If you haven’t been able to tell by now, we’re in love with Cuba. In all of our travels it’s definitely got to be in our top three favorite countries. Cuba is full of vibrant culture, soulful music, rich history and amazingly cheap street food. And while not everything we ate in Cuba was a winner, there were certainly a lot of super budget choices for the super budget backpacker. Out of all the street food in Cuba here’s our take on the top choices.
Food in Cuba
Street Pizza
Hands down the best budget street food in Cuba. In basically every street shop window around the country you’ll find people cooking up these doughy cheesy delights. Individual cheese pizzas cost between 5-10 pesos (20-40 cents), depending on the town. There’s also meat options for all the carnivores. TIP: To add some variety buy tomatoes, onion and avocado from the markets and put them on top.
Egg sandwiches
The best on-the-go street breakfast in Cuba. The simplicity here is the real winner. A fried egg in a plain white roll. The cheapest we found, while staying in the town of Viñales, cost 2 Cuban pesos (8 cents), but they’re equally cheap around the country. You can mix it up a bit with ham or cheese, but the cheapest option was the best for us. TIP: Smash 4-5 in the morning before long distance travel to hold you over.
Fresh yoghurt
Fresh home made yoghurt for 3 pesos (12 cents) in Santa Clara was the best budget option we discovered. You can buy it in bulk (pretty much an old water bottle) or enjoy a chilled glass on the porch of a stranger, who is all too happy to enjoy an afternoon chat. TIP: Bring your own clean bottle for takeaways.
Drinks in Cuba
Batidos
For a sugary fresh pick up you can’t go past blended fruit milkshakes for 3 pesos a pop (12 cents). Batidos vary in flavors, usually papaya or guava, and are the best thing to refresh a tired body from walking around all day. TIP: Try to limit yourself. They’re super addictive!
Cheap Cuban Beer
What would a budget list be without a way to find the cheapest booze. Apart from the cheap options on sale from the pesos stores, you can also find pop up brewing trucks that cruise around town and fill up 1.5 litres of home brew for 7 pesos (30 cents). It’s not the best, but it gets the job done! TIP: prepare to have a wicked hangover!
One Peso Cuban Coffee
Speaking of hangovers, here’s a way to kick them. One peso coffee (4 cents) can be bought all over Cuba. It comes premixed with lots of sugar, and you only get a mouthful, but at that price it’ll do the trick. TIP: pace yourself. The caffeine and sugar will have you bouncing off the walls!
