Knowing the requirements for traveling to Cuba as a tourist with mobility problems is the best way to overcome those barriers that may prevent you from enjoying a full trip to this country. The good news is that with good organization, your mobility problems should not prevent you from traveling to Cuba as a tourist.

At Enjoy Travel Group we are aware of this problem and we have been designing tailor-made solutions that allow our clients with reduced mobility to enjoy personalized stays in this country for years.

To do this, you must know beforehand what accessible tourism is like in the country and what its challenges and facilities are. This destination offers itineraries that are easy to plan, but it is a matter of getting down to work.

In addition, you can do many adapted activities, such as swimming with dolphins, enjoying the island’s paradisiacal beaches or exploring the historic center of Old Havana in vehicles adapted to your circumstances, among many other options.

You can also soak up the rich culture of Cuba, where music and dance will enchant you from the very first moment.

White sand beaches, tobacco fields and the unique essence of its people, everything is possible having clear requirements to travel to Cuba as a tourist with mobility problems.

In this article, we tell you how and why the island, adventure and accessibility go hand in hand, without challenging your physical abilities.

4 requirements to travel to Cuba as a disabled tourist

For people with disabilities, it is important to ensure that they have access to appropriate services and facilities during the trip, such as adapted transportation, accessible accommodations and specialized medical assistance if necessary.

And for that, counting on the help of local experts from the very beginning can be key. Take into account these requirements for traveling to Cuba as a tourist with a disability before setting sail for the largest of the Antilles.

It has a travel insurance

It is recommended to have travel insurance to cover possible medical contingencies.

Be aware that health care in Cuba may not be up to European standards and access to certain medications may be limited.

Travel insurance guarantees the necessary medical care and avoids large expenses in case of an emergency.

In Enjoy Travel Group we have been working on this aspect and we have several types of medical insurance according to your needs. Contact your travel advisor and he/she will help you to contract the best policy for you.

Obtain a Tourist Card

As a Spanish citizen, you need to obtain the Tourist Card, a document that authorizes you to stay in Cuba for 30 days, extendable for another 30 days while you are already in the country.

It can be obtained through Cuban consulates, travel agencies or by mail. Don’t forget that we can take care of all the paperwork for you, just contact us.

Keep the card at all times and hand it in when leaving the country.

Access to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs travelers’ register

Although it is not mandatory, it is recommended to register in the Travelers Registry of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before traveling to Cuba.

We hope that it will not be necessary to resort to it but it makes it easier for you to get assistance in case of emergency or need during the trip.

Plan your accessibility needs in advance

It is important that you plan ahead for your accessibility needs during your trip to Cuba.

Contacting one of our travel consultants specialized in accessible tourism gives you personal advice on which are the best hotels for you, which excursions are more appropriate or which adapted transportation we have. This among many other issues to make your trip barrier-free.

Tips for travel to Cuba for people with reduced mobility

From words to deeds, traveling to Cuba for people with reduced mobility can be a wonderful and accessible experience if certain tips are taken into account.

As an expert agency in the management of this type of trips, we make sure that these advices are carried out by professionals with years of experience in their processing.

Here we show you some of them to make this trip an unforgettable experience:

• Previous research. Before traveling, you should research about the accessibility of the tourist destinations you plan to visit. We consult for you, information about the accessibility of hotels, beaches, restaurants, activities and tourist attractions.
• Communication with accommodation staff. We are accustomed to communicating with the staff of the hotel where you will be staying to inform them about your specific accessibility needs. We ask about adapted rooms and any other services you may need during your stay.
• Adapted transportation. We make sure you have access to adapted transportation to move around the different places you wish to visit. In Cuba, some travel agencies offer adapted transportation services for people with reduced mobility.
• Activity planning. We plan your activities ahead of time and make sure they are accessible for people with reduced mobility.
• Information on places of interest. We research the places of interest you plan to visit and make sure that their accessibility for people with reduced mobility meets your needs. Some may have architectural barriers that make access difficult or even impossible.
• Specialized assistance. If you need specialized assistance during your trip, such as caregivers or medical teams, we know how to hire them or check their availability in advance to avoid not being able to count on them when you need them.
• Reserve in advance. It is important that all services and accommodations are booked as early as possible. With this we ensure the availability of adapted rooms, transportation and any other service necessary for your comfort during the trip.
• Know your rights and resources. We know the rights and resources available to people with reduced mobility in Cuba. This can include everything from accessibility laws and assistance services to local organizations that can provide support during your stay.

Facilities and facilities for disabled travelers

Traditionally, accessibility for people with mobility problems has been a challenge due to the lack of adequate and conditioned facilities.

In spite of this, the solidarity of the people and some adaptations have made the travel experience more bearable for those with different needs.

Airports

At airports, terminals have improved their level of accessibility, with gentle ramps leading to the heart of the facilities.

The welcome has no barriers, just friendly staff ready to assist you in your journey.

In general, blind people have always had helpers and priority in the queues, while wheelchair users could find some ramps, although they were scarce and some of them very steep.

If, in addition to the solidarity of Cubans, you plan your trip with the help of local experts, you will be able to have a fully accessible itinerary, from your arrival at the airport to the smallest transfer in adapted vehicles.

Hotels

As you enter the towns and villages, you will see wide, mostly pedestrian streets , adorned with tactile and audible signs that guide you at all times.

The hotels have comfortable rooms with full accessibility. Spacious and equipped bathrooms, telephones connected with assistance at any time of the day and beds that embrace rest.

Streets and museums

From vibrant markets to ancient fortresses, these spaces have been shaped by hands that value diversity.

Museums with audio guides in multiple languages, nature trails adapted for wheelchairs and excursions guided by accessibility experts are just some of the adventures that await those who explore this land full of charm.

These tailor-made trips include accessible activity options, such as guided tours of Havana, antique car rides, trekking activities, adapted diving baptisms, among others.

As you can see, although traveling to Cuba can pose challenges for people with reduced mobility, good organization through specialized agencies and local support can make the experience rewarding and enriching.

All this has been possible thanks to initiatives such as Enjoy Travel Group, the Cuban Ministry of Tourism and ECOTOUR, which are committed to making the country an accessible tourist destination for all.

On the other hand, the holding of the IV Ibero-American Summit on Accessible Tourism in Havana in 2021 and the signing of the Havana Declaration, endorsed by 12 Ibero-American countries, have been fundamental milestones on this road to inclusion.

And to top it all off, enjoy the experience despite the challenges you may encounter and make the most of every moment.

The Pearl of the Caribbean has much to offer in terms of culture, history, gastronomy and natural beauty. This together with proper planning with our local experts means that reduced mobility is not a handicap. Ask for more information on our website at any time. We will be happy to design a plan tailored to your accessibility needs so that you can enjoy your trip to Cuba as a tourist despite your mobility problems.