ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

South Africans require visas to travel to Cuba.
South African Passport Holders flying to Cuba via Europe, London or Turkey must apply for a Cuban Visa prior to departing South Africa.
Please also check your transit visa requirements – for example if flying via the UK you will require a UK visa.
IMPORTANT: Effective February 2017, for security reasons, South Africans travelling to Cuba via the USA can no longer apply for visas at a Cuban embassy in South Africa. They must apply for a visa at the airline desks in the USA, regardless of the airline they travel with. You should plan your flights carefully to allow time to apply for the visas at the airline desk. (Approximately two to three hours.) Please check with the Consulate about requirements.

VISA INFORMATION

  • Valid Passport (minimum six month validity)
  • 1 passport colour photo glued to the form
  • Application form – fully completed
  • Bank statement (at least three months)
  • Airline E ticket (itinerary to/from Cuba)
  • Proof of accommodation -name and/or address of accommodation in Cuba- regardless of whether it is a hotel or rental house booking.
  • Travel Insurance – From 01 May 2010 all tourists entering Cuba will require “Medical Travel Insurance” that is on a Government approved list. We urge you to check with your insurance provider to ensure your policy is on the list of approved providers. If it is not, tourists will be forced to purchase a Government approved policy on arrival in Cuba-they do random spot checks on arrival. The cost of buying this insurance in Cuba will be in addition to any insurance already purchased, and it is likely the rates for these polices will be inflated compared to what you may purchase in advance from home.
  • Copy of Visa Proof of Payment – (contact consulate for exact amount)(payments have a validity of 30 days from the date they were deposited, thereafter the payment will be declared non-refundable) Reference: VISA + YOUR NAME. Fax a copy of the proof of payment to (012) 346 2216 and attach a copy to your visa application.
  • The Visa is not stamped in your passport but arrives back loose with your passport and resembles a bus ticket-it is perforated down the middle. On arrival in Cuba they will tear the one half and keep it and on departure they will take the other half so keep it safe while travelling.
  • Documents Required:
    • Valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
    • Completed application form.
    • One recent colour passport photo (no scans or emails).
    • Proof of accommodation in Cuba (e.g., confirmed hotel or rental booking).
    • Airline ticket itinerary (photocopy acceptable).
    • Bank statement from the last three months.
  • Fees:
    • Tourist Visa: 1,155 Rands
    • Tourist Card: 315 Rands
  • Validity: Up to 90 days from the date of arrival, extendable for an additional 90 days upon request and approval by immigration authorities.
  • Processing Time: Seven working days
  • Documents Required:
    • Completed application form.
    • One recent colour passport photo (no scans or emails).
    • Valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
    • Family Visa: Proof of family ties with a Cuban citizen.
    • Business Visa: Letter of consent from the commercial adviser.
    • Event Visa: Invitation letter from Cuban organizations or event organizers.
  • Fees:
    • Non-refundable submission fee: 525 Rands
    • Visa grant fee: 1,155 Rands
    • Additional fee for service through a third person or by post: 525 Rands
  • Processing Time: Starts after receiving authorization to grant the visa.
  • Address: 45 Mackenzie Street, Brooklyn
  • Phone: +27 12 881 6389, +27 87 898 0018
  • Email: embajada@za.embacuba.cu

WEATHER

  • Dry Season (November to April): This is considered the optimal travel period for Cuba. During these months, you can expect pleasant temperatures and lower humidity, making it ideal for exploring the island and enjoying outdoor activities.
  • Wet Season (May to October): This period features higher humidity and frequent, though usually brief and intense, showers. Despite the rain, this time of year still offers plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures. The wet season also includes the hurricane season, with tropical storms and hurricanes being more common from September to October.
  • Hottest Months (June to August): These summer months are typically the hottest, with high temperatures and humidity levels. Although it’s a popular time for travel, it’s wise to prepare for the heat and potential for tropical storms.
  • Best Time to Travel: For the most pleasant weather and minimal disruption from storms, traveling between November and April is recommended. This period avoids the extreme heat and the higher risk of hurricanes, providing the most comfortable and stable conditions for visitors.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Country: Cuba
Capital City: Havana
International Airports: Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport
Area: 109 884 km²
Population: 11,174,587 (2024 est.)
Time Zone: GMT-5
Religion: Roman Catholic
Language: Spanish
Currency: Cuban Peso
Exchange Rate: Consult local banks as exchange rates fluctuate. Note: USD are not readily accepted in Cuba.
Credit Card Payment Availability: Credit cards are not widely accepted.
ATM Accessibility: ATMs are available in larger cities.
Verify with your bank before traveling to ensure your cards will work.
Dialling Code: +53

TRAVEL TIPS

Electricity: Cuba primarily uses 110V electricity, but most modern hotels have dual voltage (220V) sockets.
A 110V socket for shavers and battery chargers is usually available in bathrooms.
Water: Tap water is not safe to drink; bottled water is readily available.
Business Hours: Generally, 08:00 – 17:00 during weekdays.
Some factories may operate on Saturdays and start earlier.
Banking Hours: Monday – Friday, 09:00 – 17:00.
Photography Restrictions: Photography is permitted almost everywhere except at airports, government buildings, and military personnel.
Tipping: Tipping is customary: 10-15% in restaurants, 2-5 CUC per day for tour guides, and 1-3 CUC for taxis.
Vaccination Requirements: No vaccinations are required but consult with your healthcare provider or travel clinic if you have concerns.
Dress Code Restrictions: None noted.
Peculiar Customs to Observe: If you speak Spanish, don’t be surprised if a local refers to a female as “gordita,” which is a common, affectionate term in Cuba.
Smoking hand-rolled Cuban cigars is a significant social ritual in Cuba.
If a local offers you a cigar, it is a gesture of friendship and an invitation for conversation.

FESTIVALS

  • January:
    • Festival de la Trova Longina
  • February:
    • Havana International Book Fair
    • Festival del Habano
  • March:
    • Memorial Guillermo Barreto Festival
    • Santiago Álvarez Memorial International Documentary Festival
    • International Pepe Sanchez Trova Festival
    • Havana World Music Festival
    • International Electroacoustic Music Festival (Mid March)
    • Caribbean Dance Biennial (every 2 years)
  • April:
    • Muestra Internacional de Nuevos Realizadores
    • Gibara Low Budget Film Festival
    • Old Havana: City in Movement
  • May:
    • May Day Celebrations
    • Romerias de Mayo
    • Cubadisco
    • Festival Internacional de Poesía
  • June:
    • International Ernest Hemingway Needlefish Tournament
    • Festival Internacional Boleros de Oro
    • Trinidad Carnival (Fiestas San Juaneras)
    • Camaguey Carnival (San Juan Camagüeyano)
  • July:
    • International Corhabana Choir Festival
    • Festival del Caribe (Festival of Fire)
    • Santiago de Cuba Carnival
    • 26 July Celebrations
  • August:
    • Festival Internacional de Rap
    • Havana Carnival
  • September:
    • CDR Anniversary
  • October – November:
    • The International Choir Festival
  • November:
    • Havana Ballet Festival
    • Havana Theatre Festival
    • Marabana Marathon
    • Havana Jo Jazz
    • Habana Clasica Music Festival
  • December:
    • Havana Film Festival
    • Havana Jazz Festival
    • Parrandas de Remedios
    • Charangas de Bejucal (December / January)
  • 31 December:
    • New Year’s Eve in Havana

MAP

“Cuba is such a beautiful country, and everywhere you go there is music and people dancing – expecially in Havana. “

– Julia Sawalha