Last Updated: November 15, 2020
Nicknamed as Pearl of the Antilles and the largest island in the entire Caribbean Sea, Cuba has officially reopened its borders for international tourism as of July 1, 2020. It started with certain cities and gradually adding more. Moreover, Cuba started its 3-phase reopening plan in June.
Phase 1 – Domestic tourism, implementation of safety protocols.
Phase 2 – International tourism to select areas in Cuba
Phase 3 – Opening the rest of Cuba’s tourist centers
October 6 update: Varadero, a famous beach resort in Cuba, will reopen for tourism on October 15. Cuba has since reopened to tourists on July 1st but is reopening in phases, and Varadero will be the latest area that Cuban authorities will reopen. Tourists arriving in Cuba will be tested at the airport. After the test is taken, the traveler will quarantine at their hotel for a maximum of 24 hours until the results are available.
On November 15, 2020, Havana started welcoming tourists from all countries. All tourists arriving into Cuba will be tested at the airport. After the test is taken, the traveler will quarantine at their hotel for a maximum of 24 hours for test results. Visitors from the United States will now be allowed to enter Cuba for as long as they will not stay in a government hotel.
Who Can Enter Cuba?
All. That is to say, Cuba is currently open for all nationalities. It is now back to its normal immigration rules.
Are There Any Mandatory Testing and/or Quarantine Upon Arrival?
First of all, there will be a testing on arrival. All tourists arriving to Cuba will be tested at the airport for free. After the test is taken, the traveler will quarantine at their hotel for a maximum for 24 hours for the test result. The traveler can only then go out once the test comes up negative.
And there are no current quarantine protocol that is taking place in Cuba.
Safety Measures and Health Protocols
Wearing a face mask in public is compulsory as is social distancing of a minimum of one meter.
Other Rules For Phase 2 Reopening
Starting July 1st, tourists are now welcome to visit these specific areas of Cuba: Cayo Largo Del Sur, Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Santa María and Cayo Cruz
- Tourists can only stay at hotels in the ‘Cayo’ areas listed above
- Excursions can be offered by tour companies, but only ones that stay within the ‘Cayo’ areas
- Nautical activities are reactivated for tourists
What’s Open in Cuba?
The re-opening measures below apply to all of Cuba except for Havana and Ciego de Avila Municipality, where stricter measures have been re-introduced and such venues are closed again:
- Public parks will be open.
- Social clubs, gyms, museums, etc can re-open to a limited capacity and visitors must observe social distancing.
- Swimming pools can open to a limited capacity and to restricted visit times, to allow cleaning for the next opening times.
- Beaches are open but for a certain limit of people during phase one and phase two. There will be personnel at the beaches to manage access.
- Churches are also able to re-open for services.
See the detailed restriction/reopening information for Cuba.
Sources: gov.uk | gocuba.ca | Ministry of Tourism Cuba
