What vaccines do I need for Cuba?

Recommended by the CDC: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Influenza.

Is tap water safe to drink in Cuba?

Tap water is not safe to drink in Cuba. Drink bottled or treated water throughout your trip, including in resort areas.

🇨🇺

Caribbean

Cuba Travel Health

Reviewed by Alexander Webber, Chief Epidemiologist · Updated 2026-08

Cuba is a low-to-moderate risk destination for most infectious diseases, with no malaria transmission and no yellow fever risk. Dengue is the primary vector-borne concern, with periodic outbreaks occurring every few years. Food and waterborne illness is a practical risk given infrastructure limitations, and travelers should be current on hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines. Access to modern medical care is limited, particularly outside Havana.

Food Safety: Moderate Risk Tap Water: Unsafe Malaria Risk Present

Track disease activity in Cuba before and during your trip.

Virus Watcher monitors 200+ diseases across 190+ countries in real time. Get push alerts when conditions change at your destination.

Track on iPhone Track on Android Web App

Vaccines for Cuba

CDC Recommended

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Typhoid
Influenza

Source: CDC Travelers' Health — Cuba

Malaria Risk

No malaria risk in Cuba.

Food and Water Safety

Moderate Risk Tap water: not safe to drink

Bottled water is recommended throughout Cuba due to aging water infrastructure. Fresh fruit, cooked foods from reputable establishments, and paladares (private restaurants) are generally safer options. Raw salads and unpeeled fruits from unknown sources carry higher risk.

Key Health Tips for Cuba

Use DEET-based insect repellent consistently; dengue and chikungunya mosquitoes bite during the day, not just at dusk.
Carry sufficient prescription medications for your entire trip; availability and quality of pharmaceuticals in Cuba is unpredictable.
Purchase comprehensive travel health insurance including medical evacuation coverage before departure.
Drink only bottled or commercially sealed water and avoid ice of uncertain origin.

Disease Risks in Cuba

Official Resources

Real-time alerts for Cuba

Virus Watcher sends push notifications when disease conditions change at your destination.

Download for iPhone Download for Android

Get Cuba travel health alerts by email.

Weekly digest of outbreak activity at your destination. Unsubscribe anytime.