Cuba Travel Insurance: Plans & Prices
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Reviewed By Last updated: 10/13/2025
Key Takeaways
- Our analysis shows that Detour, World Trips, and AXA Assistance offer the best travel insurance for Cuba
- Travel insurance is required to visit Cuba and must meet the specific requirements outlined by the Cuban government
- Due to international relations and ongoing safety risks, many travel insurance providers do not provide coverage for trips to Cuba
- U.S. health insurance is not accepted in Cuba, so policies with strong travel medical benefits are recommended
- Americans visiting Cuba should exercise increased caution due to reports of violent crime, theft against tourists, and natural disasters
- Comprehensive travel insurance for Cuba trips costs $40/day on average
- Try our online travel insurance comparison tool to get quotes from multiple providers at once. For personal assistance, call our award-winning agents at 1-800-240-0369
Our Top Recommended Cuba Travel Insurance Plans
- Detour Insurance – @the edge because it offers the best coverage for adventure activities of any travel insurance provider on Squaremouth.
- World Trips – Elevate because it offers strong medical coverage and generous protection against weather-related cancellations.
- AXA Assistance – Gold because it offers well-rounded coverage against delays, missed connections, baggage loss, and other common trip disruptions.
Do I Need Travel Insurance for Cuba?
Yes, travel insurance is required for travel to Cuba. Failure to provide proof of coverage at immigration may result in being denied entry.
It’s possible to purchase coverage upon arrival from a local Cuban insurance company. However, this protection is often more expensive and offers less protection than a policy from a reputable travel insurance provider.
To enter Cuba, your policy must meet the following travel insurance requirements:
- Medical Coverage: Your policy must cover the cost of hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription medication, and other unexpected medical expenses.
- Medical Evacuation & Repatriation: Your policy will need to include coverage for emergency medical evacuations to the nearest adequate medical facility, as well as repatriation of remains in the event of death.
- Duration: Your policy’s coverage period must be valid for the entirety of your stay within Cuba.
Visit the U.S. Embassy in Cuba’s official website for other, non-insurance-related entry requirements.
Reasons You May Need Travel Insurance for Cuba
Tourist Entry Requirements
All travelers visiting Cuba are required to purchase travel medical insurance that lasts for the duration of their stay. Travelers who do not purchase coverage before their trip run the risk of being denied entry or forced to purchase insurance from a local provider upon arrival.
✅ To avoid issues at immigration, we recommend purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy from a trusted provider before you depart for Cuba. These plans will meet Cuba’s insurance requirements and provide robust protection for the duration of your trip.
Medical Emergencies in Remote or Rural Areas
Cuba has many beautiful beaches, small towns, and rural regions that travelers love to explore, but access to quality medical facilities can be limited outside major cities like Havana.
✅ Most travel insurance policies come standard with Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation coverage, which can reimburse you for unexpected medical costs incurred while in Cuba. Some providers can also provide upfront payment for medical treatment if required.
Adventure and Outdoor Activities
Snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking in Viñales, or exploring Cuba’s countryside are popular activities among tourists. However, these adventure sports often increase the risk of getting injured or ill during your trip.
✅ Travel insurance plans that include the Sports & Activities benefit are designed to cover travel accidents that occur while participating in high-risk activities while away from home.
Severe Weather Events
Cuba is in the Caribbean hurricane zone, and storms often result in flight cancellations, significant trip delays, or emergency evacuations. Even outside hurricane season, heavy rains can disrupt your travel plans.
✅ Some travel insurance plans include a Hurricane & Weather benefit that covers trip cancellations, interruptions, and delays caused by inclement weather. Some comprehensive plans also provide Non-Medical Evacuation coverage that can cover costs to get you to safety in the event of a natural disaster.
Criminal Activity
According to the U.S. Department of State, pickpocketing, petty theft, and violent crime have been known to occur in tourist areas, especially in Havana and other popular destinations.
✅ Most travel insurance policies include Baggage Loss protection, which is designed to reimburse travelers whose personal belongings are lost, stolen, or damaged during a covered trip. All plans also include 24-Hour Emergency Assistance Services that can assist in replacing lost travel documents or filing a local police report.
More Details on the Best Travel Insurance for Cuba
Recommended Plan: @the edge
Emergency Medical: $100,000
Medical Evacuation: $1,000,000
Trip Cancellation: 100% of trip costs
Great for adventure trips that involve high-risk activities
Recommended Plan: Gold
Emergency Medical: $250,000
Medical Evacuation: $1,000,000
Trip Cancellation: 100% of trip costs
Offers great coverage for disruptions relating to inclement weather and natural disasters
Recommended Plan: Gold
Emergency Medical: $100,000
Medical Evacuation: $500,000
- Trip Cancellation: 100% of trip costs
Includes identity theft protection and concierge services at no additional cost
How Much Does Cuba Travel Insurance Cost?
According to internal data from Squaremouth, the average Cuba travel insurance policy costs $40 per day. *
This is based on travel insurance policies purchased on Squaremouth by travelers visiting Cuba over the past year. These policies had an average premium of $320 with an average trip length of 8 days.
That said, it’s possible to find even cheaper travel insurance for Cuba by opting for medical-only travel coverage.
Here are sample costs for the most popular Cuba travel insurance plans. These quotes below are for a 35-year-old traveler purchasing comprehensive travel insurance for a 10-day, $3,000 trip to Cuba:
Comprehensive Travel Insurance Cost Example
| Provider | Plan Name | Plan Cost | Cancellation / Interruption Limits | Medical/Medevac Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detour | @the edge | $89 | $3,000 / $3,000 | $100,000 / $1,000,000 |
| WorldTrips | Elevate | $97 | $3,000 / $4,500 | $250,000 / $1,000,000 |
| AXA Assistance | Gold | $107 | $3,000 / $4,500 | $100,000 / $500,000 |
What Travel Coverage Do You Need for Cuba?
Travel insurance is not just recommended for Cuba; it’s required. Whether you’re exploring Havana’s historic streets, relaxing on the beaches of Varadero, or venturing into the Viñales Valley, we recommend purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance plan that protects you from unexpected medical costs, cancellations, delays, and baggage loss.
When comparing travel insurance policies, consider the following benefits:
Emergency Medical Coverage
Cuba has a public healthcare system, but facilities outside of Havana and major tourist hubs may be limited. Additionally, U.S. health insurance and Medicare are not accepted in Cuba, meaning you’d be responsible for all costs without coverage.
The Emergency Medical benefit can cover unexpected medical expenses, from hospital visits to ambulance rides, throughout your stay in Cuba. We recommend at least $50,000 in medical coverage, especially if you’re venturing outside Havana.
Medical Evacuation Coverage
Many of Cuba’s most popular destinations, like Cayo Coco and the Sierra Maestra mountains, are far away from well-equipped medical facilities. If you need emergency care, you may require an air ambulance to Havana or even transport back to the U.S.
Look for a plan with at least $100,000 in Emergency Medical Evacuation coverage to protect against these high costs.
Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance
Unexpected events like hurricanes, sudden illness, or family emergencies can derail your Cuban vacation and force you to cancel your plans. If you’ve prepaid for accommodations, airfare, a guided tour, and excursions, Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption insurance can protect your non-refundable investments.
Look for travel insurance plans that will cover 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you cancel before departure, and up to 150–200% if you’re forced to return home early.
Baggage Loss Coverage
Theft and pickpocketing can often impact tourists in Cuba. Airlines can also misplace luggage, which may force travelers to purchase clothes, toiletries, and other necessary items while waiting for their bags to arrive.
Baggage Loss protection can reimburse you for lost, stolen, or delayed items and help replace essentials like medications or winter clothing.
Travel Delay Coverage
Flight schedules to José Martí International Airport can be limited, and delays caused by weather, airline issues, or missed connections are not uncommon. A delay of just a few hours can mean unexpected hotel stays, meals, and transportation costs.
Travel Delay coverage reimburses you for these extra expenses when your trip is disrupted, providing peace of mind if your plans don’t go exactly as scheduled. Look for plans with short minimum delay period requirements, providing coverage once a traveler is delayed just 3-6 hours.
Adventure Sports Coverage
Cuba is a playground for adventure travelers, offering world-class snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, hiking, and cycling year-round. However, many of these activities are considered higher-risk by providers and may not be covered by a standard plan.
If your trip includes outdoor excursions or winter sports, ensure your policy includes Sports & Activities coverage or offers it as an upgrade.
What Isn’t Covered by Cuba Travel Insurance Plans?
Every travel insurance policy comes with exclusions that outline the scenarios, expenses, and events that will not be covered. While these exclusions vary by provider, most Cuba travel insurance policies will not cover the following:
- Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: Most plans exclude coverage for medical issues tied to pre-existing conditions, unless you purchase a waiver or meet specific eligibility requirements.
- Sports-Related Injuries: High-risk activities like scuba diving, spearfishing, or motorbike rentals are not typically covered by standard travel insurance plans.
- Named Hurricane or Storm: Travel insurance typically won’t cover cancellations or interruptions caused by a storm that was already named before you purchased your policy.
- Travel Against Government Advisories: If the U.S. State Department or your home country’s government issues a travel advisory against visiting Cuba, traveling during that time may void your coverage.
- Acts of War: Losses or injuries caused by war, civil unrest, terrorism, or political violence are not always covered by most travel insurance plans.
- Incidents Involving Drugs or Alcohol: If an accident or illness occurs while you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, your insurer may deny your claim.
Tips for Finding the Best Travel Insurance for Cuba
Use a comparison Tool
Very few travel insurance providers currently offer protection to Americans who are visiting Cuba. A comparison site, like Squaremouth, can instantly analyze 100+ travel insurance plans to identify the policies that currently offer Cuba protection, saving you valuable time.
Comparison sites can also help you see how single-trip and annual plans compete when it comes to cost and coverage. As a rule of thumb, we recommend comparing policies from at least 3-4 different insurance providers before making a decision.
Read the fine print and policy exclusions
Exclusions, eligibility requirements, and limitations can vary dramatically from one policy to the next. Take time to review each policy’s Certificate of Insurance so you’re aware of what’s covered and what isn’t.
Factor in your Cuba itinerary
From the colorful streets of Old Havana to the white-sand beaches of Varadero, Cuba offers a wide variety of experiences for travelers. Because Cuba requires all visitors to carry travel medical insurance, your itinerary will play a big role in determining the level of coverage you need.
Referring to your travel plans when shopping for insurance can help you prioritize key benefits and identify risks that may require additional protection. For example, trips planned during Cuba’s hurricane season may require plans that offer specific protection against inclement weather and natural disasters.
Determine how much travel insurance coverage you need
We recommend that travelers buy at least $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage when visiting Cuba. Additional coverage may be needed if you plan on visiting remote or mountainous areas far from quality medical facilities.
Cuba’s public healthcare does not cover foreign visitors, and most hospitals often require upfront payment. Travel insurance helps cover these costs to avoid large medical bills after your trip.
Is Travel Insurance for Cuba Worth It?
Cuba travel insurance is not just a wise investment, but also a mandatory expense. All visitors must carry travel medical insurance that’s valid for the duration of their stay.
Proof of coverage may be requested when you arrive, and if you don’t have it, you’ll be required to purchase a local policy on the spot.
In addition, U.S. health insurance is not accepted in Cuba, and tourists will not be able to leave the country without paying all of their medical debt in the event of an injury or illness. A comprehensive travel insurance policy can meet Cuba’s entry requirements, provide financial protection against unforeseen events, and allow you to visit Cuba with peace of mind.
If you have flights, resorts, tours, or activities booked in advance, the upfront cost of a policy is small in comparison to the thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses you could face in the event of a trip disruption.
FAQ: Cuba Travel Insurance
How can Americans visit Cuba?
In 2025, U.S. citizens who wish to travel to Cuba must fall into one of the 12 approved categories of travel, determined by the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
U.S citizens can apply for a general license under one of the authorized categories, which can take anywhere from four to six months to process, according to regulation experts.
The 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba include:
- Family Visits
- Journalistic Activity
- Professional Research and Meetings
- Educational activities
- Religious Activities
- Public Performances, Clinics, Workshops, Exhibitions, Athletic and Other Competitions
- Support for the Cuban People
- Humanitarian Projects
- Activities of Private Foundations, or Research or Educational Institutes
- Official Business of the U.S. Government, Foreign Governments, and Certain Intergovernmental Organizations
- Exportation, Importation, or Transmission of Information
- Authorized Export Transactions
To apply for a license or to learn more about the different categories of approved travel, visit the official OFAC website.
What are the Cuba Entry Requirements in 2025?
To gain entry to Cuba, American citizens are required to possess the following documents upon arrival.
- Return Travel Documents: Travelers must show proof of entry and departure dates to receive a valid visa.
- Valid Cuban Tourist Card/Visa: U.S citizens traveling to Cuba must acquire a valid Visa, also known as a Cuban Tourist Card. These cards can be purchased online for $50-$100, are valid for 30 days, and take roughly 48 hours to process.
- Certification of Travel Form: This document outlines the approved category in which U.S citizens are traveling to Cuba.
- Valid Passport: Americans are required to have a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay.
- **Proof of Travel Medical Insurance: Cuba requires all foreigners to purchase medical insurance before entry.
What Airports Fly to Cuba From the U.S?
According to Simple Flying, eligible U.S citizens traveling to Cuba can find non-stop service from the following airports:
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey
- Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Texas
- Tampa International Airport (TPA), Florida
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Florida
- Miami International Airport (MIA), Florida
For those interested in which airlines fly directly to Cuba, SkyScanner shares that American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, and United all provide such services to eligible U.S citizens.
Where can I stay in Cuba?
As of December 2020, US travelers are not permitted to stay in Cuba’s government-run hotels. Instead, most Americans who visit Cuba will stay in a casas particulares, a home-sharing program similar to Airbnb.
Does Cuba have a U.S. embassy?
There is a U.S. Embassy located in Havana. The embassy may be able to assist with issues with your Cuban visa or help arrange emergency transportation back to America.
Is Cuba safe to visit?
Yes, Cuba is generally safe for tourists in 2025. The country is an extremely popular global vacation destination, as many people are drawn to the country’s favorable weather, unique culture, and white-sand beaches.
However, travel to Cuba can be complicated for Americans due to the history between Cuba and the United States. When visiting Cuba, we recommend exercising caution and traveling as part of an organized tour that can assist during your visit.