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Cuba Travel Guide 2025

by VayCay Couple
in Cuba, Guides, Havana
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A Cuba travel guide to an island of pastel mansions and rum-scented plazas, where rhythm hums through tobacco valleys, coral cays, and ’50s Chevy-lined boulevards.

Written by VayCay Couple – last explored April 2025


Why Cuba sits high on any Caribbean short-list

  • Tourist card now covers 45 days, fee £25 (source: gov.uk).
  • A new Hop-On airport bus reaches Old Havana in 40 minutes, fare 5 CUC.
  • ETECSA eSIM—10 GB for 25 CUC—activates in five minutes at Terminal 3.
  • Viñales national-park entry remains 4 CUC, price unchanged since 2023.

In one week you can sip cane-juice mojitos under Spanish arches, smoke hand-rolled puros beside red-soil farms and snorkel shelves where parrotfish outnumber beach-goers.

Don’t forget to check out our other adventures & guides in the Caribbean:

Dominican Republic Travel Guide

Saona Island Travel Guide

Exploring Punta Cana: A Tropical Paradise

Reading time: 11 minutes.


1. Cruise the Malecón at Golden Hour

Nothing beats a six-kilometre ride along Havana’s wave-splashed boulevard in a cherry-red ’57 Bel Air. Negotiate 25 CUC for 45 minutes; drivers park near Parque Central. Ask for the stop outside Hotel Nacional, sunset paints sea and façades in apricot tones.

Snapshot

DetailNote
Price25 CUC per car
Best light18:30 in July
TipBring small bills—drivers rarely carry change

2. Two Squares, One Story: Habana Vieja

Stand on Plaza de Armas beneath ceiba trees where Havana was founded in 1519. Wander five minutes east and reach Plaza Vieja, a baroque stage for coffee carts and children chasing pigeons. Climb the Cámara Oscura tower (1 CUC) for a 360-degree panorama that rivals drone shots.

Insider hint: Many façades hide inner courtyards open to visitors. Knock, smile and you may see tile murals or a wandering peacock.


3. Havana Highlights at a Glance

• Plaza Vieja rooftop lookout – lift ticket 1 CUC, 10:00-18:00 (source: Plaza Vieja Lifts, +53 7 860 6445)
• Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes – entry 8 CUC, Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00 (source: Trocadero e/ Agramonte, +53 7 863 9483)
• Fábrica de Arte Cubano – cover 5 CUC after 20:00, Wed-Sun (source: Calle 26 y 11, +53 7 838 2260)
• Capitolio walk-through – guide fee 4 CUC, tours hourly 09:00-15:00
• La Bodeguita del Medio – mojito 3 CUC, noon-midnight (source: Empedrado 206)


4. Tobacco Roots in Viñales

ActivityHighlightBooking info
Dry-barn visitWatch curing leaves strung on polesFarmer’s porch, tip 3 CUC
Horseback loopRed-soil trails ringed by limestone mogotesJosé’s Ranch kiosk, 15 CUC two hours
Cueva del Indio boat300 m underground riverTicket hut 5 CUC, 08:30-17:30

Stay in a coral-painted casa on Calle Salvador Cisneros, quiet at dusk yet two minutes’ walk to live son bands.


5. Sun, Sand & Salt: Varadero and the Cays

BeachVibeSnorkelling?Access
Varadero Playa Azul18 km white arc, resort barsPatch reef 75 m offshoreViazul coach 3.5 h
Cayo Santa MaríaCalm shallows, all-inclusive stripsEasy toursDaily link bus Santa Clara
Cayo LevisaRustic huts, hammocksCoral wall 300 m outFerry Palma Rubia 30 min
GuardalavacaFamily sands, grill shacksTour boatsHolguín shuttle 1 h

Photo tip: Frame a sand-speckled bottle of Bucanero beer against the mirror-flat sea at Cayo Levisa, Instagram gold.


6. Casa Particular 101

FeatureProsCons
Breakfast add-onEggs, guava, espresso 4 CUCFixed early hour
Wi-Fi voucherHour card availableSpeed dips at night
Host insightTips on hidden peso cafeteríasLess privacy than a hotel
Price15-35 CUC room for twoCash only

Ask hosts about “paladares” (family eateries). They often reserve a table you’d never spot on Google Maps.


7. Quick Bites & Slow Dinners

StopDishRough price
Doña Eutimia, Habana ViejaRopa vieja + rice5 CUC
La Guarida, CentroRabbit in red wine, rooftop view22 CUC
El Rum Rum de la HabanaOctopus ceviche + live trio12 CUC

Budget meal: Pizza slice at a street “ventanita” costs 0.40 CUC, fold it, eat while walking.


8. Transport Guide

ModeRouteCostTime
Viazul coachHavana – Viñales12 CUC3 h
Taxi colectivoHavana – Trinidad30 CUC seat5 h
FerryPalma Rubia – Cayo Levisa12 CUC30 min
Domestic flightHavana – Santiago110 CUC1 h 35 m

Tip: Reserve Viazul online one month ahead; seats sell out, especially around Revolution Day.


9. Money & Connectivity

  • ATM service charge 5 CUC, withdrawal cap 120 CUC.
  • ETECSA eSIM 10 GB, 25 CUC, valid 30 days.
  • Wi-Fi cards 1.50 CUC an hour; best afternoon speed at Parque Fe del Valle.
  • Cash rules pesos cafés, casas and vintage taxis—carry small bills.

10. Festivals & Events 2025

DateEventWhy go
24-28 JanJazz PlazaStreet jam sessions, theatre gigs
8-12 AprHabano WeekRolling demos, rum pairings
26 JulNational Rebellion DayPlaza military parade, fireworks
18-20 OctBallet FestivalAlicia Alonso theatre premiers
3-10 DecLatin Cinema FestIndie films on Old-Town squares

Book Havana stays early for January jazz week, rooms double during those four nights.


11. 10-Day Cuba Itinerary

DayPlan
1Old Havana stroll, sunset Malecón cruise
2Fábrica de Arte evening, night salsa at Café Cantante
3Coach to Viñales, tobacco barn tour
4Horseback mogote loop, sunset at Mirador Los Jazmines
5Ferry Cayo Levisa, reef snorkel + hammock nap
6Morning boat back, colectivo to Cienfuegos for French-style boulevards
7Bus to Trinidad, live music on Plaza Mayor steps
8Waterfall trek in Topes de Collantes, pottery shop visit
9Viazul to Varadero, afternoon catamaran sail
10Varadero beach morning, Hop-On shuttle airport

12. Budget Breakdown

ShoestringMidComfort (CUC per day)
30 dorm + peso pizza65 casa + bistro plate120 resort + guide
5 city buses15 mixed rides25 classic cab
7 attraction tickets10 mixed fees20 premium shows

Cash target: 400 CUC covers a ten-day shoestring loop including two ferries.


13. Weather & Hurricane Window

MonthTemp °CRain mmCrowd
Jan2455Medium
Apr2765High
Jul3195Peak
Oct28140Low
Dec2560Medium

Hurricane watch stretches June-November. Travel insurance that includes storm disruption is wise.


14. Practical Guide

• Visa: Tourist card sold at airline desk, valid 45 days, £25.
• Plug: Type A/B, 110 V. Universal surge adaptor recommended.
• Safety: Petty theft near late-night bars; violent crime uncommon.
• Water: Buy 1.5 L bottle 0.70 CUC at kiosks.
• Health: Bring SPF 50 and any prescription meds, pharmacies run short outside Havana.
• Language: Simple Spanish phrases win smiles and better taxi rates.

practical cuba guide

Bookmark this guide at VayCay Couple, keep pesos sorted in small bundles and let salsa rhythms steer your steps.


FAQs

Is cash still king? 

Yes. Cards work in upscale hotels yet many cafés, casas and taxis ask for pesos. Bring euros or pounds in small notes for the best exchange rate.

Can I hire a car? 

Yes, though fuel stations outside Havana often empty by noon. Refill early and expect slow traffic on single-lane roads.

How good is the internet? 

Public squares hold hotspots; speed fits messaging but not streaming. Most casas now sell Wi-Fi cards.

Is reef snorkelling safe during storm months? 

Boat captains cancel trips when swell tops one metre. Check sea bulletin at dawn in July-October.

What meal costs under 5 CUC? 

A ropa vieja plate at Doña Eutimia inside Habana Vieja fills any appetite and leaves change for espresso.

How many cigars can I export? 

You may leave with up to fifty hand-rolled sticks without duty tags; bring shop receipt if you pack more.

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