Photo: Comercializadora de Servicios Médicos Cubanos

Safety has traditionally been one of the attributes taken into consideration by travelers when choosing their vacation destination and, in these times of pandemic, it takes on a new meaning.

Cuba, recognized in the global sphere as a safe tourist destination, reaffirms itself in this regard by applying the Hygiene and Safety Protocol to deal with COVID-19—published on the official website www.cuba.travel—which contains the measures that every traveler who wishes to visit the island must know.

Its objective is to establish the guidelines for the reopening and continuity of tourist services in the new scenario imposed by COVID-19, and it covers hotel and non-hotel services that make up the portfolio of the tourism sector.

The Protocol… includes: mandatory physical distancing and use of a mask; washing and disinfecting hands and surfaces; daily health and temperature controls for tourists and workers; and round-the-clock clinical-epidemiological surveillance in hotels with the presence of medical personnel.

The traveler is required to have a negative PCR test result, performed 72 hours before the trip and certified by laboratories in the countries of origin; when they arrive, they are given another test, free of charge. They must travel with an insurance policy that covers COVID-19 or acquire it at their entrance, at the airport, for USD 30 or its equivalent.

Cuba has implemented institutional isolation for international travelers. For foreigners and non-resident Cubans who arrive in the country, this retreat is made at designated hotels in each territory: Vedado, NH Capri, Iberostar Parque Central, Tulipán, Meliá Habana and Cubanacan Comodoro, in Havana; Starfish Las Palmas (Varadero); La Granjita and Los Caneyes (Santa Clara); Sol Cayo Coco (Ciego de Ávila); Plaza (Camaguey); Mirador de Mayabe (Holguín); and Versalles (Santiago de Cuba).

The packages, whose prices range from USD 242 to USD 846 and are assumed by the travelers, include accommodation for 5 nights in Plan AP and transfer from the airport.

The ministries of Tourism and Public Health, in accordance with the dictates of the world health and tourism organizations, have developed the Tourism + Hygienic and Safe Certification (T+HS) that is granted to facilities that comply with the established strict hygienic-sanitary protocols.