Travelling to Cuba with Diabetes: Insulin and Supplies

Quick answer: Bring all diabetes medication and supplies in your carry-on, pack more than the planned trip requires, protect insulin from heat and freezing, and prepare for delayed meals, power cuts and limited replacement supplies in Cuba.

Travelling to Cuba with diabetes requires a stronger backup plan than an ordinary beach vacation. Insulin, glucose sensors, test strips, pump supplies and emergency treatment may be difficult or impossible to replace locally. Heat, humidity, flight delays, changing meal schedules and power interruptions can also affect diabetes management.

Speak with your diabetes care team before travelling

Review the trip with your doctor, pharmacist or diabetes educator before departure. Discuss your medication schedule, insulin storage, low-blood-sugar treatment, illness management and any adjustments that may be needed during long travel days.

Ask for a medical letter confirming that you need to carry insulin, needles, lancets, sensors, a glucose meter, pump equipment or other medical supplies. Carry a medication list showing generic names, dosages and emergency contacts.

Pack more supplies than the trip requires

Do not depend on Cuban pharmacies or resort clinics for replacement diabetes supplies. Shortages of medication and medical equipment can be severe.

Insulin or diabetes tablets for the entire stay plus a delay buffer.
Extra pen needles, syringes, lancets and alcohol swabs.
A glucose meter, spare meter and additional test strips.
Continuous glucose monitor sensors and backup finger-stick supplies.
Insulin pump infusion sets, reservoirs, batteries and backup injection supplies.
Ketone strips when recommended by your care team.
Glucagon or another prescribed severe-hypoglycemia treatment.
Fast-acting sugar such as glucose tablets or gel.
Portable snacks for airport, transfer and excursion delays.
A small sharps container.

Keep medication in your carry-on

Never place all insulin or essential diabetes supplies in checked baggage. Checked luggage can be delayed or lost, and temperature extremes in baggage areas may damage insulin. Divide supplies between two carry-on bags when travelling with a trusted companion, while keeping enough immediately accessible for the full journey.

Keep medication in original labelled packaging. Declare insulin, juice, gels, needles and medical devices during airport screening when required.

Protect insulin from Cuba’s heat

Insulin can lose effectiveness when exposed to excessive heat and can also be damaged by freezing. Use an insulated medication pouch designed for travel, but do not place insulin directly against frozen ice packs.

At the resort, ask whether the room refrigerator maintains a stable temperature. A minibar may be switched off when the key card is removed, may freeze items near the cooling element or may stop during a power interruption. Review the guide to keeping medication cold at Cuba resorts.

Prepare for power outages

Power cuts can affect room refrigerators, air conditioning, elevators, WiFi and the ability to charge pumps, readers and phones. Bring charged power banks that comply with airline battery rules, spare device batteries where applicable and a non-electronic backup method for glucose monitoring.

Travellers using an insulin pump should carry backup insulin delivery supplies and written instructions from their care team. Read the Cuba power outage guide and the 72-hour travel backup plan.

Plan for delayed or different meals

Buffet schedules, transfer delays, excursions and changing food availability can affect carbohydrate intake. Carry familiar snacks and fast-acting sugar whenever you leave the room. Do not assume food will be available immediately during an airport delay or long transfer.

Heat, swimming and increased walking can also change glucose levels. Monitor more frequently and follow the individualized instructions provided by your diabetes care team.

Recognize and prepare for hypoglycemia

Keep glucose tablets, gel or another fast-acting carbohydrate within reach. Travel companions should know the signs of low blood sugar, where emergency treatment is stored and how to call for help.

Carry a medical identification bracelet or card. Save your insurer’s emergency number, hotel address, medical information and emergency contacts offline.

Food and water illness can affect glucose control

Vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and fever can quickly complicate diabetes management. Bring oral rehydration supplies and follow the sick-day plan provided by your care team. Seek medical assistance for persistent vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, severe hypoglycemia, very high glucose, ketones, confusion, breathing difficulty or signs of dehydration.

Review the food and water safety guide and the healthcare in Cuba guide.

Travel insurance is essential

Confirm that the policy covers diabetes-related emergencies, hospital treatment, medical evacuation and trip interruption. Carry the insurance certificate, policy number and emergency telephone number in printed and offline digital form.

See the complete Cuba travel insurance guide.