Combining exotic rhythms, friendly locals, and white, palm-fringed beaches, Cuba has been captivating the hearts and imaginations of sun-seeking travellers for decades – with good reason! With an enticing mix of Spanish and African roots, Cuba is the largest, most exciting island in the Caribbean, with something for everyone – including great value.
Our Travel Professionals have put together their favourite insider tips based on years of on-site experience and recommendations to help you explore, unwind, and make the most of your Cuban vacation.
This is a country steeped in history that’s only recently become a major tourist destination. So it helps to know what to do, where to go, what to bring, and more. So let’s start with the basics.
If you’re seeking grand boulevards, exquisite colonial architecture, plus oodles of great food, shopping, and nightlife, look no further than Havana – Cuba’s capital. Established in 1592, this bustling metropolis is home to over 2 million people, making it the fourth-most-populous metropolitan area in the West Indies. This is a city bustling with art, culture, great food and – of course – great music!
Habla español? Spanish is the official language of Cuba, and about 90% of the people speak it, though many at popular tourist resorts, shops, and restaurants also speak English. Other languages spoken in the country include Haitian Creole, Lucimi, Galician, and Corsican.
It may be called Cuba Standard Time, but Cuba is in the same time zone as Toronto, so there’s no time change – or jet lag – if you’re flying in from there, or neighboring cities. Flying in from elsewhere? Just make sure to set your watch accordingly.
With warm temperatures year-round, just about any time is a good time to travel to Cuba, except hurricane season from June to November. Most vacationers book travel from December to March. Carnival parties in July and August are also popular.
With an average of 330 days of sunshine a year, Cuba’s subtropical climate is an ideal sun-getaway, with cool trade winds offering relief from the heat and humidity. Average year-round temperature is a balmy 26°C, with two clearly defined seasons: Dry season (November–April) and wet season (May–October).
The local currency in Cuba is the Cuban peso (CUP). Canadian currency is widely accepted. U.S. dollars are not accepted in cash. In hotels and resorts, payment is made only by Visa debit/credit cards issued by Canadian banks. Travelers without a credit card can purchase a prepaid card at airports, exchange offices and resorts. Outside tourist areas, payments are made in CUP. It is advisable to exchange Canadian dollars for pesos when traveling outside tourist areas, as unused pesos cannot be exchanged in Canada. For tips, the Canadian dollar is recommended.
Like Canada, Cuba operates on 110V. But many tourist hotels and resorts use 220V. Be sure to check which one your hotel uses before you go, so you can bring along adapters for your electrical devices.
You can use Cuba’s telephone network to make calls inside the country and practically anywhere in the world. Many hotels and resorts also offer Internet and Wi-Fi, but be sure to check if additional charges apply.
To dial Cuba directly from Canada, dial:
By air
Flights to Cuba, as air-only, or part of a package, are plentiful, and many are non-stop, flying out of major Canadian airports daily.
By sea
Many popular cruise lines service Cuba, or feature stopovers and day trips to Cuban ports as part of their itinerary. Some of the major cruise carriers include: Oceania Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean.
You need an ETA for Cuba if you have a Canadian passport. To enter Cuba, travellers must complete the mandatory travel form (D’Viajeros) no earlier than 7 days before arriving. Passengers travelling for leisure must select Tourism in the travel reason field when completing the form to obtain an electronic visa number. Travellers will receive a QR code by email after completing the form and must show an electronic or printed version before departure and to Cuban authorities upon arrival.
If you’re going to Cuba for a week or more, be sure you’re up-to-date on shots for most Caribbean destinations, including:
If you’re going for longer, or venturing in to more remote regions, you should also be vaccinated against:
