| Cuba is a very safe place to vacation. One | | | | employed by the Cuban government. |
| characteristic that profoundly affects the overall | | | | There are a few general measures you can take in |
| safety of the nation is the environment of the cities. | | | | order to protect you from insects. Wearing long |
| As a general rule, travelers and Cuban citizens can | | | | sleeves, long pants, closed toe shoes and hats will |
| enjoy an equal amount of security on the streets. | | | | provide the most basic protection. Insect repellents |
| This stands in contrast to most nations in which | | | | are also effective. It is important to note that |
| tourists are often targeted because of how much | | | | repellents with higher concentration of DEET will |
| they stand out, and the assumption that some | | | | provide longer lasting protection, but will also have a |
| wealth surrounds them since they are capable of | | | | higher potential of releasing toxins into the body. |
| travelling. Another major aspect of safety on the | | | | DEET should be avoided for young children since |
| streets of Cuba is the presence of police. In the | | | | allergies are possible. Other basic precautions include |
| average city, a police officer of some variety can be | | | | keeping unscreened windows shut at night and using |
| found with relative ease in the case of an | | | | a bed-net. These measures are very commonly |
| emergency. This aspect of protection is only | | | | expected in tropical regions, and Cuba’s |
| increased in popular tourist locations in which security | | | | restrictions are generally less stringent then those of |
| officials can often be found only a block away. | | | | other nations. |
| Still, there are some concerns. Similar to many other | | | | If something does go wrong medically, Cuba has |
| vacation destinations, purse snatching and mugging | | | | what is required to meet all needs outside of major |
| can occur. Pickpockets are present in Cuba, especially | | | | emergencies. The government has set up a system |
| in the more crowded parts of the city. These | | | | of hospitals and pharmacies under the name |
| elements are present in Cuba; however these events | | | | "Servimed." While this system is often short on beds |
| are extremely rare by any global standards. For the | | | | and supplies, it can provide for pressing needs. In the |
| most part, travelers can move around without worry | | | | case of emergencies, medical evacuation to a |
| by employing a small measure of street smarts. As a | | | | country with state-of-the-art facilities is available. |
| general rule the greatest concerns of vacationers to | | | | Overall, these services are much more adequate than |
| Cuba will be artifact peddlers and young people | | | | those available in most Caribbean locations. |
| attempting to find employment for rather high prices, | | | | By following basic instructions, Cuba can be a very |
| as guides. | | | | safe place to travel. Public transportation systems |
| However safe Cuba’s cities may be, before you | | | | designed for tourists further reinforce this notion. |
| arrive in Cuba you will need to be medically prepared. | | | | There are buses designed for tourists that meet |
| There are no mandatory inoculations, but it is still | | | | international standards, and registered taxis that are |
| wise to check to make sure before you go. The | | | | very reliable. Travelers need to be wary of |
| most pressing ailment in Cuba is diarrhea. Basic | | | | unregistered taxis, as they can often be a ploy used |
| precautions in terms of food and water intake should | | | | by thieves, but overall the taxi system is very |
| solve this problem. Antibiotics, in extreme | | | | reliable. Getting around is generally something that can |
| circumstances, could become necessary. There is | | | | be done without too much extraneous effort. One |
| some risk of rabies, but only if the individual traveling | | | | point that does need to be considered is driving |
| wanders into an environment where animal bites or | | | | outside of urban areas at night. While major highways |
| scratches are likely. Basic vaccinations should be up to | | | | are well made, they lack lights, and rural roads are |
| date, but there are very few unorthodox | | | | generally worse. This problem can be easily avoided |
| medications that are required before traveling to | | | | by simply traveling during the daylight hours. |
| Cuba. | | | | Cuba overall is a very safe place to travel. There is |
| Other common medical precautions that are often | | | | little crime in the cities, and safe public transportation |
| required when travelling in the Caribbean are related | | | | is often available. The medical system is designed |
| to mosquitoes. In Cuba there have been outbreaks | | | | somewhat to cater to tourists, and allows for enough |
| of Dengue Fever in recent years, but these | | | | protection that travelers can depend on it. The most |
| outbreaks are currently under control. This fever | | | | attractive point, in many ways, is the medical |
| results in flu-like symptoms that may be complicated | | | | accessibility of the area. Major vaccinations and other |
| by shock, and there is no vaccine to fully prevent it. | | | | such precautions are not significant. This factor along |
| There is currently very low risk of this disease | | | | with other safety precautions makes Cuba a safe |
| because of significant mosquito control regimens | | | | place to spend a vacation. |