How to get to Cuba in 2026

Nothing is ever straightforward, and getting to Cuba in 2026 is, shall we say, perhaps a little more complicated than it has been in previous years.  I’m hoping that this post is short-lived, but I will keep it up to date as the situation changes.  For a variety of reasons getting to Cuba is more difficult in 2026 than it was in 2025, whether you’re going from Canada to Cuba or from Europe to Cuba.  It seems like right now the easiest route to take is from the USA to Cuba!  Here’s my guide to understanding the challenges of traveling to Cuba right now and how to get to Cuba in 2026.

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This post isn’t about legal travel to Cuba for Americans.  That is easy, and I’ve written about it here.  This is about those of us in the rest of the world trying to get to Cuba and the challenges faced in the journey.

The Challenges of Traveling to Cuba in 2026

A lot changed for Cuba in the early days of 2026, not least with the US Forces strike on Venezuela and the apprehension of leader Nicolas Maduro.  It was followed, on 29^th January 2026 with the signing of an executive order by US President Trump in which he declared a national emergency with respect to Cuba and authorized the United States to impose new tariffs on imports from countries that directly or indirectly supply oil to the Government of Cuba. Within days, at the height of the Cuban tourist season the Cuban Government announced plans to conserve oil and gas by reducing transport primarily used by Cuban citizens (not tourists), some resort hotels were shuttered, with guests moved to “consolidated” resorts.

However, by 9^th February 2026, Cuba issued a warning that there was no jet fuel available on the island to refuel inbound flights. Within 24 hours, most flights emanating from Canada were suspended, with airlines only sending repatriation flights for those visitors already on the island.  The Canadian flight suspensions are stated to be temporary, with flights available to be booked again from May onwards.

Here’s more on why getting to Cuba in 2026 is a challenge.

Fuel Shortages in Cuba

The 29^th January US Executive Order that authorizes the US to apply tariffs to nations supplying Cuba with oil significantly exacerbates the issues of shortages that have plagued Cuba since the US Embargo began in 1960.  The lack of airline fuel has been experienced in the past, with international airlines managing to refuel in Mexico, the Bahamas, or Panama.  The proposed tariffs on those nations supplying oil are new. 

In recent years, Cuba has, primarily with the support of China, embraced some solar power, and manages to produce 38 percent of its daytime power requirements without the need for oil or gas.  But that doesn’t help with the power for generators, or with gas for transport around the island.  There’s more on fuel shortages and how they impact Cuba in my guide here.

Direct flights from Canada to Cuba suspended.

Cuba has long been the winter sun destination of a large number of Canadians, who, certainly since sanctions on Russia following their invasion of Ukraine, have provided the largest percentage of foreign visitors to the island.  The suspension of direct flights to Cuba from Canada has a major impact on the tourism revenues of the island.

The US ESTA and Cuba

A change by the US Government on 12th January 2021 means that if you have visited Cuba since then, you may no longer use the ESTA Visa Waiver Scheme.  The significance of this change makes getting to Cuba much more difficult for the nationalities who wish to use the ESTA and also travel to Cuba.  (Note this is not Canadians, who don’t need one).  This is most of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.  Any trip to Cuba by an ESTA holder means that the ESTA is automatically cancelled, and a full visa must be applied for (and paid for the USA by the traveler. 

It’s not just if you wish to visit the USA that this causes a problem; visas are expensive, and the wait time for appointments at US Embassies can be significant (months, not weeks).  It’s also about getting to Cuba via the USA.  Flights from the USA to Cuba are still operating.  But the concept of “in transit” does not exist in the United States.  So if you wish to fly to Cuba via the USA, you are required to “go through immigration in the United States first”.  If you don’t have an ESTA, you need a visa.  I wrote about the ESTA and its impact on travel to Cuba here.

Worldwide Government Advisories about Cuba in 2026

Whether you think your government travel advisories are sensible or over-cautious, they’re incredibly important when it comes to your safety.  If you travel to a country when your Government has issued an advisory saying “do not travel” (for whatever reason), then you likely invalidate your travel insurance.

So far this year, the UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Cuba, as does Canada. Australia says, “Reconsider your need to travel to Cuba due to serious fuel shortages impacting essential services.” And so on.

All of the advisories relate to the fuel shortages.

• UK FCDO – Cuba
• Canada – avoid non-essential travel
• Australia Smart Traveler on Cuba

I mention these advisories specifically because of the travel insurance impact they have.  Organizations such as IATI provide travel and cancellation insurance services for those countries that are on the “avoid non-essential travel” lists.  Please confirm that if you take this (or any) insurance, it covers you for the travel that you plan.

The Russian–Ukrainian War

Sanctions applied both to individuals and to the Russian state have impacted tourism revenues in Cuba.  The lack of aviation fuel in Cuba means that planes from Russia cannot refuel on the island, and international sanctions impact which countries Russian airlines can refuel in. 

US Citizens and travel to Cuba.

I’ve left his until last, as it’s actually easier for US Citizens to travel to Cuba than it is for anyone else!  There are direct flights from the USA to Cuba; they are still operating.  There are no signs of cancellations or suspensions.  US Citizens can legally travel to Cuba. (My guide is here).  There have been no changes.

What you need to travel to Cuba in 2026

What you need to travel to Cuba in 2026 hasn’t changed that much since all these things happened.  Canadians will notice a difference, as direct flights from Canada to Cuba include the Cuban eVisa, and indirect flights do not, but here’s what you’ll need to travel to Cuba in 2026.

Good travel insurance

This goes without saying.  The Cuban government requires that you have medical insurance to enter the country.  Immigration rarely, if ever, checks this, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have it; it’s more important than ever.  My guide to travel insurance for Cuba is here.

However, you should check the small print and ensure that your policy is valid if Cuba is on the list of countries that your Government says either do not travel to or avoid all but essential travel.  The wording is key.

An Evisa for Cuba

The Cuban evisa has been in place for a couple of years now, replacing the old Green and Pink Tourist Cards.  Canadians have benefited for some time by having their visa included in their airline ticket, but as there are currently no direct flights from Canada to Cuba, you will need to buy an evisa.  You can buy one here, or my guide to Cuban e-visas is here.

A completed D’Viajeros form

When you’ve got your flight, your evisa, and your travel insurance, then you need to complete the D’Viajeros form before you fly.  My guide to completing it is here.

A sense of adventure

I’ve written about Cuba’s Fuel shortages since 2019.  I’ve written about the fact that you need a plan, a backup, and a backup to your backup.  And with Cuba, you need a sense of adventure.  The Cuban people are amazing.  Their resilience is stupendous.  Their ability to cope with all the **** that gets thrown at them is astounding.  Seeing that first hand is well worth it.

You need cash to travel to Cuba in 2026

The currency of Cuba is the Cuban Peso, but foreign currency is important.  If you’re from the USA, your bank cards won’t work here.  If there’s no electricity, the ATMs don’t work.  There have been a lot of changes with Cuba’s currency over the years, but there is no disguising the fact that cash is king in Cuba.  Taking cash with you (US Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Euros) is really important.

I’ve written about Cuban Currency and paying for things here.

And if you run out of cash in Cuba, here’s how to get cash to Cuba.

How to Get to Cuba in 2026

Right. I laid the groundwork, and now we’ve finally got to the point.  How can you get to Cuba in 2026?  It’s surprisingly easy.  Canadians, it’s a wee bit harder for you than it was before 10^th February. ESTA holders, it’s been difficult since 2021, but honestly, since when was anything easy fun?

You can check current schedules at https://skyscanner.com.

How to get to Cuba from the USA

There are flights available from the USA to Cuba from Delta Airlines, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.  You’ll find multiple flights each day from these US Airlines.  They carry enough fuel not to require refueling in Cuba.

How to get to Cuba from Canada in 2026

There are currently no direct flights from Canada to Cuba.  They are suspended until May 2026.  I will update this when this changes.  A note that air tickets from the USA, if you select the route via the USA, include basic medical insurance for Cuba.

If you wish to fly to Cuba from Canada, then you’ll need to fly one of the following routes:

• Connection via Miami (USA) with American Airlines
• Connection via Mexico City (Mexico) with Aeromexico
• Connection via Panama City (Panama) with Copa Airlines
• Connection via the Cayman Airlines with Cayman Airways

How to Get to Cuba from Mexico

There have been no changes to the routes operated by AeroMexico; their Cuban flights continue as normal.  You can fly from Mexico City to Cuba and from Cancun to Mexico.

How to Get to Cuba from Panama

Copa Airlines will continue flights to Cuba from Panama.

How to get to Cuba from Europe

You can fly to Cuba from Spain with Iberia and Air Europa on a Madrid to Havana route.  There will be a refueling stop in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

You can fly to Cuba from Spain with Air France.  The Paris – Havana route will have a refueling stop in Nassau, Bahamas.

You can fly to Cuba from Holland with KLM, which offers a connecting flight in Panama in conjunction with Copa Airlines.

You can fly from Turkey with Turkish Airlines with a stopover in Cancun, Mexico.

You can fly from Germany with Cubana from Frankfurt to Holguin.

How to get to Cuba from the UK

There are no direct flights from the UK to Cuba (and despite the best efforts of a few organizations, there have not been for some years now). 

You can fly from the UK to Cuba via Madrid, Paris, or Amsterdam.  Alternatively, you can fly from the UK to Cuba via Frankfurt.

Final Words on How to Get to Cuba in 2026

Getting to Cuba in 2026 became slightly more complicated for the majority of visitors because of a number of reasons.  Your journey to Cuba now is a little more of an adventure, and I do not doubt that I’ll be updating this post on a regular basis, but hopefully, this gives you an idea of how you can get to Cuba in 2026.

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