CUBA
Oftentimes looked down upon for its past leaders, Cuba is a country known for its tropical weather, lovely people, and Afro-Cuban jazz. From the standpoint of U.S. tourists, this nation has long been a place in which our visiting access has been limited. Therefore, most U.S. citizens view it as being a country stuck in time which I think is unfair. Not only are locals informed of international politics, but travelers from across the globe have been coming here for decades. For the reasons above and many more, I believe the Caribbean’s largest island is well worth an extended visit!
Updated COVID-19 Travel Information:
Currency:
The official currency of Cuba is the Cuban Peso (CUP). CUPs are pegged to the U.S. Dollar at a rate of 24:1. There used to be another currency specifically for tourists (Cuban Convertible Pesos or CUCs), but as of January 2021, CUCs have been withdrawn from circulation!
$1 USD = 24 CUP
Pricing for Leisure Travelers:
Average Hotel Expenses = 960-1,320 CUP/Night ($40-$55 USD/Night)
Average Food/Drink Expenses = 480-840 CUP/Day ($20-$35 USD/Day)
Pricing for Backpackers:
Average Casa Particular Expenses = 215-450 CUP/Night ($9-$19 USD/Night)
Average Food/Drink Expenses = 215-450 CUP/Day ($9-$19 USD/Day)
Communication:
Spanish is the official language of Cuba. In my experience, although there were street vendors and servers who were fluent in English, most locals have limited English proficiency. It would be advantageous to brush up on your Spanish before visiting especially if you plan to travel to the eastern part of the country.
Transportation:
Bus: Traveling throughout Cuba by bus is the way to go. The country’s main bus company, Viazul, has a large fleet that services most of the main tourist destinations. While you may not feel as though you are traveling in luxury, the buses in Cuba are more comfortable and offer more leg room than its colectivos.
Colectivo/Taxi: You can’t find Uber in Cuba but there are plenty of colectivos and taxis! Colectivos are similar to taxis but they run specific routes at fixed rates (for locals at least; tourist rates are dependent on your bartering skills). If you are looking to travel short distances (whether that be town-to-town or to a nearby attraction), colectivos are a great option. They’re usually 25% more expensive than buses but can cut your trip length down by 25% as well. Be mindful that drivers want to get the most bang for their buck and will therefore pack their vehicles with as many tourists as possible.
Train: Travel by rail is not very common in Cuba, which is a shame because it has the Caribbean’s only passenger rail system offering cross-country service. This once-great railway system has seen brighter days, but there are rumblings that the government is trying to make significant improvements. The name of the national railway carrier is Ferrocarriles de Cuba. Tickets can only be bought in-person at ticketing offices; they cannot be bought online.
Airplane: Similar to rail, traveling by plane is not a popular mode of transportation Cuba. If you have the budget and are strapped for time, you can certainly do it, but I think you are better off traveling by bus or colectivo. The country’s flag carrier is Cubana de Aviación.
Miscellaneous:
Due to the complicated relationship between the U.S. and Cuba, there’s a lot to know! From travel regulations and obtaining your tourist card to historical context and understanding why restrictions are in place, I recommend reading my blog about Cuban travel to get the full scope (even if you’re not from the U.S.).
I recommend carrying your passport and itinerary with you at all times. Park rangers and museum operators will likely ask to see documentation before entering their respective establishments. While no one ever asked to see my itinerary, you should always carry it with you to be safe. See the above-referenced blog for more details on this.
Accommodation looks much different in Cuba than it does in European or Southeast Asian countries. Rather than hostels, you will mostly find “casa particulares” which are essentially guesthouses or B&Bs with private rooms. Some of these “casas” will have shared rooms but, generally, you should expect to pay for a room instead of solely a bed. The plus side of these “casas” is that in most cases you will be staying with local Cubans and their families as well as eating delicious, home-cooked meals. Since this is the case, I recommend learning some basic Spanish!
Most U.S. credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba. There are exceptions but I recommend bringing enough cash with you to last the entirety of your trip. If you bring USD into Cuba, you can convert it into CUP at the Havana airport. Even though the line will be long, it is a much better option than trading money with a local street vendor.
Internet connection is extremely limited in Cuba. Some restaurants and casa particulares offer free Wi-Fi but I wouldn’t come to expect it. Don’t worry, you’ll know who has it since Wi-Fi is clearly (and loudly) advertised as a selling point for tourists. If there is Wi-Fi offered though, it is not always free. I recommend purchasing NAUTA internet cards at ETECSA offices and going early since stores often run out of their supply. Most offices are open from 8:30am-7:00pm and sell cards at a rate of 24 CUP/hour. Cards are sold in 30-minute, 1-hour, and 5-hour increments and are valid for 30 days.
Here is a list of ETECSA locations you can purchase internet cards from. If you can’t find an ETECSA near you or if you don’t have internet to access the above link, all major hotels sell the NAUTA cards as well or you can buy them off street vendors at parks or squares (at a higher cost). Just be sure the cards sold to you don’t have the password scratched off yet.
Here is a list of public locations where internet cards can be used to access Wi-Fi. If you don’t have access to the above link, you will know which locations these are since you’ll see dozens of tourists sitting outside them on their cell phones.
There are three drinks you have to try during your visit to Cuba:
Guarapo - freshly-squeezed sugar cane juice; very refreshing after a long day of walking.
Mojito - Cuban rum, mint, lime, sugar, and club soda. Absolutely delicious!
Cuba Libre - a fancy way of saying a rum and coke but you’re in Cuba so why not!
If you are hoping to bring home Cuban cigars as souvenirs, be sure not to buy them off street vendors. Given the strict regulations behind cigar production in Cuba, real cigars can only be purchased in specialized shops.
