Cuba on a budget guide
Cuba is one Caribbean island that’s got a lot more going for it other than just sand, sea and sunshine; although it does have that too, in bucket loads. This is a country where Communism meets Catholicism; rolling tobacco fields collide with cool, crumbling cities such as Cienfuegos and Camagüey; and you’re just as likely to learn how to salsa, speak Spanish and mix a mojito as you are to listen to tales of Che Guevara, Fidel Castro and the unsuccessful US invasion of the Bay of Pigs.
Being on a budget vacation doesn’t mean that you miss out, quite the opposite; you’ll actually unearth a much more authentic side to Cuba that cruise ship crowds, thankfully, never ever reach.![]()
Join a local Cuban guide as part of a small group or on a tailor made tour as you explore the island overland and stay with local families, in casas particulares, where your Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC) go further and provide helpful income for your hosts. From classic car rides around Old Havana to snorkelling in the Caribbean and salsa dancing the night away in Trinidad, a Cuba budget vacation includes the iconic highlights, but also takes you behind the scenes so you get to find out whos' really pulling the strings.
Before you equate budget with corner cutting or huge groups, think again. A budget vacation in Cuba is less about skipping the sights and more about experiencing an authentic side to island life that fancier, more expensive tours sadly miss. Not only will you get to explore the island with an English speaking local guide, but you’ll also be invited into the homes of Cuban families. There’s no better way to learn about the lives of everyday islanders, and get a few local tips on the side, than meeting and chatting to local Cubans in their own homes.
Airport transfers, B&B accommodation, private transport and guided orientation tours, will all be included alongside activities, such as Cuban salsa lessons, snorkelling, classic car rides and mojito mixing classes. More activities will be included the longer the duration of the trip, and there will be optional activities, too, alongside free time to explore independently.
SMALL GROUP OR TAILOR MADE?
Small group tours of Cuba take place on set dates and include a group leader. An eight day budget vacation opens up everywhere from Old Havana and the Bay of Pigs to the tobacco farms of Viñales and Playa Ancon in Trinidad, but without exuberant accommodation, travel and all-inclusive price tags.
Maximum group sizes are for 12 people and sometimes tours will still take place with a minimum of just two people. The benefits of joining a small group is that you’ll get to share experiences – and costs – with newfound friends as well as having a group leader on hand to help you know where, when and what you’re doing next. These types of tours are also really beneficial to solo travelers as they provide a readymade group of pals to have fun with, and typically have no additional cost for having your own single room.
Although Cuba’s safe, sometimes being part of a group gives us that little bit of extra confidence to explore independently and go into places that we might not consider, or even find out about, on your own. Having a local guide that also doubles as a translator can be extremely handy too, especially when you want to ask a few questions of your hosts or find out how to speak a few words in Spanish other than “una cerveza por favour”.
Maximum group sizes are for 12 people and sometimes tours will still take place with a minimum of just two people. The benefits of joining a small group is that you’ll get to share experiences – and costs – with newfound friends as well as having a group leader on hand to help you know where, when and what you’re doing next. These types of tours are also really beneficial to solo travelers as they provide a readymade group of pals to have fun with, and typically have no additional cost for having your own single room.
Although Cuba’s safe, sometimes being part of a group gives us that little bit of extra confidence to explore independently and go into places that we might not consider, or even find out about, on your own. Having a local guide that also doubles as a translator can be extremely handy too, especially when you want to ask a few questions of your hosts or find out how to speak a few words in Spanish other than “una cerveza por favour”.
Tailor made budget vacations bridge the gap between a group tour and independent traveling. You’ll still benefit from local guides and B&B – casas particulares – but you’ll be given the option to travel around by hire car or opt for local transport or private transfers. The advantage of a tailor made vacation is that you can choose your own adventure with as much beach time and cultural sightseeing as you wish.
Daniel Stretton from our Cuba vacation experts, Locally Sourced Cuba Tours:
“Generally, a small group trip is a more affordable option and a great way to experience Cuba without the large financial outlay a private tour would require. This is especially the case for singles and couples. You also get the added advantage of meeting like-minded people from around the world and learning about their backgrounds and cultures as well. Hopefully you leave Cuba with a group of new friends!”
“Generally, a small group trip is a more affordable option and a great way to experience Cuba without the large financial outlay a private tour would require. This is especially the case for singles and couples. You also get the added advantage of meeting like-minded people from around the world and learning about their backgrounds and cultures as well. Hopefully you leave Cuba with a group of new friends!”
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Where will I be staying?
You’ll be staying with local people in their own homes, in the casas particulares that are dotted throughout Cuba. These are comfortable, air conditioned properties, and sometimes bedrooms have en suite bathrooms. Breakfasts are included and there’s nothing like an impromptu language lesson over eggs, tomatoes, fruit and Cuban coffee to start the day as you mean to go on. You might also be given the option to stay in a hotel in Havana. Find out more about staying in Cuba’s casas particulares.Keep control of CUCs
Cuba's currency comes in two forms: the CUC (Cuban Convertible Peso) and the Cuban Peso (CUP).
One CUC = approx 75p or one US dollar
25 Cuban Pesos = one CUC
25 Cuban Pesos = one CUC
Visitors to the island can use CUCs and Pesos. CUCs can be spent on anything, but tend to be used for buying restaurant meals, drinks at the bar, overnight accommodation, hire car and bicycle rentals and tourist excursions – that sort of thing. Pesos are the currency that Cubans, outside the tourist industry, use the most. Everyday goods from the market, street food, public transport, taxi shares – normal stuff. A CUC goes a long way compared to the Peso and tips in CUCs are always gratefully received.
A small group or tailor made tour that includes breakfast, transport and an English speaking guide will help you manage your budget. Included excursions and activities also allow travelers to keep vacation funds in check and maybe save some CUCs for an optional activity or two whilst away. Where you choose to eat and drink will impact on your budget. Look for Peso prices at street food diners and cool cafés serving Cuban comfort food. These will be far less than high end tourist restaurants and fancy cocktail bars.
Some casa hosts, especially outside of Havana, will offer to cook you an evening meal for a small fee. This is not only a great way to keep costs down but you'll also get to sample some genuinely delicious home cooked Cuban cuisine. Some casas will also have a garden or a terrace area and there's nowhere better to kick back with a Bucanero beer or home made mojito and listen to cicadas as the sun sets.
Some casa hosts, especially outside of Havana, will offer to cook you an evening meal for a small fee. This is not only a great way to keep costs down but you'll also get to sample some genuinely delicious home cooked Cuban cuisine. Some casas will also have a garden or a terrace area and there's nowhere better to kick back with a Bucanero beer or home made mojito and listen to cicadas as the sun sets.
BEST TIME TO GO
Budget small group or tailor made vacations run year round in Cuba and prices don’t tend to fluctuate too wildly whatever time of year you’re traveling. Cuba is cooler from December to March and drier, too, which means you’ll have every chance of avoiding the crowds as well as the clouds. April, which is springtime, is often considered the best time to go to Cuba. It’s warm and sunny without the humidity and inevitable storms associated with the summer, especially in the southeast of the island. Carnival time in Santiago cranks up the heat in July, as well as the prices, however Havana’s December jazz festival offers a cooler alternative, in every sense.
What do budget Cuban vacations entail?
One of our travelers, Kim Davies, on our budget Cuba cultural tour: “I still can't believe I have been to Cuba and back. I would urge everybody who is thinking of going to Cuba, go and book your vacation now, you will not regret it. We had a fantastic guide and had a lovely time out there. The weather, food, people, music and art, buildings, parks – everything is beautiful.”
Activities
“There’s so much that you can do in Cuba - even on one of our general tours there’s always the option to do adventure activities,” says Clarita. That could include scuba diving and snorkelling in the Bay of Pigs; swimming in waterfalls following a trek through the jungle; horseriding, zip lining and cycling. Less strenuous activities range from gentle walks through tobacco fields or along beautiful beaches, to dancing salsa in Havana.
Getting around
Transport will be by private bus and, if journeys are long distance, domestic flights, which are usually included in the cost of your vacation. Cuba is the biggest Caribbean island by some distance, so some days you may spend up to seven hours on the road. The changing natural scenery is spectacular, but you may also want to bring a book or something to keep you entertained.
Small groups
“Most families will have between two and four rooms”, says Clarita, explaining that groups are usually split between a handful of nearby homestays. This means, logistically, traveling in small groups is essential for staying in casas particulares, which offer a fantastic insight into Cuban home life. Group sizes tend to be limited to 15 travelers, meaning you’ll get to know everyone, especially your local guide.
Cuban culture on a budget
“We couldn't help but get up and dance!” says Rowena Payne, one of our travelers on our budget Cuba cultural tour. “We attracted quite a crowd on the pavement outside, which is down to Cuban peoples' enthusiasm and friendliness.” Spontaneously dancing to a live, four-piece band in a cafe at lunchtime might not be something you can see yourself doing, but that’s because you’ve not been to Cuba.
Music is everywhere in Cuba; it’s the backing track to city life and can be heard from the beaches and blasting on taxi stereos. The soundtrack of brass, bass and plenty of percussion, maybe zesty Cuban jazz or the gentle rhythm of the Rumba beat, is all sure to get you on your feet. “They were outstanding musicians, so inviting and funny,” says Rowena. “We had a wonderful afternoon dancing one Sunday in Camaguey, all locals, all ages and us two sisters dancing with two very delightful and respectful older gentlemen.”
Music is everywhere in Cuba; it’s the backing track to city life and can be heard from the beaches and blasting on taxi stereos. The soundtrack of brass, bass and plenty of percussion, maybe zesty Cuban jazz or the gentle rhythm of the Rumba beat, is all sure to get you on your feet. “They were outstanding musicians, so inviting and funny,” says Rowena. “We had a wonderful afternoon dancing one Sunday in Camaguey, all locals, all ages and us two sisters dancing with two very delightful and respectful older gentlemen.”
Outside Havana the nights were full of music, with live bands in the restaurants and squares.![]()
Havana may be the pulsing heart of the island, but Camaguey citizens are particularly proud of their cultural heritage – the city is home to some of Cuba’s most famous poets, artists and musicians, as well as the celebrated Camaguey ballet. Trinidad feels old-fashioned; saxophone solos float from the colourful balconies of old colonial buildings and salsa bands play to lamplit plazas. Southern Santiago de Cuba is the island at its most Caribbean – it has a different feel, inspired by its French and African influence. Its Noche Santiagüera, a city-wide Saturday night street party, is the perfect opportunity to learn some dance steps from the locals or have a toot on a trumpet.
“Outside Havana the nights were full of music, with live bands in the restaurants and squares,” says Sue Pidgeon, another of our travelers, “as well as the House of Music venue in every town.” The House of Music, or Casa de la Música, is a staple in many cities, where travelers can get involved in any festivities. Music is a great way to meet the islanders.
Cuban homestays
“I really enjoyed the fabulous live music at every turn, the eclectic architecture, the old American cars, and the simple, yet gorgeous food we tasted en route,” says Sandy Schuler, who travelled on one of our budget Cuba cultural tours. “I also liked staying in Cuban guesthouses or ‘casas particulares’ because it allowed me to interact with locals, get a genuine sense of how Cubans live, and practise my rusty Spanish.”
Clarita Derwent, manager at our travel specialists Cuban Adventures, explains that casas particulares came about as a government-driven solution for solving the economic crisis affecting Cuba after the fall of the Soviet Union. “They had to find a way of getting money into the country, because they didn’t have a huge hotel network, so they started this system.” And so, Cuban families offered their spare rooms to tourists at a time when alternatives were few and far between. “It’s the original AirBnb!” says Clarita.
It’s a fantastic way to experience the way Cubans live, meet local people and experience the culture in Cuban homes, an opportunity that would be missed if you only stayed at hotels. “Stopping at the roadside rest stops, talking with locals, connecting with our casa hosts... these were the things I will remember most,” agrees another of our travelers, Michelle Backhurst.
Clarita Derwent, manager at our travel specialists Cuban Adventures, explains that casas particulares came about as a government-driven solution for solving the economic crisis affecting Cuba after the fall of the Soviet Union. “They had to find a way of getting money into the country, because they didn’t have a huge hotel network, so they started this system.” And so, Cuban families offered their spare rooms to tourists at a time when alternatives were few and far between. “It’s the original AirBnb!” says Clarita.
It’s a fantastic way to experience the way Cubans live, meet local people and experience the culture in Cuban homes, an opportunity that would be missed if you only stayed at hotels. “Stopping at the roadside rest stops, talking with locals, connecting with our casa hosts... these were the things I will remember most,” agrees another of our travelers, Michelle Backhurst.
Our guide on this trip, Orlen, was awesome! He spoke openly about the lives and culture of the Cuban people. He brought an understanding that only a local could give.![]()
By booking your stay with an officially licensed tour company that employs local people, you’ll also enjoy hearing tales of their own personal experiences – discovering Cuban markets, ration cards and community farms as you go. “Our guide on this trip, Orlen, was awesome! He spoke openly about the lives and culture of the Cuban people. He brought an understanding that only a local could give,” says our traveler Michelle Backhurst.
“What makes our vacations unique is that all of our staff in Cuba are Cuban, all our tour leaders are Cuban, everywhere we go. We don’t just go, ‘our man in Havana will arrange everything,’ no, we have a local person in every town.” Rather than repeatedly using the same guest houses over and over again, Cuban Adventures’ local coordinators collect a large number of home owners and rotate the group for each tour, to better spread the benefits or tourism throughout every community. “I know other companies that use casas, but no one has the system that we’ve got in place.”
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