In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Cuba
Havana
La Habana
Havana is a cash-and-slack city: do the old squares and the Capitolio in the morning, keep a cool midday, carry enough cash for the whole stay, and treat power cuts and fuel shortages as part of the plan.
Havana's sights are close together and easy to walk by day, but the trip runs on cash, patience and a host who books your rides. The trips that go wrong arrive late with no booked car, rely on a card that does not work, or pack a day too tightly for a city where buses and taxis stop when fuel or power runs short. Four clusters cover a first visit: Habana Vieja, the Prado and Capitolio, the Malecón and La Punta, and Vedado.
- Country
- Cuba
- Local name
- La Habana
- Best months
- Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · Dec
- Time zone
- America/Havana
- Stay
- 2 days: Habana Vieja and the Prado/Capitolio, Vedado in the evening
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CUP
- Money
- Cash for the whole stay. Bring euros or US dollars in small, clean notes (US-issued cards and some foreign cards often do not work, and ATMs are unreliable). Many tourist businesses quote in dollars or euros; the peso (CUP) is used by locals at a rate that varies. Ask your host for the current rate, count your change, and do not accept old CUC notes, which were withdrawn.
- Daily spend
- Budget CUP 10,000–18,000 excl. bed · Mid CUP 18,000–35,000 excl. bed · High CUP 35,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- A tourist SIM or data package from the state operator ETECSA at the airport or an office, with your passport; or use Wi-Fi in hotels, some cafes and public hotspots on scratch cards. Check current prices and whether roaming works.
- Emergency
- Police 106 (check) · Fire 105 (check) · Ambulance 104 (check)
- Plugs
- 110 V, 60 Hz in most places (some hotels have 220 V); type A and B sockets (two flat pins), sometimes type C. Bring an adapter and a power bank, and check the voltage on chargers.
- Tipping
- About 10 percent in restaurants if service is not included, US$1–2 for a musician or a guide, and small tips for cleaners and porters; small tips in dollars are widely welcome.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; use sealed bottled water or filtered water.
- Toilets
- Hotels, cafes and museums; carry tissues and coins for attendants, since paper and seats are not always provided.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Cafecito | US$0.50–1.50 |
| Paladar meal | US$8–25 |
| Mojito | US$3–8 |
| Taxi across the centre | US$5–12 |
| Airport taxi | US$25–35 |
| Water bottle | US$1–2 |
| Museum entry | US$3–10 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- José Martí International Airport (HAV)
- HAV to Habana Vieja: one pre-booked car through your casa host, 30–60 minutes for about 20 km (12 mi) — the risk is not the ride but landing after dark with no car and no way to pay.HAV to Habana Vieja: one pre-booked car through your casa host, 30–60 minutes for about 12 mi (20 km) — the risk is not the ride but landing after dark with no car and no way to pay.
By rail and road
| Station | Serves | To the centre |
|---|---|---|
| José Martí International Airport taxi rank (Aeropuerto José Martí) | The main gateway for visitors | Taxi 30–45 min |
| Viazul bus station (Terminal de ómnibus Viazul) | Long-distance buses to Viñales, Varadero, Trinidad and beyond | Taxi 20–30 min |
| Cruise port at Terminal Sierra Maestra (Terminal Sierra Maestra) | Cruise ships in the old harbour | Walk |
| Estación Central (rail) (Estación Central de Ferrocarriles) | Long-distance trains (slow and unreliable) | Walk 10 min |
Typical fares
- Airport → Habana Vieja, taxi
- US$25–35, 30–45 min
- Taxi across the centre
- US$5–12, agree first
Show 8 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Eat, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk in Habana Vieja and the Prado in the shade of the morning, use a taxi between clusters and after dark, and agree fares and currency before you get in.
| How | Fare | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Free | Habana Vieja, the Prado, the Malecón |
| Taxi (state or private) | US$5–12 across the centre (agree first) | Between clusters, bags, night |
| Classic-car taxi | US$30–50 an hour | A short tour of the Malecón and Vedado |
| Shared taxi (almendrón) | Under US$1 (pesos, check) | Fixed routes if you know them |
| Bicitaxi and coco-taxi | US$3–8 (agree first) | Short rides in Habana Vieja |
| City buses and hop-on tour bus | Check | A tourist loop (hop-on) rather than commuting |
| Car with driver for a day | US$60–120 (check) | Day trips and full-city days |
Fares are estimates; check before you ride.
- Passes
- No pass. Fix the fare and the currency before you ride; fares change with fuel supply.
- Late at night
- No metro; buses are crowded and unreliable. Have your casa host or a driver you trust book the airport and any late ride.
See and do
01Plaza Vieja
A restored 16th-century square with arcades and cafes: the old city at its best.
Hours: best Morning · Price: Free · Time: 30–45 min · 23.1359, -82.3505
02Havana CathedralCatedral de La Habana
The baroque cathedral and its narrow square.
Hours: best Morning · Price: Free or donation · Time: 30 min · 23.1416, -82.3510
03El Capitolio
The domed former parliament on the Prado.
Hours: best Morning · Price: About US$10–15 · Time: 45 min · 23.1353, -82.3597
04Museo de Bellas Artes, Cuban ArtMuseo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Arte Cubano)
The best indoor hour: Cuban art in a cool building.
Hours: best Afternoon · Price: About US$5–8 · Time: 1–1.5 h · 23.1409, -82.3586
05Museo de la Revolución
The former palace and the story of the 20th century.
Hours: best Afternoon · Price: About US$8 · Time: 1–1.5 h · 23.1420, -82.3582
06The Malecón at sunsetEl Malecón
The sea wall and the city's social scene.
Hours: best 17:30–19:00 · Price: Free · Time: 45–75 minHours: best 5:30 PM–7:00 PM · Price: Free · Time: 45–75 min · 23.1450, -82.3590
07Hotel Nacional
A 1930s hotel with a garden terrace above the sea.
Hours: best Late afternoon · Price: Free; drinks extra · Time: 1 h · 23.1451, -82.3960
08Necrópolis Cristóbal ColónNecrópolis de Colón
A huge marble cemetery: a surprisingly calm morning.
Hours: best Morning · Price: About US$5–10 · Time: 1–1.5 h · 23.1235, -82.3878
09A paladar lunchAlmuerzo en un paladar
Roast pork, beans and rice in a private restaurant.
Hours: best 12:30–14:00 · Price: US$8–25 · Time: 1–1.5 hHours: best 12:30 PM–2:00 PM · Price: US$8–25 · Time: 1–1.5 h
10Viñales
Tobacco farms and limestone hills, three hours west.
Hours: best Dry season · Price: Car and casa, ask your host · Time: Overnight
Hours and prices are desk estimates (checked 2026-09); anything marked (check) is not confirmed. Coordinates open in any map app.
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Viñales valley | Car with driver or Viazul bus, about 2.5–3 h west | Full day, better overnight |
| Varadero beach | Car or bus, about 2–2.5 h east | Full day |
| Las Terrazas and Soroa | Car, about 1–1.5 h west | Full day |
| Playas del Este | Car or bus, about 30–40 min east | Half day |
| Cojímar and the Hemingway sights | Car or taxi, about 20–30 min east | Half day |
Eat
| Where | What · area | Price | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ventanita coffee window | Coffee and a snack · Habana Vieja | US$0.50–3 | Budget |
| Breakfast at your casa particular | Fruit, eggs, bread and coffee · Your casa | US$5–10 | Budget |
| Coppelia ice-cream park | Ice cream · Vedado | US$1–5 | Budget |
| El Chanchullero | Shared plates · Habana Vieja | US$8–20 | Mid-range |
| Paladar lunch in Habana Vieja | Roast pork, beans and rice · Habana Vieja | US$8–25 | Mid-range |
| Vedado paladares | Cuban and international dishes · Vedado | US$10–25 | Mid-range |
| Upmarket paladares | Tasting menus and lobster (in season) · Vedado and Miramar | US$30–60 | Splurge |
Per person, one dish or one meal, 2026 estimate. Menus and prices change with supplies: ask before you order.
Sleep
| Band | Price a night | Where | What |
|---|---|---|---|
| budget | US$30–50 | Habana Vieja and Vedado casas | Casa particular rooms |
| mid | US$60–140 | Habana Vieja and Vedado | Boutique casas and 3-star hotels |
| splurge | US$180–350+ | Habana Vieja and Vedado | Historic and 5-star hotels |
Per room per night in US dollars, 2026 estimate.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello / good day | Hola / buenos díasOH-lah / BWEH-nos DEE-ahs |
| Thank you | GraciasGRAH-see-ahs |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAN-toh KWEH-stah |
| The bill, please | La cuenta, por favorlah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR |
| Without ice, please | Sin hielo, por favorsin YEH-loh por fah-VOR |
| Please take me to this address | Lléveme a esta dirección, por favorYEH-veh-meh ah ES-tah dee-rek-see-ON por fah-VOR |
| How much to go to Vedado? | ¿Cuánto cuesta ir al Vedado?KWAN-toh KWEH-stah eer al veh-DAH-doh |
| What's up? (friendly greeting) | ¿Qué bolá?keh boh-LAH |
| I need a doctor | Necesito un médiconeh-seh-SEE-toh oon MEH-dee-koh |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greetings: Say 'buenos días' or 'buenas tardes' before you ask for anything; a kiss on one cheek is common between acquaintances.
- Tipping: About 10 percent in restaurants and small tips for guides, musicians and cleaners; small dollar tips are welcome.
- Photos: Ask before photographing people, some will expect a tip; never photograph police, soldiers or military sites.
- Politics: Avoid political arguments with strangers; listen and change the subject if needed.
- Casa etiquette: Give your host your arrival time and any diet needs, ask before bringing guests, and keep noise low late at night.
- Dress: Casual and light is fine; cover shoulders and knees in churches, and wear a shirt off the beach.
Red lines
- Do not photograph police, military or government buildings.
- Ask before photographing people; some will expect a tip.
- Avoid political discussions with strangers.
Scams and watch-outs
- Jineteros (touts) who offer cigars, restaurants, a casa or a private taxi at a 'special price': they take a commission from the seller, so the price to you is higher. Decline politely and choose your own.
- Street-sold cigars 'from the factory': many are fake or poor. Buy from an official shop (casa del habano) and keep the receipt.
- Bicitaxi and taxi drivers who quote a price 'per person' or change the currency at the end: agree the total and the currency before you get in.
- Strangers who invite you to a 'concert' or a bar and then present a large bill: choose the venue yourself and check the prices before you order.
- Requests for milk, medicine or clothes for a child in exchange for a shop purchase: decline, or donate directly to a charity.
One and two days
1 day
A cruise stop or a day between flights. Skip: Vedado and the Necrópolis: they need their own morning.
- 08:308:30 AMPlaza Vieja
- 09:309:30 AMHavana Cathedral
- 12:3012:30 PMPaladar lunch
- 14:302:30 PMCuban art at the museum
- 17:305:30 PMSunset on the Malecón
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Cuba Travel (official tourism information): www.cubatravel.cu/
- Wikivoyage — Havana: en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Havana
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
HavanaLa Habana
Lléveme a esta dirección, por favor
Please take me to this address
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Take me to
- Catedral de La HabanaHavana Cathedral
- Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Arte Cubano)Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Cuban Art
- El MalecónMalecón sea wall and La Punta
- Necrópolis de ColónNecrópolis Cristóbal Colón
- Almuerzo en un paladarPaladar lunch in Habana Vieja
- Police106 (check)
- Fire105 (check)
- Ambulance104 (check)
Write your own embassy's 24-hour line below.
Show the address on your phone: streets are given as street and cross-street.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/havana). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.