The release of Cuba’s economic embargo has opened the floodgates for travellers looking to indulge in the island’s time-worn colonial beauty.

It also means it still has a few years of catching up to do in terms of catering to the tourist crowd — although most would argue that’s exactly what makes it so special.

In this COTW guest post, Juanita Diaz of @lesdeuxvagabonds
(our favourite off-the-grid world travellers) gives us her no-fail guide to navigating some of the trickier parts of your Cuba trip.

BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE BEFORE YOU GET TO CUBA

Since May 2010, it has been a requirement of the Cuban Government for all foreigners visiting the island to take out travel insurance from their home country, which covers all medical expenses.

You will be asked (in Spanish) to show a copy of your Insurance Certificate when going though immigration, which will be something along the lines of “seguro de viaje”.

The immigration officer will intimidatingly scan their eyes over the certificate, don’t stress — they’re just trying to find your gringo name on it.

If you’ve decided to travel without insurance or do not have a copy of the certificate on you, remembering that Wi-Fi does not yet exist in their country so you can’t just download a copy from your e-mail. If you can’t prove you’ve bought it then you will forced to purchase insurance at the airport.

BOOK YOUR FIRST NIGHT OF ACCOMMODATION

Remember the no Wi-Fi bit? It’s easy to forget how simple the internet has made travelling.

You’ll most likely be spending your first day and night in Havana so make sure you book something and have all the details on you to tell the taxi driver where you are going.

From there, it is easy to wing the rest of your trip by using phones and picking the brains of other travellers or the owners of the casa you’re staying in. We’d recommend staying Casa Compostella in Havana Vieja (Old Havana).

DON’T BUY CIGARS OFF THE STREET

You will be offered cigars everywhere you go and if you’re offered them on the street at a “cheaper price than usual”cit’s because they’re counterfeit. Stick the cigars you can buy at bars and stores.

Don’t believe the locals when they tell you the iconic Buena Vista Social Club band is in town. With the influx of tourists arriving into Cuba, everyone is attempting to make an extra buck and so are happy to tell you whatever you want to hear.

There is a dance studio in Havana Vieja which is set up with a huge poster stating the famous music group is performing for one night only.

The studio will also send out scouts to convince tourists to buy tickets to the performance for $50 CUC. Do not be fooled, the Buena Vista Social Club is touring internationally on a farewell tour throughout 2015.

If you’re after live perfomances, dancing and mojitos to boot, you’re better off finding a local bar in one of the many streets in Havana Vieja, or visiting the well renowned Casa de la Musica..

ENSURE YOU HAVE BASIC MEDS AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS

Cuba has the highest rate of doctors per capita and have also made some ground breaking medical discoveries but you can’t forget that they have also been cut off from the rest of the world.

What may seem like basic medication such as cold and flu tablets or female sanitary products are not so basic in Cuba and not easily accessible.

Make sure you are prepared and do your fellow travellers a favour and leave anything you don’t need behind at your accommodation.

TAKE MONEY WITH YOU AND SOME BACKUP CARDS

This is where you really do feel like you’ve been transported in a time machine. There is no Paypass, let alone credit card availability in Cuba.

If you are wanting to take out cash from an ATM, VISA is the only form of card accepted, however ensure you check with your bank prior to travelling to Cuba that your bank is not affiliated with any companies based in the USA.

If you can, we would recommend to take all the cash you think you will need with you, in either American dollars, Mexican pesos, Canadian dollars or Euros and exchange it upon arrival. This will save you a lot of hassle and stress.

AND REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN, GET INTO THE EXHILARATING SPIRIT OF THE PLACE. YOU WON’T REGRET IT.

You can follow Les Deux Vagabonds on Instagram at @lesdeuxvagabonds