Who Is Travelling to Cuba Right Now?

Cuba is going through its toughest stretch in decades. Rolling blackouts, fuel shortages, suspended flights, and a UK Foreign Office advisory. If you’ve been thinking about Cuba, you’ve probably wondered whether it’s even possible to go right now.

It is. And people are going.

This isn’t a sales pitch. It’s an honest look at where things stand as of June 2026, written by a team that’s been arranging Cuba holidays for years and continues to do so. We talk to hotels, airlines, and local contacts on the ground every week. Here’s what we know.

What’s happening in Cuba right now

The root of the current crisis is energy. Since January 2026, the US has moved to cut off Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba, the island’s primary fuel supply. The effect has been severe.

Rolling blackouts hit most of the country, sometimes lasting up to 20 hours a day outside major tourist areas. Fuel rationing has disrupted public transport, water pumping, and daily life for millions of Cubans.

The situation has worsened through 2026, not eased. On 13 May the government announced its diesel and fuel-oil reserves were exhausted, and from 6 June international cards (Visa and Mastercard) stopped working on the island — so you now have to bring all your money as cash in US dollars or euros. Blackouts run for many hours a day. None of this makes travel impossible, but it makes who you book with matter more than ever.

On the aviation side, several carriers have suspended Cuba routes:

• Air France (Paris) and Iberia (Madrid) have both suspended their Havana routes; any resumption is unconfirmed

• All Canadian carriers (Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing, Air Transat) have pulled out for 2026

• Air Europa is still flying via Madrid — reduced, and with a refuelling stop in the Dominican Republic

Air Europa is still flying. Reduced frequency, but flights from Madrid to Havana are running. More on this below.

The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Cuba. We take that seriously. But it’s worth understanding what it actually means. It’s not a travel ban. Standard travel insurance may not cover you, though specialist policies exist. Travellers who do so with their eyes open and accept personal responsibility.

For a deeper look at the advisory and what it means in practice, read our guide, “Is Cuba Safe to Visit in 2026?

Who’s still travelling, and why

Not everyone has cancelled. The people who are still going to Cuba tend to share a few things in common.

Most are repeats. They ’ves. They’ve been before, sometimes several times. They understand the country beyond the headlines, and they know Cuba has always required patience and flexibility.

Many are motivated by something beyond a beach holiday. They know that their efforts put money directly into the hands of Cuban families, guides, and restaurant owners. In a country where state wages average under 20 pounds a month, that matters.

This isn’t It ’stract. It’s practical:

• Staying in casas particulares (private homestays) puts income-strapped families’ hands
• Eating at paladares (private restaurants) supports entrepreneurs who’ve built businesses from scratch
• Local guides, drivers, and musicians depend on visitor spending to get through the week
• Tipping well in euros or pounds makes a real difference. We’re now

We’re not saying everyone should rush to Cuba. But those who go, and do so thoughtfully, are providing direct support to the people who need it. Doesn’t help ordinary Cubans. It hurts them.

We maintain on-the-ground relationships precisely for moments like this. We know which hotels have generator backup, which routes are running, and which areas are best prepared for visitors.

How to get there from the UK

Right now, the most reliable route is Air Europa via Madrid.

They’re operating flights from Madrid Barajas to Havana on a reduced schedule; they’re still running weekly. From the UK, you connect through Madrid, either on the same ticket or with a short stopover.

We handle the full routing: the UK-to-Madrid leg, the onward flight, and airport transfers in Havana. We also sort Cuba visa requirements haven’t changed. You can apply for your Cuba e-Visa at cubavisa.uk.

Airline schedules have shifted several times already this year. We check them weekly and will always give you the latest picture before confirming anything.

For the current routes, who is still flying and how long the journey takes, see our full guide to flights to Cuba from the UK.

Hotels still operating in Cuba

Despite everything, a number of hotels across Cuba remain open — though some, especially in Varadero and the cays, have been closing or consolidating as the crisis deepens, so availability shifts constantly. The range runs from boutique hotels in Old Havana to all-inclusive resorts in Varadero, so there’s a choice at different price points.

The hotels we work with across Cuba — listed below — were operating recently, but in the current crisis availability changes constantly, so we confirm exactly which are open and running normally before every booking:

Havana (13 hotels)

• Tryp Habana Libre
• Meliá Cohiba
• Meliá Habana
• Sevilla
• Innside Catedral
• Iberostar Marqués de la Torre
• Iberostar Grand Packard
• Memories Miramar
• Mystique Habana
• Royalton Habana
• Aston Habana
• Grand Mutu Habana
• Hotel Nacional de Cuba

Jibacoa (1 hotel)

• Memories Jibacoa

Varadero (7 hotels)

• Sol Caribe Beach
• Meliá Varadero
• Meliá Las Américas
• Paradisus Varadero
• Meliá Internacional
• Starfish Cuatro Palmas
• Villa Cuba

Trinidad (3 hotels)

• Meliá Trinidad Península
• Mystique Trinidad
• Memories Trinidad

Cayo Santa María (1 hotel)

• Paradisus Los Cayos

This list is updated weekly. Availability can change at short notice, so contact us for the latest before booking.

What to expect on the ground

If you travel to Cuba right now, go prepared.

Power cuts happen. Tourist hotels have generator backup, but air conditioning may drop out briefly and lighting outside hotel grounds can be patchy.

Bring cash. GBP or EUR, to exchange on arrival. UK and US bdon’tards don’t work in Cuba. There are no ATMs that accept foreign cards.

Pack everything you’ll need. Medications, sun cream, toiletries, and insect repellent. Local shops face real shortages, so don’t count on buying anything there.

Water can be intermittent. Hotels manage their own water supply but don’t take it for granted.

Take dengue precautions: use a repellent and wear long sleeves at dusk. It’s present across the Caribbean, and Cuba is no excepthasn’t

nd one thing that hasn’t changed: Cubans are warm, especiahaven’tard visitors who haven’t given up on the country. You’ll be met with genuine hospitality, not resentment.

How can we help

Specialise in Cuba. We’ve been arranging holidays for years, and we haven’t stopped.

We’re in weekly contact with hotels and local partners. When it says "hot weather," we’ve opened it because we’ve checked, not because a website says so.

We build bespoke Cuba trips: flights via Air Europa, hotel selection from the confirmed-open list, airport transfers, local guides, and day excursions. We check availability in real time before confirming anything.

If Cuba is on your mind, get in touch. No pressure. Just honest advice from people who know the country.

Browse our Cuba itineraries: Classic Cuba Cultural | Jibacoa All-Inclusive