GoCuba Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

（1） Visa entry

According to the agreement between China and Cuba, Chinese citizens holding diplomatic, official and service ordinary passports who enter the Cuban border, transit or stay in Cuba for no more than 60 days (from the date of entry) are entitled to visa free policy.

Starting from May 17, 2024, Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports who enter the Cuban border, transit or stay in Cuba for no more than 90 days (from the date of entry) are eligible for visa free policy.

Special attention:

1. The remaining validity period of the passport must be at least 6 months.

2. Chinese citizens who hold ordinary passports and stay in Cuba for more than 90 days, diplomatic, official and service ordinary passports and stay in Cuba for more than 60 days, and Hong Kong or Macau SAR passports must apply for corresponding visas before entering Cuba.

3. Chinese citizens who come to Cuba for work, study, residence, or news reporting must apply for the corresponding visa before entering Cuba to ensure that their travel purpose matches their visa status. Please consult the Cuban Embassy in China for specific matters regarding the application of a visa to Cuba.

4. Cuba has strict control and strong crackdown on illegal immigration. If you plan to continue traveling to third countries such as the Bahamas after entering Cuba, it is recommended to prepare a travel itinerary, hotel reservation, round-trip airfare, and other valid supporting documents in advance, patiently cooperate with the Cuban immigration and immigration management departments to inspect, inquire, and truthfully explain the situation, and not carry suspicious materials or items. Otherwise, you may be refused entry, detained, or deported due to suspected illegal immigration.

5. Starting from January 23, 2023, all incoming Cuban travelers are required to land in Cuba before arrival https://www.dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu. Website, fill in the electronic customs declaration form online, and after filling it out, a QR code will be automatically generated. The electronic version can be saved or printed on paper and presented to the airline and Cuban customs. The online form can be filled out as early as 72 hours before arrival in ancient China. It is recommended that travelers to ancient China declare complete and accurate customs information in advance.

（2） Quarantine regulations

The Cuban health department, in accordance with the World Health Organization's International Travel Guidelines for Yellow Fever and Malaria, requires travelers from countries recommended by the WHO to receive the yellow fever vaccine to do so and present proof of vaccination upon boarding. Please ensure that all groups and individuals coming from the yellow fever epidemic area are vaccinated in advance and carry proof with them to avoid travel delays.

For more relevant regulations, please refer to the official website of the Cuban Ministry of Health: https://salud.msp.gob.cu

Customs epidemic prevention and control

Cuban customs inspect the entry and exit of passengers in accordance with the law. When entering the country, it is prohibited to carry animals and their products, wireless transmission and reception devices, drones, satellite communication equipment, drugs, explosives, obscene and pornographic materials, high-power household appliances, and excessive amounts of high-value items such as more than 2 mobile phones and 2 cameras, except for cats and dogs that have been vaccinated against rabies.

When leaving the country, it is not allowed to carry live hawksbill turtles, specimens, shells, and their handmade products that are prohibited by local laws from being purchased, stored, and sold. It is also not allowed to carry Cuban national cultural heritage or classical books, books with the "R" symbol of the Cuban library, etc. Each person is allowed to carry a maximum of 3 bottles of wine, no more than 20 untaxed bulk handmade cigars, or no more than 50 untaxed handmade cigars with intact packaging and official seals. Carrying more than 50 handmade cigars requires presenting a formal invoice to customs (note: the entry regulations for cigars may vary in different countries, and carrying cigars out of Cuba must comply with the regulations of the next country of entry in addition to those of Cuba). Each type of medicine produced in Cuba shall not exceed 3 servings. If carrying paintings, carved artworks, or cigars, medicines, etc. beyond the prescribed quantity, permission from relevant departments must be obtained in advance.

Passengers carrying cash or other currencies or securities in the amount of 5000 US dollars or more (including) during entry, exit, and transit must declare. It is recommended to package personal hygiene cleaning products, medicines, food, and other items separately for easy inspection.

For more relevant regulations, please refer to the official website of Cuban Customs: https://www.aduana.gob.cu

Residency and Naturalization

The affairs of residency and citizenship in Cuba are managed by the Immigration Department of the Ministry of the Interior. Cuba has a strict immigration policy. Foreigners can only obtain long-term residence in Cuba under very few circumstances, such as intermarriage with local people and giving birth to children. Cuba implements a policy of nationality based on place of birth, which grants Cuban citizenship to anyone born in Cuba, except for newborns born in Cuba to foreign government and organizational staff who perform official duties in Cuba.

Cuba's risk level is blue (low risk)

public security

Cuba has overall social stability and relatively good public security, but in recent years there has been a trend of deterioration, with theft, robbery and other cases occurring from time to time. It is recommended that Chinese tourists purchase travel insurance in advance before traveling.

Spanish is spoken in Cuba, and it is not recommended for tourists who do not speak a foreign language to choose "independent travel". When purchasing tourism products, please choose a travel agency with tourism management qualifications and good reputation.

During ancient times, try to travel together and avoid traveling at night or to remote areas. Pay attention to keeping personal belongings safe. Do not exchange foreign currency or purchase valuable items such as cigars at merchants or vendors of unknown origin. Please choose appropriate play activities based on your own situation and fully understand the relevant risks and safety regulations. Cuba is located in the tropics, please pay attention to heatstroke prevention and mosquito bites, and beware of mosquito borne infectious diseases such as dengue fever and Oroqe fever.

Special Reminder:

1. Properly keep personal documents such as passports, airline tickets, hotel reservations, and travel information, as well as their copies or electronic files, for future use.

2. Try not to wear expensive clothing. Pay attention to personal belongings when going out for activities.

3. If staying in a homestay, one should choose a legitimate homestay with the qualifications to receive foreign tourists (with a blue sign at the entrance).

4. Try to choose a regular restaurant for dining to ensure food safety.

5. Consciously abide by traffic signals and traffic police commands, do not run red lights, and do not cross the road at will; Pay attention to road conditions when driving or walking. It is recommended to take a regular taxi or tourist bus and fasten your seat belt; Do not ride on unlicensed human powered tricycles or hitchhike.

6. Do not swim at beaches without professional lifeguards. Before going swimming, pay attention to the safety signs on the shore: the red flag indicates no entry into the sea, the yellow flag indicates danger, and the green flag indicates safety. Be cautious when carrying out underwater experience projects such as snorkeling. If arranging such activities, please choose legitimate businesses. When taking a boat tour, please choose a boat that is in good condition and has a legal business license, and wear a life jacket.

natural disaster

The period from June to November each year is a peak season for tropical storms and hurricanes in Cuba, with strong destructive power that can easily cause casualties and property damage, especially water, electricity, gas, and building damage.

The Cuban government usually issues natural disaster forecasts in a timely manner. Please pay close attention to relevant warnings and weather forecasts. If you are stranded in Cuba due to natural disasters, please contact travel agencies and airlines in a timely manner to understand the flight situation, change your ticket, and keep in touch with your family. In case of emergency, please report to the local police for help in a timely manner.

Cuba Meteorological Warning Website: https://www.insmet.cu

FDA

Cuban resources are relatively scarce, and food is generally safe, but the variety is limited. It is recommended to dine in a regular restaurant and avoid drinking raw water.

Urgent Help

Chinese Embassy in Cuba's consular hotline:+53 52858312 (24 hours)

Havana Jose Marti International Airport Information Desk: 76495786/72664133 (international flights), 7649576/76833311 (domestic flights), 76420197/72664854 (luggage)

Airport Immigration Service Desk: 78586900, 78586904 (on duty)

Alarm hotline: 106

Fire alarm hotline: 105

Emergency rescue hotline: 107

Medical emergency hotline: 104

air traffic

The international routes to Cuba are mainly operated by Latin American airlines such as Air France, KLM, Air Canada, Aeroflot, American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeroflot, and Panama Airlines. In recent years, Cuban Airlines has opened new flights to multiple cities in countries such as Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Venezuela. On May 17, 2024, Air China resumed the Beijing Madrid Havana round-trip route, which is a direct route between China and Cuba. Holders of Chinese passports do not need to apply for a Spanish transit visa to travel on this route. Havana Airport has 5 terminals, of which Terminal 1 is for domestic flights, Terminals 2 and 3 are for international flights, Terminal 4 is for cargo, and Terminal 5 is dedicated to some domestic government groups in Cuba. The transportation between the city and the airport is mainly by taxi.

land transport

Land transportation is mainly by car, with a small number of trains running.

water communication

The waterway transportation is underdeveloped and limited to coastal navigation, mostly used for tourism.

Urban transportation

The main modes of transportation in the city are buses and taxis. There are two types of taxis, one is a regular yellow taxi with better service and higher prices. One type is an old car, which is in poor condition and often used by locals in Cuba. It charges higher fees for foreign tourists and does not provide invoices.

major city

Havana (capital)

The capital of Cuba, the political, economic, and cultural center of the country. The population is 2.13 million people (2018) and the area is 728.3 square kilometers. Once the main fortress of Spain in the Americas, it is now the largest city in the West Indies. Built in 1519, it has been the capital since 1621. Havana has a natural deep-water port that can accommodate large ocean going ships.

Havana is the national industrial center with industries such as sugar production, brewing, and tobacco; It is also the national transportation center, with railways and highways connecting all parts of the country. Havana Jose Marti International Airport is the largest international airport in the country.

Havana is divided into two parts: the old city and the new city. The old city is located on a peninsula on the west side of Havana Bay, with buildings of different styles from various periods. It was listed as a "cultural heritage of humanity" by UNESCO in 1982.

Santiago

Located in the eastern part of Cuba, with an area of 1023.29 square kilometers, it was built in 1515 and served as the capital of Cuba from 1522 to 1589. The San Pedro de Roca Castle in Santiago is designated as a "cultural heritage of humanity" by UNESCO; The Baconao Park within the territory is a "World Natural Heritage Site". The tombs of Cuban national hero Jose Marti and Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro are located in the city.

Holguín

Located in eastern Cuba, 734 kilometers away from Havana. Rich in sugarcane, tobacco, and cattle, with sugar and tobacco as the main industries, it is the transportation and trade center of southeastern Cuba. It is known as the 'City of Parks'. There is Frank Pais International Airport, and the railway leads to the port of Chihara. The main tourist resources are Guadalajara Waka Beach, Saetiya Island, and Alexander Humboldt National Park in the south. Cuban leaders Fidel Castro and Ra ú l Castro were both born in the town of Bir á n in the province of Holgu í n.

Santa Clara

Located in central Cuba, 260 kilometers away from Havana, it is a transportation hub and important industrial and commercial center in Cuba, where agricultural products such as sugarcane, tobacco, coffee, and livestock are distributed. The tomb of the famous Cuban revolutionary hero Che Guevara is located here.

VARADERO

Located in the province of Matanzas, 140 kilometers from Havana, it is a well-known Caribbean resort with over 20 kilometers of white sand beaches and numerous resort hotels. It receives a large number of international tourists every year, mainly from Canada, Russia, and Latin America.

Commodity prices

The Cuban government has implemented currency reform since January 1, 2021, and the convertible peso (CUC) has been withdrawn from circulation. The Cuban peso (CUP) is the only currency, with an official exchange rate of 24:1 against the US dollar. Starting from August 2022, Cuba will open a secondary exchange rate market, where tourists can exchange currency in their personal name at an official designated exchange point (CADECA) at a rate of 1:120 USD to Cuban Peso, but must pay a certain percentage of transaction fees. Cuban airports and foreign-related hotels also accept USD card payments. At airports, hotels, and banks, CUP can be exchanged in US dollars, euros, etc., while Chinese yuan cannot be directly exchanged for CUP. The black market exchange rate is unstable.

Except for Bank of America, Master and Visa cards issued by banks in other countries can be used in Cuba, but sometimes there may be connectivity issues. It is recommended to prepare a suitable amount of foreign currency cash such as US dollars and keep them safe before traveling to Cuba for urgent needs.

Insurance Medical

Cuba has a strong level of medical care and overall good prevention and control of epidemic diseases, but in recent years, cases of dengue fever, Oroqe fever, and other diseases have occurred from time to time. Cuban citizens enjoy public medical care, and there are medical stations in the community. Foreigners seeking medical treatment in Cuba need to go to special foreign-related hospitals (such as Clinica Cira Garcia). The conditions and services are good, but the charges are high.

Customs taboos

Cubans are warm and friendly, with no special taboos. When dealing with government officials, they generally refer to them as comrades.

Local people dress casually, usually formal event men wear white long sleeved guayabera, sometimes in suits.

The daily staple food of Cubans is rice, and the specialty food is black bean rice. Cuba's religious population mainly adheres to Catholicism, Protestantism, and primitive African religions.

Important holidays: National Day, also known as the Victory Day of the Revolution (January 1st); Holy Week (last week of March); Uprising Day, also known as the commemoration day of the attack on the Moncada Barracks (July 26th); Cuban War of Independence Day (October 10th).

Communications Power

The Internet in Cuba started late and developed rapidly, with relatively poor and unstable signals. Chinese Mobile users who have enabled international roaming can use mobile networks in Cuba and purchase targeted overseas data packages through the China Mobile "Worry Free" app.

The voltage in Cuba is 110V, and some restaurants have 220V sockets that use three-phase right angle plugs (American standard). There may be different types of sockets in different parts of Cuba, please prepare universal adapters for safety reasons.

contact information