What should I bring to Cuba?

Photocopy of Important Documents

Tourists should carry photocopies of all paperwork, including passport and insurance documents, to minimize delay in the event of any problems or an emergency.

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

Money

Cuba is primarily a cash-based country with limited access to ATMs. It is important to note that most establishments in Cuba do not accept credit or debit cards, especially if they are issued by American banks.

Participants should carefully evaluate daily spending needs prior to departure. A minimum of $50 USD (CASH) per day is recommended. It is better to plan to take more money than to get caught short of funds.

The Cuban Peso (CUP) is the main currency used by island visitors. All goods and services are priced and paid for in the CUP. The CUP floats in value against world currencies. Exchange rates vary daily. Today's rates are based on 1.00 USD equals 120.00 CUP.

Most private business such as casas particulares (guest houses/ bed & breakfasts), private bars and restaurants prefer cash payments in USD dollars or EUROS but Cuban pesos will be accepted too.

As soon as you arrive in Cuba, it is recommended to exchange some of your home currency for CUPs (Cuban Pesos) at the official exchange point called CADECA (Casas de Cambio). These exchange points can be found at airports, resorts, hotels, cruise ports, and other tourist facilities throughout the country. It is crucial to avoid exchanging money on the black market to avoid potential scams.

Electronic Items

Power Converter (220V > 110V) which can be found at your local CAA or London Drugs.
Battery-powered alarm clock. You can't trust theirs to work and you don't want to miss bus or plane times.
Extra Batteries (any type of battery is expensive in Cuba).
Battery Charger & Rechargeable Batteries (Check whether your charger is dual voltage. If not, you may need the Power Converter as mentioned above).
Head Lamp / Flashlight if you want to trek the beaches at night or find that romantic spot for you and your loved one at night...B;b)...
Camera (bring ziploc bags to prevent camera & extra batteries from getting wet on outings [ie. Jeep Safaris / Catamaran tours]).
Headphones [2.5mm (1/8") jacks] for the plane ride (they charge you $5 dollars on the plane if you want to buy them).
Electric Shaver (Check whether your shaver is dual voltage. If not, you may need the Power Converter as mentioned above).

Clothing

Socks & Underwear (if you plan on wearing either!).
Sandals.
Sea Socks (good for Catamaran Trips and exploring the island).
Baseball Caps, Sunhats, Sunglasses.
T-Shirts (Fast-Dry Type).
Shorts (Fast-Dry Type).
Sweater (for cooler nights...hopefully you will never need it!).
Jeans / Khakis etc...
Rain Jacket (hopefully you will never need it!).
Dress Shirt, Pants and Shoes (for A La Carte Restaurants and local night clubs...Cubans always dress their very best when going out in the evenings).

Toiletries & Medications

COVID-19 protective items such as face masks (not mandatory in Cuba), thermometer, aspirin, cough medication, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes…
Face Cloth (surprisingly, many hotels in Cuba do not have facecloths) for scrubbing down in the shower.
Mosquito Repellent (DEET is the most common ingredient at a maximum of approx. 30% solution...100% solutions have been outlawed due to its toxic effects....however there are some Herbal/Natural alternatives...not sure how well they work).
Beach Towel (if you lose your own there is no charge...some hotels charge $25 dollars if you lose theirs).
Condoms (self explanatory)
Medications (ensure you have a doctor's note and leave medications in original bottles - do not mix them to save space).
Tampons / Pads (very expensive to buy in Cuba).
First Aid Travel Kit (Immodium, Band Aids, PolySporin, etc).
Advil / Tylenol (these items are expensive in Cuba).
Toothpaste, Toothbrush & Mouthwash.
MultiVitamins.
Hand / Skin Lotions.
Shampoo & Conditioner.
Leave-In Conditioners (great for battling the Sun and the Salt all day)
Sunscreen, SunTan & Sunburn Lotions.
Electric shaver, Razors & Shaving lotion.

Miscellaneous

Get Hepatitis shots prior to arriving in Cuba (see Health).
Hip Sack (for carrying your camera and other small items around with you on outings).
Thermos (w/keyring & travel clip)...cups tend to be too small at all resorts.
Cigarettes (if you prefer to stick with the brand that you are used to).
Plastic Bags (for packing wet bathing suits prior to departure).
Plastic Bags (for packing shampoo & lotions in as they may explode/leak during the flight due to compression & decompression).
Ziploc Bags for your Camera (to prevent from getting wet).
Cheap Nylon Wallet (may not want to bring your leather wallet and remove all unnecessary cards/documents from your wallet).
Nicorette Gum (for the Plane ride...if you're a smoker, you may find it eases your nerves in flight).
Get a Tan prior to leaving (you might want to get a jumpstart on your tan and not look like a lobster the first couple of days there!).
Insulated mug. Their cups are small and your drink gets warm very quickly.

Gifts for the Locals and Donations

Cubans warmly welcome gifts and donations such as:

Art supplies, musical instruments, guitar strings, others.
Baseball bats, balls and gloves, footballs, sport helmets and padding.
Aspirin and substitutes, sanitary items, medical thermometers, Band-Aids, Multiple vitamins and A, B, C, D, E.
School supplies (all kinds), toys for children, memory sticks, Spanish/English dictionaries and phrase books.
Good quality summer oriented used clothing and shoes, sheets and towels, ect.

We strongly advise against handing out donations or money to individuals you meet on the street. In areas frequented by tourists, professional scammers attempt to fleece foreign guests with scripted sob stories that win them cash or items they then sell on the black market, both resulting in hundreds of dollars every week. It also creates a proper scenario for pick pockets to pray on you.

Giving to new island friends or helping out Cubans you know from past trips is a most wonderful overture. Go for it! Please, do always consult with our Cuban guides and leaders when in doubt.