What budget to travel Cuba? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Cuba?

In general, monuments, remarkable residences and museums are freely accessible, and when they are not, you will be asked to pay between €1 and €10 maximum. Unfortunately, there are no cultural passes for Cuban museums and cultural sites, not even in Havana. However, some local agencies offer tours combining visits to several sites. Prices depend on the distance covered by your excursion. It's often transportation that costs money in Cuba. For a full day with a private cab, you can expect to pay around €60 for the cab alone.

There are many sports opportunities in Cuba. From deep-sea fishing to scuba diving (coral reefs and wrecks in particular), from horseback riding to mountain hiking, whether on foot or by bicycle (three superb mountain ranges are to be discovered), there is something for everyone. Depending on the activity chosen, prices vary: 5/7 € for the rental of a bike or snorkeling equipment, 30/45 € for a diving trip, 300 € for a big game fishing trip... As for the hikes, it all depends on the length of the trip and the necessary logistics (with or without horse?).

Bargains are rarely found in Cuba's tourist centers. The best way to get good prices, especially on handicrafts, is to visit the country's villages. For classic Havana souvenirs, we recommend a trip to the San José craft market (in the south-east of Habana Vieja). For anything to do with musical instruments, you'll have to cross the country as far as Santiago to find a bargain!

Because of Communism, there's no real culture of bargaining in Cuba. But you can still bargain in boutiques, large tourist centers or craft markets, if prices seem excessive.

Good to know: in Europe, you're allowed to bring back a maximum of 50 cigars and two bottles of rum per person. You should also be aware that cigar prices (like rum prices) are the same in every store in the country, as they are set by the State, so don't waste your time comparing prices from one store to another.

In music bars and other venues hosting live shows, it's sometimes necessary to pay for a whole bottle of rum (around €15/20) to get a table. At least that's the case at Havana's Casa de la Música! When a famous artist is programmed in a bar, a participation fee is sometimes required.

What budget to eat Cuba?

Like its people, Cuban cuisine is mixed and spicy, without being overly spicy. However, the embargo continues to weigh heavily on the country, and the scarcity of imported products combined with underdeveloped local agriculture is not really conducive to the blossoming of contemporary Cuban gastronomy. To save money, we strongly recommend eating in the casas where you are staying (portions are usually generous) and, when you go out, eating typical dishes, with chicken-rice-beans and ropa vieja at the top of the list. By the sea, combined fish (or lobster) dishes are also good options.

Another factor to consider when dining out is the currency accepted. Since the recent disappearance of the CUC (convertible peso, indexed to the US dollar), most restaurants accept the CUP (Cuban peso), but some will ask you for euros only (or dollars, or pounds... in short, what we in Cuba call MLC for Monnaie Librement Convertible)! If the rate in euros offered by the latter seems right to you, then no problem. However, if you pay by credit card in euros, make sure that the rate displayed on the payment terminal is in euros and not in CUP, because if you pay by credit card a certain amount displayed in CUP, be aware that the rate applied will be the official rate, i.e. 1/125 (compared with 1/300, in the summer of 2024, on the street). In the restaurants of major hotels (especially in the capital), the price can be multiplied by 2.5 or even 3 (compared to the actual exchange rate on the street)! In fact, some hotels only accept credit cards and use the official exchange rate. As a result, a pizza advertised at 300 CUP, paid for with a credit card, costs just under 3 € (compared with 1 € if paid for in the national currency)!

Exchange tips. On the other hand, if you have cash - and we recommend that you arrive with enough for your entire trip - it may be a good idea to pay for your drinks in euros and get your change in Cuban pesos. Of course, make sure that the exchange rate charged by the restaurant, bar or store in question is attractive, i.e. sufficiently close to the daily exchange rate on the street (the eltoque.com website displays the daily exchange rate charged by Cubans - in the summer of 2024, €1 was exchanged for 300 CUP). For example, if your bill is €25, you can pay with a €100 bill and get back €75 in Cuban pesos, i.e. 75 x 300 (if that's the exchange rate where you are AND at the time) = 22,500 CUP. As cash is scarce, we advise you to use this technique as often as possible, provided, once again, that the rate is acceptable to you.

Restaurants specifically dedicated to tourists tend to accept only MLC (euros, dollars, pounds) and display prices directly in these currencies. You can pay either by card or in cash, but in the latter case, if the restaurant owner has to give you change in CUP (Cuban pesos), ask for the exchange rate on the street that day. Otherwise, if the restaurant owner gives you change in CUP at the official rate, you'll lose out. If you go to a restaurant and the prices are displayed in CUP and you're not allowed to pay in euros, always pay in cash! Otherwise, your meal will cost you 2 to 3 times more than its real value.

In the capital's cafeterias, the price of a coffee ranges from €1 to €2, while a cocktail generally costs €1.50 to €3, provided you go to bars where you pay in CUP (Cuban peso)! On the other hand, if you go to the rooftop bars of the capital's major hotels in particular, the price can be multiplied by 2.5 or even 3! In fact, some hotels only accept credit cards and use the official exchange rate, i.e. around 1/125, so that a cocktail priced at 1,000 CUP and paid for by credit card costs €8 (compared with just over €3 in cash)!

What is the budget for accommodation Cuba?

Hotels. Cuba's hotel industry is still struggling to keep up with the ever-increasing influx of tourists... Admittedly, since the thawing of diplomatic relations with the United States, a number of hotels have been planned, and some have already opened their doors, but progress remains rather slow, while the number of tourists continues to grow at breakneck speed. However, the situation is set to improve with the construction of new hotels across the country, with some 80,000 additional rooms planned by 2030.

While the infrastructure is generally decent, and in some cases even luxurious, the prices charged are often higher than the quality of the service provided. In the comfort category, the international Spanish chain Mélia leads the way with over twenty hotels scattered all over the island. Adapted to international standards, this is certainly one of the best options. Next come the Cuban groups Cubanacan, Gran Caribe and Horizontes, which make up the bulk of the offer. Also noteworthy are the charming hotels that have sprung up in Havana's historic district under the management of the Habaguanex company. Their restoration work is remarkable.

Roughly speaking, a hotel is at least equipped with a restaurant and rooms with air conditioning and television. The higher you go, the more facilities you'll find: discotheques, tourist office, boutiques, swimming pool, water sports, sauna, car rental... As everywhere, prices depend on the season, geographical location, level of facilities and number of stars.

You should also be aware that some establishments will not allow you to be accompanied by a Cuban man or woman, although this practice is becoming increasingly rare. Generally speaking, the receptionist will simply ask for the identity papers of your Cuban companion, so that she or he can be registered at check-in. The high level of prostitution in Cuba has forced hoteliers and casas particulares to protect themselves, as theft by prostitutes is a frequent occurrence in establishments where they spend the night.

Bed and breakfast. This is the most economical option throughout the country. Bed and breakfasts are identified by a blue logo: an upside-down anchor that can be spotted on the doors of potential hosts. These are the famous casas particulares (casa particularin the singular). A great way to get up close and personal with Cuban families. Expect to pay between €20 and €25 outside the capital, and between €25 and €35 in Havana (same price for one or two people). It should be noted that the level of taxation for casa owners has risen considerably in recent years, as the Cuban government seeks to extract money from this lucrative business.

Casa networks. However, while home-stay accommodation remains a very attractive solution, both humanly and financially, there are unscrupulous casa networks that inflate prices, taking advantage of the situation in the process, and others that offer casas on their website but change them at the last minute for a much worse one, presenting you with a fait accompli once you've arrived. So beware of the Cuban casa networks that flourish on the web. However, you can trust two serious networks that we've listed in this guide, after testing them several times: that of the Cuba Linda association and that of mycasaparticular.

Airbnb. Airbnb has been operating in Cuba for several years now, and the casas offered via this network are very good. For payment, you can proceed online as usual via the Airbnb website, but as international money transfers to Cuba are still impossible, Airbnb has organized itself and found reliable relays on the spot. It sends cash via one of its employees directly to the owner of the casa the day after the arrival of the tenants.

Passport and tourist card required. In all casas, as soon as you arrive, the owner will ask you for your passport and tourist card, as he is obliged to register you on an entry/exit register regularly checked by the authorities. So don't worry, they're not here to steal your passport! This procedure is perfectly normal. It has been introduced by the Cuban government to prevent surreptitious renting and therefore non-payment of taxes by casa owners... If a renter forgets to register a tourist, he must pay a fine of almost €1,000 to the State! So it's easy to understand why casa owners are quick to ask for your passport as soon as you've crossed the threshold.

Camping. Unauthorized camping is prohibited. In fact, camping sites are limited to bungalows. A 100% Cuban atmosphere is guaranteed, as foreign tourists still make very little use of this type of accommodation. Infrastructure remains spartan and rudimentary.

Travel budget Cuba and cost of living

Cuba is not a cheap destination. Admittedly, the current monetary situation is rather favorable to tourists, but this situation is exceptional and is not expected to last.

Small budget : allow €50 per person per day. Accommodation in casa particular, inexpensive meals and bus transport.

Medium budget: at €70 to €90 per person per day, you'll have a choice of casa or 3-star hotel, and good restaurants. Transportation by bus or shared cab.

Big budget: at €150 per day, you'll be living the life of a pasha. 4 to 5 star hotels and the most expensive meals on the island. However, you'll need to stretch your budget a little further if you want your own vehicle.