What to pack for Cuba

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. Bring what you need.

The things people genuinely regret forgetting

Sun protection at a factor you actually believe in. It is available on the island but not dependably, and not cheaply.

Any medication you take, in its original packaging, in quantities that cover the trip with margin. Also the basics, rehydration salts, an antihistamine, something for an upset stomach.

Insect repellent with a high DEET content, particularly if you are heading to the interior or travelling in the wet season.

Cash. Card acceptance is limited and unreliable, and the practical answer for most travellers is to arrive with enough currency for the trip and exchange it as you go. Check the current position before you fly, because the rules change.

The things worth bringing for other people

This is a genuine part of travelling in Cuba. Casa hosts, guides and drivers appreciate practical items far more than tips in the abstract: over-the-counter medicine, toiletries, school supplies, reading glasses. Bring a little more than you need and leave what is left.

What you can leave at home

Formal clothes. Almost nothing in Cuba requires them, including the good restaurants and the cabaret.

A heavy coat, unless you are travelling in January and prone to feeling the cold, the dry season can drop to the high teens at night on the north coast, and a light layer covers it.

Expectations about connectivity. Wi-Fi exists, mostly in hotels, and works well enough to send a message. It is not the place to plan on working remotely.