Several governments currently advise against non-essential travel to Cuba. On 14 July 2026 the national power grid collapsed for the third time in one week, and fuel shortages are severely disrupting transport, medical care, communications, water, food supply, and tourism. International Visa and Mastercard transactions stopped on 6 June 2026, so travelers should not expect foreign cards or ATMs to work. Bring enough eligible foreign cash for the entire trip plus an emergency reserve, split it securely, and exchange only at official CADECA offices or banks. Airlines and airport operations remain unstable, so confirm every flight directly and keep an exit alternative. Complete D’Viajeros within 72 hours before arrival and check whether an eVisa is required for the passport and itinerary. U.S. persons face separate OFAC restrictions, and visiting Cuba after 12 January 2021 generally affects future Visa Waiver Program eligibility. Download maps, documents, Spanish, contacts, and any needed security tools before departure because power cuts can also disable mobile service.
No payment app belongs in a normal visitor setup.
The Central Bank announced on 3 June 2026 that international Visa and Mastercard operations would stop from 6 June. Current British guidance says travelers are likely to be unable to withdraw cash with an international card and should bring enough cash for the entire stay plus emergencies. U.S.-issued cards were already generally unusable. Cash, Cuban prepaid cards, and some non-Western card networks may exist, but none is dependable enough to recommend as the primary plan to a broad international audience.
Bring eligible foreign currency, commonly euros or U.S. dollars, after checking the latest official advice for the traveler's nationality and providers. Divide it between secure locations, keep only a daily amount accessible, and ask each accommodation and transport provider which currencies they currently accept. Exchange only through official CADECA exchange houses or banks and retain receipts.
British guidance states that informal exchange is illegal and can lead to serious penalties, so do not recommend street rates, strangers, Telegram dealers, or rate-tracking apps as a payment workflow. Cuban wallets such as Transfermóvil and EnZona are built around local banking and identity systems and do not solve a short visitor's problem. A domestic prepaid card may be useful in a specific hotel or official setting, but availability, loading, acceptance, and refunds must be confirmed directly before relying on it. Do not hand over the full cash reserve, and verify every total and currency before paying.
The payment plan must work during a blackout with no terminal, ATM, or mobile data.
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How to Pay in Cuba