What to take in Cuba?

In Cuba you will need:

  • Sunscreen. The sun is very strong from the beginning of March until the end of November. 
  • Bathing suit
  • Sunglasses
  • Flip flops
  • Comfortable shoes for walking and dancing 🙂 
    • Goggles. In Cuba they are quite expensive. 
    • A hat.
    • A (trekking) backpack. Take zipper bags with you. In Cuba, especially in Havana, there are a lot of pickpockets. Never leave your personal belongings unattended. 
    • DON’T TAKE ANY DRONES OR RADIO STATIONS WITH YOU IN CUBA! THEY WILL BE CONFISCATED OR TAKEN AT THE CUSTOM-HOUSE!
    • Soma candy for the Cuban children. This is definitely not compulsory, but the children would be thrilled since they can’t have any 
    • Clothes for the Cubans. Adults also deserve some joy…




  • Don’t forget to take some aspirin with you or something for headache – the sun is really strong.
  • Spray against mosquitoes.
  • Money. There is no tax of 25 USD when departing from Cuba anymore. So you might prepare some pocket money. Keep in mind that a room in a guesthouse per night costs around 50 USD.
  • Don’t bring American dollars with you! They require extra taxes. Take euros, Canadian dollars, or British pounds instead. For bank transfers in Cuba, you will pay 10 EUR for every 50 EUR. Cards issued by American banks don’t operate in Cuba. Visa cards are 100 % acceptable.
  • Make sure you stretch your main luggage before check-in. One of my tourists had his luggage left in the rain and it drained…
  • Internet. Since 2015 every big city in Cuba offers free Wi-fi spots. Wi-Fi can be found also in big hotels. In order to use Wi-Fi in Cuba, you need to buy a SIM card from the state operator ETECSA at the cost of 3-4 USD.
  • Telephones. Once you have your own Cuban SIM card you will have cell reception, too. Outgoing calls will cost you around 1,50 EUR per minute and incoming – around 2,50 EUR. In some cities in Eastern Cuba such as Guantanamo, Baracoa, and Santiago de Cuba you might not have reception.