The United States Embassy in Havana updated its Level 2 travel advisory on 20 January 2026, specifically citing power grid failures alongside existing crime concerns.

Is Cuba Safe to Travel to in 2026?

Cuba presents significant challenges for travellers in 2026, with deteriorating infrastructure creating safety risks beyond traditional concerns. The US State Department maintains a Level 2 advisory—Exercise Increased Caution—whilst several European nations have issued similar warnings according to diplomatic sources. Travel Off Path explicitly recommends avoiding Cuba entirely for leisure travel in 2026.

The island's electrical grid suffered catastrophic failures throughout late 2025 and early 2026, leaving major tourist destinations including Havana and Varadero without power for up to 18 hours daily. Reuters reported that the grid collapsed completely on 15 February 2026, affecting all 15 provinces simultaneously.

The Current Situation

Cuba's power crisis stems from aging Soviet-era infrastructure and fuel shortages affecting the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, which supplies 20% of national capacity. The Ministry of Energy confirmed that six of the island's eight major power plants operate at reduced capacity due to maintenance issues.

Blackouts now affect 2.3 million households daily across the 110,860 square kilometre island, according to government statistics released in February 2026. Tourist areas previously exempt from rolling blackouts now experience regular outages lasting 6-12 hours.

The economic situation has deteriorated markedly since late 2025. Cuba's National Office of Statistics reported inflation reached 31% in 2025, driving food shortages in urban areas. Basic commodities including fuel, medicine, and food remain scarce even in tourist zones.

Internet connectivity, already limited, becomes non-existent during power outages. The state telecommunications company ETECSA confirmed that 40% of mobile towers lack backup generators, creating communication dead zones during blackouts.

Regional Safety Breakdown

Havana Province experiences the most frequent power cuts, with the capital's 2.1 million residents facing daily outages of 8-14 hours. The Historic Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site spanning 4.37 square kilometres, loses lighting and security systems nightly. Petty crime incidents increased 23% in tourist areas between December 2025 and February 2026, according to police statistics.

Varadero Peninsula, Cuba's primary resort destination 140 kilometres east of Havana, maintains partial power through hotel generators. However, the 22-kilometre peninsula's infrastructure struggles during peak tourist season. Water pumping stations fail regularly during outages, affecting hotel operations.

Santiago de Cuba, the island's second-largest city with 431,000 residents, faces more severe shortages than western regions. The southeastern city experiences power cuts lasting up to 20 hours daily. Transport between Santiago and Havana, a 862-kilometre journey, faces delays due to fuel shortages.

Trinidad and the Valley de los Ingenios, popular with independent travellers, suffers extended blackouts affecting the colonial city's 73,000 residents. The FCO confirmed that tourists have been stranded without communication or transport during outages.

Viñales Valley, 180 kilometres west of Havana, maintains better power stability but lacks medical facilities during emergencies. The valley's rural location means mobile coverage disappears entirely during blackouts.

Crime & Safety

Petty crime targeting tourists has increased substantially during the power crisis. Cuba's Interior Ministry reported a 31% rise in theft incidents in tourist areas between October 2025 and February 2026. Pickpocketing and bag snatching peak during evening blackouts when street lighting fails.

Violent crime remains relatively rare, but desperation-driven incidents have emerged. Police documented 47 cases of tourists being robbed for food, medicine, or cash in Havana during January 2026. The US Embassy warned that criminals increasingly target tourist areas during power outages.

Scams targeting tourists have evolved to exploit infrastructure failures. Fraudsters offer fake generators, fuel, or transport during blackouts. The Canadian Embassy reported 23 cases of tourists being overcharged for basic necessities during power cuts in February 2026.

Civil unrest remains a concern. Protests over power cuts occurred in Havana's Cerro municipality on 8 March 2026, involving approximately 200 residents. State security typically responds quickly to demonstrations, creating risks for tourists in affected areas.

Entry Requirements & Practicalities

Cuba introduced electronic visas for most nationalities in January 2026, streamlining entry procedures. British tourists require a tourist card costing £25, valid for 30 days with possible 30-day extension. The process takes 72 hours according to the Cuban Embassy in London.

Health insurance remains mandatory, covering minimum £25,000 medical expenses. Several UK insurers now exclude Cuba from standard policies due to infrastructure concerns. Specialist travel insurance for Cuba costs 40-60% more than standard Caribbean coverage.

Currency restrictions complicate travel planning. Cuba's dual currency system ended in 2021, leaving only the Cuban peso (CUP). ATMs frequently malfunction during power cuts, whilst card payments become impossible. The Central Bank advises carrying sufficient cash for entire stays.

Communication proves challenging even under normal circumstances. Mobile data costs $1 per MB through ETECSA, whilst WiFi hotspots operate only in major hotels and public squares. During blackouts, all connectivity ceases.

Medical facilities struggle with power instability. Havana's Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital, serving many tourists, operates on backup generators with limited capacity. Prescription medications face severe shortages, with insulin and heart medications particularly scarce.

What Travellers Should Do Now

Postpone non-essential travel to Cuba until power grid stability improves. Those with existing bookings should verify hotel generator capabilities and backup systems before departing. Contact accommodation directly regarding power availability and communication options during outages.

Purchase comprehensive travel insurance specifically covering Cuba's infrastructure risks. Ensure policies include emergency evacuation coverage, as medical facilities may become inaccessible during extended blackouts.

Carry sufficient cash for entire trips, including emergency reserves. Banks and ATMs become unusable during power cuts, whilst card machines fail across the island. Budget 30% above normal expenses due to inflated prices during shortages.

Download offline maps and translation apps before arrival. GPS navigation fails during blackouts, whilst language barriers intensify when seeking help during emergencies. Identify embassy locations and contact numbers before departing UK.

Key Facts:

  • US Level 2 travel advisory updated 20 January 2026 citing power grid failures
  • 2.3 million households affected by daily blackouts lasting up to 18 hours
  • Tourist area crime increased 23% between December 2025 and February 2026
  • Six of eight major power plants operate at reduced capacity due to maintenance issues