Health & safety
Cuba Health and Safety: What Actually Matters
Cuba's genuine safety picture is reassuring — violent crime against tourists is low — but a handful of practical realities catch first-time visitors out: mandatory, checked travel insurance, patchy connectivity, thin pharmacy stock, and a well-established pattern of friendly touting that's more nuisance than danger.
Updated 2026-08-15
Travel insurance: mandatory and actually checked
Cuba requires proof of travel insurance covering medical costs for every visitor, and unlike many destinations where this is a formality, it can genuinely be requested at immigration on arrival. Buy a policy that explicitly covers Cuba before you travel — some standard travel policies exclude the country due to the US embargo's effect on the insurance market — and keep the documentation accessible rather than buried in email.
Connectivity: plan around it, not through it
Internet access is limited and slow by most travellers' standards. WiFi is available in public parks, hotel lobbies and ETECSA telecom offices via prepaid scratch cards rather than through a home broadband-style connection, and even where it works, connections are frequently spotty. Messaging apps generally function, but video calls and large downloads are unreliable. Download offline maps, translation packs and any documents you'll need before arrival rather than assuming you'll sort it out on the ground.
Pharmacies, medication and everyday health
Cuban pharmacies frequently run short of basic supplies — pain relievers, antihistamines, rehydration salts, sun cream and insect repellent are all worth bringing rather than assuming you'll find them locally. Tap water isn't recommended for drinking; bottled or treated water is the standard precaution. Medical care itself is generally competent and Cuba is well known for its healthcare system, but bring any prescription medication you need for the full trip, since finding a specific drug locally is not something to count on.
Jineteros and everyday street sense
Violent crime against tourists is low, and Cuba is a genuinely comfortable destination to walk around. The most common friction is jineteros — friendly strangers, often well-practised in conversation, who steer visitors toward a specific paladar, casa or cigar seller in exchange for a commission. It's not dangerous, just worth recognising: a polite, direct decline works fine, and doing your own research on where to eat or stay ahead of time removes most of the pressure. Standard city sense — watch belongings in crowds, use licensed taxis at night — covers the rest.