WONDERING WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR CUBA ADVENTURE VACATION?
Any trip to any locale begs the question: what should I wear? For Cuba, be ready for sunshine, warmth, and rain — and keep it fun and casual. Cuba is a tropical destination with temperatures that range between 65-90 degrees year-round. Dry season runs November to April, and wet season runs May-October, but rain is possible any time of year.
For dinners out, no need for formal wear. Casual mix and match shirts and shorts or a sundress will do. Feel free to bring flats or dressier sandals, but your active sandals or flip-flips will work just fine, too. Please remember it is never tactful to dress with ostentatious expense.
For seeing the sights, keep in mind we’ll be active, so pack accordingly. T-Shirts, tank tops, shorts, and lightweight, quick dry, pants are best. Good walking shoes are a must, as are active, walking sandals with heel straps like Tevas or Keens. For cooler evenings, pack a couple lightweight long-sleeve shirts, a light sweater or jacket, and don’t forget a breathable rain jacket for those always-be-prepared moments.
And don’t forget the sunshine! Sun hats are in-style in Cuba and always a good addition to the packing list for a tropical destination. A visor or ball cap are also great. Definitely bring sunglasses and sunscreen, too.
1. What to bring for your inland activities
In Cuba, we will hike, walk, ride bikes, and ride horses. Good walking shoes and active sandals are a must. You will want pants for the horseback ride, and shorts or pants for any bike rides. It is considerate to keep shorts an appropriate length in foreign cultures that value modesty.
2. What to bring for your beach activities
Plan for sun, but be ready for rain. Bring along a swimsuit, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and flip-flops or active sandals. A lightweight microfiber towel is nice. And don’t forget to tuck in that rain jacket and perhaps a cover-up for lounging on the sand. Also, a light shirt and shorts to pull over your swimwear can make kayaking more comfortable.
3. Whether it’s the dry or wet season, bring a rain jacket!
On an adventure vacation, it’s always a good idea to bring along a backpack or day bag; a personal hydration system such as a Camelback (or a water bottle, at the minimum); your camera with charger and extra memory cards and batteries; reading materials; cash (for personal shopping and some meals and activities); your travel itinerary; personal identification including your passport and visa (and a copy of your passport and travel itinerary stored separately); and cell phone. A few things to note: Your cell phone won’t work in Cuba, but you may want it in Miami. American debit and credit cards will not work in Cuba; you must have cash that can be exchanged for Cuban currency.