Gate-side pharmacy in T1 for last‑minute meds
Farmacia Aeropuerto sits airside in Terminal T1 at Antonio Maceo International, just past security and before the main boarding gates. It functions like a small Cuban neighborhood pharmacy, not a big international chain, so stock can be basic and occasionally hit-or-miss. You’ll generally find over-the-counter painkillers, stomach meds and basic first-aid supplies, but don’t count on specific imported brands. Prices are in CUP, with small items often under the equivalent of a few US dollars at current street rates.
Hours roughly track flight banks in T1, with the pharmacy most likely open in the morning and late afternoon when international departures group together. Don’t assume 24/7 service; if you land on a very late or very early flight, have essentials like prescription meds and critical OTC products already in your bag. Staff usually work from behind the counter, so you say what you need rather than browsing long shelves yourself.
Bring prescriptions printed in Spanish or with generic drug names; Cuba often stocks generics rather than the brand written on a US or EU script. Cash still runs the show here, and many small airport outlets in Santiago de Cuba do not process foreign credit cards reliably. Have small bills ready, and keep anything temperature‑sensitive like insulin in your own cooled kit instead of relying on local storage. Tip: if you’re tight on time before boarding, hit Farmacia Aeropuerto immediately after security, then head to your gate.