How to Get a Cuba Visa From Mexico Before Flying to Havana
- May 5
- 11 min read
Introduction
If you are traveling through Mexico and planning to continue to Cuba, your Cuba visa or eVisa should be one of the first things you check before booking or flying.
Years ago, when I traveled from Mexico to Cuba, I personally went to the Cuban Embassy in Mexico City to arrange my Cuba travel document. I was staying around the historic/colonial area of Mexico City, took one of the pink-lined taxis, paid around 50 Mexican pesos for the ride at that time, answered questions in Spanish, and was lucky that one staff member could speak English.
But that was my experience from an older system.
Today, Cuba has moved toward an electronic visa process. For many travelers, the starting point is no longer showing up at the embassy — it is checking and applying through the official Cuba eVisa website.
This guide explains the current Cuba eVisa process first, then uses my old Mexico City embassy experience as a practical travel lesson for first-time travelers, Filipino passport holders, and other weak-passport travelers who may still need extra confirmation before flying.
Cuba for First-Time Travelers
Cuba is one of the most unique destinations in the Caribbean. It is known for Havana’s colorful streets, classic cars, colonial buildings, live music, cigars, rum, beaches, and a travel atmosphere that feels very different from many modern destinations.
The capital is Havana. Spanish is the main language, and the country has a warm tropical climate. Many travelers visit Cuba for Havana, Varadero, Viñales, Trinidad, music, architecture, history, beaches, and the feeling of stepping into a destination unlike anywhere else in the region.
For first-time travelers, Cuba requires more preparation than many countries. Internet access can be limited, card payments may not always work smoothly, and entry documents should be prepared before travel.
That is why your visa, eVisa, D’Viajeros form, insurance, accommodation details, and printed confirmations should be organized before you fly.
What Is the Current Cuba Visa System?
Cuba now uses an electronic visa system for many travelers.
The official Cuba eVisa website states that travelers need a valid passport and a valid email address, and that the electronic visa is linked to the passport during the stay in Cuba. The visa code is sent by email, and the website says applicants receive a response within 72 business hours.
This means that for many travelers, the process may be completed online without physically visiting the Cuban Embassy.
However, you should still verify your own situation because requirements can depend on nationality, route, airline, and mode of arrival.
Official Website to Apply for the Cuba eVisa
The official Cuba eVisa website is:
The direct application page is:
Use the official website first before relying on random third-party sites. Some agencies may help process Cuban visas, but the official portal should be your starting point.
Do You Still Need to Go to the Cuban Embassy?
In most normal air-travel cases, many travelers may not need to appear in person at the embassy if they can apply through the Cuba eVisa system.
But the Cuban Embassy or consulate can still be useful if:
your nationality is not accepted through the online system
your payment does not work
your airline asks for clarification
your passport often requires consular processing
you are traveling by sea
you are not sure whether the eVisa applies to you
you want written confirmation before flying
The official Cuba eVisa site specifically says travelers going to Cuba by sea should contact the consular office.
So the embassy is no longer the first step for everyone, but it may still be an important backup for some travelers.
Cuba eVisa Step-by-Step Guide From Mexico
Step 1: Check your nationality and travel situation
Before applying, confirm whether your nationality can use the Cuba eVisa process. Do not assume the same rule applies to everyone. Travelers with stronger passports may have a simpler process, while Filipino passport holders and other weak-passport travelers may need extra verification.
Step 2: Go to the official Cuba eVisa website
Start with the official eVisa portal and read the instructions carefully. Prepare your passport and email address before starting the application.
Step 3: Enter your passport details carefully
Your eVisa is linked to your passport. Make sure your name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, and email address are correct.
A small spelling or number mistake can create problems later.
Step 4: Pay the required fee
Payment methods can vary depending on the system, your country, and the consular option shown. Use a card that works internationally and keep proof of payment.
Step 5: Wait for the visa code by email
The official eVisa site says applicants receive a response within 72 business hours.
Do not apply too close to your flight. Give yourself extra time in case there is a delay, payment issue, typo, or extra requirement.
Step 6: Complete the D’Viajeros form before flying
After receiving your eVisa code, you still need to complete the D’Viajeros digital form before arrival in Cuba.
D’Viajeros is Cuba’s digital entry form for travelers entering the country. It is separate from your visa or eVisa.
Step 7: Print and save everything offline
Before flying to Havana, save and print:
eVisa code or visa confirmation
D’Viajeros QR code
passport copy
travel insurance
accommodation booking
return or onward flight
airline confirmation
emergency contact details
Cuba is not the destination where I would rely only on internet access after arrival.
What Is D’Viajeros?
D’Viajeros is Cuba’s digital travel form that travelers complete before entering the country. It collects arrival, immigration, health, and customs-related information.
You should complete it before flying and keep the QR code ready.
Think of it this way:
Your Cuba eVisa is your travel authorization.
Your D’Viajeros form is your digital arrival form.
You need both prepared before your trip.
Special Note for Filipino Passport Holders and Weak-Passport Travelers
This guide is for travelers of all nationalities, but I want to add a special note for Filipino passport holders and other weak-passport travelers.
Do not assume that the process used by stronger passports automatically applies to you.
Also, do not assume that having a valid US visa means you can enter Cuba without checking Cuba’s own rules. Cuba has its own entry policy, and a US visa should not be treated as automatic permission to enter.
As a Filipino passport holder, I personally went to the Cuban Embassy in Mexico City during my trip because I did not want to risk arriving at the airport with the wrong document.
Today, because the system has changed, your first step should be the official Cuba eVisa website. But if anything is unclear, contact the Cuban Embassy, ask your airline, or verify before booking your flight.
This is one of the biggest lessons weak-passport travelers learn: always check based on your own passport, not another traveler’s experience.
Cuban Embassy in Mexico City: Backup Option and Contact Point
If you need consular help, the Cuban Embassy in Mexico City is located in Polanco.
Cuban Embassy in Mexico City
Embajada de Cuba en MéxicoAv. Presidente Masaryk 554
Colonia Polanco
Miguel Hidalgo
11560 Ciudad de México
The Mexico City tourism page lists the Cuban Embassy at this address and describes it as a place where tourist card/tourist visa services are managed.
Opening hours can change, but one Mexico City listing shows the embassy as open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM. Always verify before visiting because embassy hours may change for Cuban holidays, Mexican holidays, appointment rules, or internal schedules.
My Older Experience Getting a Cuba Visa in Mexico City
My own experience happened under the older system, before the current Cuba eVisa became the main process for many travelers.
At that time, I went in person to the Cuban Embassy in Mexico City.
I was staying around the historic/colonial area of Mexico City, and the embassy was not walking distance. It was around 7 to 9 kilometers away depending on the exact location. I took one of the taxis with pink lining, which are common in Mexico City, and during my trip the ride cost around 50 Mexican pesos.
That price was from my trip at that time, so current fares may be different.
When I arrived, the process was not too complicated, but the language barrier was the hardest part.
The staff mainly spoke Spanish. They asked me basic travel questions:
How many days will you stay in Cuba?
Where will you stay in Cuba?
Are you traveling for tourism?
How will you pay?
Will you pay by cash or card?
I only knew limited Spanish, so I had to answer simply. Luckily, one staff member was able to speak English, which helped me a lot.
That experience taught me something important: even when a process looks simple, travel documents can feel stressful when you are in another country, dealing with another language, and trying to make sure your next flight goes smoothly.
What My Experience Still Teaches Travelers Today
Even if most travelers now use the eVisa system, my old embassy experience is still useful because it teaches a few practical lessons.
First, do not leave visa tasks until the last minute.
Second, always know your travel details before applying or visiting an office.
Third, prepare both digital and printed copies.
Fourth, learn a few basic Spanish phrases if you are dealing with offices in Mexico or Cuba.
Fifth, if you have a weak passport, do not rely only on advice written for stronger passports.
The system may change, but the travel habit stays the same: prepare early.
Useful Spanish Phrases If You Need Embassy Help
If you need to contact or visit the Cuban Embassy in Mexico City, these basic phrases may help:
Buenos días.
Good morning.
Quiero solicitar información sobre la visa para Cuba.
I would like to ask for information about the visa for Cuba.
Quiero solicitar una visa de turista para Cuba.
I would like to apply for a tourist visa for Cuba.
Voy a viajar a Cuba como turista.
I will travel to Cuba as a tourist.
Voy a quedarme en Cuba por ___ días.
I will stay in Cuba for ___ days.
Me voy a quedar en este hotel.
I will stay in this hotel.
¿Puedo pagar en efectivo o con tarjeta?
Can I pay by cash or card?
No hablo mucho español. ¿Habla inglés?
I do not speak much Spanish. Do you speak English?
Documents to Prepare Before Flying From Mexico to Cuba
Whether you apply online or need embassy help, prepare these documents:
valid passport
Cuba eVisa code, visa, or approved travel document
D’Viajeros QR code
flight booking
return or onward ticket
accommodation address in Cuba
travel insurance valid for Cuba
passport copy
printed confirmations
cash
card
offline maps
emergency contact details
For Cuba, I would not rely only on screenshots. Print important documents and save digital copies offline.
When Should You Apply for the Cuba eVisa?
Apply as early as you reasonably can after confirming your trip.
The official eVisa site says the response may come within 72 business hours, but first-time travelers should not apply at the last minute.
Give yourself extra time in case:
the system is slow
your payment fails
you make a typo
your email confirmation is delayed
your airline asks for clarification
your nationality needs extra verification
If Cuba is part of your Mexico route, check the eVisa before your itinerary becomes too busy.
Suggested Mexico-to-Cuba Planning Order
If your route includes Mexico City, Teotihuacan, Cancún, Chichén Itzá, and Havana, I would organize it like this:
Arrive in Mexico City
Check the Cuba eVisa requirement
Apply online or contact the embassy if needed
Explore Mexico City and Teotihuacan
Continue to Cancún or your next Mexico stop
Complete D’Viajeros before flying
Fly to Havana
This keeps the document side from becoming a last-minute problem.
My Route From Mexico to Cuba
My Cuba journey started in Mexico.
I arranged my Cuba travel document in Mexico City under the older system, then continued my Mexico route before flying to Havana. After sorting the visa, I traveled onward to Cancún and later flew to Cuba.
This made Mexico a practical gateway for my first Cuba experience.
If you are planning something similar, think of the trip as two connected parts:
Mexico travel experience
plus
Cuba entry preparation
After arranging my Cuba travel document in Mexico City, I continued my route to Cancún before flying to Havana. You can read my first-time Havana Cuba travel guide for what happened after I landed.
Practical Cuba Travel Tips After Getting Your Visa
Cuba rewards prepared travelers.
Before flying, remember:
Bring enough cash.
Do not depend fully on card payments.
Download offline maps.
Save your accommodation address.
Print your visa, insurance, flight, and accommodation details.
Learn basic Spanish phrases.
Confirm your airport transfer before arrival.
Complete D’Viajeros before travel.
Keep all documents in one folder.
Check the latest payment and currency situation before your trip.
Cuba can be beautiful, emotional, and unforgettable — but it is not the kind of destination where you should arrive unprepared.
Helpful Travel Planning Reminder
Internet and Document Reminder
Travel Insurance Reminder
Route Planning Reminder
“If your Mexico itinerary includes Cuba, plan the visa or eVisa step as part of your route. A beautiful itinerary can still become stressful if the document side is left until the last minute.”
Final Thoughts
Getting my Cuba visa in Mexico City was one of the practical travel moments I still remember clearly.
It was not glamorous. It was not a tourist attraction. It was a real travel errand — finding the embassy, taking a taxi, dealing with Spanish, answering questions, figuring out payment, and hoping everything would go smoothly.
But the system today is different.
Cuba now uses an eVisa process for many travelers, so the smartest approach is to check the current online system first. Use the embassy only when needed, especially if your passport, route, or airline situation is unclear.
If you are visiting Mexico and planning to continue to Cuba, arrange your Cuba eVisa or travel document early. Do not wait until the last minute. Check your own nationality requirements, complete D’Viajeros, prepare your documents, and save everything offline.
For Filipino passport holders and other weak-passport travelers, this step matters even more. Travel is possible, but preparation is part of the journey.
For me, Mexico City became more than just a stop in my Mexico itinerary. It became the place where my Cuba trip truly began.
FAQs About Getting a Cuba Visa From Mexico
What is the official website to apply for the Cuba eVisa?
The official Cuba eVisa website is evisacuba.cu. Start there before using third-party services.
Do I need to go to the Cuban Embassy in Mexico City for the eVisa?
In many normal air-travel cases, you may not need to appear in person because the eVisa process is online. But contact the embassy or consulate if your nationality is unclear, the online system does not work, your airline requests confirmation, or you are traveling by sea.
Can I still visit the Cuban Embassy in Mexico City?
Yes, the Cuban Embassy in Mexico City can still be useful for consular questions, unclear cases, weak-passport verification, or situations where the eVisa process does not work for you.
Where is the Cuban Embassy in Mexico City?
The Cuban Embassy is located at Av. Presidente Masaryk 554, Colonia Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México.
Is the Cuban Embassy close to Centro Histórico?
No. From Centro Histórico or the colonial-style area where many visitors stay, it is roughly around 7 to 9 kilometers depending on your exact location.
How did you get to the Cuban Embassy?
During my older trip, I took one of the Mexico City taxis with pink lining. The fare was around 50 Mexican pesos at that time, but current fares may be different.
Do I need D’Viajeros after getting the Cuba eVisa?
Yes. The Cuba eVisa and D’Viajeros form are separate steps. After getting your visa or eVisa code, complete D’Viajeros before flying and keep the QR code ready.
How long does the Cuba eVisa take?
The official eVisa site says travelers receive a response within 72 business hours, but apply earlier if possible.
Can Filipino passport holders use the Cuba eVisa?
Filipino passport holders should start by checking the official Cuba eVisa website, but they should not assume eligibility without verification. If anything is unclear, contact the Cuban Embassy or airline before flying.
Does a US visa allow Filipino passport holders to enter Cuba?
Do not assume that a US visa gives you permission to enter Cuba. Cuba has its own entry rules, and Filipino passport holders should verify directly before traveling.
