Day Trips From Key West To Cuba

By VacationIdea Staff on June 15, 2022 - Updated

Andrey Armyagov/stock.adobe.com

Sitting out in the spot where the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean all meet, the island country of Cuba is swiftly becoming one of the most popular vacation destinations around. Home to some beautiful natural areas like Cayo Largo del Sur and the Vinales Valley, as well as the fascinating, colorful city of Havana and so much more, Cuba is a lively, vibrant place with a long list of things to see and do. Please be aware of travel restrictions to Cuba for U.S. citizens.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Overview

Interestingly, only around 106 miles separate the Cuban capital of Havana from the southernmost spot in the contiguous United States at Key West. This means that travel between Key West and Cuba can actually be a lot easier than many people might imagine, and easing travel restrictions in recent years have made it simpler than ever before to organize a day trip to Cuba from Key West.

Getting To Cuba From Key West

If you’re planning a day trip to Cuba from Key West, the first step is to actually look at how you’re going to get there. You have two basic options: travel by air or travel by sea. The latter is by far the simplest option for now, but we’ll cover both of them below.

2.Getting To Cuba From Key West By Air

Sadly, for the time being, there are no direct flights between Cuba and Key West International Airport. This may change in the future as more flights are starting to be arranged between the United States and Cuba, but for now, the only commercial flights available would take you to another airport like Miami and then force you to take a connecting flight over to Havana, which is very time-consuming.

If you can afford it, however, it is possible to arrange charter or private flights over to Cuba direct from Key West. These flights aren’t cheap, but they’re exceptionally fast and the whole journey can be done in less than an hour. Some travel companies and tour operators like Our Key West are starting to provide new ways for travelers to get to Cuba from Key West, so this possibility might become more accessible as time goes by.

3.Getting To Cuba From Key West By Sea

The simplest way to organize a day trip from Key West to Cuba is to travel by ferry. Many ferry companies like Havana Ferry Partners and Cuba Ferries have plans in place to launch services connecting Key West to Havana as soon as travel restrictions between these two countries allow for these kinds of journeys to take place.

Ferries from Florida to Cuba will be running from multiple ports and cities, including Miami and Fort Lauderdale, but Key West will represent the fastest option, with the entire journey able to be done in around four hours. As soon as these ferries become available, booking your spot on board will be the best option to get to Cuba from Key West.

4.Things To Do In Cuba

- The Plaza de la Revolución - One of the most famous landmarks in all of Havana is the Plaza de la Revolución, and this is a must-do part of any trip to Cuba. Visitors will be able to admire the Che Guevara monument and take plenty of photos, as well as immersing themselves in authentic Cuban culture.

- Revolution Museum - Charging just a small fee for entry, the Revolution Museum is one of Cuba's best museums. It features genuine clothing and items used by Cuban soldiers during the revolution, as well as old newspaper articles and documents from the time. This is definitely one of the best places to check out on your trip to Cuba.

- Walk Around Old Havana - If you picture Havana as being filled with colorful buildings and narrow alleyways, you're probably actually thinking of Old Havana. This is the historic city center of Havana and is one of the prettiest places in all of Cuba, perfect for exploration.

- Visit El Capitolio - El Capitolio, also known as the National Capitol Building, is one of the most popular sites in the whole of Cuba. Built back in the 1920s, it's an amazing example of neoclassical architecture and was used as the seat of government for Cuba right up until the revolution.

- Castillo de la Real Fuerza - Head out to the east of Havana to stop off at Castillo de la Real Fuerza, a 16th century star-shaped fort. It looks out over the harbor, offering some stunning views to visitors, and is nicely located near the ferry terminals, as well as some great bars and restaurants too. There's a lot of history behind this place, and it's a popular spot for families to discover.