Cuba — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“Old Havana, classic cars, salsa, cigars, and the turquoise Caribbean Sea”
Cuba is a legendary country where time stands still — 1950s classic cars, cigar smoke, and salsa drifting on every street corner. Havana is a World Heritage capital still breathing through its vivid colonial architecture, the Malecón seafront, and the UNESCO-honored Old Havana. There's Trinidad, the colonial town of cobblestone streets and pastel houses, the tobacco fields in the Viñales Valley, and Varadero Beach, 20 kilometers of white sand — the kind of experience you won't find anywhere else.
Cuba at a glance
Choose a city in Cuba
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Cuba right for you?
Why people love Cuba, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Old Havana – World Heritage
Old Havana, the UNESCO-honored Spanish colonial quarter, with colorful baroque buildings, historic squares, and the seafront Malecón.
Iconic classic cars
Colorful 1950s American cars all over the city; hire one to ride around — an atmosphere like nowhere else.
Salsa and rum
Live music and salsa dancing every night, with Cuban rum and original mojitos at legendary bars.
Viñales tobacco fields
The World Heritage Viñales Valley, with traditional tobacco fields, the Cueva del Indio, and views of the mogote hills.
Colonial Trinidad
A World Heritage town of cobblestone streets, pastel houses, a clock tower, and salsa pouring from courtyard bars.
Varadero Beach
20 kilometers of white sand on a peninsula, with turquoise water, resorts, and water sports.
Cuba vs its neighbors
| Cuba | Dominican Republic | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $51–100 | $57–115 | $63–143 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Tourist Card | Visa-free 30 days | Visa-free 180 days |
| Known for | World Heritage · classic cars · salsa | Beaches · resorts · colonial towns | Maya · food · Yucatán beaches |
| Internet | Very limited (Wi-Fi in zones only) | Normal | Normal |
| Payment | Mostly cash | Cards accepted | Cards accepted |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Culture & history
Old Havana, Trinidad, and Viñales — experience the real Cuba, its architecture, music, and way of life over 5–7 days.
See this plan → 🏖️Beach & relaxation
Varadero, all-inclusive resorts, white-sand beaches, diving, and evening music.
See this plan → 💃Music & nightlife
Salsa classes, original mojito bars, and live-music festivals — an atmosphere you won't find anywhere else.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
1 ranked reviewsNo reviews match these filters — try removing some.
- 1🐷
Ropa Vieja
Shredded beef stewed in a tomato and sweet-pepper sauce, served with rice and black beans — the national dish.
📍 National dish - 2🍹
Mojito
Rum, mint, lime, sugar, and soda — the original made at La Bodeguita del Medio in Havana.
📍 Drinks - 3🥃
Daiquiri
The original rum-and-lime cocktail, from El Floridita, the bar Hemingway loved to sit at.
📍 Drinks - 4🍚
Moros y Cristianos
Rice cooked with black beans in one pot, rich in texture and a side for any dish.
📍 Side dish - 5🥘
Caldo Gallego
A white-bean soup with leafy greens and pork — comforting food from the Spanish heritage.
📍 Soup - 6🍬
Turron
A Cuban take on the Spanish nougat-and-nut sweet, soft and sweet, sold at gift shops everywhere.
📍 Dessert
- 1🏛️
Old Havana
The UNESCO-listed Spanish colonial quarter, with the Plaza de Armas, baroque buildings, and the most retro atmosphere in the Caribbean.
📍 World Heritage - 2🌊
Malecón
An 8-kilometer seafront avenue, the meeting place of Havana's residents and the best sunset in the city.
📍 Havana - 3🏘️
Trinidad
A World Heritage colonial town with cobblestone streets, pastel houses, and live salsa every night in old courtyards.
📍 World Heritage - 4🍃
Viñales Valley
A valley of mogote hills, traditional tobacco fields, the Cueva del Indio, and the most beautiful scenery on the island.
📍 World Heritage - 5🏖️
Varadero Beach
20 kilometers of white sand and turquoise water, with top resorts and plenty of water sports.
📍 Varadero - 6🏰
Castillo del Morro
A 16th-century Spanish fortress at the mouth of Havana harbor, with city views and the nightly cannon ceremony.
📍 Havana
🚆 Getting around Cuba
Classic-car taxis
The famous 1950s American cars; agree on the fare first, and tour around Havana or ride to Varadero.
Viazul buses
Tourist buses connecting the main cities — book ahead online or at the station.
Domestic flights
Cubana de Aviación links the main cities (punctuality is unreliable, so leave a buffer).
Horse carts (coches)
Small towns like Trinidad use horse carts as cheap taxis — a wonderfully retro way to get around.
Bikes & car rental
In Viñales, rent a bike or horse to tour the tobacco fields; renting a car with a driver is more convenient.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Cuba
Music is life
Salsa, rumba, and son pour from every doorway; salsa lessons are easy to find all over Havana.
Always carry cash
Many foreign cards (especially US ones) don't work — exchange cash euros or Canadian dollars at the airport.
Limited internet
Wi-Fi is available only in zones (buy an ETECSA card) and is slow — be ready to go offline while you travel.
Classic-car taxis
Always agree on the fare before getting in; yellow taxis (for Cubans) are cheaper than the pretty-colored tourist ones.
Friendly Cubans
People are open and love to chat; sometimes they'll recommend a spot then ask for commission — stay relaxed and smile back.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Casa particular (host's home) $20–43
Stay in casas particulares, eat at local spots, and take Viazul buses — you can save a lot.
Comfortable
🛏️ 3–4★ hotel $51–100
Classic-car taxis, a Viñales tour, good restaurants, and a trip to Trinidad.
Premium
🛏️ Boutique hotel / resort $115+
Varadero resorts, butler service, private tours, and top cigar clubs.
🗓️ When to visit Cuba
Dry season
Dec – AprCool, pleasant weather with little rain and plenty of sun — the best time, easy and comfortable to travel.
Early dry season
Nov – DecThe weather turns cooler, crowds aren't heavy yet, and hotel prices beat peak season.
Wet season
May – OctRain comes in the afternoon, prices are lower, and crowds are thinner (watch for hurricanes Aug – Oct).
Carnival
Jul – AugThe Santiago de Cuba carnival — the liveliest atmosphere of the year (though hot, with some rain).
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Cuba — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.2💑 Great for your trip
★ 9🎒 Great for your trip
★ 8.6👑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Cuba?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Cuba
How many days do you need in Cuba?+
7–10 days — Havana 3 days + Viñales 1 day + Trinidad 2 days + Varadero 2–3 days, covering the main highlights.
Do you need to carry cash? Can you use cards?+
Carry cash (euros or Canadian dollars), as many foreign cards (especially US ones) don't work in Cuba. Exchange money at the airport or a Cadeca in town.
What visa do Thai passport holders need?+
You need a tourist card — check the latest rules with the embassy before you travel.
Does the internet work in Cuba?+
Only in a limited way — Wi-Fi at specific spots (hotels, squares) requires an ETECSA card, which is cheap but slow. Be ready to go offline and download maps before you set out.
Tips before you go to Cuba
- Exchange cash (euros or Canadian dollars) at a Cadeca at the airport — don't rely on credit cards.
- Book Viazul buses ahead; the Havana–Trinidad route fills up fast in high season.
- Stay in a casa particular (homestay) — cheap and a taste of the real Cuba.
- Always agree on the fare for a classic-car taxi before getting in.
- Download offline Maps.me maps before you go, since the internet is limited.
- Take a 1-hour intro salsa lesson in Havana — great value, and the schools are happy to welcome visitors.