There aren’t many humans I encounter who aren’t spilling over with questions after finding out that I have solo adventured to Cuba. I get it! I was the same when I first began researching the island as a travel destination. I would literally type “Cuban noteworthy travel tips” into search engines and then begin scrolling for relevant articles, videos, images, you name it!
For most of the world, Cuba seems an otherworldly place that exists, but on a different plain. For this 80’s born North American, the island remained a place of wonder having been embargoed by my home nation long before I was born.
I did plenty of due diligence before I even considered buying a plane ticket, leaning heavily on my travel blogging community for insider tips and tricks, referrals, and links to various published pieces, as well as YouTube videos. Much to the chagrin of the backpacking community – where travel is mostly spontaneous. I was overly aware that visiting Cuba would be like experiencing a time warp in addition to being financially cut off (read on for details). As a result, I wasn’t going to take any chances with spontaneity for this one.
Believe me when I tell you that each hour of research enlightened me with different informational nuggets. So If you feel like researching on YouTube, try typing “travel to Cuba” in the search engine and get ready to get immersed! Or, you can just keep reading as I share the best solo travel tips for anyone considering heading to the Caribbean beauty.
Cuban Noteworthy Travel Tips From a Bag Lady
Some of these solo travel tips I thought I “knew” about before I arrived, but I discovered that I had no real idea of the impact they would have on my travel experience until I lived it. Ergo, this blog piece with six (that’s not too many, right?) noteworthy travel tips for solo travelers. Although the info found below is useful to anyone traveling to the destination. So, if the wonderous Caribbean island nation of Cuba is in your immediate, present or even pretend future travel list then may these Bag Lady solo travel tips serve thee well, adventurer.
Travel Tip No. 1: Wi-Fi Sucks!
Anyone who’s traveled there knows it, the Cubans know it and now, so do you. Oh, and for the record, any listed accommodation advertising or that is being advertised as offering Wi-Fi should be taken lightly. Wi-Fi is atypical in establishments and is primarily accessed in public Wi-Fi parks.
Remember these Cuban noteworthy travel tips: SIM cards are available but for pre-existing Cuban phone numbers only AND you’ve got to download an app, register (which takes 48 hours to activate), and then get assigned a local Cuban phone number to complete the SIM card purchase. If you travel with an unlocked phone (like I do) and are without data unless connected to WiFi, do this step before you arrive in Cuba because there is NO WiFI in the airport.
Wi-Fi and SIM cards can be acquired at ETECSA– the only wireless company in the country. There is a store located at the Havana airport, outside of the exit doors, across the street, and down the walkway of shops and cafeterias.
Wi-Fi cards come in one or five-hour increments; one CUC per hour. I recommend 5-hour cards as network connections are often disrupted and/or slow so it may take you an hour just to send a handful of emails, and check your messages. A digital nomadic paradise it is not!
An important note, keep these cards in a safe and dry place. When two of my cards were dampened by rainfall seeping through the edges of my wallet, the numbers were disintegrated rendering them useless. I was forced to find an ETECSA, explain in terribly broken Spanglish, and then wait for close to an hour for the paperwork to replace them to be filled out and filed before the cards were replaced.
Additional solo travel tip: have CUC and your passport ready when purchasing either the Wi-Fi or SIM cards or none of the tellers will be inclined (or legally able) to assist you.
Travel Tips No. 2: Currency is Confusing
Cambio, or change in gringo, is an issue islandwide, especially so when outside of Havana. I’m not talking about exchanging money, I’m referencing paying for things with large bills. When exchanging your foreign currency for Cuban currency be sure to request as many small bills as possible (3s and 5s). And hang onto any pesos (coins) you get back because you’ll need them. This is because most vendors aren’t able to give change for anything higher than 5 or 10 CUC.
Speaking of exchanging money, USD is now accepted at exchange (intercambio) places BUT has an extremely high tax attached to it because the currency is not utilized on the island in any capacity. My workaround was to exchange my USD ahead of time into Euros. Canadian dollars can also work.
Don’t be tempted to exchange all of your money at once. Outside of Havana prices for food, souvenirs, and entrances drop significantly and intercambios are many around the country. For example, I budgeted $100/day (as recommended by my travel community) and spent nothing close to that. That being said, ATMs are available but do not communicate with American banks, so bringing more cash than you might need is smart travel planning.
Cuban currency can be confusing, as there are two options. As a tourist at the time this blog was published, the CUC is what you exchange your foreign currency for.
Exclusive Cuban noteworthy travel tip: If you try to buy products in a supermarket (grocery store) and use a 50 CUC note or higher be prepared to provide your full name, country, & passport number; it’s standard.
Travel Tip No. 3: Prep Your Navigation
There’s no such thing as UBER down here. Download your preferred navigation map app of choice, mine is Maps.me, BEFORE leaving your home country. Remember the WiFi in Cuba is hecka sketchy and unreliable. It also helps to book your guesthouse accommodation by utilizing the map view of the online reservation utility of choice to help keep sights, shops, or restaurants within walking distance. Take it one step further by remembering to save the location of your accommodations – take a business card upon arrival if available as it features the address– in the navigation app. Do the same with the local sights of interest.
Taxi rides from the airport are safe and regulated by the government and on average cost 20-30 CUC. The iconic classic cars driving around are typically 9private) taxis or for-hire services and are priced for tourism. There is a monopoly on the island for long-distance transport vans and the majority of these are reserved through tour agencies only. There are city buses in most places, but routes are specific and limited in nature.
Cuban noteworthy travel tips: The roads need work, period. Motion sickness travelers, I’m talking to you. If it isn’t cobblestone it’s unfinished pavement in most places. There are, however, several small airports throughout the country and domestic flights are relatively inexpensive. A sidenote for eco-friendly travelers, if flying within the country be sure to check portable aluminum straws and cutlery sets as they will be confiscated if carried to security for having “sharp edges”. Go figure!
Travel Tip No. 4: Lost in translation
English is not widely known in Cuba. Google Translate can seriously be a lifesaver if your Spanish isn’t up to snuff. Download the free app to your phone before you arrive in Cuba as well as the Spanish language –and your mother tongue, of course. GT isn’t always grammatically correct, but it can get the general notion across when necessary. Many Cubanos speak enough English to understand you but do not speak it much unless they are involved in the tourism industry.
Cuban noteworthy travel tips: Speaking English loudly and in public puts a target (or as I like to say, a dollar sign) on your back for the Juanitos, men who hustle foreigners for cash in exchange for being shown around town or making suggestions for places to spend your money, and prostitutes. Which I am told is illegal on the island, but most definitely exists.
Exclusive Bag Lady Cuba solo travel tip: The idea of the Secret Police is authentic on the island.
Travel Tip No. 5: Viva Eco-tourism
Eco-living is a way of life here. DO NOT flush toilet paper down the toilet. Those of us who’ve frequented/been to Eastern Europe or Asia know how to cope with this concept. So many other Western travelers do not. It may seem gross, but it’s far less gross than the toilet backing up from the wads of toilet paper you flushed that cannot squeeze through the often tiny pipeways. Pack wet wipes if the thought of trashing your clean-up after number 2 (or 3) is a deterrent for you.
DO be considerate and turn off your air conditioning and ALL lights – even unplug your phone charger from the wall– when exiting your room for more than fifteen minutes. Electricity is wicked expensive on the island and also, saves the planet.
Don’t waste your cash or luggage space on water bottles. Bottled water is available for purchase on the island and is more than fine to drink. The tap water, however, is not. If you travel with a tumbler (kudos) ask your host for drinkable water to fill it with.
Travel Tip No. 6: Get Out & About
Stairs are everywhere! Steep ones, skinny ones, windy ones, and giantly spaced ones too so be prepared for that when considering how much and what type of luggage you’ll be bringing because, you guessed it, lifts (elevators) are not common.
Be warned when asked by locals –more times than not randomly in conversation– for things like batteries or pens as these items are often resold for profit after they’re given. Cubans are kind-hearted, but most still live at or below the poverty level and deserve your patience and empathy, not your sympathy.
That being said, bringing useful items to donate during your journey is not unheard of. Think basic over-the-counter medications such as Pepto Bismol –pill form to save space and weight– cough drops, rash creams, or feminine products as these things are difficult and rare for locals to come by.
Cuban noteworthy travel tips: Take thoughtfulness one step further and pack a few magnets –or clothing items: hats, T-shirts, socks– from your home country to leave with guesthouses as thanks. Leaving a small tip—5 to 10 CUC—at each guesthouse is also widely appreciated.
Take these travel nuggets and go experience solo traveling Cuba for yourself. I can’t wait to swap stories of frustration, pure wonder, and glee with you.
Get some more solo travel tips for locations like Iceland, Madeira, and Austria in my Travel Guides section of the blog.
