Is Havana Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Havana is generally safe for solo female travelers. Violent crime is relatively low, and locals are usually friendly and willing to help. However, petty thefts, pickpocketing, and scams are common, especially in touristy areas. It's important to stay aware of your surroundings, avoid walking alone at night in less crowded areas and keep your belongings secure at all times.

Safety rating

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How safe is Havana?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Safe

Havana is generally considered safe for solo female travelers, even during the night hours. The area is well-patrolled and most parts are well lit. As in any major city though, certain areas could be less safe and it's advisable to use common sense like avoiding poorly lit or deserted areas at night, not flashing expensive belongings, and keeping an awareness of your surroundings. Always ensure to research and stay within recommended areas. However, overall, Havana does have a safe atmosphere for nighttime exploration.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Moderate

Public transportation in Havana includes buses, taxis, and rickshaw-like vehicles known as 'bicitaxis'. While generally reliable, it can sometimes be crowded and may be inconsistent in terms of schedule. It is also important to note that not all taxis are licensed, so it is advised to be vigilant. Nevertheless, serious crime in Havana is relatively low. Still, like any other cities, pickpocketing and petty theft can occur, so it is always important to keep a close eye on your belongings and avoid isolated areas at night.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Moderate

Havana is generally regarded as a safe city for solo female travelers to visit. However, it is not unusual to experience some level of street harassment, in the form of catcalls or amorous advances. This can be more noticeable in populated areas and is often regarded as socially acceptable behavior in Cuba. As always, it's important to remain conscious of your surroundings and exercise reasonable precautions when traveling.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Moderate

Havana is relatively safe when compared to many other global cities but petty crimes like pickpocketing and bag snatching still exist. Keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded areas and avoid flashing expensive items. Take precautions but also remember that these incidents aren't rampant and should not hinder you from experiencing the city's beauty and culture.

Is Havana worth visiting?

Overall rating

3.9 /5

based on 6 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.6/5

Safety

3.8/5

Food

4.1/5

Budget-friendly

3.1/5
Kate

Kate

United States

Solo travel

Cuba was an amazing adventure. I entered homes as a guest and left as family. I saw beauty and hardship. I was overwhelmed by warmth and kindness. My new & temporary family and neighbors watched out for me, we shared stories and laughs. I ate amazing food. I experienced delight. I couldn’t see it all in one week, so I will definitely return. ❤️ I stayed in a Casa Particulare with a family and loved this experience. My Spanish was very limited and my host helped me with getting taxis and, in general, had the whole neighborhood watching out for me. I felt very safe the entire time traveling solo. The Cuban people are warm, friendly, and welcoming.

Posted: June 1, 2024
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Solo travel

Loved Havana! Definitely a special experience. A little hard to get around as I didn’t have any access to internet so got lost a few times but locals were very willing to help out and provide instructions. Spanish is crucial. Food was ok, cheap eats but good food was more expensive

Posted: May 29, 2024
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Ava

Ava

Cuba

Group travel

Visiting Havana last January 2024, was an unforgettable experience. I really enjoyed my time over there, I visited a lot of places, museums, hotels, restaurants and night clubs. I felt very safe, very relaxed and had a lot of fun. I recommend, going to La Vitrola restaurant, is magnificent, also for good music and fun, the bars in Playa close to the MGM Muthu Habana Hotel, were top, I recommend this place too, remember to bring some cash, your credit cards are useful too, except from US, and hang out with Cubans it's amazing, just be wise in choose your travel partner.

Posted: March 8, 2024Experienced: January, 2024
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Group travel

Havana was really cool. I definitely recommend visiting La Bodeguita del Medio, that's where Mojito was invented. We also went to a place called Mojito Mojito, which was touristy, but they had the tastiest Cuban sandwich in the world. You can negotiate the cost of a car ride in a car from the 50's, I recommend this tour, they will take you everywhere important and I think in the end we paid $30 for a ride for four of us! Rum is cheap, like $3 for a huge bottle cheap, we drank rum and sat on the Malecon. Everyone was very kind and I felt safe.

Posted: November 20, 2022
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Solo travel

Havana is unbeatable. I would recommend staying at home with a family, if you can (I ended up staying in a hotel and preferred observing how the locals live!). I also visited several other places in Cuba (including one resort at the end), but Havana was absolutely my favorite. I would leave plenty of time just for sightseeing and admiring the landmarks.

Posted: October 23, 2022
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Is Havana safe for women?

Safety index

2.2 /5

Based on 3 local experiences

Crime index

1.7 /5

Based on 3 local experiences

Havana all in all is a safe city, compared to other LATAM cities. It used to be very safe, but this past few years it has gotten a bit dangerous. I wouldn't recommend walking alone at night or talking to strangers everywhere; most of them end up asking for money.

Posted: January 27, 2025
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Raquel

Raquel

Havana is a dangerous city when you are a woman alone, especially at night. There are multiple cases of rape, murder, and kidnapping. The victims are usually women and children. However, this usually doesn't happen to tourists (I've never heard of a tourist being raped or murdered here), you might just be robbed. The security system is more effective for tourists than for locals, and you will have more protection than I, a local. In recent years, Havana has gone through many situations (political problems) that have left an impact on the people.

Posted: January 6, 2025
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Meet locals in Havana

Claudia

Claudia

About Me

Oh hey you! Hope you're doing great today (whenever you read this hehe). I'm local 23 year old psychology student, a little bit introvert but with a great sense of humor. I would love to show you my city and culture, and share some cool experiences together. Also, I want to improve my English skills and practice my German. I'm addicted to cats, coffee, good wine and food xD I'm a huge fan of Shawn James (long life to rock) and kpop. So... let's hangout sometime! 😄 Our beaches are amazing! And would love to cook something local for u 😊

Speaking

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Janny

Janny

About Me

Hi everyone!I hope we can meet each other and have fun together 😊

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Havana

Janny

Janny

Havana

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hi everyone!I hope we can meet each other and have fun together 😊

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Havana

Katie

Katie

About Me

Hiya! My name is Katie and I’m from Los Angeles but I live in New York and am moving back to London later this year. I’m currently a student who loves budget traveling. I’ve been to 41 countries and will not rest until I’ve truly “seen the world”.

Speaking

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Eliane

Eliane

About Me

I’m a touring musician who spends a lot of the year on the road around the world. I’m an intersectional feminist and politically very left-leaning. My heritage is mixed (Cuban, Argentinian, Spanish, grown in Northern Europe…).

Speaking

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Safety in Cuba