Havana

Is Havana safe?

Havana is not a violent city by the standards of its region, but in 2026 it is a hard one. Cuba's estimated homicide rateHomicide rateThe number of people killed on purpose each year for every 100,000 residents. It is the most comparable crime figure between countries.More in the glossary is about 5 per 100,000 people (WHO's model for 2021), well under what Kingston or Nassau record, and most visitors are never threatened. The trouble is everything around crime. The national grid has collapsed several times, fuel and medicines are short, and since 11 February 2026 the UK has advised against all but essential travel to Cuba.

We score Havana 56, with low confidence. Cuba publishes almost no crime data and none for the capital, so the crime scores rest on national estimates and on what the UK, US and Canadian governments report.

Crime in Old Havana and Centro

The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says crime is still lower than in the UK, but the crisis is pushing up opportunistic crime. In Havana it reports muggings, burglaries with some violence, and pickpocketing and bag snatching in the streets of Old Havana, in nightclubs and on crowded buses. Theft from casas particulares, the private guest houses many visitors use, is common enough that both the UK and Canada mention it.

The classic Havana nuisance is the friendly stranger. Canada describes hustlers who offer to guide you, find you a restaurant or sell you cigars, and who sometimes turn to threats when you refuse. Fake taxi drivers work at José Martí airport and around Old Havana. None of this is new, but with tourism down and money tight it is more persistent than it was.

Practical points:

• Use a registered yellow taxi from the airport, or a transfer booked through your hotel or tour operator.
• Keep your passport in the safe and carry a photocopy.
• Do not pack valuables in hold luggage; the FCDO reports theft from bags at the airport.
• Buy cigars only in state shops, and ignore offers of "factory" deals on the street.

What blackouts mean after dark

The US advisoryUS travel advisoryThe US State Department's rating of each country from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel).More in the glossary, last revised in May 2025, already described power cuts of up to 12 hours a day in Havana. Since then the situation has got worse. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary lists the effects: rationed fuel, unreliable transport and phone networks, water problems and streets with little or no lighting.

That changes the night. Vedado and Old Havana were once easy to walk after dinner. Now whole blocks can be dark, cars run without lights, and pavements are broken. The FCDO's advice is simple: pre-arrange transport and avoid walking at night. Carry a torch and a charged power bank, and pick a hotel or casa with its own generator.

Hospitals, medicines and water

This is Havana's weakest factor. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says medical facilities in Havana are better than anywhere else in Cuba, and clinics for foreigners are more likely to have basic supplies. But basic medicines are severely short, you or your insurer must pay in foreign cash before treatment, and Visa and Mastercard do not work. Do not expect to buy any medicine in Cuba. Bring everything you need for the whole stay, plus spare.

Water supply fails when pumps lose power, so drink bottled or treated water. Cuba declared an epidemic of dengue, Oropouche and chikungunya in 2025, and the FCDO says the viruses still circulate. Use repellent day and night. Havana publishes no air-quality data, so this score rests on care, medicines and water rather than pollution.

Hurricanes and falling buildings

Havana lies in the hurricane belt. In November 2024 Hurricane Rafael made landfall in neighbouring Artemisa as a Category 3 storm; the National Hurricane Center says hurricane conditions reached La Habana province and the entire grid went offline. The season runs from June to November.

The other hazard is the city itself. Using 2021 official data, Havana had 185,348 buildings in poor condition, of which 46,158 needed full reconstruction and were at risk of collapse. Collapses are regular in Old Havana and Centro Habana, most often after heavy rain. In October 2023 two rescuers died in one in the historic centre. Do not stand under damaged balconies, and be wary of upper-floor rooms in run-down buildings during storms.

How to stay safe in Havana

• Bring cash for the whole trip plus a reserve, and change it only at Cadeca offices.
• Book a hotel or casa with a generator and water tank, and ask about both before paying.
• Use yellow taxis or hotel transfers after dark; avoid coco-taxis.
• Bring every medicine you need with a doctor's letter, and insurance that covers Cuba and evacuation.
• Check your flight shortly before you travel: the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says several airlines have suspended Cuba routes.
• Emergency numbers: ambulance 104, police 106.

How we scored it

Road safety (72) and violent crime (64) are Havana's strongest factors, both based on WHO's national estimates because Havana publishes no figures of its own. Health and environment (38) is the weakest, because of medicine shortages, cash-only treatment and water problems. Night safety (52) reflects dark streets during blackouts. The weighted average is 56, below the cap of 80 set by Cuba's conflict score of 45.