Cuba

Safety and security

Emergency phone numbers

Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes and providing emergency services.  Do not expect a quick response.

• Dial 106 for police.
• Dial 104 for ambulance or contact the nearest hospital directly.
• Dial 105 for fire.

Demonstrations

Demonstration alerts are posted on the U.S. embassy’s website and social media accounts.  Cuban authorities respond to peaceful protests with excessive force and may arbitrarily arrest individuals who participate in or who are in the vicinity of protests.  Check local media for updates and traffic advisories

Infrastructure and blackouts

Cuba's electrical grid is very unreliable and frequently collapses.  You may be without power, water, and phone and internet service for several days at a time. 

• Many Havana neighborhoods now have no streetlights, which makes driving at night dangerous, especially with bad road conditions and people walking in the streets.
• The unreliable power grid affects hospitals and communication systems. Large businesses, hotels, hospitals, and other institutions may use generators when the power goes out. But during long outages, they often struggle to keep fuel available to run these generators.

Because of the ongoing energy crisis, many business owners are reducing operations due to shortages of fuel, cooking gas, water, and goods.

Crime

• Crime and violence in Cuba have grown substantially since 2023. Robbery is the most common crime, but drug crimes and assaults have also increased.
• More tourists and foreign visitors are becoming crime victims. 

Types of crime

Small crimes like pickpocketing, purse snatching, and car break-ins are becoming more common and more aggressive. Violent crimes are also increasing. They include armed robbery, assault, and home break-ins.

Safety tips

• Be aware of your surroundings, especially at night or when traveling in an unfamiliar area.
• Do not display large amounts of cash.
• Do not leave your valuables unattended. Carry money in your front pockets, hold your purse and cellular phone securely, and be mindful of purses or bags when dining out.
• Do not leave a beverage unattended or accept beverages from people unknown to you.
• Locations such as Habana Vieja, Playas del Este, Varadero, and other attractions tend to have a higher number of property and violent crimes than other parts of Cuba.
• Beware of misdirection schemes where someone gains your attention while another steals your purse, wallet, or other valuable items while you are distracted.
• If confronted by criminals, do not resist. Try to remain calm, clearly display your hands, and do not make any sudden moves that could be interpreted as resistance.
• Carry a cell phone with Cuban cellular service for emergency communications and travel in groups if possible. Be aware that cell phone and data signal may be degraded due to prolonged blackouts.
• While in your car, place valuables out of sight or in a locked trunk. Keep your car doors locked and your windows closed. When the vehicle is unattended, avoid leaving items in the car, especially on the seat or in plain view.
• Only use marked taxis.
• Carry a copy of your passport and secure the original.
• Beware of scam artists, who may speak English and appear friendly.
• When exchanging currency, use the state-run offices known as CADECAs or official banks.

Scams

Follow the Department of State guidelines to protect yourself from scams.

If you are a victim of a scam, learn how the FBI can help.

Financial and Internet romance scams are common in Cuba. Be careful of anyone asking for money, especially those who start a "romantic" relationship online or claim local authorities want money. Scams often begin through online posts, emails, or letters. Scammers pretend to be U.S. citizens in need of help.

Common scams include:

• People claiming to be U.S. military personnel
• People claiming to be detained or hospitalized abroad
• Romance and online dating
• Money transfers
• Grandparent and relative targeting
• Free trip or luggage
• Lotteries
• Inheritance notices
• Work permits and job offers

If using dating apps or websites in Cuba:

• Criminals may use dating apps to target potential victims for robbery or assault.
• Let your friends and family know where you are and consider sharing your location on your phone.
• Meet in a popular public place.
• Tell your family or friends all the details about the person you are meeting and how you met them (which app).
• Set up and talk using a video call before agreeing to meet in person. 
• Avoid locations where you can be isolated, like hotel rooms, private apartments or houses.
• Never leave food or drinks unattended at a bar or restaurant.
• Observe the preparation of your food or drink order when possible.
• Refuse offers of food or drinks from strangers.
• Have a communication plan with friends or family. Send updates to them on an agreed schedule.

Victims of crime

Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes. You may report crimes to the local police by dialing 106. You may contact the U.S. embassy at +53 7839-4100.

Review our information for Victims of Crime.

The U.S. embassy can:

• Replace a stolen or lost passport.
• Help you find medical care.
• Assist you in how to report a crime to the police.
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent.
• Provide general information regarding the criminal justice system.
• Provide a list of local attorneys. We do not endorse or recommend any specific attorneys.
• Provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States or limited medical support in cases of need.
• Help you find accommodation and options to travel home.

Sexual assault and domestic violence 

U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. embassy for assistance and report the crime to local law enforcement.

U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the U.S. embassy for assistance.

Technology use abroad

There is no expectation of privacy in Cuba.

Mobile devices are vulnerable to compromise, theft, and damage anywhere in the world. Follow these safe practices:

• Update all software (operating system and apps) before leaving the United States.
• Use reputable, U.S.-based VPN or VoIP applications.
• Don’t connect to public Wi-Fi networks.
• Be cautious using dating apps abroad, as scammers often target U.S. citizens.
• Drones are illegal in Cuba. Attempting to bring one into the country will result in confiscation.
• Starlink is illegal in Cuba. Attempting to bring one into the country will result in confiscation.

GPS 

Prior to using GPS abroad:

• Research the route recommended by the GPS to make sure it’s safe.
• The fastest path may not be the safest.

Telecommunications

Phone and internet service in Cuba continues to worsen. Cell towers are affected by the degrading power grid, causing weak or no signal, dropped calls, and trouble making both emergency and everyday calls.

• Some U.S. phone carriers let you use your phone in Cuba through "roaming." Your phone may work if it supports roaming in Cuba and your carrier has an agreement with ETECSA, Cuba's state-run phone company. Right now, AT&T and T-Mobile have these agreements. Even when using your U.S. phone carrier on roaming, you will rely on Cuban cell towers that suffer frequent disruptions.
• Wi-Fi is often slow and unreliable. Avoid using public Wi-Fi, since it's not considered safe. Check with your phone carrier about coverage in Cuba before you travel.
• You can buy SIM cards with data plans at the Havana José Martí International Airport (HAV) or at local ETECSA offices.

To help family and friends reach you while you're in Cuba, ask your phone carrier about roaming options and costs, or buy a Cuban SIM card.

Tourism safety

The tourism industry is not well regulated:

• Safety inspections for equipment and facilities are rare.
• Dangerous areas and activities are not always marked with signs. 
• Staff may not be trained or certified.
• If you get injured, you will likely need to travel to a major city for appropriate medical care.
• First responders cannot reach remote areas in case of emergencies.
• U.S. citizens are encouraged to have medical evacuation insurance.

Review our information on Travel Insurance.

Adventure travel

Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tips for Adventure Travel.

Local laws and customs

Cuba-related travel transactions

Only people whose travel falls into the 12 OFAC approved travel categories, or who have received a specific license from OFAC, are authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to travel to, from, or within Cuba.

• Direct financial transactions with certain entities and sub-entities under the control of, or acting for or on behalf of, the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services are also generally prohibited. For more information review the Department of State’s Cuba Restricted List.
• Lodging, paying for lodging, or making reservations on behalf of others to lodge, at certain accommodations in Cuba are prohibited. For a full list of such accommodations, review the Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List.

For more information about regulations and licenses, visit OFAC’s Cuba Sanctions website.

Licenses for remittances

OFAC regulations impose no cap on remittances to family members in Cuba and authorize remittances to non-family recipients as well.

• Certain Prohibited Officials of the Government of Cuba, Prohibited Members of the Cuban Communist Party, and the close relatives of these 2 groups, are not eligible to receive remittances.
• For information on remittance authorizations, review OFAC’s Cuba Sanctions website.

What you may bring back from Cuba

You generally cannot bring Cuban products into the United States to sell them. There are only a few exceptions:

• You can import certain goods made by independent Cuban entrepreneurs (small business owners), but only items listed on the State Department’s official list (Section 515.582 List; review 31 C.F.R 515.582).
• You can import or export informational materials like books, films, etc.

For more information on bringing goods into the United States, including personal items in your luggage, check the Office of Foreign Assets Control Cuba Sanctions FAQ.

Buying art in Cuba (paintings and sculptures)

Cuban law says you need special permission to take souvenir paintings or sculptures out of the country. Most galleries and art studios know this rule and will help you get the right paperwork when you buy something.

Warning: If you don’t have this permit, customs officers in Cuba can take your artwork away when you try to leave. The U.S. embassy cannot help you get it back.

Alcohol and tobacco

You can buy alcohol and cigars in Cuba to consume while you are there. But you cannot enter the United States with alcohol or tobacco products acquired in Cuba.

Buying Cuban products in other countries

If you’re American, (or otherwise subject to United States law) and you’re visiting a different country, you can buy Cuban products there for your own personal use. However, you still cannot bring Cuban alcohol or tobacco into the United States, no matter where you bought it.

For a complete description of what this general license authorizes and the restrictions that apply, review 31 CFR § 515.585(c) and (d).

Criminal penalties

U.S. citizens must follow local laws. If you break local laws, even by mistake, you could be deported, arrested, or imprisoned.

• Travelers who accidentally break local laws have been detained. Sometimes, this can be for a long time. They may also face criminal charges and even be convicted of a crime and imprisoned.

Cuban penalties for the following crimes are particularly severe:

• Possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs.
• Suspicion of assisting Cubans to leave the country illegally.
• Drivers involved in accidents that result in injury or death, regardless of fault.
• Importing weapons or ammunition.
• Photographing military or police installations or personnel, or harbor, rail, or airport facilities.
• Crimes against minors.

You may be prosecuted in the United States for crimes committed abroad regardless of the local law. Review the information provided by the U.S. Department of Justice about crimes against minors abroad.

• Before you start a business or a profession in Cuba seek information from the local authorities about what permits or licenses are required.
• As all livestock is considered the property of the Cuban regime, Cuba has harsh penalties for the theft or slaughter of livestock

Cuban requirements for authorized travelers 

• Attempts to enter or exit Cuba illegally, or to help the irregular exit of Cuban nationals or other people, are prohibited.
• Entering Cuban territory, territorial waters, or airspace without prior authorization from the Cuban government may result in arrest.
• Immigration violators are subject to prison terms ranging from 4 to 30 years.
• Cuba prohibits marijuana, cannabis, CBD products (even with a prescription), guns, ammunition, and spent shells or casings. Bringing these items into the country risks arrest and lengthy detention.

Arrest notification 

If you are arrested or detained, ask officials to notify the U.S. embassy or consulate immediately.

• The Cuban government has detained U.S. citizens it believes threaten state security.
• Cuba can detain people for activities that are not considered crimes in the United States.
• Because Cuba considers dual citizens solely as Cubans on its territory, Cuban-American dual citizens can be denied consular access or help from the U.S. Embassy in Havana, if they run into legal or medical trouble.

Arrest notifications are not automatic for dual citizens. Often notification and access to dual citizens is significantly delayed or denied.

Detention conditions

Detention facilities in Cuba rarely have the capacity to provide you with essential medications, nutrition, or medical care.

• Detainees in Cuba usually can’t get their prescribed or over the counter medications. Detainees may also miss out on emergency and routine medical care.
• Due to the instability of the electric grid in Cuba, food storage and preparation and basic sanitation and hygiene measures are very limited.
• The food is of low-quality and nutritional value. Prisons do not have commissaries for prisoners to supplement their food rations.
• It is extremely difficult to send detainees funds. Some prisoners have entered into informal contracts with Cubans living in the local area to provide toiletries and supplemental food, but this usually requires the prisoner’s family member to come to Cuba for a private visit.

Counterfeit and pirated goods

Counterfeit and pirated goods are common in many destinations.

• They may be illegal according to local laws.
• Counterfeit and pirated goods may pose significant risks to consumer health and safety.
• You may be subject to fines or have to surrender counterfeit and pirated goods to authorities if you bring them back to the United States.

Learn more about U.S. restrictions on counterfeit and pirated goods:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• U.S. Department of Justice 

Faith-based travelers

Faith based travel includes pilgrimages, service projects, and mission work. Prepare for your travel using these resources:

• Faith-Based Travel
• Volunteering Abroad
• International Religious Freedom Reports

Gay and lesbian travelers

There are no legal restrictions on consensual same-sex sexual relations, the provision of information or services to persons on the basis of real or perceived sexual orientation, or the organization of events focused on sexual orientation in Cuba.

• Review our information for Gay and Lesbian Travelers.

Travelers with disabilities or accessibility needs

The law in Cuba prohibits discrimination against people with physical, sensory, psychosocial, intellectual, or mental disabilities. The law is not enforced.

• Expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation, lodging, communication, and general infrastructure.
• Many attractions and cultural sites, especially museums, are not well-equipped for people with mobility considerations. Wheelchair users may find cobblestoned and potholed streets and sidewalks, especially in older areas, challenging.
• Accessibility for people with disabilities within and outside of Havana is very limited.
• Accessibility can be further impacted by a shortage of assistive devices and frequent power outages.

Review our information on Accessibility Needs.

Students

• Review our information on Studying Abroad.

Women travelers  

• Review our information for Women Travelers.
• Review our information on Marriage.
• Review our information for Victims of Crime.

Human rights

Significant human rights issues in Cuba include the following: 

• Arbitrary or unlawful killings
• Disappearances
• Torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the government 
• Arbitrary arrest and detention
• Serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom.  Review our information on journalists traveling abroad. 
• Restrictions of religious freedom
• Restrictions on freedom of association
• Trafficking in persons, including state-sponsored forced labor 

Review the Department of State’s Human Rights Report for your destination prior to traveling.

Health

Health resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Cuba Traveler Information provides destination specific information on prevalent diseases and vaccination recommendations.
• CDC Medical Tourism information
• World Health Organization
• Medicine and Health
• Travel Insurance

Emergency phone numbers

• Dial 104 for emergency medical services.
• Dial 105 for fire.
• Dial 106 for police.

Ambulance services

Ambulances may not respond quickly or reliably.

• Ambulance services are not present in most areas. They are not equipped with advanced medical equipment.
• Ambulances are not staffed with trained paramedics. They often have little or no medical equipment.
• Injured or very ill travelers might prefer to take a taxi or their own car to the nearest major hospital. This option can be faster than waiting for an ambulance.

Common diseases

Mosquito-borne and other illnesses, including dengue and chikungunya, are widespread due to a lack of basic public services, including trash collection, water distribution, and fumigation. Consider bringing your own medical supplies and supply of bug repellent and clothing that protects you from mosquitoes and other bugs. 

The following illnesses are common:

• Dengue fever
• Oropouche
• Hepatitis A
• Traveler’s diarrhea
• Chikungunya

Medical payments and insurance

Make sure you know if your health insurance plan covers any medical expenses abroad.  Most U.S. plans do not.

Ensure your airline ticket includes health insurance. Cuba requires all U.S. airlines departing the United States to pay for health insurance for each passenger.

The health insurance from airlines is valid for 30 days upon your arrival in Cuba. If you are planning to stay in Cuba for more than 30 days, you will need to extend your coverage before you can extend your visa.

It is important to keep a record of your arrival into Cuba, such as your airline ticket, so that the Asistur Medical Insurance agency can coordinate with the hospital on payment.

The U.S. government does not pay medical bills.

• U.S. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover expenses or bills abroad.
• Hospitals and doctors in Cuba do not accept U.S. health insurance.
• Medical care is not free in Cuba. If you require medical attention, you will need to cover expenses, even if you are treated in a public healthcare facility.
• Lack of payment may lead to an exit ban from Cuba.
• Care providers in Cuba accept cash payments. While some providers take credit or debit cards, you should be aware of your bank’s restrictions before paying with card.
• Credit card payment is generally not available.
• Private and public hospitals often need payment up front or proof of good insurance before providing treatment or admitting a patient.
• Make sure you know if your health insurance plan provides coverage abroad or reimbursement of payments. The CDC provides more information on types of insurance.
• Medical evacuation flights from Cuba are difficult to arrange, with the average cost at $25,000.
• We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

If you purchase supplemental insurance, you are responsible for seeking reimbursement from the insurance provider. Follow their instructions for filing claims.

Vaccinations

Stay up to date with the vaccines recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• CDC Travelers’ Health
• World Health Organization Travel Advice

Healthcare facilities

Hospitals are open but can't provide full care.

• Health facilities are available in Cuba. It may be harder to find adequate health care in rural areas.
• The U.S. embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.
• Public medical clinics lack basic resources and supplies, including bed sheets, gowns, syringes, needles, bandages, and more, and many medications are unavailable.
• Hospitals and doctors require payment up front prior to service or admission. 
• Medical staff may speak little or no English.
• Patients must cover all costs for transfer to or between hospitals.
• Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in larger cities.

Medical tourism and elective surgery 

Medical tourism is a fast-growing industry. If you want healthcare abroad, you need to know that foreign medical systems are different from the United States. They don't follow the same rules. Before you travel for medical reasons, talk to your doctor.

• Visit the CDC’s Medical Tourism website for information on medical tourism. Find out about the risks of medical tourism and what you can do to prepare before traveling to Cuba.
• We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation in the event of unforeseen medical complications.
• Your legal options in case of malpractice may be limited in Cuba.

Although Cuba has elective or cosmetic surgery facilities, the quality of care varies widely. Many facilities are scaling back elective procedures because of ongoing fuel and water shortages. If you plan to undergo surgery in Cuba, make sure that emergency medical facilities are available, and professionals are accredited and qualified. Be aware that emergency medical facilities lack basic medicines and medical supplies.  Patients are often responsible for obtaining basic supplies and medicines. 

Prescription medications 

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.

• Ensure you have all medicine you require for your time in Cuba.
• Prescription and over the counter medications are not available in Cuba. 
• Bring your own insect repellant, sunscreen, anti-diarrheal medication, antibiotic creams, pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, and any prescription medication.
• If your medicine requires cold storage, ensure your accommodation has reliable electricity and storage facilities.
• Check with the Embassy of Cuba to ensure the medication is legal in Cuba.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have rules for bringing medication back into the United States.  If you buy medications abroad, the medications must meet CBP’s and the FDA’s requirements to bring them back legally.

The medications must also be for personal use and approved for use in the United States.

For more information:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Food and Drug Administration

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and Surrogacy

If you are considering traveling to Cuba to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please review our information on ART and Surrogacy Abroad.

• In 2022, Cuba legalized a form of surrogacy called “solidarity pregnancy” or “rental wombs,” but with strict conditions to prevent exploitation.
• If you decide to pursue parenthood in Cuba via ART with a surrogate, consider hiring a reputable local attorney and be prepared for long and unexpected delays with local authorities while documenting your child’s birth or citizenship status. People who try to avoid local law risk legal consequences.

Water quality and food safety 

Diarrheal illness is common among travelers, even in luxury accommodations. Travelers should wash their hands, drink bottled water, and avoid street and undercooked foods.

• Tap water is not safe to drink.
• Bottled water is often unavailable for purchase.
• Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water.
• Eating uncooked vegetables and fruits can make you sick.
• Make water safe filtering, boiling, disinfecting, or distilling.
• Impure water can cause diseases like typhoid, cholera, hepatitis, and dysentery.

Air quality

Cuba is dealing with frequent power outages and serious shortages of fuel. Because of this, basic services like trash pickup rarely happen. As a result, Cubans burn trash piles, making the air quality much worse, especially during hot, humid summer months.

• Check NASA’s Air Quality Forecast. It uses Artificial Intelligence (AI), historical data, and global pollution modeling to generate a 3-day forecast of expected air quality in Cuba.
• For information about common air pollutants, check the CDC’s Air Quality page.
• For information about the U.S. Air Quality Index and health guidance, check out the EPA’s AirNow.

For general health information, visit the Medicine and Health page.

Transportation

Road conditions and safety

Drive with extreme care. Major potholes and obstacles are common on all roads. After periods of heavy rain, streets are often flooded and impassable. Bridges can collapse after heavy rain. Damaged bridges may not be well marked.

• Outside of major cities or during blackouts, avoid driving at night. Rolling blackouts may leave streets dark and without traffic lights, even in major cities.
• Emergency lights or signals are rare, making it virtually impossible to detect hazards after dark. Street signage is insufficient and confusing. 
• Many Cuban cars are old, in poor condition, and lack reliable safety equipment. 
• The principal Cuban east-west highway is in increasingly poor condition and extends only part of the way from Havana to the eastern end of the island.   Most Cuban roads are unmaintained and are fettered with potholes, large cracks, and crumbling asphalt. Unfenced livestock and farm vehicles are common and create dangerous conditions. 
• When traveling by road, you should carry a printed map of the area, as electronic (smartphone) maps don’t work due to poor connectivity. 
• Speed limits are sometimes posted.
• Use care at intersections: stop signs are often hard to see.

Road accidents are a leading cause of death

• Many car accidents involve pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Cuban authorities may prohibit drivers from leaving the country until claims from an accident are settled.
• Drivers found responsible for accidents resulting in serious injury or death may receive long prison sentences. U.S. citizen drivers are often found at fault for accidents they are involved in.

Traffic laws

A valid driver’s license is required to drive in Cuba, and you must be at least 21 years of age.

• Passengers in automobiles must wear seatbelts, if available.
• Motorcyclists must wear helmets. Note, many helmets in Cuba do not meet U.S. safety standards.
• Bicyclists and motorcyclists are prohibited from driving on certain roads and through tunnels. Follow traffic signage closely.
• Traffic from major roads generally does not stop when entering roundabouts.
• If involved in a traffic accident in Cuba, you must report the incident to local authorities. You should obtain a copy of the police report, also called a “Comprobante de Denuncia” in Spanish.
• You may be detained until a traffic accident is resolved. Depending on the severity of the accident, you may face legal consequences, including possible imprisonment, if serious injuries or fatalities occur.

Taxis and ride-shares

Avoid using informal taxis or hailing private vehicles for rides as they are unregulated.

• Cars are often in disrepair and usually do not have normal vehicle safety equipment such as seat belts and air bags.
• “Cocos,” smaller, yellow ball-shaped “tuk-tuk” style vehicles, are not safe. The U.S. embassy advises its personnel not to use them.

Public and commercial transportation 

Pickpocketing is common on crowded buses and trains. U.S. embassy personnel are advised to avoid public transportation.

• Coach buses designated for tourist travel, both between and within cities, generally meet international standards.
• Public buses, known as "guaguas," are crowded, unreliable, in poor condition, and are sometimes preyed upon by petty criminals. The country’s rail system is also in poor condition.
• Rental car agencies provide roadside assistance to their clients as a condition of rental contracts; however, fuel shortages may make it difficult to receive roadside assistance. Do not permit unauthorized people to drive your rental vehicles.
• Visit Cuba’s national tourist office.

Review our information on Driving and Transportation Safety Abroad.

Aviation safety oversight

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Cuba for compliance with international standards for aviation safety oversight. FAA's website includes more information on its assessment program.

Maritime travel

Cuba’s power grid is unreliable, phone and internet service is poor, and fuel and water is scarce. Therefore, most marina offices are closed and hard to reach. This also means local repair shops often don’t have the power or supplies to fix boats.

• U.S. citizens must have a visa to leave their boats. But because communication is difficult and fuel is limited, it can take a while for immigration officials to reach your boat .
• Getting repairs can be hard. Fixing your boat depends on finding skilled workers, materials, and equipment. This is challenging because of unreliable electricity and fuel shortages.
• Bring cash. Credit cards don’t work in Cuba, so you’ll need to exchange currency to Cuban pesos to pay for anything, including repairs.
• Be patient. Even simple repairs can take many days to complete.

Mariners and passengers planning travel to Cuba should check the following:

• U.S. Maritime Advisories
• U.S. Maritime Alerts
• Maritime Safety Office Navigational Warnings
• U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Commons
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• National Hurricane Center

The U.S. Coast Guard determined Cuban ports do not have effective anti-terrorism measures. Vessels that arrive in U.S. ports from Cuba ports must meet additional U.S. Coast Guard conditions of entry as described in the current Port Security Advisory, International Port Security Program - Port Security Advisory.

Mariners and passengers in Cuban ports should be careful and use stronger security measures.

Entry requirements for foreign-registered aircraft or maritime vessels

Temporary sojourn license:

• Most aircraft and maritime vessels on temporary sojourn to Cuba are not eligible for an Aircraft, Vessels, and Spacecraft (AVS) License Exception. Review 15 C.F.R. § 740.15.
• If you are planning to enter Cuba with a U.S. or foreign-registered aircraft or maritime vessel on temporary sojourn, you must meet the criteria set forth in 15 C.F.R. § 740.15. Please review the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security website for additional information.
• In addition, a vessel of the United States, as defined in 33 C.F.R. §107.200, requires a permit from the U.S. Coast Guard to enter Cuban territorial waters.

You must mail your completed application to: [email protected]. You can fax your application to 305-415-6791 or dial 305-415-6820 for help. Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks for approval and processing of the permit.

Weather and natural disasters

Weather conditions

Cuba has a tropical climate with 2 distinct seasons. Temperatures remain warm year-round, averaging between 70–90°F (21–32°C), with the hottest months from July through September.

Dry season from November to April

Characterized by lower humidity, cooler temperatures, and less rainfall.

Rainy season from May to October

Marked by high humidity, heavy rainfall, and frequent thunderstorms. The rainy season also coincides with the Atlantic hurricane season from June 1 to November 30. This brings the island's most severe weather, peaking from August through October.

U.S. citizens living abroad

Living abroad resources

If you live outside the United States for a long time, you or your family may experience various life events, wish to exercise U.S. citizenship rights, or need to meet U.S. legal obligations while abroad.

• Enroll in the SMART Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security.
• Subscribe to the U.S. Citizen Consular Information: Cuba’s WhatsApp channel.
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
• Learn how to prepare for voting in U.S. elections, the birth of a child, or getting married.
• Ensure you have a plan for healthcare and medical insurance abroad.
• Even abroad, you still have certain obligations such as paying your U.S. taxes or registering for military selective service.
• Review information on federal benefits, such as Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits.

Embassies and consulates