Entry & Exit Requirements
U.S. citizens need a valid passport and a tourist card to enter Cuba. Passports must be valid at least six months after the date of entry and have at least two blank pages for entry/exit stamps.
Holbrook Travel will purchase and provide tourist cards. One half of the tourist card/visa will be collected upon arrival in Cuba. Keep the other half safely with your passport, as it will be collected from you upon your departure from Cuba. If it is lost or misplaced, the replacement cost is roughly $100 USD and can be purchased at the airport prior to departure.
Cuba requires all international visitors to have health insurance that covers expenses in case of a health-related emergency, evacuation costs, or even repatriation in the unlikely event an incident were to occur. The Cuban health insurance coverage is included in the cost of your flight. Your arriving boarding pass will be your proof of purchase. Keep your boarding pass with you at all times. You may elect to purchase deluxe or additional coverage through the travel insurance provider of your choice.
If you are not traveling with a U.S. passport or you are a Cuban-born person, please check with the Cuban Embassy for requirements based on your nationality. Also, be sure to have your required documents (passport, remaining half of visa) for re-entry into the U.S.
Please note: The U.S. Department of Treasury, Department of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) requires that all travelers to Cuba retain itineraries for at least 5 years.
Health Information
IMMUNIZATIONS
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all travelers be up to date on routine vaccinations such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, varicella (chicken pox) vaccine, and your yearly flu shot, as well as COVID-19 vaccine, before every trip.
There are no vaccinations required for entry into Cuba, unless you are traveling from a country where yellow fever transmission is a risk, in which case proof of yellow fever vaccination is required. Though not required for entry, the CDC recommends vaccination against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid for most unvaccinated travelers to Cuba.
Please consult your physician for additional information and recommendations based on your individual circumstances.
INSECT-BORNE ILLNESSES
Dengue fever and Zika virus are known to be present in Cuba. Travelers should protect themselves against insect bites: Cover exposed skin with lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants and use an insect repellent containing an active ingredient like DEET or picaridin. Apply sunscreen first, followed by the repellent (preferably 20 minutes later). As a precaution, the CDC advises women who are pregnant to consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.
Other nuisance pests
Sand flies, also called sand fleas, no-see-ums, or jejenes, are small biting flies found on Cuba’s beaches whose bites cause itchy bumps. They are most active around dawn and dusk and after it rains, but can be present at any time. To avoid being bitten, wear insect repellent and protective clothing like a rash guard or swimsuit cover-up when not in the water, and sit on a towel or other protective barrier rather than directly on the sand. If possible, rinse off soon after spending time on the beach. If you are bitten, avoid scratching and use aloe vera gel to help with the itching.
SUN EXPOSURE
The effects of the sun can be damaging to the eyes and skin. Spending time outdoors exposes you to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, even on cloudy days. To protect yourself from the sun, use a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15, protect skin with clothing, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and drink plenty of fluids.
Travelers’ Diarrhea
The CDC warns that travelers’ diarrhea is the most frequent health problem for travelers worldwide. To avoid contracting this, use bottled water, which is about $1.50 to $2 for a small bottle purchased in your private home or casa particular and some restaurants. Water costs much less in stores.
Avoid ice and uncooked vegetables or peeled fruit. When in doubt, ask your trip leader or local guide. If you contract diarrhea, it is very important to drink large quantities of purified water with rehydration salts and consult your doctor for appropriate medication.
Plaza de ArmasPhoto by Michelle Korczynski
Old HavanaPhoto by Kate Pérez
Artwork at Casa FusterPhoto by John McAuliff
Organopónico Vivero Alamar, an urban garden in HavanaPhoto by Andrea Holbrook
Book sellers in HavanaPhoto by Kate Pérez
Mogotes in Viñales ValleyPhoto by Jaume Escofet
Plaza de la CatedralPhoto by Michelle Korczynski
Tobacco field in ViñalesPhoto by Marshall Wiseheart
Street art in HavanaPhoto by Gareth Williams via Flickr, CC BY 2.0
