The Canadian government recently issued a travel advisory for Cuba, highlighting several security and supply risks that concern travelers, expatriates, and families with connections to the island. This alert, published by official Canadian sources and reported by specialized media such as REPORTUR, CubaHeadlines, and Cubanet, highlights a complex reality that all travelers should consider before planning their visit to the Caribbean island.
⚠️ What are the risks highlighted by Canada?
The travel alert issued by the Canadian government identifies multiple areas of concern that could significantly affect the experience and safety of visitors:
Severe shortage of basic supplies
Canada warns about the critical lack of food, medicine, drinking water, and fuel in various areas of Cuba. This shortage is not limited to rural areas but also affects urban centers and tourist zones. Travelers should be prepared to encounter:
- Supermarkets and stores with empty shelves
- Difficulty acquiring basic medicines
- Problems accessing safe drinking water
- Fuel shortages affecting transportation
Fraud and theft targeting tourists
There are reports of increasing cases of scams specifically targeting foreign tourists, especially in:
- Informal taxis: excessive charges or unnecessarily long routes
- Private exchange houses: unfavorable exchange rates or counterfeit bills
- Informal rentals: properties that don't meet what was promised or additional undisclosed charges
- Street vendors: counterfeit or low-quality products at inflated prices
Personal safety risks
The official advisory recommends travelers:
- Avoid displaying cash in public places
- Exercise maximum caution with private accommodations (casas particulares) that are not properly verified
- Not leave valuables in rooms or vehicles
- Avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas at night
- Stay alert in tourist areas where pickpockets concentrate
Significant health risks
The warning also mentions outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases, including:
- Dengue: viral disease causing high fever, severe muscle pain, and can be fatal in severe cases
- Oropouche virus: emerging pathogen with symptoms similar to dengue
- Limited availability of quality medical care
- Shortage of medicines in hospitals and clinics
Travelers should use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved clothing in at-risk areas, and consider purchasing medical insurance with evacuation coverage.
Power outages and unreliable transportation
Canada highlights structural problems that directly affect the travel experience:
- Frequent blackouts that can last hours, affecting hotels, restaurants, and basic services
- Extremely limited public transportation, with scarce and overcrowded buses
- Deteriorated infrastructure: roads in poor condition, damaged bridges, poor signage
- Fuel shortages affecting the availability of taxis and rental vehicles
🌍 What does this mean for Dominican travelers or from other countries?
If you're planning a trip to Cuba from the Dominican Republic, the United States, or other countries, it's crucial to go beyond the postcard image of paradise beaches and consider the real context of shortages and risks.
Practical recommendations for travelers
1. Verify official travel recommendations
Always consult websites of trustworthy governments:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country
- Embassies and consulates with representation in Cuba
- International health organizations like WHO
2. Purchase comprehensive travel insurance
Don't travel to Cuba without insurance that includes:
- Comprehensive medical coverage for tropical diseases
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Health and mortal remains repatriation
- Legal and consular assistance
- Coverage for cancellations and delays
3. Evaluate accommodation options with good reputation
Prioritize:
- Internationally recognized hotels with backup generators
- Private homes with excellent verified reviews on reliable platforms
- Accommodations offering guaranteed basic services (water, electricity, security)
4. Prepare a basic survival kit
Take with you:
- Cash in small denominations (USD or EUR)
- Personal medicines with translated medical prescription
- Sufficient bottled water for the first few days
- High-efficacy insect repellent
- Sunscreen, flashlight with extra batteries
- Non-perishable foods (energy bars, nuts)
5. Maintain constant communication
- Activate an international roaming plan or acquire an eSIM before traveling
- Inform family members of your detailed itinerary
- Keep emergency numbers: embassy, medical insurance, local contacts
🔧 What can Billetaxo do for you?
At Billetaxo, we understand that traveling in uncertain times requires extra planning and reliable tools. That's why we offer services designed to give you peace of mind:
Reliable flight, hotel, and car reservations
Plan your trip to the Dominican Republic with verified and secure options:
- Compare flight prices to Caribbean destinations
- Book hotels with proven reputation
- Rent cars with the best conditions
Search for cheap flights to the Dominican Republic →
Guaranteed connectivity: International eSIM
Don't depend on limited local services. With our Yesim eSIM, you maintain communication from the moment you land:
- Instant activation without the need for a physical SIM
- Coverage in over 150 countries
- Data plans from 1GB to unlimited
- Ideal for emergencies and staying in touch with family
Top-ups and assistance for family members in Cuba
If you have loved ones in Cuba, help them stay connected and supplied:
- Cubacel top-ups fast and secure
- Mobile data sending
- Reliable remittances for financial support
- Instant processing 24 hours a day
Personalized advice
Our team is available to help you plan your trip with updated information and options that fit your specific needs.
💬 Final reflection
Canada's alert makes visible a reality that many prefer to ignore: Cuba is no longer the simple and accessible destination it was decades ago. The structural difficulties of the island—shortages, blackouts, infrastructure deterioration—deeply affect both residents and visitors.
Traveling to Cuba today requires:
- Updated and truthful information
- Careful preparation with essential supplies
- Flexibility to adapt to unforeseen circumstances
- Reinforced security precautions
- Technological tools for communication (eSIM, roaming)
It's not about avoiding travel, but doing it in an informed and responsible way.
At Billetaxo, we are committed to providing you with the tools and services you need to navigate this complex environment safely. Whether you travel for tourism, business, or to visit family, we are here to support you.
Do you have questions about traveling to the Caribbean? Contact us or visit Billetaxo.com to discover how we can help you plan your next trip with confidence.
Sources consulted:
- REPORTUR: Caribbean tourism specialized agency
- CubaHeadlines: Cuba news portal
- Cubanet: Independent media outlet on the island
- Government of Canada: Official travel advisories
