Last updated: 23 Oct 2025
Cuba
About
| Try rolling cigars at one of Cuba's tobacco factories such as the Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás in Havana. Soak up some sun on Cuba's beaches: from Playas del Este near Havana, where the locals play, to exclusive island resorts like Cayo Coco where the only Cubans around are waiters and chambermaids. Varadero is a lively resort that combines beach life with nightlife, for locals and foreigners. Explore the deep. There are 30 dive sites at Varadero alone. One of the world's biggest coral reefs is offshore at Cayo Coco, and there are more reefs around Isla de la Juventud, Stevenson's inspiration for Treasure Island. See the country's best musicians and dancers at work in Santiago de Cuba. Visit the Museo Emilio Bacardí, which contains the rum magnate's collection of antiques and fine art. |
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| Capital: | Havana (HAV) |
| Currency: | The official currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP) but the 'tourist' currency is the Peso Convertible (CUC). |
| Language: | Spanish (English is spoken in most tourist areas) |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 53 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT -5 (7 hours behind South Africa) |
| Daylight Savings Time: | From second Monday in March until first Sunday in November: UTC / GMT -4 (6 hours behind South Africa) |
| Best Time to go: | November to May |
| Best For: | Beach Relaxation |
| Plugs: | 110/220 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style flat two-pin plugs are generally used, except in certain large hotels where the European round two-pin plug may also be found. |
| Drinking Water: | All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. |
| Health: | Health insurance is recommended for travel to Cuba. There are adequate medical facilities; however there may be drug shortages. |
| Customs: | Normal social courtesies apply. Men generally do not wear shorts away from the beach. Smart-casual attire is worn in the evenings by most Cubans. Women should cover their arms and shoulders when visiting churches. |
| Duty Free: | The following items may be imported into Cuba by travellers aged 18 years and over without incurring customs duty: • 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g of tobacco • 2.5L alcoholic beverages • Gifts up to a value of CUC$50.99 • Medicines required for personal use |
| Prohibited Imports: | Prohibited items include animal products, explosives, certain household appliances, and all pornographic material and drugs. Restricted items requiring authorisation include firearms and ammunition, live animals and plants and their parts, certain foodstuffs, and works of art. Note that electrical items with heavy power consumption may be confiscated and returned upon departure. |
| Prohibited Exports: | Drugs, explosives, pornography, items of cultural value, manuscripts dating from between 1440 and 1500, library books, books edited by Libros Cubanos under the 'R' imprint, foreign editions published between the 16th and 18th centuries, Cuban editions published in the 18th century, and lobster in any form or quantity. Note that if taking cigars out of Cuba, you may take up to 50 cigars. These must be unopened and sealed in their original packaging and you must be able to show a receipt proving you bought them in an authorised shop, otherwise they will be seized. |
Issuing Authorities
Embassy of Cuba in South Africa (concurrent in Lesotho and Eswatini)
45 Mackenzie St, Brooklyn
Tel: 012 881 6389
E-mail: embajada@za.embacuba.cu
Web: misiones.cubaminrex.cu/en/south-africa
Office Hours: Mon - Fri: 08h30 - 12h30
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1-2; Apr 18; May 1; Jul 25-27; Oct 10; Dec 25, 31
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1-2; Apr 3; May 1; Jul 25-27; Oct 10; Dec 25, 31
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by SA passport holders.
REQUIREMENTS: Tourist Visa (Tourist Card)
- Applications to be made online: evisacuba.cu/en/inicio. Multiple passengers may be added to a single application. Proof of payment must be in .jpg form.
NOTE: if travelling by sea, visas must be applied for via the Embassy / Consulate
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
- Valid passport with minimum 6 months expiration
- Travel insurance with medical coverage
- Round-trip airline ticket
- QR code of the completed D'VIAJEROS form - www.dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu/inicio
Visa Processing Time
E-visa response time is 72 hours.
Visa Validity
The tourist visa is valid for a single entry to Cuba, for a stay of 90 days, extendable for 90 days.
Visa Cost
R315.
SA Representative
SA Embassy
Ave 5ta, No 4201, esq 42, Miramar, Playa, Ciudad de La Habana, Havana
Tel: + 537 204 9671
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover) |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Tetanus, Polio |
