Cuba on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes: Cuba can be done on a budget of about US$60 per person per day (bed US$18, food US$20, sights US$10, transport US$10) if you stay in casas particulares and use Viazul buses. Bring enough cash, as you cannot rely on cards.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$18 | US$40 | US$120 |
| Food & drink | US$20 | US$35 | US$70 |
| Sights & tickets | US$10 | US$25 | US$50 |
| Local transport | US$10 | US$25 | US$60 |
| Per person, per day | US$58 | US$125 | US$300 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Cuba day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walk Old Havana's four squares: Plaza de Armas, Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de San Francisco and Plaza Vieja
- Sunset on the Malecón sea wall with the habaneros
- Fusterlandia, the mosaic neighbourhood in Jaimanitas (tips welcome)
- Rumba at the Callejón de Hamel on Sunday around midday
- The Los Jazmines viewpoint over the Viñales valley
- Trinidad's cobbled streets around the Plaza Mayor and the Casa de la Música steps
Cheap eats
- Casa particular breakfast, a few US dollars
- Farmhouse-style casa dinner of pork, rice, beans and salad in Viñales, about US$10–15
- Paladar dinner, about US$15–25
- Street pizza and sandwiches sold for pesos, very cheap
- Lobster or shrimp in a Trinidad paladar, about US$15–25
Where to sleep for less
Stay in casas particulares, private rooms in family homes: about US$25–45 a double in Centro Habana and US$30–60 in Trinidad and Viñales. Look for the blue anchor-shaped sign and choose places with backup power if you can.
Getting around cheaply
Viazul buses are the cheapest way between towns (Havana–Viñales about US$15–20, Havana–Trinidad about US$25–30); in Havana, walk, use bicitaxis or shared almendrones on fixed routes. From the airport, there is no reliable bus, so share a taxi (about US$25–35).
A sample budget day
- Morning: Walk Old Havana's squares (free) after a casa breakfast, about US$5
- Lunch: Street sandwich or pizza, a few dollars
- Afternoon: Capitolio area and the Museo de la Revolución (a few dollars)
- Evening: Malecón sunset, paladar dinner about US$15–20 and free live music in a bar off Obispo
- Total: about US$60 with a shared casa double
More ways to save
- Bring all the cash you will need in euros or US dollars, plus a margin for emergencies.
- Book casas directly through hosts or recommendations from previous hosts.
- Travel between towns on Viazul and book a few days ahead.
- Carry snacks and water on transfers; shops along the way may be empty.
- Skip expensive hotel bars and drink mojitos in local bars.
- Buy cigars only in official shops to avoid fakes and confiscation.
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Common questions
Can you backpack Cuba?
Yes: about US$60 a day per person with casas particulares, casa meals and Viazul buses.
Are casas particulares cheaper than hotels?
Usually much cheaper (about US$25–45 a double in Havana) and often better, with hosts who arrange transport and meals.
Is a colectivo worth the extra cost?
Often yes: it is faster than Viazul, picks you up at your casa and runs when buses are sold out.