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Before you go to Cuba
Before you go
Your Cuba holiday checklist
What you need for a holiday in Cuba from the UK, in one short page. When you plan your trip with us, we go through it with you.
Foreign Office advice
The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to Cuba. See GOV.UK. It says fuel, power and water are short in Cuba, and that some airlines have stopped flying there. The advice can change at short notice, so read the latest before you book.
Passport
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the day you arrive in Cuba, and 3 months after the day you leave.
Cuba e-Visa
Every traveller on a UK passport needs a Cuba e-Visa, children and babies too. It replaced the paper tourist card in July 2025. You can get it online from Cuba Visa UK, our own visa service, and it comes to you by email. The visa checklist there has the details.Planning a trip to the USA later? After a visit to Cuba you need a US visa, not an ESTA.
Arrival form
Get your e-Visa first: the arrival form asks for its code. Fill in the free D'Viajeros form online in the 72 hours before you arrive. You get a QR code by email. Save it on your phone or print it, because wifi may not work when you land. The airline checks it when you check in.
Travel insurance
Cuba asks every visitor to have travel insurance with medical cover, and you may be asked to show it when you arrive. Some UK policies do not cover a country the Foreign Office advises against visiting, so ask your insurer before you buy.
Money
Bank cards from the UK, Visa and Mastercard included, are not accepted in Cuba, and you cannot take cash out with them.
Bring cash in euros or US dollars for your whole stay, and some extra for an emergency.
Change money only at official Cadeca exchange offices.
Health
At least 8 weeks before you go, check the vaccines you need on TravelHealthPro.
Bring all the medicines you need for your stay. Do not count on buying medicines, pharmacy items or sanitary products in Cuba.
Bring insect repellent. Illnesses that mosquitoes carry, such as dengue and chikungunya, are found in Cuba.
What to leave at home
Drones: they are not allowed into Cuba.
Fresh food such as meat, milk, fruit and vegetables.
A separate GPS device. Phones, tablets and laptops are fine, but GOV.UK says to turn off their GPS.
When to go
The driest months are December to April. November and May are warm, with some rain. June to October is hot and wet, and the hurricane season runs from June to November.
Flights
Our Cuba trips include return flights from the UK. Need a flight only? See flights to Cuba on travelfab.co.uk.Ready to plan your holiday? Get a free quote.Checked against GOV.UK on 12 November 2026.
