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!
Do you need travelers insurance to go to Cuba?
Is Cuban travel insurance required? Yes, anyone visiting Cuba must have valid travel health insurance in order to enter the country.
Can you buy health insurance in Cuba?
For expats, Cuba’s rich history and culture make it a fascinating location to live. Despite the fact that Cuba is a popular tourist destination for many people across the world, many people find traveling to the country difficult due to the Communist government’s various travel restrictions. As a result, the number of expatriates in Cuba is substantially fewer than in neighboring countries. What you need to know about Cuba’s healthcare system and insurance choices for foreigners is outlined here.
Cuba’s socialist government takes great pride in its healthcare system. In truth, all Cuban residents and citizens have easy access to a comprehensive public healthcare system. Although Cuba has a limited budget for healthcare, the country ensures that preventive health measures are implemented. Expats have been required by Cuban law since 2010 to obtain health insurance that is valid for the duration of their stay in the country. As a result, most expats consider purchasing foreign health insurance, which is both affordable and comprehensive.
Overview of Healthcare in Cuba
All Cuban citizens are entitled to free medical care under the Cuban healthcare system. The Cuban healthcare system, on the other hand, has a number of flaws. The infrastructure of hospitals is in in need of repair, as the structures are dilapidated. Medical practitioners are also constantly challenged by a scarcity of vital medicines and outdated medical equipment.
How the Cuban Healthcare System Works for Expats
Medical insurance is required for expatriates in Cuba. Furthermore, foreigners who owe money to the government in the form of medical bills are unable to leave the island. If you arrive on the island without medical insurance, you will be able to acquire it at the port of entry. Furthermore, no international debit or credit cards are accepted at any hospital. As a result, having enough funds to cover medical bills is critical.
Public Healthcare in Cuba
If you need medical help, it’s important to understand that the government oversees the entire healthcare system. There are a few speciality clinics that cater specifically to diplomats’ medical needs. Professional doctors and high-tech equipment are available to both expats and tourists. International clinics can be found in some Cuban resorts, primarily in Santa Lucia, Varadero, and Havana. Expats are frequently taken to Cira Garcia hospital in Havana, which is often known as a “tourist” hospital.
Private Healthcare in Cuba
As a result of Fidel Castro’s revolution in 1959, Cuba’s healthcare system has changed. Previously, there existed a public-private healthcare system. There is now a national healthcare system in existence, and private hospitals and clinics are no longer available.
Emergency Medical Services in Cuba
For all medical situations while in Cuba, phone 106. Foreigners can receive free emergency medical treatment in some Cuban hospitals. If you are suffering from a life-threatening ailment, you may be evacuated to a neighbouring nation with readily available medical care. Because emergency medical services are costly, make sure you have insurance that will cover all of your expenses.
Medicines and Pharmacies
Cuban medical care does not meet the same high standards as that of other developed countries. Medical supplies are in low supply in the country. Travelers should bring their prescribed medications with them because pharmaceuticals are not easily available. Preventive, diagnostic, and medical services are all provided free of charge, however Cubans must pay for outpatient medications. There are also pharmacies catering to overseas travelers, in addition to government-run pharmacies.
Best Private International Medical Insurance Plans for Expats in Cuba
Tourists, travelers, and expats who wish to relocate to Cuba must purchase an international health insurance policy that includes transportation and medical evacuation in the event of an emergency. Allianz International’s insurance policies are accepted by healthcare institutions in Cuba, despite the fact that there are several insurance plans available around the world.
Can I buy my own travel insurance?
Passport? Check. Visas? Check. Vaccinations for travel? Check. Your big trip is coming up in two weeks, and you’ve planned everything… until you remember you neglected to obtain travel insurance. No way! Is it already too late?
The quick answer is that it is still possible! You can acquire travel insurance after you’ve booked your trip. However, it’s always a good idea to get insurance as early as possible in the process. Certain advantages may be lost if you procrastinate. We’ll explain why further down.
Have you considered purchasing travel insurance in case COVID-19 has an impact on your trip? While epidemics are normally excluded from coverage, we are now providing temporary coverage for COVID-19-related claims. In addition, many of our travel insurance plans now include the new Pandemic Coverage Endorsement, which expands the list of covered causes to include losses due to COVID-19 and any subsequent epidemic. (Benefits vary per plan, and not all jurisdictions offer them.)
Look for “Epidemic Coverage Endorsement” on your Declarations of Coverage or Letter of Confirmation to determine if your plan contains this endorsement and what it covers. There are some restrictions and exclusions that apply. It’s possible that your benefits won’t cover the entire cost of your loss. All benefits are subject to maximum liability limits, which may include sublimits and daily maximums in some situations.
What travel documents do I need for Cuba?
A valid passport, a return ticket, travel insurance with medical coverage, and a visa or tourist visa are required for all visitors to Cuba. Unlicensed U.S. citizens may be allowed to stay for up to 90 days if they enter the country without a visa. Upon entrance, British residents are given 30 days. Within Cuba, this can be extended for another 30 days. A 90-day visa is issued to Canadian nationals. This can only be extended for another 90 days.
For Australian residents, call 131-232 or go to www.passports.gov.au to contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
Can I travel to Cuba right now?
The coronavirus, commonly known as COVID, has resulted in travel restrictions around the world, especially for Americans visiting Cuba.
Cuba is only open to fully vaccinated American travelers as of January 2022. Travelers must show proof of COVID vaccination as well as a negative PCR test within the last three days. Aside from that, there are no significant additional constraints.
Before flying to Cuba, all passengers must fill out a Cuban health statement. That link will take you to a page where you may view and print one.
There used to be a quarantine requirement for Americans visiting Cuba, but that rule is no longer in place. Travelers who are fully immunized can travel freely from the moment they arrive in Cuba.
Keep in mind that upon arriving in Cuba, some people may be called away for further COVID screening.
If you have been exposed to COVID-19, are unwell, have tested positive for COVID-19, or are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test, do not travel. Find out when it is safe to go. Traveling with someone who is sick is not a good idea.
Keep in mind that all tourists returning to the US must present a negative antigen test (PCR is not required) taken no more than one day before to their flight. All visitors to the United States who are not citizens or permanent residents (green card holders) must be properly vaccinated before entering the country.
The US CDC website has up-to-date information about traveling to Cuba in 2022 and beyond.
Can US citizens travel to Cuba 2021?
Is it still possible for Americans to visit Cuba in 2022? Yes, to put it succinctly. Americans, unlike their Canadian and British counterparts, are subject to various restrictions. Because “tourism” is officially prohibited, your journey must fit within one of the recognized travel categories. While on the island, you’ll be bound by specific financial constraints.
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).
How much is travel insurance usually?
Because travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all, the cost and terms of a plan will differ. However, knowing pricing principles might help you plan your travel insurance purchase.
In general, a plan should cost between 4% and 10% of your entire pre-paid, non-refundable travel cost. For example, if you paid $5,000 for a vacation, the travel insurance coverage accessible to you will likely cost between $250 and $500, depending on the conditions.
Please note that the Department of State bears no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of the entities or individuals whose names appear on the accompanying lists, nor for the quality of services offered by them. The Department’s or the US government’s inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement. The order in which the names appear has no bearing on the order in which they occur. The Department is unable to vouch for the accuracy of the information on the list because it is provided directly by local service providers.
In most cases, medical care in Cuba falls short of American norms.
Despite the fact that medical personnel are generally competent, many health institutions are short on medical supplies and bed space.
Many medications are unavailable in Cuba, so travelers should plan to bring any prescribed medicines and over-the-counter remedies in their original containers and in sufficient quantities for personal use in case of return travel delays.
Customs authorities inspect all personal goods, so a copy of a prescription and a note from a prescribing physician explaining the need for prescription drugs may help you get through.
Cuba requires visitors to obtain non-US medical insurance, which is normally included in the price of airline tickets on flights departing from the US or can be purchased at the airport upon arrival. Prior to your arrival, make sure you have the proper insurance coverage and save your boarding card. You’ll need it to get medical treatment.
Travelers to Havana should be informed that U.S. and other international tourists seeking medical attention are typically sent to the Clnica Central Cira Garcia Hospital, which provides medical services to Havana’s foreign population.
The hospital is located in Havana’s Miramar district.
At most cases, medical consultations and treatment in Cuban hospitals are paid for with a Visa or Mastercard credit card. Medical evacuations to the United States can cost more than $50,000, and many domestic health insurance companies do not give coverage outside of the United States. Before traveling to Cuba, passengers should check with their health-care providers to see if they have international coverage in case of an emergency. Short-term travel medical insurance is available from a number of private insurance firms. Medical evacuation by flight, medical emergencies, and repatriation of remains should all be covered in travel planning.
Travel.State.Gov has more information regarding Cuban health problems.
The US Embassy in Havana has issued a travel warning for Cuba due to the Zika virus, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
There is evidence that Zika causes birth malformations in infected pregnant women’s fetuses, as well as Guillain-Barre syndrome in infected people of any age or gender.
Zika is primarily spread by mosquitos, however there have been reports of the virus being spread through sexual contact and blood transfusions.
Please check the CDC website for more information on Zika.
Call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) from within the United States or 1-404-639-3534 from outside the United States for information regarding CDC travel advisories, or go to the CDC website.
In Cuba, including Havana and other places, epidemics of a number of tropical diseases, most notably viral meningitis and dengue fever, have occurred on occasion.
Disease exposure is not limited to distant and unsanitary locations.
Hepatitis A is widespread, especially during the summer months, when immunoglobulin is scarce.
Public insecticide spraying is used heavily in several urban areas.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s helpline for foreign travelers, 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747), fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or the CDC website can provide information about immunizations and other health precautions.
The US Embassy in Havana advises travelers to take precautions to avoid contracting dengue fever.
Humans develop dengue fever after being bitten by infected mosquitos.
It is not a contagious disease.
Mosquitos are most active during the first few hours of daylight and in the late afternoon.
During certain times, visitors should use extra caution.
The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have more information.