Cuba Calling: Do You Need to Pack Your Own Toiletries for this Caribbean Destination?
Cuba Calling: Do You Need to Pack Your Own Toiletries for this Caribbean Destination? - The Lay of the Land: What to Expect in Cuba's Bathrooms
When it comes to bathroom facilities, Cuba is a real mixed bag. As a traveler, you'll encounter everything from luxurious hotel bathrooms to public restrooms that leave much to be desired. Knowing what to expect can help you prepare and make your Cuban vacation more comfortable.
In higher-end hotels and resorts, bathrooms will be on par with what you find in the U.S. or Europe. They'll be clean, stocked with toiletries, and have Western-style toilets. However, there's a huge range when it comes to lower budget accommodations. Some casas particulares (private homestays) have beautiful, modern bathrooms while others can be dingy and lack basic amenities. Electricity shortages are common, so hot water may come and go. Squat toilets are not the norm but can be found in older buildings.
Public bathrooms, especially those at beaches, parks, and bus stations, tend to be very basic. Often there's no toilet paper, soap, or paper towels. The toilets themselves can be flushable or pit latrines. Be prepared to pay a small fee to attendants to access public restrooms as tipping is customary. Quality varies dramatically so have backup toilet paper and hand sanitizer available.
When nature calls on the go, heading into a hotel or restaurant is your best bet. Cuba doesn't have a lot of public restrooms available. Using the bathroom without purchasing something is technically prohibited but not always enforced. Some establishments even charge for restroom use.
Finally, be ready for some cultural differences. Stall doors and walls may not provide total privacy. Queuing lines are not always respected. And wet, not dry, floors are the norm as Cubans tend to mop vs wiping surfaces down.
What else is in this post?
- Cuba Calling: Do You Need to Pack Your Own Toiletries for this Caribbean Destination? - The Lay of the Land: What to Expect in Cuba's Bathrooms
- Cuba Calling: Do You Need to Pack Your Own Toiletries for this Caribbean Destination? - BYO Toilet Paper: Is This Travel Necessity Hard to Find?
- Cuba Calling: Do You Need to Pack Your Own Toiletries for this Caribbean Destination? - Soap and Shampoo: Will Hotels Provide the Basics?
- Cuba Calling: Do You Need to Pack Your Own Toiletries for this Caribbean Destination? - Don't Assume Things are Stocked: Packing Your Own Toiletries
- Cuba Calling: Do You Need to Pack Your Own Toiletries for this Caribbean Destination? - Toothpaste and Dental Hygiene: What You'll Need from Home
Cuba Calling: Do You Need to Pack Your Own Toiletries for this Caribbean Destination? - BYO Toilet Paper: Is This Travel Necessity Hard to Find?
When it comes to toilet paper, Cuba is hit or miss. While it's usually available at higher-end hotels, you'll want to pack your own stash for stays at budget lodgings, driving between destinations, and exploring outdoors. Running out at the wrong moment can really put a damper on your vacation.
Fellow travelers report toilet paper being in short supply, if not totally absent, at many locally-owned restaurants, bars, museums, and other establishments. Even nicer casas particulares can be inconsistent when it comes to keeping their bathrooms stocked. Public restrooms at beaches, parks, and bus stations often don't provide any toilet paper at all.
Cuba has faced shortages of all kinds over the years due to trade embargoes and economic stagnation. Toilet paper is produced domestically, but quality can suffer and inventory runs low. Locals have adapted by bringing their own TP when out and about. As a visitor, it's wise to do the same to avoid being caught off guard.
When toilet paper does make an appearance, it tends to be very thin, scratchy one-ply. Travelers used to softer TP may want to toss a roll or travel pack of moist wipes in their day bag for use on the go. This helps reduce one less inconvenience.
If you'll be road tripping through Cuba, make sure to load up on toilet paper before departing. Bathroom stops at gas stations, roadside cafes, and attractions off the beaten path often don't provide this necessity. Keep spare rolls in your car so you don't get stranded during a pit stop.
When exploring natural areas like beaches, trails, and caves, carry toilet paper and disposable bags to be able to "go" outdoors responsibly. Public restrooms can be few and far between. Knowing you have backup on hand reduces stress.
While higher-end resorts will have toilet paper aplenty, it doesn't hurt to tuck a few extra rolls into your suitcase. If shortages occur during your stay, you'll be prepared. This avoids awkward moments asking staff to restock bathrooms.
Cuba Calling: Do You Need to Pack Your Own Toiletries for this Caribbean Destination? - Soap and Shampoo: Will Hotels Provide the Basics?
When it comes to toiletries, you’ll find Cuban hotels run the gamut from fully stocked to completely bare. While high-end resorts provide shampoo, soap, lotion and more, budget lodgings often lack even the basics. Knowing what to expect at your accommodation and packing smart can help you clean up in Cuba.
Fellow travelers report very mixed experiences when it comes to in-room toiletries. Some arrived to find their hotel bathrooms fully outfitted with mini toiletry bottles, fresh bars of soap, shampoo, and conditioner. However, just as many visitors describe rooms with no toiletries whatsoever. This inconsistency extends even within the same hotel property. One room may offer toiletries while the next one over has none.
This scarcity of hotel-provided bath products reflects Cuba’s ongoing consumer goods shortages. While the island manufactures some toiletries domestically, inventory remains insufficient to meet demand. Imported toiletries are limited by trade restrictions and foreign currency shortfalls. Hotels simply can’t stock consistently what they struggle to acquire.
With toiletries in short supply nationwide, don’t expect Cuban hotels to replenish bathroom supplies daily. Even at 5-star resorts, restocking happens only every 2-3 days. Budget hotels may go even longer between refreshing soaps and shampoos. Take only what you need instead of pouring out full bottles each shower.
When booking your accommodations, look carefully at reviews and photos to get a sense of the toiletries situation. Higher-end international chains like Meliá and Iberostar generally provide toiletries comparable to other Caribbean destinations. However, casas particulares and locally-owned inns frequently don’t stock any bathroom amenities beyond maybe a bar of soap.
If your hotel looks iffy, come prepared with your own toiletries. This includes soap, shampoo, toothpaste, sunscreen, and any other personal care products you require. Take enough for your whole stay, as opportunities to purchase toiletries in destination are extremely limited. Packing dry shampoo, cleansing wipes, and 3-in-1 soap can further minimize required liquids.
Travel-size toiletries and reusable bottles help streamline packing. However, if decanting product, be extremely mindful of Cuban customs rules. You can only bring in duty-free liquids purchased at airport stores sealed in a clear, tamper-proof bag. Officials may confiscate toiletries they suspect were filled at home.
Cuba Calling: Do You Need to Pack Your Own Toiletries for this Caribbean Destination? - Don't Assume Things are Stocked: Packing Your Own Toiletries
When traveling in Cuba, the cardinal rule is to not assume that toiletries will be provided. Countless travelers have been caught off guard by the lack of basic amenities, even at higher-end hotels. With shortages and inconsistent restocking the norm across the island, you’ll be far more comfortable if you pack your own toiletries.
Reviews of hotels across all price points in Cuba are filled with tales of missing toiletries. “No shampoo, conditioner, lotion or even hand soap,” complains one traveler of an otherwise lovely boutique hotel in Havana. At the iconic Hotel Nacional, despite its grandeur and 4-star rating, a guest warns that “you need to take your own shampoo, shower gel, etc. as only small ‘trial size’ bottles may be available on request.” Even at luxury resorts around Varadero, visitors describe having to request single-use shampoos because standard-size bottles were not automatically restocked.
While service-minded staff may be able to provide sample toiletries upon request, nothing can be guaranteed. One vacationer arrived at her casas particulares to find no towels or toilet paper, let alone shampoo. The language barrier made it difficult to communicate her needs. She ended up having to flag down another tourist to borrow essentials. Others found small villages had no stores selling toiletries, leaving them totally dependent on their hosts.
These stories illustrate the common plight of travelers in Cuba. Even if hotels intend to provide bathroom amenities, ongoing shortages mean those plans fall through. Toiletries are largely imported, requiring foreign cash that Cuba lacks. Local manufacturing lacks capacity and consistent access to ingredients. State rationing and centralization of distribution leads to availability mismatches between supply and demand. Empty shelves and missing toiletries result.
Cuba Calling: Do You Need to Pack Your Own Toiletries for this Caribbean Destination? - Toothpaste and Dental Hygiene: What You'll Need from Home
When it comes to dental hygiene, Cuba can leave you with more than just a bad taste in your mouth. While all tourist hotels will likely provide individual serving toothbrushes, toothpaste itself can be hit-or-miss. And good luck finding floss, mouthwash, whitening products, or other oral care supplies on the island. Like many consumer goods, these toiletries are often in short supply or totally absent. Be ready to pack your own dental necessities from home.
Fellow travelers visiting both Havana and beach destinations like Varadero report receiving toothbrushes but lacking toothpaste itself. “The hotel provided disposable toothbrushes but no toothpaste,” shares one vacationer. Another describes their boutique hotel having “no extra amenities like toothpaste.” Even four- and five-star resorts seem to consistently fall short, with guests warning they only offer “a toothbrush but not toothpaste.” Don’t assume that even upscale accommodations will provide this basic toiletry.
Beyond just toothpaste, additional dental supplies are near impossible to find. “If you use mouthwash or floss, bring your own,” advises one visitor. “We couldn’t find any in stores around Havana.” Specialized products like whitening toothpastes, anti-cavity rinses, or premium electric toothbrushes are totally unavailable, shares another. Packing your own preferred toothpaste is wise, but also bring any other oral hygiene aids you require for your dental health and smile upkeep.
Even finding basic toothpaste in Cuban stores and pharmacies comes with challenges. Due to ongoing shortages, grocery shelves often sit empty of all but the most bare-bones, locally produced brands. These tend to be lower-quality pastes with limited ingredients. If you have sensitivity to certain additives or flavors, tread carefully. Specialized toothpastes like those for enamel protection, gum health, or tartar control are near impossible to locally source. BYO.