Is it Safe to Visit Cuba?
TPG reader Stephanie tweeted me to ask:
@thepointsguy– "I know you've been to Cuba a few times in the last few months and was wondering if you felt safe while there? I really want to go but safety is my biggest concern."
I just got back from my second trip to Cuba in 2015, and while it's a complex country, I loved it there. I find it rather annoying that I still can't use my credit cards, but there are ways around that (more info on how to do this in related posts below).
Well Stephanie, if safety is your biggest concern while in Cuba, you've got very little to worry about it. I would say there's more chance of a violent crime happening to you while walking down the street in the United States than in Cuba.
Although Cuba doesn't really publish crime statistics, I always felt very safe walking around there, day or night, and by talking to locals it seems there isn't much violent crime, though there is a chance of pickpocketing. However, you can go to the safest place in the world and still get pickpocketed, and this happens often in Europe in very safe cities.
I went all around Havana as well as other spots and never once felt unsafe. So Stephanie, don't let safety fears get in the way of planning a Cuba trip. However, as always, be smart when traveling and always be aware of your surroundings and belongings.
For flights: Cuba Travel Services
For booking hotels: A Nash Travel
John Considine of Esensia Experiences can help you plan a full-service luxury trip, and you can email him here: jconsidine@esenciagroup.com
Jose of AC Journeys organizes trips for people who are Miami-based; you can reach him via email at: jepp23@acjourneys.com. (For better deals and service, be sure to mention that Brian Kelly sent you.)
For private Havana city tours, contact Osvaldo Nicolas at:
+53 53257200
osvaldo.rodriguez73@nauta.cu
znicolas@openmailbox.org
- Travel Tips For Cuba
- Casa Particulares
- My Experience Flying Sun Country Charters
- My Amazing Experience in Trinidad, Cuba
- Airbnb's Fastest Growing Market: Cuba
- 10 Things We Learned On Our First Trip To Cuba
- Book Flights To Cuba With CheapAir
- 10 Types of People Who Need to Visit Cuba Now
- 5 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent for Visiting Cuba
- What To Do and See in Havana
- Where and How To Book Hotels in Havana
- How To Get To Cuba (and Back)
If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.
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The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
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- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month