Every pound matters when traveling to Cuba, a fact realized by a Cuban woman living in Tennessee as she packed for a visit to her family. After purchasing a digital scale to organize her luggage, she decided to remove all unnecessary tags, boxes, and packaging from the items she planned to bring. To her surprise, this small adjustment saved her nearly 5 pounds in weight.
In a TikTok video, Leidy Laurita (@leidylaura1997) shared this useful tip, especially for those planning a trip to the island loaded with goods for loved ones. “I bought this digital scale at Walmart because I'm traveling to Cuba soon and was weighing everything, organizing it to avoid last-minute rushes,” she mentioned. With a bag full of tags, cardboard, and plastic she had removed, she explained, “Look at this, 4.6 pounds. I would have taken this to Cuba if I hadn't removed all those plastics from the things we bought. These 4 pounds may not seem much, but they are 4 pounds that can be used for more important items.”
The video sparked a flood of reactions. Many users thanked her for the advice. “Thank you so much for the video, I'm traveling in 2 weeks, and I packed everything with tags. Time to remove them,” one person commented. Others noted that this practice is common among Cubans traveling: “Historically, everything unnecessary is removed, even using a lot of Ziploc bags for small items.”
However, some pointed out that this advice might be something many are already aware of. “I imagine this is your first trip because it's obvious to remove everything, even when sending packages,” a user remarked. Leidy calmly responded, “It is my first trip, and I didn't say anything wrong. I'm sure there are others like me who didn't know about this simple trick, and my video could provide them with that information.”
Other followers chimed in with additional tips that could be helpful when preparing luggage: “Always leave 2 pounds less because the airport scale is different. In my case, I leave bags weighing 50 pounds at 48 and a bit to hit the exact 50.”
Leidy concluded her video with a reflection on the significance of these minor adjustments: “We all know the need in Cuba. Remove everything: tags, boxes, and you'll see the pounds you save little by little.”
Packing Tips for Travel to Cuba
Why is it important to remove packaging when packing for Cuba?
Removing packaging can save significant weight in your luggage, allowing you to bring more essential items to Cuba.
What should travelers keep in mind about airport scales?
Travelers should be aware that airport scales might differ from home scales, so it's advisable to pack slightly under the weight limit to avoid overage fees.