The CUBA That Most People Don't See 🇨🇺 Havana 2025

This video looks at the Cuba that most people don’t see in 2025. The side of the country that tourists and outsiders rarely experience.

Top Cuba Travel Tips:

1) Can U.S. Citizens travel to Cuba? Yes.
While flying to Cuba for tourist activities remains prohibited by statute, there are 13 other permitted reasons for travel. The main reason most American visitors should choose is: 'Support for the Cuban people'.

2) Do US Citizens require a Visa? Yes
You can easily purchase the visa at a Cuban visa kiosk at your departure airport. Depending on the airline, the visa costs $50- $100. Just arrive at the airport a little earlier to fill out the form and obtain the visa, which gives you 60 days in Cuba (with a possible 30-day extension).

Europeans and Canadians can obtain a Cuba Tourist Card which gives you 90 days in Cuba. You can extend your Cuban tourist visa for an additional 90 days, for a total of 180 days.

3) Do you need Health Insurance to visit Cuba? Yes
U.S. Citizens / Green Card holders who fly to Cuba directly via the U.S. are automatically insured because a $25 fee is added to your ticket price. Keep your boarding pass as proof of health insurance and if you do require medical assistance, you present your boarding pass and passport at the hospital in Cuba.

Everyone else (Canada/UK/Germany/Russia etc) can obtain cheap health insurance at Solways Cuba website.

4) Do US Credit and Debit cards work in Cuba? No.
With very few exceptions, U.S. credit and debit cards do not currently work in Cuba. You should bring U.S. dollars to Cuba and exchange them for Cuban Pesos (CUP). Make sure the US bills do not have any marks or tears as these may not be accepted. In addition, you can check the current informal foreign market rate in Cuba on the ELTOQUE website.

European and other debit and credit cards may or may not work in Cuba but you should not rely on this as you will get a very bad exchange rate using your card at the ATM or stores. It is recommended you bring Euros or US dollars.

5) How much cash should I bring? Recommended $50 to $100 a day.
Bring more cash than you will need as it is better to take home the extra dollars you didn't spend than to run out of cash in the middle of your Cuba trip. Many visitors have run out of money in the middle of their trip due to not bringing enough cash.

6) Can I get Internet access on my phone while in Cuba? Yes.
You can purchase a Cuban tourist sim card in advance of your trip and pick it up when you arrive at the airport in Cuba. Visit the SUENA CUBA website to order the SIM card.

7) Do I need a VPN for my trip to Cuba? Yes
Everyone should download a VPN (recommend NordVPN or Express VPN) on both your laptop and mobile phone BEFORE you travel to Cuba. This is because some websites and apps are blocked if you try to access them in Cuba. For example, you cannot book an Airbnb while you are in Cuba without a VPN.

8) How much is a taxi ride from the airport in Havana to the city center? $25
There are taxis outside the airport in Havana into the city and most will charge $25 US dollars. Make sure to ask and confirm the fare.

9) What essential items should i bring with me to Cuba?
Bring all your medication, toiletries (including female hygiene), body spray for mosquitos and sunscreen.

10) Can i stay in a hotel or Airbnb for my trip to Cuba?
Americans can book and stay in an Airbnb in Cuba but are prohibited from staying in certain hotels that are owned entirely or partially by the Cuban government. Choose: 'Support for the Cuban people' when booking your Airbnb. Europeans and everyone else can book both an Airbnb or stay in any hotel you wish.

11) Can I drink tap water? No, Don't do it.
Drink only bottled water and also use to brush your teeth. Also do not consume drinks with ice as they may also have been made from tap water.

12) What should I bring as gifts for the Cuban People?
Over-the-counter medication such as multivitamins, Ibuprofen, Tylenol / paracetamol. Female hygiene products. Bandaids. Personal care products such as deodorant, soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste. Chocolates. Clothing. Shoes.

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00:00 Intro
00:36 The Real Havana
18:36 Havana Tourist Zone

#havana #cuba #habana

[leebrianroberts]

I have travelled all over the world both in pleasure and work. I have never met anyone as kind and helpful as the Cuban people. If you have never been I promise you won't be disappointed! I wish them all well. Great great memories

[Risteard]

Excellent video on Cuba it has so much history just amazing how the people keep everything up-to-date they don't get the credit they deserve 🇨🇺 💯👍

[marilynwaaldijk_howell]

What surprises me greatly is the AMOUNT of respect shown for WOMEN in Cuba and their protected civil rights, ALSO the fact that you're SAFE in Cuba, as a tourist when you travel THERE, And just how nicely and respectfully you're TREATED...MAY GOD FOREVER BLESS THESE KIND, SMART, EXTREMELY EDUCATED HELPFUL, BRILLIANT, HUMBLE YET TALENTED, SENSITIVE AND FASCINATING PEOPLE OF CUBA...I THINK THEIR EX PRESIDENT, MR FIDEL CASTRO ( MAY OUR DEAR LORD GOD ALMIGHTY FOREVER BLESS AND REST HIS SOUL) ARE LOOKING DOWN UPON THEM AND CONTINUOUSLY SENDING GOOD THINGS THEIR WAY, ... MAY THESE GREAT GODLY BLESSINGS AND PEACE AND PROSPERITY FOREVER.

[ecbrandt]

Visited Cuba 20 years ago, and i loved it. Huge cultural difference from Greenland where i´m from. Beautifull people, great music and a magic vibe back then 20 years ago.

[AlanFerris-mi]

Loved it there when a visited a people who have nothing but will still share what a great place this could be if it was free

[TheKth]

I just love the way you track the pretty girls!😂

[johnjacobs]

This was was very informative. Meaning when you walked through the non-tourist areas you really got a feel for the country. Your comments about the country were informative as well. Suffice it to say the country is run quite differently than the USA.

[ianashton]

Good video 👍 Visited briefly a few years ago on business and would love to go back as a tourist. The people I met were welcoming and friendly. If you are into photography the place is a paradise.

[juanespinozaortiz]

Uhhh yo me pa la Habana y no vuelvo más, Cuba tiene una cultura y además me encanta la belleza de las cubanas❤❤❤❤

[NorthHoustonCityLimits]

Great video thanks for showing us what life is really like! Looks like a nice place with friendly people!

[Nazir-WalkAroundTheCity]

Hello, Extra 💪🚶
Have a nice day ☕🍷
Best regards, Janusz from Warsaw Poland ✌️🇵🇱🖐️

[winfriedgareis]

we were 2 times in cuba and Havanna -about 7 years ago -nothing hasn, t really changed and it is how it was -for me anyway amazing 💖

[CtrlAltFree]

id love to visit cuba with my mother one day just considering my family immigrated from there quite a long time ago. would be nice to experience where we originated from

[AlexPrimus]

Thank you for the thorough and detailed info in the video description. It really says all the info you need to travel there. 😊

[gcmlrd]

Thank you for sharing. As an American restricted I am happy to say I was able to share a sheltered harbor with Cuban fishermen when cruising.
America, we do a disservice to Cuba. Learn more about Cuba and stop the outrage to history.

[IMAGINE-]

Thanks much for these tips !!! I have learned a lot !

[ronnieleemichael]

There's no shortage of beautiful women or classic cars. My heart made a few jumps watching this

[milosdoubrava]

Na Kubě je krásně a levně.
Ty Ameriky jsou nádherný.
Je to neuvěřitelný návrat do 50 let.
Hlavně to ukazuje na to jaký jsou kubánci zruční automechanici, autokarosáři a autolakýrníci.

[jrodriguez]

Basic food is Subsidized but In Rationed portions the monthly Allowance won’t event last a week… and some items don’t even come in the month… food has to be obtained
In other ways.. back market
Private stores that import items or bring in from the countryside

[scarr]

They should have a better feeding program for the skinny horses !!