Travel Summary
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Human cases of Swine Flu have been reported in Cuba. The Cuban authorities have introduced medical screening for the Swine Flu virus (H1N1) at some airports for passengers arriving in Cuba on international flights. A period of hospitalisation while blood tests for the H1N1 virus are undertaken may be required for people exhibiting flu-like symptoms either on arrival or at any point during their time in Cuba. You can check for updates on the number of cases and their location through the World Health Organisation (WHO) website . The WHO has raised its Pandemic threat alert phase to Level 6. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and contact your tour operator and/or airline to find out the latest information. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can also be obtained on the UK Department of Health website. We encourage you to register with our LOCATE service so that we can keep in touch and provide appropriate level of consular assistance in the event of an emergency.
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Most visits to Cuba are trouble free. 45 British nationals required consular assistance in Cuba in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (11 cases); hospitalisations (24 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (4 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (47 cases). See the General (Money) section of this advice for more details.
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In view of serious accidents that have involved tourists, you should not use mopeds or three-wheel Coco-Taxis when travelling around Cuba. Also, crime is on the increase, most commonly in the form of opportunist theft (loss of travel bags, handbags, etc containing passports and funds).
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You must pay an airport departure tax of 25 Convertible Pesos (CUCs) per person when leaving Cuba. This must be paid in local currency.
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Dengue Fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. See the Health section of this advice for more details.
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There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
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We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
Crime
You should take all necessary precautions if you are in Centro Havana at night. You should take a taxi to your accommodation rather than walk, even if your accommodation is only a few blocks away.
There are a small number of bogus tour agents/taxis operating at the airports and around old Havana. You should not travel with anyone other than your recognised tour operator. If you need to take a taxi, ensure it is a registered one and not a private vehicle.
Political Situation
On 19 February 2008 Fidel Castro announced his retirement and his brother Raúl Castro was elected to the Presidency by the Cuban National Assembly on 24 February 2008. The political situation remains calm at present.
Cuba is a one-party state. There is a high level of social control and a strong police presence. There are widespread restrictions on freedom of speech, association and assembly for Cuban nationals. Political demonstrations or gatherings not sanctioned by the government may be broken up and should be avoided.
Local Travel
Road Travel
If you have a traffic accident where someone is killed or injured, the police investigation may take several months during which time the driver will normally not be allowed to leave Cuba. There is no guarantee that criminal compensation payments will be made. If convicted of killing someone in a road traffic accident, the standard punishment is at least two years in jail. If the worst happens and you do have a serious accident, you should contact the British Embassy as soon as possible.
Air Travel
There are concerns about standards of maintenance of public transport and we recommend against internal air travel unless on flights recommended by or operated on behalf of recognised international tour operators.
For more general information see Airline Security.
Local laws and customs
Entry requirements
Visas
You should get the correct visa for the purpose of your visit. As well as tourist visas, there are other visa categories for different types of visitors.
Dual nationals must contact the Cuban Embassy in London for for advice on entry requirements before travelling.
Passport validity
Customs Regulations
Health
Human cases of Swine Flu have been reported in Cuba. The Cuban authorities have introduced medical screening for the Swine Flu virus (H1N1) at some airports for passengers arriving in Cuba on international flights. A period of hospitalisation while blood tests for the H1N1 virus are undertaken may be required for people exhibiting flu-like symptoms either on arrival or at any point during their time in Cuba. The World Health Organisation has raised its Pandemic threat alert phase to Level 6. You can check for updates on the number of cases and their location through the World Health Organisation website. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. You should contact your tour operator and/or airline to find out the latest information. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can also be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.
The medical facilities in Havana are better than those available elsewhere in the country, but it is sometimes necessary to medically evacuate those who require urgent specialist care. This can be very expensive so you should ensure that your medical insurance covers you for this. If you require medical treatment you will be expected to pay in hard currency; a basic hospital stay can cost as much as £200 per day plus medical expenses.
Many medicines are unavailable in Cuba so you should bring any prescription drugs you take regularly. A copy of the prescription and a letter from your doctor explaining your condition can be helpful at customs.
Hepatitis A is common to Cuba, particularly in the summer. You should be aware that treatment is not readily available. Viral meningitis occasionally breaks out both in Havana and in other provinces of Cuba.
Dengue Fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. The Cuban authorities are taking measures to eradicate the mosquito which transmits the disease to humans.
In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 6,200 adults aged 15 or over in Cuba were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Cuba and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Natural disasters
The hurricane season in Cuba normally runs from June to November. See Tropical Cyclones for more details.
Hurricane Gustav passed over the western Provinces of Cuba and Isla de Juventud during the afternoon and evening on Saturday 30 August 2008 causing extensive damage. Hurricane Ike struck Cuba a week later on 7 and 8 September 2008 and caused considerable damage in many parts of the country but particularly in the Provinces of Holguin (including the resort of Guardalavaca) and Pinar del Rio (including the town of Vinales).
Hurricane Paloma hit the southern coast of Cuba in the early morning of 9 November as a Category 3 hurricane and weakened rapidly to a tropical storm. We no longer advise against all but essential travel to the southern part of the Camaguey region.
You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation and the National Hurricane Centre. Please also see Tropical Cyclones for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a hurricane.
Good warning is given and due precautions must be taken but in the aftermath power, communications and water supplies can be disrupted for a week or more. Even in holiday resorts, utility services cannot be constantly guaranteed. Damage to infrastructure in affected areas can take some time to be repaired. In the event of extreme weather conditions flights to and from Cuba could be delayed or cancelled.
General
Insurance
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
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