How to visit Havana on a budget

07.01.2024 - 16:27 / lonelyplanet.com / Art

Navigating Havana’s confusing dual economy can be a tricky proposition, even for Cubans.

But visiting on a budget is possible, it's just a matter of being flexible and acquiring a basic understanding of the local mecánica (Cuban way of doing things).

We've got the lowdown on the tips and advice you need to manage your money in the Cuban capital.

Flying is the only practical way of getting to Havana from outside Cuba. Book well in advance through a reputable agency if you want to snag a reasonable deal – some package deals combining flights and hotels can bring hefty discounts. Off-season (April to June, September and October) generally has the cheapest rates.   

Peak season in Havana runs from November to March, and you can expect hotel rates to be at least 10% higher, nudging up to 25% higher around Christmas and New Year. Your best bet for a bargain is between Easter and late June or September and October.

Caveats come with traveling at these times – most notably the weather, though Havana's rain is rarely constant, and big storms only hit every four or five years.

Bedding down in one of Havana’s private homestays, known as casas particulares, nearly always works out cheaper than a hotel – plus, you’ll invariably be offered warm, informal service and candid insight into Cuban life.

In Havana, a decent double room can cost as little as US$30 a night, compared to the US$400 you might pay in one of the city’s best five-star hotels.

Thousands of casas particulares are spread around the metro area, and most owners accept payment in euros, Canadian dollars or British pounds, meaning you won’t lose out on changing money.

While state-run restaurants might be cheap, they nearly always serve lower-quality food with limited menus and apathetic service. Budget travelers should consider eating in their casa particular, where it’s possible to save money without sacrificing food quality.

Substantial casa breakfasts with eggs, toast, coffee and fruit typically cost the equivalent of US$5, and hearty home-cooked dinners start at around US$10.

All over Havana, but particularly in Habana Vieja, bars and restaurants regularly host live music, and it’s usually of excellent quality.

The most you’ll be asked to pay to listen to these ultra-talented musicians is the price of a drink, plus whatever tip you decide to leave in the hat, basket or jar afterward.

Havana is brimming with art and culture, and many of its private galleries are free to enter. Something bizarre and interesting is always happening at El Ojo del Ciclón, the artistic lair of Leo D'Lázaro.

Well-known Cuban actor and painter Jorge Perugorría owns Galería-Taller Gorría in the San Isidro district and offers an endless conveyor belt of fine contemporary exhibits. 

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