In planning mode - how much budget should I keep in mind for Cuba - any experiences?
For a luxury traveler, Cuba can easily exceed $150 a day. Staying in a high-end hotel in Varadero or Havana can be over $200 a night. Private taxis are the norm, which cost around $80 for a day trip. Meals at upscale, tourist-oriented restaurants can be $30-$50 per person. Activities like private sailing tours or exclusive resort access will push your budget even higher. The lack of reliable internet and inconsistent service can make a luxury trip challenging, but it is certainly possible if you're willing to pay for it.
My experience in Cuba was a bit more focused on authentic experiences, and I’d recommend a budget of about $50 a day. I stayed at places like Hostal Corazón del Mundo in Havana for about $30 a night and ate at small, family-run restaurants. The cheapest way to get around is the colectivo or shared taxi. A ride across Havana can be as cheap as $1. My biggest expenses were day trips and tours, like a tobacco farm tour for about $15. Budget for a few mojitos, which are only about $3.
I found a mid-range budget of about $75 a day to be perfect for my trip to Cuba. It allowed me to stay in comfortable casas particulares for around $40-50 a night and take more convenient shared taxis (colectivos) between cities. A ride from Havana to Viñales is about $20. I also had the flexibility to eat at more established restaurants and enjoy activities like classic car tours for about $25 per hour. Bring plenty of cash in a stable currency like Euros or Canadian dollars, as credit cards are not widely accepted.
Traveling in Cuba is a unique experience and your budget depends entirely on how you travel. For a backpacker, a daily budget of $40-$60 is realistic. The key is staying in casas particulares (private homes), which are super affordable at around $25-35 a night. For food, eat at local paladares or street food stalls, where a full meal can be as little as $5. Transportation on local buses is extremely cheap, but be prepared for them to be slow and crowded. Don't forget to budget for internet cards (ETECSA) which cost around $1 per hour.