Cuba is confronting one of its most severe fuel crises in decades, and the shock is rippling straight through the heart of its tourism industry. With aviation fuel unavailable at all nine of the island’s international airports for at least a month, airlines are cancelling services, hotels are closing or consolidating guests, and travelers are facing an unusually high risk of disruption. For anyone considering a trip between mid February and mid March 2026, or already holding tickets to Havana, Varadero or the northern cays, understanding how the fuel shortage is reshaping travel on the island has suddenly become essential.
A Jet Fuel Drought That Grounded a Destination
The immediate trigger for the current travel chaos is a nationwide shortage of Jet A 1 aviation fuel. According to official aviation notices, from 10 February to at least 11 March 2026 Cuba’s main international airports, including Havana, Varadero, Cayo Coco, Holguín, Santa Clara and Santiago de Cuba, cannot supply jet fuel to commercial aircraft. Airlines have been told that they must either arrive with sufficient fuel for a round trip, add technical stopovers in third countries, or suspend operations entirely.
For a tourism dependent economy already struggling with years of underinvestment and declining visitor numbers, the timing could not be worse. February and March are peak months for sun seeking travelers from Canada and Europe, who typically fill the beach resorts of Varadero and the keys off Cuba’s north coast. Instead, carriers are rewriting schedules on the fly, tour operators are scrambling to rebook clients, and thousands of tourists on the island or planning to travel in the coming weeks are finding their itineraries suddenly uncertain.
The aviation fuel crunch does not exist in isolation. It sits atop a wider energy emergency in Cuba, marked by dwindling oil supplies, rolling blackouts that can last well over 20 hours in some areas, and restrictions on fuel sales to both locals and visitors. Together, these pressures are forcing the government and the tourism sector to triage resources and concentrate services in fewer places, at the cost of convenience and predictability for travelers.
Airlines Cancel, Reroute and Repatriate
The most visible impact for foreign visitors is in the air. Canadian carriers, which serve Cuba’s single largest source market, have announced some of the most drastic measures. Air Canada has suspended its regular flights to Cuban destinations and is instead dispatching aircraft loaded with enough fuel for round trips to bring home an estimated 3,000 stranded passengers. Other Canadian airlines, including WestJet and Transat, have also temporarily halted or reduced services, citing the impossibility of refueling on the island.
European airlines are looking for workarounds rather than full withdrawal. Spanish carriers such as Air Europa and Iberia, along with Air France and others, are introducing technical stops in nearby countries, usually in the Dominican Republic, to refuel before or after serving Havana or the beach resorts. This keeps routes technically open, but it lengthens journey times and leaves schedules more prone to delay. Some airlines have warned that further changes are possible if the fuel shortage persists beyond the notice period.
North American carriers from the United States have so far maintained more of their Cuba operations, in part by having aircraft uplift sufficient fuel at their home bases to fly in and out without relying on Cuban supplies. This approach, however, narrows operational margins and leaves little flexibility if conditions on the ground deteriorate. Even with flights still running, passengers have reported last minute schedule changes, tighter baggage weight allowances and longer waits as airlines manage constrained resources.
For travelers, the practical consequence is an elevated risk of cancellations, reroutings and extended layovers. Flight only passengers whose services are still operating typically have limited rights to cancel without penalty, while those booked on package holidays may have more flexibility if tour operators determine that the original itinerary can no longer be delivered as sold. In all cases, communication between airlines, travel agents and customers has become critically important and, at times, strained.
Hotels Closing, Guests Consolidated and Services Stripped Back
On the ground, Cuba’s hotel sector is undergoing a rapid and sometimes confusing reconfiguration. In early February, Cuban officials acknowledged that hotels were being temporarily closed and guests relocated as part of an effort to cut energy consumption and concentrate limited resources in fewer properties. The government has framed this as a consolidation plan aimed at “taking advantage of the high season,” but for visitors it means that accommodation booked months in advance may no longer be available on arrival.
Industry sources and local media report that several resorts in major tourist areas, including Varadero, Cayo Santa María, Cayo Coco and Holguín, have partially or fully suspended operations. International chains with a strong presence in Cuba, such as the Spanish group Meliá, have confirmed reductions in available rooms and closures of some low occupancy hotels, describing the move as an operational adjustment to match demand and manage scarce supplies.
Guests affected by these changes are being moved, often on short notice, to alternative properties within the same destination or occasionally to different resort areas altogether. While tour operators and hotel groups insist that travelers will receive equivalent or upgraded accommodation, the reality on the ground varies. Some visitors have welcomed quieter, better equipped hotels, while others report reduced services, fewer restaurant options, curtailed entertainment programs and more frequent power cuts than they expected.
The consolidation is not simply about guest comfort. Many hotels rely on diesel powered generators to keep air conditioning, kitchens and basic services running when the national grid fails. With fuel scarce, operators are prioritizing properties with higher occupancy and better infrastructure, and shuttering others to stretch their resources. This triage approach has knock on effects for tourism workers, many of whom face longer shifts, complex commuting challenges and, in some cases, temporary layoffs.
Blackouts, Transport Shortages and Daily Life for Tourists
Beyond flights and hotels, the wider energy crisis is reshaping the day to day experience of traveling in Cuba. Prolonged power outages are now common in many provinces, affecting everything from water pumps and refrigeration to mobile phone coverage and internet connectivity. Tourists staying in well prepared resorts may be shielded from the worst of these impacts, but even there, guests have reported intermittent air conditioning, limited elevator service and occasional food shortages when supply chains are disrupted.
Fuel rationing at petrol stations is also directly affecting ground transportation. The Cuban authorities have imposed strict limits on fuel purchases, including caps on the amount of petrol an individual can buy and restrictions on diesel availability. Queues for fuel can stretch for hours, and many private taxis, rental agencies and bus operators are struggling to obtain enough fuel to run normal services. For visitors, that can mean fewer available taxis, higher prices for transfers and excursions, and a greater risk that a planned day trip or intercity journey will be delayed or cancelled.
Public buses and interprovincial coaches are particularly vulnerable to these constraints. Travelers hoping to move independently around the island using domestic bus services should be prepared for schedule changes and possible last minute suspensions. Even prebooked transfers arranged through tour operators are taking longer, sometimes including unplanned stops to manage fuel consumption or coordinate with other travelers being moved between hotels.
Despite these pressures, many tourists currently in Cuba still describe their trips as enjoyable, noting that beaches remain beautiful, cultural attractions are open and local people are eager to welcome visitors. The difference is that flexibility and patience have become vital. Visitors who accept a slower pace, occasional darkness and the need to adapt plans on the fly are coping better than those expecting friction free, all inclusive convenience.
Travel Advisories and What They Mean for Your Plans
Foreign governments are updating their travel advice to reflect the seriousness of Cuba’s fuel and power shortages. Recent notices highlight daily blackouts, long queues at petrol stations, strict purchasing limits and the relocation of tourists from one hotel to another to concentrate generator use. Travelers are being urged to conserve water, food and mobile phone charge, and to prepare for significant disruption to transport and basic services.
At the time of writing, most major Western governments still allow travel to Cuba but advise a high degree of caution, especially for those planning itineraries that rely on domestic flights, long distance road travel or stays in more remote areas. Importantly, a distinction is drawn between inconvenience and outright danger. While the situation is uncomfortable and can deteriorate quickly, it has not yet triggered the strongest level of warning that would automatically entitle most package holidaymakers to cancel for a full refund.
For travelers, this creates a gray zone of risk management. If your airline has cancelled flights entirely or your tour operator cannot honor the contracted itinerary because key hotels have closed, you are generally entitled to rebooking, alternative arrangements or a refund under consumer protection rules in your home country. If, however, services are technically still operating, even with serious disruptions, you may have fewer automatic rights and will need to negotiate options with the companies involved.
Travel insurance policies add a further layer of complexity. Standard cover usually remains valid so long as you are not traveling against official government advice. But many policies exclude compensation for losses related to known events, such as a publicly announced fuel crisis, especially if you booked after the issue became widely reported. Travelers should read policy wording carefully, paying particular attention to sections on government travel advisories, supplier failure and “force majeure” events.
Who Should Consider Postponing a Trip
Not every traveler is affected equally by Cuba’s fuel shortage, and not everyone will make the same decision about whether to proceed with a planned trip. For some, particularly those who value spontaneity and are accustomed to traveling in countries with fragile infrastructure, the current situation may be acceptable. For others, especially families with young children, older travelers or those with health conditions, the combination of blackouts, transport uncertainty and reduced hotel services may be too much of a stretch.
Visitors with tightly scheduled itineraries that involve multiple internal transfers are at higher risk of disruption. If your plans depend on flying between Havana and distant provinces, or on a series of long bus or taxi journeys, it may be wise to review whether these elements can realistically be delivered in the coming weeks. Those whose main goal is a single beach resort stay, and who are traveling on a well supported package, may face fewer complications, although they should still be prepared for potential hotel changes and reduced amenities.
Travelers who place a high premium on reliable medical access and refrigeration for medicines should think particularly carefully. Hospitals and clinics in Cuba are themselves under strain from blackouts and fuel shortages, and pharmaceutical supplies are tight. While travel insurance can help with evacuation in an emergency, the initial response on the island may be slower or more basic than expected. If you rely on temperature sensitive medication or frequent medical monitoring, postponing until conditions stabilize could be the safer choice.
Ultimately, the decision to travel is a personal risk calculus, informed by your tolerance for uncertainty, your health profile and your financial flexibility. What is clear is that traveling to Cuba during this fuel crisis is no longer a straightforward beach holiday proposition but a journey into a country under significant economic and logistical stress.
Practical Advice for Those Who Still Decide to Go
For travelers who choose to continue with their plans, preparation and realism are key. Before departure, maintain close contact with your airline, tour operator or cruise line, checking repeatedly for schedule changes and operational updates. If your carrier offers flexible rebooking or credit vouchers, weigh the advantages of postponing against the potential disappointment and cost of traveling now. Keep all communications and confirmations in writing, as they may be important if disputes arise later.
On the ground in Cuba, expect that your itinerary may change and that not all advertised services will be available. Pack a small emergency kit that can mitigate the impact of power cuts, including a reliable flashlight or headlamp, extra batteries, a portable power bank, basic water purification tablets or a filter bottle, and a small supply of non perishable snacks. If you rely on mobile internet, consider downloading offline maps and translation tools in advance, as connectivity may be patchy during blackouts.
When it comes to money, traveling with a diversified mix of payment methods is more important than ever. Card systems can be unreliable during power outages, and some establishments may accept only certain foreign currencies or cash in local pesos at shifting unofficial rates. Bring sufficient funds to cover unexpected extra nights, alternative transport or meals if you find yourself delayed or rerouted. Store cash in separate locations and use hotel safes where available.
Finally, adjust expectations and behavior to local realities. Be patient with hotel staff and service workers, many of whom are dealing with the same fuel queues, blackouts and price surges as everyone else, often on very modest wages. Keep your plans flexible, build extra time into transfers, and avoid scheduling tight connections. In a context where energy is scarce, the most successful trips will be those that prioritize resilience and understanding over rigid schedules and perfection.
Looking Ahead: What This Crisis Signals for Cuban Tourism
The current fuel shortage is the latest and most acute episode in a longer decline for Cuban tourism. After peaking in the mid 2010s, visitor numbers have steadily fallen, hit first by tightening sanctions and restrictions, then by the pandemic, and now by deepening economic and infrastructure problems. Official figures for 2025 show international arrivals at their lowest level in more than two decades outside the Covid years, with hotel occupancy hovering around one in five rooms.
For the Cuban government, the crisis underscores the vulnerability of an economic model that relies heavily on tourism receipts and on oil imports from a small number of politically exposed partners. For foreign hotel chains and tour operators, it raises questions about the long term sustainability of large resort investments in a destination where energy, transport and basic supplies can no longer be taken for granted. Some may choose to weather the storm, betting on eventual stabilization. Others are already trimming capacity or directing marketing efforts elsewhere in the Caribbean.
In the short term, the focus for both authorities and industry will be on getting through the fuel shortage window between February and March, repatriating stranded tourists, and preserving as much of the high season as possible. But even if aviation fuel deliveries resume on schedule, the underlying structural issues that produced this crisis will remain. Power generation, transport networks and supply chains all need substantial investment and reform if Cuba is to regain its footing as a reliable mass market destination.
For travelers, that means approaching Cuba in the coming months and years with open eyes. The island still offers compelling culture, music, architecture and landscapes that are unlike anywhere else in the region. Yet those attractions now sit alongside evident hardship and uncertainty. Whether you decide to postpone, reroute, or proceed with extra caution, understanding the realities behind the travel brochures is essential. The current fuel crisis is not just a temporary inconvenience, but a window into the deeper challenges reshaping tourism and daily life across Cuba.