• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Layer Culture

Adventure + Cultural Travel Blog

  • Travel Tips
    • Backpacking
    • Travel Safety
    • Best Hostels
    • Travel Jobs
  • Packing List
  • Travel Guides
    • Mexico
    • Central America
    • Colombia
    • Brazil
    • South America
    • Jamaica
  • Culture
    • Learn Spanish
    • Living Abroad
You are here: Home / Travel Gear / What to Pack for Cuba

What to Pack for Cuba

Travel Gear Last Updated · Jan 14th, 2022

Are you wondering what to pack for a trip to Cuba?

what to pack for cuba
Still deciding what to pack for a trip to Cuba?

Knowing what to pack for Cuba is just as important as making sure that you even come here in the first place!

When you decide to come to a nation like Cuba, you are coming to experience a part of the world few other nations can replicate.


Quick Answer: What to Pack for Cuba

  • Thinking Of Going In The Sea? – Underwater Snorkel Set
  • Keep Your Belongings Secure – Get Ths Amazing Backpack
  • Repel Those Pesky Pests – All Natural Bug Spray
  • Protect Your Eyes At All Times – See My Favourite Travel Glasses
  • Cuba Travel Safety Guide – Is Cuba Safe?

Cuba is a very unique location, ensuring that you get to enjoy all the help that you could possibly need to see what life is really like in Cuba.

Table of Contents

  • What to Pack for Cuba
    • What not to Bring to Cuba
  • Packing for Cuba
    • Tortuga Outbreaker
    • Premium Dry Top Snorkel Set
    • Organic Bug Spray
    • LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
    • Waxhead Zinc Oxide Sunscreen
    • Hip Flask For Cuban Rum
    • House of Marley Bluetooth Speaker
    • Ray-Ban Wayfarer Folding Sunglasses
  • What to Pack for Cuba
    • Need More Packing Inspiration?

What to Pack for Cuba

Knowing what not to carry to Cuba is equally as important too, before we look at the list of what to pack see the suggestions below.

What not to Bring to Cuba

If you’re unsure of what list of things to bring to Cuba, I recommend that you try and avoid bringing along things like:

  • Anything prohibited by the Cuba Customs website. This changes all the time but includes everything from TVs and satellite phones to air conditioning units and water heaters. These items will be confiscated or could see you barred from entry.
  • You also can’t bring any fresh fruit. That might seem a little over the top, but it’s important that you avoid bringing any of this with you: you will simply not be allowed to bring any of this in, and you’ll not be given any compensation if it’s taken off you.
  • You can, though, bring things like video cameras, laptop computers, and anything that could be used to either capture sounds. This means that you can get in with a lot of IT equipment, but I recommend that you check ahead of time to see if you can bring this with you.
  • Lastly, in your checklist for Cuba don’t include any kind of foreign coin with you. Only bring bills and notes. Keep in mind that any US Dollars come with a 10% surcharge.

Packing for Cuba

So what things may you want to pack for Cuba? See some of the useful information and advice below.

This should help you to make sure that you come to Cuba armed with all of the tools that you need to make the most of your time here.

Tortuga Outbreaker

what to pack for cuba

Features:

  • Top quality backpack
  • Immense storage capacity within
  • Sturdy yet lightweight

Price via Tortuga

If you need a travel companion that will make your life easier, this might be a good place to start. You’ll find that the interior of each of these bags will deliver a very impressive and satisfying solution.

Tortuga backpacks make it much easier for you to keep all of your goods secure as you travel through Cuba thanks to its ergonomic design and easily organized interior.


Premium Dry Top Snorkel Set

what to pack for cuba

Features:

  • Great for underwater events
  • Tempered glass, anti-fog lens
  • Snorkeling must-have

Price via Amazon

If you intend on going on some impromptu snorkeling, then you should look to try some of the best snorkeling masks out there – like this one.

It’s a must-have if you are serious about enjoying the whole experience, giving you all the help that you need to ensure that you can allow the snorkeling experience to be enjoyed, not endured.


Organic Bug Spray

what to pack for cuba

Features:

  • USDA approved bug spray
  • Great for all bugs
  • Last for 4-hours

Price via Amazon

Probably the best bug spray for Cuba. Especially if you don’t want to become dinner for the creatures and critters! Quite frankly, bug spray is a must-have. See these travel-sized bugs spays for more ideas.

It will help you to avoid this problem, instead of ensuring that you can enjoy getting rid of the bugs and actually seeing the country.

An essential for every packing list for Cuba and great for getting rid of the particularly dangerous mosquitoes in the area without any consequence.


LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

what to pack for cuba

Features:

  • Kills off bacterial parasites
  • Removes environmental contamination
  • Up to 1000-gallons

Price via Amazon

If you wish to make sure that you can get a drink of water in a pinch, this water filter is just what you need.

This device can kill off just about anything dangerous in the water, allowing for you to easily get rid of contaminants, chemicals, microplastics, and parasites meaning that you can get a drink of water when it’s needed.


Waxhead Zinc Oxide Sunscreen

what to pack for cuba

Features:

  • SPF 30 protection
  • Great for lasting safety
  • UVA/UVB protection provided

Price via Amazon

Cuba is a naturally hot place, so protecting yourself from its incredible heat makes a lot of sense.

This will help you to bear the brunt of the summer heat and make sure that you can enjoy a bit of extra protection, meaning that you should be able to go anywhere in Cuba and enjoy the sun instead of suffering from it.


Hip Flask For Cuban Rum

what to pack for cuba

Features:

  • Excellent gift
  • Great for celebrating achievements
  • Impressive leakproof material

Price via Amazon

When packing for Cuba, if you want to make sure that you can celebrate your landmark moments, a bit of liquor might be just what you need.

This awesome little flask lets you carry that with you at all times, ensuring that you can easily get over any problems with regards to carrying around a bottle: now you can enjoy Cuban rum the classic way!


House of Marley Bluetooth Speaker

what to pack for cuba

Features:

  • Great sound quality
  • Inconspicuous speaker design
  • Easy to recharge

Price via Amazon

Want to enjoy those momentous moments with some of your favorite songs? This easy to use Bluetooth speaker will make that instantly possible.

A must-have for anyone who wants to help take some shots of the world, enjoy some time to themselves and celebrate with some quality music to help them rest, relax and recuperate from the achievements of the day.


Ray-Ban Wayfarer Folding Sunglasses

what to pack for cuba

Features:

  • Excellent eye protection
  • 100% UV400 protection
  • Non-polarized glasses design

Price via Amazon

When you want to enjoy every last sight and sign that Cuba has to offer you, then you need to pick up a pair of quality folding sunglasses.

See my travel sunglasses review. These shades will give you all the help that you need to help make sure that you can drink in those stunning sights seen from atop the various natural landscapes Cuba has to offer.


What to Pack for Cuba

Now that you know what to pack for Cuba you can feel much more comfortable about coming to this amazing location.

Out of all the places that you could visit in the world, few are likely to be as welcoming and as friendly as a trip to Cuba. Find out more info on Cuba here.

So, keep all that in mind: it’s going to play a decisive role in helping you enjoy every last moment!

📌 Like this article? Pin it…

what to pack for cuba trip
packing for cuba trip
Did this help your search with what to pack for Cuba?

Need More Packing Inspiration?

Hopefully, you’ve got some ideas on what to carry to Cuba.

Feel like you need more travel gear for your trip?

  • Books About Cuba – Carry a book along with you.
  • What to Wear In The Desert – Clothing for the desert.
  • Travel Shoe Bags – Protect your shoes in transit.
  • Comfy Walking Shoes – The most comfortable travel shoes.
  • Backpack Rain Cover – Stop your gear from getting wet.

Or, maybe you’re even considering buying a gift for a fellow traveler? Check out our best travel gear page for ideas on what else to carry.


“Dear friend! Some links in this post contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, book a hostel or sign up for a tour, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support means a lot to me and helps me to keep traveling and maintaining the quality of this site for you.”

Filed Under: Travel Gear

Daniel James

Helping thousands of people worldwide with backpacking in Latin America. Layer Culture means to dig deeper into the ideas, customs, and behavior of a group of people.

Footer

  • South America Safety
  • Connect with locals
  • Dan’s Travel Bible

Travel Tips

  • South America Safety
  • Connect with locals
  • Dan’s Travel Bible

Work with Dan

  • Be a Travelpreneur
  • About This Blog
  • Ask Me Anything

Get Inspired

  • South America Itinerary
  • Central America Safety
  • Solo Travel Tips

How to Learn Spanish

  • Learn Spanish Conversation
  • Become Fluent in Spanish
  • Top Places to Learn Spanish

© 2022 · Daniel James · Built on Genesis · See my site Policies

Layerculture is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com Other affiliate programs linking to other recommended products and services are also used.

This website uses cookies to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
31 shares