Please utilize this packing list to ensure that you are properly prepared for Cuba in the right season.

Also, if you decide to bring any goods to Support the Cuban People, please utilize this list of authorized items.

All Gardner Tours travelers are responsible their own transportation to and from Cuba. Please visit our Flight Portal for more information on how and when to purchase your flights. If you booked a tour that includes airport pickup and drop-off, after you have purchased your flights, please utilize the form on the Flight Portal to submit your flight information so we know when to pick you up and drop you off!

All Gardner Tours travelers are responsible for obtaining their own Cuba Visa, however, this is a simple process that we will walk you through.

Citizens from almost all countries in the world are required to obtain a visa before entering Cuba. For more details on this simple process, please visit our Visa Information page.

Note: All citizens of the United States or international citizens traveling to Cuba through the United States must obtain a Cuba Visa prior to their departure to Cuba.

Print Your Itinerary & Tour Details: Printing your tour itinerary and details will always help you remember when and where you need to be a certain times, it will help avoid any confusion on what is included and not included, etc while traveling. Please don’t forget to print out all important tour and travel information before your departure.

Notify Your Bank: Most debit/credit cards do not work in Cuba, but if you plan to take it for emergency measures, we recommend that you notify your bank of your travels to avoid triggering a fraud alert and having your card ‘frozen’ or incurring unexpected fees with each use.

Prepare for Cash-Only Transactions: No matter what country you are from, we recommend preparing for your Cuban holiday to be cash-only. American debit or credit cards are not accepted currently in Cuba, yet most vendors aren’t equipped to accept payments even if your card was accepted. Knowing this, you need to budget properly. To properly prepare for a cash-only Cuba trip (souvenirs, drinks, etc), utilize our Budgeting for Cuba page.

Cell Phone Operations: Make sure you know how your cell phone will work overseas. Forgetting to turn off your data on your cell phone or receiving incoming calls can incur huge charges overseas. Contact your cell carrier before you leave to check rates and if service is available in your chosen country.

Helpful Smartphone Apps: Download the following smartphone applications to ease your travels, especially if you enjoy connecting to new destinations via technology.

Maps.me

• App Store ➔ Search “Maps.me” ➔ Download ➔ Open ➔ Download Map of Location ➔ Get Acquainted
• WHY? Maps.me is an offline map application that gives voice directions and allows you to save locations for reference. Maps.me is great to help you navigate the unfamiliar territory of your chosen country. You never know, it could help if you get lost when you decide to venture out on your own or if you want to show your family your favorite restaurant.
• If you’re not a smartphone traveler and prefer paper maps, please view and print our Map of Old Havana before your departure.

Google Translate

• App Store ➔ Search “Google Translate” ➔ Download ➔ Open ➔ Settings ➔ Download Spanish ➔ Get Acquainted
• WHY? You never know how it may come in handy when your guide/translator isn’t readily available and you need to tell that Cuban man how much you love his “World’s Greatest Grandma” shirt.

Mobile Passport Control (For US & Canadian Citizens Only)

• App Store ➔ Search “Mobile Passport Control” ➔ Download ➔ Open ➔ Register ➔ Get Acquainted with Process
• WHY? Mobile Passport Control (MPC) helps you avoid Kiosks when re-entering the USA. As soon as you land (if you’re registered), you can open the app, answer a few questions, submit your ticket, get off the plane, and walk right to the Mobile Passport line, often saving you up to a few hours.

WhatsApp (A Secure Messaging Application)

• App Store ➔ Search “WhatsApp” ➔ Download ➔ Open ➔ Register Your Number ➔ Begin Messaging
• WHY? WhatsApp is the world’s most popular and most user friendly messaging application. This application will help you avoid text or call fees from your cell phone provider while traveling. All you need is a data connection, like wifi, and you can message, call, or video chat with anyone in the world, who has the app, for free. If downloading WhatsApp while preparing to travel and communicate with your loved ones with it while out-and-about, don’t forget to ensure that they have the application downloaded and registered as well.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

• App Store ➔ Search “1.1.1.1” or “Betternet” (or both) ➔ Download ➔ Open ➔ Make Sure it Connects & Disconnects Properly
• WHY? VPNs are often useful in Cuba, especially if you are using an Apple iPhone. Essentially, the VPN tricks the internet into thinking that you are somewhere that you are not, thus allowing you access to a safe and private network. VPNs also allow you access to certain restricted functions on your phone that you might not have otherwise. The USA has made it difficult to use some functions on Apple iPhones in Cuba, thus if, for example, your iMessage disconnects randomly while in Cuba, you can connect your VPN and safely re-login to your iMessage without issue.

If you want Gardner Tours to be aware of any specific health needs or concerns, please remember to contact us with ample time before your departure.

Before contacting us with questions, please visit our Cuba FAQs.

We are more than happy to take your calls or emails, but most of the answers to our travelers' questions can be found here on the website. The Cuba FAQs are a great resource for specific questions on Cuba, but we also ask that you browse our General FAQs.