Introduction
What to pack for Cuba?
Cuba is one of the most interesting places to visit in the Americas. It has a planned economy, but things don’t always go according to plan… therefore it’s best to give a little thought to what you should pack before you head to the airport!
Essentials
Sunscreen – it is hot and sunny in Cuba, and you don’t want to get burned on the first day and suffer on the bus journeys!
Insect repellent – Not so much necessary during the day, but around sunset at the beach sand flies can make life miserable, and in the city, mosquitos can be irritating. There is no malaria in Cuba, but dengue fever is a small risk.
Toiletries
Bar soap and towels are provided in casas particulares (homestays). You should bring any additional toiletries that you might want. Shampoo, razors, deodorant and feminine hygiene products are all difficult and expensive to obtain in Cuba.
Similarly, you should bring a supply of any medicines you might need.
Bring a small towel for swimming!
Clothing
Most casas particulares will do laundry for a small fee – but normally this will take at least two nights. You could consider doing small amounts of laundry by hand in the sink.
Cuba is very hot and humid so it is essential to have t-shirts, tops, dresses and trousers that are light and breathable.
Restaurants and bars rarely have a formal dress code, but in general, clothes that would be OK on the beach will look out of place in a nice restaurant, and vice versa!
Places that do have a dress code include the Tropicana night club, as well as banks, money changers and other offices. People wearing shorts, sandals or sleeveless tops may be denied entry.
Streets in Cuba are often in less than ideal condition. It’s best to wear comfortable, flat shoes. Flip-flops are fine for the beach but tend to fall apart if used around the city.
What’s the climate like in Cuba?
During the rainy seasons (May and August to November) it can rain quite heavily, especially in the late afternoon, but this tends to last for only 20-30 minutes. It’s rare to get grey rainy days like in more northern countries. Most Cubans don’t own waterproof clothes – if it rains they just find some shelter and wait for the rain to stop.
Daytime temperatures are usually around 25–30 °C (77–86 °F) but can go as high as 38 °C (100 °F) in summer (July–August)! At night time in winter (December–January) it can drop to 12 °C (54 °F) so it’s worth bringing a light jumper for going out.
Electrical outlets in Cuba
Cuban electrical sockets are mainly of the North American type with flat prongs, so travellers coming from Europe should bring an appropriate adaptor for chargers etc.
Questions on what to pack for Cuba?
We run Cuba group tours for people who don’t like group tours twice a year, and we can run independent tours any time. We’re also happy to provide advice and info – feel free to get in touch if you have any questions!
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