In depth
If something goes wrong in Cuba: accidents, injuries, insurance and who to call
Most trips to Cuba pass without incident, but accidents happen: a fall on an uneven street, a traffic collision, an illness, a lost bag. Knowing in advance how emergency care, insurance, police reports and consular help work makes a stressful moment easier to handle. This guide explains the practical steps, the role of tourist-assistance services and insurers, how liability questions are approached, and what to keep as records. It is general information and not legal advice, and it is not a law firm.
First, the emergency numbers
Cuba has national emergency numbers that are separate for each service. The police can be reached on 106, the ambulance service on 104 and the fire brigade on 105. Hotels and guesthouses can place calls and often know the quickest route to a clinic. In remote areas, response times may be long, and a local host can be the best first contact.
Write down your hotel's address and telephone number in Spanish, and keep a copy of your passport and insurance details separately from the originals. If you need an interpreter, a hotel front desk or a tourist-assistance office can usually arrange one.
Medical care for visitors
Cuba has a well-known public health system, but visitors are treated differently from residents. Foreigners are usually directed to clinics and hospitals that serve international patients, where they are charged for treatment, normally in foreign currency or through the insurer. Hotels in tourist areas often have a doctor on call or a nearby clinic. Medicines may be in short supply, so travellers should carry any prescription drugs they need, in their original packaging, with a doctor's letter.
Cuban rules require visitors to have health insurance valid in Cuba, and travellers are asked to show proof on arrival in some cases. A policy that explicitly covers Cuba, with emergency evacuation, is important, since some insurers and credit-card programmes exclude it. Check the wording before you travel, and keep the insurer's emergency number at hand.
Tourist assistance and insurers
A state company provides assistance to travellers, including help with medical emergencies, repatriation, lost documents and contact with embassies and insurers. Its offices are located in major tourist areas. Cuba also has national insurers that issue travel and vehicle policies for foreign visitors, and they work with international assistance companies. The role of these bodies is practical help and claims processing.
Claims generally require documentation. Keep receipts for treatment and medicines, ask the clinic for a medical report in writing, and obtain a police or incident report if relevant. Photograph injuries or damage as soon as it is safe to do so.
Road accidents
Driving in Cuba requires caution. Roads vary in quality, street lighting is limited, and the traffic includes horse carts, bicycles and pedestrians. A traffic collision is dealt with by the traffic police, who prepare a report. Rental cars are provided by state companies, and the rental contract normally includes mandatory insurance with deductibles. The driver should call the police and the rental company immediately and should not leave the scene.
Liability in a road accident is determined under Cuban traffic law and civil rules. Foreign drivers can be held responsible and may face restrictions on leaving the country until the matter is resolved. Having a copy of the rental contract, the driving licence and the insurance document readily available is essential. A consulate cannot remove legal obligations, but it can help the traveller get in touch with local advisers.
Falls, slips and public spaces
Pavements in many older neighbourhoods are broken or uneven, curbs are high, and holes may be hidden at night. Balconies and stairs in historic buildings may lack rails. Visitors should take particular care in rain, when surfaces are slippery. If an injury happens in a hotel or restaurant, report it to the management and ask for a written record. If it happens on a public street, the opportunities for compensation are limited, and travel insurance is usually the main protection.
Compensation and liability questions
Cuban civil law recognises responsibility for harm caused by fault, and it provides for compensation. In practice, disputes involving foreign visitors tend to be handled through insurers and through administrative channels, with court proceedings less common. Time limits apply for making claims, and the proper forum depends on the facts. Because rules differ from those in the traveller's own country, a person with a serious injury should obtain advice from a lawyer who knows the Cuban system, via their insurer, consulate or a recognised Cuban legal body.
This page does not assess any claim, does not recommend a lawyer, and does not guarantee any outcome.
Keep records and contact your consulate
In any serious incident, contact your country's embassy or consulate in Havana. Consular staff can help with replacement documents, contact with family, and information on local lawyers and hospitals, although they cannot pay bills or act as legal representatives. Keep a log of events, names and times, and keep all documents. When you return home, give your insurer a full set of records promptly.
Documents to carry and copy
Before you go, make photocopies and phone photos of your passport, visa or tourist card, insurance policy and emergency numbers, and leave a set with someone at home. Keep the originals in a safe place, and carry a copy of the passport page when you go out. Write down the address and telephone number of your embassy or consulate. If anything is lost or stolen, the first step is to report it to the police to obtain a written report, which your insurer and consulate will ask for.
If your passport is lost, the consulate can issue an emergency travel document, but this takes time and requires identity evidence. The more copies you have, the quicker it is.
Mosquitoes and infectious diseases
Cuba, like much of the Caribbean, has mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue and chikungunya, with outbreaks reported in recent years. Prevention relies on avoiding bites: use insect repellent, wear long sleeves in the evening, sleep in screened or air-conditioned rooms and remove standing water. Health authorities carry out fumigation campaigns. If you develop fever, severe headache or joint pain, seek medical care and tell the doctor where you have been.
Travel health clinics in your home country can advise on vaccinations and precautions before departure. Public health agencies publish regularly updated notices for travellers to the region.
Water, food and sun
Simple habits prevent many problems. Drink bottled or purified water, avoid ice from unknown sources, and eat food that is thoroughly cooked and served hot. Wash hands before eating. The tropical sun is intense, so use sunscreen, a hat and shade, and drink plenty of fluids. Heat exhaustion can come on quickly, particularly during long walks or on the beach in the middle of the day.
Evacuation and repatriation
For serious injuries or illness, treatment may be needed that is not available locally, and evacuation can be expensive. A travel insurance policy with medical evacuation and repatriation cover is therefore valuable. Check that the policy covers Cuba, the limits of cover and whether it applies to activities such as scuba diving or riding. In an emergency, call the insurer's assistance line from the first moment and follow their instructions on approved hospitals and transport.
This page is general information. It does not provide medical or legal advice, and it does not represent any insurer, lawyer or assistance company.
Talking to the police and the consulate after an incident
After an accident or crime, report to the police and ask for a written record. Stay calm, give a factual account and avoid signing documents you do not understand without help. Contact your consulate, who can provide a list of local lawyers and interpreters, help to contact family and, in serious cases, visit you. Keep your own notes of times, places and names. A clear head in the first hours makes the rest easier.
Planning ahead: a pre-trip safety routine
A little preparation prevents many problems. Before travelling, check your insurance and its emergency number, scan your documents, learn the emergency numbers, note the address of your embassy, pack a small first-aid kit with any regular medicines, insect repellent and sunscreen, and share your itinerary with someone at home. On arrival, ask your host about local risks and customs. Each day, take sensible precautions: avoid isolated places at night, keep valuables out of sight, use licensed transport and stay hydrated. These habits make accidents less likely and their consequences easier to manage.
Common questions
- What are the emergency numbers?
- Police 106, ambulance 104, fire 105.
- Do I need health insurance to travel to Cuba?
- Visitors are expected to have insurance valid in Cuba. Check that your policy explicitly covers Cuba.
- Who helps tourists in an emergency?
- A state tourist-assistance company, your insurer's assistance service and your consulate.
- What if I have a car accident?
- Call the police and the rental company, do not leave the scene, and keep copies of all documents.
- Are you a law firm?
- No. This page is general information only.
- What if my insurer refuses to pay?
- Ask for the reasons in writing, check the policy wording, and use the insurer's complaints procedure and then the financial ombudsman in your country. Keep all documents.
- Do Cuban hospitals accept my card?
- Often payment is required directly or through the assistance company, and card use is limited. Ask your insurer how payments are arranged, and keep funds available.
- Where can I get translation help?
- Hotels, consulates and assistance companies can arrange interpreters. For legal or medical documents, use certified translators.
- Is there a time limit for making an insurance claim?
- Yes, policies set time limits for notifying and documenting claims, often within days or weeks. Report incidents as soon as possible and follow the insurer's instructions on documents.
Official sources and where to go next
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