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The Caribbean island of Cuba is a fan favourite for holiday makers from all around the world, including Aussies, seeking sunshine, culture and colour.
It began welcoming tourists again in late 2020, but travelling to Cuba from Australia isn't exactly like it was before. Here's the lowdown.
Can I travel from Australia to Cuba?
Cuba is open for tourists from around the world, including those able to come from Australia.
When you arrive from Australia, you will have to enter quarantine at your own expense and take two PCR tests: one on arrival, the other on your fifth day. These must both return negative before you are released and able to continue on your journey.
Open Ports: Cruise ships around the world have been ground to a halt and Cuban ports are only open for essential sailings.
As a traveller from Australia, can I travel anywhere once I'm in Cuba?
Yes, once in Cuba, Australians are free to travel anywhere.
What's open in Cuba?
Some tourist attractions that have been luring Aussies to Cuba have reopened, however, they're subject to close or be suspended whenever local rules change in response to new cases.
Major tourist attractions that are open:
Attractions that are open to Australian tourists outside of curfew hours include:
Malecon
Vinales Valley
National Capitol Building
Castillo De Los Tres Reyes Del Morro
Museum of the Revolution
Paseo del Prado
Castillo de la Real Fuerza
Walking trails, parks and beaches: National and public parks are currently open for tourists and locals. However, these are closed during curfew hours. Beaches in Havana are currently closed due to restrictions. Beaches outside of the city are open with capacity limits in place. These beaches are also being heavily patrolled to manage their access and numbers. While public pools in Havana are closed, paid swimming pools can stay open with limited capacity and visit times to allow for cleaning between sessions.
Shopping centres and stores: All shops across Cuba can remain open with measures in place to reduce crowding. These include a limit on the number of customers who can be in the shop at any one time. During peak periods, this means that you may have to queue and wait your turn to go into the store. In Havana, only shops that stock essential items, such as food and hygiene products, may remain open. They must also abide by the curfew rules.
Restaurants, cafes and bars: While restaurants throughout Cuba are open, they must maintain good hygiene practices. This includes limiting their opening hours and their capacity limits and maintaining a physical distance of 1.5 metres between each table. In Havana, the rules are much stricter. Restaurants may only open for takeaway or delivery and drinking alcohol in public is not permitted. Parties of any kind are also banned.
Can I cruise to or around Cuba?
No, Australians can't currently cruise to Cuba as sailings are still on hold for the moment due to the pandemic with no set date to commence. However, if you Aussie are itching to set sail, you can book a future cruise as most companies are offering flexible cancellation policies.
Available on select dates in 2021-2022 with Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line and more. Sample rate is for a 3-night cruise with Carnival Cruises.
Available on select cruises in 2021 and 2022 with Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruises, MSC cruises and more. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Singapore, Caribbean, Bahamas and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates with Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and more. Sample rate is for a 3-night Caribbean cruise with MSC. Destinations include Australia, Japan, Vietnam, Italy, Alaska and more. T&Cs apply.
What are the entry requirements for Cuba coming from Australia?
Do I need a permit to enter Cuba?
Australian citizens do not need a special permit to enter Cuba at this time, however standard visa requirements, including tourist cards, are still in place where needed.
Do I need proof I've had a vaccine to travel?
No, proof of a vaccine is not required to enter Cuba from Australia.
Do I need proof I've had a negative test before departing Cuba?
Anyone travelling from Australia must present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no later than 72 hours before their departure to Cuba.
When you arrive from Australia into Cuba you'll be re-tested for COVID-19 and placed into a government chosen facility until your results return. If Aussies return negative, they'll be given a second test and if that also returns negative again, you’re free to leave quarantine.
Frequently asked questions about travelling from Australia to Cuba:
If you haven't left yet Australia and the borders to Cuba close, check the cancellation policy for each element of your trip. Hotels, flights, accommodations and activities you've booked in Cuba will all have different policies in terms of whether you qualify for a refund, credit or will lose out on your funds. Most Australian travel companies are being flexible during the coronavirus pandemic if the cancellation was beyond your control.
If you've already departed to Cuba, you will be able to return home if you're a citizen or resident of Australia. Flight cancellations to Cuba are likely, so be prepared to spend extra time in the destination if needed. Having a back-up plan - and back up funds - is a good idea.
Current travel deals to Cuba
Whether or not now is the right time to travel to Cuba, these deals are ready to go as soon as you are. Many companies are offering flexible travel options to Cuba or are discounting future travel, so it's a great time to bag a bargain.
Available on select dates in 2021-2022 with Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line and more. Sample rate is for a 3-night cruise with Carnival Cruises.
Available on select cruises in 2021 and 2022 with Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruises, MSC cruises and more. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Singapore, Caribbean, Bahamas and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates with Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and more. Sample rate is for a 3-night Caribbean cruise with MSC. Destinations include Australia, Japan, Vietnam, Italy, Alaska and more. T&Cs apply.
Valid on select dates and destinations worldwide. Destinations include USA, Canada, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, Sydney, and the Czech Republic. T&C's apply.
Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for Travel Weekly, Escape, Showpo, The Nibbler and Hostelworld. She was also the editor of kids magazine DMAG. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney and has visited 55 countries (and counting).
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