The Caribbean Airport Tons Of Tourists Recommend Avoiding At All Costs

There are plenty of reasons to visit Cuba, from the gorgeous snorkeling destinations to its colorful architecture. However, getting there can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you plan to fly. Havana José Martí International Airport, the largest in the Caribbean country, doesn't exactly come recommended by travelers, and arriving in the hub might cause a rocky start to your beach vacation.

Though Havana Airport serves millions of visitors each year, it's not as modern as many other airports across the world. Despite the fact that Havana's weather tends to be balmy year round, many parts of the airport lack air conditioning. You may run into other inconveniences when arriving at or departing from the Cuban port, too. Poor lighting and lack of maintenance are common throughout José Martí, and some tourists on the review website Skytrax have reported toilets that don't flush in the restrooms.

Baggage collection is also notoriously slow in the airport. In fact, it's not rare to have to wait more than an hour to receive your checked luggage after arriving at Havana Airport. To make matters worse, you'll run into limited transportation options once you're finally ready to leave the travel hub. There are no buses, shuttles, or trains connecting the airport to the rest of the city, so be prepared to book an airport transfer in advance or stand in the taxi line.

If hot rooms, delays, and dirty toilets weren't bad enough, many tourists claim the service at Havana Airport is abysmal. Skytrax users gave the hub an average of only two out of five stars for airport staff, and many on the review platform complained about unprofessional and rude behavior. One named G Han wrote about a security officer who yelled at them and dirtied their personal belongings. Another reviewer who goes by J Allen claimed the security agents confiscated their umbrella, even though it had been allowed through several airports before.

A different tourist, R Morrison, noted careless behavior by the staff that could've had major repercussions later. In this case, their husband was given the wrong boarding pass, and then the stamp put in their passport by a Havana officer stained their visa for a different country. Reviews on the website FlightRadar24 echo many of these concerns. Travelers noted rude and unfriendly staff, with slow service throughout the airport.

If you ask us, Cuba is an island vacation destination that deserves a comeback — but its main airport should be skipped if poor customer service and run-down facilities get you down. Unfortunately, other airports in the Caribbean country aren't much better. For instance, Varadero Airport received mixed reviews on Skytrax, while Holguín Airport also received poor marks across the board.

Given the number of direct and connecting flights to Cuba from all over the world, flying — and dealing with the disappointing airports — might be your best option depending on where you're coming fro,. But if you don't mind a longer, more scenic journey, traveling by boat can be a fun and relaxing alternative. Look for cruise itineraries that include stops in Cuba to experience a taste of the island nation. You can also find chartered boats heading to Cuba from neighboring coasts. In the future, you may be able to take a ferry to Cuba from Florida, though these services aren't yet available to travelers.

No matter which mode of transportation you choose, you need to be aware of a few things as a tourist visiting Cuba, including visa requirements. U.S. citizens must cite a specific reason beyond general tourism for applying for a visa, such as visiting family or humanitarian activities, to be eligible to enter the country. Travelers from most other countries must apply for a short-term tourist visa to visit Cuba.