Backpackers and Budget Guide to Cuba

The number of backpackers that visit Cuba on an annual basis has skyrocketed in recent years, on account of the inexpensive accommodation, food, and transport facilities.

Once you get to the island, this is a very affordable country to travel and explore and offers a new exciting option for those of you who have already done Thailand, India, Vietnam, and the other locations on the backpack circuit.

Cuba was more expensive to get to in the past, but with the increase in air traffic to the island, in order to keep up the fast-expanding tourism industry, more airlines and tour operators are offering more affordable flights to Cuba.

This makes Cuba an attractive location for students and makes for a very interesting, relaxing, fun, and relatively safe destination.

Below are some ways to keep the costs down in Cuba as a backpacker. As always, we would love also to hear your tips!

Cheap Accommodation

The best places to stay in terms of affordable accommodation are in what is termed ‘Casas Particulares’ and which are the closest thing you will find to a youth hostel or backpackers hang-out.

Casas particulares in effect are privately rented rooms in a house or apartment, often by locals, and there are often 4 or 6 beds available in a room with bunk beds.

They are kind of like mini-privately run youth hostels you might say. Sometimes it will be just one room or one bed on offer so it is more like a B&B stay.

Overall casas particulares are a cross between a youth hostel, home-stay and a B&B!

The great thing from a backpacker’s point of view about this form of accommodation is that it tends to be a very cheap and inexpensive way to stay in Cuba.

You also get the added benefit of mixing with the locals and really get a better chance to experience Cuban culture.

These rooms are quite widely available and in recent years have been adapted to suit the needs of budget travelers and backpackers.

Cheap Food

Another feature that you will no doubt appreciate as a backpacker and will enjoy in Cuba is the food which is inexpensive, tastes great, and comes in decent portions.

The cuisine in Cuba is heavily influenced by African, Spanish and Caribbean cooking styles, and usually consists of dishes containing plantain, pork, rice and black beans.

Creole food is available at paladere or private dwellings, which is the most economical way of eating in Cuba.

Adventure

Most of us backpackers are looking for some adventure. some fun and the chance to explore.

Cuba has it all, from the sun-drenched beaches you see in tropical holiday advertisements, through to the lush green rural area of the Vinales Valley.

In the valleys you can try horse riding, rambling through the countryside or visit the famous caves in this area. In the coastal resorts on the other hand, you can have your first ever attempt at water sports such as scuba-diving (or study to get your diving teachers license), or go kayaking.

Mountain treks, rock climbing and scuba diving are also popular activities.

Do be warned that these activities are not actually that cheap to do, because one thing the tour companies and local businesses and government realised is these types of activities are one way to really monetarise income from tourism.

Transport

Getting around Cuba can be really very cheap if you use the local transportation rather than the organised tourist tour coaches.

cuba-culture.com/local-transport/(opens in a new tab)

Viazul (the Cuban coach service) is a very good way to get around between airports, resorts and the main cities. If you are staying in a resort style area for any amount of time, then buy a second hand bicycle or rent one say for a month (if you can get a good deal).

Cycling is a popular way of getting around, given the difficulty many locals face in affording fuel to run cars.

Cuba Travel Insurance

Make sure also that you have backpacker travel insurance if heading to Cuba because, whilst the health care system is the best in the world for certain diseases, hospitals still lack many important machines and medical equipment.

For any serious medical emergency you may wish to be repatriated.

Cuba does also suffer hurricanes on rare occasions and, whilst a very safe country in relative terms, you can be the victim, if you are really unlucky, of minor crimes such as theft.

As with all international travel, our advice is to make sure you are insured.

The Cuban government now in fact expect you to have insurance documents on arrival when landing.

Extra Ideas

• Budgets – I personally found that GBP 25 was enough to manage on per day.
• Do not forget that there are two currencies. These are the CUC and the CUP (The CUC is linked directly to the U.S. dollar and is the one you will most often end up using).
• Groups – If you are travelling as a few people, a small or large group, you can quite often negotiate a discount in Cuba when staying in private accommodation.