Your Cuban Trip: Pre-booking & Pre-departure Guide

Legal must-haves, what to pack for a trip to Cuba and other essentials

If you’re planning a trip to Cuba as a first-timer or returning guest, streamline the planning process with this guide. Discover the essentials before you book and go to help you easily organise your Cuban trip with Cuban Adventures.

Cuba is for every type of traveller

Cuba appeals to different travellers. Explore urban culture and history, slow down in nature, have an adventure, connect with locals and see the real Cuba. With great places to stay, wholesome food, and a selection of laid-back, active or insightful experiences, Cuba has something for you!

Choose from three tour styles:

1. Ultimate Cuba Tours
   Enjoy the best of Cuba stress-free on a structured package where you’ll discover our country while we do all the planning.
2. Classic Cuba Tours
   Explore Cuba as an independent traveller on a cost-effective, flexible package with a mix of guided tours and self-paced experiences.
3. Active Adventure Cuba Tours
   Indulge your special interests and adventurous spirit with specific packages, such as birdwatching, cycle tours and multi-sport tours. 

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No age limits

Most of our guests are between 25 and 75, but there’s no age limit. As long as you don’t mind exploring on foot, you’re welcome to join our tours! 

LGBTQ-friendly

Cities like Havana and Trinidad have thriving LGBTQIA+ scenes. Options such as our Queer Havana Tour explore gay-friendly nightlife.

Accessibility and fitness

Our tours are suited to guests who are comfortable walking, climbing 3-4 flights of stairs, boarding transport without assistance and managing their own luggage. If you have mobility limitations that require a slower pace or less walking, consider a private tour instead. 

Dietary preferences 

Many restaurants offer vegetarian options. Outside major cities, however, vegan food is more limited, so we recommend bringing your own proteins and snacks. Cuban meals are generally wheat and gluten-free. Our guides can inform your casas particulares hosts which ingredients to avoid.

Legal travel for US citizens

Can Americans travel to Cuba? Yes! Americans are welcome on our tours. While tourist travel is restricted for US citizens, legal travel is possible under OFAC’s general license categories. Take a tour that complies with the Support for the Cuban People (SCP) requirements, or book a regular tour and choose SCP-compliant activities. 

Our tours comply with US laws

Our Ultimate Cuba tours are SCP-ready, including a full schedule of activities to meet SCP requirements, so your travel complies, at a lower local cost. Other tours offer more independence, allowing you to choose your own activities—simply follow SCP guidelines to stay compliant. 

Fly from the US to Cuba

Travel from Miami or Tampa to Havana on Southwest, Delta, or American Airlines. Travel from Miami to Santiago de Cuba with American Airlines. Reach the island in under 1.5 hours!

Documents you need when visiting Cuba

1. Passport: Must be valid for at least six months after arrival.

2. D'Viajeros form: Complete no more than seven days before arrival. You’ll receive a QR code to show immigration officers.

3. Cuban e-Visa: From 2025, the Cuba tourist card (pink or green tourist card) is no longer required. Tourists now enter Cuba using an electronic visa, which you can purchase online.

4. Travel medical insurance: Present your insurance policy document or certificate as proof of travel insurance, including health cover for your visit. Travel medical insurance for Cuba is included automatically on US flights to Cuba, with your boarding pass as proof. If you’re not flying with a US airline, purchase travel and medical insurance for Cuba in advance.

5. General licence (US visitors only): This is the legal basis for your visit to Cuba. We provide US travellers with a compliant general licence affidavit. 

How to book your tour with Cuban Adventures

Booking your tour with us is simple:

1. Submit your booking request online. 
2. Receive your Conditional Confirmation email, with advice about how to make your US$100/person non-refundable deposit, payable within seven days. 
3. Pay the remaining payment and fees for your tour 60 days in advance. If you are booking fewer than 60 days in advance, the outstanding payment amount is due within seven days. 

Please note: Book your flights once you receive your Conditional Confirmation email.

Pre-departure support

You’ll receive an email with essential information to help you plan for your arrival. It includes packing basics and advice to help you prepare and feel comfortable on your arrival in Cuba.

Cancellations 

Make cancellations in writing or through the booking system. A fee may apply depending on when your notice is received, and your bank may charge a processing fee. Check our terms and conditions for more information.

Postponements

If you postpone your trip, we offer a credit voucher for our products and services with no expiry date. We don’t provide refunds for credit vouchers. Check our terms and conditions for more information.

Inclusions, extras and itinerary changes

Included in our Cuban Adventures tour packages: 

• Accommodation for every night of the tour.
• Private transport for all activities on the itinerary, either a taxi, minivan or bus, depending on group size. Transport for optional excursions is not included.
• Airport transfers on arrival for all tours. Only Ultimate Cuba Tours include airport transfers for departure. 
• Breakfast for each day of the tour, except the day you arrive.
• An experienced Cuban tour guide for the duration of your itinerary. 

Meals at guesthouses

Most guesthouses outside Havana provide dinner at an extra cost. Family-run guesthouses generally serve meals separately from the host family.

Sleeping arrangements

In Cuba, guesthouses, B&Bs, casas particulares, homestays and family stays all refer to the same type of accommodation. 

• Rooms are shared on a twin basis, unless you book a single supplement for your own room. 
• Solo travellers share with another traveller of the same sex.
• If there’s an odd number in the group and you end up with your own room, there is no extra charge.

Room upgrades

If you don’t book a single supplement but later decide you want your own room, we can arrange it  subject to availability.

Insurance inclusions

Aside from travel medical insurance for Cuba, you should purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy to cover you for other unexpected events. 

Coverage generally includes:

• Trip cancellation, delay, and interruption
• Accidental death or disability
• Baggage and personal effects
• Hospitalisation and medical emergencies
• Transportation and repatriation
• Civil liability
• Loss of travel documents
• Bail bond

For Australians we have heard good things about Zoom. For US travellers, using an insurance search tool will help you find a policy that covers Cuba.

Free time 

Here’s what to expect while on tour: 

• On travel days without long journeys, the tour starts at a reasonable time, so you can enjoy a relaxing breakfast. Long travel days may start as early as 7 a.m.
• You can opt out of activities by informing the tour leader, provided it doesn’t disrupt the tour.
• Classic Cuba Tours offer free time to arrange your own activities. Tour guides are happy to recommend optional things to do in Cuba.

Added value 

Exploring Cuba with Cuban Adventures has many advantages, including:

• Knowledgeable staff: All people in our team have a hands-on understanding of Cuba and Cuban travel requirements which they are happy to share with you.
• Local expertise: Our trained guides and tour leaders connect you with real people in real communities, not staged tourist experiences.
• Honest pricing: Our tour leaders and guides don’t take commissions from restaurants or activities, so expect fair prices and honest recommendations.

Enrich your stay

Our curated Cuba day tours showcase the best activities and cultural highlights in just a few hours, while short stay packages combine authentic experiences over a few days, such as learning Spanish, salsa dancing, cooking classes or guided walks!

Packing for your Cuban trip

Follow our tips about what to pack for a trip to Cuba. 

Bag types

A duffel bag, backpack, or small wheeled suitcase that’s easy to carry on uneven streets and onto buses works best. Leave donations or extra items on your tour transport, so you don’t need to unpack at every stop. 

Use a small daypack for excursions or long bus days to carry swimwear, snacks and essentials. 

Clothing and shoes

Bring a lightweight jacket or fleece top, and cover your arms, legs and feet to help prevent mosquito bites. In January and February, bring cold weather items such as a scarf, hat and gloves as temperatures can drop to zero celcius in some areas.

Other recommended clothing items include:

• Sandals or flipflops
• Shorts 
• Pants
• Swimsuit
• Walking or hiking shoes
• Dresses
• T-shirts and tank tops
• Socks
• Sun hat
• Shades 

You’ll likely need less than you think, thanks to the weather, and your hosts can help with laundry. 

Also pack:

• Sunblock 
• Toiletries 
• Medications
• Power bank
• Adapter
• Torch/flashlight
• Refillable water bottle
• Insect repellant
• First-aid kit
• Cash 

Documents to carry

• Passport 
• Proof of travel insurance
• Airline tickets 
• D'Viajeros Form with QR code 
• Credit card issued by a non-US bank
• General licence, for US travellers only

Snacks

Bring snacks if you’re travelling with children or have special dietary needs. 

Vaccinations

Ensure your routine vaccinations are up to date. Ask your doctor about additional vaccines and health precautions for Cuba.

Yellow fever vaccine

Travellers from yellow fever-risk countries must present a valid vaccination certificate or risk being denied entry or quarantined.

Your Cuban adventure awaits!

We can’t wait to welcome you to Cuba and show you the best of this Caribbean island. If you have any questions or concerns about your trip, contact us. Our FAQ page is a fantastic resource, with the most common questions asked by travellers about touring Cuba with Cuban Adventures answered by our team. For more Cuba travel inspiration, our travel blog offers tips, recommended things to do and interesting facts about this Caribbean nation to help you plan your vacation. 

Author: Cuban Adventures

Our passion is providing authentic cultural experiences of Cuba through our award-winning small group tours.  We dedicate ourselves exclusively to Cuba, which means we are truly specialised in this unique country.