Latest Cuba Travel News

Our latest news and updates on travel to Cuba is here. There are two sections. You’ll find updates from readers and travelers as and when we get them. Plus latest world news that impacts your travel to Cuba. Send your updates on travel either to hello (at) cubasbest.com or use the comments at the bottom of this section. More than 2,300 people read our weekly updates on a regular basis, let your experiences inform them too.

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Latest Travel News From Cuba

Here you’ll find relevant news from around the world as it impacts Cuba and your visit there.

27th August 2025: Rise in cases of mosquito borne diseases reported

There’s been a rise in cases of chikungunya, oropouche virus and dengue across Cuba (August 2025). It’s also reported that there is an outbreak of chikungunya in Matanzas Province. More here

25th August 2025: Vietnamese Red Cross raises millions for Cuban People.

To celebrate the 65th Anniversary of Vietnam-Cuba solidarity, a fund raising campaign by the Vietnamese Red Cross has raised nearly 339 billion VND (nearly 13 million USD). The funds are set to help alleviate the devastating impact of the economic, trade and financial embargo on Cuba Read more here.

23rd August 2025: Direct flights from Germany to Cuba announced

It’s been announced by Soliarenas that there will be direct flights from Frankfurt to Cuba. Flights will leave Frankfurt on Wednesday and Saturdays to Havana. There will also be flights from Frankfurt to Holguin on Wednesdays. Contact Soliarenas directly for booking details. Flights will commence on 2nd December 2025. You can book the flights through Trip.com (you’ll need to juggle the dates to get the direct flight options).

8th August 2025: Waterspout spotted off the Malecon in Havana.

Causing no damage, the weather phenomenon was spotted off Havana’s Malecon. Photos and video here.

6th August 2025: Extra Train 14 Guantanamo-La Havana derails

The 11 carriage train 14 from Guantanamo to Havana derailed today, with 8 carriages derailing. There were minor injuries. Around 80 meters of track was damaged and will need repair. It will affect this route until it is repaired. More here.

6th August 2025: Cuba’s Private Sector overtakes Government Sector for first time since 1959

Cuba’s National Statistics office provided figures indicating that private sector retail sales accounted for 55% of national sales, overtaking the government sector. More here.

25th July 2025: New Digital Key Proposed in Cuba

Its reported by state media that A collaboration between Cuba and Russia will develop a “Digital Key” – Cayo Digital in Cuba, designed to make an area to rival Silicon Valley. There’s more here. Of course, much stands in the way, including the direct state of the electricity generating systems in Cuba.

25th July 2025: Outbreak of Chikungunya confirmed in Matanzas

It was confirmed that there was an outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease, Chikungunya in Matanzas, read more here. Read about mosquitoes in Cuba here.

25th July 2025: United Airlines Pauses Flights to Cuba

As of September 2nd, United Airlines plans to pause its single flight from Houston to Havana, citing lack of demand. There’s more here.

25th July 2025: Cuba requests incorporation into BRICS Development Bank

The news is yet to be published by the Development Bank, but could reduce the Cuban dependency on the US Dollar. More here.

21st July 2025: Cuban Tourism Numbers down to 81% of 2024 numbers year to date.

Cuba’s Tourism Numbers from January to June 2025 totalled 1,306,650 travelers, (81% of the number from 2024. There were 319,654 fewer than last year. Of these international visitors alone totalled 75% of the 2024 numbers. Canada remains the number 1 source of international tourists, following by Russia and the USA. Source.

5th July 2025: Power outages are the cause of most problems of water supply in Cuba

First Vice President of the Superior Organization of Business Management (OSDE) for Water and Sanitation stated that 70% of the problems with water supply around the country are caused by a lack of electrivity. More here.

30th June 2025: UK FCDO Issues Warning about Cuba Fuel & Power

Cuba continues to experience regular and lengthy electricity outages across the country, including in Havana. The FCDO suggests the conservation of fuel and cell phone charge, but indicates that cell phone coverage may be limited. They also stated that transport may be affected by fuel shortages. More here.

5th May 2025: Update on Train Travel in Cuba

Unfortunately, in the last 12 months, there’s been a significant deterioration in the state of the trains. Many services have been cancelled because of the fuel shortages, but the lack of maintenance equipment has also led to low availability of rolling stock. Stations, including Moron and Ciego de Avila were closed and looked as though they were undergoing maintenance (or not)

March 15th 2025: Cuba Suffers Entire Island Outage of Power

For the fourth time in five months, the entire island of Cuba is without power. The failure of the Diezmero substation led to the collapse of the National Power Grid. President Miguel Diaz-Canel stated that solar energy would provide the coverage, but only a small number of panels have been installed at this point.

24th February 2025: Airbnb Stops making MLC Payments to Cuban Casa Owners

AirBnB recently (February 2025) announced that they are now unable to make payments to Cuban Casa owners via MLC accounts and that while they will honor existing bookings unless a Cuban Casa owner can provide a way for them to be paid OUTSIDE of Cuba, they will NOT list the properties. There’s more on this here.

Use Homestay. You pay a deposit online. That forms the “fees” for the service they provide (i.e. finding you for the Casa owner and letting you book). Then you pay the remainder DIRECTLY to the Casa Owner.

14th February 2025: Half of the island of Cuba “without power”

Cuba’s Electric Union (UNE) admitted that much of the country had been without power for nearly 2 days, as they were unable to generate enough power to meet the demand. Lazaro Guerra Hernandez, a Ministry of Energy and Mines official, said on television that “the system’s generation is low” because nine units of the thermoelectric plants remain out of service, “five with breakdowns and four under maintenance.”

Even the floating power plants in Havana were not functioning, as they had no fuel. Cuba has rented these ships from a Turkish company, Karpowership. During the month of February to date 41% of the country has been without power at peak times.

10th February 2025: New “Dollar” stores open around the country

Cuban Military opens dollar stores throughout Cuba. USD Cards also accepted. More here

8th February 2025: Western Union Suspends Payments to Cuba

Citing guidance from President Trump, Western Union has suspected payments to Cuba. It’s not clear whether it will be permanent. Orbit S.A. has been put on the USA watch list. The payments to Cuba by Western Union had been reactivated since May 2024 (after a suspension from 2020). U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that Orbit “acts for or on behalf of the Cuban military forces,”. The company is aware of the U.S. State Department’s plans to reissue and update the Cuba Restricted List. We will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as it pertains to this list,” Brad Jones, Western Union spokesperson, said in a written statement. More here.

31st January 2025: Cuba confirms Dengue Fever Outbreaks decreasing

Reports from the Cuban Health Ministry indicate that while there is still a risk of Dengue Fever and Oropouche virus, they are decreasing. More here.

31st January 2025: Cubas Continues Allowing Tax-Free Imports of Certain Items

The Cuban Government has extended the policy of allowing tax-free import of non-commercial traveler imports of foodstuffs, toiletries, medicines, and electricity generation equipment. It was extended until April 2025. It’s expected that it will extend after this date also. An additional set of items was added to the list of tax-free imports. to include medical materials (gowns and gloves), and hearing aids.

29 January 2025: Import Duty Exemption Continues

continues for those who bring food, hygiene products, medicines, and medical supplies for non-commercial purposes. It’s covered in Resolution 26 of 2025 by the Minister of Finance and Prices (MFP). It prolongs the exemption until April 30 of this year. The previous extension was set in September last year and was due to expire on January 31.

29 January 2025: Tourism Numbers 2024, down 9.6% year on year

International Tourism numbers at lowest levels for 20 years in 2024. with 2.2 million visitors from abroad in 2024, there was a 9.5% decline from the previous year. The Cuban Government had targered 3.2 million visitors for 2024. Canadian’s made up the largest number of travelers, following by Russia, the United States and then Germany and Spain tying for fourth place. Numbers of visitors from Russia and Mexico were the only ones to increase year on year.

The numbers are reported by ONEI, the statistical authority of Cuba.

28 January 2025 – British Cruise Ship arrives in Havana

The Ambassador Lines cruise ship, Ambition, arrived in Havana for the first time this week. The line, which is based out of Tilbury, Essex, primarily promotes “no fly” cruises with departures from the British Isles. Havana is on a 40 night voyage from the UK.

22 January 2025: No paper tourist cards after June 2025

Gihana Galindo Enríquez, of the Ministry of Tourism announced that the use of evisas will be mandatory from 30 June 2025. Paper tourist cards will no longer be allowed after this date. More here.

21 January 2025: President Trump returns Cuba to the State Sponsors of Terrorism.

More here.

20 January 2025 – Iberojet Flights resume Madrid to Santa Clara

Spanish Charter Airline, IberoJet will resume its route from Madrid to Santa Clara, Cuba in June 2025.  Flights will be weekly from June 25 to September 10 and the planned planes will have capacity for 388 passengers.  The airport at Santa Clara is perfect for visiting Cayo Santa María, Trinidad and Cienfuegos. 

14 January 2025 – President Biden Relaxes Cuba Sanctions

On 14^th Jan, outgoing US President, Joe Biden removed Cuba from the US list “State Sponsors of Terrorism.  The news is here from the archived content from the Biden White House.  On the same day he also put on hold the part of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (Libertad) Act of 1996 (Helms–Burton Act) that allows lawsuits to be filed against those doing business in Cuba.  There’s more on the Helms-Burton Act here.

Cuba was added to the US State Sponsors of Terrorism list on January 11 2021 alongside North Korea, Syria and Iran.  This meant that travelers who had visited Cuba after January 2021, and who then wished to visit the USA could no longer use the ESTA visa waiver scheme.  ESTA previously granted were automatically cancelled.  (My guide to the detail is here) Those impacted have been required to obtain a regular tourist visa to the USA.  It is unclear whether incoming President Trump will reverse this decision.

On the same day, 14 January 2025, Cuba announced that it would release 552 (mainly political) prisoners in a deal brokered by the Catholic Church.  More here.

6th January 2025 – Swiss Airline Edelweiss cancels flights to Cuba from March 2025

Citing a lack of demand, Swiss airlline, Edelweiss has announced that flights from Zurich to Havana will not be operating after 27th February 2025. More here.

1st January 2025 – Cuban eVisas now replace Tourist Cards

In a move announced in May 2024, eVisas are now replacing the paper based tourist cards. eVisas are valid for a period of 90 days initially, with a further 90 day extension allowed. This move replace the previous pink tourist cards and green tourist cards. Read about applying for evisas for Cuba here.

Reader Updates from Cuba

In a new section here on Cuba’s Best we’re hosting updates from travelers here, rather than on our email list. (Bear with me as I get the updates transferred over here!)

20th July 2025: Power situation in Trinidad Cuba

We got power for about 4 hours a day, and walking around the city, it looked like many bars and restaurants were closed. However, they will turn on the generator if you want to go in. Seems sensible, conserving power until they need it. Most casa particulars and restaurants have generators and use them when necessary. Hotels too.

29th May 2025: Melia Cayo Santa Maria Update

It seems to have been downgraded a bit. Only half of the buffet was open and the food selection wasn’t great, but the snack bar was good. I was disappointed that they’re not cooking at the main beach bar, but I guess it is going into the lower season.

17th February 2025: Now three buses a week from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa

From Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa the small bus tour is now working again. It travels on Weds and Fridays and tickets are through Cubatour. It’s 15 euros one way you have to pay with a bank card. They leave Baracoa at 6:00 am and  Santiago at 3:00 pm

Taxis are about 200 euros. Collectivo’s are cheaper. There are usually lots of touts waiting at the bus station to grab tourists. Collectivos from Calle Quattro in town. That is a cheaper option but you have to wait for the taxi / Camion to fill.

10th February 2025:

I’ safely in Varadero & flights & Viazul Bus went as scheduled. I found this Great B&B in a convoluted way, the place is Pelican House. A big room, Kitchen & Bath, really Nice & the people who run. The place couldn’t be more helpful. We are diving at Playa Coral Spectacular! I’m so glad I struggled this far & thanks for your help.

9th February 2025:

Cubans are amazingly punctual. If you ask for breakfast at your casa at 07:00, its there at 07:00!! Taxis arrive on time. Viazul Buses are usually leaving on time, one left 15 minutes late. Cienfuegos a delight. Popular with Cuban (well-off) families on holiday. Prosperous center, even a pedestrianized shopping street (av. 54), streets clean, buildings being repaired, friendly laid back locals.

19th January 2025:

We all know Cubans are going through rough times.  How can we help? One of our favorite presents are reading glasses.  We can buy them at various dollar stores.  Last trip we gave away 50 pairs.  We also bring make up items for the ladies.  We do a “collective” from everyone we know, asking for unused make up items.  We always get more than we can pack.  That is why we come home with empty suitcases.

January 17th 2025:

Our bank cards worked (Canadian), but we struggled to find ATMs that didn’t have a line, or had money. TAKE CASH WITH YOU. You get a much better exchange rate that way too! Everywhere we went people wanted paying in cash as a preference. There were some blackouts while we were there, but nothing too difficult. We took a flashlight for walking at night (and waking in the night), and a spare battery pack that we recharged when we could. But it wasn’t a problem.

November 2024:

• The only currency that worked reliably was USD. EUR works fine, but the reality is only USD works all the time, and provides consistent value.  Canadian money is accepted, but not at value, or with resistance.  We brought all CND cash, with some usd and this was clearly a mistake. 

• Using the ATMs is not an option in most of the places we were due to long lineups or no power, or just closed, plus of course, low value.
• Buy Viazul Tickets ahead of time online. Tickets are nearly impossible to buy at the station ( power outages, no connection to the server). 

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