Exercise caution — there are real risks that travellers should plan around. Civil liberties are tightly restricted and political expression can carry risk.
Regional breakdown
The current warnings apply to the whole island rather than to specific provinces. Both official advisories treat Cuba as one risk picture. That said, conditions on the ground vary a lot between Havana, the resort strip at Varadero. And the eastern provinces around Santiago de Cuba and Holguín. Havana is where most travellers land and where the power crisis is most visible day to day. Daily blackouts of up to 12 hours have been reported in the capital since late 2024. Hotels often run on generators, but shops, traffic lights, and water pumps frequently go down. Petty theft, pickpocketing, and bag snatching are reported across central Havana, including Habana Vieja and the Malecón. Outside the capital, blackouts tend to last longer and fuel is harder to find. Varadero, Cayo Coco, and Cayo Santa María still operate as resort enclaves, but transfers and excursions have been disrupted by fuel shortages. In the east, Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, and Baracoa are more exposed to storm damage and slower repair times. US Embassy staff face internal travel limits, which can shrink the help available to travellers outside Havana.
Recent advisory changes
The official advisory guidance updated its Cuba page on 2 April 2026 and now warns against all but essential travel to the country. The trigger is the collapse of basic services rather than political violence. The notice points to nationwide power cuts, fuel shortages. And the fact that Cuba's international airports have run out of aviation fuel at points in recent weeks. Several carriers, including Canadian operators, Air France, and LATAM, have cut or suspended flights. The official advisory guidance warns that the situation can get worse quickly and with little notice. The official advisory guidance last reissued its Cuba advisory on 7 May 2025 at Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution. It has not moved to Level 3 or Level 4, and there is no ordered departure for US government staff. The US notice focuses on rising violent crime, including armed robbery and homicide, alongside the long-running blackouts that began in October 2024. It also reminds travellers that tourist travel to Cuba is restricted under US law and generally requires an OFAC licence. The gap between official advisories positions reflects different thresholds rather than different facts on the ground.
What travellers should know
Anyone still planning a trip should treat power, fuel, and cash as the main planning problems. Card payments are unreliable, ATMs often sit idle during blackouts, and US-issued cards do not work. Bring enough euros or pounds in cash to cover the full stay, and split the money across bags. Book accommodation that has a working generator and confirm it in writing. Keep phones, power banks, and torches charged whenever electricity is on. Medical care is under heavy strain. Hospitals report shortages of medicines, anaesthetics, and basic supplies, so travellers should bring a personal medical kit and any prescription drugs in original packaging. Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is important, and it should be checked against official advisory guidance wording. Since some policies void cover when a government warns against travel. Avoid large gatherings and protests, follow instructions from local authorities, and keep valuables out of sight in Havana and on intercity routes. Register for official advisory guidance email alerts and check flight status directly with the airline before heading to José Martí or other international airports.