The US State Department urges increased caution in Cuba, while the UK and Canada both advise against any trip to Cuba that is not necessary. For most travelers that adds up to reconsider: go only if the trip matters, and plan for power cuts, fuel shortages, rising crime and no international card payments. At Safe to Go, we check whether Cuba is safe against all three advisories every day, and in Cuba’s case the UK advice covers the whole country rather than one region.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) describes shortages of fuel, electricity and water, repeated grid collapses, frequent protests and airlines suspending flights. The US adds a legal problem: for anyone subject to US jurisdiction, travel to Cuba without an Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) license is illegal.
Whole-Country Warnings and the Places in Cuba With Extra Risk
The UK FCDO advice covers the whole of Cuba, and Canada’s advice is to avoid trips that are not necessary. The US State Department advisory names crime and unreliable electrical power as its reasons.
What we see travelers misread most often is a national level that mostly concerns a few remote regions. Cuba is the opposite case. The US describes several prolonged nationwide power outages since October 2024.
The FCDO reports muggings in Havana, pickpockets and bag-snatchers in the streets of Old Havana, and fake taxi drivers working at the airport and around Old Havana. It also advises care when driving in central Havana, particularly at night.
Outside the capital, the power problem gets worse. The US says scheduled and unscheduled power cuts last up to 12 hours a day in Havana and even longer elsewhere. The FCDO adds that electricity and water services in the east of Cuba remain severely damaged after Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.
Remote roads carry their own risk. The FCDO reports attacks on foreigners in hire cars after tyres were deliberately punctured. If you get a puncture in a remote area, it advises driving on to the nearest town before you stop.
US Embassy employees must follow a special notification process with the Cuban government before they travel outside the capital. The State Department says this can affect the embassy’s ability to help US citizens in an emergency.
Crime, Blackouts, Taxis and Protests in Cuba
The risks the governments name for ordinary visitors are crime, power and fuel shortages, unsafe transport, protests and hurricanes. Each one comes with a precaution you can act on.
The US lists pickpocketing, purse snatching and car break-ins, and it says violent crime, including armed robbery and homicide, is on the rise. The FCDO says crime has reportedly increased, though data suggests levels are generally lower than in the UK. It links the rise in opportunistic theft to the economic situation.
The FCDO advises you to avoid walking at night, pre-arrange transport, carry a photocopy of your passport and leave valuables in a hotel safe. It also flags theft from luggage at the airport and from rooms.
Power cuts affect far more than lights. The FCDO says the national grid has collapsed several times, further collapses are likely, and low fuel is disrupting transport, medical care, communications, water supply and street lighting. Some hotels and hospitals run generators, but the US warns they may struggle to keep them running during a long outage because fuel is scarce.
The FCDO’s precaution is to conserve fuel, water, food and phone charge, and to be ready for heavy disruption. It also says access to safe drinking water can be a problem.
Transport carries a death risk in one named vehicle. The FCDO says tourists have been injured and killed riding three-wheel Coco-taxis. It calls official yellow taxis generally reliable and advises against private taxis and old classic cars unless you book them through a reputable company.
Driving at night is the other transport hazard. The FCDO describes badly maintained vehicles, drivers who stop suddenly without signalling, little street lighting and poorly signposted roads. Animals, unlit vehicles and potholes are hard to see after dark.
Protests have become frequent as shortages worsen. The FCDO says most have stayed peaceful but can escalate, and that unapproved demonstrations may be broken up by the authorities. The US notes that peaceful assembly and free speech are not protected rights in Cuba and says US citizens should avoid protests or demonstrations.
Hurricane season runs from June to November. Heavy rain brings flash floods and landslides, and flights can be delayed or cancelled. The FCDO also says strong earthquakes are not common in Cuba.
- Do not pack valuables in hold luggage, and lock your suitcases.
- Shrink-wrap luggage before check-in if you can.
- Watch for theft from private guest houses (casas particulares).
- Keep phones and laptops out of sight, since the FCDO says thieves target them.
- Do not carry large amounts of cash or wear expensive-looking jewellery.
Where the US, UK and Canada Agree and Differ on Cuba
The UK and Canada advise against travel that is not necessary, while the US urges caution. When the three disagree, we show all three and lean on the strictest for the area you are visiting, which in Cuba means the UK and Canadian advice. Our methodology page explains how we weigh them.
| Government | Scope of the warning | Reasons it names |
|---|---|---|
| US State Department | Increased caution advised | Crime, unreliable power, OFAC rules on tourist travel |
| UK FCDO | Whole country | Shortages, grid collapses, protests, flight suspensions, card payments, crime |
| Canada | Avoid trips that are not necessary | See Canada’s Cuba page for its reasons |
Travelers Who Should Skip Cuba for Now
Cuba is a poor choice for a US citizen planning a pure beach or sightseeing holiday. US law and regulation do not allow travel to Cuba for tourist activities, and the State Department says breaking the OFAC rules can bring penalties and criminal prosecution.
It also fails anyone who plans to pay by card. The FCDO says international Visa and Mastercard cards are no longer accepted and ATMs will not give cash on them. Travelers who cannot change plans quickly should look elsewhere too, because the FCDO warns that options for leaving could shrink if the situation worsens.
If you wanted Cuba for a Caribbean beach break, our list of the safest Caribbean islands ranks other options. You can also compare destinations side by side before you book.
Our verdict would move toward yes-with-care if the UK and Canada dropped their advice against trips that are not necessary. It would harden if the US raised its level or the FCDO advised against all travel to Cuba.
Drug, Photo and Money-Exchange Laws That Can Lead to Detention
Three Cuban laws carry serious penalties for visitors. Cuba has zero tolerance for illegal drugs, and the FCDO says courts can hand down severe penalties. Pack your own bags and never carry items for anyone else.
Stay away from military zones and other restricted areas, and do not photograph or film them. The FCDO says holding photos or information about military sites can be treated as espionage.
Exchange money only at Cadeca exchange houses. Swapping cash with individuals who offer exchange services is illegal and can bring a fine or prison. If you are suspected of breaking the law or injuring someone, the FCDO says you may be stopped from leaving Cuba during the investigation and trial.
Cash, Insurance, STEP and Transfers to Sort Before You Fly
Most of the preparation for Cuba comes down to cash, legal paperwork and transport booked in advance. The FCDO says to bring enough cash for the whole stay plus an emergency, such as medical treatment or a delayed flight. US dollars and euros are widely accepted and can be exchanged in Cuba.
Flights are the other planning problem. The FCDO says Cuban authorities have announced that all international airports are without aviation fuel, and only Terminal 3 at José Martí International Airport is operating. All Canadian airlines, Air France, Iberia, World2Fly and LATAM have suspended flights.
- Ask your hotel and tour provider how to pay before arrival, including whether an international bank transfer works.
- Buy travel insurance that names Cuba and covers your itinerary, activities and emergency expenses.
- US citizens: enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
- US travelers: confirm your trip fits 1 of the 12 travel categories authorized by a general OFAC license, or apply for a specific license.
- Book your airport transfer with your tour operator, or use a registered yellow taxi.
- Pre-book return rides on taxi apps, since Wi-Fi and data signal are limited.
- Check that your travel documents are valid and that you hold any visa needed for onward travel.
- Download our free travel safety checklist to tick these off.
How to Check Whether Cuba Is Safe Right Now
The panel above shows today’s advice from all three governments, refreshed daily, so start there before you book or board. Then read the full pages from the US State Department, the UK FCDO and Canada for detail on flights, fuel and protests.
The US tells travelers to check local news often, and the FCDO says to monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities. If you are already in Cuba, the FCDO asks you to consider whether your presence is necessary and to watch for messages from your airline or tour operator. See our latest advisory changes page.