Cuba

Shared taxis (colectivos) are usually the cheapest and most sociable option (around $25–35 per person), private taxis cost about $90 per leg. Viazul buses are cheap, but tickets are often sold out a day before departure, so book early. For booked return trips, always double-check the noted departure time, mine was once entered incorrectly, which made me miss the bus.

When booking, it's worth clarifying in advance which currency can be used for arrival and check-out payments, in my case this was sometimes handled differently on the spot than agreed. Breakfast and dinner are often freshly prepared at the casas for an extra charge (around $5–10 per person) and are usually a good, uncomplicated option.

I often stood in line for 30–45 minutes outside supermarkets and candy shops, and bottled drinking water wasn't always available in supermarkets either. If you're vegan or vegetarian, pack some milk/oat drink powder or dried goods, since plant-based alternatives are barely available locally.

For tourists in 2025, for example, there's Cubacel Tur Plus (10 GB, 100 minutes, 100 SMS, unlimited WhatsApp & Facebook, 30 days, around $35) or Tur Básico (4 GB, 20 minutes, 20 SMS, 7 days, around $14). For shorter stays Básico is enough, for longer trips Tur Plus is worth it. It's worth installing a VPN app before your trip, WiFi is usually only available via hotspot cards in hotels or in public squares.

Cash in euros or US dollars is indispensable in Cuba, I'd budget around €500 per week per person, since card payments often don't work and ATMs only pay out small amounts at a poor exchange rate. An adapter (Type A/B/C, sometimes also L, 110V/220V depending on the accommodation) and a power bank are also worth having. A small travel first-aid kit with common medication for stomach issues and colds is recommended, since these are hard to get locally. Small gifts for hosts, like gummy bears or chocolate, tend to go down very well, since such products are expensive and sought-after in Cuba.

Cuba is generally considered one of the most restrictive countries for drone travelers in the Caribbean, anyone wanting to bring a drone should check the current import and permit rules well ahead of the trip with the relevant Cuban aviation authority or through their own airline.

Medical care is limited outside the tourist centers, many medications are hard to find locally, a well-stocked travel first-aid kit is recommended. Credit cards from US banks generally don't work in Cuba, enough cash (euros or US dollars) should be budgeted before the trip, since ATMs only pay out small amounts at a poor exchange rate.

Political topics are hardly discussed in public in Cuba, even my tour guide deliberately dodged related questions. I'd approach political discussions with a lot of tact, and stay sensitive if the person you're talking to avoids the topic.