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.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.