Now is the time to go to Cuba. The island nation is currently undergoing a major transformation from isolated communities to connected tourism hotspots. Change is already happening, as can be seen in the cranes dotting Havana’s city skyline and the people maneuvering the carriages while talking to their smartphones. But it’s not too late to go! Tourism is growing exponentially, but Cuba still has few tourists compared to other countries. So it’s time to get ahead of the crowds when the beach is quiet, cocktails are cheap, and taxis are colorful classic cars.
How to Travel to Havana, Cuba
While Florida is developing ferry services, the only way to get to Havana is by plane. Recently, 6 airlines were approved to operate direct flights, the first flight from the US in more than 50 years. Prior to this, most travelers passed through Mexico or Caribbean island nations. Operators include American Airlines, Air Canada, Cayman Airways, InterJet, Cubana de Cuba, Aeromexico, JetBlue, Copa Airlines and others. European tourists can also choose to travel to Cuba as part of packages offered by travel agencies such as Thomas Cook.
Please note that when booking a flight, the city is often written as “La Habana” because of “Havana” in Spanish.
How to Get a Visa to Cuba
To enter Cuba, all travelers need to purchase a tourist visa. This can be done at most airports where you board, or in some cases, flights may pass through another Caribbean island or Mexico so that you can buy a visa there. Cayman Airways did this to circumvent previous rules prohibiting flights from the United States. The flight will fly from Miami to Grand Cayman, where you can disembark, legally enter the Cayman Islands, exit the airport and re-enter through the point of departure. You can then purchase a tourist visa card and board your flight to Cuba. It sounds complicated, but it’s a fairly smooth process.
When you fill out your visa card, you may receive a form asking you to state your reason for coming to Cuba. There are 12 options to choose from, one of the most common of which is “Help the Cuban People”. It is almost unheard of to be asked to provide evidence for this purpose, but it may be worth preparing a flyer or some other supporting document just in case.
Note: Visa and entry rules change frequently and this information is based solely on our experience. For the latest information, please contact your nearest Cuban embassy or consulate.
What Currency to Bring to Cuba
Be sure to bring enough cash for your stay in Cuba, as ATMs are rare and even fewer are functional. It is recommended to bring cash in euros or pounds, and there is a 10% fee for the exchange of US dollars for Cuban pesos. Try to exchange all the money at once, preferably at the airport, as the lines at the exchange office are long and spending precious time in Cuba is a very boring way.
Cuba has two currencies: CUC and CUP. CUC is the “tourism” currency, and 1 CUC is worth about 25 CUC. CUC is widely used, and you are unlikely to see a CUP unless you go to places that are rarely visited by tourists, but if you prefer to go off the beaten track or somewhere a little cheaper, it comes in handy to have some CUP.
Best Things to Do in Havana, Cuba
Bieja Square
This cute little square is tucked away between alleys, and this hidden feeling adds to its charm. The square is lined with brightly colored buildings with a nice fountain in the center. You can easily sit in one of the restaurants for hours and just watch the world go by. Keep an eye out for a funky statue of a riding a rooster with a fork!
Take a Taxi
Cuba is one of the only places in the world that uses taxis as a tourist destination! Vintage cars are still common in Cuba, so there’s a good chance your taxi will be one too. The best way to confirm this is to look at the car before you submit, which means marking a car on the street, but it’s not that hard because they will beep at you as they drive by. Cuba taxis do not have meters, so make sure you agree to the price before getting in to avoid being overcharged at the end of the journey. Then sit back and relax as you make a quick ride in and out of the streets of Havana.
Revolution Square
The Plaza de la Revolution is very important for the Cuban people. It was home to several important speeches, including one by Fidel Castro, which drew more than a million Cubans to the square. Portraits of Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos look down on the square from the multi-storey buildings on its north side. In the south, you can spend 3 CUC to the museum at the Jose Marti Memorial or take just 1 CUC up the stairs to take photos of the monument and square from above.
Arms Square Market
Plaza de Armas is the heart of Havana’s tourist attractions, but don’t hesitate, meaning the square is now filled with small market stalls selling Cuba’s historical goods. You can pick up old banknotes, coins, posters, books about the revolution and all sorts of gadgets. Bargaining is recommended, and you should first look around the square, as many stalls sell similar goods and prices will vary.
San Francisco Plaza
This square not only has a practical place to exchange foreign currency, but it is also home to the Cathedral Abbey, a beautiful old church and the center of many photos. If you’re interested in horse-drawn carriages around Havana, this is the place for you.
Maregon
For those looking for the sea breeze after strolling the claustrophobic streets of Old Havana, a relaxing stroll along the Maregon is a good option. Be sure to visit the beautiful White Orthodox Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan on foot. When the afternoon sun shines in, the white paint sparkles.
Havana Club Rum Tour
Who doesn’t love a trip that ends with a free glass of rum! This tour costs 7 CUC and takes you to a museum that shows the development of the Cuban rum industry and its cultural significance. Through the model, you can get an overview of the rum making process and the bottling plant. The tour ends with a 7-year-old Havana Club rum tasting and, of course, a visit to the gift shop.
Varadero Beach
Varadero is located about 140 kilometers east of Havana, and the beach runs along the western side of the peninsula. It may seem remote, but well worth a visit. Varadero Beach is a picturesque area of pristine white sand, clear blue waters and colourful yachts skimming the horizon. The beach is 22 km long and there are plenty of great sandy beaches to choose from. If you want a quiet place with no one around, you will find it, but if you prefer it, you can also go to the beach bar with umbrellas, loungers and cheap mojito.
Viazul bus is the most efficient way to travel from Havana to Varadeiro. Buses run four times a day, covering a journey of approximately 3 hours, costing 10 CUC one way and 20 CUC round trip. Please note that unless you booked your ticket online before coming to Cuba, you will need to purchase your ticket in person at the Viazul counter at least 1 day (preferably 2 days) before departure. If you have a group of 4 people, you may be able to rent a taxi for about the same price as the bus, depending on your bargaining skills. While the journey can be a day trip, a night or two may be more rewarding.
How to get around Havana
Walk
Walking is the cheapest and best way to get around Havana. This is where you will see the real Cuba. Once off the main road, you can see how the people there live. Men sit around card tables playing dominoes, children play soccer in the street, and women cook delicious dishes. Don’t miss this opportunity. Step into those backstreets!
Taxicab
Taxis are another major way to get around Havana, and as mentioned earlier, these vehicles are sometimes vintage masterpieces. Just make sure you agree to the price before you go.
Public Buses
If you speak good Spanish and don’t mind huddling together like sardines, buses are a much cheaper option.
The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Havana
Cerveceria Antiguo Almacen de la Madera y El Tabaco
This stylish bar, converted from a warehouse, is Havana’s new destination. The name literally means “brewery of former timber and tobacco warehouses”. Prices for drinks and food are higher in the area, but the décor is attractive and the beer is big. The gimmick here is that you can buy a bottle of beer with a tap to share at the table. A nice gimmick indeed.
European Restaurant
The restaurant offers old-fashioned charm as well as the cheapest seafood and cocktails in the Obispo Strip, a major thoroughfare for tourists and filled with restaurants, shops and bars. You can buy a mojito for 1.95 CUC and a lobster tail with rice and beans for 9.95 CUC. If you’re looking for something a little cheaper, they also offer a delicious pork dinner for just 3 CUC. They usually don’t have all the dishes on the menu due to food shortages, but what they offer is reasonably priced and delicious. The only thing missing was air conditioning.
Tavern of the Orthodox Cathedral
Next to the Orthodox Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan there is a tavern that sells simple but large pizzas for 2.50 CUC. They also offer cheap burgers, sandwiches, beer, and soft drinks. Perfect for lunch while walking along the Maregón. Unfortunately they only serve lunch.
Where to Stay in Havana
Casa Details
Most accommodation in Havana (and throughout Cuba) is still within Casa Particles. These are a combination of homestay and hotel, where you can have a room in a family home and usually breakfast is available for an extra fee. There are currently many B&Bs listed on Airbnb, and you can check reviews before you go. Otherwise, you may show up in Cuba and find many people offering accommodation at bus stops and airports. Be sure to check out the room and determine the price before making a commitment. Hostal Bredent is a unique modern hostel in Havana with rooms with rare luxuries such as split air conditioning and refrigerators, which are hard to find in Cuba, at a reasonable price of 35-40 CUC per night. Breakfast costs an additional 5 CUC.