Discover Cuba, the vibrant Caribbean island where colonial architecture meets revolutionary history and pristine beaches. Experience colorful Havana's classic cars, salsa rhythms, and world-class cigars in this unique destination frozen in time.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Cubans are warm and social — expect strangers to strike up conversations, offer advice, or invite you to share a meal
The concept of 'resolver' (to solve/work it out) is central to Cuban life — flexible improvisation is a virtue, not a flaw
Music is omnipresent in Cuba — impromptu salsa dancing in the street is normal and you may be invited to join
Cubans have survived decades of scarcity with humor and resilience — appreciating this context helps navigate cultural encounters
Time is flexible — being 15-30 minutes late for social occasions is normal, though tourist-oriented businesses are more punctual
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Accept offers of coffee, rum, or food from Cuban hosts — declining can seem rude as hospitality is a point of pride
- Learn a few Spanish phrases — Cubans genuinely appreciate even basic effort and will respond warmly
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially in religious ceremonies or private moments
- Dress modestly when visiting churches, santería ceremonies, and rural communities
- Bring small gifts for casa particular hosts — toiletries, coffee, or school supplies for children are genuinely appreciated
- Tip guides, musicians, and service workers in convertible currency — many earn very low state salaries
Don't
- Don't make political statements about the Cuban government to locals — the topic is sensitive and can create uncomfortable situations
- Don't photograph military installations, police stations, or government buildings — it is illegal and can result in detention
- Don't exchange money with unofficial street changers (jineteros) — the official exchange rate is now standard and black market dealings are risky
- Don't talk loudly or display excessive wealth in poor neighborhoods — sensitivity to economic inequality is important
- Don't visit Santería ceremonies uninvited — these sacred rituals require invitation and respectful observation protocols
- Don't refuse a spontaneous dance invitation — joining in, however clumsily, is appreciated and makes for wonderful memories
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Santería (Regla de Ocha)
Cuba's most widespread religion blends West African Yoruba spiritual traditions with Catholic saints. Practitioners (santeros) wear white during initiation periods and celebrate sacred ceremonies with drumming and possession rituals. Non-initiates should request permission before entering ceremonies.
Rumba
Originating in the 19th century among Afro-Cuban working classes, rumba is both music and dance — a complex conversation between drums and dancers. Sunday rumba sessions at Callejón de Hamel in Havana are open to all observers and occasional participants.
Café Sharing
Offering and accepting coffee is a fundamental social ritual in Cuba. When visiting a Cuban home or business, you will almost always be offered café cubano. Accepting gratefully and drinking it — however sweet and strong — is the respectful response.
Las Parrandas
Centuries-old competing neighborhood festivals in Remedios and other villages, held around Christmas. Rival barrios compete for weeks building elaborate floats and organizing fireworks battles that fill the streets until dawn on December 24.
Cañonazo Ceremony
Every night at 9PM, Cuban soldiers in 18th-century period costume fire a cannon at La Cabaña fortress signaling the historical closing of Havana's city walls. Tourists and locals gather to watch this daily colonial-era tradition faithfully maintained for centuries.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- Handshakes for formal occasions; cheek kiss (one kiss, right cheek) between friends and acquaintances is standard. 'Buenos días' (morning), 'Buenas tardes' (afternoon), 'Buenas noches' (evening) — using these shows basic respect.
- Dining
- Wait for the host to signal before eating. Finishing your plate entirely is a compliment to the cook. Splitting the bill is unusual — one person typically treats, with reciprocation expected next time.
- Dress
- Smart casual for most occasions. Havana's fancier paladares appreciate neat dress. Beach attire is strictly for beaches — cover up when leaving the sand. Modesty is expected at churches and religious sites.
- Gifts
- Bringing a small gift when visiting a Cuban home is greatly appreciated — rum, coffee, imported food, or children's school supplies. Gifts are often set aside and not opened immediately in front of the giver.
- Business
- Business cards are exchanged respectfully with both hands. Relationships matter more than formal agreements — building personal trust before business discussions is the Cuban norm.
- Tipping
- 10-15% at paladares and tourist restaurants. $1-2 per day for casa particular hosts who provide extras. $1-2 for musicians, $1-3 for guides for short encounters. Tipping in convertible currency (USD/EUR) is preferred over CUP.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
¡Hola! / ¡Buenos días!
Hello / Good day
OH-lah / BWEH-nos DEE-as
Gracias
Thank you
GRAH-see-as
Por favor
Please
por fah-VOR
¿Cuánto cuesta?
How much does it cost?
KWAHN-toh KWES-tah
¿Dónde está...?
Where is...?
DOHN-deh es-TAH
Quisiera un mojito
I would like a mojito
kee-SYEH-rah oon moh-HEE-toh
¡Qué rico!
Delicious!
keh REE-koh
La cuenta, por favor
The bill, please
lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR
¿Tiene WiFi?
Do you have WiFi?
TYEH-neh WEE-fee
Un poco / No mucho
A little / Not much
oon POH-koh / noh MOO-choh
Asere
Friend (Cuban slang)
ah-SEH-reh
¿Qué bolá?
What's happening? / What's up?
keh boh-LAH
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Cuba.
Main: Cuba is officially secular. Catholicism was historically dominant but today Santería (Regla de Ocha) — a syncretic Afro-Cuban religion blending Yoruba traditions with Catholic saints — is arguably more widely practiced. Cuban atheism and nominal Catholicism also prevail.
Sites: Catedral de San Cristóbal (Old Havana), Basílica del Cobre near Santiago (Cuba's most important Catholic shrine), and various casas de santo (Santería temples) in residential neighborhoods
Holy Days: December 17 (San Lázaro/Babalú Ayé pilgrimage to El Rincón), December 8 (Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, Cuba's patron saint), and various Santería celebrations tied to Catholic saint days
Conversations: Religion in Cuba is deeply personal. Santería practitioners may be discreet about their beliefs due to historical government skepticism. Asking respectfully about Santería is generally welcomed but avoid judgment or comparison.