A little more
Cuba.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Cuba: what to know before you go

Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, known for the colonial streets of Havana and Trinidad, vintage American cars, tobacco fields in the Viñales valley, live music on almost every corner and long white beaches. Travel here takes more planning than elsewhere in the region: cash, connectivity and transport all need preparation. It suits curious, patient travellers interested in history, music and everyday life. Check your government's current travel advice before you go.

Where to go

• Old Havana (La Habana Vieja). A UNESCO-listed historic centre of plazas, colonial palaces and baroque churches, including the Plaza de la Catedral and Plaza Vieja.
• Viñales Valley. Limestone hills called mogotes rise out of red-earth tobacco fields in the west.
• Trinidad. A colonial town of cobbled streets and pastel houses, with live music on the steps beside the main square in the evenings.
• Cienfuegos. A bayside city founded by French settlers, with a grand central park, a neoclassical theatre and a waterfront peninsula, Punta Gorda, lined with ornate mansions.

Best time to visit

The dry season, roughly from November to April, is the most comfortable time to visit, with warm days and lower humidity, and it is also the busiest. May to October is hotter and wetter, with heavy afternoon showers.

Staying online in Cuba

Mobile data is available in Havana and other cities and has improved in recent years, but speeds can be slow and coverage is patchy in rural areas, on the cays and in the mountains. Public Wi-Fi hotspots exist in some parks, squares and hotels, often requiring access cards, and hotel Wi-Fi is frequently slow. Some websites and apps may not work normally. Power cuts can affect service. Download offline maps, translation packs and booking confirmations before you travel, install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.