Is It Safe to Travel to Cuba in 2026?
Cuba - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country in the Caribbean. It comprises the eponymous main island as well as 4,195 islands, islets, and cays.
Is It Safe to Travel to Cuba in 2026?
Cuba is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in Cuba due to crime and unreliable electrical power. Petty crime, including pickpocketing and car break-ins, poses a risk for travelers in Cuba. Violent crime, including armed robbery and homicide, is on the rise in Cuba. Travel to Cuba without an OFAC license is illegal, and U.S. citizens must comply with OFAC regulations. Cuba's electrical supply is unreliable, with daily power cuts lasting up to 12 hours in Havana.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- crime
- other
The overall security situation has been worsening recently. Contributing factors: Violent crime, including armed robbery and homicide, is on the rise in Cuba., Petty crime, including pickpocketing and car break-ins, poses a risk for travelers in Cuba..
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers face significant risks from petty crime, including pickpocketing and armed robbery, particularly in urban areas like Havana.
Business travelers may encounter disruptions due to unreliable electrical power and potential delays in transportation, but major hotels and business districts are generally secure.
Families with children should be cautious of health risks, including waterborne diseases, and limited healthcare access outside major cities.
Remote workers can find reliable WiFi in urban areas, but should be prepared for power outages that can disrupt connectivity.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Cuba.
Regional Safety Breakdown
▶Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution1 region
▶Cuba
General advisory for the entire country due to crime and power supply issues.
Cuba has 1 distinct regions with varying advisory levels. Risk conditions differ significantly by area.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Cuba has an overall threat severity of 3.9 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 6.0/10, terrorism risk 0.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Not Free — scored 12/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Required
Currency
Cuban Peso (CUP)
Language
Spanish
Notable restrictions:
- Travel to Cuba without an OFAC license is illegal.
Vaccinations
Recommended:
Active health notices:
- alertChikungunya in Cuba: There is an outbreak of chikungunya in Cuba. Mosquitoes spread the virus that causes chikungunya.
- watchGlobal Dengue: Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks commonly occurring every 2–5 years. Travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites.
- infoOropouche in the Americas: Areas in several countries are reporting a low number of cases of Oropouche. Oropouche is spread primarily through the bites of infected midges (small flies) and mosquitoes.
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Cuba
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Cuba?
▶Is it safe to travel to Cuba right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Cuba?
▶What vaccines do I need for Cuba?
▶Is Cuba safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Cuba?
More Cuba Data
Not Free — 12/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.