Do you need travel insurance for Cuba?

Cuba is one of Ontario’s favourite winter escapes — all-inclusive resorts in Varadero, Havana’s old city, the cays off the north coast. Unlike most sun destinations, Cuba answers the “do I need insurance” question directly: the country requires visitors to carry travel medical insurance, and you may be asked to show proof when you arrive.

It’s an entry requirement, not just a good idea

Cuba expects travellers to hold valid travel medical insurance for the duration of their stay. Border officials can ask to see proof, so arriving without a policy — or without your confirmation documents — can create a problem at the gate. The simplest approach is to buy emergency medical coverage before you go and keep the confirmation with your travel documents.

The OHIP gap

Even without the rule, relying on OHIP in Cuba would be a mistake. OHIP pays very little for care outside Canada and never up front; most out-of-country coverage ended in 2020. Whatever care you receive in Cuba, your private policy is what pays for it.

Why the coverage genuinely matters

Cuba’s requirement is not red tape for its own sake. Medical facilities vary considerably across the island, and the standard of care available to tourists is not uniform. For a serious illness or injury, the right response is sometimes a medical evacuation to Canada or another country — and arranging that privately costs a great deal. A policy with 24/7 assistance that can locate appropriate care and coordinate an evacuation is worth far more than its premium if you ever need it.

What to look for in a Cuba policy

• Enough emergency medical coverage to handle a hospital stay and, if needed, an evacuation.
• 24/7 assistance that can coordinate care and transport from the island.
• Clear confirmation documents you can show on arrival.
• Trip Cancellation and Interruption if you have prepaid an all-inclusive package and want that money protected.

Our Emergency Medical shelf (Single-Trip or Multi-Trip Annual, Worldwide) suits a Cuba trip, with 24/7 assistance in multiple languages and claims through our claims team.

Health questions and age

There are no medical questions for travellers under 60. At 60 and over, you complete a medical questionnaire that sets your premium and determines how stable pre-existing conditions are handled — it affects price, not eligibility. Answer it accurately, because an error can affect a future claim.

Practical tips on the ground

Connectivity in Cuba can be patchy, so save your policy number and the 24/7 assistance line somewhere you can reach them without internet — a printed copy in your wallet is wise. If you need care, contact assistance as early as you can so they can direct you and arrange payment or evacuation. Keep all receipts and medical records for your claim.

Common reasons travellers claim

Most claims on a sun trip are not dramatic. Stomach illness from food or water, ear and sinus infections, sunburn and heat, cuts and sprains, and injuries from water sports or scooters are the everyday reasons travellers end up at a clinic. If you plan more adventurous activities, we offer an optional Sports & Activities add-on that can extend coverage to pursuits a standard plan may limit. Thinking through what you will actually do on the trip is the best guide to how much coverage and which add-ons make sense.

So — do you need travel insurance for Cuba? Yes, in both senses: the country requires it, and the realities of care on the island make it genuinely important. Once you have your dates and travellers, you can get a quote based on age and length of stay and have your proof of coverage ready.