How to Travel Safe in Cuba

As you prepare to visit Cuba, you might ask yourself, “how safe is it to travel to Cuba?” What kind of steps should I take to ensure my wellbeing?” along with curious questions that usually pop up, especially if you plan on taking transportation in Cuba.

To help ease your concerns, we’ve simplified the process for you by creating this brief guide focusing on travelers’ top 5 safety concerns. Here goes!

The reality is, Cuban culture is notably different from any other nation in the western hemisphere, from its everyday social development to the sometimes painstaking process of resolving even the smallest issues, might not be what you’re used to. That’s why, to maximize the number of activities you can cram into your week’s vacation, using a seasoned guide to create an activity calendar to meet your needs is a smart move.

To start off the right way, consider contracting the services of a private tour guide company, compared to the state-run option - and there’s a reason why. Private tour guides have a better hands-on knowledge of Cuban geography, are more efficient at handling your requests, and ensure that your cash goes to local entrepreneurs.

On the island, electronic payments and transfers aren’t as widespread as one would like, and North American debit cards (for the moment) are restricted. Which is why we recommend that you purchase most of your train, bus, or national flights within Cuba ahead of time from home. Once in Cuba, the most reliable form of payment is cash.

A wise tip is not to exchange your currency all at once but rather change what you’ll need at the moment you need it. This is due to the extreme volatility of the Cuban Peso in the market, where you can increase or lose money based on the value of the Euro, U.S., and Canadian dollar - which can fluctuate dramatically.

Book your hotel stay like in any other country, but in Havana, some areas are more centric than others. In general, the “Barrios” with the highest recommendations are the Vedado and Playa sectors - which possess a variety of leisure-based businesses and are relatively safe and secure. These areas are also well connected to the other neighborhoods in the capital city - so getting around is pretty straightforward.

Another great option, for its large number of cultural and culinary activities, is the Old Havana area. However, keep in mind that although it’s a colorful and attractive municipality, it’s also less reliable in terms of security.

One essential aspect of your stay in Havana is the subject of transportation. So, if you plan on venturing outside the city to other provinces, like heading to the famous beach of Playa Varadero, the best choice would be to purchase a bus ticket from a state provider.

You can easily access these tickets in any tourism office within capital hotels. However, if you plan to stay within the city areas, paying for private transport will be convenient, as you can use transport apps in Cuba, like La Nave, which is similar to calling an Uber to take you around.