It's mostly similar enough to be understood interchangeably, if you are not either Cuban, Dominican or Puerto Rican.
The pronunciation is different in each region.Eastern Cuban speak more like Western Dominicans, Havana has its very own accent and of Puerto Rico is again different (for DR vs PR - see the movie Neuva Yoll or the movie by Daddy Yankee in which both are contrasted nicely)
It is (much) more uptempo though than regular Spanish.
There are Taino and African loan words in all, but while some are similar (cacique) some are unique (asere, vaina).
Then there's the slang, which is specific for each region (on each island and between islands) and is along the lines similar to the maps posted above for the DR.
If you study and stick to proper Spanish (Castillano spoken in Spain) they will understand you in all Latin American countries.