Cuba
Warnings and insurance
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
- see general advice for women travellers
- read our guide on disability and travel abroad
- see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
- read about safety for solo and independent travel
- see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad
Power Outage
Cuba is experiencing a nationwide electrical grid shutdown following the failure of a major power plant. There is no electricity, except for where buildings have functioning generators. There is no information on when power will be restored. Emergency services are expected to continue operating but there are reports of internet and mobile outages. British Nationals should take precautions and monitor local media for updates.
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
Update history
2025-03-18 12:42
Updated information about nationwide power outage in Cuba (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-03-15 04:20
Information about nationwide power outage in Cuba (‘Warnings and insurance’)
2024-11-11 19:42
Updated information about earthquakes (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-11-07 21:24
Updated information about Tropical Storm Rafael (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-11-06 01:54
Tropical Storm Rafael – Updated information on airport closures (Warnings and Insurance).
2024-11-05 16:26
New information about Tropical Storm Rafael (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page).
2024-10-28 16:58
New information about the power outage in Cuba (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page)
2024-10-22 18:37
Information added on the power outage in Cuba (See ‘Warnings and Insurance’ page)
2024-10-20 18:01
Information added on Hurricane Oscar (See ‘Warnings and Insurance’ page)
2024-10-19 00:44
Update on power outage in Cuba (See ‘Warnings and Insurance’ page)
2024-08-21 16:34
Information on the Oropouche virus disease (See ‘Health’ page)
2024-01-19 14:53
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-11-20 12:15
Removal of information about possible tropical storm conditions from 17 November.
2023-11-17 12:00
Tropical storm conditions are possible from Friday 17 November which could affect southeastern Cuba bringing heavy rainfall (‘Summary’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages).
2023-09-01 11:09
New information about car hire, and updated information on dengue and Zika virus (‘Safety and security’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2023-08-29 10:52
Information on Tropical Storm Idalia (‘Summary’ page) and the removal of information on the compulsory use of face masks on public transport (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2023-06-22 10:47
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-01-17 12:29
Updated Cuban customs website and email (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-12-15 11:18
Updated information on passport validity and changing money (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Money’ pages).
2022-09-28 22:34
Updated information on Hurricane Ian which passed over Cuba on 27 September (See ‘Summary’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages)
2022-09-25 16:47
Updated information on Tropical Storm Ian (which is expected to be declared a Hurricane in the next 24 hours) expected to reach Cuba on evening of 26 September (See ‘Summary’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages)
2022-07-22 17:43
On 19 July 2022, the Government made face masks “mandatory” again on public transport and in healthcare settings and medical facilities, as well as for people with respiratory symptoms. Using face masks in all other settings is “recommended”. (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-07-07 11:54
Updated information on Coronavirus related measures – guidance and requirement on wearing facemasks moves from mandatory to recommended (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-04-05 16:15
Update to information on COVID-19 entry requirements (‘Entry Requirements’ page)