Travelers must have medical travel insurance and complete a few other requirements in order to visit Cuba.
While international visitors to Cuba are expected to carry some type of health insurance, there is no set quantity. Travelers must, however, have Emergency Medical Insurance in addition to Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance. This insurance must cover them for the duration of their vacation.
Do you need health insurance in Cuba?
Since 2010, all travelers to Cuba have been obliged to obtain insurance coverage that covers any potential medical bills that may emerge during their stay. When getting stamped into Cuba, proof of travel insurance must be provided to show to immigration officers.
Fortunately, most insurance plans that cover travel to Cuba are reasonably priced and won’t significantly increase your trip costs.
However, the vast majority of travel insurance companies do not cover Cuba insurance plans.
To make matters even more confusing, many policies that do cover travels to Cuba exclude American citizens. Only a few businesses provide medical insurance to US citizens traveling to Cuba (read on for more information!). If you buy travel insurance on a frequent basis, don’t expect your typical provider to be able to cover you as well as they usually do!
Thankfully, there are a few excellent firms that provide simple and affordable travel insurance for Cuba, so once you know where to look, you’ll find some excellent options. We’ve identified the following companies to be the most dependable and economical travel insurance carriers in Cuba:
Nomads from around the world (Cuba health insurance for residents of countries other than Canada and the United States)
Can you enter Cuba without travel insurance?
Last year, the Cuban government announced that any visitor arriving by plane or seaport would be required to obtain health insurance that would cover them while in Cuba and be able to show proof of coverage. Visitors without such credentials would be required to purchase insurance from Cuban companies at the point of entry, despite the fact that several Canadian travelers have told us they were never asked to provide such proof during their trip.
Nonetheless, the criterion remains in place, and you don’t want to be the one who is picked out for failing to meet it.
The Cuban government specified in the instruction that border officials will accept documentation of provincial health insurance as proof of admission. The difficulty is that provincial insurance only covers a small portion of out-of-country medical expenditures, does not cover air repatriation if you need to return home for a major illness, and does not pay out-of-country health care providers directly (in most cases). They expect you to pay up front and then file a claim with your provincial health agency for reimbursement. This wait could last months, and it may only cover 10% of the submitted expenses.
We also looked at the insurance plans offered by Cuban companies, and the benefits are very limited compared to what Canadian travel insurers provide, and they don’t cover things like air ambulance repatriation, travel costs to bring a family member to your bedside, or even the costs of transporting you to another facility in Florida if you require specialty care. Even basic medical coverage is restricted, and medical bills in Cuba are not inexpensive.
Neither Mexico nor the Dominican Republic currently need proof of travel insurance, although this may change in the future. We’ll let you know as soon as we have more information.
Can Americans go to Cuba for medical care?
Medical tourism from the United States to Cuba is still prohibited under the current travel limits. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis, according to a Treasury Department official, but passengers who try to get around the requirements may be audited to ensure they are following the law.
Even under the old laws, observers add, people frequently traveled to Cuba under false pretenses. And, despite the fact that medical tourism is not currently permitted, Agrawal believes it will be soon. She adds of the regulations, “I always assume it’s going to grow looser and looser.”
Jonathan Edelheit, CEO of the Medical Tourism Association (MTA) in Florida, concurs. “Whether it’s travel agents or medical tourism facilitators, you’re going to see a tremendous amount of movement,” he adds, “so whenever it does normalize, they can start bringing people over there.”
Canada, the United Kingdom, Israel, Singapore, and Costa Rica are currently the most popular medical tourism destinations for Americans. According to the MTA, the most common reasons for Americans to travel are for spinal surgeries, cosmetic surgery, and cancer treatment.
Who covers medical bills in Cuba?
Despite the fact that travel to Cuba is now permitted, the Cuban government requires all visitors to have medical insurance to cover any medical expenditures incurred while in Cuba.
What insurance do I need to travel to Cuba?
Since May 1, 2010, all visitors to Cuba must show proof that they have travel insurance that covers medical expenses during their stay.
When they arrive, travelers must show their insurance policy, insurance certificate, or health insurance card if asked. Those who do not match this condition in exceptional circumstances may purchase travel health insurance on the spot.
Although the Cuban Tourist Board claims that the Quebec health insurance card suffices as proof of coverage, CAA-Quebec advises that, as with any vacation, private health insurance be purchased because the Quebec health insurance board (RAMQ) does not cover all medical expenses.
Visiting avoid having two insurance policies that cover the same thing, CAA Quebec advises travelers to Cuba who have group insurance to check with their insurer to see if they are already covered.
Except for those granted by American insurance companies, all health insurance policies are recognized by Cuban authorities.
Cuban officials do not let anyone with outstanding medical bills to leave the country, according to Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
CAA-Quebec Travel Insurance. It’s more than just insurance coverage.
- Thanks to comprehensive “all-risks” trip cancellation or interruption coverage, your travel budget is safe.
With help services, our Travel Insurance is a valuable ally who is always there for you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere in the world. There to assist you in resolving any problem, great or small, as well as to ensure that you enjoy your trip to the maximum!
What do I need to travel to Cuba from Canada?
- Valid passport, tourist card (included and delivered on board), medical insurance that covers Covid 19, and proof of vaccination are all required for travel (digital or printed copy).
- For vaccinated visitors traveling from Canada to Cuba, no Covid PCR test is required prior to entry (this includes Cuban Citizens residing or visiting Canada)
- Before coming to Cuba, children under the age of 12 do not need to be vaccinated or undergo a PCR test.
- TO RE-ENTER CANADA – Beginning March 1, 2022, Canadians will be required to take an antigen test. This may be done straight at the hotel for about 30CAD, which can be paid with Debit/Visa or Visa credit cards issued by Canadian banks. Your trip operator’s agent will schedule the test for you. The antigen test can be done at the airport or at the nearest international clinic if the passenger is not staying in a hotel (before March 1, 2022 Canadian travelers need a 72 hrs pcr test before traveling back to Canada, which is approximately 40CAD and can be done at the hotel for hotel guests or at any international clinic if you are not staying at a hotel, by appointment only)
- Travelers will be required to disclose information in advance of entering Cuba beginning January 1, 2022. Passengers can use this updated form by logging in at https://www.dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu/. (in the past, clients were given these forms on board). Before departing for Cuba, all travelers must furnish information online within 48 to 72 hours. After you submit it, you will receive an email with a QR code. When you arrive, you must present authorities an electronic or paper version of the QR code.
- The local currency is the Cuban peso (CUP). Convertible pesos have been phased out and are no longer accepted. In Cuba, US dollars are not accepted in cash, but Canadian currency is routinely accepted. Only Debit/Visa or Visa credit cards issued by Canadian banks are accepted at the hotels and resorts. Customers without a credit card can purchase a pre-paid card at the airport, exchange houses, and vacation areas in Cuba. Payments are made in local Cuban pesos (CUP) outside of tourist areas; we recommend turning Canadian dollars into pesos only as needed and only if you want to travel outside of the tourist zones, as you won’t be able to swap the leftover pesos back into Canadian at the end of the holidays. Canadian cash or the local peso are the finest currencies for tipping.
Why can’t Americans go to Cuba?
The restrictions that the US sets on Americans traveling to Cuba are something to be aware of they necessitate a bit more planning before you go but they’re nothing to be concerned about if you know what to expect.
Money in Cuba
Because of the nearly 60-year-old US Cuba embargo, American debit and credit cards will not work on the island as they do in other countries.
That means you’ll need to prepare ahead and pack all of the cash you’ll need for your vacation.
When you arrive in Cuba, you can bring American dollars and exchange them for Cuban pesos. We put together a price guide to help you figure out how much money to bring on your vacation, so check it out as you start preparing.
How cheap is Cuba?
Cuba is relatively inexpensive, especially when compared to other Caribbean islands, but it is more expensive than other Latin American countries such as Mexico or Central America. You’ll be forced to pay tourist pricing most of the time because there’s a separate second currency only for tourists.
The Cuban Peso (CUP-) is the local currency of Cuba, and one dollar is worth 24 CUP. As a tourist, though, you’ll be paying in Cuba’s secondary currency, the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC – $), which is pegged to the US Dollar. As a result, $1 CUC is equal to $1 USD.
You’ll need to swap US dollars for CUC, but there’s a 10% penalty for doing so. As a result, exchanging Euros, Canadian Dollars, British Pounds, or Mexican Pesos for CUC is frequently cheaper.
You still can’t use your credit or ATM cards in Cuba if you’re an American. Because of the economic sanctions in place, they will not work.
Unless you’re on a pre-paid tour, you’ll need to exchange funds to fund your entire vacation. Another method is to get a foreign pre-paid debit card from a Canadian or Mexican bank.
In Havana, there is an official currency exchange booth located outside the airport. When you depart the nation, you can also convert your leftover CUC for US dollars (or whatever currency you like).
Is it safe to go to Cuba right now?
COVID-19 has made it impossible to travel to Cuba. Due to significant and sometimes debilitating injuries to members of our diplomatic community, which has resulted in the reduction of embassy staff, use heightened caution in Cuba.
Before planning any overseas trip, go to the Department of State’s COVID-19 page.
Due to COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Cuba, indicating that the country has a very high level of COVID-19. If you are fully immunized with an FDA-approved vaccine, your chances of catching COVID-19 and having severe symptoms may be reduced. Please check the CDC’s particular advice for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers before planning any foreign travel. For additional information on COVID-19 in Cuba, go to the Embassy’s COVID-19 page.
During their tenure in Havana, a number of US Embassy Havana staffers sustained visible and sometimes debilitating injuries. Ear complaints and hearing loss, dizziness, headaches, exhaustion, cognitive impairments, visual problems, and difficulty sleeping have all been reported by those who have been affected. We’re still looking into how our diplomats’ and their families’ health was seriously and permanently harmed. These symptoms were reported at the Hotel Nacional and Hotel Capri in Havana, as well as in U.S. diplomatic houses (including a long-term flat on the Atlantic).
The US Embassy in Havana is running on a shoestring budget. Only Embassy-employed family members are permitted to accompany U.S. government personnel sent to Cuba. Take a look at the country’s information page.
- If you have any severe audio or sensory problems, get out of there right away.
- If you have personal health concerns before traveling, or if you suspect you have experienced symptoms similar to those described above after returning, consult a medical expert.
- To receive Alerts and make it simpler to identify you in an emergency, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
- Citizens of the United States who travel overseas should always have a backup plan in case of an emergency.