholera are seasonal and common.

Medical facilities

Public medical facilities in Havana are basic. 

Standards are limited in smaller towns and rural areas.

Private medical facilities are well-equipped. However, the only private hospital for travellers in Havana is the Cira Garcia Hospital.

State-run Servimed clinics can provide emergency medical care in major tourist areas.

Doctors and hospitals require cash payment before treating you.

If you become seriously ill or injured, you may be evacuated to get proper care. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

Local law

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include lengthy prison sentences in local jails.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

You must always carry photo ID. Authorities can detain you if you're found without it.

Contact the Embassy of Canada in Havana if you lose your Australian passport or other identification documents.

Serious crimes, such as espionage and mass murder, can attract the death penalty.

Under Cuban law, charges aren't laid until the investigation is complete.

If you're accused, you can be jailed during the investigation.

In Cuba, it's illegal to:

• drink-drive
• engage in black-market activities
• take photos of military or police sites, harbours, rail or airport facilities

Get local legal advice before preaching religion or importing religious material. Doing so may be illegal.

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Cuba doesn't recognise dual nationality.

If you're a dual national, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.

More information:

• Dual nationals

Visitor visas

You need a visa to enter Cuba.

If your visit is for tourism, you can get a 'tourist card' through:

• your travel agent or airline
• an embassy or consulate of Cuba

The tourist card includes a tourist visa.

In other situations, you need to apply for a visa.

You're required to fill in an online declaration form. 

Entry and exit conditions change can at short notice. Contact an embassy or consulate of Cuba for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Travel via Canada

If you're travelling via Canada, ensure you meet all entry and transit requirements. 

More information: 

• Travel advice for Canada 

Travel via the United States

If you're travelling through the US, ensure you meet all current US entry or transit requirements, even if you are transiting through Hawaii. 

More information: 

• Travel advice for the US

Travel via Chile

If you’re travelling via Chile, ensure you meet all current entry or transit requirements.

More information:

• Travel advice for Chile

Impact on US ESTA by travelling to Cuba

If you've travelled to Cuba since January 2021, you're not eligible to participate in the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP). You can’t enter or transit the US on an ESTA, including for medical evacuations. You’ll need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy. Contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate for details.

Other formalities

You must show proof of comprehensive travel insurance to enter.

You need to purchase extra insurance from Asistur, the Cuban insurance provider if you:

• plan to do a high-risk sport or compete in a sport
• are aged 70 years or older

To contact Asistur, call +53 7866 4499.

The list of duty-free items that you can take into Cuba is limited. If customs authorities consider any item isn't for personal use, they can seize it. Equipment that draws heavily on electricity or uses satellite technology can also be confiscated.

Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Cuba for details about official requirements for minors travelling without their parents.

A departure tax is included in the cost of your airline ticket.

Validity

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

More information:

• LGBTQIA+ travellers

Cuba's official currency is:

• the National Peso (moneda nacional or CUP)

Canadian dollars, Mexican pesos and Euros can be exchanged at currency exchange stores. There's a large commission fee to exchange US currency. Australian currency can't be exchanged in Cuba. Other currencies may be difficult to exchange. 

Due to the banking arrangements in Cuba, you may have difficulty accessing funds.

Credit cards, debit cards and traveller's cheques aren't accepted in Cuba if they're issued by US banks or Australian banks affiliated with US banks. This includes:

• all American Express cards
• all Westpac Bank cards
• some Visa and MasterCard cards, depending on the issuing bank

Before you travel, check with your bank if your cards will work in Cuba.

International money transfer agencies aren't available to Australians in Cuba.

Authorities have detained and deported travellers without access to funds. If you run out of money in Cuba, you can try to have funds transferred via Asistur. Services don't run on weekends and can take several days. To contact Asistur, call +53 7866 4499.

ATMs are limited outside Havana. Make sure you have a variety of ways of accessing your money, including:

• cash, debit or credit cards from various non-US banks
• traveller's cheques issued by non-US banks

Take an emergency supply of cash, including enough to leave Cuba if your bank cards don't work.

Due to severe shortages, Cuban authorities are rationing food and medication. This can affect travellers. Plan ahead and keep a supply of drinking water, food and medication with you.
 

Driving permit

To drive in Cuba, you'll need both:

• your valid Australian driver's licence
• a valid International Driving Permit (IDP)

You must get your IDP before leaving Australia.

To hire a motor vehicle, you must be at least 21 years old.

Road travel

Cuba is facing a chronic shortage of fuel, which is impacting transport and other government services throughout the country. You can expect disruptions to your visit. 

Driving in Cuba is dangerous, particularly at night.

Hazards include:

• poor street signs and lighting
• poorly maintained roads and vehicles
• pedestrians, farm animals, bicycles and unlit carts on roads

If you're involved in an accident, you're likely to be detained, regardless of who's at fault.

You may not be allowed to leave Cuba until the case is resolved.

If you drive in Cuba:

• check you have adequate insurance cover
• learn local traffic laws and practices
• be alert to possible hazards, especially at night

Cuba has strict alcohol laws. It's illegal to drive with any alcohol in your bloodstream.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Check with your travel insurer whether your policy covers you when riding a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis

Criminals posing as drivers operate at the airport and in Havana.

Mopeds and 3-wheeled 'Coco-taxis' are particularly dangerous.

To protect yourself from crime:

• only use registered taxis
• avoid unlicensed private taxis
• avoid mopeds or 3-wheeled 'Coco-taxis'

Public transport

Avoid public transport. Many vehicles are poorly maintained.

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Cuba's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 105.

Medical emergencies

Call 104.

Police

Call 106.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

The Consular Services Charter explains what the Australian Government can and can't do to help Australians overseas.

Australia doesn't have an embassy in Cuba. The Embassy of Canada in Havana provides consular help to Australians in Cuba. They can also issue Australian provisional travel documents.

You can also get consular help from the Australian Embassy in Mexico.

Canadian Embassy, Havana

Calle 30 No.518 (esq. 7ma) 
Miramar (Playa) 
Ciudad de la Habana, 11300, Cuba

Telephone: +53 7 204 2516 
Email: havan@international.gc.ca 
Website: canadainternational.gc.ca/cuba

Australian Embassy, Mexico City

Ruben Dario 55, Polanco 
Colonia Bosques de Chapultepec, CP 
11580 CDMX Mexico

Telephone: +52 55 1101 2200 
Email: consularpassports.mexico@dfat.gov.au 
Website: mexico.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: @AusEmbMex
X: @AusEmbMex

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia