Cuba is one of the most distinctive winter escapes a Quebec traveller can take — and the one travellers feel most strongly about either way. Varadero's beach is genuinely one of the Caribbean's finest, the all-inclusive value is among the best anywhere, and the vintage cars, live music and a day trip to Havana offer something no other sun destination can. But Cuba comes with real quirks that surprise the unprepared, and going in knowing them is the difference between a wonderful week and a frustrating one. This is the honest guide I give every client considering Cuba.
After more than twenty years booking Cuba for Quebec travellers, I can tell you the people who love it are the ones who arrive prepared. Here's what to know before you go — the beaches and resorts, the cash and connectivity realities, and the entry rules — so Cuba is the happy surprise it should be.
Why Cuba?
Cuba's draw is a rare combination: beautiful, swimmable beaches, the lowest prices among the big sun destinations, and a culture you can feel. Varadero offers kilometres of white sand and turquoise shallows lined with all-inclusive resorts built for sun-seekers, and it's a short hop from Montreal — Varadero is roughly three and a half to four hours' direct flight, a touch closer than most Caribbean options. Add classic cars, son and salsa, and the living-museum streets of Havana, and Cuba gives you a beach holiday with a story.
Where to go
Cuba is more than Varadero, though that's where most first-timers start.
- Varadero: the main resort beach — the longest stretch, the most resorts, and the easiest base, with Havana day trips on offer.
- Cayo Coco & Cayo Santa María: pristine offshore cays reached by causeway, quieter and beautiful, with newer resorts.
- Holguín / Guardalavaca: lush, scenic beaches on the eastern side, more laid-back.
- Havana: the cultural heart — stay a night or two for the old town, the music and the classic-car streets, on its own or paired with a beach.
The honest realities to plan around
Here's the part most booking sites skip, and it matters. Canadian (and other foreign) credit and debit cards generally do not work in Cuba, so you bring all the cash you'll need and exchange it there. Wi-Fi and connectivity are limited and slow compared with Mexico or the Dominican Republic, so plan to be more unplugged. Resort dining and variety are simpler than at comparable resorts elsewhere, and the country has been experiencing shortages, which resorts work hard to insulate guests from but cannot entirely erase. None of this should put you off — it simply means arriving prepared, which is exactly what I make sure my clients do. Many travellers also bring small gifts or everyday toiletries to share, which is appreciated.
Entry requirements
Cuba's entry rules changed recently, so get these right. Since mid-2025 Cuba uses an electronic visa (e-visa), which replaced the old paper tourist card — on direct flights from Canada it's normally included in your airfare, but if you connect through another country you may need to buy a separate e-visa first. You also complete the free online D'Viajeros customs-and-health form (you'll get a QR code) in the 48 hours before departure, your passport must be valid at least six months, and — importantly — travel medical insurance is a condition of entry. My entry-requirements guide covers the details, and I confirm them for every client; always verify on the official sources before you fly.
When to go
Cuba follows the Caribbean seasons: the dry, sunny high season runs roughly December through April, which is peak weather and exactly when you most want to escape a Quebec winter, so book early. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June through November, and Cuba's beaches see some sargassum on Atlantic-facing stretches in the warmer months. My guide to the best time to visit breaks down the calendar so you can pick the right week.
What to pack and bring
- All the cash you'll need for the trip, since foreign cards generally don't work — plus your mandatory insurance details.
- Any medications and a small personal first-aid kit, in their original packaging.
- Reef-safe sunscreen, after-sun and insect repellent — and a little extra, as resort shops are limited.
- Your passport (valid 6+ months) and your D'Viajeros QR code.
- Patience and an open mind — the simpler pace is part of Cuba's charm.
Mistakes I help travellers avoid
- Arriving expecting cards to work and being caught short on cash.
- Not knowing travel insurance is a legal entry requirement.
- Expecting Mexico-level dining variety and fast Wi-Fi.
- Connecting through another country without realising they need a separate e-visa.
- Travelling in peak sargassum weeks on an Atlantic-facing beach without knowing it.
How I help
Cuba is the destination where preparation makes or breaks the trip, and that's exactly where an advisor is worth it. I match the resort and area to your group and budget, give you the honest picture so nothing surprises you, confirm the e-visa, D'Viajeros form and the mandatory insurance, and handle the flights and transfers. Booked through my Quebec agency your trip is FICAV-protected and you have a real person to call. Go in prepared and Cuba is wonderful — and I make sure you are.
Cuba rewards the prepared traveller more than anywhere I book. Tell people the honest version first, and they come home in love with it.
Frequently asked questions
Do Canadian credit cards work in Cuba?
Generally no — foreign credit and debit cards usually don't work in Cuba, so you should bring all the cash you'll need for the trip and exchange it there. This is the single most important thing to prepare for.
Is travel insurance required for Cuba?
Yes — travel medical insurance is a condition of entry for Cuba, so you must have valid coverage. It's worth having regardless, but for Cuba it's mandatory, and I make sure it's in place.
What's the best beach in Cuba?
Varadero is the famous one — a long, calm, white-sand beach with the most resorts and the easiest logistics. The offshore cays like Cayo Santa María and Cayo Coco are more pristine and quieter, and Holguín offers lush eastern beaches.
Is Cuba worth visiting right now?
For many travellers, yes — for the beaches, the value and the atmosphere — provided you go prepared: bring cash, expect limited connectivity and simpler resort dining, and check the current Government of Canada advisory before booking. I'll give you the honest picture so it's a happy trip.
Do I need an e-visa for Cuba?
Yes — Cuba uses an electronic visa, normally included in your airfare on direct flights from Canada, though a separate e-visa may be needed if you connect through another country. You also complete the free D'Viajeros form before departure. I confirm exactly what your trip needs.
Thinking about Cuba? Tell me your dates, your budget and who's travelling, and I'll match you to the right resort, prepare you for the realities, and handle the e-visa, insurance and flights. Request a free quote below, or call me directly and we'll plan it together.