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!

Our 5 Favorite Methods of Backpacker Transport in Cuba

Getting around in Cuba isn’t just a fun way to mix it with the locals; it’s a full on adventure of flagging down old Soviet trucks converted into buses and chasing down beaten up ’57 Chevys as they rush through crowded Havana streets.

After traveling around Cuba for four weeks we can happily say that we avoided the painfully expensive Viazul bus, and instead opted for the more authentic and exciting options on offer in Cuba. Here’s a list of our top 5 backpacker transport choices to help you truly experience Cuba!

Classic Car Taxis

Everybody knows the classic cars of Cuba. From perfectly restored 57’ Chevys bussing around tourists, to beaten up 58’ Plymouths sputtering their stuff around Havana. While the image of Cuba being nothing but old classics isn’t exactly true (with many new cars coming from Asia), there are still a lot of them around. In the street you can jump in any one of the cars that displays a ‘taxi’ sign, and probably a few that don’t as well. They also operate as colectivos where you can share a ride, squished in with as many as ten other people in a five seater. From short shuttles around Havana to cross country adventures, all around the country you’ll find these classic cars. If you’re brave enough, and have the cash, we recommend renting your own Cuban classic to hit the streets solo.

Converted Dump Trucks

Remember when you used to play with trucks in the sand? You’d load up the back of your mini dump truck and then transport it on the other side of the sand pit. Now replace the sand with tightly packed in Cubans, and you’ve pretty much got this in a nutshell. They came in a couple of different styles, each more fascinating than the last. The first time we rode one it was like stepping into the back of a simple old dump truck. There was a rusty old roof frame welded onto the side, with a tattered tarp and a couple of bars to hold onto as you stood up. On the flip side, one time we got picked up in a truck that had beautifully upholstered couches bolted to the floor with a TV looping Spider-Man movies.

Amarillo

Amarillo in Spanish means yellow, so when we heard about traveling by the ‘yellow’ we were a little confused. However, sure enough, there was a ridiculously simple explanation. People stand on the side of the road, at junctions, and help you find passing transport. And… they wear yellow jumpsuits. After a few weeks of traveling by amarillo we were still pretty confused about the exact process, but hey, it worked for us. You’d tip the amarillo a sum of 1MN (4 cents) for their service, told them where you were going and they’d flag someone down for you. It could be a bus, a dump truck, a wagon or it could just be someone’s car. Different number plate colors in Cuba indicate different types of cars. Government cars by law are supposed to pick up people requiring a lift if they have space, but it doesn’t always work out like that. Once you get a ride you need to work out a price for your desired destination, but if you find out a rough price before getting in it always makes negotiations a lot easier.

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking in Cuba isn’t any more dangerous than other parts of Latin America, if anything it’s safer. However, it is a little more difficult. There is definitely an expectation of payment when it comes to getting a lift with strangers. Most locals are used to paying something for a lift (like through the amarillo), so they’ll expect something off you. In fact, if you don’t speak perfect Spanish, don’t look Cuban and you’re carrying a backpack, they’ll pick you as a traveler and may even charge you extra. Ask locals what the standard price should be and stick to your principals; there’ll always be more chances.

Public Buses

We’ve already talked about the brilliance of public buses in Cuba. They’re cheap, safe, fun and super packed! The public buses are a subsidized government service, so they cost almost nothing! They’re so cheap that when you pay, sometimes you don’t even get change because they don’t make denominations that small. While the buses don’t travel long distances, they did save us a lot of money when getting around town. Havana has a bunch of lines that intertwine through the city and ensure all locations are accessible.

What was your favorite backpacker transport in Cuba? Drop us a comment below of find us on Facebook and Twitter!

If you’ve heard anything about Cuba along your travels there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Cuban cigars. If not, I’m sure you’ve seen the iconic photos. Fidel Castro, or Che Guevera, defiantly blowing off the U.S with big 10” cigars hanging out of their mouths, puffing away at press conferences or hanging out of an old Soviet tank.

Cuban cigars are by far one of Cuba’s most notable exports, along with quality rum and a big F.U to the Capitalist World. As a non-smoker I didn’t really see the big deal about cigars, until I got to Cuba. While I’m definitely not converted, I can say I enjoyed a couple of the smoother Romeo y Julieta’s over a few rums.

While we were in Cuba we really wanted to understand the phenomenon behind these famous cigars, and what better way to fully experience the cigar life than walking inside one of the government operated factories. We took the opportunity while passing by Santa Clara, also famous for being the final resting place of Che Guevera.

The cigar factory in Santa Clara is located only a short walk from the center of town. Upon arrival we were met by a friendly receptionist who confidently, and authoratively, told us to leave our bags and DSLRs behind a tiny front desk. “No fotos”, she said, and went on to explain that government regulations restrict any informal media access. Hesitantly we obliged, but we wondered if they’d still be there when we get back. Not that we didn’t trust the workers, but when our cameras combined equal about 5 Cuban years of salary it’s hard not to see the opportunist temptation.

The tour itself was pretty basic. Far from exploring the whole factory, instead we were ushered into a big hall close to the entrance. Before we entered the hall we could hear the same rhetoric looping over the radio promoting the success of the revolution. When we stepped inside the hall we were immediately hit with a strong whiff of tobacco. All around the room rows upon rows of wooden desks were assembled, with sturdy wooden chairs and even sturdier workers.

Two hundred and fifty Cubans of all ages, shapes and sizes were vigorously pumping out cigars. Fingers delicately working away like finely tuned pianists. They chattered among the buzz of other workers, but always remained busy. From any area in the factory socialist propaganda posters could be seen. On the main wall a big poster of Fidel states, “Those without jobs, are the lazy people letting the country down”. A simple reminder to the workers that being unemployed is not an option.

We asked our tour guide a few questions about working hours, average pay and the different types of cigars. From what we learned, a job in a cigar factory is among one of the best in Cuba. Each worker is assigned a number, and every cigar can be tracked back to an individual worker for quality testing. Cigar making is incentive based, and if you’re good at your job you can expect to be rewarded for it. While the average wage is around $25-$30 CUC a month, with the moneda nacional incentive bonus someone could make up to $45 a month.

Next we moved onto some of the workers, asking them questions about their work, but careful not to pry too much or to be offensive. Most workers appeared pretty happy. They work Monday to Friday, and every second Saturday. Shifts start at 7am and finish at 4pm, with a half hour break and an hour lunch included. There’s also an on-site kitchen where the workers are fed for 1MN (equivalent of 4c).

Getting a job at the factory is usually through family recommendations or people you know. After 9 months of training you’re finally ready to hit the floor. With over 100 different brands and sizes, the workers get trained how to mix the tobacco leaves to make specific cigars and work that same recipe for a month before switching.

After about half an hour of idle chitchat our guide finally called an end to the tour. We thanked the workers we’d chatted with and headed towards the exit. Just before we went to collect our bags a small feeling of anxiety hit us. We’d forgotten all about our cameras being out in the open. Hurriedly we made our way back to the entrance, only to find a smiling guard watching over our bags until we returned. “Todo bien”, he said, and we couldn’t agree more.

We left the cigar factory satisfied that our investigation had been met. For us it’s still a strange concept to think that someone sitting on their butt all day rolling cigars can make more than a doctor, but this is Cuba, and things don’t always make sense.

Are you a fan of Cuban cigars? Got any other questions? Drop us a comment below of find us on Facebook and Twitter!

 The sleepily seductive town of Viñales could surprise you as being a quiet spot on the Cuba trail if you happened to be anywhere other than the main street. While the calle principal, main street, is jam packed full of tourist restaurants, fancy casa particulares and live music venues, the rest of the town is comparatively low key. One only needs to turn down a backstreet, or wanderer off the track, to realize just how natural this popular tourist location is.

Carrying a backpack? Look like a tourist? Yes? Then you will get bombarded with taxi offers, tour proposals and eager restaurants, but compared to big city Havana it’s like a drop in the ocean. The best thing about Viñales is that because all the businesses are highly condensed along the main street, it’s only a small section you’ll need to tolerate before you get some peace again.

For us the best thing about Viñales was the stunning landscape views of luscious green fields and scenic mountains. There are a number of walking, horseback, cave and tobacco tours on offer, with tobacco plantations being the main draw card depending on the season. In case you’re unaware, Cuba produces some of the world’s best quality cigars, with over 100 different brands and sizes. And it’s at Viñales that a lot of the premium tobacco grows to produce one of Cuba’s finest exports.

Unfortunately when we visited the tobacco growing was out of season, but that didn’t stop us from mixing it with the local farmers and finding out all about this famous tobacco region. We ditched the town tours and took ourselves out to all the tourist attractions. Stopping by at random houses, getting invited in by locals and chatting away.

Viñales is a fun town packed with adventure, history, fine food and lovely people. It’s got a cooler temperament than the capital, not just in the weather, but in the people too. Laid back country folk rock on wicker chairs on their front porch, selling guava smoothies or egg sandwiches to passing by locals and tourists alike. Here’s just a few of the awesome things to do in Viñales.

Adventure in Viñales

Explore the Santo Tomas caves (Cuevos de Santo Tomás) in the town of El Moncado. This impressive cave structure is the largest in all of Cuba, with 46kms of caves running through 8 different levels. You’ll only get to see a small section of it, and it may not be the most thrilling cave exploration (sorry extreme cavers), but it offers a little fun for all ages . Ditch the $20+ tour price from Viñales and make your own way out there by hitchhiking or local bus. Admission to the cave costs $10 with a bilingual guide, 90min tour and headlamp.

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Take a nice half hour walk to the ‘prehistoric wall painting’ at dos hermanas. While the painting itself is a little over-rated the sheer size of it is pretty incredible. Skip the $1 entry fee to get up close, you can take all the pictures you need from a far. While you’re out that way follow the signs to the el mirador, the lookout, which is another 20mins into the countryside. It’s got a cracking view from the top of the surrounding scenery.

Jump on a horse! Horseback tours are a very popular way to get around the Viñales countryside, but we decided to give them a miss. If it’s something you’re interested in doing please do it the right thing and check out the conditions of the horses and how they’re treated. Some tours keep naturally roaming horses on call, while others have less regard for the horse and more for the money.

Tobacco tours are what it’s all about. Almost year round (apart from when we were there) there are genuine tours running that take tourists to see where it all begins. See how they grow and tend to the crops, before they store and dry them. Even in the off season you’ll see thatched roof huts along the countryside that are designed to dry out the leaves before they get carted off to tobacco factories all around Cuba. We were unlucky to miss the season, but we did make a local friend who invited us on a tour of his farm to check out how he makes his living.

It seems that over the past few years, Cuba has become a hot spot destination for travelers from all over the world. It could be the allure of the country’s colorful classic cars, the old school architecture or it’s vibrant Latin culture; whatever the draw is, Cuba is hot right now! But despite it’s boom on social media and travel blogs, Cuba still remains a grey area for Americans in terms of legality.

Restrictions on travel to Cuba is a confusing subject matter that changes faster than you can say cuba libre. 

Disclaimer: We’re travelers, not lawyers. Always be sure to do additional research and consult with a travel agent or lawyer if you’re unsure about your legal status as an American traveling to Cuba.

Is it illegal for Americans to go to Cuba?

In a word – yes. It has been an everchanging restriction since Obama took office in the US and started easing up on restrictions for visiting Cuba. Obama allowed 12 legal categories for travel to Cuba. One of these, called “people to people” trips, granted special visas to groups like school groups, choirs, religious orgs, etc. This is how Jay-Z and Beyonce famously visited Cuba legally. They went with a museum foundation and their trip was tailored to meet certain education requirements.

Since Trump has taken office he has putting the restrictions back into place. In June 2019, Trump banned US-based cruise companies from docking in Cuban ports. As recently as October 2019, Trump has restricted flights from the US to any Cuban city except Havana. His administration is also eliminating people to people trips. As of October 2019, 11 of the legal categories of travel are still in effect. This includes family visits, professional research, school trips, journalism, athletic competitions and other organized trips. 

The most popular, and perhaps most ambiguous, is the “support of Cuban people” license. You don’t need to actually apply for one of these categories, they’re simply guidelines to better understand whether your trip is technically legal or not. When you travel under one of these categories, you’re supposed to only be traveling to Cuba for that specific reason. Any tourist activities that fall outside that category (ie. sightseeing, beach hopping) are not allowed. 

Click here! A Must Read For All Americans!

But can’t you be fined thousands of dollars and get thrown into jail?

Technically you could face a $250,000 fine and 10 years in jail for violating the law. Okay, that’s enough to make anyone sweat during customs, but in reality the law is rarely enforced. Obviously if you plan on going illegally through Mexico, you have to take this at your own risk. 

 

 

But won’t I have a Cuban stamp in my passport?

Not necessarily, but it is possible. When you arrive in Cuba (and this goes for everyone, not just Americans) the customs officer can stamp a small piece of paper and staple it into your passport. When you leave they simply take it out and your passport is clear of all Cuban evidence.

The only catch is that when you return to Mexico, or wherever you flew from, you will now have two entry stamps in your passport from that country. If you are super paranoid, I’ve heard of people asking the customs official to not re-stamp your passport, but I think that’s a bit over the top. When you get back to the States immigration would have to examine your passport, check each stamp and compare dates. And let’s face it, they don’t really care that much.

Also, even if you do get your passport stamped, because Cuba travel is becoming more legalized it really isn’t an issue. On our second trip to Cuba in 2016 I actually got my passport stamped on the way through to the US… immigration didn’t even bat an eyelid. Read more about it by clicking our How to Legally Travel to Cuba as an American graphic above.

How Does the Money Work?

Unsurprisingly, the US government has a block on any US debit and credit cards, so don’t show up with just your MasterCard or Visa.  We traveled from Cancun to Cuba, so before leaving I withdrew a large amount of Mexican pesos and exchanged them in Havana. The exchange rate is decent, but Euros, Pounds or Canadian dollars are better. You can bring American money, but they tack on an extra 10% charge when exchanging American dollars, so it works out at a terrible rate.

 

 

Can you fly from the US to Cuba?

Unfortunately, buying flights to Cuba is not as easy now that the US has started to increase their restrictions for travel. You can still buy tickets, but non-stop tickets are rare. 

Cuba Flight Booking Guide

Do Cubans Like Americans?

Cuba & the US have a rocky history, and a shaky present for that matter. The history is long and complicated (for a quick summary I suggest Wikipedia) and I won’t get into my personal views on our diplomatic relations in Cuba, but I can tell you from personal experience that Americans usually feel very welcome in Cuba. Locals are very interested to hear about life in the States and it’s unlikely you’ll feel prejudice for being American. And the bottom line is that American tourists bring in money, so they welcome us with open arms.

 

Internet Censorship in Cuba

One thing that is difficult about traveling to Cuba is not only accessing the Internet, but also being able to access your content and data securely and unrestricted. According to Reporters Without Borders, Cuba has some of the tightest Internet restrictions and censorship around the world, particularly for the local population. During our time in Cuba we didn’t experience too many instances where our Internet was restricted, but we were heavily concerned about the use and security of our private data that is heavily monitored by the Cuban government. To bypass any potential censorship issues, and concerns about data security and privacy, we always ensure we have a good VPN service to help bypass Internet censorship and ensure safe data encryption when accessing private information like online banking and social media accounts. We’d recommend a company like ExpressVPN for helping you get set up with a simple VPN service to ensure your data stays your own when visiting Cuba.

 

 

But isn’t Cuba an oppressive communist country ran by a tyrannical dictator and aren’t you a traitor to America for traveling there??

Well, I suppose this is a personal decision you have to make before traveling to Cuba. I won’t speak of the pros and cons of a communist state but I will say that many friends and other travel bloggers absolutely love Cuba. The people are incredibly friendly, many people safer there than anywhere in Central America, and it would be a loss to avoid Cuba only because of the biased stereotypes depicted in American media.

Side Note: For the sake of clarity in my writing and making this article easy to search in Google I have used the term “American” to reference US travelers. Cuba is, of course, part of the Americas and I apologize if I have offended anyone by limiting this term.

Updated January 2017 after our second four week trip to Cuba in mid-2016 and sending writers to Cuba in late 2016. All information is based on our own personal travel experiences and investigations to provide you with the most up-to-date Cuba information.

Backpacking in Cuba Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult

Cuba, the land of misguided myths and unreasonable rumors. Before we traveled to Cuba we’d already developed a distorted view of what to expect. Stories and information we’d come across told tales of money drama, illegal tourist activities, high priced living and danger.

We’ve now traveled to Cuba twice! Both times for four weeks, once in late 2013 and also in mid-2016. During our trips to this classic Caribbean country we found that these misconceptions couldn’t be further from the truth. Here are some of our favorite myths that we’ve managed to crack wide open!

Cost of Travel in Cuba is Expensive

Wow did we hear this one frequently from fellow travelers, forums and all kinds of mismatched information. This myth is partly true, but mostly fiction. What we found out early is that Cuba has a very evident class system when it comes to the tourists and the locals. The disproportion of costs between local prices (in Cuban Pesos) and the tourist prices (in CUC) is the biggest we’d ever come across. But it doesn’t have to be expensive if you travel and live like a local in Cuba.

With a little investigation we found that Cuba was the cheapest country we’d traveled through in all of Latin America. The first time we visited in 2013 we were on a bit more of a budget. With accommodation, transport, activities, the odd liter of rum, nights out and food we were spending about $100 a week each, (which isn’t hard when you can eat like a boss with incredibly cheap street food.).

We were traveling light and tight, but we didn’t miss out on any of the action. Sometimes we needed to work a little harder to keep the spending down, but it gave us a great insight into the country.

We traveled Cuba as authentic as we could and we were rewarded with a rich understanding of the country. That’s one of the best things about traveling like a local, you really get to see and experience the country as they do and not from the inside of a hotel and organized tour.

{ Not $3 for 700ml, try 3 Cuban pesos! Equal to 12 cents! Try finding the local brewery trucks for the cheapest beer in the world }

Public Transport in Cuba in Illegal for Tourists

Before we traveled to Cuba we’d heard it was illegal for tourists to take public transport. Once again it’s another myth busted. In fact, not only is public transport a convenient and a great way to engage local life, but it’s INCREDIBLY cheap. I mean practically free. A ride around a local bus cost between 0.20MN-0.40MN or the equivalent of ONE USD PENNY. That’s right, one penny to take public transport. Now all you need to do is work out which bus to get on? How’s that for authentic Cuba!

The network of buses in Havana that buzz around can be daunting, but wrestle your way onto the bus (literally wrestle because the buses get super crowded) and eagerly await the mad rush at each stop. As well as buses there are also a number of transport options to see this amazing country.

{ Take local taxis and buses to experience authentic Cuban life }

Viazul Buses Are The Only Long Distance Transport

Another completely erroneous rumor that is trying to encourage your use of the Viazul bus company around Cuba. While you may not think it’s much to pay $20 to ride to Trinidad, when you can do it for $3 you have to wonder what you’re paying for. Granted the Viazul ride is a lot smoother, less hassle and gets you there faster, but where is the excitement and adventure in that?

Cuba is an intricate labyrinth of transport methods all waiting for you to explore. And not only that, but it’s real Cuba! You get to travel like the locals and experience authentic Cuban life. The only difficult part is negotiating the trips and finding which particular truck, car, combi, van, camioneta, bus or wah-wah will take you there. Or you could take the train in Cuba, an authentic experience like no other!

{ Why take Viazul when you can ride in this luxury fitted truck? }

Is Cuba Dangerous?!

Like a lot of weary Western travelers it’s easy to understand why there may be a perception that Communist Cuba might be full of menacing dictators and ruthless regimes. However, contrary to the thought, Cuba is by far the safest country we have traveled in throughout all our time on the road. With less guns on the street and harsher sentences for crimes, it’s no surprise that Cuba has a lower crime rate against tourists compared to other parts of Latin America.

Due to the US embargo on Cuba, the Cuban government relies heavily on tourism as a source of income. In fact it’s their number 1 export, and an area that they put a lot of work into protecting. Because of this, street violence and thefts are dealt with by the full force of the government.

One night we were hanging out with some locals down at the Malecon in Havana when a couple of police officers came down and started hassling the locals for IDs and telling them to leave us alone. Worried that we might get taken for a ride or robbed they almost locked our new buddies up. After numerous explanation they eventually understood that we were now friends and they left us alone, although not without keeping a keen eye on us.

While there’s always going to be the exception from an opportunist thief, Cuba is so safe that we were walking around the back streets of Havana at 12am with our DSLRs around our necks. As always treat all situations with a bit of street wit and common sense, but across the board we couldn’t have found Cuba safer. Especially after almost 2 years backpacking in Mexico, South and Central America it was a refreshing way to end a long trip without constantly being on guard. Cubans are also super friendly and are always interested in having a chat. They’ll tell you all the secrets of the city if you give them the time.

Cuban Currency is Hard to Get

Once again we’re not sure why this rumor was getting around, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Any time you take your foreign currency into a cadeca (money exchange house) you’ll exchange your foreign money for Cuban Covertible Pesos (CUC). The exchange rate is based off the US dollar, so it’s one for one.

Once you’ve received your CUC currency just ask the cashier to exchange a little bit into Moneda Nacional (Cuban Pesos). Here the exchange rate can change, but is generally around 25 Cuban Peso for every Cuban Convertible (XE.com is the best way to check). If you’re planning on budget travel they’re the only currency you want to have stocked. Street food, local transport, Cuban restaurants and everything else you’ll need to keep the costs down and the experiences genuine.

{ With some Cuban pesos you can buy delicious egg rolls for 10 cents. Something we ate almost every morning! }

These debunked myths are just a few of the things we learned through our Cuba travels, but there is still so much we can help share with you. Throughout the rest of our Cuba articles we hope to show you just how much of an amazing country Cuba is and to help encourage you to strip back those preconceived ideas and get yourself to this incredible country. If you are looking for an authentic experience like no other than we highly recommend you check out The Authentic Cuba Travel Guide below. A resource that we’ve put together to make you travels to Cuba exciting, memorable and as authentic as they get!