Cuba Gay Travel

Cuba has traditionally been very antipathetic towards the LGBTQ+ community; however, since the 1990s, it has made strides toward acceptance. Mariela Castro, daughter of Raul Castro, has been a long-standing and outspoken LGBTQ+ ally. In September 2018, President Miguel Diaz-Canel expressed great support for same-sex marriage. Finally, although Cuba doesn’t have a Pride Festival per se, it has begun proudly celebrating The International Day Against Homophobia in May. Cuba is a country on the cusp of fully embracing its queer population.

Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Unrecognized
Right to Change Gender: Legal, surgery not required
Same-Sex Adoption: Single gays may adopt, but gay couples may not.
LGBT Discrimination: Gays and Lesbians are protected in most contexts. Transgender people are not protected in most contexts.

Cubans could not choose where they lived (legally) until recently, so there was never a gay “ghetto” per se. Now that those restrictions are easing, the gay scene in larger cities like Havana is blossoming.

Gay Villages in Cuba

Not applicable

Pride Festivals/Events in Cuba

Havana: Some events were held in celebration of the International Day Against Homophobia. Annually in May.

Best Gay Beaches in Cuba

Havana: Mi Cayito Beach

Best Gay Bars in Cuba

Havana: Cabaret Las Vegas
Havana: Humboldt 52
Havana: Escaleras al Cielo

Best Lesbian Bars in Cuba

There are no Lesbian-specific bars/events in Cuba. The aforementioned gay bars are considered safe spaces for Lesbians.

5. Cienfuegos

This UNESCO World Heritage city was once a place of great wealth and prosperity. While the money may be gone, the city’s well-kept colonial architecture, palaces and stunning central park make it a must-visit.

4. Varadero

Cuba’s beaches are as soft and white as icing sugar. Nowhere is this more apparent than Varadero. Order a mojito, slather on your highest SPF and hit the beach.

3. Trinidad

Cobblestone streets are lined with a plethora of brightly coloured colonial houses. Meanwhile, the small city’s central plaza comes alive at night as musicians, and salsa dancers take to the square.

2. Viñales 

In Cuba’s North-Western region sits Viñales, an otherworldly countryside once considered the main filming location for Spielberg’s Jurrasic Park. Limestone monoliths erupt from the lush, verdant ground. Meanwhile, the main agricultural town is a relaxed settlement refusing to put on airs.

1. Havana

The allure of Havana is as thick as cigar musk and as strong as a double rum on the rocks. Vintage cars rumble down the Malecón. Old Havana is layered in history so thick it’ll take years to digest it all. Meanwhile, a recently relaxed approach to communism has provided fertile ground for entrepreneurship. Havana is a city steeped in history and at the cusp of a sea change.

Support for the Cuban People: Americans interested in visiting Cuba must do so legally and can not visit Cuba on a cruise or People People’s tour. Our gay Cuba tours meet the legal requirements of the ‘Support for the Cuban People category. The tour mixes the best of Cuban Culture with an educational, LGBTQ+ component that will open your eyes to this island nation. For more information, please read this blog post.

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to USA for non-Americans: The U.S. Department of State designated Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) on January 12, 2021. With limited exceptions, a traveler who is found to have visited Cuba on or after this date is not eligible for travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) using an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and must apply for a visa to travel to the United States. Additionally, a traveler who at the time of application for an ESTA holds dual nationality with both a VWP country and Cuba is not eligible for travel under the VWP using an ESTA and must apply for a visa to travel to the United States.

If an ESTA has already been approved and it is later determined that the traveler has been present in Cuba or holds dual nationality with both a VWP country and Cuba, the ESTA will be revoked. Ineligibility for an ESTA is not a bar to travel to the United States. Individuals who are not eligible to travel under the VWP may apply for a visa at any U.S. embassy or consulate.

This does not apply to Canadian citizens, who do not require an ESTA to travel to the U.S. More details can be found on the Homeland Security FAQ page.

Best Time to Visit: November to March

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveler has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. If vaccination is a requirement for entry, or on select cruises, this will be communicated at the time a trip is confirmed to depart. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.

Other Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for Cuba, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.

Electricity: A/B/C/L

Visas: A tourist card is required for all nationalities travelling to Cuba and can be obtained through the airline at check-in time. There may be exceptions, and all visas are the traveller’s responsibility.