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Before you goCuba

What to pack for Cuba

Cuba is not a place where you can count on buying the thing you forgot. A short, honest list of what to bring, what to bring for others and what to leave at home.

Heyo Travel editorialUpdated 3 min read

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Palms over a Caribbean beach at sunset, Cuba
Cuban north coast

At a glance

Plugs
North American flat-pin and European round-pin
Voltage
110 V or 220 V
Cash
Euros or US dollars, clean notes
Do not forget
Medicines, sunscreen, repellent, power bank
In this article8 sections
  1. The things people regret forgetting
  2. Cash, before anything else
  3. Power, phones and connection
  4. Clothes for the season
  5. Things worth bringing for other people
  6. What you can leave at home
  7. Plan it with us
  8. Questions

Packing advice for most destinations is optional. For Cuba it is not, because the assumption underneath normal packing, that anything missing can be bought on arrival, does not reliably hold. Shops are limited and stock is inconsistent, especially outside Havana. Bring what you need.

The things people regret forgetting

Most of what goes wrong on a Cuba trip is small and avoidable. These are the items travellers most often wish they had brought.

  • Sun protection at a factor you trust. It is not always available on the island, and rarely cheap.
  • Any medication you take, in its original packaging, with enough to cover the trip and a margin.
  • A small first-aid kit: rehydration salts, an antihistamine, painkillers, plasters and something for an upset stomach.
  • Insect repellent, particularly for the countryside and the wet season.
  • Cash for the whole trip, in euros or US dollars, in clean notes.
  • Copies of your passport, e-Visa and insurance certificate, on paper and on your phone.

Cash, before anything else

The cash point matters more than any other. Cards issued by US banks do not work in Cuba, and card payments and cash machines cannot be relied on for anyone. Arrive with enough to cover meals, drinks, taxis and tips for the whole trip, in notes that are clean and undamaged.

Power, phones and connection

Sockets in Cuba vary. You will find both the flat-pin type used in North America and the round-pin type used in much of Europe, at 110 or 220 volts, sometimes in the same room. A universal adapter solves it.

Power cuts happen, so pack a charged power bank and a small torch. Mobile data and Wi-Fi are slower and patchier than you are used to: download offline maps, translations and your booking documents before you fly.

Clothes for the season

Light, breathable clothes for the day, and one warmer layer for the evenings and for air-conditioning, which is often fierce. From December to February the north coast can turn cool at night when a front passes through, so a light jumper or jacket earns its place.

Comfortable shoes matter more than you think: the colonial centres of Havana, Trinidad and Cienfuegos are cobbled and uneven. In the wet season, from May to October, bring something light for the rain.

Things worth bringing for other people

This is a genuine part of travelling in Cuba. Hosts, guides and drivers often appreciate practical items: over-the-counter medicine, toiletries, school supplies or reading glasses. Bring a little more than you need and leave what is left with someone who can use it.

What you can leave at home

Some things are simply not needed, and one is better left behind.

  • Formal clothes. Smart casual covers the best restaurants and the cabaret.
  • A heavy coat, unless you feel the cold: a light layer covers the coolest evenings.
  • Plans to work remotely. Connections are good enough for messages, not for long video calls.
  • A drone, unless you have checked the current rules: Cuba restricts them, and customs may hold one at the airport.
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Plan it with us

What we arrange for a trip like this one. Each is booked and paid in one step, and priced in full before you pay.

Questions

What plug type does Cuba use?

Both North American flat-pin and European round-pin sockets are common, at 110 or 220 volts. Bring a universal adapter.

Can I buy sunscreen and medicine in Cuba?

Sometimes, but not reliably. Bring enough for the whole trip, and keep medicines in their original packaging.

Should I bring cash to Cuba?

Yes. Bring euros or US dollars in clean notes, enough for the whole trip. Cards issued by US banks do not work, and other cards and cash machines are unreliable.

Can I drink the tap water in Cuba?

It is best not to. Drink bottled or filtered water, and use it for brushing your teeth too.

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