If you plan to travel from Canada to Cuba in the coming weeks, listen up! The Government of Canada’s latest travel advisory for Cuba warns travellers to be extra cautious due to nationwide power outages and shortages of essentials.
On December 4, the Government of Canada updated its most recent travel advisory for Cuba. The risk level for the country remains “Exercise a high degree of caution,” which means there are “certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly.”
It’s worth keeping in mind that this doesn’t mean you can’t, or shouldn’t, travel to Cuba from Canada. It simply means there are situations you should be aware of before jetting off. In this case, travellers should be mindful of “shortages of basic necessities, including food, medicine and fuel.”
According to Canada’s advisory, the country is experiencing “chronic and severe” shortages of essentials like food, bottled water, physical currency and fuel, making it more difficult than usual for tourists to get what they need.
Even basics like tap water and medication can be challenging to access, with disruptions happening in both major cities like Havana and popular resort areas.
Fuel shortages are “critical,” according to the travel alert, and affect a wide range of services. Public transportation and taxis can be unreliable, making it challenging to get around. Some travellers have even reported being stranded with rental cars due to a lack of fuel. Long lines at gas stations are common, and the stress of waiting has even led to altercations in some cases.
Power outages are another issue to keep in mind. While large hotels and resorts often rely on generators, they can’t always guarantee full service. Air conditioning and hot water may be unavailable during outages, and fuel shortages may also limit the services that government agencies can provide.
Canadian travellers are advised to plan carefully to deal with these shortages. Bringing essentials like toiletries and medications with you is highly recommended. It’s also a good idea to keep a small emergency kit on hand and ensure you have a personal supply of food and fuel wherever possible.
What’s more, Cuba has been dealing with nationwide power outages since October, with the most recent outage occurring on December 4. For travellers, this means that power disruptions could impact your plans. While many large hotels and resorts have generators to keep the lights on, the advisory warns that they may be unable to maintain full services if an outage lasts too long.
If you’re heading to Cuba, preparing for any potential power issues is important. Keeping your phone charged as much as possible is smart in case you need to access updates or assistance during an outage. Staying informed through local media can also help you navigate any sudden changes.
The Canadian government’s advisory for Cuba also advises travellers to be aware of issues like crime and scams. Like many tourist hotspots, petty crimes like pickpocketing and purse snatching are common, especially in crowded tourist areas, markets, public buses, nightclubs, and beaches. Theft from hotel rooms and vehicles is also a known issue.
To protect yourself, always secure your belongings, including your passport and travel documents. Avoid showing off valuables like jewellery or electronics, and keep identification, both digital and physical copies, on hand. Never leave items unattended, even in the trunk of a car, and try not to carry large amounts of cash.
Scammers may approach tourists with overly friendly behaviour, offering guided tours or assistance with buying cigars. Fraudulent tour agents and taxis operate at Havana’s international airport and beyond, and luggage thefts from taxi trunks have been reported. Stick to reputable tour operators and registered taxis, and avoid engaging with overly friendly strangers or street vendors.
In some Cuban tourist destinations, the risk level drops to “Take normal security precautions,” which means you should take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.
This includes the Archipelago of Jardines del Rey, which includes destinations like Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Paredon Grande, and Cayo Santa Maria.
Other resort areas, including Cayo Largo del Sur, the Guardalavaca coastline, Jibacoa, Marea del Portillo, Playa Ancon, Playa Santa Lucia, and the Varadero Peninsula, also fall under the same safety guidelines.
While Canadian travellers should take a few extra precautions if they’re heading to Cuba for some winter sun, there’s no need to panic or consider cancelling. Just be prepared and stay up to date with Canada’s travel advisories, and you’ll be on track for a smooth (and hopefully sunny!) trip.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
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