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Ultimate Cuba Packing List: What to Bring to Cuba?

Ultimate Cuba Packing List: What to Bring to Cuba?

Despite a recent tourism boom Cuba is still a challenging destination and might not be a perfect place for first-time travelers unless you stay in a resort in Varadero. But if you pack for Cuba accordingly you’ll be more than fine. Here are my tips on the ultimate Cuba packing list.

Packing List for Cuba
Cuba Packing List

Ultimate Cuba Packing List (updated for 2019)

If you want to travel around Cuba you need to pack accordingly as they’re certain things you can’t easily purchase in Cuba. But special preparations required for a Cuban trip shouldn’t put you off – nearly half of last year’s tourists were returning visitors, so people seemed to be very satisfied with Cuba. So was I.

One would think that while the number of U.S. visitors to Cuba has nearly doubled this year, traveling around the county and purchasing western supplies got slightly easier.

Surprisingly, it turned out that Cuba wasn’t fully prepared for the sudden tourism boom as the country was reported to be running out of beer. Anyways, you probably won’t be bringing your own beer to Cuba but you might have to bring other things with you…

First things first though. If you’re coming to Cuba from the US don’t forget to pack some US dollars in cash as you won’t be able to withdraw any money from your US bank account. You’ll get CUC in exchange to use in Cuba as the country has two currencies – one for tourists and one for locals.Cuban shop


What to Pack for Cuba?

I’m not going to tell you to bring an X number of t-shirts and X pairs of underwear you might need because it’s totally up to you. Staying in casas particulares we’ve never experienced an issue with the laundry. I’m going to give you a list of essential things to pack for Cuba and some gadgets that are gonna make your life easier.

But one thing you should invest in regardless of your destination is packing cubes. While I used a simple and cheap version of them from eBags, my friend Bethany wrote a complete guide to them. They’ll make your life easier when it comes to separation of clean and dirty clothes, or simply saving space.

A lot of people asked me whether they should take just a carry-on or a checked suitcase. As I usually pack light I brought my small suitcase with me, but my husband had to check a bag as we brought a bunch of camera equipment with us. Neither of us had any issues.What to Pack for Cuba

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READ MORE: Things to Know Before Traveling to Cuba


What to Wear in Cuba?

Before heading to Cuba we read that men shouldn’t wear shorts in Cuba, but upon arrival, we realized that this statement was far from reality.

Everyone in Havana dresses very casually and simple, so you can wear anything starting from baggy pants and finishing on nice dresses. Nobody really cared.

Bikinis, shorts, sandals, sleeveless cotton dresses and shirts are the order of the day. It gets a little chilly in the evenings, so the sweater should be brought as well.

Bring one fancy outfit if you’re planning on going for the Tropicana Show (and you should!) as people tend to dress for the show like they’d be going at least for an afternoon tea with Queen Elizabeth. You could feel out of place in a simple outfit.

IMPORTANT: You might want to bring a few extra t-shirts or other clothes that you don’t mind leaving behind, as many Cubans will ask you to leave them some clothes.

It will most likely make their day, if not week, so keep this in mind when you’re packing for Cuba. If you have some spare toys at home try to bring them too to make the kids happy.


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Here’s what you should put in your suitcase:

You need to be careful when packing for Cuba as you won’t be able to re-buy a lot of things. But first things first: bring cash.

American cards obviously won’t work in Cuba and while my European card worked just fine, ATMs aren’t located at every street corner and almost no one will accept payment by card.

Cosmetics

Bring everything you need for your entire stay. While you get get a basic shampoo and lotion in a Cuban store, you can’t really find a hair conditioner, mascaras and other ‘luxurious’ stuff.

If you don’t want to carry liquids around try the dry shampoo. No more exploded shampoo after a long flight, no more hauling heavy liquids, no more plastic bottles I can’t find a place to recycle. I love it.

my new favorite cosmetic organizer

My favorite organizer: Origami Unicorn

Medicines

A fully stocked medical kit should be packed as part of your travel luggage.

Contact Lenses

You need to remember to bring a full set of contact lenses and solution for this trip as I’ve never seen any possibility of re-buying them in Cuba.

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Insect Repellent

It’s an absolute must. Mosquitos almost ate me alive. Don’t bother with a natural one, just go ahead and get the deet or the eucalyptus one. You’ll thank me later.

Sunscreen

It goes without saying. Cuba is in the Caribbean after all.

Flip-flops & Sneakers

Especially if you are visiting Havana, be sure to bring with you close shoes. The city is dusty and dirty in a certain area and will be safer for you.

Wetsuit & Snorkel Gear

Diving and snorkeling in Cuba are great and extremely cheap. Bring your own equipment if you have a set.

P.S. A lot of people told us to bring our own soap and toilet paper, so we did. I’ve never experienced a lack of any of the above, not even in a small village, so I wouldn’t bother.DSC05928


READ MORE: Carry-on Packing Guide


Useful Travel Gadgets for Traveling to Cuba:

Lifestraw Water Bottle
I heard other tourists complaining that it’s hard to find water. While I’ve never experienced any issues you can bring a Lifestraw water filter, so you don’t need to worry about buying drinks anymore. You might as well drink straight from a puddle.

Torch
Light might occasionally go out in Cuba, so bring a torch to be safe.

Microfiber Towel
Whether you’re going backpacking or glamping at a luxury hotel you should probably pack a microfiber towel. It won’t take any space, but you might find it useful when you’re going to the beach and don’t want to carry a big hotel towel around.

Baby Powder
Baby powder can be used in more ways than just cleaning babies. Greasy hair? Baby powder. No moisturizer? Baby powder. Smelly clothes? Baby Powder. Oil stains on your clothes? Baby powder. The list goes on.Traveling to Cuba


READ MORE: Best Carry-On Luggage


Suggested books for Cuba:

The Rough Guide to Cuba
Real Havana: Explore Like a Local


Don’t forget to arrange health insurance before heading to Cuba. Visitors are often stopped at the border and checked if they have valid insurance.

In case you don’t have one, you might be forced to buy a Cuban one. But not all insurances cover Cuba. World Nomads Travel Insurance covers Cuba since a few months ago, so you might want to get their insurance, as it’s the best out there.

Shelley Johnston

Monday 10th of February 2020

HI: We been to Cuba many times .when you book you will get a wonderful list in what to bring to your resort .I like to bring pringles (chips) in the tube can-trail mix-licorice-I always bring gum to chew on the plane before take off and wear ear plugs..always bring 3-4 rolls of toilet paper - Kleenex-baby wipes are good-hand sanitizer-gifts for maids-such as band-aids-personal items-I bring Tylenol -rolaids-immodium and pepto-it is good to take one in the morning and at suppertime..with changing your food being in a different country it ensures that you will not get diarrhea-you can bring your own ketchup if you want but theirs is good just sometimes not always readily available.-or simply enjoy what they offer-the food is great!I take bug spray -lip balm to the beach-to ensure possibly the sand fleas stay out of my way.I take eye drops-polysporin as well in my suitcase-first aid small kit-face cloths they do not provide-I take many more things but most all are listed on the travel list the agent provides-enjoy your vacation!!!

Ken M

Thursday 16th of January 2020

Going to Cuba? No way no how you can go; leave me at home

Doro

Thursday 26th of December 2019

I heard so many things about Cuba and they may not all be true. I heard you have to enter as a group with the new law after June 2019. I heard about the cruise that was turned back. Then I heard that is not true. Then some people said not to bring gifts, and bring toilet paper! I am going this week with a group of teachers. I guess I will find out on my own. Thanks for the packing list.

Ann Claydon

Thursday 31st of October 2019

Thanks for your blog and advice Anna, we too are off to Cuba in Dec on a private tour around the island. Looking forward to it.

Susan Brauner

Thursday 29th of August 2019

I wish there were more up to date info. I'm going to Cuba in December 2019. I appreciate the info on gifts. Im an avid traveler and I buy inexpensive clothes to travel in then leave them. Hotel staff may have access to soap etc, but they work hard for little money and can always use nice US clothes. How's the TP situation 2019? Thanks for all the info. I'll be checking back before i leave.

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