Cuba itinerary: Gay Friendly Cuba Vacation Ideas

Cuban flag flying next to a flag reading "Art" with murals of Cuban people on the walls.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Cubaโ€™s vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and warm people make it an exciting destination for LGBTQ travelers. But planning a gay friendly Cuba trip requires a bit more planning and patience than most places, especially if youโ€™re coming from the U.S. Getting to Cuba involves some unique legal requirements, and once youโ€™re in, things like cash-only policies, language barriers, and varying levels of LGBTQ acceptance can affect your experience. But donโ€™t let any of that scare you off! With a bit of know-how and preparation, your Cuban vacation can be memorable for all the right reasons. This guide covers everything from travel logistics to LGBTQ-friendly spots, so you can focus on soaking in the beauty of this unique Caribbean island without surprises.

If you know the basics already and just want itinerary ideas of LGBTQ friendly things to do in Cuba, skip ahead to the one week in Cuba itinerary section.

What to Know Before You Go to Cuba

If youโ€™re American, like me, getting to Cuba requires some advance planning. 

For starters, Americans can go to Cuba if their visit falls into an approved category, like educational tours to Cuba or people to people visits. 

The easiest way to do this is to find a gay group tour that fits the requirements, and reserve a spot.

But you can also organize your own LGBT trip to Cuba, which is what I did. Keep reading for need-to-know Cuba planning information or jump to my itinerary.ย 

Cuba is extremely monolingual. 

I donโ€™t speak Spanish aside from a few basic phrases, and on this trip I really felt like I was missing out by not being able to converse with locals. Thatโ€™s another reason to consider taking a group tour of Cuba that’s LGBTQ-friendly.

US debit cards and credit cards aren’t accepted in Cuba.ย 

You have to take all the cash you think youโ€™ll need for your trip with you and convert it there. 

We consulted travel guides when planning our gay trip to Cuba to better plan costs, but prices listed in guidebooks were out of date. Everything cost more, and we couldnโ€™t just put something on the credit card. 

We had to find banks and wait in line to convert US dollars to local currency. Sometimes the banks would run out of cash, which means we had to come back another time. 

All of these things made Cuba stressful to visit as an independent traveler. 

Of course, Iโ€™m not telling you these things to talk you out of planning a gay friendly Cuba vacation. 

If Cuba is on your bucket list, you should absolutely go. 

Just know what youโ€™re getting intoโ€ฆso youโ€™re not like the American on our flight who wasnโ€™t aware, didnโ€™t come prepared with cash, and had to change her flight because she ran out of money!

Is Cuba Gay-Friendly?

Historically, no โ€“ Cuba was not a safe place to be gay.

LGBTQ Cubans were persecuted for decades. Read or watch Before Night Falls for a glimpse into the gay Cuban experience during that time.ย 

Nowadays, things have changed.

Cuba is one of the most LGBTQ friendly countries in the Caribbean. The Cuban Constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexuality and gender identity. 

Gay Cubans can get married, adopt children, and even donate blood. Discrimination (including housing discrimination) on the basis of sexual orientation is prohibited in Cuba. 

Transgender Cubans can legally change their names. Cubaโ€™s national healthcare system covers access to hormones and gender affirmation surgery. 

LGBTQ Cubans can be themselves in public without worry of discrimination and harassmentโ€ฆthough itโ€™s worth noting that everyone is going to be accepting. 

As recently as 2019, Cuban LGBTQIA activists were arrested for holding a pride parade, according to Equaldex

While Cuba is safe to visit is you’re LGBT, conservative religious attitudes still hold strong. Displays of affection among same-sex couples are generally frowned upon. 

If you are traveling as a gay or lesbian couple, itโ€™s smart to be discreet in public. Same-sex public displays of affection are rare, and could lead to unwanted attention. 

Cuba does have its own vibrant gay community, as one researcher discovered when writing a book about LGBTQ Cuba. If you enjoy visiting gay bars when you travel, like I do, there are several worth seeking out. However, your conversations with gay locals will probably be limited unless you speak Spanish. 

When I visited Cuba with my wife, we avoided PDAs to stay on the safe side.

Since we donโ€™t speak Spanish and most of the locals we met didnโ€™t speak enough English to talk, we also avoided those โ€œhow do you know each otherโ€ conversations that can be tricky for queer couples. 

We did come across other LGBTQ travelers.

In fact, on our way back from Vinales, we ended up sharing a taxi collectivo with two queer travelers and an oblivious straight woman.

The straight woman was going on about all the cute Cuban guysโ€ฆand we just locked eyes with the gender nonconforming queers in the front seat and shared an amused look!

Gender nonconforming white person leaning against a tree in Cuba.

Is Cuba Safe if You’re LGBT?

Cuba is generally safe for Americans.

Cuban people are generally warm and welcoming toward tourists. Cubans wanted to know where I was from. They were excited when they found out I was from New York.

As a queer woman walking around, I felt very safe, even walking around after dark. 

Serious crimes are low in tourist areas. However petty crimes like pickpocketing do occur. 

I like to keep my wallet in pants that have zippered pockets or deep inside a backpack, rather than wearing a money belt. 

I also split up my cash and leave some in my luggage or in a hotel safe and take some with me, so if I am pickpocketed, I am not left empty handed. 

In my opinion, your biggest dangers on a trip to Cuba are food poisoning and trips/falls. Cuban infrastructure is often in poor condition. Think rutted roads, uneven or missing sidewalks. Pay attention when youโ€™re walking around so you donโ€™t take a tumble!

LGBTQ Friendly Hotels in Cuba

Who you’re avoiding PDAs during travel, it’s nice to come back to a hotel where you don’t have to worry what happens if you’re caught holding hands.

Havana has a few choices when it comes to gay friendly hotels:

Outside Havana, LGBTQ-friendly choices will be more limited. But they’re there if you are willing to look for them!

I used Airbnb to find a lesbian-owned casa particular in Trinidad called Hostal Barbara y Nancy.

Casa particulars are private rentals located in people’s homes. Some casa particular hosts make a point of welcoming LGBTQ guests, making it easy to relax and feel at home. Look for words like LGBTQ in listings or that include two male or two female names. Yes, this takes extra due diligence โ€“ but it’ll help set your mind at ease like it did for me.

Airbnb is very popular with LGBT travelers. Probably because we enjoy the extra privacy. Casa particulars are more like guesthouses where you’ll have a private room and maybe a terrace, rather than an entire home to yourself.

These days, I don’t use Airbnb very often. See this post for Airbnb alternatives I recommend.

But for my gay friendly Cuba trip, the vacation rental site really came in handy. You can’t book accommodation in Cuba online with hotel booking sites, like Booking.com or Agoda, which I usually use.

Even though I could not use a credit card in Cuba, I could use it to book my Airbnb! Paying in advance meant I didn’t have to carry cash to pay for my accommodation!

You can also book walking tours and day trips with Airbnb Experiences. Other sites like Viator don’t have anything in Cuba.

7 Days in Cuba Itinerary

My gay friendly Cuba itinerary shows off the arts and cultural highlights of Havana, the LGBTQ scene and Cuba’s Afro-Cuban culture. A side trip to Trinidad brings hiking, beach days, and stunning colonial architecture.

For a weeklong stay, I wouldn’t venture too much beyond one side trip outside Havana. If you are going for longer than a week, you can probably visit one more place. We added in another side trip to Vinales in a 9-day Cuba trip, but unfortunately we got terrible food poisoning, and weren’t able to explore the area as a result!

Day One: Arrive in Havana

  • Arrive in Havana: There are a ton of taxis waiting outside the airport. Convert enough cash to pay for one (around $25), wait in line, and head into Havana.
  • Get Cash: Yes, it’s essential to bring cash. Foreign banks cards won’t work in ATMs. Hotels wonโ€™t exchange currency unless youโ€™re staying there (we tried to exchange at Hotel Nacional and were turned away), and banks sometimes run out of cash, have long lines, or have to close early. We were able to find a bank near the Hotel Nacional, but it took us over an hour to convert our dollars.  
  • Visit El Morro (Parque Historico Militar Morro-Cabana): Use the bus (P-8, P-11, or P-15), take a ferry, or a taxi ($4) to see stunning views of the harbor and sunset from the fortress.
  • Drinks and dinner at Hotel Nacional: Before wrapping up your first night, stop by the iconic Hotel Nacional for drinks and a dinner with ocean views. Keep your eyes peeled for the peacocks that strut around the laws!
  • LGBTQ Spot: Cabaret Las Vegas: Grab a nightcap to Cabaret Las Vegas, a historical landmark for Cubaโ€™s LGBTQ+ movement. Once a safe haven during times of persecution, today it draws a more mature crowd but remains an iconic venue for queer nightlife. Itโ€™s a great introduction to the local LGBTQ history.
Neon sign for Hotel Ignalaterra and dark green old car seen at night.

Day Two: Havana to Trinidad

  • Transport: While you can go by bus, a shared taxi (taxi colectivo) costs the same and is usually faster. It’s around $20-30 one way from Havana to Trinidad, Cuba. Your hotel or casa particular host can make the arrangements, and the taxi will pick you up from your accommodation.
  • Trinidad: Trinidad is renowned for its colorful colonial architecture. Spend a day wandering around the city exploring the beautiful old buildings and shopping for crafts at the artisan markets.
  • Sunset Drinks: Watch the sun set from the rooftop bar at the Rintintin hostel. Honestly this is one of my favorite memories from Cuba!
  • Dinner: Head to Restaurant La Ceiba or La Redacciรณn for top-notch Cuban food with beautiful ambiance. La Ceiba is built around a beautiful old ceiba tree.
Colorful stucco buildings and cobblestone street in Trinidad, Cuba, with locals walking down the street.
Sunset view from the rooftop bar at Rintintin, with colonial buildings in the foreground.

Day Three: Beach Day

Two beautiful beaches are right near Trinidad. Hire a taxi to take you to the beach, or rent bikes in town and ride there yourself:

  • Playa Ancรณn: Beautiful snorkeling (we brought our own gear, but it’s possible to rent your own) and clear sand beaches for sunbathing. This is definitely the more popular spot.
  • La Boca: This locals’ beach has a relaxed vibe, and is less crowded than Playa Ancรณn.

Day Four: Topes de Collantes Hiking

A short drive outside Trinidad is the Topes de Collantes hiking area, located in the Escambray Mountains.

Grassy hills, with the ocean behind.

Think lush, dense forests and trails that wind past unique rock formations to sparkling waterfalls. Along the way, you’ll get glimpses of local homes, coffee plantations, and wildlife. Wear your bathing suit so you go for a cooling swim after!

Waterfall in Topes de Collantes hiking area.

Unless you have a car, the easiest way to get to Topes de Collantes is on a guided excursion. Book locally in town, or in advance with Airbnb Experiences.

White person in a green shirt on a rope swing in Topes de Collantes.

Day Five: Trinidad to Havana

Colorful old building in Trinidad.
  • Morning in Trinidad: Spend the morning at the beach, or shopping in Trinidad. In the afternoon, take a taxi collective back to Havana.
  • Malecon Sunset Stroll: The Malecon is a coastal road that runs along the waterfront. It’s also one of the most popular spots for people watching in Havana. Head to the Malecon before sunset, grab a spot on the beach wall, and enjoy the ambiance.
  • Dinner: Paladar La Guarida has a rooftop terrace and super romantic vibes.
Man fishing along the Malecon in Havana at sunset.

Day Six: LGBTQ Havana & Afro-Cuban Culture

  • Callejรณn de Hamel: Immerse yourself in the vibrant street art and Afro-Cuban culture at Callejรณn de Hamel. While you can walk around admiring the murals any day of the week, Sundays is the best day to visit if you want to see rumba performances and cultural celebrations. I really loved the murals and public art scene here โ€“ so leave yourself plenty of time to explore!
  • Casa de Africa: For a deep dive into Afro-Cuban spirituality, visit Casa de Africa, a museum in Old Havana dedicated to African influence on Cuban culture.
  • LGBTQ Beach: Havana has its own gay beach, Mi Cayito. Itโ€™s about a 30-40 minute taxi ride from central Havana. Youโ€™ll know youโ€™ve arrived when you see the rainbow flag planted in the sand. Weekends tend to be busiest with locals, so if you prefer a quieter atmosphere, go during the week.
  • Queer bar crawl: Head to PaZillo, which throws queer events including ladies-only nights. Late night, check out Rylac Bar, which throws fun themed parties, or XY, where queer dance parties can run into the wee hours.
Azure Caribbean ocean with people on the white sand beach.

Day Seven: Old Havana Arts & Culture Exploration

  • Cathedral Square: Cathedral Square is a must-see for the stunning baroque cathedral. In the square outside, you’ll find street performers and artists.
  • Plaza Vieja is another great spot for architecture and people watching. Known for its eclectic mix of architectural styles, this old square is surrounded by colorful buildings that have been lovingly restored. Youโ€™ll find art installations, unique sculptures, and plenty of cozy spots to enjoy a mojito while people-watching. If you are a coffee lover like me, queue up at Cafe El Escorial to buy some Cuban coffee to take home as a souvenir.
  • Old Havana Walking Tour – One of my biggest regrets in visiting Cuba was feeling like I didn’t have the context to understand everything I was seeing, and I didn’t have the language skills to ask. For this reason, I’d strongly recommend a walking tour of Old Havana. A guided walking tour will include many of the sights listed above and so much more. Local guides offer a deeper window into Cuban culture, and can help you make the most of your last day in Cuba. Airbnb Experiences lets you book walking tours direct with locals, which is something you can’t do on Viator or Get Your Guide, so that’s where I’d check!
  •  Fรกbrica de Arte Cubano – If your itinerary allows, head to this trendy spot for contemporary Cuban art, music, and culture before your flight.
  • Flight home – If you have any cash left, grab a bottle of Cuban rum at the airport!

Traveling to Cuba may take some extra prep, but for LGBTQ travelers, itโ€™s an experience unlike any other in the Caribbean. With a mix of cultural heritage, incredible landscapes, and the resilience of Cubaโ€™s queer community, thereโ€™s so much to discover. Pack well, plan a little, bring more cash than you think you’ll need, and let Cuba surprise you.