Written by Álvaro Mollerena, based on more than six years living in Cuba on and off. Last updated June 2026.

I’ve been living in Cuba on and off for over six years now — long enough to stop being shocked, and long enough to watch tourists make the same handful of mistakes over and over. This is a practical guide to the things not to do in Cuba: the small misjudgments around water, money, safety, and electricity that can quietly wreck a trip. If you want the full picture before you land, start with our Cuba travel guide.

I’m not here to romanticize Cuba or scare you off. The paradoxes everyone talks about aren’t really paradoxes once you live here — they’re just how things work. So consider this the briefing I wish someone had given me: seven mistakes to avoid, why each one matters, and exactly what to do instead.

📌 Updated June 2026 — a major change to how money works in Cuba (Visa & Mastercard now suspended). Full details in section 2.

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What Not to Do in Cuba: Quick Answer

Short on time? Here are the seven mistakes to avoid in Cuba:

1. Don’t drink the tap water — bottled only, even for brushing your teeth.
2. Don’t rely on credit or debit cards — as of June 2026, Visa and Mastercard are suspended.
3. Don’t exchange money at the official rate without checking the real (informal) rate first.
4. Don’t book a place to stay without asking whether it has a generator.
5. Don’t assume you can top up mobile data anytime — tourist SIMs limit recharges.
6. Don’t speak openly about politics — especially around Cubans, for their sake.
7. Don’t walk alone through dark streets at night — use official taxis.
8. Don’t eat at random street stalls without checking reviews or a local’s recommendation.

Cuba Travel Mistakes at a Glance

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1. Don’t Drink Tap Water in Cuba

You’ll hear this warning and think it doesn’t apply to you. It does.

I’ve watched countless visitors convince themselves that the warning is exaggerated. “Surely a little bit won’t hurt.” “I have a strong stomach.” “I’ll just brush my teeth with it.” Three days later, they’re stuck in a bathroom situation they won’t forget, and every Cuban around them is pretending very hard not to notice.

The thing is, if you grow up here, your body adapts. Cubans have been drinking this water their entire lives. Their systems have learned to handle it in ways yours simply hasn’t. It’s not about being weak or delicate. It’s about biological reality. Your stomach doesn’t have the immunity.

What happens is this: Cuba’s water treatment infrastructure doesn’t meet the standards you’re used to. There’s mineral content, there’s microbial contamination, and there’s the simple fact that pipes in this country are old and rusty. Even when water comes out clear, it carries things you can’t see. Hotels will tell you their water is filtered. Maybe it is. But I wouldn’t bet my vacation on it.

What to do instead: Buy sealed bottled water the moment you land. Ciego Montero is everywhere—at state-run stores, at your casa particular, at pharmacies. It costs almost nothing. Keep bottles in your room, in your bag, everywhere. When you’re at a restaurant or bar, specify you want bottled water and watch them open it in front of you. Even when brushing your teeth, use bottled water. I know it sounds paranoid. It’s not. It’s just how it works here — the CDC’s Cuba traveler health page gives the same advice on food and water. See our full Cuba packing list for everything else you’ll want to bring.

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2. Don’t Exchange Money at the Official Rate in Cuba

Here’s where your ignorance will cost you real money.

The official exchange rate—the one you’ll find at banks, at the airport, at official CADECA bureaus (the rate the Banco Central de Cuba sets)—is almost comically bad. I’m talking about losing 20-30% of your money’s value before you’ve even spent a single peso. It’s not a scam exactly. It’s just the government setting a rate that benefits the government, not you.

Everyone who actually lives here knows this. Cubans know it. Expats know it. Long-term visitors know it. The informal market exists precisely because the official rate is so terrible that no one with options uses it.

When I first moved here, I made this mistake. I thought I was being smart and legitimate by using the official channels. I watched my money evaporate and felt genuinely stupid. Never again.

The real rate exists, and it’s published daily. El Toque, an independent news outlet, publishes the informal exchange rates for Euros, US Dollars, and MLC every single day. These published rates are what everyone on the street uses as their benchmark. Check before you come. Check while you’re here. Know the number.

How to actually exchange money: Ask your casa particular owner. They have connections. They can facilitate an exchange with someone trustworthy at rates that match El Toque’s published figures. It’s not shady. It’s how things work. Your casa owner benefits from you getting a good rate because you’ll spend more money in the neighborhood, and they’ll see you again. Everyone wins. For a deeper dive, read our Cuba money and internet guide.

If you’re uncomfortable with that, at minimum, research the rate before you come and know what you should be getting. Don’t just accept whatever someone offers you.

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3. Don’t Book a Casa in Cuba Without Asking About a Generator

This is the detail that separates a tolerable stay from a miserable one.

Blackouts—”apagones”—are part of Cuban life. Not occasionally. Regularly. Especially outside of Havana. They can last hours. They can happen at night when you’re trying to sleep, or during the day when you’re back at your room trying to escape the heat.

Imagine coming back to your accommodation after a day of exploring, sweaty and exhausted, ready to cool down. The power is out. There’s no air conditioning. There’s no fan. There’s no way to charge your phone. The heat in a closed room in Cuba is not a minor inconvenience. It’s genuinely oppressive. It affects your sleep. It affects your mood. It affects whether you can actually function.

But here’s the thing: many places have generators. They’re called “plantas eléctricas” locally. When the neighborhood goes dark, these generators kick in and keep essential services running.

Before you book anywhere—hotel, hostel, casa particular—ask this one question: “Do you have a planta eléctrica?” If they say yes, ask if it covers air conditioning and outlets. If they seem unsure or evasive, keep looking. This single detail will determine whether your room becomes a refuge or a sauna. Our guide to Havana neighborhoods can also help you pick the right area.

I’ve seen people spend hundreds of dollars on accommodation without asking this. Then they arrive during a blackout and regret every decision that led them to that moment.

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4. Don’t Assume You Can Top Up Mobile Data Anytime in Cuba

Cuba’s internet situation is… complicated. Not terrible, but definitely not what you’re used to.

You can buy WiFi cards to use in public parks. You can get a tourist SIM card at the airport. These things exist. The problem is that they come with restrictions that most travel guides conveniently leave out.

The trap: Tourist SIM card data plans often only allow you to recharge once per month. Once. So if you buy a plan with, say, 5GB of data, and you run through it in two weeks, you’re stuck. You can’t add more data until the month resets. If you find a workaround, you’ll be charged rates so absurd that you’ll question your entire life.

I’ve watched people run out of data mid-trip and have to hunt down someone selling an overpriced top-up on the black market. It’s frustrating and expensive.

What to do: Buy the largest data package you can afford from the moment you arrive at the airport. Budget it carefully for your entire stay. If you’re here for two weeks, calculate how much you actually need and then get a bit more as a buffer. Or rely on public WiFi hotspots in parks and tourist zones, which work during posted hours but are crowded and unpredictable.

The bottom line: don’t count on being able to fix your internet situation once you’re here. Plan it before you land.

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5. Don’t Talk Politics Openly in Cuba

This is where I need to be direct with you.

Cuba’s political environment is delicate. Not in a fragile way, but in a way that has real consequences. While Cubans are generally warm and welcoming to travelers, criticizing the government—especially publicly—is a serious mistake.

For you, as a tourist, it could result in being flagged, potentially blacklisted, prevented from returning to Cuba. In extreme cases, it could mean questioning by authorities. That’s not fear-mongering. That’s reality.

For a Cuban you’re speaking with? The consequences are exponentially worse. Employment consequences. Legal complications. Things that actually impact their life in ways they can’t recover from.

I’ve been here long enough to understand that this isn’t about being polite. It’s about respect. It’s about recognizing that you’re a guest in someone’s country, and your casual political opinion isn’t worth the risk you’re creating for the people around you.

What to do: Don’t engage with political topics. Full stop. Talk about music, about culture, about food, about daily life, about whatever you want—except this. If someone brings politics up, politely redirect. Your Cuban friends will appreciate it more than you know.

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6. Don’t Walk Alone at Night in Havana (or Anywhere in Cuba)

Cuba is safer than many places in the Caribbean. That doesn’t mean you should test it.

Petty crime exists. Most of it happens when tourists put themselves in vulnerable situations: walking alone late at night, displaying expensive jewelry or electronics, traveling through neighborhoods they don’t know in poorly lit areas.

It’s not rampant. It’s not like you can’t go out at night. But you need to be smart about it.

I’ve been here long enough that I move through Havana with confidence. But I also move with awareness. I don’t flash my phone. I don’t wear jewelry. I use official taxis late at night instead of walking. I stick to well-populated areas. For a full breakdown, read our Cuba safety guide, and check the U.S. State Department Cuba page for current advisories before you travel.

The practical rules:

• Don’t walk alone late at night, especially in poorly lit areas away from main tourist streets
• Don’t display expensive items—phone, jewelry, large amounts of cash
• Use official taxis for late-night transportation
• Travel with a companion when possible
• Stay aware of your surroundings, always

This isn’t paranoia. It’s just common sense applied to a place where common sense matters.

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7. Don’t Eat at Random Street Stalls in Cuba

Cuban food is incredible. But some street food stalls operate without refrigeration or hygiene standards that would make you uncomfortable.

Not all of them. Some are fantastic. But you need to know the difference.

I’ve eaten at plenty of street stalls here. Some of my best meals have been from vendors with plastic stools and a griddle. But I also know which ones have been operating for years, which ones have a reputation, which ones the locals actually eat at.

Tourists often make the mistake of assuming that if Cubans are eating there, it must be safe. Sometimes that’s true. Sometimes it’s just that Cubans have adapted to lower food safety standards out of necessity, not because those standards are actually safe for a foreigner.

What to do: Eat at paladares (family-run private restaurants) whenever possible. These are usually operated out of someone’s home, and the quality and hygiene are significantly higher. Check Google Maps reviews before you go anywhere. Ask your casa particular owner for recommendations. They know which places in the neighborhood are good and which ones will make you regret your choices. Our Cuban food guide has the best paladares and dishes worth seeking out.

This approach lets you eat authentic Cuban food while actually being able to enjoy it without spending three days in the bathroom.

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FAQ: Things to Know Before You Come to Cuba

Is Cuba safe for American tourists?

Cuba is generally safe for American visitors. Political tensions between governments don’t extend to everyday interactions with Cuban citizens, who are typically welcoming. Follow standard travel precautions and you’ll be fine. Check the U.S. Department of State travel advisory for current information.

What currency should I bring?

Bring Euros if you can. US Dollars are accepted on the informal market but sometimes carry a slight penalty due to historical tensions. Always bring cash—US credit and debit cards don’t work in Cuba. Bring enough for your entire stay. Accessing more money once you’re here is difficult.

Can I take photos freely?

Mostly yes, but with important restrictions. Never photograph military personnel, police officers, or government buildings like airports or military installations. That can result in serious legal consequences. Always ask permission before photographing local residents.

Why do Cubans bring so many suitcases back from trips?

Scarcity. Cuba’s economy means that goods are either unavailable or prohibitively expensive. When Cubans travel abroad, they pack everything they can to bring back—medicines, clothes, household items, food—because these things are either impossible or unaffordable to buy on the island. It’s not just for themselves. It’s for their entire family. If you’re packing for Cuba yourself, our Cuba packing list covers everything you need.

How bad are the blackouts really?

Bad enough that you should consider them when booking accommodation. They’re regular, unpredictable, and can last for hours. Outside of Havana, they’re more frequent. Inside Havana, they still happen regularly. A generator at your accommodation makes an enormous difference.

What’s the internet situation?

Limited. You can get WiFi cards or a tourist SIM card, but don’t expect the speeds or reliability you’re used to. Plan ahead. Buy data upfront. Don’t count on being able to fix it once you’re here.

Should I bring gifts for people I meet?

If you want to. But understand what Cubans actually value. Not luxury items. Practical things. Medicines, toiletries, food items, clothes, household goods. If you’re bringing gifts, make them useful. A Tupperware container will be appreciated far more than expensive perfume.

What should tourists avoid in Cuba?

The big ones: drinking tap water, relying on credit cards (suspended since June 2026), changing money at the official rate, booking a room with no generator, and walking alone at night. Each is easy to avoid once you know it’s coming.

Can tourists drink tap water in Cuba?

No. Even if locals seem fine, your stomach isn’t adapted to the mineral content and aging pipes. Drink bottled water (Ciego Montero is everywhere) and use it for brushing your teeth too.

Do credit cards work in Cuba in 2026?

No. As of June 2026, Visa and Mastercard payments are suspended across the island after their processing bank was hit by U.S. sanctions. Plan to pay cash for everything.

How much cash should I bring to Cuba?

Enough for the whole trip, since there’s no card backup and ATMs are unreliable. Budget roughly €50–80 a day for a mid-range trip — more if you’re eating in paladares and taking taxis daily — and bring euros or U.S. dollars in cash.

Is it safe to walk around Havana at night?

Generally yes in busy, well-lit areas, but don’t walk alone down dark streets. Cuba is safer than much of the Caribbean, but petty crime targets distracted, isolated tourists. Use official taxis after dark.

What should I not bring to Cuba?

Skip anything that looks like political material, drones (frequently confiscated), and flashy jewelry you’d rather not lose. And don’t count on bringing only cards — bring cash instead.

What is the biggest mistake tourists make in Cuba?

Arriving without enough cash. With cards suspended and ATMs unreliable, running low on money is the single fastest way to derail a trip here.

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