Sailing trip through Cuba​

For many travelers from the US, Cuban food may seem carb-heavy, with a focus on meat and limited servings of fresh vegetables, salads, and fruit. Spicy, sour, and salty flavors aren’t common in Cuba, but sweet treats are easy to find. That said, Cuba’s food scene offers plenty of gems, especially at paladares—private, family-owned restaurants known for their rich and flavorful dishes. Be prepared, though—prices at paladares can be a bit steep compared to what locals typically pay.

Hotel dining is usually more affordable, but the quality can be inconsistent. A warm welcome often comes with a mojito in hand, and you’ll find that this iconic Cuban cocktail typically costs around $2.25 to $5.75. Local beer is budget-friendly, ranging from $1.10 to $2.65, and a good bottle of Cuban rum can be yours for as little as $7.50.

When it comes to water, while some travelers drink tap water without issues, we recommend sticking to bottled water just to be safe. You’ll find canned and bottled drinks at stores for $0.45 to $1.40, while in bars and restaurants, prices range from $1.00 to $2.90. Whether you’re sipping on a mojito or tasting Cuban desserts, get ready for a culinary adventure!

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 .

Climate information: You should expect a hot, subtropical climate in Cuba all year round. A constant wind moderates the heat. In summer there is more rainfall than in winter and temperatures are around 25-30°C. In winter around 20-25°C.

Best time to travel: November to April.

The main travel season in Cuba is from mid-November to mid-April. The temperatures are a little lower during this time than in the other months, although there are generally very little temperature fluctuations in Cuba. The temperatures are between 25°-28° with a water temperature of 25°. From November to around March/April it is also tobacco season and you get a great insight into the tobacco harvest.

Cuba can experience heavy rainfall, tropical storms and sometimes landslides from June to November (hurricane season). We recommend that you follow regional weather forecasts and heed the advice of local security authorities during your trip.

Current information is available online at www.nhc.noaa.gov and www.weather.com.

You can find more information about the best time to travel here .

For round trips within the country, foreign tourists primarily consider buses (Viazul), organized bus tours, but also rental cars, although bus trips are less problematic in terms of road safety.
Cuba is suffering from power shortages. In order to save electricity, power cuts are carried out, especially outside of the tourist centers (important for individual travelers!), which can also lead to disruptions in the water supply and communication.
Cubans require a permit from the authorities for any kind of private business. For this reason, and because of the risk of robbery, private taxis that do not belong to an official taxi company and are not marked accordingly are expressly warned against. Likewise, you should ask for official permission before staying in private homes (even if you are an acquaintance), otherwise both parties (host and guest) risk getting into trouble with the police.
Casas Particulares: In Cuba it is different from most countries in the world. A Cuban is not allowed to simply accommodate tourists in his house. To do this, locals in Cuba need a license. Anyone who acquires this license is allowed to rent out rooms in their house and call their home a “Casa Particular”. All Casas Particulares are registered and can be recognized by the white/blue sign on the outside wall. Here, as in every hotel, all travelers are noted. The families need your ID and your tourist visa for this. The state hotels are an alternative if you are looking for a place to sleep. But not for gaining an insight into Cuban culture.
Travelers should make copies of their documents and keep valuables in different places or in a safe.
It is best to avoid taking photographs of queues of shoppers, dilapidated houses, etc., as the people involved may react angrily. In addition, military facilities (restricted areas and buildings) and official vehicle convoys may not be photographed. Not all military facilities or restricted areas in Cuba are fenced off or clearly recognizable as such. Instructions or requests from guards and security personnel should be followed without fail.
Smoking is prohibited in enclosed public spaces (e.g. shops, cinemas, offices, taxis, buses). In restaurants, smoking is only permitted in specially designated smoking areas.
“Even if small quantities of drugs are found for personal use, drastic penalties can be expected. Possession of small quantities by foreigners is also punished as drug smuggling. The penalty for this is four to thirty years in prison, and in particularly serious cases the death penalty is imposed. For criminal prosecution following traffic accidents, see above under road traffic.
Visitors should refrain from political activity, as this can be punished with long prison sentences.”

If you have any questions or problems during your trip, first contact the emergency numbers provided in your travel documents. You can reach our office in Havana at this number. If you have any questions for the Cuban Embassy, ​​you can use the following contact details:

In Germany

Embassy of the Republic of Cuba

Stavangerstrasse 20, 10439 Berlin

Email: consulberlin@t-online.de

Homepage: www.botschaft-kuba.de

In Austria

Embassy of the Republic of Cuba

Kaiserstrasse 84 Vienna 1070

Email: secembajador@ecuaustria.at

Homepage: www.ecuaustria.at

In Switzerland

Embassy of the Republic of Cuba

Gesellschaftsstrasse 8, Bern 3012

Email: consulcuba.berna@bluewin.ch

For emergencies that need to be dealt with locally, such as if you have lost your passport, you can always contact your respective embassy in Cuba:

German Embassy Havana

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany

Calle 13, No. 652, esq. B, Vedado, Havana, Cuba

Phone: +53 7 833 25 69

Emergency telephone number: +53 5280 5942 (can also be reached via SMS and WhatsApp if necessary)

Swiss Embassy in Cuba

Embassy of Switzerland

5ta Avenida no. 2005, between 20 and 22, Miramar, Playa, Havana, Cuba

Phone: +53 7 204 26 11

Austrian Embassy Havana

Embassy of Austria

Avenida 5ta A No. 6617, esq. a calle 70, Miramar, Havana, Cuba

Phone: +53 7204 28 25

It is advisable to take a supply of cash in euros with you. You can also withdraw money from ATMs using credit cards. However, depending on the current availability of cash, this can involve waiting times. It is therefore advisable to carry enough cash with you. With the right credit card, withdrawing money abroad is even free of charge. It is advisable to take several credit cards with you. In general, Visa cards work better at ATMs than Mastercards. If withdrawing money from ATMs does not work, it is possible to withdraw money at the bank counter by presenting your passport. However, this often involves long queues. Credit cards from US credit companies are generally not accepted at ATMs. It is therefore advisable to stock up on enough cash, as you should not rely on the number and functionality of ATMs in Cuba.