Havana is the capital of Cuba and one of the most recognisable historic cities in the Caribbean, but today it is a destination that governments advise against except for essential reasons: the British FCDO (25 September 2026), Canada (5 October 2026) and Spain (16 October 2026) describe power cuts, shortages of fuel, medicines and food, reduced flights and protests. This page gathers what can be verified for a couple and is deliberately cautious.
What Havana is
The city was founded by the Spanish on 16 November 1519 beside a natural bay. Its historic centre, Old Havana and its fortification system, was inscribed by UNESCO in 1982 for its Baroque and neoclassical architecture and historical importance. Well-known places include the Plaza de Armas, the Plaza Vieja, the Capitol and the Malecón, the avenue running along the seawall from Old Havana to the Almendares river (reference data from Wikipedia, not from an official tourism source, since the Cuban tourism website was unavailable when we checked).
Safety in the city
The FCDO warns of muggings and pickpockets in Old Havana, on public transport and in nightclubs, of fake taxi drivers at the airport and in Old Havana, and of theft at casas particulares. It recommends registered yellow taxis. Spain notes assaults on tourists in the centre. See our guide to laws and safety.
The adult scene: what we know and what we do not
We have not been able to verify any lifestyle club, bar, resort or event in Havana from an official source, so this page recommends none. Some media have spoken of a Cuban swinger community that organises privately, but we could not check those reports or their dates, and we do not take them as reliable. The official advisories do not mention partner swapping either, so we do not claim it is legal or illegal. BarSwinger does not promote sex tourism: do not use this destination for that purpose.
Money, health and entry
Visa and Mastercard are not accepted; bring cash and exchange only at Cadecas. See the money and health guides, and the planning guide with entry paperwork (visa, D'Viajeros, insurance). Hurricane season ends on 30 November.
