Cuban Flag

21

Jan
2022

13 Things you should NEVER DO in Cuba

Posted By : Yaidier Perez/ 94997 4

Did you know that until 1997 it was illegal for Cubans to mix with tourists?

It’s okay! Today, even Americans are allowed to explore the country that was banned for fifty-five years, this unique island in general is safe and friendly, but there are some things that should not be done in Cuba NEVER,  specially if you are coming as a visitor.

#1 Don’t criticize Fidel!

It is illegal for Cubans to criticize the government, of course, they can discuss things covertly among themselves, but you don’t qualify. So do not dare to talk about “Castroism” or communism in informal conversations.

Painted wall in Havana

#2 Do not take pictures of the Police!

It is illegal to take pictures of the military police or the airport staff in Cuba if you want to avoid unpleasant interrogations of the authorities, do not be happy in front of these officials.

Cuban Police Officer on the street-min

#3 Don’t drink water from the tap!

Although tap water is “potable” for Cubans, it is not for tourists. Even in many hotels, the bottles of water are filled with chlorine to make tourists think that the bottle of water are sealed.

Always demand that the water bottle be opened in front of you, whether in a hotel, a bar, a restaurant or a hostel.

Water tap in Cuba

#4 Don’t bring American Express!

Due to the blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba, American Express cards do not work on the island, in fact, no debit or credit card issued by US banks will work during your vacations, so it is better to leave them on a safe place. place at home

American Express Gold Card

Note: Be careful with the place to buy cigarettes since there are many street vendors or clandestine sales points where they charge you and what they give you as authentic cigars are nothing more than rolled banana leaves.

#5 Don’t blow your nose in public!

Cubans consider this to be extremely rude, if you have a cold or allergies, it is better to take care of these things in private.

woman blowing her nose

# 6 Don’t be confused with both Currencies!

The official local currency changed is the CUC, however, there is another currency on the island, the CUP. 1 CUC = 25 CUP, so be careful of those people who offer to exchange with you on the streets, even some merchants are known to exchange and return CUP instead of CUC. If you want to know more about how to deal with the currency exchange in our country you can also check this wonderful article.

There is also a 13% gravamen when converting US dollars to CUC, so you better bring Euros, Canadian Dollars or Sterling Pounds .

Cuban Currency (CUC)-min

#7 Don’t bring Bling!

Don’t bring Bling! The average Cuban salary is about twenty dollars per month, so nothing dazzling jewelry or smartphones that can become a target for pickpockets.

Bling

#8 Do not take taxis without a License!

There are many vehicles on the street that operate as taxis, but not all are licensed to be safe vehicles for tourists, you must stick to these to avoid falling into any scam.

Classic Car Taxi in Cuba

#9 Do not pay the departure tax!

It was well known to all the recurring tourists to the island that everyone had to save $ 25 CUC per person to pay the country’s departure tax at the airport, and although this changed since March 2015 and is now included in the passage of plane, there are still some agencies that want to “charge” the $ 25 CUC per person.

A cuban gift

#10 Don’t talk about politics!

Most Cubans are divided into two large groups, those who support the government and those who are against the government, if you speak against the government or the revolution in front of the wrong people you may be denounced and end up in an awkward interrogation in the police station, if you are lucky and do it with those who are not in favor, they will still lie to you and say they are in favor of the revolution, so talking about politics does not make much sense in Cuba and will only bring you problems.

A paint of El Che on a Street in Havana Cuba

#11 Don’t stay at not authorized “Casa Particulares”

Private houses for rent for tourists have a very peculiar hostel logo on the outside, like the one shown in the photograph. You may have legal problems if you decide to stay elsewhere and probably do not meet the basic quality standards.

We recommend looking for the right Casa Particular by reviewing the comments that other travelers leave on social networks such as TripAdvisor, Lonely Planet or Facebook. If this seems tedious, you can contact us and we can gladly recommend a good hostel to stay.

Casas Particulares

#12 Don’t forget to tip workers!

The salary in Cuba is very low and the cost of living is quite high, so Cubans who work in the tourism sector do so practically for the tip and not for the salary they receive at the end of each month.

How much to tip? Well this is the question everyone asks, and the most honest answer is this: Tip the same as you would give an employee of the same category in your country.

Do not feel forced to tip always, do so only when you think the service has been good and expectations are exceeded.

Tips Container

#13 Do not consume Drugs!

Cubans can receive the death penalty for drug use. Tourists, however, can be sent to a maximum-security prison.

young men saying no to the cigarette-min

It is good to mention that Cuba is not a country where there is a lot of drugs, in fact, it is very rare to find people using drugs in the streets and much less in the discos, but if someone came to offer them, the answer must be a “No,” Cuba is not Jamaica, in Cuba the security is very strict in this regard.

…and most important of all: Don’t delay coming here!

Cuba is a magical country that you will want to see before the capitalist industry consumes it and erases that scenario and authentic traditions scattered throughout the country.

A cuban woman smiling

You may also like

Chevrolet 1957

Havana Tour

Cayo Santa Maria

CLASSIC CARS IN CUBA

4 Comments
  • Avatar
    Tony
    January 24, 2020

    Excellent tips and outline. Varadero and Havana are my my favourite destination vacation places and I enjoy staying at Sol Palmeras when in Varadero. Excellent Mansgement, professional staff, nice resort, good food, clean premises etc.

    Reply to Tony" aria-label='Reply to Tony'>Reply
  • Avatar
    France
    June 20, 2020

    First of all, you CAN DRINK THE WATER in Cuba. I have been drinking more then 6 glasses of local water in remote communities in Cuba for more than 3 years. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Second: American Express is now allowed and used in Cuba.

    I have been traveling to cuba in resorts and remote communities since 2013, 2-3 times a year and spent 9 months in the last year in Cuba. I practically live there. I know what I am talking about !!!!!

    Third: The departure taxes have been removed for at least 2 years now.

    Forth: ……..and most important of all: Don’t delay going there !

    Reply to France" aria-label='Reply to France'>Reply

Leave your comment

Please enter comment.
Please enter your name.
Please enter your email address.
Please enter a valid email address.