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.