Country guide
Cuba
Visa
Visa required
Vaccinations
Conditional
Currency
The official currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP) but the 'tourist' currency is the Peso Convertible (CUC).
Time zones
UTC / GMT -5 (7 hours behind South Africa)
Dialing code
+ 53
Best time to go
November to May
Drinking water
Bottled water recommended
Travel tips
If taking cigars out of Cuba, you may take up to 50 cigars. These must be unopened and sealed in their original packaging and you must be able to show a receipt proving you bought them in an authorised shop, otherwise they will be seized.
Visa guide
Entry requirements
- Valid passport with minimum 6 months expiration
- Travel insurance with medical coverage
- Round-trip airline ticket
QR code of the completed D'VIAJEROS form - www.dviajeros
Visa requirements
Visas are required by SA passport holders.
Applications to be made online: evisacuba.cu. Multiple passengers may be added to a single application. Proof of payment must be in .jpg form.
NOTE: if travelling by sea, visas must be applied for via the Embassy / Consulate
Issuing authorities
Embassy of Cuba in South Africa (concurrent in Lesotho and Eswatini)
45 Mackenzie St, Brooklyn
Tel: 012 881 6389
E-mail: embajada@za.embacuba.cu
Web: misiones.cubaminrex.cu/en/south-africa
Office Hours: Mon - Fri: 08h30 - 12h30
Visa processing time
E-visa response time is 72 hours.
Visa validity
The tourist visa is valid for a single entry to Cuba, for a stay of 90 days, extendable for 90 days.
Visa cost
R315.
SA representative
SA Embassy
Ave 5ta, No 4201, esq 42, Miramar, Playa, Ciudad de La Habana, Havana
Tel: + 537 204 9671
Health / vaccinations
Compulsory: Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover)
Recommended Travel Vaccines: Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Tetanus, Polio
Public holidays
2026: Jan 1-2; Apr 3; May 1; Jul 25-27; Oct 10; Dec 25, 31