Latest updates: Natural disasters and climate β removed information on Hurricanes Oscar and Rafael. Exercise a high degree of caution in Cuba due to shortages of basic necessities including food, medicine and fuel. Back to top. Cuba has been experiencing nationwide power outages since October 18, The electrical system is vulnerable and additional outages can occur suddenly.
Previous outages persist in some places and scheduled power cuts regularly take place to conserve power. Most large hotels and resorts use generators during power outages.
However, they may not be able to maintain their services should an extended outage occur. Theft from hotel rooms, particularly in private accommodations casas particulares , and from cars is common. Incidents of violent crime are not frequent, but assaults may occur. They mainly occur during a burglary or robbery. Some businesses may try to charge exorbitant prices, namely taxis and classic car rentals. Disputes about overcharging may lead to violence.
Some hustlers specialize in defrauding tourists. Most of them speak some English or French and go out of their way to appear friendly. They may offer to serve as tour guides or to facilitate the purchase of cigars.
Some have used violence in their efforts to steal tourists. Thefts of luggage from taxi trunks have occurred. In bars, sex workers, including minors, may be very persistent and intrusive with tourists who refuse their advances. Foreigners, including Canadians, have been the victim of theft after engaging in sexual relations, and some of them have faced child sex accusations. Overseas fraud. Fuel shortages are currently critical and affect a wide range of services.
