Canada upgrades Cuba travel advisory as shortages worsen

Canada’s federal government updated its travel advice for Cuba on Tuesday (Feb. 3), cautioning Canadians eyeing a winter getaway that deepening shortages—ranging from fuel to food—could also affect resort stays.

“Exercise a high degree of caution in Cuba due to worsening shortages of electricity, fuel, and basic necessities including food, water and medicine, which can also affect resorts,” the advisory says.

Canadians have long been Cuba’s most frequent visitors, attracted by warm weather and beaches, as well as the shorter flight time and lower cost versus other Caribbean destinations. 

The updated guidance notes the situation “is unpredictable and could deteriorate, disrupting flight availability on short notice.”

New figures released Monday by Cuba’s national statistical agency suggest demand may be softening. 

The data shows a 12 per cent decline in Canadian visitors through December 2025 compared with the same period a year earlier. 

The agency also reported a 17 per cent drop in visitors overall in December, or about 392,450 fewer international travellers than the previous year.

The advisory points to regular, scheduled power outages, including daily cuts designed to ease strain on the electrical grid, as well as unplanned outages that can last more than 24 hours.

While many larger resorts and hotels rely on generators, the government warns that fuel shortages may affect generator use and disrupt services and utilities, including food service, lighting, running water, and hot water.

Canada’s travel guidance also describes “chronic and severe shortages” of basic necessities, including food, bottled water, tap water, fuel, medicine, currency and more. 

It adds that fuel constraints can make getting around the island difficult, with public transportation—including taxis—often interrupted.

“There are often long lineups at gas stations that have led to altercations,” the advisory says.

Overall, 1.6 million tourists visited Cuba from January to November 2025—well below the 4.8 million recorded in 2018 and 4.2 million in 2019, before the pandemic, according to The Associated Press.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the Cuba Tourist Board in Toronto said Canada remains the country’s largest source market and told travellers that resort operations are functioning “normally and securely for the 2025/2026 winter season.”

The board said Cuba’s Ministry of Tourism “took proactive measures throughout the fall to ensure a seamless winter peak,” adding that fuel, food and essential goods were secured in advance.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.