Safest cities in Cuba
16 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in CubaAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in Cuba, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Political situation
- Cuba is ruled by a single party, with a high level of social control. Opposition parties are not allowed. There are restrictions on freedom of speech, association and assembly for Cuban nationals. Any political demonstrations not approved by the government may be broken up by the authorities.
Crime
- Protecting your belongingsThere is a risk of theft from luggage when baggage is being handled on arrival or departure at the airport. You should:
- Fake taxi driversThere are a small number of criminals who pose as tour operators or taxi drivers. These fake drivers operate at the airport and around Old Havana. Only travel with your tour operator. If you need to use a taxi from the airport, make sure it’s a registered yellow taxi.
- Vehicle crimeThere are sometimes car-related crimes and muggings in Havana, and other tourist areas. Do not hail taxis or accept lifts from anyone you do not know. Take care when driving in central Havana, particularly at night. Keep doors locked and windows closed.
Laws and cultural differences
- Illegal drugs penaltiesCuba has strict laws on the use, possession and trafficking of illegal drugs. Cuban courts can give severe penalties for drug-related offences. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry items for anyone else.
- Using cameras in restricted areasAvoid all military zones and other restricted areas. Do not take photographs or videos in these areas. Possession of photographs or information relating to military areas or installations can be regarded as espionage and could result in a prison sentence.
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex sexual activity is legal in Cuba, but gender diversity is not fully understood or accepted by the general population. Same-sex marriages are recognised under Cuban law.
- Risk of detentionIf you break the law, or are suspected of causing injury to someone, you may be stopped from leaving Cuba during the investigation and trial, and you could be imprisoned. Contact the British Embassy in Havana as soon as possible for assistance.
- MoneyOn 3 June the Cuban Central Bank announced that international cards such as Visa and Mastercard will no longer be accepted in Cuba, with effect from 6 June. Available payment methods include cash and Cuban prepaid cards. It it likely that you will not be able to withdraw cash through ATMs with an international card.
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you’re planning to drive, see information on driving abroad.
- Motorcycles and scootersIf you hire a moped or motorbike, check the condition of the vehicle carefully. All drivers and passengers must wear a crash helmet.
- TaxisThree-wheel Coco-taxis may be in an unsafe condition. Tourists have been injured and killed when riding in these vehicles.
- Road conditionsDriving standards are variable. Many vehicles, including public transport, are badly maintained. Drivers are prone to stop suddenly and may not signal. Roads are poorly lit and badly sign-posted. Avoid driving at night as animals and unlit vehicles are a danger and you may not see hazards such as potholes.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- HurricanesThe hurricane season in Cuba is from June to November each year. Heavy rains often cause flash floods and landslides. After a hurricane, power, communications and water supplies can be disrupted. In extreme weather conditions, flights to and from Cuba may be delayed or cancelled. Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme…
- EarthquakesCuba is in an active earthquake zone, but strong earthquakes are not common. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Cuba, updated 2026-07-16 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 4.46 /100k2019
- Income inequality
- no data
- Human development
- HDI 0.7622023
- Income
- no dataGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 8.9 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 71/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 46/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 40/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 3.5/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- no dataGIWPS · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 9.4 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- no dataof population · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 9.5 doctors /1k4.3 hospital beds per 1,000
Natural hazards
- Cyclone
- 8.0/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Earthquake
- 5.0/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Drought
- 3.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Tsunami
- 3.3/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Cuba (as of 2025).
How Cuba compares
| Measure | Cuba | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 4.5 /100k | 2.4 /100k | +2.1 /100k — better for World median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | no data | 35.2 | — |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.762 | 0.763 | −0.001 — better for World median |
| Road deaths | 8.9 /100k | 15.4 /100k | −6.5 /100k — better for Cuba |
| Rule of law | 46/100 | 52/100 | −6/100 — better for World median |
| Corruption perceptions | 40/100 | 39/100 | +1/100 — better for Cuba |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | −10.3 µg/m³ — better for Cuba |
| Natural-hazard risk | 3.5/10 | 3.8/10 | −0.3/10 — better for Cuba |
| Measure | Cuba | North America median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 4.5 /100k | 17 /100k | −12 /100k — better for Cuba |
| Income inequality (Gini) | no data | 41.5 | — |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.762 | 0.789 | −0.027 — better for North America median |
| Road deaths | 8.9 /100k | 14.8 /100k | −5.9 /100k — better for Cuba |
| Rule of law | 46/100 | 53/100 | −7/100 — better for North America median |
| Corruption perceptions | 40/100 | 37/100 | +3/100 — better for Cuba |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 15.4 µg/m³ | −6.0 µg/m³ — better for Cuba |
| Natural-hazard risk | 3.5/10 | 4.0/10 | −0.5/10 — better for Cuba |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 16 cities, safest first
- Havana67.8 · #3701 worldwide
- Santiago de Cuba67.8 · #3702 worldwide
- Holguín67.8 · #3703 worldwide
- Camagüey67.8 · #3704 worldwide
- Santa Clara67.8 · #3705 worldwide
- Bayamo67.8 · #3706 worldwide
- Guantanamo67.8 · #3707 worldwide
- Las Tunas67.8 · #3708 worldwide
- Pinar del Rio67.8 · #3709 worldwide
- Matanzas67.8 · #3710 worldwide
- Cienfuegos67.8 · #3711 worldwide
- Managua67.8 · #3712 worldwide
- Ciego de Ávila67.8 · #3713 worldwide
- Manzanillo67.8 · #3714 worldwide
- Sancti Spiritus67.8 · #3715 worldwide
- Palma Soriano67.8 · #3716 worldwide