how much tourism in cuba

Cuban tourism industry flounders as sunseekers look elsewhere

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On Nov. 5, election officials across America will count more than 150 million ballots to answer a burning political question: Who will be president of the United States? Until then, the best signals we can get will mostly come from public opinion polls, which will be the fuel of endless debate on who has the lead, Democrat Joe Biden or Republican Donald Trump. But what do polls really tell us? Lik

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Cuban tourism to close 2023 far from expected number of visitors

The sector shows a recovery in income, thanks to the arrival of some 2,450,000 visitors at the close of the year, a figure far from the previewed 3.5 million..

Tourists in Cayo Santa María, in the north of the province of Villa Clara. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.

Tourism will close 2023 with a recovery in income, thanks to the arrival of some 2,450,000 visitors at the close of the year, a figure far from the 3.5 million the sector authorities had previewed.

According to Minister of Economy Alejandro Gil, the number of visitors represents a growth of 50% compared to 2022 and 64% of what was achieved in 2019.

Cuba approached 2 million international visitors at the end of October, 44.6% below what was achieved in the same period of 2019, the year before the pandemic, a report from EFE specified.

At the height of the 10 months of the year, Canada led the list of sending countries with 748,976 visitors. The northern country experienced an increase of 208.6% compared to 2022.

🏝️🥇 Cuba en la Lista de los Mejores Destinos para 2024 🌟 ¡Es un honor anunciar que Cuba ha sido seleccionada como uno de los mejores destinos para reservar en 2024 según turoperadores internacionales! Conozca los detalles en 👇 https://t.co/stgKANOsSl #Cuba #CubaUnica pic.twitter.com/3f6IejQJUo — Ministerio Turismo (@MinturCuba) December 16, 2023

The main sun and beach destinations in the Caribbean stimulate Canadian tourism, a strategy for the 2024 season.

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Quoted by Prensa Latina news agency, professor and researcher José Luis Perelló mentioned Cuba as one of the main markets for recreational trips in the area, even though it is currently working on the recovery of the sector.

Also until October, the rest of the emitting countries were Russia (146,306), the United States (130,331), Spain (76,284), Germany (55,519) and Mexico (51,314), all with interannual increases of between 111 % and 343%.

For its part, the Cuban community abroad reported a growth of 111.6%, with 297,034 visitors. Meanwhile, Cuban residents on the island added 654,853 flights, bringing the total number of travelers of all nationalities between January and September to 2,591,938 people.

In the last meeting of the Council of Ministers, Gil highlighted that the total number of visitors received until the end of September represented only 75.5% of what was expected for this date and only 55% of those who traveled to the country in the same period of 2019.

Cuba reaches 2 million tourists at close of first four months of 2019

Before COVID-19, Cuba received more than 4 million tourists a year.

Tourism is a key sector for economic recovery, at a time when the country is going through a severe crisis. However, it has not yet achieved the desired takeoff, after the hard blow caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cuba received 1.6 million international travelers in 2022 and fell short of its goal of hosting 1.7 million, a figure that had been readjusted from the initial forecast of 2.5 million.

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Ultimate Guide to Travel to Cuba (2024 Update)

Cuba is well known for its white sand beaches, delicious rum, and world-famous cigars… but you might be surprised learn just how much Cuba has to offer travelers. From incredible hiking destinations and wildlife preserves to fascinating historical sites and modern art galleries, Cuba is so much more than most visitors expect.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion about who can travel to Cuba (hint: yes, Americans can travel to Cuba ! ) and how to travel to Cuba. Thankfully, Cuba travel is easy for just about anyone.

In this ultimate guide to travel to Cuba, we’re covering a ll the details about how to travel to Cuba, the best things to do in Cuba, and why you need to add Cuba to your travel bucket list .

Plus, keep reading for all the inside tips we’re sharing about what to pack for your trip, and what to leave at home.

This post contains affiliate links that may reward me monetarily or otherwise when you use them to make qualifying purchases – at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please read our  disclosure policy .

Cuba at a Glance

Who can travel to cuba.

Everyone can travel to Cuba! – even U.S. citizens or citizens of other countries traveling through the United States. U.S. citizens are required by the United States government to only spend money at private businesses (rather than government-run establishments) while there – which is quite easy to do.

Read More: Ultimate Guide to Travel to Cuba from the United States

Cuba uses the Cuban peso , valued at 24 pesos to $1 USD . However, since 2021 Cuba has been experiencing high inflation, and the official exchange rate is much lower than the one you’ll find if you exchange your money with a moneychanger.

Read More: Currency in Cuba: Ultimate Guide to Changing and Using the Cuban Peso

Spanish is the only language spoken in Cuba, with English occasionally spoken in the tourism industry . Download Google Translate before your trip to help. Check out our guide to the apps you’ll need for travel in Cuba for more recommendations.

Cuba is known for being an extremely safe country , much safer than most other places in Latin America or the Caribbean.

Take precautions that would generally when traveling – don’t be excessively flashy with jewelry, hold on to your stuff well in crowded areas, etc. You can find more Tips for Visiting Cuba like these from a fellow traveler here.

Electricity

Some areas of Cuba use 110V electricity while others use 220V electricity , and you’ll find a mix of plug types in different places around the island. We recommend bringing along a universal travel adapter and electrical converter so you can use your devices while there.

Internet in Cuba isn’t everywhere yet, but it is generally easy to access , although slower than you may be used to. We wrote a complete guide to using the internet in Cuba with all the details.

We recommend using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) when using the internet in Cuba. Check out our complete guide to using a VPN in Cuba for more details.

Required Insurance for Travelers

Cuba requires that all travelers show proof of travel insurance coverage upon arrival. We recommend Visitors Coverage for American and Canadian citizens and World Nomads for those of other nationalities.

Read More : Ultimate Guide to Cuba’s Travel Insurance Requirements

Our Most Popular Cuba Guides

• How to Legally Travel to Cuba from the United States (It’s Easy!)
• Ultimate Guide to Havana, Cuba
• Ultimate Guide to Varadero Beach, Cuba
• How to Get the Tourist Visa to Cuba
• Cuba’s Required Travel Insurance: What You Need and How to Get It

Weather in Cuba

A tropical country, Cuba has two seasons: the wet season and the dry season . The heat will generally dip slightly in the winter months (November through April) , but not much.

While the dry season generally attracts more tourists, the weather is perfect for a visit. May is a good time to visit as well, with the weather still nice and fewer tourists.

Dry Season: November – April

Wet Season: May – October

Don’t forget, Cuba occasionally experiences hurricanes . Peak hurricane season is from mid-August through mid-October.

Peak Tourist Season

Peak tourist season in Cuba lasts from early December through the end of March. Peak tourist season generally starts with a huge spike around the holiday season , when many Cubans living abroad come home to visit family.

Visiting around Christmas and New Year is when I’ve seen the greatest price increase in the price of flights and accommodations across the island – try to avoid these weeks if you can.

Best Things to Do in Cuba

Visit havana.

The craziest and most beautiful city in the world in our most humble opinion, Havana is like no other place on the planet.

Many say it’s stuck in the 1950s, but they couldn’t be more wrong – Havana holds on to its history beautifully while moving forward in a wholly modern way that will leave you enchanted.

Some of the best things to do in the city include exploring Old Havana , taking in the view over the city at the Cristo de la Habana , and ending the night with a drink and a show at the Fábrica de Arte Cubano .

Planning A Trip to Havana?

Check out our travel guides for insider information:

• Ultimate Travel Guide to Havana, Cuba
• Where to Stay in Havana
• The Best Airbnbs and Casa Particular Rentals in Old Havana
• The Best Airbnbs and Casa Particular Rentals in Vedado
• The Best Cafes in Havana and The Best Brunch in Havana

Visit Cuba’s Beaches

Cuba is known for having some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Not only that, but many of them are as close to virgin, untouched beaches as you can still find in the Caribbean, which makes for an unmatched experience.

Check out our guide to the Top 10 Best Cuban Beaches to help you choose which to add to your itinerary.

The Beaches of Holguin

The province of Holguin is home to some of Cuba’s best beaches – Guardalavaca, Playa Pesquero, and Playa Esmeralda. Check out our ultimate guide to Holguin, Cuba for more details. 

Varadero is the best-known beach in Cuba due to its proximity to Havana – it’s the perfect getaway from Havana for those looking to spend time in both the city and at the beach. If you’re picturing crystal clear waters and white sand , you’re thinking of Varadero.

While Varadero has a built-up infrastructure so you’ll have everything you’d want at your fingertips, there are also areas of Varadero where you can still get a slice of the beach all to yourself.

Read More: Ultimate Guide to Varadero, Cuba  

Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo

This incredible pair of ‘cayos’ aka ‘keys’ located on the north shore of Cuba are served by their own international airport and have about a dozen large international hotel chains between them.

They’re some of the most underrated islands in the Caribbean .

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive beach experience, I recommend checking out these two keys and some of the incredible hotels they have to offer. The beaches here are truly pristine – some of the best beaches in Cuba .

Playa Ancón – Trinidad, Cuba

Playa Ancon is known as one of the most beautiful beaches on the southern part of the island, and is close to Trinidad, Cuba , an absolute colonial gem of a city that will take your breath away.

If you’re looking to get outside of Havana and Varadero track, which most travelers visit, we definitely recommend considering Trinidad and Playa Ancon!

Ride in A Classic American Car

The cars in Cuba are absolutely enchanting. While they’ve been kept on the road mostly out of necessity, it makes for a car-lover’s dream to see city streets packed with them.

A ride in a vintage convertible along Havana’s famous Malecón sea wall is a must while in Cuba.

Visit A Tobacco Farm in Viñales

Get up close and personal with one of Cuba’s most famous exports in Viñales , at the heart of the best tobacco-growing region in the country.

Here you can travel by horseback to beautiful tobacco farms where you’ll learn about how tobacco is grown, dried, and formed into world-famous cigars.

Viñales is also one of the most beautiful places in Cuba – this stunning valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Center . It’s an unforgettable way to see a stunning area of the country while this excursion!

What to Pack for Cuba

Check out our  Ultimate Cuba Packing List   to help you pack for your trip – we’re sharing exactly what to bring to Cuba and what we never travel without.

Learn About the Cuban Revolution

Cuba is so much more than the Cuban Revolution! The evidence of the revolution is everywhere, certainly, but there is so much more you’ll see and learn here as you meet the people, try the food, and see the art here in Cuba.

Make sure to visit these sites if you’re interested in learning more about the Cuban Revolution:

• Plaza de la Revolución in Havana
• Comandancia de la Plata in the Sierra Maestra mountains , the mountain base where Fidel and his band of revolutionaries launched their attacks
• Museo de la Revolución , a former presidential palace converted into the Museum of the Revolution in Havana. You’ll find American tanks captured in the attack on the Bay of Pigs behind the museum.

Learning more about the Revolution can be absolutely fascinating for visitors, and a great way to understand more of what you’re seeing and experiencing.

Make sure to check out this free walking tour in Havana focused on the Revolution as a fantastic way to learn more about what you’ll see in Cuba!

Want to learn more?

We made a list of a few books to read and movies to watch to inspire your travel and help you learn more about Cuba, past and present. Check them out before you go to learn more about the Cuban Revolution and much more.

• Books to Read Before You Travel to Cuba
• Movies to Watch Before You Travel to Cuba

Top Activities in Cuba

This list doesn’t even scratch the surface of what Cuba has to offer.

Make sure to check out our complete guide to the best travel experiences and activities in Cuba – totally travel-restriction compliant for travelers from the United States!

Where To Stay in Cuba

Casa particularles.

Casas Particulares – or, guest houses – are a fantastic option for staying in Cuba. You can find an amazing selection of rentals of all kinds, from luxury beach houses to staying with a family in a spare bedroom or renting a simple city apartment.

Not only do rentals usually get you a lot more for your money, but you’re supporting small business in Cuba and you’ll get a much richer cultural experience.

We’ve always had the best luck searching with, ironically, Hotels.com .

Despite their name, Hotels.com actually has a great selection of guest houses, private apartments, and Airbnbs for rent – with the best selection for Cuba!

Casa Particular Guides:

• Best Casas Particulares in Old Havana
• Best Casas Particulares in Vedado, Havana
• Best Casas Particulares in Viñales, Cuba
• Best Casas Particulares in Holguin, Cuba

Airbnb is one of the most popular platforms for finding rentals, but plenty of others exist as well and many people rent their listings across multiple platforms.

While we always recommend staying in a casa particular over a hotel, there are more and more amazing options in Cuba these days.

There are several new luxury hotels in Havana and in Cuba’s beach towns, but I recommend the boutique hotels like this one which can be just as luxurious and offer a more personalized stay.

All-Inclusive Resorts

There are many all inclusive resorts in Cuba, especially from companies like Iberostar and Melia , and they’re especially lovely ones located in Varadero and the Cayos – the Keys – on the northern coast of Cuba.

Cuba Accommodation Guides

• Where to Stay in Viñales, Cuba
• Where to Stay in Holguin, Cuba

Cuba can be a tough place to pack for – you’ll probably be combining time in the city, on the beach, or in the countryside.

Plus, there are a lot of things you just WON’T be able to find in Cuba no matter how hard you look, meaning you need to plan ahead!

We created an  ultimate packing list for Cuba  – so make sure to click through to this list to see all of our recommendations for packing (for men and women), plus important travel essentials!

Cuba Travel Essentials

• CASH – if you’re a U.S. citizen, you won’t have access to debit or credit cards while in Cuba . Check out our guide to traveling with cash in Cuba for more details.
• SteriPen – purify water from any source so you won’t get sick!
• Water Bottle (with water filter!)
• S-Biner locks for backpacks and purses while out and about
• Luggage locks
• Comfortable and lightweight basics – I love Los Angeles Apparel clothes for travel, especially to Cuba. These high-quality basics are perfect for layering, and mixing and matching for traveling light (PLUS they’re ethically produced in the United States).
• Go Toobs are the BEST for bringing toiletries.
• Make a mini first-aid kit with a few bandaids, aspirin, triple antibiotic, and alka seltzer just in case!
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Light clothing that will keep you cool in the sun
• Comfortable shoes – get ready for a lot of cobblestones and uneven sidewalks
• Feminine Hygiene Products- I have NEVER been able to find tampons in Cuba – and the period products I have had to purchase there are incomparably bad. Absolutely come prepared, ladies!
• A electrical plug adapter and converter
• A tablet (we love the Amazon Fire !) pre-download some audiobooks and any TV shows or movies you’ll want to watch while you’re in Cuba… internet speeds in Cuba will make downloads slower than you’re used to or impossible.
• A spare memory card for your camera – also something that can be extremely challenging to find in Cuba!
• NordVPN or another Virtual Private Network service . Not a physical product, but something you shouldn’t travel without! Check out our guide to using a VPN in Cuba , and our guide to using a VPN for international travel .

Carley Rojas Avila

Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual travel writer, editor, content marketer, and the founder of the digital travel publications Home to Havana and Explorers Away. She is a serial expat and traveler, having visited 40+ countries and counting. Carley has written for publications like Travel + Leisure, MSN, Associated Press, Weather Channel, Wealth of Geeks, and more. Find her front row at a Bad Bunny concert, befriending street cats, and taste-testing every pizza in Havana.

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How Tourism Will Change Cuba

In 2015, a record number of people traveled to Cuba. Here's a look at how mass tourism is likely to change the famously sheltered island.

President Barack Obama, the Rolling Stones, and Major League Baseball: March 2016 was a busy month in Havana .

After more than a half century of chilly relations between the United States and Cuba , the Caribbean country has moved from an outlier travel destination to top of mind. More than three million people—a record—traveled to Cuba in 2015, with visits by U.S. residents growing by 77 percent.  

How will this influx of outsiders change the famously sheltered island?  

Infrastructure projects are in the works, though many lack outside financing, and international hotel groups are champing at the bit to get in the game.

But development backed by U.S. dollars hinges on two things: the Cuban government’s willingness to give the green light to American investors—provided the country is able to make its economy transparent enough for them—and the U.S. Congress gaining enough support from the public to lift the embargo in the first place.  

Who knows when these things will happen.

In the meantime, though, increased tourism to the island—and the money it brings—is fueling the growth of entrepreneurism there, and that seems to be having a positive effect.

With demand outstripping supply, space has opened up for small privately owned businesses to act as catalysts for change in the world of restaurants, homestays, and B & Bs. Here's a look at how tourism is likely to bring about a revolution—albeit a slow and subtle one—in Cuba.

The Rise of Paladares

By international standards, Cuba is no foodie destination. But that's changing in Havana, the country's culinary heart.  

Despite local chefs having little means, other than the Internet, of learning from their peers in other countries, new paladares (privately owned restaurants) keep popping up, offering a welcome alternative to government-controlled restaurants that depend on food rationing and allowances.  

Tamar Lowell of Access Trips—which launched   culinary tours on the island in 2015—has noted increased competition among restaurants and a surge in self-employed street food vendors   over the past year, especially in   Old Havana .   “We are hearing that some of the top paladares are booking [up] weeks and even months in advance,” Lowell reports.

She's also seen firsthand how the rise of paladares has improved the quality of food for visitors (and locals who can afford it).  

Lowell points to Finca Marta , one of the stops on her company's tours,   as an illustration. Without paladares, there would be little demand for the organic produce Fernando Funes Monzote grows on his 20-acre farm just outside Havana. But as travel to Cuba explodes, chefs are encountering tourists whose expectations go beyond the staid pork and plantains fare that's given Cuba   a reputation for uninspired cuisine.

As a result, Funes now supplies   greens and vegetables to many of the top private restaurants in the city and is helping to lead the call for a homegrown resurrection of farming in Cuba.   (The country continues to import up to 80 percent of its food due to a failed state-run agriculture model that President Raúl   Castro has been working to address.)

An Airbnb Revolution

On the housing front, private homestays—many listed on Airbnb   and Homestay.com —have proliferated to bridge the gap between Cuba's current hotel capacity and the number of rooms needed to meet ever increasing demand.

One case in point: Airbnb now has   more than 4,000 listings in 40 different cities around Cuba—a threefold increase since it launched operations there in April 2015.

“Airbnb stays provide some of the most culturally diverse and immersive people-to-people experiences on the island,” says Jordi Torres Mallol, the company's regional director for Latin America. “We’re making it easier for local hosts to showcase Cuba’s unique hospitality by welcoming travelers from around the world into their homes,” he adds.  

But that's not the only perk they're receiving. Mallol reports that hosts earn an average of $250 per booking, significant income in a country where the average salary is less than $30 a month. (Though it must be noted that the cost of living is also quite low due to government subsidies, lest this become a treatise on the superiority of laissez-faire capitalism.)

Infrastructure in Flux

As the end of the embargo looms, American investors are lining up to claim their piece of the tourism pie in Cuba.

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For now at least, Starwood   is the first U.S.-based hotel chain to get its foot in the door. In March 2016, the company inked an agreement to take over operations at three Havana hotels:   Hotel Quinta Avenida , in the city’s posh Miramar district, will woo the business travel set, while Old Havana mainstays   Hotel Inglaterra   and Hotel Santa Isabel   will be transformed into luxury boutique properties.    

Havana has also given the green light to passenger cruise companies based in the U.S., including Carnival , which has spring departures planned, provided Cuba changes its policy barring nationals from returning by sea .

And, as is the case with Havana's airport and hotel infrastructure, the city's port stands to be swamped by projected visitors.  

There are rumors of a new cruise ship terminal to be built in Havana’s historic harbor, but no definite plans have been confirmed. “Any major changes will take a while, because these are very complex situations,” says Molly Danner of National Geographic Expeditions , which has been leading trips to Cuba under a person-to-person license since Obama reinstituted legal travel to the island in 2011. “There are many constituencies that have to agree on what needs to happen.”

But while accessing Cuba by cruise ship presents one way of getting around the dearth of quality accommodations and dining options on shore, it means fewer American dollars will seep into the newly reinvigorated private sector economy.  

The Future Predicted

While Americans traveling with groups benefit from long-standing “fixer” relationships between tour companies   and local operators, the impending influx of independent travelers with higher expectations, combined with a lacking service sector resulting from decades of a planned economy, could lead to a dampening of enthusiasm among Americans once the initial boom has subsided.

A rueful shrug and “this is Cuba” is not going to cut it for long, especially if you're paying international prices. But given time and training, the island's hospitality and service infrastructure will build upon the warm and vibrant culture of its people, making Cuba a compelling destination for travelers everywhere.

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Tourism in Cuba

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Riding the wave toward sustainable prosperity, richard e. feinberg and richard e. feinberg former brookings expert, professor, school of global policy & strategy - university of california san diego @rfeinberg2012 richard s. newfarmer richard s. newfarmer country director, rwanda and uganda - international growth centre.

Friday, December 2, 2016

Tourism is booming today in Cuba. Two big international shocks to the Cuban economy have contributed to this development.

One shock was negative: Cuba’s main international commercial partners—Venezuela, Brazil, China—have lost their appetites for subsidizing the anemic Cuban economy, lending a new urgency to grow perennially lethargic exports, and forcing the Cuban authorities to look for new sources of foreign exchange.

The second shock was positive: In the wake of the December 2014 rapprochement, the United States significantly relaxed restrictions on U.S. travel to the island, and prospective tourists in other nations saw Cuba in a new light. As a result, tourist arrivals jumped by over 16 percent in 2015 to 3.5 million. U.S. travelers, including those from the Cuban diaspora, now amount to roughly 14 percent of new arrivals, and are expected to nearly double in 2016.

With lovely beaches, several U.N. historic sites, and a vibrant culture, the industry has enormous potential. Moreover, Cuba still has a relatively low volume of tourists, and if properly managed could readily accommodate planned expansion and become a driver of rising incomes for the whole nation. The industry already makes an important contribution to the Cuban economy. Both public and private workers in the industry benefit directly from employment and income, thousands of suppliers benefit from sales to the industry, and the emerging private businesses include tourism-centric B&Bs, taxi transport, and restaurants. However, the industry has progressively lagged behind other countries in the region in the quality of its offerings and services. Because of government-imposed restrictions on foreign trade, labor markets, and local purchases of inputs, Cuban earnings from the industry as a share of GDP are roughly half that of its Caribbean Basin neighbors, the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica.

The government envisages boosting the number of visitors to over 10 million in 2030. It plans to add 108,000 new rooms, mainly in beach resorts and by relying on the internal cash flow of state-owned conglomerates. How feasible are these goals? Using industry norms, we estimate that Cuba would have to invest roughly $33 billion over 15 years to 2030 to achieve these targets—a massive sum in comparison to the overall size of the Cuban economy ($87 billion according to official sources). It seems unlikely that, given low domestic savings and current policies, the country can reach these ambitious goals.

Three state-owned enterprises dominate the sector. The largest conglomerate, Gaviota, reports to the Ministry of Defense (MINFAR), and is responsible for about 25 percent of total rooms available to international tourists. While fully two-thirds of hotel rooms operate with foreign collaboration, most take the form of management contracts. Joint ventures with foreign equity are the exception rather than the rule.

At the same time, private bed and breakfasts are rapidly growing, and now offer nearly one-quarter of available rooms. B&Bs have attracted sizeable foreign savings—by all accounts, mainly through remittances from relatives and friends—all the while maintaining legal ownership by domestic Cubans. These, together with private restaurants, private construction companies, and other tourist services, constitute a dynamic cluster of private enterprise that we estimate now amounts to about 30 percent of the tourism industry.

Policy Recommendations

Cuban policies to promote sustainable growth.

Despite these challenges, realizing Cuba’s objectives of 10 million tourists is quite feasible—but only if the government adopts new policies to replace those that now shackle growth. These include most prominently:

• Rather than seek to fund nearly all of the planned investments in hotels from internal cash flow, the country could mobilize more foreign savings by welcoming greater foreign investment . For the hotel sector and broader industry (such as golf and other leisure activities), this requires establishing clearer rules to attract foreign investment and streamlining the overly discretionary approval processes that have delayed many long-gestating projects.
• The promising B&Bs sector could attract a surge in foreign exchange if Cubans were allowed to own more than one private dwelling. Simplifying the tax structure facing private firms and property owners would create incentives to save and invest. Amending the payroll tax system and regulations would encourage new jobs, not discourage them as they do now.
• The government currently extracts resources from the tourism sector through a series of instruments that severely dampen growth. The most distortionary is the dual currency/dual exchange rate system. Progressively replacing this complex rationing system of foreign exchange with a modern trading system and a modern tax system would provide the state with valuable resources to invest in health, education, urban rehabilitation, and other priorities. New taxes could include a value-added tax (VAT) on hotels and tourist services, a property tax on assets, and corporate income taxes.
• Revamping the pricing systems governing critical inputs, together with exchange rate reforms , would open the way for deepening the employment and linkage effects of the industry. While the government has taken steps to liberalize ancillary aspects of the industry—for example, restaurants and taxis—its efforts have been fitful and inconsistent, particularly in agriculture. Gradually phasing in market prices in food production, while retaining state stores to serve subsidized low-income groups, would provide incentives for farmers to expand supply, substitute for imports, and increase yields.
• All of this would entail a shift in strategy toward increasing quality and raising domestic value added . Cuba aspires to target more upscale markets, and this means investing in better quality service and facilities, and in more staff training. Rather than focusing so heavily on large resort complexes, Cuba might do better to also dot the island with smaller, more customized facilities, offering an eco-friendly and authentic experience.
• Finally, a high priority is increasing connectivity . Cuba has already opened new air links. No less important is improving its internet connectivity, both as part of efforts to provide a quality experience for visitors and to encourage management and financial transactions integral to first-class industry.

U.S. Policies to Promote the Industry

The United States in its own national interest should support the industry’s development. The U.S. tourism industry has the most sophisticated services in the world, yet for the last several decades it has ceded prospective market share in Cuba to European and Canadian competitors. Rather, it could become a partner in the Cuban industry’s development:

• The United States should continue its willingness to support economic reform in Cuba , particularly through continuing liberalization of travel and commercial airline flights, promotion of telecommunications links, and greater openness in financial transactions.
• The U.S. government could provide a general license for U.S. firms to engage in the tourism sector and to engage in management contracts and joint ventures. It is contradictory to allow a surge in U.S. visitors without allowing U.S. businesses to help to construct the associated infrastructure and services.
• The United States should encourage Cuba to engage with the international financial institutions , recognizing that such engagement brings new responsibilities along with access to new information, knowledge, and eventually finance.
• To advance sustainability practices, encourage U.S. hotel chains and investors to follow high-quality corporate social responsibility practices . As part of this, facilitating partnerships between environmental NGOs and Cuban counterparts as well as between the U.S. National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and other U.S. agencies with management skills and technology the Cuban government lacks can contribute to preserving the environment in the Caribbean Basin.

Since the November elections in the United States, some have argued that the opening to Cuba should be reversed. In the tourism sector, this would be counterproductive to U.S. interests for three reasons:

First, Cuban-Americans and other U.S. citizens that meet certain carefully delineated criteria to visit Cuba are accelerating the development of individual and family entrepreneurs that comprise the vibrant private tourism cluster—whose expansion is clearly in the U.S. national interest—as well as increasing income of workers throughout the tourism sector.

Second, some have argued that all visitor expenditures mainly benefit the Cuban military. However, as this paper demonstrates, while the MINFAR-owned Gaviota tourism firm holds significant market share, the majority of hotel rooms are owned either by non-MINFAR state-owned enterprises or private B&Bs; and even in the case of Gaviota hotels, most of the revenues are paid out in salaries to ordinary Cubans, private or cooperative suppliers, or to other state firms that also employ common citizens. Moreover, it is difficult to argue that the military’s involvement in the tourism sector grants it access to resources that its standing within the government as a whole would not otherwise give it.

Third, re-imposing restrictions on American visitors or private commerce may reduce tourist earnings—at the cost of hurting ordinary Cubans—but it will have limited impact on the course of the industry’s expansion because Europeans, Latin Americans, and others will continue their deepening engagement with the Cuban economy.

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Cuba Tourism Faces Shortages of Visitors and Supplies

Dave Sherwood, Marc Frank and Nelson Acosta, Reuters

February 18th, 2023 at 7:58 AM EST

Tourism officials in Cuba have to fight the perception that a visit isn't worth the hassle because of ongoing blackouts and shortages.

Dennis Schaal

British birdwatcher Harriet Babeo arrived at Cuba’s Bay of Pigs earlier this week and promptly racked up 80 species for her list including the world’s smallest hummingbird and the elusive red, white and blue Cuban trogon, rarities found only the island.

Far more challenging, she told Reuters, was hunting down a few liters of gasoline for her group’s rental car.

“We’ve gone … three days now, and (the service stations) have had nothing,” Babeo said over breakfast, binoculars and bird book near at hand, at a private home-stay on Cuba’s serene Bay of Pigs.

Tourists like Babeo who spoke with Reuters often raved about their experience in Cuba, praising the country’s hospitality, culture and weather. But increasingly, says Paolo Spadoni, an economist with Augusta University, visitors must confront the realities of Cuba’s economic crisis – the worst in decades – an ominous headwind as the country struggles to breathe new life into its all-important tourism sector.

“If you see how slow the recovery of the Cuban tourism sector is compared to other countries, it tells you there are deeper problems,” Spadoni said.

Cuba in 2022 received 1.6 million visitors, just 38% of the 4.3 million who traveled to the island in 2019, prior to the pandemic. Neighboring Dominican Republic, meanwhile, saw 7.2 million visitors in 2022, up 11.1% over 2019.

Policies implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump have scared off many tourists, Spadoni said. Trump ended cruise ship dockings and flights from the United States and put travelers of other nationalities who visited the island at risk of complicating entry to the United States.

But Cuba’s centrally planned economy, he said, has also failed to ensure adequate infrastructure and supply chains to serve those who still venture forth, souring some visitors and making it “very unlikely” Cuba will hit its goal of 3.5 million visitors in 2023.

“It’s a combination of things that create more and more problems just traveling to Cuba and in the end, many just decide to go somewhere else,” Spadoni said.

The Cuban government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Cuba reported 246,000 visitors in January, a slower start to the year than likely necessary to hit its targets, but far better than the first month of 2022, when only 86,400 tourists arrived.

Part of the Experience

Large, state-owned hotels in Havana and on sandy keys offshore account for much of Cuba’s tourism revenue, official statistics show.

But at Playa Larga, a palm-fringed white sand beach deep inside the Bay of Pigs, small private homeowners still fight for their share of tourists, offering home-cooked meals, cozy rooms and Cuban hospitality.

Amauri Lugo, who runs a small home-stay near the beach, said even breakfast basics – milk, bread, eggs, cheese, ham – were hard to come by this year. And while electrical service has improved since December, he said, blackouts were so common last year that tourists often ate dinner by candlelight.

“It made it difficult to attend (to) visitors, but a lot of them understood and cooperated, even enjoyed those moments,” he said.

Collin Laverty, founder of Cuba Educational Travel (CET), said such flexibility is a hallmark of travel to Cuba.

“I always tell travelers there’s definitely a challenging situation on the ground, shortages, inflation, and you’ll experience those things, and you should, because that’s part of going to a country and learning about the reality,” he said.

And for those not interested in roughing it, there are other options, he told Reuters.

“There’s certainly nice hotels with strong internet, bathrooms with toilet paper, and nice restaurants,” Laverty said. “You can see the challenges but you don’t necessarily have to live them first hand as travelers.”

(Reporting by Dave Sherwood in Playa Larga; Additional reporting by Marc Frank and Nelson Acosta in Havana; Editing by Daniel Wallis)

Copyright (2023) Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions

This article was written by Dave Sherwood from Reuters and was legally licensed through the Industry Dive Content Marketplace . Please direct all licensing questions to [email protected] .

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Photo credit: A stop on a TravelLocal arranged tour of Cuba. The country's tourism rebound has been sluggish compared with its neighbors. TravelLocal

The Cost of Travel in Cuba: A 2023 Budget Breakdown

There’s nowhere in the world like Cuba.

I absolutely adored the time I spent in this glorious country, making my way from the depths of Havana to the sands of Varadero, while soaking up as much of the experience as I could along the way. What I discovered was a vibrant island full of sunshine and salsa, where you can spend your days sampling local cigars and mojitos, cruising along narrow streets in a hot pink vintage American car, and snapping photos of pastel-shaded historical facades in various states of dilapidation.

But Cuba has so much more to offer travellers than its stereotypes.

Venture into Viñales National Park and you’ll find yourself in one of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in Latin America, where you can go horseback riding, explore deep caves, try zip-lining, and hike through peaceful valleys.

Trinidad, in central Cuba, is one of the best-preserved colonial cities in this part of the world, and offers the perfect base for exploring Topes de Collantes National Park. There, you can swim beneath waterfalls, bathe in natural swimming holes, or head off on an overnight hike with your tent and sleeping bag.

And you can’t forget the beautiful beaches: while Varadero attracts most of the holidaymakers, I recommend heading to Playa Pilar instead, for fewer tourists, lower prices, and an equally-beautiful stretch of powder-soft bright-white sand.

Cuba has a reputation for being an expensive vacation destination, but I found plenty of ways to save money while I was on the island. If you’re going to be travelling on a tight backpacker budget, you’ll find you can get by for as little as $20 a day. As a mid-range traveller, I spent $120 a day. And if you’re looking for a taste of luxury, the sky’s the limit, but in general, you can expect to average $300 a day.

Today, I’m going to be delving more into the costs of Cuba and sharing exactly how much I spent while travelling in the country. Additionally, I’ll be breaking down the typical prices you’ll encounter while you’re here, so that you can ensure that you’re fully-informed before you arrive in Havana — that’s something you’ll want to do, as finding a working ATM can be a pain in the ass, so it’s easier to just bring cash with you.

Let’s get started.

What to Know About Money in Cuba

Up until 2021, travel in Cuba used to involve juggling two different currencies. There was the CUP (Cuban Peso), which was predominantly used amongst Cubans. And there was the CUC (Cuban Convertible Peso), which was developed for tourists to use.

Fortunately, you no longer need to worry about confusing your CUPs with your CUCs, because there’s now one currency to rule them all.

In Cuba, you’ll be using the CUP — the Cuban Peso — for anything and everything while you’re travelling in this beautiful country. And as I write this, in early-2023, 100 CUP is the equivalent of 4.20 U.S. dollars (or £3, €3.50, 5 CAD, and 5.50 AUD).

And a quick note for all of my American readers out there: you probably won’t be surprised to learn that as a visitor, you won’t be able to pay for anything in U.S. dollars while you’re in Cuba. But not only that: your debit and credit cards won’t work while you’re in the country, so be sure to bring paper instead of plastic. And plenty of it, too, because it’s always better to have too much than too little. But I’ll go more into prices later in this article.

If you’re not from the U.S., you can expect your local currency (such as pounds and euros) to be accepted in private guesthouses and restaurants — and you can leave tips in them, too.

And as for me? I brought the equivalent of $100 per day with me for the entire trip, as our accommodation was paid for prior to arriving. In total, I ended up averaging $70 a day on food and activities with this cash.

The Cost of Accommodation in Cuba

Havana- Elegancia Suites Havana – ( $115 a night): Perhaps the most striking energy of this hotel is the unique and engaging décor. The interior beauty has mastered a crisp and clean bohemian vibe, with pops of (unexpected) color and unique pieces to balance it all out. Located in just the right spot, you won’t need to taxi to all the best destinations, just walk outside and begin to stroll. If you have questions about the Havana happenings, great! The staff is knowledgeable, welcoming and helpful when it comes to servicing their guests. You can expect concierge services, tour assistance, a lounge and a rooftop veranda to relax as you soak up the elegance at this boutique hotel. 

Havana- El Candiil Boutique Hotel – ( $150 a night): If you’re looking for a treat, you have found it. This place is perfection. That is, if your idea of perfection includes sophisticated decorations and a rooftop bar and pool. Found in the Vedado neighborhood, the location is quiet yet convenient. The only thing more noticeable than the high ceilings are the windows to match, opening the experience to an overload of natural light. The rooftop bar is surrounded by enveloping foliage and views of the neighborhood. Exclusive only to hotel guests, the restaurant is both elegant and scrumptious. A salon that specialized in hair and spa treatments is a popular go-to among both guests and beyond. 

Cayo Largo- Villa Papo y Mileidys Balcón a las Montañas – ( $27 a night): Located in Viñales Valley this Airbnb paints a pin-worthy backdrop from the balcony of your private apartment. But if you are craving company, the shared balcony extends far-reaching views of greenery on top of greenery in a welcoming environment. The hosts are accommodating, so much that they are known to set up various excursions such as horseback riding or trailblazing by foot within the valley. Oh, but that’s not all! Wi-fi and air conditioning are in every room and a brag-worthy breakfast is served every morning for a small price. The neighborhood is quiet but is still just a short walk to a livelier feel in downtown Cayo Largo.  

Santiago De Cuba- Sunrise Ha Tu Vera – ( $26 a night): Staying at Santiago De Cuba will give you the feel of living like a local while not compromising on the amenities and comfort to make your stay exceptional. This Airbnb is cute, clean, hospitable and extremely reasonable in price. The location isn’t bad either. Being minutes from the historic center of Santiago De Cuba, makes it easy for guests to come and go. The host offers guests a chance to feast like a local with a delicious and modestly priced Cuban breakfast. The patio is spacious and inviting to sip on the notably delectable coffee in the morning. Oh, and they have Wi-Fi: that’s practically as good as gold in Cuba! 

Trinidad- Casa de la Trinidad – ( $65 a night): Hospitable is an understatement here. Known for their impeccable customer service, Casa de la Trinidad is a mix of cleanliness, classiness and a Cuban touch of spirit. The bar is welcoming to day drinkers and night capper alike and the free daily breakfast, although simple, is satisfying. The hotel offers an unbeatable location to start your Trinidad exploration. Just minutes away on foot from a handful of notable Trinidad bistros and a measly 5-minute walk to Municipal Historical Museum, Plaza Mayor and Colonial Architecture Museum. This is the perfect mid-range choice that doesn’t compromise on offerings or style. 

THE AVERAGE COST OF ACCOMODATION IS $77 PER DAY

The Cost of Transportation in Cuba

If you’re American, getting to Cuba is probably going to be the toughest part of your journey. It’s true: the number of hoops I had to jump through just to get across the border was far greater than any country I’ve visited to date.

The main problem, of course, was the visa.

As an American, you must first secure a Cuban tourist visa in order to visit the island, and ensure you’ve selected the proper category so that you won’t run into any trouble at customs. “Support the Cuban People” is the best option to select when applying. You can do this online or during a layover in Cancun, which is the most common stopover destination from North America, and you should expect to pay $50 for the privilege. I recommend applying online for peace of mind.

Odds are, you’ll touchdown in Havana, as that’s where most flights land, and if so, I have some good news for you. Havana is compact, with every attraction within walking distance of each other. It’s always good to save money on public transportation!

When it is time to venture outside of the capital, however, buses will be your most reliable and efficient means of transportation, especially for those lengthier voyages.  

Víazul is the main state-run bus company and is totally safe to use, with clean buses and daily routes across the country. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that Viazul is often booked far in advance, especially for the more popular routes, so plan to book early.

If you’re not registered on the site, it won’t allow you to book a ticket (or even view routes and prices), so I recommend signing up for an account before you arrive in Cuba. If you want to get ahead of the game, you’ll want to book your routes in advance and make sure to print out your confirmation to bring with you. You can expect to pay for the following for these popular routes:

• Havana to Varadero: $10  
• Havana to Trinidad: $24  
• Trinidad to Santiago De Cuba: $33
• Santiago De Cuba to Baracoa: $15

If you opt to wait — maybe you don’t want to plan out your itinerary before you arrive — it’s not hard to book your route and buy your tickets at the bus stations once you arrive in the country. As mentioned, keep in mind you might have limited options for availability. I didn’t personally have any issues booking from Havana to Varadero when we arrived in the country, but I visited in March, so crowds were a little lighter. 

Bicycles are used as a regular form of transportation by both locals and visitors. Although cars and buses are accustomed to sharing the road with cyclists, helmets are rarely (if ever) worn so plan to bring your own if you wish to ride safer. At Bike Rentals and Tours Havana , bike rentals for 24-hours in the city start at $15. When booking, make sure to rent a lock for the journey, as bike theft is a common problem in Havana. 

Car hires are the most exciting form of transportation — it’s not often I get to say that! — if you’re wanting to experience every aspect of Cuban life. The retro old-fashioned cars are flashy, vibrant, and fun. I hired a 1950’s bright pink antique convertible and zipped around Havana for two hours, ending the tour at Hemmingway’s bar for some drinking and celebrating. I used Old Cars Havana , which is a professional and decently-priced company that offers services with or without a guide. A two-hour Havana city tour starts at $50 per car with a maximum of five people, so the more you pile in, the cheaper your excursion will be. 

Finally, I also used bici-taxis, a three-wheel pedal carriage, as more of an experience than anything else. It’s a fun way to enjoy the ride moving at a slower pace through the roads of Havana. You’ll find them posted up all over the country, ready to take you wherever you need to go. Prices start from $2 but tips are encouraged and appreciated by the hard-working riders. 

THE AVERAGE COST OF TRANSPORTATION IS $19 PER DAY

The Cost of Food in Cuba

Cuban food is delicious, with hints of Spanish, Caribbean, Chinese and African influence, along with a touch of French and Portuguese thrown into the mix. The fare is simple, with staples including rice, meat, sugar, corn, seafood, and plantain.

So what type of meals can you expect to sample while you’re in town?

Fritas Cubana , or just frita, is Cuba’s version of a burger, made with different spices and shoestring potatoes between the buns — you’ll pay around $3 for the dish.

Cucurucho , which is sold on the beaches of Baracoa for only 20 U.S. cents or so , is a tasty and sweet delicacy made from coconuts, pineapple, sugar. It’s refreshing and delightful.

Ropa Vieja is the national gem when it comes to culinary indulgence. This robust stew is made up of shredded beef, tomato sauce and peppers and is best paired with rice and a cold brew — the average amount we paid for this was $7 .

Arroz con huevo , is a simple and common lunch dish of fried egg over white rice and costs around $3 .

When it comes to food costs in Cuba, there’s a wide range of prices, primarily because of the two different currencies.

Street food is the way to go if you are looking to save money. “Peso Food” typically comes from street vendors or small restaurants, who accept payment in CUP. This means you can get a whole pizza, fresh fruit juice, and an egg and cheese sandwich for all less than a dollar. I happily took advantage of “peso food” and was never disappointed. It was all delicious!

Shopping at a local market that takes CUP will be even cheaper, but the experience itself might leave you frustrated, confused, and overwhelmed. Items are limited and often nowhere to be found (in the country!) and stores are overcrowded. To add to the struggle, you might have to make quite a few stops between a big grocery store, and several small ones to get all the items on your list. If convenience outweighs your budget, I’d suggest buying small items like fruit and “peso food” from the street and avoiding the grocery store scene altogether. 

Eating out is an easy and affordable way to dine. Even splurging at a fine restaurant averages a cost of $35 per person, and that covers a three-course meal and drinks. 

Breakfast will be the most inexpensive meal with a coffee starting at $2 in a café or mere cents on the street. A popular food for breakfast is bread soaked in coffee and warm milk and runs for $2. Keep in mind, many establishments don’t open their doors until noon so if your accommodation offers breakfast, you should indulge onsite. 

Lunch is usually a simple and basic meal, consisting of a frita or arroz con huevos and will typically cost about $8 with a drink.

Dinner will be your priciest meal, especially if you feast at restaurants that are popular with tourists. A typical Roja vieja or various fish dishes start at $18. Domestic and international beer costs $2, cocktails average $4, and wine starts at $2.

I chose to eat street food for breakfast and lunch and splurged at dinnertime at various restaurants around Havana. This allowed us to experience every variety of food that Cuba has to offer. 

EATING OUT AVERAGE PRICE PER DAY: $37

The Cost of Activities in Cuba

Baseball, Hemmingway, and badass cars are some signature traits on this island, but the list of Cuban activities is much lengthier than the most obvious attractions.

The nightlife in Havana is alluring with its rich beats and hired dancers keeping the vibe strong, but when it’s time to escape the city lights, the natural beauty of Cuba you will add another remarkable element to the country’s offerings. Outdoor adventures such as cycling, hiking and water-sports are found sprinkled outside the city limits of Havana, Santiago De Cuba, and Baracoa. 

If you’re feeling extra adventurous, consider cycling across the country. Although pricier than your 24-hour bike rental, the experience to roll across the country, through farmland and colonial villages is an absolute life changer. Backroads offers a 7 day/6 night pedalling trip for $5,599 that takes you through Viñales, Las Terrazas, and ends in Havana. 

Too long of a ride? Don’t worry, you have options! If you are wanting a much shorter, yet informative ride, try Bike Rental and Tour Havana for a 4.5-hour Deep Havana Ride through the old streets of the capital. At $35 per rider, it’s a great way to see the city in all its nooks and crannies.

While in Cuba, why not combine horses and cigars? This tour blends all things good, starting with a trek on horseback through the gorgeously green Valley of Mogotes where you will learn the process of local cigar making on a tobacco farm. The tour runs at $73 per person and is both educational and adventuresome!

When it’s time for ocean therapy, head to one of Cuba’s most popular beaches, Playa Varadero, where you can choose to bask in the sun with a drink in hand or get moving in the water. Cuba is skilled at wearing many hats when it comes to must-do activities.

Below is a list of various activities that Cuba has to offer:

• Tour the Hidden Beaches in Varadero – $85
• Snorkel to a Shipwreck in Havana – $50
• Traditional Cuban Cooking Experience – $33
• Horseback Riding and Tobacco Farm Tour – $73
• Hiking Tour in Trinidad – $44

THE AVERAGE COST OF ACTIVITIES IS $23 PER DAY  

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TRAVEL IN CUBA?

It’s time to tally up my travel expenses and share just how much you can expect to spend per day on a trip to Cuba!

Accommodation:  $77 per day Transportation:  $19 per day Food:  $37 per day Activities:  $23 per day

Total amount spent per day: $156

[Photos via: Possoh/Shutterstock, Toms Auzins/Shutterstock, CreativeFamily/Shutterstock, Sabino Parente/Shutterstock, and Mezzotint/Shutterstock]

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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Great post! So thorough.

From my experience in Cuba, I agree with you: staying at casa particulares is the way to go. Some aren’t amazing, but many are gorgeous and such good value for money. Plus you get to talk to the owners and get to know the country better. I learned so much from my stays in them.

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Meet Lauren Juliff

20 things to know before visiting Cuba

Jan 5, 2024 • 8 min read

Be ready for your visit to Cuba with these top tips on what to expect © Westend61 / Getty Images

To a first-time traveler, Cuba can seem like a confusing jigsaw puzzle, particularly if you’re breaking free of the resorts and traveling around on your own.

The Spanish spoken here is fast and hard to decipher, many streets have two different names and the country’s fickle and highly complicated monetary situation could fill its own guidebook. 

To help you be prepared, here is everything you need to know before planning a trip to Cuba.

1. Double-check your insurance

You are required to have medical insurance to visit Cuba and will need to bring digital or printed proof of your policy. Random checks are made at the airport. If you arrive without insurance, you’ll be asked to buy a Cuban policy at the airport for US$30.

2. Fill out your passenger information in advance

Cuba uses an online form called  D’Viajeros  to gather traveler information, including immigration and health data, in advance of travel. Fill out the form digitally up to 72 hours before your arrival in Cuba.

3. Every visitor needs a tourist card

To enter Cuba, all visitors need to present a completed tourist card . It’s usually available through your airline (ask when booking) and included in the price of your ticket.

If not, you can purchase one through a Cuban travel agency. Costs range from US$50 to US$85. Citizens of 20 African and Asian countries require a formal visa to enter Cuba. Check the situation for your country before booking.

4. Cash and currency: it’s complicated!

Money in Cuba is confusing, even to Cubans . Since the country abolished convertibles (CUC) in January 2021 and took the US dollar out of circulation in June 2021, there has been massive inflation and the emergence of a rampant black market. The knock-on effect is a bewildering dual economy.

The official currency of Cuba is the Cuban peso (CUP), but foreign currencies are also widely accepted, especially by private businesses who need hard cash to buy non-rationed goods in MLC (freely convertible currency) shops.

State-run enterprises and banks use official exchange rates. However, the prices of the superior services offered by private businesses generally reflect black market exchange rates.

Hence a main dish in a private restaurant in Havana will cost around CUP$500 (US$21). That’s an expensive meal if you’re paying in pesos bought from a Cuban bank.

However, most private restaurants will also accept payment in euros using a more favorable exchange rate. Some will even have a separate menu with prices printed in euros.    

When buying something from a private business – be it a restaurant, casa particular (private accommodation) or taxi service – it’s usually best to pay in a foreign currency. Always ask upfront what currencies they accept and what exchange rate they use for their published peso prices.

Euros is the most interchangeable currency and the one preferred by Cubans. You can also use and exchange Canadian dollars and pound sterling.

US dollars still circulate on the black market, but we don’t recommend bringing them. The best bet, when you arrive, is to keep most of your money in a foreign currency and only change small amounts into pesos for incidentals like museum entry, concert tickets and tips.

5. MLC is a currency with no cash form

The Moneda Libremente Convertible (MLC) is a currency approved by the Cuban government in 2020 that can be used in certain shops to buy higher-end goods.

The currency doesn’t exist as cash and its value is pegged with the US dollar. It’s used mainly by Cubans with special magnetic cards. 

Tourists needn’t worry too much about MLC$, although prices will sometimes be displayed in the currency in state-run enterprises such as cigar shops or airport souvenir stores where you can pay with a non-US credit card.

6. Only some credit cards will work

Credit cards are increasingly popular in Cuba and in many state-run businesses are the preferred (and sometimes only) method of payment.

Despite promises made in the Obama era, credit cards linked to US banks are not accepted. Private businesses almost never have credit card machines, meaning your only option is cash.

7. Pack your favorite casual clothes – and men need a shirt

Dress in Cuba is casual, so you can leave your high heels and tux behind. The only real dress code is in cinemas, theaters and nightclubs, where male patrons are required to wear long trousers and shirts with sleeves or half-sleeves.  

8. Cuban Spanish is fast and often informal

If you speak Spanish, you’ll find that Cubans mostly use the informal tú form of address, rather than usted . In the plural, ustedes is used over vosotros .

If you don’t know someone, it’s best to address them as señor or señora , though you’ll hear Cubans use all kinds of substitutes such as socio , hermano , papa , chica/o  and asere .

9. Cuban cities are where the streets have two names

In most Cuban cities, the streets have two names: a contemporary one that is noted on maps and marked on street signs, and a pre-revolutionary one that is still used widely by the locals.

This can become confusing, especially when locals, unaware of the new street names, start giving out directions or addresses using the colloquial nomenclature. Always double-check addresses and, if possible, get two potential names for the street you’re looking for.

10. Understand the local art of queueing

Cubans have to endure a lot of long waits in boring queues, so they’ve invented a way of doing it that doesn’t involve standing in line. In a Cuban queue, you simply roll up at the bakery/clinic/visa office and yell out to the assembled masses, "Quien es último?" (Who’s last?).

Hopefully, someone in a 400m vicinity will answer your polite entreaty with the word, "yo" (me). That person is your yardstick. As long as they’re still around, feel free to go for a walk, sit in the lotus position or buy ice cream. When they get called up, be on your toes, you’re next!

11. Ask questions more than once  

Thanks to heavy bureaucracy, answers to simple requests aren’t always straightforward – or even correct. Probe politely and ask at least five different people before you make important decisions.

12. Bring something to keep you warm on a cold bus journey

Cuba has a countrywide state-run bus service called  Víazul that connects all of the main cities and some of the smaller towns. Prices are charged in MLC$ (the same rate as the US$) and tickets must be paid for with a credit card either in person or online.

A second service called Conectando, run by Cubanacán, also puts on buses in peak season along some of the more popular routes. Bring a sweater/jacket for long bus rides – the air-conditioning is akin to a chilly day in Vancouver.

13. Cuba is considered a safe place to travel

Cuba is one of the safest countries in the Americas in terms of violent crime. Pick-pocketing is more common but not rampant, and is mostly avoidable if you follow a few basic precautions: Wear a money belt, use safe boxes in hotel rooms and don’t flash your cash in public.

14. Solo female travelers report receiving unwanted attention

Solo female travelers report experiencing a good deal of unwanted attention, but it didn't necessarily spoil their enjoyment of traveling in Cuba.

There is a fine line between being open and friendly and harassment, and some men can cross that line by being overly familiar or asking too many personal questions. Learn some key phrases in Spanish that make it clear when you're not interested.

15. Beware of forgeries

Never change money with unlicensed traders on the streets. You run the risk of receiving estafas (forged notes).

16. Bring your own medicines

On one level, Cuba has a good health system (it invented and quickly distributed three COVID-19 vaccines); on the other, it is perennially short of pharmaceuticals.

Bring all the prescription medications you think you’ll need, as well others you might like ibuprofen or paracetamol. If you’d like to donate some medicines to the people of Cuba, it is currently possible to bring in 10kg of medical supplies tax-free (pack them in a separate bag). 

17. Avoid dodgy cigars

Cuba has its share of jineteros (touts) spinning elaborate stories about super-cheap, high-quality cigars procured by their brother/mother/cousin from the factory. Don’t believe them. Instead, buy your cigars in state-run shops such as the Casa del Habano chain. Cigars sold on the street are invariably factory cast-offs and not genuine.

18. Driving is not as easy as you think

With light traffic on the road, driving might seem like an easy proposition, but with elevated rental prices and cars often in short supply, it’s not always so.

Add in sporadic signposting, potholed roads and a wide array of hazards – goats, horses, bicycles, kids and slow-moving, fume-belching trucks – and you might want to consider getting the bus or, at least, employing the services of a chauffeur.

19. Bring toilet paper and sanitary products

The pandemic made the provision of antiseptic hand lotion more common, but the same can’t be said of toilet paper. Carry your own roll and/or gravitate to four- or five-star hotels when you’re caught short in the city.

Re-usable pads and silicon cups, or disposable pads and tampons are must-pack items if you're expecting your period while you're in Cuba. These are in high demand here.

20. Don’t drink the water

The water won’t kill you, but it might give you a little queasiness or an upset stomach. Fortunately, bottled water is abundant and cheap. An even better idea is to bring your own filter bottle or water purification tablets.

This article was first published February 2022 and updated January 2024

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• Travel Planning Guide

Cuba Travel Budget - Visit Cuba on a Budget or Travel in Style

• Is Cuba Expensive?
• How much does a trip to Cuba cost?
• Accommodation
• Cuba Tour Prices
• How much does it cost to travel to Cuba? (Average Daily Cost)
• Cuba trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month

Is Cuba expensive to visit?

• How much do I need for a trip to Cuba?
• Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
• Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Cuba?

You should plan to spend around $41 (₱1,095) per day on your vacation in Cuba. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

• $9.97 (₱264) on meals
• $9.64 (₱256) on local transportation
• $46 (₱1,220) on hotels

A one week trip to Cuba for two people costs, on average, $579 (₱15,335) . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

• Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 41 ₱ 1,095
• One Week Per person $ 289 ₱ 7,667
• 2 Weeks Per person $ 579 ₱ 15,335
• One Month Per person $ 1,240 ₱ 32,860
• One Week For a couple $ 579 ₱ 15,335
• 2 Weeks For a couple $ 1,157 ₱ 30,669
• One Month For a couple $ 2,480 ₱ 65,720

Are You an Experienced Traveler?

Help other travelers! Answer a quick question about your past travels. Click here: let's do it!

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Cuba cost?

A one week trip to Cuba usually costs around $289 (₱7,667) for one person and $579 (₱15,335) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Cuba on average costs around $579 (₱15,335) for one person and $1,157 (₱30,669) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Cuba will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Cuba on average costs around $1,240 (₱32,860) for one person and $2,480 (₱65,720) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Cuba is a very affordable destination to visit. It is in the top 10% of countries in the world for its affordability . Many budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring this country in depth.

Within the Caribbean Islands, which is known to be an expensive region, Cuba is very affordable compared to the other countries. It is in the top 10% of countries in the Caribbean Islands for its affordability . Very few countries in the region are as affordable as Cuba.

For more details, see Is Cuba Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Cuba?

The average Cuba trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Cuba travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Cuba

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Cuba is $23 (₱610). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Cuba is $46 (₱1,220). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

• Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 23 ₱ 610
• Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 46 ₱ 1,220

Hotel Prices in Cuba

Looking for a hotel in Cuba? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Local Transportation Budget in Cuba

The cost of a taxi ride in Cuba is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $9.64 (₱256) per person, per day, on local transportation in Cuba.

• Local Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 9.64 ₱ 256

What did other people spend on Local Transportation?

Typical prices for Local Transportation in Cuba are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Cuba, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Short Taxi Ride ₱ 18

Food Budget in Cuba

While meal prices in Cuba can vary, the average cost of food in Cuba is $9.97 (₱264) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Cuba should cost around $3.99 (₱106) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Cuba is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

• Food 2 Meals for one day $ 9.97 ₱ 264

What did other people spend on Food?

Typical prices for Food in Cuba are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Cuba, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Pizza ₱ 0.88

Entertainment Budget in Cuba

Entertainment and activities in Cuba typically cost an average of $8.27 (₱219) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

• Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 8.27 ₱ 219

Tips and Handouts Budget in Cuba

The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Cuba is $0.74 (₱20) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Cuba is 5% - 15% .

• Tips and Handouts 1 For guides or service providers $ 0.74 ₱ 20

Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Cuba

Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Cuba is $11 (₱297), as reported by travelers.

• Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps 1 $ 11 ₱ 297

Alcohol Budget in Cuba

The average person spends about $3.91 (₱104) on alcoholic beverages in Cuba per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

• Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 3.91 ₱ 104

What did other people spend on Alcohol?

Typical prices for Alcohol in Cuba are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Alcohol prices in Cuba, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Mojito ₱ 4.00

Water Budget in Cuba

On average, people spend $0.26 (₱6.88) on bottled water in Cuba per day. The public water in Cuba is not usually considered safe to drink.

• Water 2 Bottled water for one day $ 0.26 ₱ 6.88

Related Articles

Cuba on a budget.

At A Glance

• If you're flying in or out of the airport, make sure your valuables are in a secure place. It's not uncommon for luggage to be searched after it's been checked and the valuables may be removed and stolen. If at all possible, keep your belongings on you during your flight.
• Renting a car is possible. The traffic is usually light but you will encounter plenty of pedestrians, cyclists, and others on the road. The roads are poorly marked so make sure you clearly understand where you're going before you begin your journey.
• It helps if you speak a little Spanish, but this is by no means necessary to enjoy your holiday. In touristy areas many people speak at least a little English. If you can try your hand at Spanish you'll quickly make some friends though.
• There are many ways you can experience the Cuban culture. Head outside of the more touristy areas and explore some off the beaten path neighborhoods. Take in a show or head to a local market and you're sure to have an interesting and one of a kind experience. By simply wandering through residential areas you will begin to get a feel for what life is like in Cuba. It is a great way to meet the locals and see what daily life is really like.
• Before you go to the effort of exchanging your home currency, make sure you actually have to. Many popular western currencies are actually accepted and this is the more financially beneficial way to pay for things. This will help you avoid loosing money in the exchange.
• ATMs are hard to come by throughout Cuba, but you will find a small number in Havana. US based cards are not accepted anywhere. Most of the ATMs are linked to the Mastercard/Cirrus or Visa/Plus interbank system.

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Inbound tourism revenue in Cuba 2010-2021, by category

Revenue from international tourism in cuba from 2010 to 2021, by category (in million u.s. dollars).

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August 2022

Cuba, Central and South America

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Most visited Latin American countries 2022

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Cubans face soaring fuel prices as Canadian tourists swoop in for winter getaways

Fuel prices are set to jump fivefold amid ongoing economic crisis and 30% inflation.

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Whatever the weather in Cuba this February, people may be feeling gloomy about the cost of living.

The Cuban government is set to raise fuel prices fivefold at the start of next month . Havana says the move is a must, as it seeks funds to trim its deficit spending and buy needed goods from abroad.

The change is not expected to have much of an immediate impact on the costs of vacation packages for Canadians looking to get away to the popular Caribbean destination, but those travelling to Cuba's cities and towns might see the effects that the fuel hike — and the country's ongoing economic crisis — are having on Cubans.

Life is already hard for many as Cuba grapples with the economic crisis, food and medicine shortages, and inflation that economy minister Alejandro Gil pegged at 30 per cent at year's end . The pending jump at the pumps is yet another stress, as the cost of filling up a 40-litre tank with a popular gasoline blend will soon exceed the average monthly state salary.

"It's a considerable hike and I think it's going to be hard for us afterwards," said Javier Ernesto, a 33-year-old cab driver, who spoke to Reuters while waiting to fill up his car in Havana this week.

• Cornered in Ukraine and isolated by the West, the Kremlin returns to Cuba

"People have the right to complain, especially when wages are not growing at the same rate," said Ricardo Torres Pérez, a Cuban economist and faculty fellow in the department of economics at American University in Washington, D.C.

The fuel hike comes during a peak season for tourism, as winter-weary Canadians look to escape the cold.

Sun is an obvious part of Cuba's appeal, but so is price.

"Cuba offers what Canadians want," said Torres Pérez, noting that in addition to being an inexpensive place to visit, it's also a relatively short flight for some Canadian sun-seekers.

• Anti-regime activists in Canada accuse Cuba of using YouTube channel to intimidate them

Moreover, deals can be found online for Canadian travellers, flying out of Toronto, to spend a week at a Cuban hotel during the month of February for less than $1,000 per person.

"That is incredibly inexpensive," said Rachel Dodds, a professor of hospitality and tourism management at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), saying that Cuba has historically been promoted and marketed "as the cheap place to go."

A need for dollars

Cuba is in need of foreign currency  so it can import food, medicine, fuels and other necessities, amid what's been called the worst economic crisis in decades.

This has been exacerbated by the decades-long U.S. trade embargo , which outlaws American companies from doing business with Cuban interests and prohibits most Americans from travelling to Cuba.

The sale of fuel is one avenue for the government to collect that foreign currency, whether from tourists, private businesses or Cubans with access to U.S. dollars via remittances from relatives abroad.

To that end, the government is opening more than two dozen service stations that will only accept U.S. dollars for fuel.

Pedro Ducasse, a 28-year-old physician from Havana, gets paid in pesos. He's concerned that a setup where people with access to foreign currency can get what they need may create its own inequalities.

"I'm not against the rise in prices but the issue is that there should be fuel available for everyone," Ducasse told Reuters.

• As holidaying Canadians return to Cuba, Cubans themselves are fleeing in record numbers
• Cubans making risky boat trip to Florida, another immigration challenge for Biden administration

Tourists, on the other hand, can use the dollars in their wallet to buy gas for their rented cars.

How much dollar-centric revenue Havana can generate remains to be seen — especially with Cuba still seeing far fewer visitors than before the pandemic .

More than one million people headed to Cuba from Canada annually  in the pre-pandemic era . Global Affairs Canada says Cuban authorities reported more than 700,000 arrived from Canada between January and September of last year.

Torres Pérez said Canadians visiting Cuba's cities and towns will see what the people who live there are struggling with — as individuals and as a wider society — amid the ongoing economic crisis. Noticeable issues with garbage collection in cities like Havana are one such example, he said.

Ottawa advises travellers to "exercise a high degree of caution" in Cuba due to shortages of key necessities.

Canadians key for Cuba

Despite the coming changes to fuel prices, Torres Pérez does not expect the price of holiday packages to shift dramatically — in part because they are priced in currencies that aren't depreciating like the Cuban peso is.

He said the Canadian market is very important for Cuba and the government will likely want to protect it. 

Canadian airline passengers have less choice than before the pandemic, latest numbers show

Canadian airline and tourism operators signalled that changing costs are a part of being in the travel business.

An Air Transat spokesperson said the increase to fuel prices in Cuba is expected to have "a minimal impact on our airline and tour operator as it applies to gasoline and diesel."

Air Canada said it's "accustomed to managing fluctuating fuel prices around the globe and mitigating the impact." The airline further said its Cuba-bound planes are typically loaded with "more fuel than required to minimize the amount of fuel loaded onto the aircraft at the destination," for both cost and supply reasons.

But even if Canadian visitors to Cuban resorts were to see marginal price increases for food, drink and services while visiting the island, Dodds said they should remind themselves of their fortune to be on vacation as the people who live in the country struggle to afford basic necessities.

"If we can afford to go on holidays, we are very, very privileged in the first place," she said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Geoff Nixon is a writer on the national digital desk in Toronto. He has covered a wealth of topics, from real estate to technology to world events.

With files from Reuters

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How Much Does a Trip to Cuba Cost? A Realistic Travel Budget (2023)

Cuba is not short of amazing surprises for first-time travelers. You will encounter famous worldwide beaches and landscapes, historic cities, fascinating culture and traditions , and the most welcoming people. Naturally, you will want to see it all.

However, with so many things to do and places to visit, the cost of a trip to Cuba can get out of control very quickly.

This guide offers an updated, down-to-earth holiday budget for Cuba. Unlike other articles that just display data scraped from travel websites, we will help you with a realistic trip to Cuba cost. Our breakdown includes expected accommodation costs, transportation, food and drinks, entertainment, Internet, and even tipping. We close the article with helpful tips that will save you some bucks!

How Much Does a Trip to Cuba Cost?

A typical seven days trip to Cuba costs anywhere from 1,200 to 3,000 USD, including flights, accommodation, and insurance.

Plan to pay at least 500 USD for your flight ticket, but it can be as high as 1,700 USD, especially if departing from the US. On the other hand, accommodations in Cuba can be as cheap as 10 USD/night if staying in “casas particulares”.

Also, your trip to Cuba’s cost can go lower or higher depending on your travel season. Cuba’s dry season is more popular than the wet season, so expect higher prices during peak months.

Let’s get into more pricing details for flights and accommodations in Cuba.

Costs of flights to Cuba

Two major events have significantly increased the costs of flying to Cuba in the last few years:

• US restrictions on air travel to Cuba. Currently, US airlines are permitted to fly into Havana Airport only.
• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Flights to Cuba are expensive, and you can expect to pay at least 400 USD for a ticket when flying to Cuba from Canada or the US. If you are traveling from the US to Cuba , flights can go as high as 1,700 USD.

Many flight search engines like Expedia, Orbit, and Kayak don’t carry flights to Cuba from the US. Instead, use Skyscanner or book your flights directly through your airline of choice.

Accommodation costs in Cuba

Popular options for accommodations in Cuba include hotels, resorts, and private houses (known as “casas particulares”, “hostales”, or Airbnbs in Cuba ).

Renting a room in a “casa particular” is the most affordable option and the most authentic and culturally immersive, which is a plus if you are traveling under the Support for the Cuban People license . Many casas also include a home-cooked breakfast each morning! You can compare listing prices on Skyscanner too.

Casas particulares: most casas particulares cost between 20 to 300 USD/night. Most people pay between 20 to 50 USD a night on average.

Hotels and resorts: most start at 100 USD/night and go as high as 800 USD/night.

As you can see from the prices listed above, accommodations are a huge factor in your trip to Cuba cost.

Travel health insurance

Besides the Cuba Tourist Card , all travelers are required to show proof of travel insurance in Cuba . Specifically, your insurance needs to cover medical expenses (travel protection is not required). Companies like Insubuy can cover your medical emergencies on the island starting at 8 USD per week per person.

How Much Money Do You Need in Cuba?

Generally, you can expect to spend 40 – 120 USD per day in Cuba, excluding flight tickets and accommodations.

However, the final price tag of your trip to Cuba will depend on the kind of trip you want. For example, loading your itinerary with guided tours and expensive restaurants will be pricier than eating at down-to-earth “paladares” and free walking tours.

Another factor that will impact your budget is where you stay. Big cities like Havana are costlier than more rural areas and smaller towns.

Finally, you need to consider that prices in Cuba for tourists are generally higher. For example, a restaurant might keep aside a menu for tourists with prices 20% higher. Likewise, private transfers will try to charge 30 to 40% above the normal rate for a local.

Let’s break down these numbers.

First Things First: Understanding the Cuban Currency

The Cuban currency system can be tricky for first-time visitors, one of the most interesting facts about Cuba . Honestly, you can’t estimate a realistic cost of a trip to Cuba without understanding how to use the Cuban Peso.

Check out our Cuban currency guide for more detailed information.

Let’s get a few facts straight.

The Cuban Peso (CUP) is the primary currency

The island had two official currencies until January 2021: the Cuban Peso (CUP) and the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). The CUC was just eliminated in 2021, and the CUP remained the only official currency on the island. So, ignore anything you have read about the CUC because it does not circulate in Cuba anymore.

Euros will get you more

Today, the Euro is one of the two highest-value currencies in Cuba. If you bring it, you will get more value for your money. They are also accepted almost everywhere in Cuba.

You can bring US dollars too. But they come with two limitations you should consider:

• State-owned tourism facilities won’t take your USDs. Therefore, you must sell them first.
• There is an exchange fee of 8% for US dollars, compared to 2% for other foreign currencies.

Still, US dollars are widely sought after on the island.

For example, the image below shows the Euro and the USD value in the black market. This gives you an indication of how much the Euro is worth in Cuba. Check El Toque’s currency tracker for updated information.

For currency prices at official exchange offices (CADECA), visit  CADECA’s website for updated exchange rates.

You can’t bring Cuban Pesos

You can bring many things to Cuba , but you cannot bring Cuban Pesos. It’s not possible to exchange Cuban currency before you touch down in Cuba.

To stock up on Cuban currency, you can exchange your foreign money at official currency exchange centers called CADECAs (Casas de Cambio). You can find CADECA offices in Cuban airports, resorts, hotels, shopping centers, and banks.

With the Cuban currency out of the way, let’s get into your travel budget for Cuba.

Transportation costs in Cuba

Cuba’s transportation options include taxis, classic American cars or “almendrones”, buses, rental cars, and domestic flights.

Taxis and city buses are great options for traveling short distances. You can cover longer distances by charter buses and domestic flights. Although more expensive, renting a car is also an option.

Private taxis: 1.50-3 USD/kilometer.

Taxi from the airport to your accommodation: 35 USD.

“Colectivos” or “almendrones” with fixed routes: 1-2 USD.

Bicitaxis: 3-5 USD short routes, usually in Old Havana and Centro Havana.

Viazul buses for interprovincial trips: from 6 USD to 57 USD depending on the province you are going to. For example, the Havana to Varadero route in Viazul costs about 10 USD.

Rental car: starts at 69 USD per day.

Trains: 3-7 USD

Domestic flights: ticket prices can range from 90 USD on the low end to 140 USD on the higher end. You can compare prices and book tickets here .

Private transfers: prices vary depending on where you are headed. For example, here is what you can expect to pay for these popular transfers:

• Havana to Varadero: 120 USD
• Havana to Viñales: 140 USD
• Havana to Trinidad: 215 USD
• Havana to Cienfuegos: 180 USD

Food and drinks costs in Cuba

The cost of food and drink in Cuba varies quite a bit depending on where you eat.

Breakfast at your casa is often as low as 7-12 USD, while a meal at a sit-down restaurant is anywhere from 10-20+ USD.

Snacks from street vendors can cost you from 3 to 5 USD.

On average, the prices of popular drinks in Cuba are as follows:

• 1.5 liter bottle of water: 3 USD (Pro tip – bring a water bottle with filter )
• Coffe: 1.50 USD
• Beer: 4 USD
• Piña Colada: 6-7 USD
• Daiquiri: 5 USD
• Mojito: 5 USD
• Cuba Libre: 4 USD
• Coconut water: 3 USD

Here is what you can expect to pay for traditional dishes in Cuba:

• Ropa vieja (boiled and shredded meat): 8 USD
• Arroz y frijoles negros (rice and black beans): 4 USD
• Arroz congri: 4 USD
• Arroz imperial (imperial rice): 10 USD
• Sandwich cubano (Cuban sandwich): 6 USD
• Pan con lechon (roasted pork sandwich): 6 USD
• Masas de cerdo fritas (fried pork chops): 7-9 USD
• Bistec de cerdo (pork steak): 7-9 USD
• Arroz con leche (rice pudding dessert): 4 USD

Entertainment costs in Cuba

Entertainment costs will, of course, vary depending on what exactly you have in mind. Here are the average prices for a couple of popular activities:

• City tour of Havana in a classic car : 40-60 USD.
• Bike tour of Havana: 15 USD.
• Tickets to a baseball game: 3 USD /each.
• Admission to museums: from 2 to 10 USD/person.
• Show at Cabaret Tropicana: starts at 80 USD/person.
• Horse riding in Viñales: 5 USD/hour.
• Multi-city excursions: 175+ USD.
• Scuba diving in Maria la Gorda: 60 USD+ for a single immersion.

Internet costs in Cuba

Internet in Cuba is very unreliable, but you’ve got a couple of options to get WiFi in Cuba :

• Using a NAUTA card: 0.50 USD/hour.
• Using a Cubacel Tur card: 25 USD/2.50 GB.
• (International roaming) AT&T: $3.00/minute for calls; $0.50/text; $2.05/MB for data.
• (International roaming) T-Mobile: $2.00/minute for calls; $0.50/text; $2.00/MB for data.

Tipping in Cuba

In Cuba, tipping is widespread, and you’re encouraged to tip people who have performed a service for you–especially if they did an awesome job! Who should you tip in Cuba :

• Hotel maids: 1-3 USD/night.
• Hotel bellboys: 1-5 USD at check-in and again at check-out.
• Restaurant waiters and bartenders: 10% gratuity.
• Tour guides: 5-10 USD.
• Street musicians: 1 USD.
• Parking valets: 1 USD.
• Bathroom attendants: 0.25-0.50 USD.

How Much Money Can You Take to Cuba?

You can bring up to 5,000 USD in cash to Cuba. You will have to declare amounts exceeding 5,000 USD to Cuban Customs.

Money-Saving Tips

You can do a few things to reduce your final trip to Cuba cost. For more practical advice for your trip to Cuba, check out our best Cuba travel tips .

Stay in a casa particular

Casas particulares are the most affordable accommodations in Cuba. There are over 14,000 on the island to choose from!

Casas are run by Cuban families who offer great suggestions about exciting things to do and see in the area. Plus, they cook lovely home-cooked meals.

Renting a room in a casa can be as low as 10 USD/night and as high as 800 USD/night at luxurious casas. You can also snag breakfast for 7-12 USD most of the time. You can check out the latest listings here .

Remember that it’s illegal to crash at someone’s place for free, even if they invite you!

Eat at paladares and cafeterias

Paladares (private restaurants) and cafeterias are places where you can get authentic Cuban cuisine at an affordable price.

Thanks to Cuba’s relaxing restrictions on private businesses, there are now over 2,000 paladares to choose from. Paladares offer a wealth of menu options and great service at a reasonable price. Meals typically cost between 10-25 USD.

Look at some of Havana’s best paladares in the Lonely Planet Pocket Guide of Havana.

Share urban taxis

Shared taxis–also called “colectivos” or “almendrones”–are taxis that travel along a fixed route. They stand out because they look like vintage American cars from the 1950s!

Flag them down by standing along the route and raising your hand. The driver will stop and let you hop aboard if there’s room in the taxi. The standard cost to ride is 1 USD.

Book tours directly from local guides

Tours are an excellent way to learn about authentic Cuba from a knowledgeable guide. For example, Havana has so many things to do that you should consider hiring a seasoned local guide.

However, hiring inexperienced or authorized “tour guides” is a waste of money and could also be dangerous. Although Cuba is generally a safe country , there is no need to put yourself at risk.

Instead, book all your tours through well-respected local guides available in marketplaces like Tour Republic . You can book experiences all over the country, from museum tours to urban cuisine and horseback riding.

Haggling and bargaining

Almost anything you pay for in Cuba can be haggled or bargained. Exceptions are certain restaurants, casas particulares, and the Viazul bus.

You should haggle with taxi drivers (unless you’re comfortable paying the total price, of course!). Talk to your casa host so they can fill you in on a fair price for the area.

Get a Cuban Phrasebook and learn some expressions for a better chance of success.

Cheapest time to travel to Cuba

The rainy season (June to October) is typically the cheapest time to travel to Cuba . If you are a budget-savvy traveler thinking of backpacking Cuba , you will save some bucks if you fly to Cuba during the rainy season, especially in September. However, this season comes with bugs and mosquitoes in Cuba, so bring strong mosquito repellen t.

Is Cuba Cheap to Visit?

We can’t say that Cuba is the cheapest travel destination. Flights can get incredibly expensive, especially from the US. The price of high-end hotels is similar to those in other expensive destinations.

However, Cuba is generally affordable, especially if you book all-inclusive vacation packages from countries other than the US. It can get even cheaper if you stay in casas particulares, eat at paladares, and share taxis.

But in all honesty, if you are traveling as a tourist, you may want to tour around in private cars, stay at least a day at a beach resort, and eat delicious traditional food other than rice and beans. Consider these things when estimating your trip to Cuba cost.

We put much effort into getting updated prices in Cuba for tourists. If you liked this post, please share it with your friends traveling to Cuba! Otherwise, leave your comments and suggestions below.

Essential Travel Logistics For Cuba

Cuban Tourist Card –  If your  Cuban Tourist Card (a.k.a Cuban Tourist Visa)  isn’t bundled into your airline ticket or travel package, buy it only through  EasyTouristCard . 

Travel Health Insurance –  Travel medical insurance is an entry requirement for Cuba, so you can’t skip it. Travelers can get travel health insurance for Cuba via  Insubuy . Travel protection benefits such as trip interruption and cancellation, baggage delay insurance, etc., are not required.

Essential Items to Pack –  Bring the essential travel necessities that you may not be able to get in Cuba:

• First aid kit
• Hand sanitizer
• Water bottle with filter
• Mosquito repellent
• Pin adapter (for Europeans)
• Travel guide
• Spanish-English phrasebook
• Suggested Reading: The Cubans: Ordinary Lives in Extraordinary Times

Read our complete packing list for Cuba .

Find Accommodations –  Find hotels or casas particulares (private accommodations) on Skyscanner , which lists thousands of accommodations available in Cuba.

Book Your Flight –  Book cheap flights to Cuba on Skyscanner , our favorite flight search engine to find deals on flights to Cuba.

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About the Author

Tour republic.

Tour Republic is a marketplace where you can discover, book, and review the very best experiences Cuba has to offer. We are a team of tourism professionals and journalists who have partnered with Cuban entrepreneurs to provide travel experiences that can transform your trip into a life-changing adventure. We also share our profound love for Cuba through in-depth travel guides, myth-busting articles, and captivating narratives. Whether you want to explore Cuba's wonders or understand its intricacies, our blog posts are your gateway to the heart of this extraordinary country.

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Great info. Current.and relevant. Many thanks!

If you want to have more bang for your currency do not change for cuban peso at the bank or airport. The usd in the black market is over 250cup. Exchange with cubans at either the hotel or even outside the bank.

Do they take UK Sterling currency?

Your overview of Cuba was relatively informative. However, they take Canadian dollars as well and except it wholeheartedly before an American dollar. Not a typical vacation for Americans, but very typical for Canadians especially from Ontario and Quebec. Stay at an all inclusive go on day trips and you’ll be fine.

My cuban friend has insisted for a3.momths to take USD instead of Canadian.

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Cuban Currency: The Ultimate Guide for Travelers (2024 Update)

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Tips for Single Travelers in Cuba

Cuba is generally extremely safe for travelers. Single travelers face no real specific threats or dangers. That said, don't throw common sense out the window. Single travelers -- and women in particular -- should still be careful when walking alone at night, both in Havana and in other more remote destinations.

I have never felt unsafe traveling on my own and there are few other countries in the world, like Cuba, where I would consider taking an illegal taxi with a strange man for hundreds of kilometers down back roads. Remember also that there are severe repercussions for Cubans who commit crimes against tourists.

Perhaps the biggest issue facing single travelers is that of jineterismo, which is a way of life in Cuba. In its most disturbing form, it has become synonymous with prostitution. Sex tourism and prostitution flourish in Cuba, and single travelers of both genders and any sexual persuasion will encounter constant offers for companionship, and usually more. In some cases, the terms are quite clear and a cash value is set. In others, the jinetera or jinetero is just looking for some restaurant meals, drinks, store-bought clothing, food, daily necessities, and sometimes even a good time. Many are looking to cement relationships with foreign tourists that could lead to marriage and a means of improving their standard of living on a long-term basis, either on the island or abroad.

Single women of all ages, in particular, should not be naive about declarations of undying love. You could just be the desperately dreamed about ticket out of the country. Remember that most Cubans are not free to leave Cuba. If you do fall in love, the Cuban government cannot prevent the Cuban from leaving after marrying a foreigner but they make it difficult to grant the correct exit papers (waits of 3 years are not uncommon).

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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What You Need To Be Aware Of As A Tourist Visiting Cuba

B eaches with white sand as fine as sugar, vintage American cars cruising down streets lined by colorful aging buildings, and the chance to puff on a fine cigar while watching people dance the salsa in the warm night air: It's not hard to understand the picture-postcard allure of Cuba. It's a country in the throes of rapid change as it emerges back onto the world stage after decades of stagnation following the 1959 revolution. So now is a wonderful time to pack your dancing shoes and visit the Caribbean's largest island.

However, Cuba isn't an uncomplicated tropical paradise and there are several things you need to be aware of before you visit as a tourist. Like, as an American, is it even legal for you to visit Cuba as a tourist? What's with the money situation? And can you access the internet or are you going back to the Stone Age (also known as the early 1990s)?

Can Americans Visit Cuba?

Cuba is just 103 miles from the tip of Florida making it the ideal winter getaway for sun-seeking Americans. However, the U.S. imposed restrictions on travel to Cuba in 1963 and while the level of restrictions has varied over the years, as of July 2023, Americans can't visit Cuba purely for tourism purposes.

That said, there are 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba, and the one that most Americans visiting the island use is the "support for the Cuban people" category. You'll need a passport with six months validity at the time of entry and two blank pages. You also need a Cuban Tourist Card, which you can usually get from your airline for as little as $50.

Speaking of airlines, you can fly direct to Cuba from several U.S. cities, including Miami, Tampa, New York City , and Houston. Most direct flights from the U.S. land in the Cuban capital of Havana, though there are several nonstop flights from Miami to other destinations in the country, including Santiago de Cuba and the popular beach resort of Varadero.

Cuban Currency

There's good news and, let's say, tricky news when it comes to paying for things in Cuba. The good news is that there is now one currency used by residents and visitors alike in the country: the Cuban peso (CUP). The Cuban convertible peso (CUC), which used to be the currency used by tourists, was eliminated in 2021.

The only official place you can exchange currency in Cuba is at Cadeca exchange houses. You cannot get CUP outside of Cuba, nor should you take the currency home with you. Spend or exchange anything you have left over before you go to the airport (after security, you should pay in foreign currency).

What about credit cards? U.S. credit and debit cards won't work in Cuba. Credit cards from major financial institutions like Visa and Mastercard from other countries should be accepted by certain businesses and ATMs. However, cash is king in the country and it's always a good idea to keep some with you for tips to service workers.

The Internet In Cuba

Cuba is the perfect place to go on a digital detox. We're going to be honest: Getting online isn't as easy as in the U.S. and internet speeds can be sluggish. However, if you need to connect to the internet, you can. The most common way to access the internet in Cuba is via hotspots in places like public parks and on the Malécon in Havana. (They are also perfect for people-watching, so embrace the experience!) Many hotels and some other businesses also have Wi-Fi.

To access the internet in most places you're going to need a NAUTA card, which you can purchase from ETECSA offices around Cuba. Be prepared to stand in line to buy the card and take your passport along with you. Our advice? Be patient and make the most of your offline moments to fully immerse yourself in the Cuban experience. And plan to latergram your posts on Insta.

Sleeping And Eating

When it comes to accommodation in Cuba, you'll find a range of options. From all-inclusive beach resorts to cozy casas particulares, you'll find somewhere to suit your preferences and budget. Our pick for independent travelers is a casa particular, a privately owned guesthouse which offers a fantastic opportunity to experience Cuban hospitality firsthand. Many places offer breakfast and an evening meal, so you can taste home-cooked Cuban food. It's also an excellent way to support the Cuban people (this is likely the stated purpose of your visit, after all) as the money you pay goes directly to the guesthouse owners. In contrast, the Cuban government holds at least a 51% share in all hotels in Cuba. Hotel star ratings are often on the generous side, so be discerning.

As far as food goes in Cuba, your best bet is to go to a paladar, a privately run restaurant that serves excellent versions of classic Cuban dishes like roast pork, shredded beef, and suckling pig (the cuisine is pretty meat-forward). A note on cultural sensitivity: Many products that are widely available in the U.S. might not be in Cuba and even basic products often disappear from Cuban shops at short notice. Savor what's put on your plate and enjoy the often simple but tasty food.

How To Support And Respect The Cuban People

Staying in casas particulares and eating at paladares are just two ways that you can support the Cuban people on your trip. Consider taking a salsa class run by a local, buying locally made handicrafts, and whiling away the steamy nights sipping rum and listening to musicians put on a fabulous show. By patronizing local businesses, not only are you financially supporting the Cuban people, but you're also going to have an authentic Cuban experience.

We touched on the unavailability of some food items earlier, but shortages extend to many consumer products in Cuba. Bring everything you think you'll need for your trip, including medications. You may also want to bring a roll of toilet paper (glamorous, we know), as public bathrooms often don't have it. Power cuts are common; while they might be frustrating, remember that you're only there for a short time and, for Cubans, power cuts are infuriating, so keep your complaints to yourself. This goes for everything, really; if you're not prepared for some minor inconveniences, don't visit Cuba. If you want to take a memorable trip to a country steeped in history with a vibrant culture, stunning urban architecture, and beautiful natural landscapes, it'll all be worth it.

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