Things to Know Before Going to Cuba
Cuba is a destination high on people’s bucket lists, but can still be quite intimidating. A nation “trapped in time,” Cuba lacks many of the commodities many people are used to back home. Still, I highly recommend visiting Cuba. It’s a beautiful country with lots of culture and amazing people. It helps to have an open mind when visiting, but I’ve also prepared a little “guide” for you full of things you should know before going to Cuba. Of course, everyone’s experience is different, but knowing these things will prepare you and help you better enjoy your time in Cuba.
1. You will spend the majority of your trip offline.
You’ve probably already heard that the wifi situation in Cuba is tricky, and it definitely still is. The wifi situation has improved a bit since my last visit in 2019, but you can still expect to be offline most of the time. Cuba is still a communist country, so the government controls the nation’s resources, including the internet. There’s only one internet/ phone provider in Cuba: ETECSA. In order to get any sort of service, you will need to either purchase a Cuban SIM card, or visit one of the ETECSA communications offices for a wifi card. You can find one at the airport, or ask your guide where the nearest office is in the town you are visiting. Depending on the time of day, expect long lines. Remember, you are not the only one trying to access the internet, and ETECSA is responsible for all phone service for Cubans too
Internet is not free, so while you may find networks listed under “wifi” on your phone, you will not be able to access them without a wifi card. There are two options available: one hour and five hour cards. Basically, you purchase one of these cards and use the numbers on the back to log onto the wifi network available, for a limited amount of time. Even with these wifi cards, internet access is limited. Many restaurants/shops do not have wifi like we do in the U.S. The best places to have constant wifi access are designated wifi parks and hotels. If you are staying at a “casa particular,” the home owners may also have wifi available without the need for a wifi card. However, many casas do turn off their wifi at a certain time of day. Most of the places I stayed at turned on their wifi when most of the guests were awake and shut it off by 10pm. Also keep in mind that many sites will be off limits even with internet access. Sites for U.S. banks and businesses will be inaccessible, and the Cuban government also censors a lot of content.
2. Have enough cash to last you the entire trip and then some.
U.S. credit cards will not work! Even if you are visiting from outside the U.S., it’s better to just use cash, as many places still do not accept cards. Of course, you don’t know exactly how much you will need, but it’s better to take out as much cash as you can. Once you hit Cuban soil, Americans will not have access to ATM or forms of accessing cash. No more Venmo or Zelle. For an 8 day trip, I expected to spend around $500 and I took out an additional $400 for emergencies. *Accomodation, transportation and some meals were covered on my trip, so you may need more than $500 for 8 days depending on what’s already included on your trip.
Back in 2019, Cuba had two different currencies, the CUC and CUP. Now, Cuba only uses the Cuban peso, CUP. Another big change from my last trip was how many people accept the U.S. dollar and the euro, though the USD is more common. I only exchanged $100 on my first day, but even that wasn’t necessary. I was able to use USD basically my entire trip, except in some very small shops. If you’re worried about not having some pesos on you, you can always ask restaurants or shop owners to give you back change in CUP. Otherwise, you can pay pretty much anywhere with USD, and many Cubans actually prefer having this stronger currency.
3. Bring all your toiletries and essentials with you.
Basic things like medicine and toiletries are hard to come by in Cuba. Bring everything you usually use at home, including what you don’t expect to use, like pain relievers, nausea medication, etc. It’s better to have it and not use it than to need it and literally not be able to access it. Also, since Americans are not allowed to stay in government owned hotels, chances are you will be staying in casa particulares. Usually, accommodations include basics like soap and shampoo. All the casas I stayed in but one only provided a tiny bar of soap, so make sure to bring your hair products and body wash.
4. Have a roll of toilet paper on you.
If you’ve traveled to other developing nations, you may have noticed that some places do expect a tip for access to the restroom. Even if there’s no tip required for entrance to the restroom, you might need to pay some coins for a couple squares of toilet paper, as many bathrooms won’t have toilet paper accessible. The same goes in Cuba. The toilet paper in Cuba is also extremely thin, so a couple squares won’t do much. To be more comfortable, pack a roll of toilet paper or wipes in your bag, or grab one from your casa whenever you’re going out in town.
5. Pack some snacks.
Everything in Cuba is rationed, especially food. I was surprised to see such a lack of supermarkets or even corner “bodegas.” In 8 days, I saw literally just two small shops selling snacks. Makes you think about the little things we take for granted, like making a gas stop and grabbing some snacks for the road. Pack little snacks with you to have some things to munch on if you don’t want to grab a full meal at a restaurant.
6. Don’t expect quick service.
Leave ample time when planning lunch or dinner. For the most part, I found that restaurant service in Cuba is extremely slow, so don’t expect a quick meal whatsoever. Plan at least two hours when eating at a restaurant. My theory is that because restaurants are not used to serving big groups, it can get quite overwhelming. On several occasions, I had to place my order at least three times before I finally got my meal. It’s a bit of an inconvenience, but it’s reality. Also, I suggest making a mental note of how much your bill will be and ask for the check at the beginning of the meal. Why? Again, the service will be slow, and getting your check will take another half hour. Splitting the bill is also not that common, so if dining out in groups, it’s quicker and easier to pay one big bill.
7. Speaking of restaurants, don’t expect everything on the menu to be available.
As I mentioned, food is rationed in Cuba, and many times, you’ll find that certain menu items at restaurants are unavailable at times. When browsing the menu, don’t have your mind set on just one thing.
8. Keep an open mind when trying Cuban food.
First, don’t expect Cuban food to be spicy. Many people expect the cuisine to be spicy like Mexican food is, but it’s not. While I find Cuban food quite tasty, at times it can be bland. Remember that there is a lack of resources in Cuba, and that also can include seasonings.
9. People will come up to you asking for kids’ clothing and food.
As in many places around the world, you will come across lots of beggars in Cuba. I was surprised that instead of money, many of them asked for clothing for children or even sweets. While I recommend bringing donations, my guide suggested to not give anyone who asks for it, in order to discourage begging. Feel free to hand out donations to any child or parent you see, even if you think your donation is meaningless. They will certainly appreciate the smallest things.
10. Expect power outages.
While this only happened once on my trip, you might experience power outages. Due to fuel conservation programs, it’s common for the blackouts to occur. Some restaurants and hotels have generators and won’t be affected, but don’t be surprised if you suddenly walk outside to a pitch black street.
11. You will need comfortable walking shoes.
While I found that the conditions of the roads were better than expected in Cuba, many of the streets and sidewalks are still cobblestone. You’ll also come across lots of potholes on the streets, so be mindful when walking, especially at night. Having comfy shoes will make all the difference.
12. It’s a party, at all times of the day.
One of my favorite things about Cuba was the amount of live performers at restaurants or just on the streets. Back home, we’re used to “happy hours,” or weekend performances, but in Cuba, you’ll hear live music everywhere and at all times of the day on full blast. Of course, this makes table talk a bit difficult at restaurants, but it’s amazing to see how despite the economic crisis, music brings everyone together and puts a smile on everyone’s face. My favorite night in Havana was actually at a pizza place on a Monday night, and there were back to back performances at 10pm!
Cuba has been such an amazing experience and it has easily become one of my favorite countries. While many of these “inconveniences” may put some people off, I hope sharing these “things to know before you go,” actually convince you to take the trip anyway. You won’t regret it!
