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Travel to Cuba from Australia: An Easy Guide

The ultimate checklist and requirements for Australians visiting Cuba

Are you considering a trip to Cuba from Australia? Many Aussies are drawn to this Caribbean island for its laid-back lifestyle and revolutionary history. It also has colourful streetscapes with colonial-style architecture, world-famous cigars, sugar cane plantations and vintage cars, as well as abundant endemic flora and fauna amidst a scenic tropical setting. If you’re ready to experience it, you can travel to Cuba from Australia with confidence by using our guide to help you prepare.

Can Australians visit Cuba?

Can Australian citizens travel to Cuba legally, and is it safe? Yes, absolutely! We have been designing tours since 2005 that share our love and passion for Cuba from our Sydney-based headquarters. Thousands of Aussie travellers have already enjoyed our unforgettable tour itineraries that showcase Cuba’s heart and soul.

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Cuba’s seasonality and when to visit

Travelling to Cuba from Australia is possible year-round, with tropical climate temperatures between 25 and 30°C. Busier periods are during the November to May dry season, with many Australians visiting for the end-of-year festivities and Christmas school holidays. During the wet season from May to November, Cuba has fewer crowds, and you’ll get better deals and more time to explore at a slower pace.

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Os clássicos carros americanos dos anos 1950 também fazem parte das opções de transporte

Small group tour options for Australian travellers

Many Australians prefer to see Cuba through the eyes of the locals rather than staying in all-inclusive resorts. Opting for small group Cuba tours led by locals is an excellent way to experience life in Cuba while staying in people’s homes and hearing their stories.

Explore Multi-Day Tours

Cuba multi-day tours

By far the most popular option, our 5-to-20-day tour itineraries visit several destinations and include transport, accommodation, meals and more.

Multi Tours Destinations Short Stays

Cuba short stay packages

For a Cuban mini-break of just 3-5 days, these packages are ideal as an add-on to your tour itinerary, or as a short trip from another nearby destination.

Multi Tours Destinations Day Tours

Day tours in Cuba

Enjoy a fun-filled full-day or half-day tour in Havana, Trinidad or Santiago de Cuba. Experience Cuban culture, try delicious street food and explore with a local guide.

Pessoas dançando a famosa salsa cubana

Custom or private Cuba tours

Plan a tailored itinerary or choose a departure date that suits you! If you’re travelling through Cuba alone or in a private group, we’ll customise a holiday just for you.

Key takeaways: Australians travelling to Cuba, how and when to go

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Getting to Cuba and prior preparation Australians need to know

Cuba has strict entry requirements and there are no direct flights from Australia, so be prepared with the right flight connections, documentation and enough cash for the entire time you’ll be in Cuba before you travel.

Flights to Cuba from Australia

There are no direct routes to Cuba from Australia. Aussies often depart from major cities in Australia and fly via New Zealand and South America, or from Europe via other international hubs in the UAE or Asia.

Some popular routes are operated by Qantas and Air New Zealand, with connections via LATAM. Popular departures are from Sydney, flying to Havana via Auckland, Santiago de Chile, Panama or Mexico City. Alternatively, fly via Europe, with frequent direct flights from cities like Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam and Istanbul.

Important note for Australians flying via the US

When travelling to Cuba from Australia via the US, Australians are subject to US regulations and must state that their reason for travel to Cuba is ‘Support for the Cuban People’. Aussie travellers to Cuba will also lose their ESTA online pre-screening for future visa-free entry into the US after visiting Cuba.

Savvy trip planning to enjoy multiple destinations

When flying from Australia, consider combining your trip to Cuba with one or more other destinations en route. Rather than booking flights with connections a few hours apart, stay for 2-3 days in each destination to go sightseeing, re-energise and experience the local culture. For the ultimate adventure, we recommend combining your holiday in Cuba with a few other nearby islands, or even Central and South America with an itinerary that might look like this:

  • Fly from Sydney to Santiago de Chile or Argentina
  • Stay for 2-3 days to explore
  • Fly from Santiago de Chile or Argentina to Havana via Panama, or Peru
  • Spend 7-10 days in Cuba on your Cuba tour
  • Fly from Havana to Panama or Peru
  • Stay in Lima or Panama for 2-3 days to see the sights
  • Fly to Santiago de Chile, then to Sydney
  • Total trip length: 16-18 days including transit time

Visit Qantas, Air New Zealand and LATAM websites. While flight search engines can be used to find other flight combinations and prices, they do not always show the most logical routes or all options.

view of island from airplane window

Pre-departure requirements for Australian citizens entering Cuba

There are strict entry requirements for all passengers. Australians visiting Cuba must comply with the tourist e-Visa, passport and mandatory travel medical insurance prerequisites and lodge the D’Viajeros travel form online before arrival.

Valid passport

All passengers entering Cuba must hold a current passport valid for at least six months after their scheduled departure date.

Mandatory tourist eVisa online application

Do Australians need a visa for Cuba? Yes, Aussie travellers must have a valid eVisa for tourism purposes. Get information about how to purchase an eVisa and buy it online.

D’Viajeros form completion

This government-issued customs, immigration and health declaration form must be submitted online, no earlier than seven days before your arrival date. After applying, a QR code is generated which must be printed or saved electronically and shown to customs with your tourist eVisa upon arrival. Follow our guide on how to fill out Cuba’s D’Viajeros immigration form.

Compulsory travel medical insurance

All visitors must have travel medical insurance which is valid for their entire stay in Cuba. You can buy compliant travel medical insurance through us as a trusted partner of the local insurance provider, Asistur S.A.

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Money and currency in Cuba

While the official currency in Cuba is Cuban Pesos (CUP), the country primarily uses US dollars, in cash, which you should organise before you leave Australia. ATM withdrawals, local currency exchange offices, credit cards and digital payment options are either unreliable or unavailable.

a handful of Cuban peso bills
Cédulas da moeda Peso Cubano (CUP)

Expenses and spending money

How much cash should I take to use for spending money in Cuba? You’ll need to bring enough cash for your entire stay in the country. We recommend US $100 per person, per day to cover daily expenses including meals, drinks, souvenirs, spending money and tips. Before leaving Australia, exchange your Australian dollars for US dollars in mostly $1, $5, $10 and $20 notes.

Budget tips for your Cuban trip

Our Cuban Adventures multi-day tour packages start at AU $895 / US $640 per person, and include:

  • Transfer from the airport to your accommodation
  • Accommodation in local guesthouses for the duration of your tour
  • Transport between the destinations and activities included in your itinerary
  • Breakfast on each day of your tour, except for your arrival day
  • Local tour leader and/or local guides throughout your itinerary

Our Ultimate Tours include all of the above, as well as:

  • All meals
  • Your eVisa
  • Departure transfer to airport

We recommend budgeting between US $50 per person per day for food, with extra for drinks. Airport departure transfers are usually US $25-50, and additional activities and excursions can be added to your package for an additional cost. Check what the equivalent amount is in Australian dollars to assist your calculations. Visit the Smartraveller website for up-to-date information about travelling to Cuba from Australia.

A debit card on top of a bill from a restaurant

Key takeaways: How to get there, entry and cash requirements

Small groups for a big adventure

Our tours offer a unique, behind-the-scenes look at what life in Cuba is really like. When you’re ready to travel to Cuba from Australia with us, your trip will support the Cuban people. It will also contribute to local entrepreneurs, community projects and social and environmental initiatives that help preserve the island’s natural ecosystems and culture. Join us on a small group tour and see the Cuba we love as our local guides take you exploring off the tourist trail. Browse our range of tour options and start planning your adventure today!

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Viagens de lazer para pequenos grupos

What people say about our services in Cuba

More Cuba travel inspiration in our blog

Read our blog for local insights, practical tips and stories from the road to help you plan your trip to Cuba from Australia.

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Como preencher os formulários de imigração D'Viajeros de Cuba


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