US issues new safety warning for the Caribbean’s most cultural island

Share the article

This bucket-list passport stamp is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, given the unpredictable nature of daily life for locals and tourists alike on the Caribbean’s most culturally rich island.

Unfortunately, the culture has gone as sour as that of stale bread, and in many cases that’s not exactly a selling point for any tourism agency.

Yes, the classic cars and crumbling character of legendary squares are still present, but the lack of resources, which has long been a problem, has come to a head, meaning conditions are no longer easily separated from what visitors hope to be a postcard experience.

Cuba’s fuel shortages are having more consequences than empty gas tanks

Have you ever felt like you’re walking on E? Trust us, we get it…

But that’s not how you should feel on holiday; on the contrary even.

When Travel “When the lights go out in the city and the sun shines on the bay,” we doubt he was talking about Cuba using the sun’s reflection as an energy source.

At sunset, however, tourists can play an unwanted game of Who’s Afraid of the Dark.

You see, the American Embassy in Havana reports that power outages have become commonplace.

Big hotels tend to have backup generators, but guess what you’ll need if they run out of power…

That’s right: fuel.

The Cuban laundry list of problems has an endless effect. Power outages, water supply, lighting, cooling and communications affect everyone in Cuba.

Take it from me, who suffered extreme food poisoning during my adventure in Havana in 2017: refrigeration is muj important if you don’t want to spend 36 hours testing the plumbing system of a poverty-stricken country.

Fuel shortages only add to the chaos of not just getting around, but in some cases simply turning on the lights and eating sanitary food.

The embassy advises travelers to take these 5 precautions if they visit Cuba soon:

• Save fuel (if applicable)
• Store food and aquatic foods (keep non-perishable items)
• Use minimal electronics to save your battery
• Bring a flashlight with spare batteries
• Prepare alternative methods for your medical needs (such as charging medical devices)

Denied Entry: Can Americans Even Visit Cuba Legally?

Cuba is one of the most difficult destinations for Americans to visit. We at Travel Off Path hated to be the bearers of bad news, but Cuba is one of three destinations we reported that will ban Americans from entering in 2026.

However, there is technically a way you can still visit Cuba. All you have to do is pick one 12 allowed categories for Cuba since the White House in 2025 imposed a five-year ban on Americans treating a trip to Havana as Cancun.

That said, the embassy also warns of recent entry denials for Americans.

In the embassy’s own words, this may be a retaliatory decision as there has been “a spike in regime-sponsored protest activity directed against the United States, including anti-American rhetoric.”

Is Cuba safe to visit?

I don’t know about you, but my family taught me that “nothing good happens after midnight.”

But if it is completely dark in the immediate hours after sunset, ‘midnight’ falls much earlier.

Although the embassy did not specifically mention that Americans are victims of crime, it is fair to suggest that now is not the best time to wander the streets of Havana.

To be clear: Power outages occur nationwidealthough Havana is almost always the gateway for Americans.

The U.S. State Department currently lists Cuba as “Level 2: Exercise Extra Caution,” which is two levels away from absolute no-go zone status.

The reason for this ‘Level 2’ statement is largely consistent with the embassy’s new warning, with the addition that ‘petty crime’ is mentioned as a factor.

As you can see, not much has changed, especially considering the advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in May 2025.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.

See also  5 important US travel advisories issued in February 2024