Travel around Cuba
Starter guide to visiting the colourful Carribean Island. Getting there, moving around and all you need to know about Cuba. From what I learnt during my quick but intense journey there.
Boring stuff to get started with…
To enter Cuba you need:
a visa: its price surprisingly change based on your last flight departure country, not your passport. The cost is mainly around 20 USD, but for people coming from the US is for time more expensive. As said I was flying from California, but as I stopped in Panama I got my visa at the airport desk there for 20 dollars.
Insurance: to enter the country you must have a medical insurance. It is one of the few requirements they actually check as soon as you reach the country. Be aware that not any type is accepted. But you can always get a local “seguro” directly at the airport. For something like 2 USD for every day of your stay
Money in Cuba
when I got there in 2019, there used to be two different currencies in Cuba, with quite different values.
the CUP, or cuban Pesos.
the CUC, convertible cuban Pesos. Worth about a dollar, and 24 CUP
So I got to be a bit careful when reading the prices. Generally, tourist oriented things where sold in CUC, and more local items in CUP. But sometimes it wasn’t well specified, and they changed it based on the customer. One year later they changed the rules, choosing the CUP as only currency. So no big issues
I lately discovered that people will always be happy to trade Dollars or even Euros for their local money. Sometimes for a way better rate than the banks. I’ve heard it is because locals cannot get foreign currencies in a traditional way, but still try to get and keep some as a safer store of value. I am not totally sure about the laws about it, so I wouldn’t suggest it.
Language in Cuba
SPANISH! In the most touristy places you will always find plenty of English speaking people. But do not expect them in remote areas. Or among most locals in the big cities as well.
Luckily the Spanish language is pretty similar to Italian, and I could easily managed to communicate with everyone from the start. But if you only speak English, a bit of study ahead will surely make your life easier.
Getting to Cuba
the best and pretty much only way to reaching Cuba is flying. The main international airport is located in l’Havana, the capital city. But there are also a few other possibilities in different parts of the island. Like Santa Clara or Santiago
Getting to the city from Havana airport
Reaching Cuba with an international flight, there are big chances you will land in the capital city. Apparently, the only way to reach Havana from the airport is by taxi. For a fixed rate of about 20 dollars. Doing a bit of research, however, I found and alternative and cheaper way.
Slightly demanding, but good for broken travellers!
After all there were people working there. And I knew locals would never pay that price.
It basically consist on walking out from the airport area to the main road, until reaching a bus stop. Workers actually have a shuttle bus for that. But for us the only way is going through that 2 kilometres along the road on our feet. Nice way to recover from the flight hours I’d say.
At the bus stop I had to ask people to exchange the CUC I got from the airport exchange for local pesos. But now that shouldn’t be an issue anymore. The journey on the packed bus lasted about 50 minutes, and costed me something like 15 cents. Quite different from the taxi option!
I guess local people are not very used to seeing a foreign with a big backpack on that bus. But it was overall fun.
How to Travel around Cuba
Travel around Cuba by CAR
the fastest and probably most common way to travel around Cuba. The fares are more or less all the same, especially on the most common roads. So be smart and try to avoid scams.
if you end up talking with some locals on a shared car, don’t be too surprised to discover they got the ride for a cheaper price. They usually apply different prices for tourists.
You will find plenty of cars outside the main bus station and in specially designed areas
Be aware you can have two different kind of car journeys:
- Private, with the car leaving with only you on board and drives you wherever you want. Obvoiusly more expensive
- Collectivos. Shared taxis running between the main stops with usually a full load. Meaning you will share ride and expenses with other people. Just note the driver will probably start the journey only once the car is full. So be ready to wait until there are enough people.
I remember there were also some yellow taxis around l’Havana, but unfortunately I don’t now much about them
Travel around Cuba by BUS
Busses can be a slightly cheaper alternative to cars to travel long distances, especially between the main cities. And with the urban busses, around the city as well.
There are basically two bus companies:
- Viazul, the best known and mainly designed for tourist. Just remember to try to book your tickets as soon as possible, as they often run out quickly. Especially on the main routes.
- Omnibus. Cheaper alternative to Viazul but only meant for locals. You could still manage to jump on one of them. If you are lucky with the ticket officer and they have many spots left
Travel around Cuba by CAMION
Camìones are the cheapest and most local transports you will find in the island.
They are also the most packed, uncomfortable and time consuming.
Reason why every locals don’t use them, if possible. And suggested me to don’t even try to jump on one of them.
Of course I did it. On my journey back from San Luis.
They are basically old trucks (in spanish Camion), equipped with benches and now used to transport people. For as little as 4 CUC, depending on the route.
They mainly travel along highways and biggest routes between the main cities. So you will probably have to take a bus or any other transport to reach your destination.
Other quicker but more expensive options are flying around or renting a car. I have also been asking around about motorbikes. But they unfortunately don’t seem to be as common (and cheap) as in Asia.
Sometime and in some places you can also spot very peculiar alternatives. Like bycicle or motorized tuc tucs or even horse or goats carriages. Not the touristy kind, but real local transports!
And lastly, you can jump on one of the fancy colorful old style cars You usually see in every picture and video about Cuba. Tourist stuff in l’Havana!
Food in Cuba
In most local places, Cuban food is basically rice with beans and some meat. Mostly pork or chicken. And if you are lucky some veggies or avocado.
A true delicacy among locals seems to be the Maduro, fried ripe Platano chips. Is interesting to see how different countries have a different food taste. Cubans seems to like sweet stuff. A lot.
Around the streets you will also find several options on the go. Like Churros and other fried stuff or sweets and ice cream. Not exactly healthy stuff.
In most cases coffee places and food shops are actually people’s houses. From where they sell their goods through the kitchen window.
I would like to say I have been trying every possible dish. But I was basically living on rice, beans, Fruits and especially AVOCADOS. They where huge, sold pretty much everywhere around the streets and super duper cheap! Hey were a drug for me!
Some small places also sell coffee, in tiny cups. I was hoping for some kind of espresso. But it was more like a crazily sweet long black shot kept warm in a Thermos. I’d say they are better in growing coffee than actually drinking it!
Cafè Hola! El mejor pejor cafè de Cuba
litterally “the best worst coffee in Cuba!” Is the kind of coffee most common in people houses. Basically because it is the cheapest they can get.
Some people say it is not even proper coffee. But a blend of toasted peas and other beans. A local friend gave me a bag of this coffee as souvenir to bring home.
If you want to take a break from the proper traditional diet, tourist places sell pretty much everything. Starting from pasta e pizza (please, don’t!) to fancier versions of the local foods. Mainly based on Lobster and fresh seafood!
I would suggest you to try the good stuff at your casa particulares.
I got my only big dinner from Maritza, my host in Vinales: lobster with sweet potatoes, fried maduro, avocado, rice, beans, greens and fruits! All for about 10 dollars. Definitely worth it!
Internet in Cuba
the internet situation in Cuba is quite unique. And it is one of the few things same for locals and foreigners. There is a sort of paid wi-fi in some designated areas. To connect you it you need to purchase a card, and log in with its code to get 60 minutes of connection. At the actual price of 24 CUP.
You can also get free wi-fi in some hotels and restaurants. Just check, when booking a place claiming to have “internet connection” if they actually have it for free. As many of them simply can sell you the card and hosts an access point.
All unless you are not willing to buy a local sim car for your phone.
Sleeping in Cuba
Like pretty much everywhere there are hotels and hostels. But a very Cuban way to sleep in Cuba is in a casa Particulares. A sort of Airbnb nowdays very common. The price for a room range between 5 and 20 dollars depending on place and fanciness.
They usually try to raise a bit more money by selling you breakfast and dinner, if you want to. For about 5 or 10 dollars.
You can find some of them on booking, or simply asking around. Possibly the best way as they will not lose some of the money in commissions.
What to do in Cuba
I spent in Cuba only about ten days, during whose I’ve stayed more time than planned in l’Havana e San Luis. A small rural village described in this story. In both cases because I made some local friends and decided to spend some time with them.
In my opinion a more valuable experience than visiting all the tourist spots!
L’Havana actually have plenty to offer for days. And other stops on my trip have been the cities Vinales, Cienfuegos and Santa Clara. Also the nearby Trinidad was on the list. And if you have more time, I’ve heard very good thing about the easternmost side of the island and its beautiful tropical beaches!
But there is always more to explore!
Thank you for taking the time to read this post!
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