Cuba

Do South Africans need a visa for Cuba?

Yes — Cuba has moved to a mandatory e-visa, which has replaced the old paper tourist card for most travellers. Apply online before you travel, pay, and carry the approval. You also need to complete the D’Viajeros online arrival form within seven days of travel. Use a passport valid six-plus months. You can apply for the e-visa online here if you’d rather have it handled.

A routing note: connect via Europe, not the US. A US transit needs a US visa anyway, and visiting Cuba can complicate future US visa-free travel for other nationalities — for an SA passport the practical point is simply that the Europe routing is cleaner.

What the official advice says

As we checked it on 19 September 2026, the UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to the whole of Cuba. The reasons are practical rather than political: the national grid collapsed three times in a week in July, the government announced in May that it had run out of diesel and fuel-oil reserves, and that’s causing severe disruption to transport, medical care and communications. Cuba’s international airports have been without aviation fuel, and several airlines — including all Canadian carriers, Air France, Iberia and LATAM — have suspended flights. There have also been protests, mostly peaceful so far. The FCDO warns the situation can deteriorate quickly and exit options could shrink. Read the current advice before you decide — and if you go, confirm your flights are actually operating and plan for power cuts.

What it costs (in rand)

Day-to-day Cuba is affordable — budget around R500–800 a day — but the money situation is the thing to plan for. Bring cash for your whole trip (euros are generally the easiest to exchange; US-linked bank cards typically don’t work because of the embargo, and card infrastructure is patchy regardless). Casas particulares (family-run guesthouses) are the cheap, authentic way to stay and eat; state restaurants and resorts cost more. Don’t assume you can draw money once you’re there — arrive with enough.

When to go

The dry season (November–April) is the best and most popular — sunny and comfortable. May to October is hotter, wetter and the hurricane season. Peak is December–March. Carnival and music festivals dot the calendar, especially in Havana and Santiago de Cuba.

Getting around

Travel is part of Cuba’s charm and challenge. The Víazul tourist coaches link the main cities reliably; shared “colectivo” taxis (often classic American cars) are a fun alternative; and within Havana, the vintage cars and bici-taxis get you around. Domestic flights and trains exist but are unreliable. Plan generous time and stay flexible — schedules slip.

What to actually do

Havana is the headline — crumbling-grand architecture, the Malecón seafront, classic cars, rum and live son and salsa. Step back in time in the cobbled colonial town of Trinidad, watch tobacco farming in the lush Viñales valley, and unwind on the beaches of Varadero or the quieter cays. It’s a culture-and-history trip more than a polished beach holiday — go for the atmosphere. Reputable tours in Havana help with classic-car tours and day trips if you’d rather not arrange them on the ground.

Honest take

Cuba is unforgettable but needs real preparation — sort the e-visa, bring all your cash, and accept you’ll be largely offline. Route via Europe, not the US. Right now, add the 2026 energy crisis to that list: the FCDO advises against all but essential travel, so read the current advice, confirm your flights are actually operating, and decide for yourself. Go for Havana’s atmosphere and the time-capsule feel, keep your plans flexible, and you’ll have a trip unlike anywhere else.