CUB ยท North America
Cuba
Cuba draws travelers for Havana streets and music, colonial towns, tobacco country, beaches, Afro-Cuban culture, classic cars, art, and Caribbean landscapes. The official CubaTravel tourism portal lists major visitor regions including Havana, Varadero, Jardines del Rey, Villa Clara, Holguin, Trinidad, Pinar del Rio, Cayo Largo, Santiago de Cuba, Baracoa-Guantanamo, Cienfuegos, and Camaguey. Havana and Varadero make the easiest first trip, while Trinidad, Vinales, Cienfuegos, and Santiago add more history and regional character.
Havana is the essential starting point: Old Havana and its fortifications are UNESCO-listed, and visitors usually focus on plazas, the Malecon, museums, live music venues, private restaurants, and architectural walks. Varadero is Cuba's main beach resort area, set on the Hicacos Peninsula with long white-sand beaches, caves, marinas, and excursions toward Matanzas or the Zapata Peninsula. Trinidad and the Valley de los Ingenios, another UNESCO site, reward at least one overnight for cobbled streets, colonial houses, music, and nearby Playa Ancon or Topes de Collantes.
The U.S. State Department advisory dated May 7, 2025 lists Cuba at Level 2 because of crime and unreliable electrical power. It warns that U.S. law prohibits tourist travel to Cuba and that U.S. travelers must fit an authorized OFAC travel category or obtain the proper license; it also notes prolonged nationwide power outages since October 2024 and daily power cuts in Havana, with longer outages outside the capital. Visitors should verify entry documents, travel authorization, insurance, payment access, and lodging conditions, and should carry cash because card access can be limited.
Visitor Tip: For U.S. travelers, confirm OFAC compliance before booking anything, then plan for power cuts with a battery bank, flashlight, offline maps, and flexible meals or transport. Book licensed accommodations and prioritize neighborhoods where you can walk safely after dark.
Sources
- U.S. travel rules, electrical supply, fuel availability, payments, and transport schedules change frequently; verify immediately before departure.