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Cuba

Frozen in the 1950s - classic cars, salsa rhythms and Havana's crumbling Caribbean grandeur

67/100
FutureLife Score
#90
FutureLife Index 2026
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$600
Comfortable/mo
8/10
Safety
7.5/10
Healthcare
#80
Happiness rank

Key Scores

67/100
Higher = better
Future Life Score
8/10
Safety Index
7.5/10
Healthcare
#80
Lower = happier
Happiness Rank

Why people move to Cuba

+Old Havana: UNESCO-listed Spanish colonial city frozen in architectural time
+Classic 1950s American cars: Cuba has the world's largest running fleet
+Varadero: 20km of pristine white-sand Caribbean beach
+Cuban salsa: the original Casino style - live music on every corner
+Healthcare ranked remarkably high - near-zero infant mortality for income level
UniqueMusicClassic cars
Culture & context

Sun-baked Caribbean socialism - vintage cars, salsa rhythm, struggling economy, and warm-hearted resilience.

People, religion & languages

Population
~11M
77% urban
Languages
Spanish
Also: English (tourism, limited)
Day-to-day English

Low; some in tourism.

Religion

Catholic-majority with strong Afro-Cuban Santería tradition. Decades of state atheism softened post-1990.

Catholic
60%
Santería/Afro-Cuban
18%
Protestant
5%
No affiliation
15%
Other
2%

Culture & etiquette

What locals value and what to watch for

FamilyMusic + danceHospitalityResilienceStorytelling
Do
  • Greet with cheek kisses and warmth
  • Try learning some salsa basics
  • Be patient with bureaucracy and shortages
Avoid
  • Public political criticism (sensitive)
  • Photographing soldiers or government buildings
Pace of life

Slow, social, music-led.

Expat-friendliness

Warm; economic sanctions and currency issues complicate long-term expat life.

Holidays & food culture

Simple but flavourful Caribbean-Spanish - rice, beans, pork, plantains. Constrained by shortages.

Ropa viejaArroz con polloFrijolesTostonesCuban sandwichMojito
Mealtimes

Lunch 13:00–15:00, dinner 20:00–22:00.

Dietary norms

Limited veg options; meat-centric. Rum cultural.

Major holidays
January 1
Triumph of the Revolution
Main national holiday
May 1
Labour Day
July 26
Day of National Rebellion
December 25
Christmas
Officially restored holiday

Work culture & business norms

Working weekMonday–Friday
Hours08:30–17:00.
HierarchyHierarchical.
PunctualityFlexible.
Meeting stylePersonal, leisurely.
Business attireSmart casual.

Hidden Gems

Off the beaten path

→

Baracoa - Cuba's oldest city in the far east, surrounded by rainforest, cocoa plantations, and El Yunque flat-topped mountain

→

Playa Ancón - Trinidad's beautiful beach without the Varadero crowds

→

Valle de los Ingenios - valley of old sugar plantation ruins and watchtowers east of Trinidad

Monthly cost snapshot
Comfortable lifestyle$600/mo
Semi-Luxury lifestyle$1,100/mo
Luxury lifestyle$2,000/mo

Single person, before income tax

AI affordability check
At $4,000/month remote income you'd have $3,400 surplus after budget-tier costs - saving 85% of your income.
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Quick facts

LanguageSpanish
CurrencyCUP
Internet6 Mbps avg
EnglishLow
Future Life Score67/100
Future Life Rank#90
PR pathN/A
CitizenshipNo clear path
Passport rank#79
Visa-free65 countries
Income tax50% top rate
VAT20%
CapitalHavana
Best airportJosé Martí International (HAV)
VisaTourist Card (tarjeta del turista) - ~$25, available at airlines/airports
Currency noteUS debit/credit cards do not work - bring cash
Avg temp25–30°C / 77–86°F year-round

Visa options

Tourist Card (Tarjeta del Turista)Easy
Specific Visa (US citizens - limited)Hard
Before you move in
See it for yourself
Things to do, hidden gems, food & real daily costs
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