Cuba, answered
The top 10 questions people ask about Cuba
These are the questions travelers search for most before a trip to Cuba — from where it is to whether Americans can go. Here is a straight answer to each, with a link to the full guide when you want to go deeper.
1.Where is Cuba?
Cuba is an island nation in the northern Caribbean Sea, at roughly 21.5° N, 79.5° W — about 150 km (90 mi) south of Key West, Florida. It is the largest island in the Caribbean and lies in North America, not South America, where the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean meet.
See Cuba on the map →2.Is Cuba safe to visit?
Cuba has one of the lower violent-crime rates in the Caribbean, and tourist areas are generally calm. The realistic concerns are petty theft, currency and taxi scams, and periodic shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Travel advisories change, so check your own government's current guidance before you go.
Read the Cuba safety guide →3.Can Americans visit Cuba?
Yes. US citizens can legally travel to Cuba, but not as ordinary tourists — travel must fall under one of the 12 authorized categories (most independent travelers use “Support for the Cuban People”). You self-certify, avoid US-restricted entities, and keep records for five years. No special licence application is needed for the general categories.
How US citizens can visit →4.Do I need a visa for Cuba?
Most travelers need a Cuban tourist card (tarjeta del turista), often just called a visa. It is usually bought through your airline, a Cuban consulate or a visa agency, and covers a single stay of 30 days (extendable), or 90 days for Canadians. You also need valid travel insurance and an onward ticket.
Cuba visa & entry rules →5.When is the best time to visit Cuba?
The best time to visit Cuba is the dry season from November to April, with warm, sunny days and lower humidity — December to March is peak. The wet, hotter season runs May to October, overlapping the June–November Atlantic hurricane season, with September and October the most storm-prone.
Best time to visit, month by month →6.What money do you use in Cuba?
Cuba's currency is the Cuban peso (CUP). Cuba is largely a cash economy: bring foreign cash to exchange (euros, Canadian dollars and pounds are easy; US dollars work but less favorably), because most foreign cards — especially US-issued ones — do not work at ATMs or shops. Some hotels and newer venues accept cards or MLC.
Money, cards & cash in Cuba →7.How many days do you need in Cuba?
Plan on at least 5–7 days to see Havana and one other region without rushing. Ten to fourteen days is the sweet spot to combine Havana, Viñales, Trinidad and a beach such as Varadero or Cayo Coco. Short 3–4 day trips work if you stay close to Havana.
How many days you need →8.How much does a trip to Cuba cost?
Cuba can be inexpensive or costly depending on how you travel. Casas particulares (guesthouses), local restaurants and classic-car taxis keep budgets low, while all-inclusive resorts, private transfers and scarce imported goods push them up. Because prices and exchange rates shift, budget in structural terms rather than fixed figures.
What a Cuba trip costs →9.Is there internet and WiFi in Cuba?
Cuba has internet, but it is limited, slow and sometimes intermittent. Access is through the state operator ETECSA — public WiFi zones, hotel WiFi, and mobile data via a local SIM or eSIM. Buy connectivity ahead of time, and expect coverage gaps outside the cities.
WiFi, eSIM & staying connected →10.What is Cuban food like?
Cuban food is hearty, Caribbean and Spanish-influenced: rice and beans (moros y cristianos), roast pork, ropa vieja, fried plantains, root vegetables and fresh seafood, usually mildly seasoned rather than spicy. Private restaurants (paladares) generally serve the best and most varied meals.
What to eat in Cuba →