Cuba FAQs

When is the best time to visit Cuba?

The high season for visitors is Dec - Apr when the weather is usually sunny, mostly dry and not too humid, though there can be cool days. Hurricane and tropical storms are possible Aug - Nov.

For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.

What's the official language of Cuba?

The official language of Cuba is Spanish.

What is the official currency in Cuba?

The Cuban National Peso (CUP) is the only legal cash currency in Cuba. Bring Sterling, US$ or Euros to exchange into CUPs at banks or Cadeca exchange offices. Your Sterling/US$/Euro bank notes should not be damaged in any way. As a foreign tourist you should receive a considerably better exchange rate than the ‘official’ rate used for commercial transactions. ATMs are quite widely available and will apply additional charges to those of your own bank.
Changing small amounts at a time into CUPs will help to avoid having leftover currency when you leave Cuba (it is not always easy to exchange CUPs back to hard currency).
Private hotels, bars, restaurants often accept payment directly in Sterling, US$ or Euros cash. For these transactions bring small denominations if possible, and note that coins will not be accepted.
You’ll generally need to use a credit/debit card to cover transactions in most shops, as well as hotel extras and car-rental extras such as petrol. However some clients have issues using cards in Cuba so don’t rely on them as your only source of funding. Be sure to check with your bank that your cards are accepted in Cuba (cards issued by US banks are not accepted, for example).
Using street money changers is not recommended as it is illegal and you are more likely to receive forgeries.

What is the time difference between Cuba and UK?

The time difference between the UK and Cuba is GMT-5 hours.

What places combine well with Cuba?

Mexico’s Yucatán is a great place to combine with Cuba. Flights from Cancún to Havana take approximately 1hr 15mins.

What are the festivals and cultural events in Cuba?

There are carnivals throughout the country on different dates. Havana’s carnival moves around date-wise year upon year, but is always accompanied by parades, music, drumming and dancing. Santiago’s carnival in July is probably the biggest and the best.

International Jazz Festival takes place in Havana in December. This is one of the world’s best, and there are workshops and concerts to enjoy.