Cuba Highlights

You can find the most detailed description of the regulations on the website of the Federal Foreign Office (https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/DE/Laenderinformationen/00-SiHi/KubaSicherheit.html). Here are the quotes on the most important topics so that you don’t have to search for long:

• “There is an increased risk in road traffic due to the poor condition of the roads, a lack of lighting, unpredictable driving behavior and technical deficiencies (no lighting, brake failure, etc.). Cubans communicate in traffic partly through a system of hand signals that are initially incomprehensible to foreigners.
• Drinking alcohol while driving is prohibited. Furthermore, the consumption of alcohol in the passenger compartment of a car, including for passengers, is prohibited. In addition, alcohol may not be carried in the passenger compartment of the car if consumption is obvious.
• Accidents involving tourists that result in personal injuries can result in a travel ban lasting several weeks and possibly even pre-trial detention. If people are injured or killed, foreign drivers are sometimes given draconian prison sentences.
• Nighttime travel across country should be avoided at all costs due to poor road conditions, unlit vehicles (such as cyclists and horse-drawn carriages), pedestrians and livestock on the road.
• Rental cars in Cuba are often in poor technical and visual condition. When renting a rental car, you should pay close attention to the technical condition of the vehicle and document any previous damage in detail (with photos if necessary). There have been cases of tourists who were confronted with apparently unjustified claims for damages when returning the vehicle. The statutory insurance cover for rental cars offered in Cuba does not meet European standards. This is particularly true for the low amount of cover for personal injury. Taking out additional insurance in Germany should therefore be considered.”

If you contact us, we will call you within 24 hours (Mon-Fri) to arrange a free and non-binding travel consultation with you. During the travel consultation, we will discuss the trip and create an offer within the shortest possible time.

When you are ready to book, we will send you a booking form, which you fill out digitally, sign and send back to us to officially initiate the booking.

We will then send you a booking confirmation in the form of a deposit invoice with 25% of the travel price. We will then start booking your offer with our local partners. If you also buy your tourist cards through us, these will also be included in the deposit invoice. Once the invoice is paid within 1 day, you will receive the tourist card (if booked) by post within a short time. The remaining amount (75% of the travel price) must be paid 4 weeks before the trip.

At least 14 days before the trip starts, you will receive your travel documents with information about the individual travel services, vouchers and emergency contacts. If you have any final questions, you can of course always clarify them with us and off you go!

You can find the most detailed description of customs regulations on the website of the Federal Foreign Office . Here are excerpts from the most important topics so that you don’t have to search for long:

Only take things that are for your personal use or that you could do without. Excess quantities may be confiscated because they are considered unauthorized gifts.

“Electrical devices may also only be imported to the extent that they are intended for personal use, not as gifts for Cuban citizens. For gifts (non-commercial imports) with a value of between 50 CUC and 250 CUC, customs duty of 100% is levied. Further information can be obtained from the relevant Cuban diplomatic mission abroad. The import of walkie-talkies, satellite phones and GPS devices is not permitted or requires prior approval from the relevant Cuban authorities. Laptops, cameras and mobile phones with GPS function are not affected by this. The import of fresh food (e.g. fresh sausages, dairy products, vegetables, fruit) is prohibited for health reasons.”

Do not take any objects from Cuba that could be considered Cuban cultural property. This may also apply to older coins. Information on this and export permits are available from: Bienes Culturales, Calle 17 #1009, entre10 y 12, Vedado, Telephone: 839658. The permit only costs a few pesos, but saves you potential trouble when leaving the country.

“Export regulations for tobacco products

Up to twenty (20) loose cigars may be exported without having to provide proof of origin and purchase. Up to fifty (50) cigars may be exported provided that they are in their original, closed, sealed packaging with an official hologram. More than fifty (50) cigars may only be exported upon presentation of an original invoice issued by the officially authorized state stores. This invoice must include the total quantity of tobacco intended for export. In these cases too, it is essential that the cigars are in their original, closed, sealed packaging with an official hologram.

Detailed information on Cuban import and export regulations is available on the Cuban Customs website at www.aduana.co.cu.”

You can obtain further customs information on importing goods from the embassy of your destination country. Only there can legally binding information be given.

You can view the customs regulations for Germany on the German customs website at www.zoll.de or inquire by telephone.

Cuban food is often described by European palates as one-sided: too many carbohydrates, too much meat and too few vegetables, salads and fruit. Spicy, sour and salty dishes are rarely found. Sweet ones are all the more common. Nevertheless, there are many restaurants, especially the so-called “paladares” (private restaurants), which often offer very tasty and rich food, but which can also cost a little more, at prices that are hardly affordable for Cubans.

In the hotels, the food is a little cheaper, but the quality varies greatly. Cubans insist on their mojito as a welcome drink. A mojito usually costs 2.10 – 5.40 euros, a beer 1 – 2.50 euros. You can get a good bottle of rum for as little as 7 euros. In our experience, drinking tap water in Cuba is safe, but safety comes first and it is better to buy bottled water. The prices for canned and bottled drinks are generally between 0.40 and 1.30 euros, while in bars and restaurants the prices are between 0.90 and 2.70 euros.

Yes. You will also need a document written in Spanish confirming the validity of this international health insurance.

Without this, you may be refused entry. Ask your insurance company; they can issue you with this confirmation. We can recommend Hanse Merkur, ADAC, ERV or Allianzversicherung, for example. Experience has shown that nobody usually wants to see the document, but if you unexpectedly have to see a doctor, it is important to be able to present the receipt.

You can read more about the entry requirements here .