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