When getting ready and planning for a visit to Cuba, it’s necessary to consider your price range, the costs in Cuba and the way you’re going to pay for issues whereas travelling round this unbelievable island nation.

With the web and wi-fi being scarce and a problem to hook up with (though, it is getting higher), it’s essential to have your funds and your price range sorted out beforehand.

It’s not as straightforward to verify your financial institution stability on-line, or purchase Cuban cash as it’s in different nations.

We travelled independently round Cuba for nearly a month and I’m right here to present you a full breakdown of what the perfect foreign money to convey to Cuba is, how a lot cash to convey, how one can get Cuban cash, and the way a lot you possibly can count on to spend whereas visiting Cuba. 

What’s The Cuban Foreign money?

Earlier than even determining how a lot money you’ll must convey to Cuba, it’s necessary to grasp the Cuban cash (there are two currencies) and the charges.

The Nationwide Peso (CUP)

This foreign money is what a lot of the native persons are paid their wage in.

Utilizing the Nationwide Peso, you should purchase smaller objects and the “fundamentals” that one wants. It’s necessary to appreciate that this isn’t the “Cuban individuals’s foreign money”, foreigners can use this cash as properly. 

Right here’s what you should buy with CUP:

• Rides in the native inter-city buses (that are jam-packed full, no room to breathe)

• Fruit and greens from the markets and side-of-the-road stands

• Avenue snacks reminiscent of popcorn and fried plantains

• Rides in a collectivo (shared) taxi

• “Peso” meals reminiscent of pizza, ice cream, sandwiches, rice & bean meals, and different smaller meals (pork & rice, spaghetti)

• Fundamental groceries and produce

The Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC)

This foreign money is used for “luxurious” objects and is the Cuban cash you’ll largely end up spending throughout your travels right here. 

Locals who earn this foreign money quite than the Nationwide Peso are sometimes these in tourism (casa house owners, tour guides, taxi drivers, lodge workers, and many others.)

Being a Cuban and incomes CUC is good.

With simply 1 CUC (after exchanging it into Nationwide Pesos), they’ll purchase 25 rides on a bus, 25 contemporary cups of juice, or some rice and beans. That is the foreign money everybody needs.

Preserve this in thoughts when musicians or dancers ask you for a tip — your 1 CUC goes a good distance in Cuba.

Right here’s what you should buy with CUC: 

• Meals at a sit-down restaurant

• Vacationer bus (Viazul) tickets

• Lodges and casa particulares

• Scuba Diving, horseback using, and different excursions

• Something you wish to purchase, you possibly can with this foreign money

Easy methods to Inform The Distinction Between CUC and CUP

The 2 currencies really look fairly related so if you first arrive, familiarize your self with them to keep away from being ripped off.

The primary distinction is that CUC does not have any faces on the observe. It additionally says “pesos convertibles” in the middle of the invoice. Like this:

CUP has faces of well-known Cuban individuals and says “pesos” in the middle of the invoice. Like this:

All the time verify your change to be sure that for those who paid for one thing in CUC, you obtain CUC again, (typically individuals will attempt to rip-off new travellers by giving them change in CUP, which is price considerably much less).

You can purchase issues which can be usually charged in CUP with CUC and vice versa.

What’s the Alternate Fee? 

25 Nationwide Pesos (CUP) = 1 Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC)

1 Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) = 1 US Greenback

Can I Use My Debit or Credit score Card in Cuba?

If in case you have a debit or bank card issued by an American financial institution (ie: CitiBank), then it should NOT work in Cuba’s ATM machines.

If in case you have a financial institution card from every other nation, it ought to work on the ATMs, however a 3-12% charge might be charged with every transaction.

Even for those who opened your account in your property nation (ie: Canada), however the financial institution is affiliated or run by a US firm (ie: CitiBank), your card is not going to work in Cuba.

Anticipate to spend money if you’re in Cuba, quite than swiping your card. 

Notice: Make certain to tell your financial institution of your Cuba journey plans. In case your account will get frozen when you’re overseas because of “suspicious exercise”, it’ll be a problem making an attempt to attach along with your financial institution again house to elevate the maintain on the account.

What Foreign money Ought to I Carry to Cuba?

Many individuals have requested us “How a lot money ought to I convey to Cuba?” and “What currencies are accepted in Cuba?”

Effectively, for those who’re not an American citizen and also you don’t have a financial institution that’s affiliated with the USA, I might recommend having solely a few hundred Canadian {Dollars}, Euros or Kilos on you as back-up funds.

In any other case, you should utilize your debit and bank card on the machines in Cuba to withdrawal native foreign money (nevertheless, you’ll be charged 3% on the ATM, so it’s as much as you as as to if or not you wish to convey your full price range in money and trade it in-country).

Do NOT convey US {Dollars} to Cuba, as you’ll be charged a 10% conversion charge if you attempt to trade into Cuban cash.

Additionally, observe that Australian {dollars} are NOT accepted. The most effective currencies to convey into Cuba to transform into Cuban cash (CUC) are Canadian {Dollars}, Euros, Kilos and Mexican Pesos.

How To Alternate Cash in Cuba

When you’ve travelled to Cuba with one of many accepted currencies (Canadian {Dollars}, Euros, Kilos, and many others.), then you will have to trade this foreign money into Cuban cash — CUC.

So, the place do you trade your cash?

Search for a CADECA, that are the cash changers which can be discovered in the cities. Line-ups could be lengthy at these cash changers, but it surely often strikes fairly shortly. 

Make certain to convey your passport when exchanging cash at a CADECA.

You’ll discover a CADECA on the airport in Havana, or click on right here to seek out one in Havana on Google Maps. 

The upside to withdrawing cash from an ATM is that you simply received’t must journey to Cuba with a bunch of money on you, after which have a bunch of CUC when you trade it on the CADECA.

The draw back is that you simply’ll be charged between 3-12% by the ATM (we had been charged 3% by the machine utilizing Canadian financial institution playing cards).  

How A lot Cash Ought to I Carry to Cuba?

When you’re American, and also you’re questioning how a lot spending cash you’ll want in Cuba, this may rely completely in your journey type.

Your private journey price range for Cuba would possibly differ from ours, so take a look at the costs in Cuba for numerous actions (data under), and work out how a lot you assume you’ll want — it’s at all times higher to err on the facet of warning and have an excessive amount of cash, than not sufficient.

Our day by day common in Cuba was $100/day for 2 individuals. 

Keep in mind, you’ll wish to convey money in the type of Kilos, Euros or Canadian {Dollars}, which you will get beforehand at your native financial institution at house.

Learn on to see how a lot we spent, and what every thing prices in the nation.

How A lot Does Cuba Cost?

Individuals typically ask us “Is Cuba costly?” Cuba may be very unusual in that (relying on the way you select to journey) it may be one of many least expensive journey locations in the world or one of the crucial costly.

For the sake of simplicity, costs in this text are in CUC / USD (they’re equal), until in any other case said.

Right here’s a breakdown of among the costs in Cuba.

Cost of Lodging in Cuba

$20 – $30 / night time for a double room in a casa specific. Solo travellers can get a reduction.

$25 – $180 + / night time for a lodge room.

For genuine Cuba journey, Casa Particulares are the way in which to go!

When you’re questioning the place to remain in Cuba for reasonable, that is it. Casas are inexpensive, snug and you’ll take pleasure in a extra native keep whereas in the nation.

That is one of the simplest ways to get to know the locals — be at liberty to speak with them about their life in Cuba, and observe your Spanish!

The meals served by the casa house owners can also be superb. I extremely suggest consuming at the very least a meal or two at your casa specific.

Learn extra: What’s a Casa Explicit? All You Have to Know, with Video

Try this video the place we provide you with a tour of a casa so you possibly can see what it’s like.

I like to recommend reserving your casas forward of time as a result of when you’re in Cuba, discovering web (or at the very least, a stable connection) is usually a problem and it’s costly.

It’s greatest to have your lodging sorted out forward of time until you’re ready to attend in queue for web.

Today, you possibly can guide casas on Airbnb. Click on right here for a listing of the highest casas, guesthouses, villas, flats and extra in Cuba. Or, for those who’d quite guide lodge stays in Cuba, click on right here for a listing of the perfect on Reserving.com.

An alternative choice is to simply present up at every metropolis and go searching with out reserving forward. Many casa house owners will greet you on the bus station and give you a room. However nonetheless, it’s greatest to guide forward so you possibly can learn evaluations and have all of it sorted out beforehand. 

Cost of Meals & Drink in Cuba

The costs in Cuba for a meal out varies vastly. Some cities are cheaper than others, reminiscent of Camaguey, whereas some are way more costly. The price of alcohol varies as properly relying on the place you select to drink.

Cocktails at your casa are sometimes cheaper than at a bar. Anticipate to spend $2 for cocktails and $1 for a beer.

At a nicer restaurant or bar, cocktails and beer are sometimes related in pricing, $2 – $Three every. Go for a mojito, belief me, you’ll find it irresistible!

Bottled water is what you might want to be careful for. It’s sizzling in Cuba and also you’ll wish to be sure you keep hydrated. The price of a 1.5L bottle needs to be $0.70, nevertheless, most outlets cost vacationers $1.50.

Store round till you discover the true value, or higher but, simply hand them $0.70 and act like you realize what it ought to price. Additionally, some casas have potable water and juice free of charge. Simply ask.

Higher but, convey a reusable water bottle and a SteriPen so you possibly can purify the faucet water and received’t have to make use of a lot plastic throughout your travels to Cuba.

Right here’s a chart exhibiting among the costs in Cuba for meals — discover how low-cost it may be!

Try our video the place we pattern peso meals round Cuba!

Opposite to perception, the meals in Cuba is fairly good! Don’t consider us? Try our article about Cuban delicacies.

Cost of Sights and Actions in Cuba

All the museums, websites, and actions that you simply’ll wish to partake in might be paid for in CUC.

For excursions, I like to recommend reserving them on-line beforehand so that you don’t must take care of the wifi in Cuba.

In Havana:

1. Museo de la Revolucion (Museum of the Revolution): $Eight entrance charge

2. Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana (Fort of Saint Charles): $Eight entrance charge

3. Museo de Bellas Artes: $Eight entrance charge

4. Experience in a Traditional Automotive down the Malecon: $25 for 30 minutes relying in your bargaining abilities. A higher thought is to guide your Traditional Automotive experience right here, and luxuriate in 2 hours of cruising round Havana, with a cocktail — plus, you received’t must take care of vacationer pricing issues. Try the two Hour Traditional Automotive Tour right here:

5. Strolling Tour: $40/particular person. On this strolling tour, you’ll uncover the UNESCO listed Previous Havana with a educated information. On the finish, you’ll take pleasure in an genuine native lunch. Click on right here for particulars, or take a look at the strolling tour right here:

For some actually distinctive and eye-opening excursions in Havana, take a look at this checklist of Airbnb Experiences with locals. 

Prices in Different Cities

When you’re going to pay for some excursions in-country, right here’s what you possibly can count on to pay. 

Viñales: Horseback using tour – $25 for a 4-hour journey

Viñales: Santo Tomas Cave – $10 entrance charge (with information)

Trinidad: Horseback using tour – $15 for a 3-hour journey

Cayo Jutias: One tank scuba dive, together with tools – $40

Cubans can enter museums and different sights utilizing the Nationwide Peso. For instance: If it’s 5 CUC for foreigners to get in, it’s 5 CUP for locals ($5 vs $0.20).

That is one state of affairs the place it looks like there’s a foreign money for foreigners and a separate foreign money for Cubans.

Though it actually is vacationer pricing in this case, we do consider that if it weren’t this fashion, then most of the native individuals wouldn’t be capable of go to the historic websites of their nation.

Vacationer pricing is a sizzling matter, one thing we’ve lined in size earlier than, however we received’t get into that right here.

Cuba Transportation Prices

Transportation in Cuba is snug and dependable, and the choices are plentiful. The price of transport varies with every metropolis, and with all the transport choices I checklist under, make certain the value is per automobile, not per particular person.

Right here’s a rundown on the forms of transport, and their prices:

Non-public Taxis: $2.50 – $7 for a journey inside a metropolis.

From the airport in Havana to Central Havana, the price is $25 for a taxi.

An intercity, 60 minute non-public taxi prices round $30. Cuba taxi costs are fairly excessive in comparison with different modes of transportation and though taxis have meters in them, they received’t be turned on. Organize a value earlier than you get in.

Shared Taxis (Collectivos): $0.50 / experience in the town (paid with 10 CUP. Don’t pay with CUC)

In Havana, very outdated traditional automobiles run up and down numerous streets, on a set route. They are going to pull over and decide up people who find themselves going in their path, however it’s essential to flag them down. When you don’t know the route, this may be complicated.

You can too take shared taxis in between cities for (typically) the identical price because the bus. From Trinidad to Havana, the price is $25 / particular person. Ask on the Infotur places of work for extra particulars, or at your lodging. 

Metropolis Bus: $0.04 (sure, Four cents!)

This transportation may be very low-cost, however the buses are packed to the brim with individuals. If you realize the route and the place you wish to go, it is a good choice.

Astro Bus: (typically round 1/2 the value of a Viazul bus)

That is the common alternative for intercity buses in Cuba. The costs of the Astro are cheaper than the Viazul under, nevertheless, there are just a few seats reserved for foreigners, the buses aren’t as new, and so they aren’t as dependable.

Notice: locals pay in CUP, whereas vacationers pay in CUC.

Viazul Bus: $4 – $5 / hour

That is the vacationer bus, which has air con and runs on a dependable schedule. Some pattern prices:

Havana to Viñales: $12

Havana to Varadero: $10 

Havana to Trinidad: $24

Viñales to Cienfuegos: $35

Viñales to Trinidad: $37

Cienfuegos to Trinidad: $6

Trinidad to Camaguey: $15

Cycle Taxi: $1 – $3 (relying in your bargaining talents)

That is one mode of transportation the place we at all times felt dangerous for the poor man who needed to cycle our huge butts round in 35-degree warmth! Discount with the cycle drivers, however keep in mind that it is a very exhausting job.

Scooter: $25 / day ($20 for those who hire for Three days)

That is one of the simplest ways to get round in our opinion…particularly in Viñales!

Try our video of us scootering round Viñales!

Whole Each day Cuba Budget

After spending 25 days in Cuba, we spent $2,500, together with lodging, excursions, meals, in-country transport…every thing.

That’s $100 / day for 2 individuals.

Nonetheless, I’ve to say that we lived fairly properly whereas we had been in Cuba because it was our trip from running a blog and being on-line. It might be attainable to journey right here for much less for those who ate extra peso meals, and took the native transportation, quite than Viazul buses.

We did keep in casa particulares, we regularly ate peso meals, we restricted the variety of entrance charges we paid, and we took many cycle taxis.

Nonetheless, we did drink mojitos and beers on the common, ate good meals and did a number of actions (scuba diving, horseback using, and caving). We additionally rented a motorcycle in Viñales.

I believe that $100 / day for 2 individuals to journey round an unbelievable Caribbean island is price each penny! However, as I mentioned earlier than, your journey price range will differ from ours.

I like to recommend reserving your excursions and lodging forward of time earlier than arriving in Cuba, after which use the money for meals, booze, entrance tickets, bus tickets, suggestions, souvenirs, and many others. 

Now You Know The Costs in Cuba

There you could have it. In relation to travelling Cuba, though it’s not as straight ahead as different nations, it’s price each minute of additional journey planning time!

I hope this text helped you intend your Cuba price range and that I used to be in a position to shed some gentle on the (complicated) Cuban foreign money as properly. Glad travels!

Notice: A few of the photos in this submit are courtesy of Shutterstock. Test them out for royalty-free pictures and movies, right here.

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