Cuba Holidays

UK visitors require a Tourist Card (visa) to enter Cuba, which can be obtained as an e-Visa online before departure. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry. After a visit to Cuba you can no longer travel to the USA on an ESTA and will need a US visa instead, so plan any US trip with that in mind. Our team will guide you through the application process when you book.

Travel insurance covering Cuba specifically is mandatory, you may be asked for proof on arrival. Make sure your policy includes medical evacuation and covers activities such as trekking and snorkelling if they’re part of your itinerary. Standard UK travel insurance policies may not cover Cuba while the FCDO advises against all but essential travel. If you arrive without cover that Cuba accepts, you can buy it at the airport from Asistur, part of Cuba's national insurance company, for about US$3 per person per day.

The best time to visit Cuba is November to April, during the dry season. Temperatures are warm and pleasant (24–28°C) with lower humidity. The wet season runs from May to October, with higher rainfall and the risk of hurricanes, particularly August to October.

The currency is the Cuban peso (CUP). Euros and US dollars can be exchanged at official CADECA bureaux. Credit and debit cards issued by US-affiliated banks (including some UK banks) may not work, so carry sufficient cash. ATMs are available but unreliable outside major cities.

There are no direct flights from the UK to Cuba. Because of Cuba's ongoing aviation fuel shortage, several airlines have suspended service. As of June 2026, Air Europa via Madrid is the most reliable option, the Madrid–Havana flights currently include a refuelling stop in the Dominican Republic. Iberia has suspended its Madrid–Havana route and Air France's Paris service is suspended (resumption unconfirmed); Air Canada remains suspended too. Plan for a full long-haul day, roughly 15–18 hours via Madrid. Statuses change month to month, so we confirm live flight availability before quoting. All Travelfab Cuba holidays include flights.

No vaccinations are legally required for Cuba, but hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus boosters are recommended. Tap water is not safe to drink, bottled water is widely available. Cuba has low violent crime rates, though the FCDO currently advises against all but essential travel due to infrastructure challenges including fuel shortages and power outages. In terms of personal safety, Cuba remains one of the safest Caribbean destinations, though normal precautions should be taken with valuables.

We price every Cuba holiday around your dates, the casas you stay in and how many of you are travelling, with return flights from London and the Cuban tourist card included. Flights to Cuba currently go through Madrid and schedules change month to month, so we confirm the price when you enquire. Christmas, New Year and Easter are the busiest and most expensive times.

Ten to fourteen days covers Havana, Viñales and Trinidad, the three places most people want to see on a first visit. A week is enough for Havana and one more stop. The journey from London through Madrid takes 15 to 18 hours, so most people stay at least ten nights.