A packing list for Cuba is unlike any packing list you’ve ever assembled. Packing for Cuba, if you’ve never been there, is challenging, even more so if you haven’t researched the topic.
Cuba is unlike any other destination you’ve been to. It pays to be ready in order to guarantee a comfortable and memorable visit.
If you’re wondering what to bring to Cuba? I’ve put together a Cuba packing list that will both surprise you as well as be tremendously helpful once you arrive.
Why do I even need a packing list for Cuba?
There are lots of reasons why you need a packing list for Cuba, but the main one is that the consumer products you are accustomed to in your country don’t exist in Cuba or are very difficult and expensive to obtain.
There is no such thing as the national drug store and supermarket chains common elsewhere.
You want to make sure you have everything you’ll need or want for a great Cuba visit. A Cuba packing list will help you identify the needed items and make sure you have them for your trip to Cuba.
What to wear in Cuba – the best clothes for your Cuba packing list
Cuba is hot…duh! You will need to protect yourself from the sun whenever you are outside.
A wide-brim hat is a must. So are sunglasses to shield your eyes from those UV rays.
If you plan to take the hop-on-hop-off bus that leaves from Parque Central in front of Hotel Inglaterra, it’s a good idea to bring an umbrella. The loop around Havana’s most interesting attractions lasts about 2 hours. If you sit on the top level you will roast.
Hop-on-hop-off buses are also available in other Cuban cities like Viñales and Varadero.
Cuba is also very informal. Dressing down is one of the best Cuba travel tips you will learn.
Granted, there are times in Havana where you can attend a world-class ballet performance at the National Theater and you may want to dress up a bit.
Or you may want to wear something nicer to attend the Vegas-like floor show at the historic Hotel Nacional. Still, tone it down.
I like to visit the El Zorro y El Cuervo Jazz Club on Havana’s cool 23rd street. It’s very casual. Havana’s nightlife is legendary.
Sundresses, shorts, T-shirts and other loose-fitting, breathable-cotton summer wear are best.
Footwear is important for comfortably exploring Cuba. As in any 500+ year old city, Havana has some uneven streets.
The charming city of Trinidad, the most perfectly preserved city in the Americas, has cobblestone streets.
Your footwear, sneakers, shoes or sandals, should have non-skid soles for safely gripping the streets and exploring the countryside.
Leave your sexy, smooth-sole, no-grip sandals at home. Bring something sturdy and, most of all, comfortable.
Whatever you pack, make sure to divide your items using packing cubes. These light-weight accessories keep you items separate so they are easy to get to and re-pack when you’re off to your next destination.
I am an unabashed fanatic of packing cubes. These were a game changer for me.
Key Cuba travel tip: It is easy and inexpensive to get your clothes laundered at your casa particular or “casa” for short. These are private sector accommodations similar to an Airbnb or guesthouse.
For those quick washes, however, rinse your garments in the sink using travel laundry detergent sheets. A few sheets go a long way and are easy to pack.
Want to experience Cuba? Join us on a Cuba Cultural tour.
Best over-the-counter products and medicine to pack for Cuba
You’re unlikely to get sick eating at the paladares, private sector restaurants, or casas.
However, you may need to adjust to a new and different food environment and for that reason you should bring medicine for an upset stomach.
Suggestions include Imodium, Pepto Bismal and Kaopectate.
Cuban cities are eminently walkable. And when you walk a lot, you can get blisters. Bring band aids or moleskins padding from Dr. Scholl’s. You can cut them to adjust to your needs. Keep a couple in your pocket for immediate use when needed.
You don’t want to miss the French-inspired architecture of Cienfuegos, visits to some of Cuba’s 9 UNESCO World Heritage sites or its magnificent national parks due to blisters.
And you certainly don’t want to miss visiting Havana’s many museums, exploring Old Havana on foot or indulging in Havana’s unique experiences just because your feet hurt!
Sunscreen is a must anywhere in Cuba. The ones with the higher broad spectrum SPF are best.
Feminine hygiene products like tampons and pads are not available in Cuba. Bring your own and leave whatever you don’t use.
Other commonly used products unavailable in Cuba include: aspirin or Tylenol and antibiotic ointment like Neosporin.
Keeping your hands clean is always a good idea under any circumstances. Enter hand sanitizer. I like the little Purell bottles that can hook on to things like bags or backpacks.
Disposable travel handwipes are another good option but more expensive.
Mosquitos are common in any hot and humid area and can carry diseases. Bring insect repellant. A spray or application before a hike in the country or a beach is highly recommended.
Key Cuba travel tip: Either purchase a first aid kit or create your own to take with you for any unforeseen event like bug bites, headache, upset stomach or foot blister.
Can you drink the water in Cuba?
As in many countries in the Americas, it is not safe to drink the tap water in Cuba. The water systems in Cuba are among the oldest in the Americas.
Fortunately, bottled water is readily available and reasonably priced at about $1 for a small bottle and $2 for the larger one, cheaper outside Havana.
Also, higher-end accommodations and paladares in tourist areas tend to have water filtration systems.
Havana’s best restaurants
Many casa hostesses boil water and then refrigerate it and pour it into a plastic bottle which reduces waste. You could do likewise.
Water purification products you could use for additional protection include the GRAYL Ultra Press, a portable water purifying system that I hear good things about.
Other water purification options include the Steripen that has been around for ages, and Lifestraw, a cheaper alternative which works well if you don’t mind drinking water through a straw.
Lastly, there is a slew of less expensive water purification tablets. Aguatabs is just one of many, many examples.
Many visitors to Cuba ask if they can drink the famous Cuban cocktails like mojitos and daiquiris made with ice? I have always done so and have never had an issue.
If you want to be extra cautious, stick to the excellent beer; Crystal and Bucanero. But, again, a high-end establishment that caters to tourists will likely have filtered water.
Key Cuba travel tip: The best places to stay in Cuba are casas particulars, privately owned homes or guesthouses. You can learn more about Cuban casa here. Book your Cuban casa at HOMESTAY.
What food can I bring to Cuba? Add these to you Cuba packing list
Cuba’s typical traditional food can be among the world’s most delicious cuisines. However, classic Cuban spices like cumin and bay leaves are in short supply rendering some traditional dishes bland.
If you prefer more flavorful dishes, you may want to bring your own spices to Cuba. These hot sauce pack are pretty useful.
If you are traveling between cities by bus or car, it is a good idea to bring snacks with you. You may get hungry along the way and the roadside restaurants and gas stations may not have a good assortment of snacks.
You can bring a wide assortment of snacks to Cuba like, power bars, candy bars, cookies, dried fruit and beef jerky.
Key Cuba travel tip: Do not bring fresh food to Cuba.
What electronics can I use in Cuba?
Cuba uses the same plug configurations and voltage as in the U.S., so, your hair dryer will work.
A cheap and efficient communication option in Cuba is to use WhatsApp for voice and video calls.
Yes, you can purchase a SIM card in Cuba but the rules for the purchase and use of a SIM card change frequently. Check the current requirements.
Bring a good charger with you. I prefer the smaller ones like this iWalk charger because it takes up less space and it has a bright color which I can quickly identify in a bag. I only use it to cover me until I can get to the next electrical outlet so that’s all I need.
Others might prefer a more heavy duty charger like this charger or similar.
You don’t want to access data or maps on your phone in Cuba because you will have to mortgage your first born child to pay for it when you get back home.
Instead, bring a nice, detailed laminated map with you. Better still, download Maps.me to your phone before you go. It can be used offline and it’s free!
Accessing WIFI and the internet in Cuba can be challenging. You can only access it in certain locations like your casa or certain public places.
In many cases you will need an “ETECSA card” purchased at one of the various Cuban telecommunications offices. They cost the equivalent of US$1/hour and come in increments of 1 to 5 hours.
How to access WIFI in Cuba
Check out this post for a detailed explanation of how to access WIFI and the internet in Cuba.
Consider a virtual private network, or “VPN.” This is a service that enables additional security when you access the internet no matter where your are, at home or on WIFI overseas. This keeps your identity safe and your activity private while online.
There are several VPN services available on the market. I have used NordVPN and have been happy with the service.
Key Cuba travel tip: Keep your phone on airplane mode at all times in Cuba to avoid any roaming charges.
What to bring as gifts and donations for the Cuban people.
Cuba is the only country I know of where it is common for visitors to bring donations for the local people. For many reasons, there is scarcity in Cuba and the local people appreciate donations.
Visitors are encouraged, but by no means required, to bring donations to Cuba and leave them in places where they will do the most good like schools, churches or assisted living establishments.
If you are traveling with a group or tour, your guide can probably help identify a good donation location.
Another option is to leave the donations with the service workers of your local casa (privately owned guest house.)
The casa owner may be too well-off to need your donations but the service workers: room cleaners, waiters, cooks will greatly appreciate it.
What donations should you bring to Cuba? Used, summer season clothing including bras…yes, bras, AA batteries, plastic containers, any over-the-counter medicine like aspirin or Tylenol. Band-Aides.
School supplies are very welcome: pens, pencils, crayons, notebooks, used sporting equipment like baseball gloves. Small, easy to pack toys from infant on up. Used bed linens, towels and kitchen towels.
Finally, reading glasses for seniors, any female hygiene products, spices and USB memory sticks round out the list of highly desirable donations.
Key Cuba travel tip: Check the expiration date if bringing meds.
Don’t forget travel insurance!
Wherever you go, Cuba or anywhere else, make sure you have travel insurance. Here is a list of different companies offering travel insurance with a variety of policies at different prices. Surely one is right for you.
Research your trip beforehand with these handy guidebooks. Here is a curated selection of books about Cuban cooking, travel, art, history and culture in general.
![Cuba!: Recipes and Stories from the Cuban Kitchen [A Cookbook]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bZmog1afL._SL500_.jpg)
What have I missed for a Cuba packing list? What would you include? Let us know in the comments.
BTW, if you are getting ready for your trip, make sure to take advantage of these useful, money-saving links to book your trip:
- Research and book your flight with Skyscanner. I have found them to be the best because they list all airlines including the budget ones. You are always sure of having researched all options.
- For car rental around the world, Discover Cars has flexible pickup and drop-off options, I recommend Discover Cars.
- Book your accommodation with Booking.com. I find they have a wide selection and a nice, user-friendly, transparent website.
- Protect your trip and, more importantly, protect yourself with travel insurance. I use Travelinsurance.com and have been very happy with them.
- Looking for a small group tour to unforgettable destinations with top professionals? Intrepid Travel is your choice.
- For more general tours to any destination or attraction, book with Viator. Check them out.
- Need a visa? Get your visa for all countries with Passport Visa Express.
- Looking for a cool walking tour to explore a city? My favorite walking tours are offered by Take Walks.
- Food and drink tours are the best way to enjoy a city. And Devour Tours are my favorite.
- Looking for a good VPN to protect your security, privacy and freedom online while traveling? Nordvpn is your best option.
- The best and most economical way to stay connected while traveling is with an Airalo eSIM.
I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. By booking through these sites, the small commission we earn – at no cost to you – helps us maintain this site so we can continue to offer our readers valuable travel tips and advice.
