קובה: מה לדעת לפני הנסיעה
העיקר
- Cuba is in a severe fuel and power crisis: repeated nationwide blackouts, water and food shortages, many flights cut. The UK advises against all but essential travel (Sept 2026); Canada advises avoiding non-essential travel.
- Since 6 June 2026 Visa and Mastercard (any issuer) no longer work in Cuba, including ATMs. Bring all the cash you need (EUR/USD) plus an emergency reserve.
- You need an eVisa (paper tourist cards withdrawn) unless visa-exempt, plus the D'Viajeros form within 72 hours before arrival (QR code checked at check-in).
- Medical insurance valid in Cuba is mandatory (US policies not accepted); otherwise buy Asistur cover at the airport.
- A Cuba visit since 12 Jan 2021 makes you ineligible for the US ESTA. US citizens may not travel for tourism under US law (OFAC categories only).
כניסה ואשרות
Most visitors need a Cuban eVisa (single entry, up to 90 days, extendable once by 90 days) bought via evisacuba.cu, an embassy, airline or tour operator; the 10-character code is entered in D'Viajeros to generate a QR code. Russia, Belarus, China and UAE citizens are visa-exempt under bilateral agreements. Proof of onward travel, Cuba-valid medical insurance and sufficient funds are required. Travellers flying from the US need an eVisa issued for US departures; US citizens must fit an OFAC authorised category.
טפסים והיתרים מקוונים
- Cuba eVisa ↗ חובה
Before travel; processing about 3 business days · All nationalities that are not visa-exempt - D'Viajeros traveller form (QR code) ↗ חובה
Within 72 hours before arrival; airlines check it at check-in · All travellers
תוקף הדרכון: At least 6 months after arrival (and 3 months after departure), with 2 blank pages.
בגבול עשויים לבקש
- Show the D'Viajeros QR code (save a PDF/printout — Wi-Fi may be down).
- Show Cuba-valid medical insurance; if missing, buy Asistur cover at the airport.
- Keep proof of onward ticket and funds.
מכס
- Declare foreign currency over USD 5,000 equivalent; export more only with bank proof.
- Drones are confiscated until departure.
- Meat, dairy, fresh fruit, vegetables and seeds are banned.
- Disable built-in GPS; professional photo/video gear may need a licence.
- Art and antiques need an export permit (Bienes Culturales).
נבדק ב-29 באוקטובר 2026 · מקורות: gov.uk ↗, misiones.cubaminrex.cu ↗, travel.state.gov ↗, evisacuba.cu ↗, dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu ↗
כסף
משתמשים בעיקר במזומן. כרטיסים מתקבלים לעיתים רחוקות.
Apple Pay — לא עובד · Google Pay — לא עובד
איפה להחליף כסף
- CADECA exchange offices and banks (the official floating rate is far better than the old 120 rate)
- Paying directly in EUR/USD where accepted
איפה לא להחליף
- Street changers (illegal, scams and fake notes)
- Changing large sums into CUP — it can't be reconverted or used abroad
- Damaged or old foreign banknotes (refused)
כספומטים: Foreign cards no longer work at ATMs (since 6 June 2026). Cuban prepaid cards bought with cash are an alternative for some state shops and hotels.
טיפ: Tips in cash (EUR/USD or CUP) are very welcome: ~10% in restaurants, 1–2 per bag for porters, tips for guides and drivers.
- Bring all cash for the trip plus a reserve for delays or medical needs; exchange CUP back before airport security.
- Russian Mir cards have been accepted at some Cuban ATMs/terminals in the past — do not rely on them.
- US-issued cards have never worked; American Express is not accepted.
נבדק ב-29 באוקטובר 2026 · מקורות: travel.state.gov ↗, gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗
כללים ואיסורים
אסור
- Drones
- Any drugs (very long sentences)
- Photographing military, police and government sites
- Joining or filming protests
- Exporting art/antiques without permit
- Unofficial currency exchange
חוקים שתיירים מפרים בלי לדעת
- Carry ID; private rental stays (casas particulares) must register guests.
- Criticising the government publicly can lead to detention.
- US travellers must avoid entities on the US Cuba Restricted List (many state hotels).
נבדק ב-29 באוקטובר 2026 · מקורות: gov.uk ↗, travel.state.gov ↗
תרבות ולבוש
דת: Catholic and Afro-Cuban Santería traditions; officially secular state.
לבוש: Casual, light clothing; smart-casual for restaurants and clubs; cover up away from beaches.
נימוסים
- Bring small gifts (medicines, toiletries) — shortages are severe; donate through hosts.
- Ask before photographing people; some expect a tip.
- Patience is essential: queues, blackouts and delays are part of daily life.
- Avoid discussing politics in public.
נבדק ב-29 באוקטובר 2026 · מקורות: gov.uk ↗
אקלים
Tropical: dry season November–April (warm, sunny), hot humid wet season May–October with hurricane risk June–November (peak Aug–Oct).
לפי חודשים
- ינואר: Jan: dry, ~19–26°C, best weather
- פברואר: Feb: dry, pleasant
- מרץ: Mar: dry, warm
- אפריל: Apr: dry, getting hot
- מאי: May: rainy season starts
- יוני: Jun: hot, wet; hurricane season begins
- יולי: Jul: hot, humid, ~32°C
- אוגוסט: Aug: hot; hurricane risk rises
- ספטמבר: Sep: peak hurricane risk, wet
- אוקטובר: Oct: wet, hurricanes possible
- נובמבר: Nov: dry season returns
- דצמבר: Dec: dry, pleasant, peak season
העונה הטובה: December–April.
נבדק ב-29 באוקטובר 2026 · מקורות: cuba.travel ↗, nhc.noaa.gov ↗
מה לקחת
- All the cash you need (EUR/USD, clean notes) + reserve
- Printed eVisa, D'Viajeros QR and insurance
- Torch/headlamp and power bank (blackouts)
- All medicines you need, in original packaging with prescription
- Water purification tablets or filter bottle
- Insect repellent, sunscreen, toiletries
- Offline maps and downloaded entertainment
לא לקחת / אסור להכניס
- Drones
- GPS devices (switch off phone GPS at entry if asked)
- Relying on bank cards
- Fresh food, meat and seeds
מידע מעשי
שקעים: Type A/B (110 V) and C/L (220 V), 60 Hz — both exist, often in the same hotel
מים: Tap water is not safe; ice may be made from it. Drink bottled water — it can be scarce, so carry a filter.
תנועה: נסיעה בצד ימין
סלולר ו-eSIM: ETECSA (Cubacel) tourist SIM/eSIM; mobile data and Wi-Fi are slow and often down during blackouts.
אפליקציות: Maps.me, Organic Maps, WhatsApp, a VPN app
אינטרנט: State-controlled; some sites blocked; outages frequent.
בריאות: Severe shortages of medicines and supplies; diarrhoeal illness, dengue, chikungunya and Oropouche outbreaks reported. Hepatitis A advised. MEDEVAC can cost USD 15,000+.
ביטוח: Mandatory: medical insurance valid in Cuba (US insurers not accepted); evacuation cover strongly advised.
חירום: 106 police, 104 ambulance, 105 fire
נבדק ב-29 באוקטובר 2026 · מקורות: gov.uk ↗, travel.state.gov ↗, travelhealthpro.org.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗
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