Cuba Travel Safety

Precautions

Be aware of theft from hotel rooms, particularly in private accommodations (casas particulares). Theft from cars is common. Carry only small amounts of money and avoid showing signs of affluence, such as flashy jewelry and watches. Never carry purses and bags loosely over one shoulder. Keep electronic devices like cellphones, tablets, laptops and cameras out of sight, as they are particularly attractive to thieves. Never leave personal belongings unattended on the beach. Lock your valuables, passport and other travel documents in your hotel safe. Carry a photocopy of your passport's identification page at all times. Theft of items from checked baggage at Cuban airports occurs, whereby bags, including locked suitcases, are opened and items are removed. Do not pack valuables in your checked luggage. All bags are routinely X-rayed on arrival and departure as part of normal security procedures. Incidents of violent crime are generally associated with assaults committed during a burglary or robbery. If you are threatened by robbers, stay calm and do not resist. Beware of hustlers (jineteros) who specialize in deceiving and defrauding tourists. Be cautious when withdrawing cash from automated teller machines (ATMs). Exchange currency in state-run exchange bureaus (cadecas) and avoid independent street vendors.

Road safety

Avoid driving in Cuba, as conditions can be hazardous. Most secondary streets and roads are poorly lit and inadequately maintained. Road signs are scarce and confusing. Motor vehicles accidents are now the leading cause of accidental death in Cuba. The principal east-west highways are in fair condition but lack sufficient lighting. If you must drive, do so defensively at all times. Some cars and most bicycles do not have running lights. Pedestrians and horse-drawn carts use the middle of the road and do not readily give way to oncoming vehicles. Roaming animals pose a risk. Most Cuban cars are old, are in poor condition and lack standard safety equipment. Inoperable vehicles are often left on the road until repaired.

Taxis

Official taxis are generally reliable. Avoid unlicensed private taxis as well as old-model private vehicles offered as taxis. Yellow, three-wheeled Coco taxis are unsafe and should be avoided.

Public transportation

Tour companies offer good bus service between airports and the all-inclusive resorts. Buses used for organized day trips from hotels are in good condition. City buses are overcrowded and poorly maintained, and bus service is sporadic.

Women's safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. In addition, don't flash money or valuables in public. Doing so may make you a potential victim of criminal activity.

Scams

While most swindlers speak some English and go out of their way to appear friendly, by offering to serve as tour guides or to facilitate the purchase of cigars, many are criminals who may resort to violence in their efforts to steal tourists' money and other valuables. Individuals posing as bogus tour agents or taxi drivers operate throughout the country. Use established tour operators and registered taxis.

Crime

Pickpocketing, purse snatching and assault occur. Increasingly, foreigners are victims of these crimes, especially in Havana. Theft generally occurs in crowded places such as tourist areas, markets and beaches. When reporting a crime to the local police, insist on receiving a Comprobante de Denuncia, which is a document confirming that a report has been filed. Police officers may speak only Spanish. Never pick up hitchhikers, as doing so could put you at risk.

LGBT

Homosexuality is legal in Cuba, but there are few places where gay people can socialise openly. Same-sex couples - particularly if one partner is Cuban - should be careful about public displays of affection, which can lead to unwelcome attention from the police and local authorities.

Illegal drugs

Cuba has strict laws on the use, possession or trafficking of illegal drugs. Cuban courts are handing out severe penalties for those convicted of drugs-related offences.

Restricted areas

Avoid military zones and other restricted areas.

Driving

Traffic accidents are a frequent cause of arrest and detention of foreigners in Cuba. Accidents resulting in death or injury are treated as crimes, and the onus is on the driver to prove innocence. In most cases, the driver will not be allowed to leave Cuba until the trial has taken place. In some cases, the driver will be imprisoned during this delay. Regardless of the nature of the accident, it can take five months to a year for a case to go to trial. Be cautious if you rent a vehicle in Cuba. Contract agreements do not cover occasional drivers, therefore, the signatory is responsible for all people driving the vehicle. If you are found to be at fault in any way in an accident, the rental agency will nullify your coverage and seek damages to cover the cost of repairs, which can be very high. Rental agencies are government-controlled and Cuban authorities can prohibit you from leaving the country unless the rental agency receives payment or until all claims associated with an accident are settled. When returning a rented vehicle, make sure to obtain a receipt. Avoid renting scooters, as thieves target them and you may be responsible for the cost of their replacement.