Electricity:
Most older hotels 110 V. Some newer hotels 220 V. Some outlets are a combination of type A and C and can accept either type plug.
A good tip is to use your phone to photograph your power and water meter readings when you first pull into a slip. The meters in Cuba are usually accurate, but the record keeping is not.
Water:
Water is not potable everywhere, so be sure to research in advance where you can fill up and ration accordingly. Water is good for example at Hemingway, Varadero, Cabo San Antonio and Cienfuegos, however not potable in Cayo Largo.
LPG/Gas:
Cooking gas in Cuba is Butane. The fittings are American style, so if your stove can burn propane it will also burn butane in most cases.
Butane can be obtained, but for foreigners, it is a black market item because the cooking gas depots will only sell gas to residents on a bottle exchange basis. Depending on your port there are usually some local entrepreneurs who will fill a 10lb bottle for around $10cuc. In Havana, the same bottle can cost as much as $20cuc. If you have a decanting hose you may be able to negotiate with a restaurant owner to sell you some of his supply.
Fuel:
Fuel purchases are scheduled to accept only electronic payments after October 31, 2023. It is not yet clear if the price of fuel will increase for Cubans, or if foreigners will be required to pay the current fuel price in MLC or Foreign currency at the official exchange rates.
Waterway Guide: has up to date fuel prices.
Getting Work Done:
The repair facilities in Cuba are limited and fragmented. However, the marinas at Varadero and Havana do have some capability. It is advisable to contact the marinas in advance to see if they are able to help. There is only one facility in Cuba for storage on the hard - Marina Gaviota Varadero. Boats are stored on a paved area with tie down straps. If leaving your boat for hurricane season you will need to do the hurricane prep yourself.
Marinas:
Marinas in Cuba now only accept credit card/electronic payment.
Provisioning:
Marine supplies and parts are still non-existent, so cruisers must arrive in Cuba with all marine essentials.
It is advisable to head to Cuba very well stocked up as the majority of goods are hard to find or unavailable. Load up with bottled, canned and dried goods. Items that are just not available in Cuba are milk, butter, good bread, potatoes. Sugar and coffee are in very short supply. Rice and beans are rationed. Good cheese is not available.
Frozen chicken and pork are available in Cuba, as is fresh produce in season. You must learn to buy when you have the opportunity. If you wait to go back the next day, there won't be any produce left.
Toiletries are luxury items in Cuba. Stock up at home with soap, toilet roll, toothpaste, toothbrushes, disposable razors, clothes powder, shampoo & conditioner, pain relief, cough-syrup, antihistamine creams, antiseptic creams, mosquito smoke coils and repellent, plasters, etc.
Beer and rum are available everywhere and is cheap. Wine and fizzy drinks are not.
Cuban fresh produce is some of the best you will find anywhere as they do not use chemicals nor do they chill.
There are some useful tips on what provisions you can't get in Cuba here.
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