Know Before You Go - Cuba 2023 Travel Tips and Updates

clear waters diverse Paradise classic car Heaven Colonial architecture or delicious Seafood whatever may be the reason you chose Cuba you made the right choice but here are the top 10 things to know before you go to Cuba in 2023 number 10 time it is ideal to travel between December to April the days are warm the nights are Breezy the sky is clear and the ocean is calm it is a perfect time to travel to Cuba May to November is the hurricane season and is not ideal for tourism so plan your travel between December and April number nine travel versus vacation if your goal is to travel independently you are better off booking a flight and then renting a short-term room with one of the locals this is one of the most affordable and popular options with Backpackers you might also be able to make arrangements with your host to have your meals included in the room rent if you are in a full vacation mode an all-inclusive vacation is your best option Cuba has some high-end Resorts that cater to all your needs and they also book local excursions for you bear in mind the resorts often change their names every few years so be sure to confirm the location and the facility before you book to avoid any surprises number eight entry requirements check on the Cuban immigration website to see if you need a visa to enter the country the Cuban Visa often referred to as the tourist card is provided to you by your travel agent or the airline itself before you enter into Cuba you will also need to fill out a declaration form for the Cuban authorities indicating the items you plan on bringing to Cuba this declaration form is available online at Cuba's official site and generates a QR code upon completion some Airlines also provide a physical copy of the declaration form during the flight the government of Cuba requires all visitors to carry valid medical insurance Cuban Healthcare is not free for tourists and it is important to purchase good health insurance for emergencies while travel insurance is not mandatory many companies provide a package deal for health and travel insurance at affordable prices number seven packing for home versus destination if you are escaping the cold weather at home you will probably be wearing warmer clothes entering into the airport make sure you carry some cool summer clothes in your carry-on luggage to avoid overheating as you arrive in Cuba also take a photo of your luggage or invest in air tags this will come in handy if your luggage is delayed or misplaced a few more things that come in handy in Cuba are mugs for drinks waterproof sunscreen a universal adapter for your phone insect repellent spray non-prescription or prescription medications a first aid kit and a hat most Resorts will provide their guests with an umbrella but if you are backpacking don't forget to bring one number six gifts foreign gifts are a novelty in Cuba and it is a nice gesture to bring gifts with you from your own country you may leave a gift to the cleaning staff or any other person who provides exceptional service kovit has taken a toll on Cuban Healthcare and there is a shortage of over-the-counter medication some of the gifts I carried with me included daily Essentials like non-prescription medication kitchen gloves pens flip-flops games hygiene products and stationery I gave them away as a thank you gift to the people who went above and beyond to make sure my state was comfortable at the resort number five currency Cuba is set to introduce a new currency in January 2023 it is important to have the right Cuban currency for your travel you will be able to get the new currency at the Cuban airports there are also banks in the resorts that provide competitive exchange rates while you might get a better price for your money if you venture into the town it is advisable to exchange some cash when you land in Cuba sometimes your tour guide might also carry the Cuban currency with them and would be more than willing to exchange with you please note that U.S dollar Euro Canadian dollar and British pounds are very widely accepted in Cuba even the local vendors and stores will accept these foreign currencies and adjust the pricings of their services and items accordingly most of the businesses in the major tourist destinations have ever prefer payments via credit card number four tips tip culture is becoming popular in Cuba while it is not mandatory tips are welcomed for every service provided there is no set percentage on the tip but a one US dollar for a drink or coffee is considered a good tip interestingly tips are also expected when using private washrooms please do not tip using any foreign coins since the banks in Cuba do not accept foreign coins from the locals so get you some cash also pack a roll of toilet paper with you if you plan on going to remote excursions public washrooms are not as common as you might think and very few of them carry toilet paper rolls number three local guide did you know that every vehicle plate in Cuba contains an alphabet indicating the type of plate it is P for private D for a diplomat B for government and the number on the buses indicate the province or state to which the buses belong to for example a bus number from Havana will begin with one while those from Varadero with number two did you also know that items in the Cuban markets can be bought for up to 25 discount after bartering while knowing some basic words and phrases in Spanish might help you negotiate a good deal at the flea markets it is helpful to hire a local tour guide for day trips and excursions they will provide you with The Insider tips and if you are staying at a resort remember to book all your excursions through a travel representative they are available for a specific time slot every single day for bookings and answering any of your questions number two cell phones you may activate roaming with your local service provider or buy an international SIM online you can also order an e-sim for Cuba e-sim provides you with an activation code and avoids any hassle of sim transfers local Cuban SIM cards can be purchased at The Havana airport or with etecsa just make sure your phone is compatible with the Cuban network Wi-Fi is becoming more popular each day in Cuba whether you rent a room with a local or book your vacation with the resort often there will be a time limit on your free Wi-Fi and if you choose to rely solely on the Wi-Fi make sure you put your phone on flight mode to avoid any surprises from your service provider at home number one be proactive and follow the law make at least two photocopies of your documents air tickets hotel reservations excursions forms passports Insurance Etc this will come in handy if you misplace a document or end up needing to provide a copy and your technology gives up on you also do not engage in unnecessary conversations about Cuban politics do not take photos at the airport or of the police officers or any military facility always drink bottled water know your neighborhood before walking alone at night do not show off your money and stay away from drugs with these 10 travel tips you are all set to visit one of the most beautiful and affordable islands of the Caribbean then a visitor Cuba to see more travel related videos like these subscribe to my YouTube channel my travel on a dime and hit that notification Bell to catch my latest travel tips right now

Channel: August Amble

Views: 6,098

Keywords: Cuba, Know before you go, Top10, 2023, Travel tips, Cuba updates, My travel on a dime, Travel, 10 things to know before, Vacation, trip

Id: GxCrdyDIy5E

Length: 9min 15sec (555 seconds)

Published: Sat Jan 07 2023