As of November 2021, Cuba began to relax requirements for travel activities on the island. However, entry rules into the country remain quite strict. Currently, to visit Cuba, citizens of most countries in the world need both a vaccination certificate and a coronavirus test. This publication provides current regulations for foreign travelers entering Cuba during quarantine restrictions.
In short, to enter Cuba you need:
- coronavirus test,
- vaccination certificate,
- QR code from the traveler's declaration,
- health insurance.
Exceptions:
For citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Canada and Poland who travel to Cuba as part of organized groups, a coronavirus test and vaccination certificatenot needed.
Independent travelers from Russia need either a coronavirus test or a vaccination certificate.
Test for coronavirus
Required when boarding a flight to Cuba. A PCR test (standard PCR-RT) done no earlier than 72 hours before boarding is accepted. It can be on paper or electronically, in Spanish, English or in the language of the country from which the traveler flies to Cuba. In other words, an airline employee should understand this language.
Russian airlines ask for the test result in paper format with the original stamp in Russian and English.
Even fully vaccinated travelers are required to have the test.
Vaccination certificate
A vaccination certificate is required when boarding a flight to Cuba. Cuba does not limit the list of vaccines that a traveler can be vaccinated with to enter the country. The Russian vaccines Sputnik V, Epivaccorona and Covivac are accepted. He should have a vaccination certificate issued by a government medical institution. Its verification is the responsibility of the airline, therefore the certificate can be in Spanish, English or the language of the country from which the passenger is flying to Cuba.
There must be at least 14 days between receiving the last dose of the vaccine and entering the country.
Children
Children under 12 years of age, regardless of their citizenship, are exempt from the requirement to provide a vaccination certificate or coronavirus test result when boarding a flight. However, a random test upon arrival can be carried out.
Testing upon arrival
Mandatory testing upon arrival at the passenger's expense is carried out for unvaccinated citizens and residents of Cuba, and in addition for all passengers arriving from countries with high rates of infection with the Omicron strain. At the moment, Russia, Ukraine and Mexico are not among such powers.
Free random testing, with or without symptoms, can be done at the airport or upon arrival at your hotel. In most cases, this is a rapid antigen test or a rapid PCR test. If the rapid test is positive, a full PCR test is performed. While waiting for the PCR test result (up to 24 hours), an organized traveler is required to stay at the hotel, wear a protective mask and maintain social distancing. An independent traveler is not required to leave the rented accommodation. After receiving a negative PCR test result, the tourist can continue their vacation without restrictions.
If the PCR test result is positive:
Without symptoms: an organized guest of the state is transferred to a special hotel or placed in isolated areas of his hotel. An independent traveler is prohibited from leaving the accommodation. Five days later, a repeat PCR test is performed. The traveler remains in isolation until he recovers.
If symptoms are present: they are sent to a medical institution, where treatment is carried out at the expense of the foreigner. The cost of treatment may be covered by insurance.
Traveler Declaration
Completing an Affidavit of Health form is mandatory for everyone entering the country. Paper forms are no longer accepted. The electronic form will be available on the websiteD’Viajeros. It must be completed online no earlier than 72 hours before boarding the flight. The form covers “information about immigration and foreigners”, and data from it is transmitted to the Customs, Immigration and Ministry of Health of Cuba. For this reason, it combines health issues and customs declaration. Data required to be entered into the form — passport details, flight date and number, baggage information, airport of arrival, medical document information (vaccination certificate and PCR test), contact details, residential address in Cuba, including province, medical symptoms over the last 15 days related to coronavirus.
The result of filling out the form is a PDF file with a QR code, which you can print or show on your mobile phone upon arrival in Cuba. An electronic form is required when entering Cuba by any means of transport through any checkpoints.
Cuba promises free 30-minute wi-fi at each arrival airport for those who fill out the form electronically.
Insurance
Foreign travelers, when entering Cuba, you should have an insurance policy issued by a company that has a representative office on the island. The policy must clearly indicate that it covers expenses related to the treatment of coronavirus. In addition, it is possible to purchase insurance at the airport upon arrival from the state-owned Cuban operators Havanatur and Cubatur. For organized travelers, insurance is already included in the tour package.
Mandatory quarantine
Applies to unvaccinated citizens and residents of Cuba, as well as passengers arriving from countries unfavorable for the omicron strain. Such independent travelers should book a hotel in advance to undergo quarantine upon arrival.
If a tourist is staying in a private home, the owner of the accommodation is required to inform the relevant health authorities if guests develop any symptoms. Medical workers have the right to take a test from such a guest country and place it in a medical facility.
Cuban citizens and residents must see a family doctor or public health facility within 48 hours of arrival.
For those undergoing mandatory quarantine upon arrival, a repeat coronavirus antigen test is carried out on the seventh day. If the result is negative, the quarantine may be interrupted in agreement with the doctor.
In Cuba
All airports in the state are open for arrivals from abroad. Foreign airlines set their own flight schedules to Cuba.
From November 15, bans on movement between provinces of the state are lifted, restrictions on excursions, visits to public places are lifted (however, the number of participants can be limited, depending on the municipality), on the use of transport and on internal flights. Cruise ship arrivals are permitted.
Other health protocols: use of a mask indoors, in public places and in the presence of other people, physical distancing, constant sanitation, hand sanitizing measures, temperature checking, etc.
Wearing masks is mandatory in hotels — at the discretion of the hotel and, most often, does not apply.
(updated 01/20/2022)