Cuba and Cancun are some of the most sought-after places around the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. They are very close to each other where you can reach Cuba from Cancun through air travel. It can take about around one hour to get to Cuba from Cancun, Mexico, and vice versa.
The distance separating them might be too close in which you would ponder whether you can see Cuba from Cancun. But seeing any part of Cuba from Cancun is next to impossible.
You cannot see Cuba from Cancun. Even when you are at Cancun’s tallest building, the Secrets the Vine towering as high as 272ft, you will never have a glimpse of Cuba from Mexico. The distance separating these two areas is huge, making it difficult to see Cuba from Cancun. It would help if you were much closer to the country to get a view of Cuba.
List of Contents
What’s the distance from Cancun to Cuba?
There are around 585 miles or 941 kilometers of distance between Cancun and Cuba. It will take around one hour of air travel to be able to reach each other.
The distance is not the only reason why you cannot see Cuba from Cancun. It is still a considerable gap to bridge, and expecting a glimpse from the Cancun standpoint is impossible.
Here are the other reasons why it is not possible to see Cuba from Cancun:
- A naked eye can only reach a 3-miles distance with clear visibility and pleasant weather. The gap between Cuba and Cancun is so much more than 3 miles. It would be impossible to see the city with this vast separation.
- You still need to bridge the 143+ miles coast-to-coast distance between Cuba and Cancun. From the coast separating them alone, it would be impossible to see even the tip of Cuba. You will only see a massive horizon if you dare to look for Cuba from your reference point.
- Also, the curvature of the earth should be your primary consideration. Your naked eye can only reach up to three miles with clear visibility and a flat surface. If you factor in the earth’s curvature, it reduces the chances of seeing Cuba from Cancun. You might experience 16.7 feet of curvature that can hinder your viewing angle.
- Elevation would not pull tricks on you seeing Cuba from Cancun. Whether you are standing at Cancun’s tallest building, there’s no chance to see Cuba. Even the closest point in Cuba from Cancun – Guanahacabibes Peninsula is not visible.
Can you go to Cuba from Cancun?
It is possible to go to Cuba from Cancun if you have a Cuba visa. You can easily get a visa at the Cancun Airport before you depart from Cuba. It can take about an hour and twenty minutes before you finally reach Havana Airport.
Here are the factors you must consider when planning your trip from Cancun to Cuba:
- Significant airlines are servicing a flight from Cancun to Cuba. You can take Interjet, Aeromexico, and Copa Airlines for your Cuba flight. Interjet is the most widely used and popular. It is also the cheapest and affordable Spanish airline that you can get. The said airline provides several daily trips going to Havana, Cuba.
- As of now, there is no ferry providing transport services to these locations. You might expect that since a coast separates both, ferries are available. Do not expect that many ferries are servicing Cuba from Cancun. The best way to go on this trip is to travel by air.
- The flight ticket going to Cuba can cost around $100 one-way. It is still affordable, and you can get cheaper deals if you book low peak seasons. You also have an option to book your ticket weeks away from your scheduled trip.
- If you are an American citizen, you must still apply for a tourist visa. Once you reach the Mexican airport, you can get your visa to be able to visit Cuba. The government of Cuba requires all citizens going to Cuba to secure a Cuban visa before their visit. The visa will be valid for single entry only and can last up to 30 days.
- You should prepare an amount of $15-USD 20 for the tourist card or visa. Upon your arrival at Havana Airport, you will see a queue for the visa and get one there. If you do not want to fall in line, you can apply only using the iVisa. But you will be paying more than the standard visa processing.
Can you make a day trip from Cancun to Cuba?
Flights are available daily from Cancun to Cuba if you want to embark on a day trip. The Interjet, for instance, offers low-cost flights of just around $90 one way. Going from Cancun to Cuba became easier because of this low-cost carrier airline.
After securing your tourist visa, you are now ready to see and explore this wonderful country. If you are going for one day trip only, here are the things you should not miss:
- Hemingway’s Finca Vigia
- French influence of Cienfuegos
- Far-flung Baracoa
- Hershey Railway
- Landscape of Vinales
- Habana Vieja
- Che Guevara Mausoleum
- Trinidad del Cuba
- Playa Paradiso
- Gardens of the Queen
In Cuba, you can see the Nobel-winning author’s former farmhouse. Here you can see the home of Hemingway in the Americas during the times of Fidel Castro. The author lived on Lookout Farm during the 1940s and 1950s, writing The Old Man and the Sea.
When you visit this most revered author’s house, you will see a room full of original scripts from the author. You can also explore thousands of books of Hemingway and his boat, Pilar. It is one of the most recommended landmarks you should not miss in Cuba.
If you want to see the French influences in the country, you must visit the Cienfuegos. It is the Paris of the Caribbean based on people’s observation.
Don Luis de Clouet founded the place in 1819. You can see the French style and influences in the boulevards and parklands of the area. Also, it has a vast collection of neoclassical buildings showcasing French-style elegance. The Castillo de Jagua, a historic Cuban fort, also stands tall in Cienfuegos.
In the country’s far eastern end, there is an island called Baracoa. Christopher Columbus once visited the area.
It also became one of the first destinations of Spanish conquistadores.
Baracoa is also the first capital of the country.
You will feel relaxed and well-acquainted with nature when you visit the place. It has plenty of palms, bananas, and chocolate plants, making the city green and alive. More than that, there are rivers and waters where you can embark on a boat trip. Of course, you should not miss the Salto Fino for its waterfall that does wonders.
If you want more fun and enjoyable way to explore Cuba, you should see the Hershey Railway. The American chocolate manufacturers made this mode of transportation. The railway served as a way of transporting sugar from the fields to the Cuban capital. Even today, the railway is still in whole operation.
You can traverse almost 92 kilometers from Matanzas and Casablanca suburb. It is the only way to get to Matanzas and interact with the locals.
For a greener journey, you can also visit the township of Vinales. It is far away from the colonial influences of the city of Havana. In this area, you can see a landscape and traditional farms and greenery. The area is highly provincial, where life is at a languid pace. When visiting Vinales, you should not also miss the Saint Thomas caves. The said cave is the second largest cave system in South America.
You will see natural rock formations and old-fashioned murals of pre-Colombina Indians.
It has a historical significance and is worth your time and visit.
Of course, when you visit Cuba, you should not also miss Old Havana. It is where the authentic Cuban life exists. You can see a classic picture of old-fashioned American cars, taxis giving color to the city.
The Old Havana also bears the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The place has historical significance and continues to create the story. Here you will see high defensive walls, baroque and neoclassical buildings. They add to the unique charm and beauty of the place. Also, do not miss visiting the El Capitolio, Plaza de Armas, and other historical sites.
The most recognized personality in the country of Cuba is Che Guevarra. In the same city, you will see the mausoleum of the infamous Che Guevarra. You can find it on an attractive hill overlooking the city of Santa Clara. There is a seven-meter bronze statue, as well. Close to the area is a military supply train affiliated with Che Guevara too.
Another site not to miss in the country is Trinidad del Cuba. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site founded in 1514. The place has plenty of colonial palaces, plazas, churches, and remnants of sugar mills.
You will see old-style cobblestone streets surrounded by classic Spanish mansions. Trinidad de Cuba is a well-preserved historical landmark in the country. Many tourists explore the area as it also sits in Central Cuba and the Caribbean Sea.
If you prefer to pamper yourself in nature when in Cuba, you should not miss the Playa Paradiso. You can find it at the west end of Cayo Largo, a small island on the country’s southern coast.
The place makes it to the most beautiful beaches list in the world. Here you can enjoy the warm southern sun, blue waters, and fine chilling sand. The beach is an excellent spot for relaxation because it is one of the most unexplored territories of the area. It is a great destination to escape from city life and enjoy the spending beauty of nature.
Another great place to see in Cuba is the Gardens of the Queen or Jardines de la Reina. The area is one of the largest marine reserves in the Caribbean. Many scuba divers visit the place because of its natural wonders. You will see plenty of coral formations, sea turtles, and a school of fish at the diving site. It would be thrilling to find sharks in this part of Cuba.
Sometimes, one of the best places you can see is just around the corner. When you are in Cancun, Mexico, Cuba is the go-to spot to explore new things. Cuba is so near that it will only take you about an hour to reach the place.
You can’t see Cuba from Cancun, but if you go out there and explore the place outside Cancun, there is a lot to experience. A new paradise called Cuba is waiting for you to see and marvel at in a matter of hours.