COVID-19 Travel Restrictions: Cuba

Latest Updates

Cuba is the third most vaccinated country globally, behind only the United Arab Emirates and Portugal. 93.05% of people have received at least one dose of the country’s five vaccines. Two of those five – Abdala and Soberana – were subsequently sold abroad to several countries worldwide.

The collaboration of the tourism industry and the government, and security measures carried out by citizens, make Cuba one of the safest and most comfortable destinations to travel to.

Flying to Cuba: Entry Requirements

List entry requirements

• As of January 23, 2023, all travelers who plan to enter the country will have to fill in an online form with personal and health information up to 48 hours before their trip. More information here.
• As of April 6, 2022, the presentation of a complete vaccination schedule or a negative result of a PCR-RT, will be eliminated as a requirement for entry into the country.
• Sampling for SARS CoV-2 (free of charge) will continue to be carried out randomly on travelers at points of entry into the country, taking into account the number of flights, the entry of vessels, and the epidemiological risk posed by the country of origin.

What exemptions are there to these entry requirements?

• Children up to 12 years of age

Is a negative COVID test required for entry? 

No

Are there health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? 

Yes. Cuban health authorities will randomly select arriving passengers for COVID-19 screening, to include the collection of a sample for a PCR test.

Is there a curfew in place?

No

Are there restrictions on interstate/city travel?

No

Are commercial flights operating? 

Yes

Is public transport operating?

Yes

Fines for non-compliance

Failure to comply may result in fines ranging from 2000 CUP to 3000CUP (Around 85$ to 125$) depending on the seriousness of the violation.

Public Rules in Cuba

Masks are no longer mandatory except for medical consultations and hospitalization services that require it, and areas with restrictions during outbreak controls.

COVID-19 Testing in Cuba

Are PCR and antigen tests available for U.S. & Canadian citizens in Cuba? 

Yes. There are many state medical centers where the test can be performed for 30 USD, payable by Visa or Mastercard credit card.

You can consult here the list of centers.

The result is collected in person at the testing clinic through a code or reference number given to you when the test is performed. It is delivered in paper format.

If so, can you get test results reliably available within one calendar day? 

Yes. If this is critical, you must confirm this with the private center you choose, but normally you can expect to receive your test upon completion or within a few hours.

For information on limited humanitarian exemptions, please review the following page: 

Airplane and cruise ship crews staying less than 48 hours in the national territory will be exempted from these measures. In both cases, they will have to present their complete vaccination schedule.

Cruise ship and pleasure boat passengers will have to present an international certificate of vaccination against COVID-19 to enter the country.

Foreign travelers who arrive in Cuba and are part of the enrollment of international schools, scholarships in Cuban institutions, technicians, and foreign collaborators who are hosted, will undergo an eight-day quarantine in their respective centers, and a PCR-RT will be performed on the seventh day of their arrival.

Returning Home

We recommend taking into account some considerations such as: 

• Checking-in online if possible and take your boarding pass to the airport on your mobile or printed
• Arriving earlier than usual at the airport because the security checks and check-in process may be slower than usual
• Bear in mind that some airlines have restricted the amount of cabin baggage allowed
• Wearing a face mask is mandatory throughout the airport (remember that masks with exhalation valves are not permitted)
• The airport is marked with 1.5 m social-distancing signs
• Your destination country will probably ask you for a record of your flight. We recommend checking the healthcare and documentation requirements of the country you are traveling to

Useful Links:

• Ministry of Tourism in Cuba
• Travel.State.Gov
• Travel and Tourism Government of Canada
• US Embassy and Consulate in Cuba
• Canada Embassy in Cuba
• Presidency and government of Cuba
• Cuban Ministry of Health COVID- 19 site

Other links:

• COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov
• CDC page on COVID-19
• Yes, Cuban health authorities will randomly select arriving passengers for COVID-19 screening, to include the collection of a sample for a PCR test.
•