What it's actually like to land in Havana in 2026 (from someone who lives here and sees tourists arrive every week)
The first thing you notice is how quiet the airport is. Not many people coming into the country right now, so the energy is chill from the start. You mostly just follow the group you landed with toward immigration and baggage claim, there's not a lot of signage guiding you so the crowd is your best bet.
The heat hits you immediately, especially if you're coming from somewhere colder and right now as we're heading into summer.
Documents and immigration
Have everything printed or at least downloaded offline on your phone before you get there. You likely won't have internet until you're about to leave the airport and can buy a SIM, so don't count on pulling anything up on the spot. Depending on where you're from, you may also need to show proof of vaccination, so double-check that before you travel.
Immigration officers are professional and friendly, just not particularly chatty. They might ask a few basic questions about your trip but nothing crazy.
Baggage claim
Just be patient here. Carts are limited and go fast, especially when people are traveling with a lot of bags (which is common, many visitors bring gifts for family). Make sure your bag is easy to spot, a colored strap or luggage tag goes a long way.
Customs (Aduana)
Don't skip this step mentally. You'll need to declare certain tech items, high-value things, that kind of stuff. Just be straightforward and it's fine.
Getting out and getting around
Once you pass customs you enter the exit hall, and this is actually where things open up a bit. You can buy a SIM card here and exchange money, though honestly both of those are better handled through an agency when you arrive. The airport options work in a pinch but you're not getting the best rates or the most reliable setup. For context, the travelers I work with get their own personal SIM card with data already loaded and ready to use from the moment they land, and I help them exchange cash.
Same goes for transport. Your options at the airport are a $5 shuttle bus that drops you in Old Havana, Vedado or Playa, taxis right there (convenient but pricey and you don't really know who you're getting), or renting a car which I'd only recommend through a proper agency that can back you up if something goes wrong and can help with gasoline. If you pre-arranged a ride, your driver is already waiting outside. No negotiating, no guessing, someone already knows where you're going.
That's basically what I do, help people sort the logistics before they land so the arrival is simple. If you have questions about any of this or want to know what it looks like to have things set up in advance, let me know!