Are Cuban cities safe to walk on my own?

All Cuban cities are quite safe as they are relatively free from the well-known street dangers encountered in other countries. The Cuban people themselves and travelers can equally walk the cities and streets day and night without having to be concerned about criminal behavior.

Purse snatching and mugging are not unknown but are rare in the extreme and pose no problem for anyone with minimal street smarts. In major cities a friendly police officer can be found fairly quickly, and in tourist areas there is probably one on the next corner.

Care should be taken against pickpockets in crowded places like public buses, discos, bars and theaters. Still, few travelers to Cuba will likely experience anything more than the nuisance of an occasional peddler of artifacts or a young hustler wanting to be your guide.

Theft may occur in some hotel rooms, especially in private accommodations like casas particulares, as well as from cars.

To protect yourself, it is important to always keep your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, secure. Avoid packing valuables in your checked luggage and try not to display signs of wealth. Keep electronic devices out of sight and carry valid identification with you at all times.

It is also wise to have both a digital and hard copy of your ID and travel documents.

Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and never leave your belongings unattended in a vehicle, even if they are placed in the trunk.

Cuba is safe by any world standards, and the average visitor has no reason to worry about personal safety on the streets, in the hotels, at the beaches or any other place a traveler might visit.