Health insurance, with provision for emergency repatriation, is compulsory for visitors to Cuba. Those travellers without adequate health insurance will be obliged to purchase Cuban health insurance on arrival. No vaccinations are officially required, however visitors are advised to take precautions against typhoid, particularly if travelling to rural areas. Vaccinations are also recommended for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Most of the more serious tropical diseases are rare in Cuba, but viral meningitis and dengue fever do occasionally break out, even in urban areas like Havana. Dengue fever is on the increase in most of the Caribbean and the best prevention against it is mosquito repellent and suitable clothing to avoid being bitten. Rabies should only be a risk for those at risk of animal bites, but if you are planning to spend a lot of time outdoors a vaccination should be considered. Food in Cuba is generally considered safe. Bottled water is available and advised for the first few weeks, although mains water is chlorinated. Cuban medical facilities are mediocre and many medicines are unavailable, so those requiring regular prescription drugs should bring them with, along with a copy of the prescription and a doctor's letter to facilitate entry through customs.

View information on diseases:

Dengue Fever, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Meningococcal disease, Rabies, Typhoid fever