Is insurance mandatory for a trip to Cuba

Yes. Cuba requires foreign tourists to have medical insurance valid for their entire stay. Russian citizens do not need a visa and can stay on the island for up to 90 days, but they must carry the policy. It may be checked at passport control on a spot-check basis. If you have no suitable policy, you will have to buy insurance from a local company right at the airport, which is usually more expensive and offers less cover than a policy bought in advance.

Policy requirements for Cuba

  • Period — the entire stay in Cuba, including the days of arrival and departure.
  • Cover — medical expenses: emergency care, hospitalisation, medical transportation.
  • Sum insured — there is no fixed Cuban minimum. We recommend USD 50,000: the island is remote, and medical transportation home is expensive.
  • Format — take a printed copy and save the PDF on your phone: mobile internet does not work everywhere in Cuba.

Entry requirements may change, so check them with your tour operator, airline or the Cuban embassy before travelling.

Features of Cuba to take into account

  • Healthcare. Foreigners are treated in special clinics and tourist departments where treatment is paid. The country has power cuts and medicine shortages, so bring a first-aid kit with the medicines you are used to.
  • Sun and heat. Heatstroke and sunburn are common in Varadero and Cayo Coco. Sunburn is covered by a separate option.
  • Intestinal infections. Drink bottled water, especially outside hotels.
  • Diving. Cuba’s reefs are popular with divers — you need the diving option and decompression chamber treatment.
  • Car rental and vintage cars. Roads and vehicles are not always in good condition. Consider the accident option.
  • Long flight. Flights to Cuba are long and sometimes delayed. Flight delay and baggage options will come in handy.

How to buy travel insurance to Cuba on polisre.ru

The calculator at the top of the page is already set to “Cuba”. Quotes and purchase are handled by Polis Re’s partner, the Cherehapa service: you compare plans from 16 Russian insurance companies and buy a policy online, and the policy itself is issued by the insurer you choose.

  1. Enter your travel dates and the age of each traveller.
  2. Choose the sum insured and add the options you need: diving, sunburn, flight delay, baggage cover.
  3. Compare plans: the deductible, the assistance company, limits for individual risks and the exclusions in the policy terms.
  4. Enter your first and last name in Latin letters exactly as in your international passport, then pay by card.
  5. The policy is sent to your e-mail. Save it on your phone and print it if that is convenient.

If you fall ill or get injured in Cuba

Do not go to a random clinic: without approval from the assistance company the insurer may refuse to pay or reimburse only part of the costs. Here is the procedure.

  1. Contact the assistance company using the phone number in the policy. Call costs are reimbursed if the policy includes this service.
  2. Describe the situation and get a case number and the clinic address.
  3. Keep all medical documents and receipts, even if the assistance company paid for treatment.
  4. In an emergency, call an ambulance and report the case to the assistance company as soon as you can.

What counts as an insured event and how to get reimbursed is explained in the “Insured event” section.

Nearby destinations

If your route covers several countries, see the other pages too: insurance to the Schengen Area, insurance to Turkey, insurance to the UAE, insurance to Egypt. The full list of destinations, annual policies and tips on choosing cover are on the travel insurance page.