solo trip to cuba

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Cuba , Solo travel

Cuba solo travel: tips for solo female travel in cuba.

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In February 2020, I took a trip to Cuba. If there’s ever been a trip I’m glad I squeezed in before the apocalypse hit, it’s this one! In this guide, I’m going to share everything I know about solo travel in Cuba to help you plan your trip. Travelling to Cuba alone isn’t super easy but it’s certainly doable and worth the effort!

Cuba is without doubt one of the most unique and fascinating places I’ve travelled to. While I had mixed feelings about Cuba for various reasons, I’ll forever be grateful I had the chance to go. From the friendly locals to the flowing piña coladas, it was a real bucket list trip. I wouldn’t say Cuba is the easiest place to travel solo ; in fact, I would say it’s one of the more challenging destinations I’ve visited alone especially compared to easy regions for solo travel like Europe and Southeast Asia . I spent 10 days in Cuba and think this was a good amount of time. By the end, I was craving home comforts, the internet and needed to buy some new shampoo – it was time to leave.

CUBA SOLO FEMALE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS Accommodation: Airbnb / Booking.com / Hostelworld Travel insurance:   True Traveller  (European travellers) /   Hey Mundo  (other nationalities) /   Safety Wing  (digital nomads) Activities: Urban Adventures

Read next: my Cuba budget, money & spending guide

Top tip – since it’s so hard to get online in Cuba, I would recommend bringing a guidebook and phrasebook to help you along the way. I recommend the latest copy of Lonely Planet Cuba and a Latin American Spanish Phrasebook & Dictionary .

In this guide, I’m going to share my tips for solo female travel in Cuba. Let’s start with the question on all solo travellers’ lips when planning a trip to somewhere new…

Is Cuba safe for solo travellers?

I think there are two parts to this question. Is travelling to Cuba alone safe? Yes! Is Cuba always an easy and relaxing place to travel solo? No, not really. I’ll get into the challenges of travelling solo in Cuba but let’s begin with the positives…

Good things about solo female travel in Cuba

• Cuba has low crime rates – when it comes to solo female travel safety , the stats speak for themselves. knowing it’s highly unlikely you’ll be victim to a crime when travelling alone in Cuba will put your mind at rest.
• Intercountry taxi journeys are priced per person – this means you split the ride with other travellers (the taxi companies sort this out) so you don’t pay a surcharge for travelling alone in Cuba.
• There are hostels – I wouldn’t say the hostels are anything to write home about, in fact they were pretty basic. But if you’re travelling solo in Cuba and want to save money, check them out. I stayed at Hostel Casa de Ania in Havana in both Havana and Alcuria hostel in Trinidad which made my trip more affordable.

Bad things about solo travel in Cuba

• Harassment – there’s a lot of this in Cuba. Men whistle, beep their car horns and trail along beside you trying to get your attention. When travelling Cuba alone, you will unfortunately attract attention in a way you wouldn’t with a male companion.
• Regular taxis are expensive – despite what I said about intercountry taxi rides (between different cities) being split with other travellers, this doesn’t apply to taxi rides within cities and between the city and airport. I wish I’d had someone to share the airport cab with as I paid $25 each way. Generally, I avoided catching taxis around cities in Cuba as a solo traveller as they were so expensive.

Not ready for solo travel in Cuba?

Don’t panic – there are options. One of my favourite tour companies is G Adventures . They have a range of tours from ‘premium’ (more luxurious) tours to ‘shoestring’ tours (great for those on a budget). The tours are usually in small groups of up to 15, ideal for meeting other travellers. They have several Cuba tours lasting between 8 and 15 days. Browse G Adventures tours here . Weigh up the pros and cons of solo travel vs group tours here.

Solo female travel in Cuba – harassment

If I had to summarise in a word why I struggled as a solo traveller in Cuba, it would be ‘harassment’. Here’s the weird thing about travelling alone in Cuba. With the beeping and catcalling, my every innate sense was telling me I wasn’t safe . My experience of being female is predominantly based on Western countries where explicit calls and beeps are not as common but bad things do happen to women. However, female tourists are very safe in Cuba. Violent crime in Cuba is almost non-existent. You are safe but don’t always feel it. A downside to Cuba is the nerves and anxiety that travelling solo here can bring.

How to handle harassment

As I explain in my guide to solo female travel , it’s best to ignore unwanted attention and walk on with confidence. I would advise ignoring personal questions such as ‘where are you from?’ or ‘where is your husband?’ and especially anything that could compromise your safety like ‘where are you staying?’. While lots of blogs advise you to act as if you’re not solo and say something along the lines of ‘my husband is meeting me’, you should follow your heart. Pretending to be property so men will leave you alone out of respect to other men is frustrating at best. But if telling a white lie makes you feel more comfortable, do it – we can’t revolutionalise attitudes overnight; it’s more important to feel safe.

Read next: is solo travel worth it?

What to wear for solo female travellers in Cuba

Whatever you want. Cuba isn’t particularly conservative and, since your safety isn’t at stake, I’m not here to convince you to dress like a nun to appease Cuban men. I wore dresses, shorts and t-shirts in Cuba like I would in Mexico or at home in the UK (during a rare bout of good weather). Don’t forget to pack:

• A hat – it’s hot in Cuba and you will definitely need it
• Enough suncream for the duration of your trip (you won’t be able to buy it in Cuba)
• Sanitary products (I don’t think you’ll find them either)
• In fact, all body products like shampoo, conditioner and deodorant!
• Microfibre quick-drying towel
• A power bank to keep your devices alive
• Security: A handy bum bag with secure zip
• Combination padlock (ideal for hostel lockers)
• Stainless steel reusable water bottle (most accommodations will have places to fill up with filtered water).

Being blonde in Cuba

I recently received the unsolicited advice that I should have dyed my blonde hair a darker colour to reduce attention from men in Cuba. A hard pass from me! My hair is my natural colour and it would probably take 8 years to grow out! And regardless, I shouldn’t have to. But I understand the point being made: while travelling alone in Cuba, blonde hair and pale skin attracts more attention than darker hair and skin. If this applies to you, steel yourself for comments and stares – a trip to Cuba is worth it!

Accommodation tips for solo travel in Cuba

Casa particular s are the most popular accommodation type in Cuba. These are local guesthouses, often people’s homes where they informally rent spare rooms. Staying in one is a fantastic option: not only are they affordable but you get to see inside a real Cuban home and meet the locals. It’s best to book on Airbnb in advance of your trip as it’s hard to ge online in Cuba. Obviously, if you’re travelling to Cuba alone, it’s more expensive as you won’t have someone to split the room with. Luckily, they start from $10 so it’s not so bad! There’s also another option… Hostels – I love a good hostel anywhere! The ones in Cuba were nothing fancy. They were basically casa particulars with other travellers sharing the room. Still, they were great for keeping the costs down and meeting other travellers. I paid $5 a night for hostels in Havana and Trinidad .

Nightlife for female travellers in Cuba

I would encourage you to experience the nightlife in Cuba. It was the highlight of my trip! Cubans are so fun and love to dance salsa so you shouldn’t miss the chance to experience this side of Cuba. Take a bar crawl if you are solo! On my first night in Havana, I had a bar crawl booked. It began a 40-minute walk from my hostel and I almost chickened out because the taxis were so expensive but I was getting constantly cat-called and beeped as I tried to walk there. I’m so glad I went anyway as I had such a fun night! A group of young locals ran the tour , taking guests from around the world to all their favourite bars. They were so friendly and I learnt about Cuba from their perspectives, in between dancing and sipping cocktails of course!

Make sure to drink cocktails!

I hate solo female travel advice revolving around staying sober and not drinking alcohol. The cocktails were such a highlight to my trip to Cuba that I even wrote a guide to the best bars in Havana , a topic I researched long and hard by day-drinking in them solo! Don’t miss:

• Daiquiris at El Floridita
• Mojitos at La Bodeguita del Medio  
• Pina coladas everywhere!
• Don’t miss La Guarida  for its history and rooftop views!

Eating tips for solo travel in Cuba

I make no secret of the fact that I didn’t love Cuban food. Maybe it was because I was used to the cheap and plentiful food in Mexico , or maybe I just didn’t find the best bits in Cuba.

Restaurants in touristic areas were expensive while the street food was stodgy and bland, for example ‘peso pizzas’ and hot dogs topped with canned meat. There’s not much fresh food available if you’re eating on a budget in Cuba. Tips for eating during solo travel in Cuba: Find paladars – these are small restaurants run by locals. They usually won’t be fancy but for tasty, cheap food in Havana , who’s complaining? Eat street food – although it’s not the tastiest, I often grabbed cheap peso pizza rather than sitting in a restaurant. I don’t mind eating alone in restaurants but it can be a drag if it’s every night. Avoid places with English menus – these will always be more expensive! Pick a casa with breakfast – this will be at a surcharge of $3-5 but it’s cheaper than dining in a restaurant and also saves you time on dining out (alone – again!).

How to meet other travellers while travelling alone in Cuba

Maybe you’re happy travelling solo and don’t feel the need to meet anyone else. But if you’re like me, you may want to socialise and meet other travellers in Cuba. If you decide to travel with someone, check out my guide to choosing the right travel buddy ! Here’s how to meet people in Cuba: Hostels – as I always say, the best way to meet people travelling solo is at hostels. At Alcuria hostel in Trinidad, I made hostel friends to go to the famous Discoteca Ayala with… But alas I never got there as I had sunstroke and had to go home! Free walking tours – I took this with the Me Gusta company who run tours around touristic Old Havana and greater Central Havana (this was more interesting in my eyes). They’re a great introduction to Cuba and a chance to meet other travellers. Update – this tour seems to be no more so check out Havana Free Walking Tour instead. Organised tours / Airbnb Experiences – there are some fantastic tours in Havana. Choose from classic car tours to bar crawls, food tours, cooking classes and more.

Just go out! It’s easy to meet people when travelling Cuba alone. One evening in Trinidad, I sat in the main square eating takeaway pizza off my lap and chatted to a guy beside me doing the same thing. He was British-Cuban and we had a great evening watching the Casa de la Musica show and having a few drinks.

Meet the locals

Don’t forget to meet and chat to locals! Meeting other travellers is fun but can only teach you so much about the destination you’re visiting. I loved chatting with the locals who led the bar crawl I went on. Another way to meet locals in Cuba is by sitting around in the town squares in the daytime. You probably won’t meet young people but you’ll likely strike up conversation with friendly Cuban elders who have stories to share with you about days gone by.

Getting around Cuba for solo travellers

For all the ways solo travel in Cuba is complicated, it’s refreshingly easy to get around Cuba without paying a solo surcharge. I’d assumed I’d travel by bus but you need to register your passport with a clunky website, book in advance and take an expensive taxi to an out-of-town bus station. There’s a better option that’s similar in price: Shared taxi: The guesthouses and taxi companies organise these shared rides and fill the cars – you don’t need to do anything. Each passenger pays the same fare. Just tell your hostel or guesthouse owner when you want to travel and they’ll speak to the taxi company. Your ride will take you door-to-door! Cuba government taxi prices:

• Havana to Trinidad:  30 CUC per way.
• Havana to Vinales  25 CUC per way.

How much did I spend as a solo traveller in Cuba?

Check out my Cuba budget travel guide for my money tips and a breakdown of what things cost. In total, I spent $420 USD in 10 days which I think is pretty good when you consider Cuba is expensive for solo travellers who can’t split casa particular rooms or airport taxis. This is a rough breakdown:

• Accommodation – $150
• Transport – $110
• Activities – $50
• Food and drink – $110.

Money tips for solo travel in Cuba

It’s not impossible to travel Cuba solo on a budget but I won’t lie, it can be tricky. Here are a few tips to help you out:

Bring essential products with you – I mentioned this already but remember to bring all your body products and essentials with you. If you’re lucky enough to find them sold in Cuba, it will be at luxury import prices. Bring enough cash – especially if you have a US bank card, you won’t be able to withdraw cash in Cuba. Even if you have another bank card, ATMs are often out of cash. As a solo traveller with no one to lend me, I brought enough cash with me to Cuba (in Mexican pesos) and exchanged it upon landing. I’d done research to ensure the amount I brought would be enough and luckily it was!

Learn some Spanish

Without prevalent internet, it’s harder to use translation apps so it’s best to learn at least a bit of the lingo. Pick up a Latin American Spanish Phrasebook & Dictionary before your trip. Another top tip for solo travel in Cuba is to download the Spanish dictionary on Google Translate. This means you can use it to translate when you’re offline (which will be almost all the time in Cuba).

Internet in Cuba

As a solo female traveller in Cuba, you’ll probably want to go online at some point. It’s not as easy to shut out the world when travelling alone as you may want some social contact, plus your loved ones may want to check you’re okay. Firstly, you may find the odd casa or hotel that lets you online the regular way. However, these are few and far between. The best way to get online is to find an ETECSA store (remember to bring your passport) and buy a scratch card. Top up 1 CUC per hour of usage . Then, find a public hotspot (by looking for a crowd of people on their phones) and use the details on the card to activate your session.

Update – there’s a new game-changer in the e-SIM industry: Airalo offering downloadable SIM cards for 200+ countries and regions. I wasn’t expecting them to be able to strike a deal with Cuba but they have! They’re offering a 7-day package for just $7.50 which will certainly make getting online – and travelling in Cuba generally – easier. Buy yours to download before arrival .

Best places for Cuba solo travel

Havana: The capital is a beautiful, traditional city with sunny squares, cute cafes and plenty of history. Things to do in Havana include cruising along the Malecon by vintage car, catching the ferry over to the Estatua de Cristo statue, taking walking tours and experiencing the nightlife! You’ll see lots of other travellers here and hopefully befriend them in hostels and during tours, as well as meet some locals in the parks and squares. Trinidad: The pretty, much smaller city of Trinidad is another great place for solo female travel in Cuba. It’s very safe and easy to explore on foot. Spend an evening watching traditional dance shows at Casa de la Musica and take a day trip to Playa Ancon beach. I buddied up with some travellers at the hostel to share a cab to the beach but I hear there’s also a public bus. Viñales: The mountainous region of Vinales is simply beautiful. Here you can explore the countryside, visit tobacco plantains to learn about Cuban cigars and go inside ancient caves. There aren’t any hostels so you’ll need to expand your budget slightly. Those travelling to Cuba alone may wish to take a day trip from Havana to Viñales . I preferred this option to staying overnight in Viñales as Havana is undoubtedly a better base for solo travellers.

Thanks for reading my Cuba solo travel guide!

Check out my other Cuba blogs as well as my solo female travel guides , and all my budget travel advice.

Guides to solo female travel in Asia :

• Solo female travel in Bali
• Where to travel alone in Vietnam
• Guide to travelling alone in Taiwan
• What to know about solo travel in South Korea
• What to know about solo Malaysia travel
• Thailand solo travel guide
• How to stay safe as a solo traveller in India

Guides to solo travel in Europe :

• Tips for women travelling alone in Europe
• How to make the most of a solo trip to Lisbon
• Complete guide to solo travel in Croatia
• Is it safe to travel to Romania alone?
• Ultimate guide to solo Italy travel
• What is solo travelling in Albania like?
• Is solo travel to Portugal safe?

Solo travel in the Americas:

• A solo female travellers guide to NY
• Is Guatemala safe for solo travel?
• Mexico solo travel guide
• Is solo travel in Mexico City a good idea?
• Is it safe to travel solo in Belize
• Solo travel in Patagonia
• Brazil solo travel guide
• Solo travel in Argentina
• A woman’s guide to solo Chile travel

For more travel content, follow me on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .

See you next time,

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VISITING CUBA? These are my trusted resources: Getting there – I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the ‘search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates. You can also use the ‘to anywhere’ feature if you’re flexible on where you’re going. For apartments and private rooms, use Airbnb. For hotels, I recommend Booking.com . For hostels, I use Hostelworld . Hostels in Cuba are the best places to meet other travellers. Need to top up your Spanish? Pick up a Lonely Planet Latin American Spanish Phrasebook & Dictionary . Pack the latest copy of Lonely Planet Cuba . Get an Airalo eSIM card for Cuba so you can go online easily when you arrive (just make sure to set it up before you arrive)! Need travel insurance ? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote . For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing . Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and tips from 10+ years of travel!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

2 thoughts on “ Cuba Solo Travel: Tips For Solo Female Travel In Cuba ”

Hi, I’m a UK lass too, just about to embark on my first solo trip ever (a cruise round the Caribbean including Havana). Your blog is so so helpful with what to expect and giving hints for staying safe. I have bright red dyed hair so I’ll be sure to buy a hat before I go! Thanks for the tips xx

Hi Hayl! HOW exciting you are going on your first solo trip and what cool places to go! Good shout with the hat. You got this!!

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What I Wish I Knew Before Solo Traveling To Cuba

Cuba was good to me. Even still, there were certain things that I wish I knew before solo traveling to Cuba. More of this story here.

Amara Amaryah • Jan 24, 2022

Solo traveling to Cuba was by far my most precious solo travel trip to date. As a solo Black woman traveler, I felt the joy of being able to blend in, be invisible and still be cared for.

Whether on cross-country bus rides or in the plazas in Old Havana , Cuba was good to me. Even still, there were certain things that I wish I knew before solo traveling to Cuba.

Cuba is so much more than Havana

Havana has a special kind of magic, I am not here to debate that. Undeniably, it cannot be likened to any kind of city I have ever visited, and this is coming from a city girl. However, it definitely isn’t the only precious part of Cuba .

On a whim inspired by my frustration of trying to connect to the Wi-Fi as well as feeling bolder having just turned 24, solo and in my new favorite city, I walked into La Inglaterra Hotel and booked a day trip to Viñales. I had no idea of what to expect of the Cuban countryside, but it didn’t disappoint and made me curious.

I also wish I knew about Santiago, known among Cubans as ‘La Tierra Caliente’ or the hot earth because of the intense sun. I’ll definitely be adding Trinidad or Holguín to my list for my next trip because of the many waterfalls and national parks. In all honesty, what I’ve realized is that these locations are easily reached from Havana with national buses, the only thing is stepping out of the intoxicating clutches of La Habana Vieja to ask the questions and book the trips.

Save yourself the 3 hour bus trip to Varadero, there are dreamy beaches in Havana

To be fair, this is a slight cheat because my Airbnb host (now aunty) put me on this on my first day arriving. I had planned to visit Varadero’s gorgeous blue waters as a treat to myself. What I didn’t know was that it would cost me over 3 hours each way, while Santa María beach was right there, a local bus trip away.

I can confirm that the Caribbean beach settings don’t disappoint, and I indulged heavy in the vintage tropical-beach-getaway vibes.

Forget about your veganism

Veganism is a cute thing that vendors wave out of existence in Havana. Being a traveling vegan isn’t always easy, but in Havana it was a nutritional nightmare.

If I had the opportunity, I would prepare myself to eat the tuna toasted sandwiches guilt-free because, unbeknownst to me, it would be my main and only source of protein outside of my rice, salad and beans diet.

With the blockade and social state of Cuba, the vegan trend hasn’t arrived in full effect like it has in countries globally. The poverty in Cuba also means that the privilege to choose what to eat and what not to eat, also isn’t a widespread thing for Cubans. While there were some meals I was able to veganize, vegan or plant-based cuisine often wasn’t available or common knowledge.

So, vegan travelers, make your adjustments or do your thorough research of vegan spots before arriving.

The real Cuba has been romanticized, heavily

Tourism typically glamorizes Cuba by only portraying some few buildings in the center that have been maintained and so aren’t dilapidated. You usually see this image with a pristine looking car from the 50s strolling by, convincing you of Cuba’s promise of a trip to the old world for travelers from the West.

I learned that the poverty in Cuba is closer to the center than ever. I stayed in Centro Havana, where the poverty is tangible and yet the community keeps things running. The romanticized aspect of a Cuba that is willingly, happily stuck in the past is a false Cuba.

The Cuban spirit of resourcefulness is what actually keeps the country alive. Knowing this before arriving could really change where you choose to spend your money and how you manage your expectations when visiting.

If the malecón sucks you into its magic, let it

There are several piers   in Latin America, but none compare to the malecón habanero (Havana’s pier), which happens to be the longest running in the region.

As a solo traveler, it is always good to know the free things that are available in the city, bonus if they are the locals’ favorite way of enjoying the city.

I underestimated the glory of Havana’s malecón, it proved to be much more than a place to overlook the salty sea. The malecón is the perfect place to dance or admire reggaeton dance moves from the many stereos blasting music, it is a good place to enjoy your pre-lunch platanos, it is your fishing spot, your date spot, your go-to people watching seat all for free.

I felt my absolute safest solo traveling to Cuba as a Black woman

Traveling solo as a Black woman is not always the easiest of processes. There is always a long list of things to consider, in terms of personal safety, comfort, access, social circles and on and on the list goes. I think that by far Cuba has felt the most right for me.

Being in a space where I could navigate Havana without being stared at, even being confused as Cuban was refreshing, new. I enjoyed the familiar Caribbean environment, the behavior and mentality that even during hardship there is music and there is dancing. I enjoyed being in a space where I could go out late, come back in the early hours of the morning and still see people of all ages in the streets, enjoying the entirety of the night. Mostly, I enjoyed the invisibility to enjoy the country without feeling like an impostor, instead I felt seen which allowed for a whole new standard for future solo travel trips.

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Girl about the Globe

Making solo travel easier.

Solo Travel in Cuba

Types of Girl about the Globe (GatG) – Beach GatG, Dancing GatG, History GatG, Literary GatG

If you're considering solo travel in the Caribbean , Cuba is such a fascinating island to explore. If you are planning a trip to Cuba, below is our guide to how to travel solo in Cuba including things to do in Cuba, where to stay, which tour company to use and how to get around. Find out how to get from the airports and what to do in each place.

All companies included have been recommended by solo female travellers and come with our solo female friendly endorsement. Just choose the relevant section or read the full article to help you plan your solo trip to Cuba. 

* N.b. If you’re travelling to Cuba, you may need to get a tourist card before you travel

Cuba Attractions

Tours in cuba, cuba accommodation, best time to visit cuba, getting around cuba, cuba airports.

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FAQs About Cuba

Map of cuba, plan a trip to cuba.

If you love dancing then Cuba is the island to visit. Cubans are friendly islanders and if you go to a salsa club by yourself, you will probably get asked to dance. Cuba is a bit behind so don’t expect things to run smoothly especially if you want to pay by debit or credit card (take cash). Why does Cuba only get 3 stars? Cuba is fine for women travelling solo but there are some things to look out for:

Plan everything you want to do before you get there. The internet is slow and expensive and there isn’t any mobile data. There are no toilet seats and some toilets have stable-style doors; also take some toilet paper with you just in case. It’s easier to buy food out then shop and cook it yourself here. Some people speak some English but knowing some basic Spanish phrases is an advantage.

Cubans are really friendly and helpful but there are some travel scams such as tuk tuk drivers telling you that places are closed as they get paid to take you to other establishments instead. In Havana people will try and sell you things but if you’re polite and say “No,” they get the message.

Some locals will ask you where you’re going and walk you there then ask for food or drink in return, or take you to a bar where you are expected to pay for the drinks at over the top prices. It’s also wise to carry a money belt or a fake purse.

Be aware that there is a sex tourism industry and being alone, you may get mistaken for a woman looking for a Cuban man. Saying this, it is a great country to explore, these are just things to be aware of when you are travelling to Cuba.

As Cuba opens itself up to the rest of the World, now is a great time to visit this Caribbean island. Simply put, this country in the Caribbean is like no other. American classic cars, horse and carts, cowboys smoking Cuban cigars and endless dancing makes this an unforgettable experience.

Known for its music, Cuba even has its own style of salsa which echoes from street corners everywhere and you’re never be short of live music here. So where’s good to go for solos?

Havana is the country’s capital. It’s been described as the “Cuban museum that no one is looking after,” due to its faded pastel coloured houses and crumbling 50’s style buildings. But its ‘chic derelict effect’ is what adds to its charm. Ernest Hemingway liked Havana so much that he once lived here. Literary girl about the globes can take a tour of this famous writer and learn more about the artist’s life in Cuba.

Cuba is known for its American classic cars and you can jump in a pink cadillac and cruise around the streets with the wind blowing in your hair (other convertibles are of course, available).

Old Havana is in an old Spanish style with timeless architecture and open-air hotel lobbies. Walk through the colourful streets tracing the steps of the city’s fascinating past, learn about Cuba’s customs, beliefs and folklore on the Afro-Cuban tour, or take the contemporary art tour to learn more about Cuban art and visit galleries connected to the main influences of this movement.

Things To Do in Cuba

For cubism, and abstract art in Havana, just wander through Callejon de Hamel to see bathtub sculptures and colourful paintings on the walls. This alleyway is one of the coolest areas in the city and if you go on a Sunday you'll see the locals dancing at their weekly rumba (Spanish for party).

The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is for the arty Girl about the Globe or if you prefer trying the cuisine. take a cooking class at Ajiaco Cafe.  Don’t forget to stop at the Chocolate Museum either (which is more like a cafe), where you buy anything chocolate-shaped including a chocolate cigar.

You can’t visit Cuba without learning about the Cuban Revolution that happened in the country between 1953 and 1959. Led by Fidel Castro, the revolution was against President Fulgencio Batista to overthrow his regime. Castro won and established a new Cuban government in 1959. He ruled until 2008. Read about the history here  

Inside the palatial building of the Museum of the Revolution – which was once the Presidential Palace of the Cuban presidents – you can learn more about the prelude to the Revolution and the country’s history beginning in the 15th century.

See the bullet holes that are still evident near the entrance, as well as the eternal flame, a tribute to the country’s heroes. The museum is open every day except Thursdays but you will need to be able to understand Spanish to read the information.

Revolution Square is also a good place to visit. It’s one of the world’s largest city squares and Cuba’s historic symbol, where many important speeches have taken place.

See the giant face of Che Guevara on the facade of the Ministry of Interior building (as well as on numerous t-shirts and souvenirs in Havana), and Camilo Cienfuegos, a Cuban revolutionary on the Telecommunications building. As well as its government buildings you can also get a good view of the city from the tower of the Jose Marti Memorial.

If you plan to see the Che Guevara memorial, head to Santa Clara to see the museum dedicated to his life and the eternal flame in honour of his memory. To reach Santa Clara you can take a day trip from Cienfuegos.

Havana is also the place to experience a rooftop or two. Where better to enjoy a Cuba Libre (a rum and coke) than with a view of the city. Enjoy a mojito at Hotel Ambos Mundos, or guess the famous guests at La Bodeguita del Medio from the celebrity photos on the wall. 

It’s been said that Beyonce and Jay Z even stayed at The Saratoga Hotel. You can find out the history of Cuban rub at the Havana Club Museum and get a free rum at the end (bonus!)

If you need something to do at night after your rooftop bar, Casa de la Musica is one of the place to go. Listen to live music and dance to the beats if the mood takes you, or watch a performance at Gran Teatro de La Habana (the Ballet Theatre) where you can also take a tour inside this beautiful theatre during the day.  

To the west of the capital are the Tobacco fields. You can take a bus through the tobacco fields but they aren’t that frequent so if you do want to visit this area it’s worth taking a tour or staying overnight. You don't have to go far to  watch how the famous Cuban cigars are made as Partagas Cigar Factory in Havana is open for tours. 

Havana is great place to stay but if you are a nature Girl about the Globe you may want to  head west from Havana to Viñales for a sunrise hike to escape the city vibes. D epending on whether you prefer honey, coffee or tobacco, you can also visit one of the farms on a tour (or all three!)

Smell the orchids at Casa de Caridad Botanical Gardens: or take a boat ride to the Cuevas del Indio, a cave that was once a refuge for the indigenous people with stalactites, stalagmites and cave paintings.

If you’re feeling adventurous you can go caving in the Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas, rent a motorbike to see the surrounding areas, or hop on a horse to horse ride in the national park instead.

To the east of Havana is Varadero, one of the island’s best beaches which is perfect for some major relaxing. There is more to this beach resort than just the beach though. Located on the Hicacos Peninsula, you can explore a Nature reserve, spend time in Josone Park strolling along the boating lake or the marina, or see ancient art at Ambrosio Cave.

Varadero can be a bit commercial with bars but it is a pretty destination. From here you can take a cruise to the island of Cayo Blanco and snorkel with dolphins whilst marvelling at the coral gardens.

One hour away from Varadero is a place for wellness Girls about the Globe. Elguea spa has thermal springs that are said to relieve your aliments. Get covered in a mud treatment and leave feeling rejuvenated. It's a great location to pamper yourself.

Continue east and if one island isn’t enough for you, Cayo Coco is Cuba’s smaller tropical island. It has the same beautiful beaches with white-powered sand but also comes with lagoons. If you’re an avid bird-watcher you can spot pink flamingos and white ibis in its marshes.

If you desire nothing more than a resort which serves you food and drink whilst you soak up some rays, this is smaller island for you. There’s even a cave to party in. You can reach Cayo Coco by plane from Havana, drive the 6.5 hour journey, or take the train to Ciego de Avila then take a taxi.

Further southeast is the colourful town of Trinidad where you can transport yourself back in time with horses and carts, rickshaws, cobbled streets, colourful houses, and the sounds of salsa gently playing in the background.

This is where it's at for nightlife and you won't be short of a partner if you're standing alone at the salsa club (or you can just sit on the steps and marvel at everyone else dancing like professionals instead).

Las Ayalas is the best place here as you can mingle with locals and may even find another solo traveller to try out your Cuban salsa with. During the day walk around the town, learn more about the history at the Municipal History Museum and then climb the Belltower for fab views of this central Cuban town.

This is the real Cuba, where cowboys ride horseback, and musicians gather in the streets to play music just because they can. You can also do day trips to Playa Ancon from here, a gorgeous sandy beach where you can rest your weary feet after an evening of dancing. A trip to Cuba just isn’t complete without experiencing Trinidad. 

Much further away in the southeast of the country – but with an international airport that you can fly into – is Holguin. One for the beach Girl about the Globe, Holguin is where you’ll find your all-inclusive resorts and Canadians on Spring Break.

When you feel the need to leave your beach resort you can take the hour ride past green landscapes into the town to explore colourful pedestrian streets, stroll past the water fountain and statue of a girl holding an umbrella, and Spanish-style tavernas with music blaring out. 

See the flower sellers at Parque de las Flores and join the queue of locals buying ice-cream in the square before taking the 15 minute hike to the top of the steps for a view of this colourful town. Then head back to your beach paradise to escape the calls of “Hola” (hello), and “Linda” (meaning beautiful) from the local men. 

Santiago de Cuba

Further southeast is Santiago de Cuba. Founded in 1515 this city is the second largest in Cuba and is one for the architecture Girl about the Globe and history lover, having played an important part in the Cuban revolution. The city is walkable and also danceable, as it’s known for live music that you can hear in the streets near La Casa de Trova (which you can go into for indigenous music).

If you missed the Rum Museum in Havana, there is also one here called Museo del Ron where you can learn about the rum-making process. This is also the resting place of Fidel Castro, whose tomb you can see at Cementerio de Santa Ifigenia along with other famous Cubans.

See the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, and spend time at Parque Cespedes, one of the main squares, and Plaza de Marte, If you have time, visit the Castillo de San Pedro de la Rica which is 10km from the city but offers fantastic views from the fortress.

Come to  Santiago de Cuba in July and you’ll find yourself dancing to the beat of the drums and joining in with the festivities at the carnival.

Trinidad city

Other Places To Visit in Cuba

Other places to visit in Cuba are: Cienfuegos a quiet, windy town on the south side of Cuba which you can see on a day trip from Havana: El Nicho, an invigorating place of natural pools and waterfalls just an hour's drive from Cienfuegos, t he UNESCO historic centre of Camaguey: and Baracoa, a hidden gem and one of Cuba’s oldest towns.

Whatever place you decide to visit in Cuba, whether it’s the cobbled stones of Trinidad, the turquoise waters and white-powder beaches of Holguin, or the derelict chic old town of Havana, as the largest country in the Caribbean Cuba is definitely unique.

G Adventures Cuba   – If you feel more comfortable in a group for either part of your trip or the whole duration, G Adventures is a responsible tour company which mainly caters towards budget travellers. Most tours have an average of 12 people and there is no upper age limit. 

Adventures range from a 6 day Cuba Libre tour where you experience the nature and culture and visit a tobacco farm to see where the famous Cuban cigars come from, to a 16 day Cuba: salsa and snorkelling trip. a two week adventure dancing salsa in Santiago de Cuba, and exploring the underwater world in the Bay of Pigs.

T here are also sailing, biking and multi-sport adventures you can do too.  I have personally used G Adventures and recommend them as a solo female friendly company.  *  Check rates and availability for G Adventures Cuba tours

Intrepid Travel – Intrepid Travel is similar to G Adventures with an average of 12 people on each tour. Over 50% of people who book their trips are solo travellers. They tend to use hotels instead of hostels for their tours and have a more comfortable style of accommodation hence the trips can appear a bit more than G Adventures.

Intrepid Travel Cuba tours range from a 6 day Western Cuba trip travelling through Havana, Soroa, and Vinales before returning back to Havana, to a 15 day Best of Cuba, visiting Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Camaguey, Santiago de Cuba, and Baracoa. You can also combine Cuba with Mexico on a three week Best of Mexico & Cuba tour or their Epic adventure. Read our  Intrepid Travel Reviews

With both tour companies you share a room with someone of the same gender or you can pay extra for your own room.  *  Click here for the full itineraries, prices, and start dates

Cuba Connection Tours – A group of professional chauffeurs and tour guides who allow you to create your own Cuban experience whilst showing the customs and traditions of Cuba. They offer day tours all over Cuba from Zapata Swamp, Trinidad, Vinales, as well as long packages for 7-12 days.  * Click here for tours, prices and information

Get Your Guide helps you to find top-rated activities and day tours in worldwide destinations including Cuba. Choose from a classic America car tour with a cocktail, a catamaran cruise to see dolphins at Cayo Blanco, or a private Havana tour with a local. There are several to choose from and it’s really simple to use. Just check the reviews, price and availability then book online. * Check rates and availability for Cuba day tours

When looking for accommodation in Cuba, the main types of accommodation are casa particulars. These are guesthouses and bed and breakfasts that were created as a way of allowing locals to rent out their rooms or whole accommodation to travellers. The aim was to provide a cultural interaction with visitors and to show them a glimpse into the Cuban way of life.

Casa particulars are generally all the same price depending on which city you stay in and in which season. Expect to pay between 25 and 45 CUC per night. If you can’t find many of these guesthouses on Booking.com then you can definitely find them on sites such as Casa Particular .

In beach areas like Varadero, you’ll find all inclusive resorts offering half or full-board options. You can also find International hotels in the capital. For budget options there are a few hostels especially in Havana. 

It is wise to prebook accommodation as you will be approached by accommodation touts when you arrive at the bus stations (especially in Trinidad). If you are arriving by bus see if your accommodation will collect you from the station to avoid the touts.

All of the accommodation below have my own personal endorsement or have been recommended by solo female travellers from our Girls about the Globe community as solo female-friendly. * Check rate and availability for all accommodation in Cuba

Havana – Casa Romero $$

In the centre of Havana is Casa Romero, a small property in Havana centre ran by Yanet and her sister who really look after you. As it is a small property it offers you the opportunity to meet the guests who are staying in the other room. One room has a double bed and the other twin beds. There is air-conditioning if it gets too hot and also a terrace.

Although the apartment isn’t in old Havana, it is walking distance, and Yanet can organise transfers to the airport and to other cities. Breakfast isn’t included but you can order it for an additional cost as well as lunch and dinner. *  Check rates and availability for Casa Romero

Holguin – Sol Rio de Luna y Mares $$

Sometimes you just need to relax and be in one place without having to think about where you are going to eat that evening. If you are looking for an all-inclusive hotel situated right on the beach, this 4 star resort is ideal. There are two swimming pools if you prefer to hang by the pool instead of on the sand. You can relax in a jacuzzi, take a yoga class or splash out on a body treatment.

There are nine restaurants and snack bars and eight bars as well as live entertainment. You really don’t have to go anywhere else. You will find couples here but if you need some relaxation with everything that you need including crystal-clear water then it’s a great choice even if just for a few days. Choose from a standard room with a garden view, a standard or superior sea view room or a suite. * C heck rates and availability for Sol Rio de Luna y Mares

Trinidad – Guesthouse Hostal Casa Mia  $

If you are looking for somewhere welcoming and friendly in Trinidad. This local guest-house fits the bill. The rooms are modest with private bathrooms, a TV, fridge, wardrobe, and minibar. There is a balcony for relaxing on after a night at the local salsa club and air conditioning for those warm nights.

The property has a garden and a terrace for even more space and because the guesthouse isn’t that big, you can mingle with the other guests. It is only a short walk to the centre too. I stayed here and my host even cooked up the local catch of the day; some freshly-caught fish for the evening meal. I definitely recommend it. * C heck rates and availability for Guesthouse Hostal Casa Mia

You can’t visit Cuba without seeing the sunshine, especially if you’re coming here for a beach holiday. The best time for blue skies is between December to May where there are six months of mainly sunny days. Holiday periods such as Christmas and Easter are the island’s peak times where you could find yourself queuing for Cuba’s attractions.

You may want to avoid August to October when there is a chance of hurricanes. Tourism has increased on the island especially in Trinidad and Varadero so you may find these areas busier during peak times. Visit in June and you'll experience a few showers when it rains but there will be less tourists and it will cost less money too.

Below is an annual weather forecast of the maximum temperatures in Havana from January to December. For all other destinations in Cuba click here . 

Cuba is quite a large country so travelling from place to place can take some time. There are internal flights such as Havana to Santiago de Cuba if you have limited time and want to cover distances quicker.

The Viazul bus system operate several routes and it’s recommended to book your ticket online as soon as you know when and where you want to go. You can take the bus from Trinidad to Havana which takes approximately 7 hours and stops in a restaurant en-route.

Havana’s bus station does seem to close when the last bus arrives and you may find that there are no taxis after this time. Buses also run from Santiago de Cuba. There is generally a toilet on the bus but you may find that the air-conditioning is a bit cold so take a fleece and some socks with you just in case.

Some of the bus stations have a VIP room where you can wait. There are other bus companies as well as tourist minibuses which although cost more they can also be quicker and easier. When you arrive at the bus station in Trinidad there are many people touting for business for accommodation as you leave the building.

Taxis are the easiest way to get around cities and you can hire them for longer distances but they come with a price tag. In Trinidad and Havana you can jump aboard a Cuban tuk tuk and coco-taxi which is definitely an adventure.

Cuba also has a train line that runs between Havana and Santiago de Cuba. There are other trains but you may prefer alternative transport which is more reliable. (except for the main train line),

You can hire a car if you don’t mind driving distances alone. Take photos of the car before you hire it to cover yourself for any damage claims when you return it. You can also rent a motorbike with your driving license and passport. Rome2Rio is a good website to help you plan your journey. 

Cuba has several international airports and even more domestic ones. The main airport is Jose Marti Airport in Havana, but you may also be flying into Santiago de Cuba, Varadero, or Holguin depending on where you are planning to be on your visit.

There is a departure tax of $25 CUC so check if it’s included in your air ticket price. If not, keep enough cash on you for when you depart. Below is a list of the main international airports. Rome2Rio is a great resource to help you plan how to get to and from each one depending on where you are travelling from. 

• Camaguey – Ignacio Agramonte International Airport
• Cayo Coco – Cayo Coco Airport
• Havana – José Martí International Airport
• Holguin – Frank Pais Airport
• Santa Clara – Abel Santa Maria Airport
• Varadero – Juan Gualberto Gomez Airport

From Holguin Airport if you’re not staying at an all-inclusive resort with a coach transfer waiting for you, you can have the chance to hop in an old American classic car to your accommodation.

* Feel more confident with someone waiting for you at the airport when you pre-book a transfer with Hoppa , a reliable and safe service for solo females.

Travel Onwards (check visas before you travel)

You can only fly to other countries at present as passenger ferries don’t operate from the country. Make sure you have a ticket out of the country before trying to enter as you won’t be allowed entry without one.

• Can I drink the water? No.
• Is tipping expected? With wages being low in Cuba, tipping at 10-15% is appreciated in restaurants. Tipping anyone in the service industry whether it is taxi drivers or tour guides when you have a good experience is appreciated.
• Fixed price or barter? Generally fixed price.
• Any ATMs? In Havana yes, and at the airport. You can also find them in other locations but make sure you have enough cash or an additional card in case you run into problems. Don’t change money on the streets.
• Which side of the road do they drive? The right-hand side.
• Good for vegetarians? There are options for vegetarians but don’t expect too much.
• Any seven wonders of the world? Cuba.

If you are planning a trip to Cuba here are some useful links to help you plan your trip including airlines which fly there, vaccinations required and currency.

Current time in Havana

Capital – Havana

Population – 11.27 million

Language spoken – Spanish

Local Currency – Two currencies : Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) = tourist one, Cuban Peso (CUP) = local one. 

Do I need a visa?  

Vaccinations Required  

Flying time to Cuba from UK – 10 hrs

Useful Info

Airlines to Cuba  

The Best Time to Go – To Havana is April, May and October

Which Plug Do I Need?  

UNESCO Sites in Cuba  

Events and Festivals in Cuba  

Local Cost Guide  

Local Customs & Etiquette  

Your Solo Travel Journey….

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The Bearded Backpacker

Cuba solo travel: the best guide for solo travel.

• By: The Bearded Backpacker
• Last Updated: August 6, 2024

Traveling Solo to Cuba

I recently returned from a solo trip to Cuba , and my five-day adventure was one for the books. 

As a seasoned traveler who tends to take the road less traveled, I couldn’t help but wonder why more people don’t visit Cuba. This guide may give some hints as to why.

If you’ve ever been to Edinburgh, Scotland, you’ll know that it feels like you’re going back to medieval times. Cuba is no exception, although it’s a journey to the 1950s. I would say it’s quite a trip.

I understand that the media shows Cuba in a certain way, but my experience was different. I think Cuba is unfairly seen as unsafe, which is not true. Cuba is a beautiful in many ways.

Cuba’s history is a complex but beautiful blend of cultures and influences. Significant moments like JFK’s presidency and Fidel Castro’s regime have left a lasting impact on the country. 

As a person who doesn’t mind traveling solo, I’ve learned that I have had some of the most memorable, life-altering experiences by doing so, and I firmly believe in experiencing things firsthand because everyone’s journey is unique. 

Therefore, I am a huge advocate for solo travel, especially in Cuba.

This comprehensive guide is for solo travelers , whether you are experienced or new to solo travel. I will share my experiences and offer tips to help you plan your solo trip to Cuba.

 I will help you understand the legal requirements, ensure your safety, recognize the best local spots, connect with the locals, and much more. 

I spent five days exploring this fascinating island, and here’s what I discovered.

* Stick around until the end to receive a bonus tip. *

Just so you know this post contains some affiliate links. Completely free to you, I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase.

@thebeardedbackpacker Take me back Cuba 2024 🇨🇺 #cuba #lahabana #cuba2024 #fypage #foryou #paratii #travel #traveltiktok ♬ Tú Me Enseñaste - Rommel Hunter

Answering Your Top Question:

Can Americans Visit Cuba?

The short answer is yes, there are a few additional steps required to make sure your trip goes smoothly. The good thing is that this guide will help you visit Cuba.

The Rich History of Cuba: Its People, Relations with the US, and Modern-Day Realities

Revolutionary Spirit

To understand the real Cuba, you must first understand its history. Cuba has a complicated past with many different cultures, a complex political system, and resilient citizens. 

Cuba has experienced many major historical events that have influenced its identity, ranging from Spanish colonial rule to the arrival of the indigenous Taino people. 

Fidel Castro led a revolution in the middle of the 20th century that resulted in Cuba’s declaration as a socialist state in 1959, drastically changing its ties with the rest of the world, especially with the US. 

This change throughout the Cold War led to a wider gulf between the two countries and important events such as the invasion of the  Bay of Pigs  and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Cuba’s revolutionary spirit, backed by Castro, was an uprising against  Fulgencio Batista’s  rule. After the communist state took over, Cuba experienced significant changes in both its society and politics. 

These changes were a direct result of the success of the revolution.

The People of Cuba

Cuba’s people are a reflection of the island’s resilience and diversity.  Cuban culture  is diverse and alive, drawing on African, Spanish, and indigenous influences. 

Despite economic difficulty, Cubans are known for their friendliness, ingenuity, and unwavering spirit.

Tensions with the US and JFK

Under President John F. Kennedy, tensions between Cuba and the United States escalated dramatically in the early 1960s. In 1961, there was a tense situation during the Bay of Pigs invasion. 

The invasion was carried out by Cuban exiles supported by the CIA. Their goal was to overthrow Castro’s government, but they were unsuccessful. This was followed by the  1962 Cuban Missile Crisis , in which the discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba pushed the world dangerously close to nuclear war. 

These events had a major effect on the geopolitical environment, solidifying Cuba’s alliance with the Soviet Union.

US-Cuba Relations

US-Cuba ties have seen major shifts over the years. Under President Obama, diplomatic connections were restored, and travel and commerce restrictions were relaxed. 

However, following administrations reinstalled numerous restrictions, resulting in a complex and shifting relationship.

Modern Day Realities

Today, Cuba remains a socialist state, but the economy has gradually opened up to the outside world. 

Tourists come to its beaches and cultural attractions, but everyday life for many Cubans remains difficult due to economic challenges, the ongoing US embargo, and policies made by the country’s own harsh regime.

Table of Contents

"Taking that first step, that first flight, first solo trip may seem scary, but it's those very first things that can potentially take you a thousand miles and places." -The Bearded Backpacker Tweet

Why Travel To Cuba Solo

Cuba offers an interesting mixture of history, culture, and natural beauty that is perfect for any solo traveler. The island’s rich heritage, from its colonial architecture to its revolutionary past, provides a unique backdrop for exploration and discovery.

One of the biggest reasons to travel solo to Cuba is the opportunity for genuine cultural immersion. When you’re on your own, you’re more likely to engage with locals, hear their stories, and gain insights that you might miss when traveling in a group. The Cuban people are incredibly warm and welcoming, so you shouldn’t have issues with meeting others on your solo journey.

You might find this quite enriching.

Traveling solo allows for flexibility and freedom. You can tailor your itinerary to your interests and pace, whether it’s exploring the streets of Havana, relaxing on the beaches of Varadero, or hiking through the valleys of Viñales. No need to compromise or adjust your plans for others; you can create your perfect trip.

Not to mention, the country’s low crime rate and the welcoming nature of its people provide a sense of security that is important for solo travel.

Being Black in Cuba

Traveling solo might seem scary at first, but once you get into the rhythm, it becomes easier and easier. I traveled alone to 20+ countries and have tips for Black travelers in Cuba .

First, let me address the elephant in the room: traveling while Black in Cuba. My experience has been extremely positive. The Cuban people are incredibly warm and welcoming, and I didn’t face any discrimination or hostility because of my skin color. In fact, Cuba’s diverse cultural heritage often made me feel right at home.

Traveling solo as a Black person  does come with its own set of challenges, but also unique opportunities for connection and understanding. You might stand out, but that can also be a doorway to enriching conversations and cultural exchanges. Cubans are curious and often eager to learn about your background and share their own stories.

If you’re considering a solo trip to Cuba, here are a few tips from my experience:

Embrace the Culture : Cuba’s culture is rich and lively. Take time to learn the local music, dance, and art scenes. Engage with the locals; they are usually more than happy to share their culture with you.

Be Prepared for Curiosity : People might be curious about you and ask questions. Use these moments as opportunities to connect and educate. Share your story and listen to theirs.

Stay Confident and Firm : While you might encounter the occasional request for money, remember to stay confident and firm. A polite but firm “no” usually does the trick. If asked where you’re from, sometimes it helps to say you’re from Canada or France to avoid being seen as a “walking dollar sign.” This worked for me.

Plan Ahead : Traveling to Cuba requires some planning, especially due to restrictions for American citizens. However, I am here to help, so do not worry.

Stay Safe : As with any travel destination, stay aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts.

Like I always say. give it a try it, you just might like it. 

Is Cuba Safe for Solo Travelers?

  Depending on who you ask, the answer to this question will vary, as we all have different experiences. As a solo male traveler, I felt completely safe in Cuba.

 Now, I understand that your experience may differ based on factors like race, sex, or other personal attributes. Which sucks. However, speaking from my own travels, here’s what I’ve observed.

First, let’s address the general safety concerns. Cuba is known for having  relatively low crime  rates compared to many other popular travel destinations. 

This means that the likelihood of becoming a victim of serious crime is quite low. The Cuban government places a high priority on maintaining the safety of tourists, as tourism is a crucial part of their economy.

Not to mention the large law enforcement presence throughout the city.

As a solo traveler, I’ve always felt safe walking through the streets of Havana, even at night.

My travel code of ethics , as I refer to it, that I live by is as the following:

Stay Aware : Always be mindful of your surroundings. Pay attention to the people and environment around you, especially in crowded areas.

Avoid Flashing Valuables : Keep your valuables, like expensive jewelry or large amounts of cash, out of sight. Use a money belt or a secure bag to carry your essentials.

Blend In : Try to blend in with the locals as much as possible. Dress modestly and avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself.

Stay in Well-Lit Areas : At night, stick to well-lit and populated areas. Avoid walking alone in dark or isolated places.

Trust Your Instincts : If something feels off or makes you uncomfortable, trust your instincts and remove yourself from the situation.

Check The Travel Advisory :  Visit  Cuba Travel Advisory (state.gov)

The most important thing is to get out there, see things for yourself, and make your own memories and experiences.

My Honest Opinion

During my time in Cuba, I didn’t face any significant issues, aside from the usual requests for money. After traveling extensively, you get used to it, and honestly, I don’t blame them. I try to put myself in their shoes—if I were without money, food, and clothes. I might also ask tourists for help. 

Understanding this doesn’t make it any less annoying at times, but it’s a part of travel that you have to deal with. If handling such situations isn’t your thing, you might want to reconsider traveling.

I’ve found a trick that helps me manage these encounters. Usually, when I say no firmly the first time, they stop. If they persist and try to strike up a conversation, I remain polite because they’re still human beings, but I know where the conversation is heading. 

I have learned that if you give one person money or whatever, many more will soon come, and the situation can quickly become uncomfortable, not to mention the added unwanted attention you have just drawn to yourself. 

Not only that, but giving sometimes encourages this behavior, and I also understand that many people are truly in need, so it’s always hard to decide who, what, and when to give. 

I usually rely on my instincts, and if I do decide to give, it will be very discrete, or I don’t give out money. I’ll buy them ice cream, food, or give them clothes. 

Just use your discretion. 

When they ask where I’m from, I tell them I’m French or Canadian. This response usually makes them lose interest. However, if I say I’m American, it’s like they see dollar signs. So, try saying you’re from somewhere else and be firm with them.

If you are considering backpacking through Cuba, check out my Ultimate Solo Backpacking Guide here .

Flights to cuba.

I flew directly from Houston, Texas (IAH) on United Airlines to Havana, Cuba the flight was around 3 hours.

Most travelers arrive in Cuba by air ( Sorry, the Royal Carribean doesn’t go here ).

Major airlines offer flights to Havana and other Cuban cities from various international destinations. Here are some key points to consider:

Direct Flights :

• From the United States : Several U.S. airlines, including American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, and Southwest, operate direct flights to Cuba. These flights typically depart from major cities such as Houston, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and New York.
• From Other Countries : There are also direct flights to Cuba from Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Spain, and other countries.

Connecting Flights :

• If there are no direct flights from your departure city, consider connecting flights through countries with frequent services to Cuba, such as Mexico or Canada.

Best Time to Visit Cuba

It’s no secret that the temperatures in Cuba can reach scorching levels, and with many places lacking air conditioning, it can be quite challenging if you’re not accustomed to or a fan of the heat. 

So, when considering the best time to visit Cuba, I think of two main factors: price and weather.

From a weather perspective, the ideal time to visit Cuba is between November and April. During these months, the temperatures are warm but not overwhelmingly hot, and the humidity is pretty low. 

This period also coincides with the dry season, making it a popular time for tourists. However, because of its popularity, travel costs tend to be higher during these months.

I visited Cuba in May 2024, and the temperatures were extremely high—I was drenched most of the time. However,  coming from the south of Louisiana , I’m used to high heat and humidity, so it felt like home to me. 

If you’re not used to these conditions, you might find it quite uncomfortable.

On the flip side, the cheapest months to visit Cuba are from May to early June and mid-September to October. During these times, you can find better deals on flights and accommodations. 

However, it’s important to note that these months fall within the hurricane season, which typically runs from June to November. 

Traveling during this time requires a bit more caution and flexibility, as weather conditions can be unpredictable.

Regardless of when you visit, here are a few tips to make your trip more comfortable:

Dress Comfortably : Light, breathable clothing is a must. Cotton and linen fabrics are great choices to keep cool

What to pack for Cuba?

• Comfortable Walking Shoes
• Sun Protection
• Reusable Water Bottle
• Insect Repellent
• Portable Charger
• Travel Adapter
• Personal Medications

Stay Hydrated : Always carry water with you. Be sure to drink only bottled water to avoid any health issues.

Plan Your Activities Wisely : Schedule outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the peak heat of the day.

Take Breaks : If you start feeling overheated, take a break in a shaded area or find a spot with air conditioning to cool down.

Stay Informed About Weather : If you’re traveling during hurricane season, keep an eye on  weather forecasts  and have a backup plan in case of severe weather.

Ultimately, the best time to visit Cuba depends on your personal preferences and tolerance for heat. If you prioritize cooler weather and don’t mind spending a bit more, aim for the November to April window. 

If budget is a bigger concern and you’re flexible with your plans, consider the off-peak months but be prepared for the heat and potential weather disruptions.

Common Scams

One of the most common scams in Cuba involves taxis. Drivers may overcharge tourists by not using the meter or taking longer routes to increase the fare. After having experienced this scam across Europe, I now know how to avoid it.

Agree on a Fare : Before getting into the taxi, agree on a fare with the driver. Make sure you understand the currency being used.

Use Official Taxis : Look for official taxis, which are usually yellow and have a “TAXI” sign on top. They are more likely to use meters and follow standard rates.

Avoid Unmarked Taxis : Unmarked or unofficial taxis are more likely to scam tourists. Stick to clearly marked, reputable taxi services.

Picture Scams

Another common scam involves locals asking to take a picture with you and then demanding money for it. This can happen with street performers, people in traditional costumes, or even friendly locals. Trust me, it happened to me.

Ask First : If you want to take a picture of or with someone, ask if they expect payment beforehand. This can prevent any surprises.

Set Expectations : If someone offers to take a picture with you, clarify if there’s a fee involved. Politely decline if you’re not willing to pay.

Be Polite but Firm : If someone insists on payment after the fact, politely but firmly decline and walk away.

Cigar Scams

Cuba is famous for its cigars, which makes it a hotspot for cigar scams. Scammers may try to sell you counterfeit cigars at inflated prices. Luckily, the Airbnb house manager warned me of this beforehand. Which I am not a cigar smoker.

Buy from Official Stores : Purchase cigars from reputable stores or government-run shops like La Casa del Habano. This ensures you’re getting authentic products.

Avoid Street Sellers : Be wary of people selling cigars on the street or in unofficial markets. These are often counterfeit and of poor quality.

Know the Prices : Familiarize yourself with the typical prices of authentic Cuban cigars. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

General Tips to Avoid Scams

While these scams are not uncommon and not limited to Cuba, they are common in many parts of the world. Being aware and prepared can help you avoid them.

Stay Informed : Research common scams in the area you’re visiting before you go. Knowledge is your best defense.

Trust Your Instincts : If something feels off or too good to be true, trust your instincts and walk away.

Be Polite but Firm : When declining offers or refusing to pay, be polite but firm. A confident attitude can often deter scammers.

Keep Valuables Secure : Always keep your valuables, like money and important documents, secure and out of sight.

Travel Insurance : Consider getting travel insurance that covers theft and scams. This can provide peace of mind and financial protection. I use  Allianz Travel .

Get Your Cuban Tourist Card

When you arrive in Cuba, you will be required to fill out this form before going through immigration. The airport has free Wi-Fi for 30 minutes. Here is the URL to the form:  www.dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu .

Get a Cuban Tourist Card from your airline. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after your stay. Carry photocopies of important documents (in a Ziplock bag), such as your passport and visa, in case the originals are lost or stolen. 

On the same day of my flight, I purchased a tourist card from the CTS Cuba Ready kiosk for $85. 

The process is simple: complete the application, pay the $85 charge in cash, then get the tourist card.

Make sure you keep your tourist card, as immigration agents will ask to see it at the airport before you leave to go back home.

It was quite odd, but I don’t make the rules.

When applying for your tourist visa, you will be required to declare one of the 12 categories to state the purpose of your visit. Be very careful with the category you choose. The most common category is ‘support for the Cuban people.’ To travel to Cuba from the U.S., you need to qualify under one of 12 categories:

• Family Visits : Visit relatives in Cuba.
• Official Business : For U.S. government or intergovernmental work.
• Journalistic Activity : For professional journalists or documentary work.
• Professional Research and Meetings : For professional research or conferences.
• Educational Activities : For academic programs or study abroad.
• Religious Activities : For religious purposes and missions.
• Public Performances and Competitions : For performances, workshops, or sports.
• Support for the Cuban People : For activities supporting Cuban civilians.
• Humanitarian Projects : For projects improving Cuban living conditions.
• Private Foundations : For foundations and research institutes’ activities.
• Information Exportation : For media and informational materials.
• Authorized Export Transactions : For selling agricultural or medical goods.

@thebeardedbackpacker Follow the links below ⬇️⬇️ ————— Cuban Tourist Card( e-Visa): https://www.visacubaonline.com ————— Airbnb(as pictured with wifi and AC): https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/16914308?source_impression_id=p3_1715438295_oOp7S8Oj3GskMR1b ————— Sim Card( Pick up at airport): https://www.recargasacuba.com/en ————— Sim Card (online purchase): https://www.airalo.com ————— #cuba #habana #havana #travel #vlog #cuba🇨🇺 #CapCut ♬ Mia - Yailin La Mas Viral

Accommodation Options

I loved the colonial feel of the home. There was air conditioning in the bedrooms, though not in other parts of the house, which was completely fine with me. The house manager was so welcoming, kind, and helpful. 

She checked on me to make sure I was okay or if I needed anything, and she honestly felt like a mother to me. We bonded instantly, and I hope to see her again someday.

The location was ideal and walkable to many restaurants and historic places, and the area was bustling. It was nice to sit on the balcony and see neighbors sitting on their balconies enjoying the sunrise or washing their laundry and letting it dry out in the air. 

From the balcony, I could also see school children dressed in their uniforms on their way to school, looking as innocent as ever.

Typically, I prefer staying in hostels, but for this trip, I chose the Airbnb because it was quite affordable. However, do know that hostels are also available if that’s your usual preference.

This is where I stayed:  Chacon’s Balcon

Getting Around Cuba

Getting around Cuba as a solo traveler is pretty straightforward. When I arrived at the airport and exited, I was prepared to be swarmed by drivers trying to win my business. I typically go with the calmest driver and negotiate the fare. Remember to confirm the fare before getting in.

Public transportation options include buses like Viazul, which are reliable and connect major cities, and ASTRO buses, which are cheaper but less dependable. Classic American cars and Soviet-era vehicles serve as shared taxis, offering a nostalgic travel experience on fixed routes.

During my stay, I used these shared taxis. My first time riding in a Soviet car, and it had been years since I had ridden in a classic car. My grandfather owned a few, and riding in them brought back great memories.

For long distances, domestic flights between major cities save time and should be booked in advance. 

The Airbnb I stayed at was able to arrange rides with local taxis, which was super helpful. The good thing is that they were all friends with the Airbnb host and manager, adding an extra level of comfort for me.

Cultural Etiquette

Respect First and Foremost

When traveling, the most important thing to remember is to be respectful. You are a guest in someone else’s home, and it’s good to honor their customs and traditions.

Check Your Ego and Privilege at the Border : Understand that your way of life is not universal. Be open-minded and ready to adapt to the local culture and customs.

Kindness and Understanding : Approach every interaction with kindness and understanding. Even if something is different from what you’re used to, remember that it’s normal and meaningful to the locals.

Embrace the Local Culture

Engaging with the local culture enriches your travel experience and shows respect for your hosts.

Learn the Basics : Don’t expect everyone to speak English. Make an effort to learn a few basic phrases in the local language. Simple greetings and polite expressions in Spanish, for example, can go a long way in showing respect and building rapport.

Understand the Customs : Take time to learn about local customs and traditions. This might include dress codes, dining etiquette, or social norms. Following these customs demonstrates respect for the local way of life.

Be Open and Curious : Show genuine interest in the local culture. Ask questions, participate in local activities, and be eager to learn. This openness fosters positive interactions and mutual respect.

Remember the Home Factor

When you visit a new place, you are entering a community that people have called home for generations.

Respect Public and Private Spaces : Treat public spaces and private properties with care. Avoid behaviors that could be seen as intrusive or disrespectful.

Be Mindful of Cultural Significance : Recognize and respect sites of cultural and historical significance. Follow guidelines and rules, such as not taking photos in certain areas or dressing modestly in religious sites.

Adjust Your Expectations

Traveling comes with its challenges and surprises.

Be Flexible and Adaptable : Things might not always go as planned. Transportation delays, language barriers, and cultural differences can be frustrating, but approach them with patience and flexibility.

Avoid Assumptions : Don’t assume that services and amenities will be the same as at home. Embrace the differences and enjoy the unique aspects of your destination.

Contribute Positively

Finally, aim to leave a positive impact on the places you visit.

Support Local Businesses : Choose to eat at local restaurants, stay in locally owned accommodations, and buy from local artisans. This helps support the local economy and shows appreciation for their culture.

Follow Environmental Guidelines : Be mindful of your environmental impact. Follow local guidelines for waste disposal, conserve resources, and respect natural habitats.

Engage Respectfully with Locals : Build genuine connections with the people you meet. Listen to their stories, respect their viewpoints, and share your own experiences with humility.

Traveling with respect not only enhances your experience but also fosters goodwill and understanding between cultures. Remember, we all deserve respect and kindness, and your actions can contribute to a more positive and interconnected world.

Money Matters

Cash is king in Cuba, so I made sure to carry plenty with me because ATMs are few and often unreliable. I’m not a huge fan of carrying large amounts of money, but I did it.

Before going on my solo trip to Cuba, I made sure I had enough money to cover all my expenses. This included money for food, transportation, lodging, and activities.

Cuba uses one currency: the Cuban peso (CUP). Credit and debit cards from the US usually don’t work in Cuba, so I couldn’t use electronic payments there.

While carrying a lot of cash may seem risky, there are steps I took to keep it safe. I used a money belt or hidden pouch to hold the majority of my cash and kept only what I needed for the day in my wallet.

I divided my cash into multiple areas, such as my luggage, the hotel safe, and on myself to reduce the danger of losing it all at once.

Most businesses in Cuba accept cash. Even many high-end places may not accept cards, so I was always prepared. When dining out or shopping, I checked costs ahead of time and carried small denominations to make transactions go more smoothly and avoid hassles with change.

It was interesting to learn about and embrace the cash-focused way of life on the island.

Budget For Your Solo Cuba Trip

Cuba is quite inexpensive, especially compared to some other Caribbean islands I have been to. I wanted to have a great travel experience without spending a lot of money.

I am proud to say that I achieved that goal on this trip. I did not keep track of all my expenses dollar for dollar, but I spent around $30 each day on coffee, breakfast, street food, dinner, and transportation.

• Drip coffee: $.50
• Full breakfast: $5
• Snack: $1-$2
• Lunch: $2-$3
• Local paladar dinner: $7-$10
• Shared taxis/colectivos: $4-$10 per ride

Budget Tips:

• Eat like a local : Enjoy Street food and paladares.
• Use shared transportation : Colectivos are cheaper and offer local experiences.
• Stay in casa particulares : More affordable and offers local interaction.
• Choose low-cost activities : Explore historic neighborhoods, public beaches, and free cultural events.

Translate Common Spanish Words

Learning a few words in Spanish will help you greatly and foster a more inclusive and rich experience for you and the locals. Remember, English isn’t everyone’s native language, so don’t expect everyone to speak it. 

Luckily, I know a little Spanish from living in Houston, so I did my best to communicate in Spanish. Many people preferred to speak to me in English, as they said it helped them practice their English.

Feel free to use the translation app below to help with your Spanish.

Translate Common Phrases to Spanish

Translation:, how to visit cuba while working full-time/part-time.

To maximize your vacation time in Cuba, carefully selecting your flights is important. Here are some tips:

• Departure: Book an early morning flight to arrive in Cuba early and start exploring immediately. Choose direct flights to save time and avoid layovers.
• Return: Choose an evening flight to maximize your last day. This allows you to enjoy a full day before heading to the airport.
• Short on Time: If vacation days are limited, book an evening flight on Friday and return on the evening of Monday. This way, you get a long weekend with minimal time off work.
• Holiday Weekend: Plan your trip around holidays that fall on a Friday or Monday. This gives you an extra day without using vacation time.
• Flexibility: Be flexible with travel dates to find better flight options and deals.

Be strategic, especially around long weekends, so you can make the most of your trip to Cuba without using all of your vacation time.

Off Beaten Destination

Gibara is a hidden gem on Cuba’s northern coast. It is also known as “The White Town.” The town is away from the popular tourist spots of Havana and Varadero. The calm atmosphere and beautiful beach make it a perfect spot for solo travelers looking for peace and real Cuban culture.

Why Gibara is Perfect for Solo Travel:

Rich History and Culture: Gibara’s colonial architecture and historical landmarks, like the Cacique Hatuey monument and the Museo de Historia Natural, offer a deep dive into Cuba’s past.

Stunning Natural Beauty: The town’s location by the sea, with pristine beaches and scenic views, provides a peaceful retreat. Nearby natural attractions, such as the Gibara Caves, add an adventurous twist to the visit.

Friendly Locals: Gibara is known for its welcoming and warm-hearted residents. Solo travelers will find it easy to make connections and enjoy genuine Cuban hospitality.

Safety: As a smaller, less crowded town, Gibara feels safe and secure, allowing solo adventurers to explore at their own pace without the hustle and bustle of more touristy areas.

Gibara offers a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and local charm, making it a fantastic spot for solo travelers looking to experience the authentic side of Cuba.

Top Destinations

• Havana , the heart of Cuba, is a must-visit for its historic vibes, colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and lively plazas. The Malecón offers stunning seaside views.
• Trinidad is a beautifully preserved colonial town with colorful houses and cobblestone streets. Visit Plaza Mayor.
• Viñales is famous for its lush valleys, limestone mogotes, and tobacco farms. Enjoy guided tours, explore the valley on horseback or bike.
• Santiago de Cuba , the second-largest city, boasts rich cultural heritage and a vibrant music scene. Visit Castillo del Morro.
• Cienfuegos , known as the “Pearl of the South,” features French-inspired architecture and a beautiful bay. Stroll along the Paseo del Prado.
• Baracoa , the oldest city, offers lush landscapes, cocoa plantations, and a blend of Spanish and Taino cultures. Hike up El Yunque.

Local Cuisine

During my trip to Cuba, I had the chance to experience the local cuisine, which was an absolute delight. A typical meal usually included a protein such as pork, chicken, or beef, with dishes like “Ropa Vieja” (shredded beef) and “Lechón Asado” (roast pork) being particularly memorable. 

These were served with rice and beans, often served as “Moros y Cristianos” (black beans and rice). Fried plantains, both tostones and maduros, were common and delicious side dishes, along with yuca (cassava) topped with mojo sauce. 

The fresh Cuban bread was a perfect addition to these meals. The flavors were rich and hearty.

It’s advisable to avoid government-run businesses and restaurants. Identifying these establishments can be tricky since there isn’t a clear sign indicating government ownership. 

However, there are a few telltale signs to look out for. These places are often empty, have extremely high prices, and are not the most visually appealing. 

Avoiding these establishments is particularly important for American travelers, as patronizing them can potentially lead to issues down the road.

Government-run restaurants and businesses tend to lack the authenticity and warmth that privately owned establishments offer. Instead, seek out paladares—privately owned restaurants often located in the owner’s home. 

These places typically provide a more genuine Cuban experience, with better food quality, reasonable prices, and a welcoming atmosphere.

I ate at Antojos restaurant nearly every day; the food, ambiance, and staff were all a 10/10. Get the shrimp tacos.

List of Cuba Sanctions and legal implications here.

Meeting People

I had no issues meeting people in Cuba. The minute I walked out the door, someone would approach me, asking where I was from, which often sparked a conversation. 

Cubans are incredibly friendly and curious about visitors, making it easy to connect with locals and fellow travelers alike.

One of the best ways to meet people is by staying in hostels. I didn’t stay in a hostel on this trip, but hostels are always my go-to.

Hostels provide a social environment where you can easily interact with other travelers. They offer group activities and events to meet new people.

You can use  Hostel World  to book your hostels.

If you prefer more private accommodation, consider staying in a casa particular, which is a private homestay. The hosts are usually very welcoming and can introduce you to local culture, customs, and even other travelers staying with them.

Walking around and exploring on your own can also lead to spontaneous conversations. Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations or directions; these interactions can often turn into meaningful exchanges.

Additionally, participating in local tours and activities can be a great way to meet people. Joining a guided tour, taking a dance class, or participating in a local workshop.

Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers

I may not fully understand the experiences of female travelers. However, I can share some insights and tips from women who have traveled solo to Cuba. The number of women embarking on solo travel is increasing, which is both impressive and inspiring. 

Many female travelers have shared their positive experiences of solo travel in Cuba, emphasizing that the country is generally safe and welcoming. Here are a few key points from their stories:

Here are some excerpts from female travel bloggers who have been to Cuba:

The Blonde Abroad , Kiersten Rich, who shares, “Cuba is a very safe country for solo female travelers. The people are friendly and respectful, and I never felt unsafe walking around alone. Just use common sense, like you would anywhere else.”

Adventurous Kate , a well-known solo female travel blogger, writes, “Cuba was one of the most fascinating places I’ve visited. I found the locals to be incredibly kind and helpful. While I did get a few catcalls, it was no worse than in other Latin American countries. Just keep your wits about you and you’ll be fine.”

I hope this helps.

Staying Connected

Get a Sim Card

Staying connected while traveling in Cuba can be a bit challenging due to the country’s limited internet infrastructure. To be honest, being disconnected from the rest of the world was rather nice at first. 

However, I was very close to releasing this website , so I needed to reconnect to iron out some issues so that launch day went as smoothly as possible.

Here are some tips to help you stay connected during your trip to Cuba:

One of the first things you should do upon arriving is to get a local SIM card. If not, you may struggle a bit. This will allow you to use your phone for calls and data, making it much easier to stay connected.

Purchase at the Airport or ETECSA Offices : You can buy a  Cubacel SIM card  at the Havana airport or at any ETECSA (Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba S.A.) office. ETECSA is the state-run telecommunications company, and they offer SIM cards specifically for tourists. I paid about $30 USD.

Bring an Unlocked Phone : Make sure your phone is unlocked before you leave home so that it can accept the Cuban SIM card. Unfortunately, if you financed your phone and make monthly payments, you will be unable to  unlock it .

Wi-Fi Access

While Wi-Fi is available in Cuba, it is often limited to specific areas and can be slow and unreliable.

I had Wi-Fi while staying at an Airbnb, but it wasn’t really dependable—it was down for nearly two days.

Here’s how to make the most of it:

WiFi Hotspots : WiFi is typically available in designated hotspots such as public parks, major hotels, and certain restaurants. You’ll need a prepaid WiFi card, which you can purchase from ETECSA offices or from vendors near the hotspots.

ETECSA WiFi Cards : These cards are available in increments of 1 hour, costing around 1-2 CUC per hour. Scratch off the code on the card and log in at the hotspot.

Be Patient : WiFi speeds can be slow, and connections might drop frequently.

If you’re a digital nomad, this is something to really consider.

Offline Solutions

Given the limitations of internet access, it’s a good idea to have offline solutions prepared:

Download Maps : Use offline maps like Google Maps or Maps.me to navigate without needing an internet connection.

Save Important Information : Download or print out important travel information, such as hotel addresses, booking confirmations, and emergency contacts.

Apps for Messaging : Install messaging apps that work well with limited data, such as WhatsApp, which can be more data-efficient than other communication methods.

Staying in Touch

Here are some more tips for staying in touch while in Cuba:

Schedule Regular Check-Ins : Arrange regular check-in times with someone back home.

Emergency Contact Plan : Establish an emergency contact plan with friends or family, so they know who to reach out to if they can’t get in touch with you.

Social Media Isn’t Available (Use a VPN) : Some popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp may not be accessible. Consider using a VPN to bypass these restrictions.

I recommend using CyberGhost VPN . Get a free 3-day trial.

Cuba Tour Companies

Sometimes the best way to learn about a place and the locals is to hire a local guide or do a free walking tour. These local guides help you navigate new and foreign places and help you understand what’s going on around you and the significant importance of places.

I always take advantage of the free walking tours ( be sure to tip the guides at the end ).

Check out free walking tours with  Guru Walk .

If you want a little more, I recommend Locally Sourced Cuba Tours .

• They offer day tours, group tours and private tours.

Nightlife in Cuba

I was quite surprised to find out that Cuba has such a huge nightlife scene; it’s incredibly lively. The music was blasting through the streets, and I even stumbled upon a speakeasy that was also a hookah lounge. Pretty impressive.

• An eclectic mix of art gallery, nightclub.

La Zorra y el Cuervo

• A famous jazz club known for its intimate atmosphere and top-notch live jazz performances. It’s a great spot to enjoy music and drinks.

Casa de la Música Miramar

• A lively club offering live salsa music and dance. It’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists.
• A seaside club with live music, often featuring well-known Cuban bands. The open-air setting provides a vibrant atmosphere for dancing and socializing.

Mio & Tuyo

A chic rooftop lounge offering hookah, cocktails, and a relaxed vibe with bomb views of the Havana skyline. Perfect for a laid-back evening out.

Top Activities

Salsa Clubs and Live Music

I found that Cuba’s nightlife is as vibrant and diverse as its culture. In Havana, I love visiting the salsa clubs and live music venues. Places like Casa de la Música and El Turquino are my go-to spots for dancing and experiencing authentic Cuban music.

Bars and Rooftop Terraces

For a more relaxed evening, I visit one of Havana’s many bars and rooftop terraces, for a more relaxed evening, I visit one of Havana’s many bars and rooftop terraces, La Guarida, where many celebrities like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and the Obamas have been seen.

Hookah Lounges

For a laid-back experience, I visit a hookah lounge in Havana. These lounges offer a comfortable atmosphere where I can unwind, socialize, and enjoy flavored hookah. Combining Cuban charm with Middle Eastern tradition, these spots are perfect for a relaxing evening.

Check out this comprehensive list of activities in Cuba: Airbnb Experiences

Things To Do Solo in Cuba

I booked an  Airbnb experience with an Afro-Cuban family and had dinner with them. It was wonderful to sit and talk about their lives in Cuba. The food was delicious, and the conversation gave me a deeper understanding of their daily experiences and culture. The language barrier took a little away from the experience, but I still highly recommend it. 

Next, I booked a  cigar-rolling class  where we learned to roll cigars and enjoyed some rum to go with them. It was a fantastic experience, allowing me to step inside local homes and see how they live.

One of the highlights of my trip was a Black cultural experience with  Beyond Roots . We had the opportunity to leave Havana, and our guide was incredibly detailed and down-to-earth. She knew so much and spoke about the struggles of living in Cuba while still carrying a sense of pride and hope for her country.

We drove to a small town called Guanabacoa, where we visited a local practitioner and learned about the Yoruba religion . We had the chance to see them worship and even join in. Walking around the small, remote town gave me a real sense of the locals. It was clear that many tourists don’t visit, making it an incredibly authentic experience.

*Bonus* How to Support the Cuban People

Supporting the Cuban people can be incredibly rewarding and impactful.

I brought crayons, men’s and women’s hygiene products, notebooks, and clothes to help out and was able to distribute the items to locals.

Check out this  Amazon cart with all the items you need for donation.

Here’s how you can help:

• Donate Items : Bring essential items such as medications, hygiene products, school supplies, and clothing to donate to local communities.
• Purchase Local Goods : Support local artisans, farmers, and small businesses by purchasing handmade crafts, local foods, and other goods.
• Churches and Community Centers : Many churches and community centers accept donations and have established distribution networks to get items to those in need.
• Local Schools : Schools often need supplies such as notebooks, pencils, and educational materials. Contact a school directly to arrange a donation.

Suggested Books, Blogs, and Articles

“Cuban Revelations: Behind the Scenes in Havana” by Marc Frank

• This book provides a detailed account of the significant changes and challenges in Cuba over recent decades, offering a deeper understanding of the country’s evolution.
• Jodi’s blog offers extensive travel guides, including personal experiences and practical tips for solo travelers, with a focus on cultural immersion and local cuisine.
• Legal Nomads: Cuba Travel Guide
• Offers practical advice and detailed insights into traveling independently in Cuba, including recommendations for accommodations and activities.
• Nomadic Matt: Independent Travel in Cuba

Final Thoughts

Looking back on my solo trip to Cuba, I can’t help but smile at the memories. Traveling alone gave me the chance to delve deeper into this amazing country.

Traveling solo in Cuba is more than just seeing new places; it’s about pushing your boundaries, meeting new people, and soaking in a culture that’s rich and vibrant. 

Sure, there might be a few bumps along the way, but the experiences you’ll have and the stories you’ll bring back are totally worth it.

So now, when people ask me, ‘Which country is your favorite?’ you can see why I confidently say Cuba

I hope this guide has given you the tips and confidence to plan your own solo adventure to Cuba. Remember, the best part of travel is the journey itself, and Cuba offers a journey full of surprises and joys. So, pack your bags, keep an open mind, and get going.

If this Cuba Solo Guide was helpful, please like, comment and share!

Hi there! welcome to the blog! My name is Don, and I am the beard behind this site. My hope is to inspire you to rethink the how’s and why’s of travel, and the places we travel to. Whether it’s traveling on a budget, solo trips, backpacking journeys, I’ve got you covered. Since you have landed here, I am officially your personal travel guide. Uncovering travel tips, hacks, hidden destinations, and much more. Let's start this journey.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• why does cuba have low crime rates.

• Because of Cuba’s basic income program and strict criminal laws, experiencing violent crime on this Caribbean island is highly uncommon. Cuba has the lowest murder rate in South America and the Caribbean, with just 4.6 per 100,000 inhabitants. There are very few guns in the country, which makes violent crime less likely. Muggers may occasionally carry knives, but this is extremely rare.

• Is it Really Hard to enter cuba and an american?

I wouldn’t consider it hard. The main things to know are that a visa is required, which is a straightforward process, and you must select the appropriate category for traveling to Cuba, which has 12 categories.

• Why is it hard to visit cuba as america?

• I wouldn’t say it’s hard; it’s just not a place you can simply book a flight to and show up like London or Paris. Traveling to Cuba requires a few extra steps, which many people may consider difficult or a hassle. However, the U.S. government has placed many sanctions on Cuba over the years, which has strained their relations. As a result, we all have to pay a price.

• Is Worth Going to cuba for a week?

• Honestly, in my opinion, going anywhere besides work and home is worth it. In seven days, you can explore all the richness of Havana. Take a day trip to Viñales for landscapes and tobacco farms. Relax on the beaches of Varadero or Cayo Coco, perfect for water sports and sunbathing. Visit Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its colonial architecture. 

• does cuba have a nightlife?

• Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC): A multidisciplinary cultural space combining art, music, and nightlife.
• La Zorra y el Cuervo: Renowned for its live jazz performances.
• Tropicana Club: Famous for its extravagant cabaret shows and open-air dance floor.
• Casa de la Música Miramar: A hotspot for live salsa music and dancing.
• El Turquino: Located on the top floor of the Habana Libre Hotel, nice views of the city.

• is cuba fun for single men?

• As a single man, I found Cuba to be incredibly fun and diverse. The nightlife in Havana and Santiago de Cuba is buzzing with live music and dance clubs.

• is tinder popular in cuba?

Tinder’s popularity in Cuba is growing, especially among younger Cubans and in more urban regions like Havana. However, various factors influence its widespread use. Internet connection in Cuba is limited and often expensive, so even while more Cubans are gaining access to mobile internet and Wi-Fi hotspots, connectivity issues can still restrict the broad use of apps like Tinder. Additionally, conventional methods of meeting individuals through social gatherings and introductions by friends and family remain important in Cuban culture. However, online dating is growing more popular. Tinder’s popularity has grown in step with the rise of tourism, as many visitors use the app to connect with locals.

• what is considered disrespectful in cuba?

Respecting local norms is extremely important in Cuba. It is important to greet the locals with a polite “hola” or “buenos días,” as disregarding this can be considered disrespectful. Negative comments on Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, or the Cuban Revolution should be avoided because these are sensitive topics. Being too loud or disruptive in public places is also frowned upon. Political discussions, particularly criticisms of the administration, should be avoided unless with close friends.

• what are some weird facts about cuba?

No Coca-Cola: Cuba is one of the few countries where Coca-Cola is not officially sold due to the U.S. trade embargo.

Longest Cigars: In 2016, the world’s longest cigar, measuring 90 meters (295 feet), was rolled in Cuba by master cigar roller José Castelar Cairo.

American Classic Cars: Due to the embargo, Cuba is famous for its vintage American cars from the 1950s. These “yank tanks” or “máquinas” are still used as regular transportation and are meticulously maintained.

Largest Exporter of Doctors: Cuba has one of the highest ratios of doctors per capita in the world. The country often sends medical professionals to other countries during health crises.

Dual Currency System: Until 2021, Cuba had a dual currency system, with the Cuban Peso (CUP) and the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). The CUC was primarily used by tourists, while locals used the CUP.

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Solo travel Cuba: your ultimate guide

Are you seeking adventure and ready to explore Cuba solo? Look no further! In this ultimate guide, we have curated everything you need to know to plan a safe and memorable trip to Cuba.

From packing tips to health preparations, safety concerns, and connecting with other solo travelers, we have got you covered.

Last updated on: 02-01-2024

Is Cuba safe for solo travelers?

Cuba is generally considered safe for solo travelers, including solo female travelers. While there may be some challenges and annoyances, such as catcalling and unwanted attention, violent crime is rare.

Cuba holds the 99th spot on the  Global Peace Index . The GPI is a creation of the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) and stands as the foremost global measure of worldwide tranquility.

Here are some key points to consider:

• Cuba is generally safe for solo travelers, with low rates of violent crime.
• It’s important to exercise caution and use common sense, especially when walking alone at night or in desolate areas.
• Organized tours and free walking tours can be a great way to meet people and stay safe.
• It’s recommended to avoid taking the bus and instead use taxis, such as Taxi Colectivos, which are more comfortable and efficient.
• Cubans are generally friendly and eager to help tourists.

Recommended vaccinations for Cuba

Consult with a healthcare professional to determine the recommended vaccinations for traveling to Cuba. Common vaccinations for travelers include:

• Hepatitis A

Important:  consult your local doctor or the website of  Centers of Disease Control and Prevention  for actual information about vaccinations.

It’s also advisable to be up to date on routine vaccinations such as measles, mumps, and rubella. Depending on your travel plans, additional vaccinations like hepatitis B or rabies may be recommended.

Don’t forget to bring your vaccination records with you when traveling to Cuba for a smooth and worry-free trip.

What is the best time to travel to Cuba?

Consider visiting during the dry season, which spans from November to April , as this is when you can expect the best weather. The wet season runs from May to October.

On the other hand, it’s advisable to avoid traveling to Cuba during the hurricane season, which runs from June to November, as it can disrupt your travel plans.

The best time to travel to Cuba depends on your preferences and priorities. Here are some key points to consider:

• Cuba has a semi-subtropical climate that is generally warm year-round.
• March to mid-April is considered the most pleasant time to visit Cuba, with warm and sunny weather without summer humidity or storms.
• July and August are popular with those who don’t mind navigating around stormy afternoons, but it’s also the hottest time of the year.
• Hurricane season is from June through early November, with the likelihood of a hurricane more likely to occur in August through October.
• Prices may be slightly lower in January-February, when night-time temperatures drop, but the rain stays away and the sun shines.
• The cheapest months to go to Cuba are May to early June and mid-September to October.
• Festivals of all kinds occur year-round, such as Carnival in August and International Workers’ Day in May.

Connecting with other solo travelers in Cuba

When traveling solo in Cuba, connecting with other solo travelers can enhance your experience and provide opportunities for new friendships. Joining online travel communities or forums is a great way to connect with fellow solo travelers visiting Cuba.

Consider downloading a travel buddy app or participating in group tours or organized activities, as they provide a platform to meet like-minded travelers.

Engaging in social activities such as bar crawls or cultural experiences is another best way to connect with other tourists.

Additionally, staying in accommodations that promote social interaction, such as hostels or guesthouses, can increase your chances of meeting fellow solo travelers.

5 Dishes you must try in Cuba

Cuban cuisine is a blend of Spanish, African, and Chinese influences, resulting in a unique and flavorful culinary culture. Here are five must-try dishes in Cuba:

1. Ropa Vieja – This is one of the most popular dishes in Cuba and consists of shredded flank steak stewed in a rich tomato sauce with onions and bell peppers. It is typically served with rice and fried plantains.

2. Picadillo – This is a local favorite and is made with ground beef, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and raisins. It is typically served with rice and black beans.

3. Yuca Con Mojo – This is a simple dish of cassava topped with a sauce made of bitter orange for a pop of flavor. It is often served with roast pork.

4. Tamales – This corn-based classic is made differently in Cuba, with meat mixed with the dough rather than as a filling, as in the Mexican tamale. Tamales are very common all over Cuba.

5. Boliche – This is a traditional Cuban dish comprising of eye round beef roast stuffed with chorizo sausages. The beef is simmered in water with plenty of onions for flavor and is typically enjoyed with rice and black beans.

Other notable dishes to try in Cuba include Arroz con Pollo (chicken and rice), Lechon Asado (roast pork), Chicharrones (fried pork rinds), and Medianoche (a type of sandwich). Cuban bread and coffee are also must-try items.

What does a 7-day solo trip to Cuba cost?

The cost of traveling to Cuba for two weeks can vary depending on your travel style, activities, and other expenses. Here are some rough estimates:

• For a budget traveler, you can expect to spend approximately $30 to $50 per day in US dollars, including accommodation, food, and transportation.
• A typical seven-day trip to Cuba costs anywhere from $1,200 to $3,000 USD, including flights, accommodation, and insurance.
• The average price of a 7-day trip to Cuba is $833 for a solo traveler, $1,399 for a couple, and $936 for a family of 4. Cuba hotels range from $28 to $129 per night with an average of $45, while most.
• If you’re going to be traveling on a tight backpacker budget, you’ll find you can get by for as little as $20 a day. As a mid-range traveler, you can expect to spend $120 a day. And if you’re looking for a taste of luxury, the sky’s the limit, but in general, you can expect to average $300 a day.

Overall, the cost of traveling to Cuba for two weeks can range from $600 to $4,200, depending on your travel style, activities, and other expenses.

It’s important to keep in mind that these are rough estimates and actual costs may vary depending on your preferences and priorities.

7-Day itinerary for a memorable solo trip in Cuba

Here is a suggested 7-day itinerary for solo travelers in Cuba:

• Arrive in Havana and check into your accommodation.
• Explore Old Havana, including Obispo Street, Plaza de Armas, and Hotel Ambos Mundos.
• Enjoy a mojito break at NOA and dinner at Habana 61.
• Visit the Colon Cemetery and stop at Cuba Libro for coffee and a bookstore visit.
• Dine at one of the privately owned paladares.
• Dance the night away at Disco Ayala, a nightclub inside a cave.
• Take a day trip to Viñales and explore the tobacco fields and caves.
• Enjoy a sunset at the Mirador Los Jazmines.
• Visit the Museum of the Revolution and the Malecon.
• Dine at La Guarida, a famous restaurant in Havana.
• Take a day trip to Varadero and enjoy the beautiful beaches.
• Visit the Bellamar Caves and the Saturno Cave.
• Visit the Bay of Pigs and the Zapata Swamp.
• Enjoy a snorkeling or diving excursion.
• Visit the Christ of Havana statue and the Morro Castle.
• Relax and enjoy your last day in Havana.

Tip  (no advertisement): for planning your route, we can recommend using the Stippl app.

This itinerary includes a mix of sightseeing, beach time, and outdoor activities, giving you a taste of what Cuba has to offer.

The Role of Spanish Language in Enhancing Your Cuban Experience

Knowing Spanish can greatly enhance your solo travel experience in Cuba. By being able to communicate effectively with locals, you can truly immerse yourself in the culture and gain a deeper understanding of Cuban history and traditions.

Practice basic phrases and engage in conversations with native speakers to further enhance your linguistic skills. Embracing the opportunity to improve your Spanish language abilities while exploring Cuba will not only enrich your travel experience but also open doors to meaningful interactions with the local community.

Tip: use apps like Duolingo to improve your language skills when you have a spare moment.

(no advertisement)

In conclusion, solo travel to Cuba can be an incredibly enriching and fulfilling experience. With careful planning and preparation, you can ensure a safe and memorable trip.

Remember to prioritize your safety by staying aware of your surroundings and connecting with other solo travelers. Embrace the opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant Cuban culture and explore the beautiful landscapes and historic sites.

Whether you’re indulging in the delicious Cuban cuisine or learning some Spanish phrases, each experience will contribute to a truly unforgettable journey.

Midori, the Chief Explorer at Likeplan, is deeply passionate about travel and dedicated to connecting travellers to enrich their journeys and create unforgettable experiences. With a wealth of solo trips under her belt, she is on a mission to empower people to venture out and explore the world, even when they have to do it alone.

Solo Holidays To Cuba: Important Things To Know Before Visiting Cuba From A Local (2024)!

• X (Twitter)

Are solo holidays to Cuba a good idea? Fun? Even for women, is it safe? After traveling solo to Cuba for five years as a woman from Scandinavia, let me help you put your mind at ease.

Yes, solo holidays to Cuba are a good idea. It will be fun, and it is safe.

When someone asks me if I feel safe traveling solo around the world, I often say that any destination, however far from my home, is someone’s neighborhood. And Cuba is no different.

Here is everything you need to know before traveling solo to Cuba to travel safely and have an amazing holiday.

Summary Solo Travel To Cuba

• Cuba is a very safe destination to travel solo, including for solo female travelers .
• The daily cost of solo travel in Cuba starts at around $100 a day and up indefinitely.
• Budget accommodation for private rooms starts at around $20 and up.
• Traveling around in Cuba solo is very easy with buses or taxi colectivos .
• There are a variety of organized tours solo travelers can join across Cuba.
• Tours range from short free excursions to day trips and multi-day trips around the island.

First: Is Cuba Safe To Travel Solo?

Yes, it is safe to travel solo to Cuba. In fact, it is safe to travel here in general, as Cuba is one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean for tourists, including for women.

One important reason for this is that as tourism is one of Cuba’s most important sources of revenue, crime against foreigners is not taken lightly.

Penalties are severe for crimes against tourists in Cuba, a law implemented by Fidel Castro in the 90s.

That said, among Cubans in Cuba, the crime rate is higher, including some forms of violent crime. So the crime rate in Cuba is like two parallel worlds where yours is very safe as a tourist.

Traveling solo in Cuba, you should be normally vigilant as you would be anywhere. Don’t flash valuables or money, keep your pockets and bags closed in crowded areas, and be careful with the Cuba Libre cocktails (they can be fierce!).

Female Solo Travel To Cuba

Traveling to Cuba is very safe, including for solo female travelers. However, there are a few things solo female travelers should know before traveling to Cuba, and one is that being safe is not the same as being left alone.

In Cuba, gender roles are still very traditional. In addition to that, as a foreigner, you will attract a lot of attention in the streets when you are walking alone.

As catcalling is still very much a thing in Cuba, you should be prepared to have people addressing you anywhere.

The attention ranges from catcalling to compliments to random comments, things that in other places are considered harassment but are still normal in Cuba.

You will be called “Linda,” “Preciosa,” “Bella,” or “Hello beautiful,” and be propositioned for various things. Don’t be surprised if someone even proposes to you as you pass by!

Life is difficult for a lot of people in Cuba, and you represent the “ extranjera “, the outside, and wealth.

This is not dangerous, but it may be annoying if you are not used to it. Just be prepared, and you will be fine. It has nothing to do with you but everything to do with the Cuban culture.

Unique Solo Travel To Cuba

First up, Cuba is a super popular tourist destination in general.

Apart from being a safe travel destination for solo travelers, Cuba is also a socially open society. So much so that if you prefer to be left alone minding your own business on your holiday, you might struggle a bit with that.

Travel Solo Around Cuba

There are also plenty of things to do and see day and night, and traveling on the island is becoming increasingly easy.

The Viazul bus has departures between the most popular destinations, or you can book a seat in a taxi colectivo , or do an organized tour. I have tried all forms of transport, apart from renting a car.

I do not recommend renting a car in Cuba, and that is not because driving in itself is challenging. The reason is that the car standard is generally lower than in other destinations.

Gas is hard to find and expensive; there is no road assistance available, and if your car breaks down or you get into an accident, it can get really expensive and complicated.

The better option is to rent a car with a driver. He will be responsible for everything from fuel, technical issues, insurance, and more, and he has the connections to fix anything that might go wrong.

Best Holiday Destinations In Cuba

Havana is a must-see destination, with its historic old city, fortresses, classic old American cars, the famous Capitolio building, the Malecon, the Museum of the Revolution, and a lot more.

The Cuban capital has a lot to offer day and night, and whether you have Latin bones in your body or not, you should visit at least one Casa de la Musica (they are in every destination) and shake to reggaeton rhythms in a Cuban nightclub.

Vinales Valley is the home of Cuban cigars, and Trinidad town is famous for its perfectly kept colonial architecture (also called the Museum of Cuba).

Cienfuegos is the only town in Cuba founded by French settlers. Its nickname is La Perla del Sud, and it is situated close to the infamous Bay of Pigs on the southern shores. Take a day trip here to see the small museum.

Santa Clara is probably the most important town in Cuba because of its importance in the days of the Cuban revolution, which you will see signs of everywhere when you visit.

And then there is Varadero , the largest resort area in the Caribbean region, perfect for a few days of pampering, luxury, and relaxation.

Towards the east, Camaguey and Bayamo are two of the seven original settlements founded by the Spanish in Cuba.

Bayamo was destroyed by a huge fire during the fight to free the city from Spanish oppression, which made the city famous (and also destroyed all its original architecture).

On the eastern tip, you find Baracoa , the oldest Spanish settlement in Cuba, and Cuba’s second-largest city, Santiago de Cuba .

Lastly, the vast Sierra Maestra mountains, where Fidel Castro had his resistance headquarters in the last years before the revolution.

You Need A Cuban Tourist Card To Visit Cuba. I Get Mine Online From Easy Tourist Card!

It will be sent straight home to your mailbox within days!

Map Of Cuba And Popular Cuban Holiday Destinations

Perfect cuba accommodation for single travelers.

Being a popular destination for backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between, there are also accommodations for single travelers in all styles and price ranges.

Hotels, hostels, and private casa particulares will take care of your personal travel needs, whatever they are.

Get ExpressVPN Before Your Trip Here!

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Cost Of Solo Travel To Cuba

A holiday to Cuba can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be or as your budget allows.

On this island, there are incredibly luxurious hotels, side by side with hostels, small hotels, and Casa Particulares, which are privately owned rental homes.

Low Budget Travel To Cuba

If you are on a tight budget, the lowest-priced accommodation is shared rooms or dorms, which could be around €10-12 per night if you are up for that.

Prices for a private room in a budget hostel start at around €20.

A daily budget for a budget solo vacation to Cuba, including food, some transport, a museum or two, and a cerveza , can be as low as around €80-100 per day.

Budget accommodation typically costs around €50-100 per night, sometimes including breakfast. A budget solo day in Cuba will cost around €150-200, including lunch, dinner, a paid activity, and transport.

And from €150 and up, you get really good hotels and probably a mansion or a casa particular if you want to!

Luxury Solo Travel To Cuba

A luxury solo travel day budget in Cuba, if you include accommodation, breakfast, lunch, a really nice dinner, a few drinks, transport, and some activities, will start from around €350 per day and up indefinitely.

In Havana, great options are the Iberostar Grand Packard , the Manzana Kempinski, and Royalton.

Luxury Solo Travel Tips For Cuba

Traveling solo means that you only need to focus on your budget, your goals, and your priorities. If your dream holiday is a pampering all-inclusive resort with endless beaches, there are plenty of options for solo luxury trips to Cuba.

Most of the biggest cities and famous beach areas have a variety of high-end luxury hotels where you can bask in pampering service and amenities.

The best cities to find luxury hotels or high-end casa particulares are the big cities, like Havana and Santiago de Cuba.

Outside of the two biggest cities, the best places for luxury all-inclusive resorts are Varadero, in addition to the Cuban Keys.

The most popular ones are Cayo Santa Maria , Cayo Coco , and Cayo Guillermo, along the northern shores east of Havana.

High-End Casa Particulares in Havana

There are also a number of private luxury casa particulares in and around Havana, with high star ratings from international guests. These casas offer pools, jacuzzis, stunning views, and top amenities to make your holiday perfect.

Find High-Rated Luxury Casas Here!

Note : if you are an American citizen, you need to be aware of the Cuba restricted list from the US government regulating where you can stay or eat in Cuba.

Hotels and resorts that are owned by the Cuban government (by more than 51%) are typically on this list.

Perfect Mixed Small Group Tours To Cuba

Even for avid solo travelers (or for your first trip to Cuba), sometimes it is nice to have some security and social life for free while traveling.

Making small group trips around Cuba will give you that, as well as the freedom and flexibility to do your own thing.

Organized tours use local tour guides and operate to “help the Cuban people” by providing accommodation in cases particulares; private holiday rental homes across the island.

The best small group tours and tour companies that operate in Cuba have itineraries from a few days to a couple of weeks.

Civitatis Tour Company.

I have made several day trips and organized two-day tour in Cuba with the UK-based Civitatis tour company.

These tours get top ratings and good reviews across the board, and I second that. The organization, destinations, guiding, and content were really high quality and worth the time and money.

The tours will be a perfect mix of organized activities and free time, and you are free to choose your own adventures in all the destinations you visit.

This way, you can make friends with lots of travelers from different countries, get some guidance on what to do, and spend time exploring on your own with all the solo travel perks you love!

G Adventures Tour Company.

G Adventures is another Canadian tour company operating in Cuba with great reviews. This company offers a variety of multi-day tours but no day trips.

I have not done any G-Adventures round tours to Cuba as I have (although the Cuba tours get top reviews), but I have made other tours with them, like walking the Inca Trail hike in Peru and the Lost City trek in Colombia.

G-Adventures has a high focus on responsible travel, eco-friendly adventures, and expeditions and generally has great reviews for its tours.

G Adventures is a small group adventure travel company that offers tours all over the world. Their focus is responsible travel, environment, and local resources. They have 10 different small group tours to Cuba, giving you the best of everything on the island!

Research Tours Here!

Backpacking Cuba Solo

Backpacking Cuba solo has never been easier, and bus transport between domestic destinations is a lot easier than a few years ago.

The Viazul bus service has online secure booking and low prices from a Western perspective.

Or you can book a seat in a taxi collectivo , traveling in a normal taxi but sharing it with other people traveling to the same destination. It’s a super way to meet new friends and have a great time traveling!

There are a lot of hostels around Cuba available on Hostelworld , but you will also find cheap rooms in casa particulares on Airbnb or Expedia .

Research Your Flight Options To Cuba

Hitchhiking Cuba Solo?

When you travel around Cuba, you will see people hitchhiking everywhere on the roads and highways; this is still normal here. There is no real problem with hitchhiking and safety.

Cubans hitchhike because it is cheap, and this form of transport is common. As a foreigner, however, this might not be as easy .

The reason for this is that Cuban drivers might be suspected of running an illegal taxi with you in it, which is a crime.

If you still want to try, set up base on the highway in the direction you are going and wave a bit of money in the air . Maybe someone will stop to pick you up, or maybe not.

Jineter@s In Cuba

Also, be aware of the term jineterism , which is a word commonly understood to refer to prostitution and prostitutes but which, in reality, encompasses a lot more.

They could also be called “street hustlers”, but jinetero/a (both genders) is a word used for anyone trying to earn money from tourists all across the spectrum.

Many websites warn you about jineteros , but I would like to nuance the picture a bit.

Jineteros are not dangerous, but they may be annoying and a bit pushy. The bottom line is that their aim is simply to make ends meet and earn some extra money selling services or merchandise (wages in Cuba are low).

As a solo traveler, you are more likely to get attention from jineteros while walking the streets by yourself. If you don’t want their services, simply ignore them or say no (and mean it).

There is also still sex tourism in Cuba, mainly in the form of holiday relationships, Where the foreigner spends time with the Cuban jinetero/a and normally ends up paying for restaurants, gifts, and activities.

So, if you meet someone who wants a fast rollercoaster romance with you in Cuba, it is highly likely that this is their goal.

I am not categorically saying “don’t do it” (and there are exceptions), but I am saying it is an advantage to be aware of what this probably is (and what it probably is not ).

There is also downright prostitution.

A male friend of mine was traveling around Cuba for two months recently, and as a male solo traveler, he was offered una novia , a girlfriend, regularly and quite aggressively. Just so you know.

Why Do A Solo Trip To Cuba?

Cuba is perfect for all the perks of solo travel, like meeting new friends, managing your own itinerary, socializing with whomever you want whenever you want (or not), and changing your mind at any time!

As a solo traveler, you tend to be more open to connecting with your surroundings and the people you meet, and this is particularly rewarding in Cuba.

Cuba is a unique country with a long and complicated history. Traveling solo in Cuba will teach you a lot and probably expand your perspective even more, as you will get to know the local culture and life!

The first impression of Cuba is often the vibrant culture, music, dance, and street life.

There are a lot more layers to the country, though, which you will learn if you spend some time talking to people and really taking in your surroundings.

The Santeria religion is omnipresent, guiding most Cubans in their everyday life. You see it through people in white in the streets and shops selling religious relics, tokens, and flowers.

Life in Cuba is hard after the pandemic, 60 years of external sanctions, and current internal reforms that affect everything.

Visiting the country with an open traveler’s mindset will be incredibly valuable to dig a little deeper!

Best Way To Travel Solo Within Cuba!

While in Cuba, if you want to travel around and explore more than one destination, there are various ways to go about that.

The Viazul bus from Havana to Vinales is $12 and three and a half hours, while Havana – Varadero is $9, and around four hours.

Traveling the long stretch between Havana and the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba by Viazul bus will normally take around 17-18 hours ($56), so that is a long-haul experience. It is also the cheapest.

EpicNomadLife Tip: If you feel adventurous, try taking the local buses, the guaguas , or the rutas ; mini-buses that do fixed routes in the cities. The price is two or five CUP, which is 20-50 cents!

Finding a private taxi will be a faster and also more expensive solution. If you are a group of travelers booking together, it will be cheaper, and you can get help from your hosts or hotel to make a booking.

The price of Havana – Santiago de Cuba probably would be around $400.

You may also find domestic flights, but it is hard, if not impossible, to book a domestic flight in Cuba online.

I have never had a domestic flight in Cuba, but you may consult Cuba Star Travel , which displays schedules and offers bookings via phone or email.

You can also consult CubaTour , a national travel agency.

Note : US citizens are not legally allowed to use services in Cuba that are owned by the Cuban state, in accordance with the Cuba restricted list.

Shopping For Groceries In Cuba

Shopping for food in Cuba is different from most places. Cubans have food stamps for governmental shops, and there are fruit and vegetable markets around cities, towns, and the countryside.

There are no supermarkets or grocery stores in Cuba, not in the way that you are used to. In the state-run MLC stores (that only accept credit cards), you can find foodstuffs, mostly canned, bottled, and dry things.

Expect that there probably will be lines to get in. Apart from that, you will find fruits and vegetables sold on the streets, as well as pork meat, and occasionally cheese and ham (one type).

What you will be able to buy is what is in season.

It will be easier for you to eat your meals at paladares , privately owned restaurants, than shop for food and cook at home, as food generally is a scarce commodity in Cuban supermarkets (not in restaurants and paladares).

If you want to expand your Cuban experience, you can find a market, have a chat with someone, hacer las colas (stand in the lines), and get what you need to cook at home at a lower price than eating out.

FAQs Cuba Travel

Why are us citizens not allowed to travel to cuba.

This is NOT correct. US citizens ARE ALLOWED to travel to Cuba.

Americans can choose a reason for Cuba travel among 12 pre-approved reasons for traveling to Cuba , determined by the US Government.

Can US citizens travel to Cuba as a tourist?

Technically, US citizens are NOT allowed to travel to Cuba as a tourist. Americans choose between 12 pre-approved reasons for Cuba travel, among which the most common one is “to help the Cuban people”.

American citizens still need to buy a tourist card , also called a tourist visa, to enter Cuba. All visitors need the tourist visa, not just U.S. citizens, so this has nothing to do with the US embargo or sanctions.

What are the 12 requirements to travel to Cuba?

You can read about the 12 pre-approved reasons to travel to Cuba for US citizens here.

The easiest and most common reason for Cuba travel is “to help the Cuban people”. There is no paperwork or application process connected to this, you just choose your reason and state that reason if anyone asks.

What happens if a US citizen travels to Cuba?

Nothing happens if a US citizen travels to Cuba apart from hopefully, the US citizen will have a fabulous holiday and encounter Cuban culture.

US citizens need to choose one of the pre-approved reasons to travel to Cuba and need to buy the PINK Cuban tourist card , also called a tourist visa.

Selected airlines sell this visa/tourist card, or you can buy one online.

What documents do I need to travel to Cuba?

You need the following documents to travel to Cuba:

• Passport valid for 6 months after the date of entry
• Cuban tourist card / tourist visa
• Proof of travel insurance, including health insurance
• Fill out the d’viajero.cu digital document before your journey

Do Americans need to be vaccinated to enter Cuba?

No, there is no requirement for specific vaccines prior to entering Cuba.

Your country’s health department probably has recommendations for what vaccines you should consider before entering Cuba.

How Do I get a tourist card for Cuba?

You can buy a tourist card online from Easy Tourist Card , or from the Cuban embassy in your country.

You might also be able to buy a Cuban tourist card from your airline or at the airport prior to departure. A tourist card can be bought at Miami International Airport’s check-in counter for American Airlines and Delta Airlines.

How Do I Get A Tourist Visa For Cuba?

A tourist visa is the same as a tourist card for Cuba. You can buy it from the following places:

• Buy one online from Easy Tourist Card
• Buy one from your airline if they offer this
• Buy one at the airport of departure if they offer this
• Buy one from the Cuban Embassy in your country

Is Travel To Cuba Allowed Right Now?

Yes, Cuba travel is allowed right now.

In addition, American citizens must choose one of the 12 pre-approved reasons for traveling to Cuba (Americans can not travel as “tourists”) and follow some simple guidelines for traveling in Cuba.

What Is The Best Time To Travel To Cuba?

The high season for travel to Cuba is around Christmas and in the summer months.

December and January are the coldest, driest months, while July and August are the hottest and most humid months.

In the summer, there are definitely most tourists, and the prices are the highest, the queues are the longest, and the heat can be a challenge. In the winter, the sea can be just a bit too cold, and you might need a jacket in the evening.

The wet season, also known as hurricane season in Cuba, runs from May through November. In August and September, there are the most thunderstorms and occasional tropical storms.

Personally, my favorite months in Cuba are April – May and the end of August through October. These periods have the fewest tourists, still nice weather (if you don’t mind the rain showers), and nice sea temperatures!

Not Booked Your Flight Yet? Compare Prices Here!

Wrap-up solo holidays to cuba.

As you see, there are many good reasons why Cuba is an excellent solo travel destination, including for solo traveling women!

I hope I have been able to reassure you that safety should not be your main concern when planning a trip to Cuba.

If you can handle the Latin culture while exploring Cuba on your own, you have a lot of fun, amazing, and unique adventures to look forward to.

Related blog posts:

Is Female Solo Travel In Cuba Safe? A Local Woman’s Advice

Best Things To Do In Cuba Solo By An Expert

43 Best Things To Do In Havana Solo By A Local

Hege Jacobsen is a solo female traveler and the founder of Epic Nomad Life. She is also a former military officer, veteran and Master of Political Science. She has traveled solo all her life, the last four years as a full time digital nomad. A life long solo and slow traveler, Hege also did a TEDx talk in 2023 about how to communicate better with A Traveler's Mindset!

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Tips for Solo Female Travel to Cuba

Cuba is one of my favorite countries in the world. I love it so much that I’ve made eight separate visits to the island and began leading group tours there. From the powdery white sand beaches and turquoise waters to the spectacular salsa dancing and mojitos for sale on every corner-what’s not to love? Cubans are some of the most kind-hearted, generous people on the planet, eager to open their homes and hearts to tourists from every corner of the world. Having traveled solo across Cuba as a woman, I have so many memories of men and women, young and old, reaching out to enrich and help me in my journey. I also have far too many memories of otherwise harmless men cat calling me day in and day out with the same pick-up lines.

I strongly encourage women to visit Cuba, either alone or in a group. Below are my tips on what to expect and how to avoid or handle uncomfortable situations.

Personal Safety and Common Scams

In terms of physical safety, Cuba is an ideal destination for female travelers. Most streets can be walked alone at night, violent crime is rare, and Cubans are friendly and quick to offer helpful advice and directions to befuddled-looking ladies (and gents!).

In terms of cat calling, however, be prepared for the extra attention. Whether it’s daytime or nighttime, and regardless of the length of your skirt, get ready for an onslaught of “Where you from,” “You so beautiful,” and “You need a boyfriend?” The incessant comments are tiresome, especially when persistent jineteros (street hustlers known for swindling tourists) insist on accompanying you along your route.

Many female travelers find themselves being wooed by a smooth Cuban papi who starts off buying roses on the Malecón (waterfront esplanade), then begins to ask for internet cards and money deposits on his phone (only so he can communicate with you more, of course). One of the most common complaints that solo female travelers have about their visit to Cuba, is believing they’ve made a friend (or met the love of their life!), who then shifts all conversations to money requests, often claiming it’s needed to help a sick grandmother or to buy a present for a daughter’s birthday.

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How to handle hustlers.

• Assess your safety. Again, Cuba is a very safe country but if you’re walking on a desolate street at night, or your harasser is in a group and they seem like they may cause trouble, or if you feel your physical safety may be at risk for any reason, the best response might be not engaging at all. Walk away as quickly as possible and look for help.
• Walk with confidence. Hustlers and creeps prey on women who look weak or lost—in any country!
• Ignore the man and keep walking. Even the smallest response—be it friendly or nasty-often encourages more persistence.
• When cat callers are persistent, hit them with “No me moleste,” pronounced ‘no may mol-ES-tay’ (don’t bother me), or “Ya!” (Enough, already!). Speak firmly so they know you are serious.
• If a hustler is being pushy about showing you around or helping you find a casa , taxi, restaurant, or anything else, tell him that you’ve already paid for your casa and taxi and all the meals are included in your rent. If he then says he just wants to show you around “as a friend,” tell him that you’ve already paid for sightseeing tours and your entire trip is full of activities. Many guys will stop if they feel they have no opportunity to make money off you. If he keeps being pushy, say “No, gracias, adios!” and walk away or use the stronger language in tip 4.
• Look for a police officer. Cuba takes crime and harassment very seriously, so much so that just a few years ago, Cuban men were not allowed to accompany foreign women on the street and men were often stopped and given a background check before they were allowed to proceed. Hustlers and creeps do NOT want to have problems with the police, so even if you don’t see a police officer, you can say “ Voy a buscar policia ” (I’m going to look for the police). The repercussions for Cubans harassing tourists can be severe so only report someone who you believe is seriously harassing you or is dangerous. As annoying as “hola linda” may be, you probably don’t want to send someone to jail for it.
• Join group walking or bike tours when you don’t want to be pestered.

Packing Tips

Due to the US embargo, Cuba has been cut off from much of the world for over half a century. As a result, so-called “everyday items” are difficult to impossible to come by. Stock up on tampons, sanitary pads, and personal care items before you arrive, as all are scarce in Cuba. The DivaCup, one of my favorite travel products, takes up a lot less space and is more eco-friendly than pads or tampons. If you’d like to consider donating your leftover toiletries, which are even more needed by women who don’t have ready access to tourist dollars and gifts, they can easily be left at your accommodation.

In order to maintain a woman’s dignity and not come off as a “tourist savior,” I often approach a woman on the street with a bag and say, “I’m leaving Cuba tomorrow and would like to leave these items behind. Could you use them?” Without looking in the bag, my donations have been graciously accepted every single time.

Just about any item you can imagine needing on the trip, including batteries, pain relievers, ear plugs, and good quality headphones will be hard to find in Cuba. Popping into the Duty-Free shop or a local drugstore is not an option so pack absolutely everything you anticipate needing during your trip. Need help packing? Check out my guide for how to pack for Cuba, which also includes highly sought-after donations that won’t take up much space in your luggage.

Common Sense

As you would in any other country, take precautions with your handbag and carry only as much cash as you need. Cuba is a very safe country, but petty theft is common in busy tourist areas.

Learn some simple Spanish phrases to feel more independent and carry a phrase book or install a language app on your phone for back-up!

If you’re heading home late by yourself—particularly if you’ve enjoyed one mojito too many—hire a taxi instead of walking. Always carry with you the business card of where you are staying to show a driver to ensure you find your way home.

Gain more insight on visiting Cuba from Cassandra (or sign up for a tour) at escapingny.com .

About Cassandra Brooklyn

Cassandra, founder of EscapingNY, is a Brooklyn-based travel writer, tour leader, and travel planner. She helps people travel more frequently, easily, and enjoyably. When she’s not leading group trips to Mexico, Cuba, and Jordan, you can find her leading food, graffiti, and culture tours in New York City.

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Cuba: A Solo Traveler’s Guide

Cuba is an enchanting country that is perfect for solo travelers seeking to explore new cultures and gain unique experiences. The island nation boasts of stunning beaches, lively cities, fascinating history, and a welcoming ambiance. However, traveling to Cuba as a solo traveler requires meticulous planning, especially with the country’s limited infrastructure and restrictions. Here is an ultimate guide to help you plan your solo trip to Cuba.

Planning Your Solo Trip to Cuba

Planning a solo trip to Cuba involves several essential steps. To start, you need to obtain a tourist visa or travel card to enter the country, which you can obtain from the Cuban embassy in your home country or on arrival at the airport. You should also book your accommodation in advance, either through a licensed travel agency or Airbnb. Additionally, ensure that you have enough cash as credit and debit cards from US banks are not accepted and cannot be used for ATM withdrawals.

You should also research Cuba’s local customs and language to enhance your experience. Cuba’s official language is Spanish, and only a few locals speak English. Therefore, knowing basic Spanish phrases can help you communicate with the locals and navigate the country easily. Finally, make sure you pack enough supplies, including toiletries, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent, as these items can be challenging to find in Cuba.

Exploring Cuba’s Unique Culture and History

Cuba’s unique culture and history are some of the reasons why the country attracts thousands of tourists every year. From the vibrant salsa music to the colorful colonial architecture, Cuba offers solo travelers a unique cultural experience. You can explore the country’s history by visiting the renowned Revolution Museum, the iconic Che Guevara Mausoleum, or the historic town of Trinidad, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cuba’s music scene is also something that every solo traveler should experience. The country is known for its live music scene, especially in the capital, Havana. You can enjoy live music performances at the famous Buena Vista Social Club or catch a salsa performance at Casa de la Musica. Additionally, Cuba’s food scene offers an excellent opportunity to sample authentic Cuban cuisine, which blends Spanish, African, and Caribbean flavors.

Navigating Cuba’s Transportation and Accommodation Options

Cuba has several transportation options, including buses, taxis, and classic American cars. However, public transportation can be unreliable, and taxis can be expensive. Therefore, it is advisable to research and book transportation in advance through a licensed travel agency. You can also rent a car, but it is not advisable for solo travelers due to the country’s limited infrastructure.

Regarding accommodation, Cuba offers several options, including hotels, hostels, and Airbnb. However, the country’s limited infrastructure means that accommodation can be expensive and sometimes of poor quality. Therefore, it is advisable to book accommodation in advance and read reviews from previous guests to ensure that you get value for your money.

In conclusion, Cuba is a remarkable destination for solo travelers seeking to explore new cultures and gain unique experiences. However, planning a solo trip to Cuba can be challenging, and travelers should research extensively to ensure a smooth trip. By following this guide, you can navigate Cuba’s unique culture, history, and transportation options and make the most out of your solo trip to Cuba.

A Cuba Solo Travel Guide For Independent Women

Whether you are a lover of art and music, a classic car buff, or a novice to the seductive rum libations and cigars of Cuba, you are in for a treat with this Cuba solo travel guide.

Ed note: Travel rules to Cuba for US citizens change with the political wind, so do check the latest rules because they change often.

Cuba is an experience for all your senses and this Cuba guide will show you the way.

From the beautiful, vibrant colors in contrast with old, dilapidated structures to classical ballet mixed with sexy salsa and aromas of traditional mojitos, pork, and  moros  (beans and rice) along side ooey gooey Cuban street pizza, Cuba is amazing. Now is the time to visit as Cuba is in a special time of transformation. 

TOP PLACES TO SEE IN CUBA: TOURISM GUIDE

Over the last five years and two dozen trips to Cuba, I have witnessed changes  poco a poco , little by little. In the coming year, expect increased cruise traffic and more travelers from around the world, including the United States. It’s the perfect time for you to go.

Habana / Havana Cuba solo travel guide

Most likely your travels to Cuba will take you through Havana, a beautiful blend of old colonial charm, brilliant colors, and remnants of the early 1900s opalescence. With two million inhabitants, you will note the  energy in its streets  as well as its world-renowned  malecón , the Seawall Boulevard, which stretches nearly eight kilometers. From the  malecón , also known as the world’s largest sofa, you will witness every mode of transportation at once: classic American convertibles to big buses (camellos) and Russian Ladas and Mosoviches. 

In Havana, you must take advantage of walking in Old Havana and its four principal squares, each with a different purpose as well as allure.

If you tire easily, remember that a good, strong  café cubano  or cold Cristal beer is at the next sidewalk café. And, if you decide you want to  ride the streets of Old Havana , one of the most common ways to get around is by  bici-taxi . For as little as 5 CUC (USD 5.75), you can get from one square to the next and see Old Havana from a new perspective by bicycle rickshaw.

If you are a  nature lover , Viñales is another must visit stop in Cuba.

Located about an hour and half outside of Havana, you can take Viazul public buses or hire a private car to go to  Cuba’s mini-Yosemite . Nature mixes with tobacco fields as far as the eye can see, with large stone outcrops called  mojotes,  which create the effect of Yosemite’s Valley.

Viñales is famous for hiking and caving, but also for kicking back with a good cigar and the freshest organic produce

Most would say that travel to Cuba is like  traveling back in time , but not all areas have remained as preserved and beautiful as Trinidad.

If you’re a shutterbug, Trinidad is your spot. Most of those colorful shots of  cobblestoned streets  and brightly painted buildings from Cuba are from this UNESCO Heritage site nicknamed the Sleeping Beauty of Cuba. The narrow streets running to and around the Plaza Mayor are primarily pedestrian with many horse carts and few cars.

To get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful city, enter the  Palacio Cantero , a sugar baron’s former house converted into museum, and climb the stairs to the top of the tower. 

Cienfuegos is one of the  lesser-known Cuban cities , but is one of my favorites.

Located on the South-central coast of Cuba, Cienfuegos has been nicknamed Pearl of the Sea because of its beautiful bay and natural harbor as well as its charm.

Unlike other cities in Cuba, Cienfuegos has neoclassical architecture and French influence. It is one of the cleanest cities and easy to get around.

While enjoying the historic town center and José Martí Square or the beaches outside of town at Rancho Luna, you will notice reference to one important Cienfueguero (someone from Cienfuegos),  Benny Moré , the famous bandleader and musician. His music is world-renowned, but his song Cienfuegos and its lyrics “Cienfuegos es la ciudad que más me gusta a mí” – Cienfuegos is the city I like the most – is on a billboard greeting the city’s visitors along side the bay and the  malecón . 

HOW TO NAVIGATE TWO CURRENCIES IN CUBA: CUC VS. CUP?

All travelers to Cuba use  one of the two currencies  available on the island. For Americans, because of the embargo, all items must be purchased in cash only as American credit cards and debit cards do not work in Cuba. That said, cash is king in Cuba. There is little infrastructure for stores to have credit card machines.

My recommendation is to have roughly USD 100 per person per day for your trip to Cuba.

You will exchange your USD or other currency in your hotel, at the airport, or at a  cadeca  (money exchange). All currencies have a 3% surcharge, but there is an extra 10% surcharge for US dollars.

The exchange rate across the country in early 2021 is 1 USD to 1 CUC (Cuban Convertible Pesos). The CUC was introduced in the 1990s for travelers to eliminate the use of the American dollar.

Cuba’s other currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP) or  Moneda Nacional  (MN). Citizens who work for the Cuban government in education, medicine, economics, and other receive a salary in Cuban Pesos. There are roughly 25 Cuban Pesos to 1 CUC.  To put Cuban salaries in perspective, an average monthly salary from a governmental job would be 300-500 CUP, which works out to 12-20 CUC. (You can see why many Cubans have chosen to work in the tourism sector and earn tips in CUCs).

PACKING FOR INDEPENDENT CUBA TRAVEL

My advice is you need to bring five items with you to Cuba to enjoy your trip to the fullest.

Toilet tissue and hand sanitizer

Although you may be well traveled and have seen many different types of toilets, Cuban baños are rustic.

At most hotels and higher end private restaurants, you may have toilet seats, soap, and tissue, but not in other places. Most will have an attendant who expects twenty-five centavos to enter. You will get a few squares of tissue. There may be  an old bar of soap  or nothing at all.

Bring your own tissue to supplement, but remember not to put the tissue in the toilet.  The plumbing is weak  on even a good day. Place all paper products in a small basket by the toilet. If your toilet doesn’t flush, don’t be alarmed. Some bathrooms are not hooked up to water. The attendant then enters the bathroom to fill the tank to flush everything down.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications

Although the medical system in Cuba has won praises around the world, common over-the-counter drugs like pain relievers, anti-diarrheals, bandages, antibiotic ointment and cold medicine are hard to come by and expensive. Do yourself a big favor by bringing an assortment of OTC and a first aid kit.

Comfortable walking shoes

The streets, sidewalks, and stairs in Cuba are precarious. Some of the streets are cobblestoned other in disrepair. Sidewalks and stairs typically don’t have railings. Watch your step in Cuba and  wear good shoes . Most Cuban life takes place out of the house in the streets and plazas, along seawalls and in cafeterias. Exploring on foot and at different times of day is my favorite activity.

Bring light clothing that dries easily and a hat

Regardless of the time of year you travel to Cuba, you are in the Caribbean where temperatures are 70-80℉/21-27℃ October-April and then 80-90℉/27-32℃ degrees in the summer with very high humidity. I would recommend light clothing that breathes well and dries fast, and a  good travel hat . With air conditioning not as common in Cuba, I advise purchasing an  abanico  or fan to keep you cool while you are out and about. Most hotels and  casas particulares  guest houses have room air conditioners.

Pack your patience

Regardless of where you travel, patience is an essential packing item, but especially in Cuba. You have probably heard of island time, very slow, laid back and absolutely no rushing. In Cuba, that is taken to a whole other level. There is no such thing as a New York minute in Cuba. Take a chill pill (a.k.a. a  mojito ). You will need to adapt to the  slower service  and wait patiently for entrance to museums, activities and the like as an increasing number of cruise ships and tourists make their way to Cuba.

WHERE TO STAY IN CUBA

If you are looking for  accommodations in Cuba , you are not alone.

With not nearly enough hotel rooms for the number of tourists, Cuba’s private sector has grown with  casa particulares . These are typically part of the owner’s home, perhaps an extra room or an additional floor or wing. Prices depend on the location of the casa, amenities, and time of year. A standard room with bathroom and breakfast is 25-35 CUC per night.

To find  B&Bs in Cuba , I advise checking out AirBnB. Of course, costs will vary depending on location, with Havana more expensive than Cienfuegos, just like South Beach would be more expensive than Madison, Wisconsin.

If you want to stay in a hotel like the famous Nacional in Havana or an all-inclusive beach resort in Varadero, be prepared for high prices. In high season, a standard room at the Nacional goes for 400 CUC. The limited hotel space in Cuba has driven up prices significantly in the past few years.

FOOD, DRINK AND CIGARS (WHY NOT?)

Comida cubana.

Cuban traditional cuisine is all about the slow roasted pork,  succulent and delicious .

Typically, every meal – whether pork, chicken, or fish – will be served with  moros  (short for  Moros y Cristianos  which means Moors and the Christians, symbolized by the black and white of the beans and rice mixture).

In addition to rice and beans, you will have many roasted vegetables such as  malanga  (taro),  boniato  (sweet potato), yucca, and  calabaza  (squash/pumpkin). AND, don’t let me forget the best part for many, the desserts.  Ice cream in Cuba is wonderful,  whether you wait in line at Coppelia in Vedado or at your  paladar  (private restaurant); it’s creamy and delish. However, don’t forget to try a Cuban  flan ,  arroz con leche  (rice pudding), as well as  natilla , a light custard or pudding.

Cócteles cubanos

No trip to Cuba is complete without rum.

There are  many Cuban cocktails  you will want to try and perhaps repeat. Probably the most famous is the  mojito , made with rum, sugar, mint, sparklingly water, and lime.  

A lesser-known libation is the  canchánchara , which is the typical drink of Trinidad. It is also made with rum, lime, and sparkling water, but instead of sugar, it calls for honey. 

If you’re not into cocktails, there are  non-alcoholic options  like Tu Kola (Cuba’s version of Coke) as well as Malta (a malted non-alcoholic beverage).

Tabaco cubano

Probably the most famous of all Cuba’s products is not the rum, but its cigars. Even if you have never smoked, you may want to  visit a tobacco shop , cigar factory, or tobacco farm in Viñales. Whether you try one yourself or purchase some as souvenirs, a shop is worth a visit.

Which cigar do you buy and how many?

Cigars are like wine or scotch.  Each person prefers a different flavor, smoothness, and price point. My recommendation is to buy at least one of the crème de la crème and Fidel’s preferred cigar, a Cohiba for 12-20 CUC. Other well-known and high-quality brands for yourself and as gifts are Montecristo (preferred by Che Guevara) and Romeo y Julieta.

I suggest you buy your cigars only at a tobacco shop, factory or farm. Those you will be offered on the street may be old or under par. 

CUBA SOLO FEMALE TRAVEL

Solo travel to Cuba is common and this is one of the safest countries for solo women.

Is it safe to travel to Cuba? From my first trip to my most recent, I have felt very safe everywhere in the country, from Havana’s  malecón  morning or night to every other city.

Violent crime in Cuba is very low and Cubans are not allowed to carry guns. However, the most common crime is petty theft.

While it’s perfectly safe to travel to Cuba alone, do what you would do in any city: be aware of your surroundings, lock up your belonging in a safe, lock your suitcase, and carry only a portion of your money with you when out exploring.

Probably the most uncomfortable thing for many women are the constant  piropos , or flirtatious catcalls. There is no way around them. Cuban men will whistle, honk horns, flash their headlights, and call out baby, bonita, guapa, and everything else they can think of. The best way to deal with this is to confidently continue on. If a man walks with you, smile and say  no gracias . Most likely he will move on to another bonita or guapa to improve his odds.

HOW CAN YOU TRAVEL TO CUBA?

For global citizens, Cuba has been a playground for tourism for decades. In the 1990s, Cuba’s tourism growth was tremendous. However, because of the US embargo, pure tourism remains illegal for Americans and to visit, you must belong to one of 11 categories, which you can find  here .

Beginning in June 2019, Americans were allowed to visit Cuba in a small group or independently under the Support of the Cuban People category. This option requires that you undertake full-time activities supporting private enterprise such as artist communities,  paladares  (private restaurants), private drivers and  casas particulares  (B&Bs).

Getting to Cuba, however, is a different story. Since 10 December 2019, the only commercial flights you can book from the US are to Havana; previously, there were commercial flights to other Cuban cities but now only charter flights ply those routes. In either case, you will receive your tourist visa from your airline, which is valid for thirty days.

What are you waiting for? Start planning your Cuban adventure now. 

Until our paths cross in Cuba!

This guest post is by  Heidi Siefkas  – author, speaker and adventurer. Originally from small-town Wisconsin, Heidi now hangs her hat in South Florida. However, as an adventurer, she’s rarely home for long. She is the author of three books, including her latest,  Cubicle to Cuba . Connect  with her at  heidisiefkas.com  and on  Facebook  and  Twitter , or book a tour and  visit Cuba with her .

TRAVEL TIPS FOR CUBA

• Many operators offer people-to-people Cuba tours that combine multiple areas of educational interchange including politics, religion, economics, art, and more. If you would like to tour Cuba with Heidi Sifkas  please get in touch with her  right away. 
• Stay up-to-date by checking with the US Embassy in Cuba  website .
• Here are some of the  airlines flying to Cuba  from the USA but this changes all the time.
• You can reserve long-distance buses through  Viazul online .
• Airbnb is beginning to appear in Cuba but you can also try  this directory  or  this one , both of which list Cuban bed and breakfasts.
• Use  booking.com  to compares prices on hotels in Cuba.
• La Habana  website is a cross between a What’s On and an online feature magazine on culture.
• A bit of basic Spanish would be helpful.  Learn a bit before you go , or simply  buy a phrasebook .

Please don’t forget your travel insurance! Women on the Road recommends  World Nomads  if you’re under 66 (70 in some countries). If that birthday has come and gone,  click here  for travel insurance recommendations that cover you at any age.

CUBA AT A GLANCE

Top 5 cuban must-sees.

• Havana’s Malecón, the largest sofa in the world, where Havana comes alive
• Viñales, mini-Yosemite of Cuba
• Trinidad, the Sleeping Beauty of Cuba
• Los Cayos, Cuba’s Keys on the North Coast
• Baracoa, Columbus said it was the most beautiful place on earth

Top 3 off-the-beaten track

• FAC (Fábrica de Arte Cubano)
• Playas del Este
• Rooftop terraces of one of these hotels: Inglaterra, Gran Manzana, or Ambos Mundos

Women need to be aware that…

Cuba is a very safe country. That said, be prepared for plenty of attention. These could include wolf whistles, kisses, and invitations to go out dancing.

You can’t leave Cuba without buying…

• an authentic Cuban hat 
• a pair of claves (rhythm sticks)

You can’t leave without trying these 3 foods

• Ropa vieja (stewed beef dish)
• Guarapo (fresh sugarcane juice)
• Malanga fitters with honey (taro root fritters)

For even more information

Try these excellent sites:  Daiquiri USA  and  Cuba Unbound

Guest Contribution by  Heidi Sifkas

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Practical Tips to Help You Prepare for a Solo Trip to Cuba

by Guest Writer | Feb 7, 2017

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Last updated on March 23rd, 2024

Featured image: Cuban woman smoking a cigar. Use these tips on your next solo trip to Cuba | Photo by Adobe Stock

Solo travel tips to make the most of your trip to Cuba

by Donna Starr

Journeywoman Donna Starr lives in San Diego. She is a writer, artist, photographer and online teacher of TEFL Business English to foreign students. Her garden buzzes with dive-bombing hummingbirds, raucous crows, a wonderful Mockingbird diva and a family of very bossy squirrels. Donna is the author of Cuba for Mama: A Daughter’s Journey 2016: Travel Tales & Tips . We asked her advice on how to prepare for a solo trip to Cuba. Donna writes…

I’d always been fascinated by Cuba, having never visited a Communist country before. An ageing black and white photo from 1940 of my great-grandparents in Havana still sits on my mother’s desk; their promise to take her when she was older was one that could never be fulfilled. My mom’s in her mid-80s now and she sports an artificial knee. Today her adventurous travel spirit must be satisfied by hearing about my many travel adventures. I’m an English teacher and once the opportunity to visit Cuba presented itself (via the new guidelines for U.S. visitors), I knew I had to go for both of us; to see this time-warped treasure for what it was, in all its unique beauty and sadness.

What’s Cuba like today? I had no idea. I began my internet search and discovered current information on Cuba was difficult to find. I located one group, Jakera Cuba that offered to organize your trip prior to you leaving the U.S. They coordinated lodging and some meals and an itinerary for learning and volunteering, all for a reasonable weekly charge (even payable via PayPal). Having some structure, my lodging secured and a ‘hub’ to take daily Spanish classes, cultural walks and meet other volunteers and world travellers appealed to me. I organized my flight and off I went for a whole month of solo experiences. Here are my tips to help you plan your own journey.  

Tips for taking a solo trip to Cuba

Prepare well – Do your research before going! This is critical because the internet in Cuba is slow, expensive and difficult. A good travel guide will list many of the key sights to see (I recommend the one by Lonely Planet). Several organizations offer programs for Cuba including Jakera Cuba, GeoVisions, Road Scholar, and more.

Cell phones – U.S. cell phones don’t have service in Cuba at this time. However, I recommend taking your phone to get on the internet occasionally. You can use it as a camera and an alarm clock as well. I also brought my iPad with an SD memory card reader attachment and uploaded my photos on to my iPad. In general, I limited myself to two to three hours. a week of internet time. It was a welcome vacation from technology!

Internet – is not available widely in Cuba. Only posh hotels downtown have it available. To use the internet anywhere – you need a scratch-off coded internet card from Etesca. Etesca has an office on the main drag (Obispo Street) in old town Havana (la habana vieja). You queue in the line (which is often long) and wait, much like waiting at any government office. Slowly you are ushered into the building to wait a bit longer, the ‘tellers’ finally call you up and you can then buy one-hour cards to use. Bring your passport with you, it is essential. They won’t give you cards without it – it’s $2 CUC an hour (more on money later). Buy as many cards as you think you’ll want – remember, the lines are long so you don’t want to have to keep coming back. And yes, Big Brother is watching – remember your passport number will be attached to the code you input for internet usage. P.S. posh hotels offering internet will also sell you cards but it’s more expensive, $3-5 CUC an hour. Sometimes just to get off the street and onto comfy upholstered seating, I’d go into the nice hotels and sit in their lounge, soaking up the A/C and atmosphere while using my internet time. I’d order a beer and relax and recharge.

Support the people – Stay at Casas Particulares , not government-owned & controlled hotels. Casas Particulares are the Cuban answer to Air BnB, with Cubans offering a bed and bath in their home. They are MUCH cheaper than hotels, averaging $US25-40 a night. The hotels are really expensive anyway and to get a real people-to-people experience, you need to stay with Cubans! Jakera Cuba organized my Casas for me, I paid a weekly fee prior to leaving the U.S. so it was great. If you want a private room (recommended) make sure you are very clear about that prior to leaving. Once you’re in Cuba, it may be difficult to organize changes and you may end up with roommates!

Read More: Hemingway in Cuba: Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Coco

Meals can be pricey – I had breakfast and lunch included at the Jakera hub so I just had dinner to concern myself with. However, Cuba is not cheap! Hotels (if you go that way) are expensive, budget $20-25 CUC for each meal at least if eating out. The meal might be $6-12 CUC but you still have drinks $3 CUC each+ and the waiter and band to tip. I often just ate an appetizer. I brought a plastic protein shaker and used it often with boiled (filtered) water to make protein mix shakes and miso soup. Teabags are also a wise choice (and great gifts) to bring. I made sun tea by the pitcher, grateful for the unsweetened beverage. Bring a Tupperware container to bring back leftovers from restaurants. Waiters will just look at you blankly if you ask for a “doggie bag”. No such thing there. I also always bring eating utensils and moistened towelettes when I travel.

What about the food? –  The food wasn’t stellar, sorry to say. I’m a veggie, so white rice & black beans were on every “veggie” plate. I didn’t see any whole grain anything from bread to rice. If you like something more than cooking oil and white vinegar to dress a salad, bring a little bag of spices as I did. Expect lots of deep-fried foods, highly sugared drinks, white flour and sugar. You can get some cheese at the market so picnic dinners were my thing. The fruit is awesome, I had smoothies every morning and saved some for my happy hour (add a shot of rum!) The good news is that I walked a lot, drank lots of beverages, ate small bits and lost ten pounds the month I was there!

Power up – Bring your extra plugs and cables! Rooms may be nice, but many have only a plug or two that functions properly. Bring USB plugs and multi-prong plugs for all your devices. Cables might be difficult to replace or find in Cuba so if the gadget is essential, bring a backup. Cuba uses the same wall plugs as the U.S. so that’s a relief, no adapters needed for North American travellers. The electricity shut off a few times (for several hours) when I was there, so bring a flashlight or have a candle and matches ready and easily accessible.

Colourful and historic buildings on the streets of Cuba / Photo by Carolyn Ray

Rum, sweet rum – Rum (Ron in Spanish) is well-priced and the price is the same no matter where you buy the bottle, so load up at the airport at the Duty-free shop when leaving. The older the rum the better. I loved Canay and Santiago but Havana Club is the government’s own brand and there is a rum museum down by the waterfront. The museum is a fun tour, but the groups are LARGE. Bacardi, the original success story of Cuba was ousted in the 1950s and exiled to Puerto Rico to make their rum. Interesting story, that. Recommended read: Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba by Tom Gjelten. 16.

Music – it is everywhere and the familiar Cuban beat is distinctive. There will be live bands and music in nearly all cafes and other social venues. The bands will walk around with a basket for tips and selling CDs. The CDs are all one price – $10 CUC – don’t be cheap, buy the CD.

Dance – Don’t miss this opportunity to polish your salsa dancing skills. There are many dance schools in Havana and it’s not pricey to take classes. I took dance at the Casa de Son in Havana. At the Floridita Hotel and some other hotels, they have Taxi Dancers, fellows who will dance all night with you for about $20 CUC. Organize it ahead of time. In Trinidad, I took classes from Cuban Rhythms – Yusel was the teacher. (Calle Jesus Menendez #51, Cell: +53 130 188) There is also a Spanish teacher at this same location, ask for Yoli. ( [email protected] ) She speaks English and Spanish and can tour you about as well as teach Spanish. Cell: +53 5412 6782.

It’s noisy! – Bring earplugs or an eye mask if you need to block out sounds and light to sleep. The roads outside my first Casa were being jackhammered from dawn to late afternoon! There is a lot of construction going on in Cuba and it is not a swift process (your sturdy shoes and flip flops with thick soles will come in handy in these areas)

Read More: Wanda St. Hilaire’s Memoir Explores Solo Travel, Love and Adventure in “The Cuban Chronicles”

Weather – It’s HOT and HUMID most of the year. There will be days when showering seems redundant. Bring lots of bandanas and tie one to your bag to wipe your brow. Leave them behind if you like – they are coveted by many and will be appreciated. 17. Water – Bottled water is available widely, about $1-2 CUC a bottle. Many of the Casas will have boiled or filtered water available. Bring a good water bottle, fill it from big bottled ones. The water in your Casa may sometimes shut off without warning so make sure to not take it for granted, shower when you can.  

Exchanging Money – When at home, figure out approximately what you’ll need for a spending budget (that’s why it was great to be able to pre-pay for lodging and two meals prior to departure). Your U.S. drawn credit cards are useless in Cuba, so you’ll have to bring CASH to last the whole of your trip and guard your funds closely. U.S. funds take an extra 10% hit (in addition to the conversion fee) so it pays to convert your U.S. money to Euros, Canadian money, whatever prior to getting to Cuba. Convert what you need weekly. Remember conversion to Cuban money is a one-way street. Spend your last Cuban dollars when exiting at the duty-free shop in the airport.

Weather – Check the weather forecast before leaving and bring appropriate clothes, pack extra shoes and clothes if needed and leave what you don’t need or use behind. The Cubans are grateful for clothes and good shoes and flip flops (I left a few hooded sweatshirts behind). Reminder – You might need a light jacket in the evenings at any time of year.

Be culturally correct in Cuba…

Unless someone informs you of these two simple facts you can easily offend.

#1. It is against the law to take photos of military personnel.

#2. It is considered extremely rude to blow your nose in public.

Be generous – Donativo (donations) are a wonderful thing to add to your luggage. Good items to include are bilingual children’s books (rare here), small toys, art supplies, old cell phones, DVDs or CDs and clothing all make great donations. You can drop them off at Jakera’s hub in central Havana and they will be happy to get them distributed to the appropriate agency. Look here: jakeracuba.com. However, any open traveller will find special new friends to give their gifts to, it’s especially nice to leave a little something for your Casa Particular hosts. I left a nice bag of mixed nuts, a box of tea and chocolates. For a list of other donations, I’d suggest seeing the end of my book, Cuba for Mama. On the Prado Sunday afternoons, there is an art fair and one teacher will have a table set up for teaching kids. If you’ve brought art supplies, take the teachers to the side and give them the goodies for them to distribute to the kids. (I brought little watercolour palettes and crayons which were appreciated.)

Be a Good Ambassador – There aren’t a lot of U.S. visitors in Cuba yet (traveller vs. tourist) but no matter where you are visiting from, kindness and courtesy is a two-way street. Speak Spanish if you can (try!), engage Cubans in conversations, be open-minded and open-hearted.

Flights from the U.S., in particular, – In terms of flights from the U.S. to Cuba (as of summer 2016) these are still up in the air (literally). I flew out of nearby Tijuana. AeroMexico lets you check 2 bags FREE (up to 50 lbs. each) so I loaded them up with donations and carried on my small bag. You also get peanuts, meals and beer/rum on the flight as well. Deal!

Expect mosquitoes! – If you’re off to the country bring bug spray! I brought a large bottle and put some in a smaller plastic spray bottle to carry each day. I left the remainder behind for my Cuban friends. Which brings me to…

Fumigation! – Yes, they fumigate homes in Cuba for mosquitoes. A troupe of military workers walked the neighbourhoods in Trinidad and Havana weekly, going inside all the homes and spraying a diesel-powered plume of insecticide inside each home. Folks and pets all go outside, cover food inside prior to the fumigation patrol. It’s loud, it smells bad and who knows what is in there – if you’re chemically sensitive, keep that in mind.

Medicines – I don’t take much more than vitamins daily, but I also brought Excedrin (headaches), Immodium A.D. (Diarrhea), Aveeno soap (anti-itch), bandaids and moleskin. I didn’t even eat the meat and I had at least two days of the runs, so the Immodium A.D. came in handy. If you do get bug bites, anti-itch cream is needed. As in any humid climate open wounds can get easily infected so include Polysporin. Bring bug spray and sunscreen.

Unwelcome Attention – There are some fellows and gals that will follow you, trying to commandeer you to a certain place or restaurant – or offer to help you by following you about. Bear in mind, they expect a tip or will likely stick you with the check if they join you.

Safety – Cuba is a safe place. I never felt uncomfortable walking alone on the street – but I used common sense because there is no accounting for anti-social behaviour. Don’t flash wads of money, keep your purse close (or use a travel purse strapped across your chest), avoid lonely deserted streets at night. As a solo female, I’d get some catcalls and a few fellows would walk beside me, chatting about becoming my boyfriend. I’d surprise them by speaking Spanish. If anyone’s bothering you, just say, ‘no, gracias.’

Cuba for Mama: A Daughter’s Journey…

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How solo women can see the ‘real’ Cuba and support women-owned homestays, restaurants and markets, at a time when tourism is desperately needed.

The Hotlist: 12 of the Coolest Small Group Tours for Women in 2024 From our Women’s Travel Directory

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From Cuba to Mongolia, these unique small group tours from our Women’s Travel Directory will connect you with people, places and wildlife.

Wanda St. Hilaire’s Memoir Explores Solo Travel, Love and Adventure in “The Cuban Chronicles”

by Carolyn Ray | Oct 13, 2021

The JourneyWoman Book Club heads to Cuba as solo traveller Wanda St. Hilaire explores love and adventure in her 2009 memoir, “The Cuban Chronicles.”

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Travelling Cuba solo was tough; here’s why it’s still my favourite country

Cuba is a destination of head-scratching contradictions and mind-bending experiences.

Two different currencies mark local palms out from foreign ones. Eye-wateringly long queues for Wifi cards (the only way to access the internet) twist through every town and city. Half-century-old cars ferry new, shiny tourists around mysterious, deserted roads. Houses with crumbling facades disguise a thriving hotbed of activity within; smoking, salsa and Spanish spill out the window and snake into the ears of passers-by in the street.

Cuba calls all travellers by name and each one who visits will find something different hidden behind its now slowly-melting mask.

But if you’re visiting the island as a solo female, especially a brown-skinned one, you’ll also be privy to a set of highly unique experiences – some of which are frustrating, others which are guaranteed to leave your camera memory overflowing and your mind open-wide.

High: Super-friendly locals

Cuban culture is open and warm, so get out there and talk to the people to understand how the country really works. The Caribbean island is rapidly opening up to tourists and the locals are unreservedly enthusiastic in their attitude towards foreigners.

I quickly realized how warm locals are during a walk around Havana’s captivating old quarter, Habana Vieja, when my on-display camera sparked conversation and invited cultural exchange. So with an open mind and a little Spanish, I was quickly able to make friends. In my first few hours in the city, I was approached by a locals and ended up spending the rest of the day with them. I smoked real Cuban cigars, drank authentic Cuban rum, conversed in Spanish and snapped the kind of photos I never would have access to had I not taken a chance and got talking to people.

The boys later invited me to the impossibly-cool club, Fabrica de Arte Cubano which is a warehouse-turned-art exhibition with mixture of live Cuban and house music at night. Afterwards, we stayed in touch for the duration of my time in the country and I know should I return, I have Cuban friends to call on.

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Low: Over-friendly locals

The openness of Cuban culture, for me, led to some downsides too. Cuban Spanish is sticky with innuendo and flirtation; in the casas, it’s normal for men to saunter about in just their boxers. Cat-calling (known as “piropo”) is commonplace. And the cultural differences come to a head on the dance-floor where the Cuban concept of personal space is far removed from what you might be used to back home.

Things weren’t made any easier for me as a woman who resembled a Cubana with my brown skin and Spanish skills.

You can also pick a tour operator like Intrepid that’ll give you both an authentic, local experience and the comfort of like-minded travelers. Their itineraries in Cuba range from sailing trips to cycle trips to Cuba-on-a-shoestring trips .

And if you find yourself in Havana and at a loss, I’d recommend trying a local-led Urban Adventures day tour (there’s everything from Afro-Cuban Religion Tours to Classic American Car Tours ).

High: A travel experience like no other

A trip to Cuba is never boring. If you’re not making friends with the locals, exploring the country in rattling old cars, or sipping on a Cuba Libre in a rooftop bar or discovering the best white-sand beaches in Cuba , you’ll find yourself completely captivated by the life and laughter pulsating from every corner of the country. And these good vibes are found everywhere you go.

Havana boasts pastel-coloured apartment blocks and towering palm trees side-by-side, glittering ‘50s Chevrolets and eclectic architecture. Time-warped Trinidad boasts panoramic views of the city from the Historical Museum, an underground club in a cave and, transport via horse-and-carriage should you want it.

The beaches are some of the most unspoiled in the Caribbean and the best ones are found on the eastern tip of the country in the Caribbean-influenced Baracoa or on the southern side of the country ( Playa Sirena ).

Low: Frustrating customs

Don’t go to Cuba expecting everything to work logically and methodically; the country still operates within a intense bubble of bureaucracy. For Westerners, this can prove both confusing and frustrating at times. Queues for club entry, Wi-Fi cards, food and water and tourist attractions often move at a snail’s pace and sometimes, even after waiting for what feels like a crazy-long time, you’ll be denied what you need because the computer system has failed or, they’ve simply run out.

RELATED READ: WHAT CUBA TAUGHT ME ABOUT LIVING LIFE TO THE FULL

You may also find that prices for everyday items fluctuate a lot; Cubans often dramatically inflate costs for Westerners (often right before your eyes), so having fluent Spanish or a keen eye, will likely reduce your chance of getting scammed in the street.

But although things like this are frustrating, you can’t take them personally and you can’t change them, and so they’re worth viewing as part of the island nation’s charm.

VISIT BEAUTIFUL CUBA ON ONE OF INTREPID’S SMALL GROUP TOURS

High: A safe environment for all

Although the cat-calling I experienced was annoying, I never truly felt hassled or in danger during my month-long trip. Cuba isn’t known for the drug wars and tourist-targeting crimes that plague many of its Caribbean and Central American neighbours and you can freely roam the streets at night in the Old Quarter of Havana as a woman (I did), but should always exercise caution.

Street crime is petty and insidious –  but rarely violent . From the travellers I met in Cuba and those who have visited in the past, I never heard any negative crime experiences.

High: Blending in

Half a century of imposed Communist ideals didn’t leave Cuba with the best record on human rights, but it did help create somewhat of a meritocratic society where homelessness is non-existent, healthcare is exceptional and pretty much all Cubans own their own property. As you might suspect, this is not the norm for many Caribbean countries and it’s part of what gives Cuba its uniquely sheltered yet enterprising feel.

During a tour of Havana, my Intrepid tour guide told me that racism and colourism isn’t as big a problem as it is in many other Caribbean countries. I noticed more blended families and couples in Cuba than I had in any other country I’d ever visited and realized that terms such as “negrita” (dark-skinned girl) or “mulatta” (mixed girl) were terms of endearment.

Blending in with the Cuban locals

This means that if you’re dark-skinned in Cuba and you forgo the Western dress-code, hide your fancy camera and master the notoriously thick Cuban accent, you could end up saving money and avoiding some of the street hustle. Cubans have two prices for almost everything; museums, club entry, street food and local transport is a fraction of the cost if you can pass, like I did, at times.

Cuba doesn’t play by the normal travel rules. And the result for many visitors, once they arrive, is an ensuing culture shock followed by a series of truly unforgettable experiences. Although solo female travel can be challenging (and being black often adds a whole new dynamic to travel in Cuba),  remember that these elements will grant you access to a wealth of unique opportunities that your counterparts may not get.

So, talk to the locals, enjoy the offers of salsa lessons, blend in and brush up on your Spanish; Cuba is calling you.

You’ll never regret a trip to Cuba; it’s unlike anywhere else. Check out our range of small group adventures there.

Pssst…Got the urge for adventure, but no one to go with? Check out our new range of trips specifically for solo travellers too! 

(All images c/o Georgina Lawton – except beach and Trinidad photo c/o Intrepid Travel)

Feeling inspired?

Georgina Lawton

Georgina Lawton is a journalist and travel addict who hails from London. She blogs about the link between identity and travel at girlunfurled.com. Stalk her Instagram (@girlunfurled) or engage her writing services ([email protected]).

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• A Solo Travellers Guide To...

A Solo Traveller’s Guide to Cuba

Cuba is an increasingly popular destination, but the Caribbean island presents a particular set of challenges for those who travel solo. The following tips will help you make the most of your time on the island as a solo traveller.

Get used to the lack of hostels.

Backpackers may be disappointed to find that hostels are few and far between. Apart from a couple of properties with dorms in Havana , you will most likely have to stay in hotels or homestays; this means that you’ll have to make a special effort to be sociable and look out for opportunities to meet fellow travellers.

Single supplements can add significant costs

In homestay properties, known as ‘ casas particulares ’, you have to pay for the whole room rather than just your own bed. As a result, solo travellers can end up paying significantly more than those who travel in groups. Making friends to travel with will make your trip more fun and help you save money.

Visit Casa Tacos

This taco joint in the Vedado neighbourhood of Havana runs a weekly event where locals and travellers can meet and get to know each other. Not only is it an excellent opportunity to meet Cubans and find out about life on the island, but solo travellers can also meet other like-minded people who might be visiting the same places. It’s a great spot to hang out for the night and encounter new friends. You could even end up with a travel partner or two for a portion of your trip.

Safety is not a worry

Cubans pride themselves on maintaining a low crime rate, and you will notice that the island is a lot safer than many other destinations in the region. Even at night, you will be safe if you walk around by yourself, and most visitors report that they were not worried for their safety. You are more likely to encounter confidence tricksters than you are to be a victim of petty crime.

Scams can be an issue

While crime is low, there are some common scams that a small minority of Cubans have been known to pull on unsuspecting visitors. One of the most common is to sell fake Cuban cigars that don’t contain tobacco, while another to watch out for is the woman with a baby who asks for a bag of milk powder. On occasion, tourists have been wildly overcharged for the milk by a shopkeeper who is in on the scam, and the pair split the money.

Work out the currency

Cuba uses two currencies: the Cuban peso (CUP), used mainly by locals, and the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC), used most often by tourists. It is important that you get used to the coins and notes of each currency so that you don’t get shortchanged. If you’ve been given CUP instead of CUC, you will end up out of pocket; one CUC is worth around 26 CUP!

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Look for Viazul buses

Solo travellers are advised to use the Viazul tourist buses for intercity trips due to the high cost of hiring a taxi by yourself. Of course, you can team up with fellow travellers or share with locals, but if you need to know what time you will leave and arrive, then Viazul is the best option. Otherwise, you could be left waiting around for the car to fill up with other passengers. You may also see Astro buses around the country, but tourists are not usually allowed to buy tickets for these services.

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Four Weeks of Backpacking Cuba: My Solo Travel Itinerary

You’re backpacking Cuba for a month.

Where do you go.

It’s a fantastic destination, but travelling solo in Cuba can be daunting. Here’s everything I learned about backpacking Cuba during my four weeks there.

My visit to Cuba was something of a spontaneous decision. I’d been working as a journalist in Medellin, Colombia when the idea of a month travelling around this intriguing island sprung up – so in true Flora fashion, I did barely any research before I arrived.

As a result, the way I ended up backpacking Cuba was a mishmash of recommendations from friends, fellow travellers and local Cubans. During a month of travelling I visited eight different cities, criss-crossed the island on six long-distance public bus journeys, and had a month-long glimpse of how to travel Cuba as a solo female.

I’ve written lots of stories about my time backpacking Cuba , but I also know how useful a solid travel itinerary can be to inspire your trip – particularly for a country like Cuba.

So here’s my Cuba travel itinerary at a glance. I hope you find it helpful! 

Check out my guide to travelling Cuba on a budget

What transport did i use to get around cuba.

During one month in Cuba, I travelled between every city on the public tourist bus network. Despite my concerns about  the buses in South America , Cuba’s buses are actually very comfortable.

There are two main bus companies in Cuba – Viazul and Transtur.  I didn’t see much difference between them: both have air conditioning, a bathroom on board and comfy reclinable seats; they usually show up and leave on time; and they have connections in all of the major cities and smaller towns that tourists might want to visit.

There are usually a few departures per day between each destination , but it’s necessary to check how long the journey takes and what time they depart.

Buying tickets isn’t a stressful process (although it helps if you can speak some Spanish), so  booking ahead of time at the bus terminal is advisable. In smaller towns and cities like Trinidad and Viñales the terminal will be in the city centre, but you might have to venture further afield in Havana and Cienfuegos.

It’s also possible to book bus tickets online, although I never tried this. I’d suggest getting your tickets in person though: most of my tickets were handwritten by a grumpy station attendee who I tried valiantly to make an impression on so they’d remember me for my journey the next day!

Bus travel in Cuba: routes and prices

NB: all prices in this article are in Cuban CUC (the tourist currency used in Cuba), because the exchange rate in Cuba is fixed at 1CUC to $1 in US Dollars.

These are the bus journeys I took around the island. I’ve also listed alternative routes when discussing each destination.

Havana – Vinales:  12CUC (3.5 hours)

Viñales – Cienfuegos:  32CUC (8 hours)

Cienfuegos – Trinidad:  6CUC (1.5 hours)

Trinidad – Santa Clara:  8CUC (3 hours)

Santa Clara – Sancti Spiritus:  6CUC (1.5 hours)

Sancti Spiritus – Camaguey:  10CUC (3 hours)

Camaguey – Havana:  33CUC (9 hours)

Travelling Cuba by taxi

If you’re happy to flash a bit more cash, the taxi network across Cuba is relatively good value. There’s an abundance of shared taxi colectivos  and of private-hire taxis throughout the island – and if you’re in a group, the combined cost for a taxi is often equal to a bus fare.

The only issue with taxis is being at the mercy of an individual car’s condition.  On my second visit to Cuba, we hired a driver for the day to take us from Havana to Viñales and back in a hot pink convertible. Driving through the countryside with the roof down was fantastic – until the return journey after sundown, when we realised the roof didn’t actually work. We spent the six hour ride getting steadily more freezing, and also ran out of gas an hour from Havana with no gas stations in sight!

Driving your own car in Cuba

Although I didn’t hire a car in Cuba (it’s my own fault for not having a driving licence), it’s a popular choice for many tourists. If you’re hoping to drive around Cuba in a cool vintage car though,  you have to arrange your car hire well in advance! 

You’ll also need to be over 21 and purchase local insurance for every day you’re renting the vehicle.

• Check out ‘Best Cuba Travel Guide’ for their advice on car rentals
• ‘Havana Autos’ is a good resource for calculating distances between various destinations in Cuba

A four week Cuba travel itinerary

Days 1–3: Havana

How do I even begin to explain Havana? Even after two visits to Cuba, I’m still unsure whether I’ve got to grips with its capital city – but I know I’d love to explore more and find out.

When I first arrived in Havana I felt a little overwhelmed. There’s so much going on: the heat, the markets, the cramped streets and the constant noise of shouting neighbours, blaring car horns and impromptu street parties.

Then I realised that Havana’s outward way of life is exactly what makes it so exciting. You’re always surrounded by brightly coloured outfits and paintings and cars and buildings; there’s always someone shouting a friend’s name or trying to sell you cigars; your interest is always piqued by a man slinging two slippery fish over his shoulder with a giant metal hook, or a group of elderly men playing dominoes in the gutter, or an argument between two costumed buskers standing high on wooden stilts.

To put it simply, Havana is like nowhere else I’ve ever been.

What to do in Havana, Cuba

You’ll never be unoccupied in Havana. Amongst its myriad of tightly-squeezed-together streets are hundreds of art galleries, museums, restaurants, hotels and historical buildings: so many that the first step is accepting you’ll never see everything Havana has to offer!

Over two trips to Cuba I’ve spent a couple of weeks in Havana, and these are some of my favourite experiences so far:

Learn Cuba’s history in the Museo de la Revolucion. Inside the building are collections of objects explaining Cuba’s tumultuous history with Fulgencio Batista’s dictatorship, but the real attention draw is outside, where vehicles from the Revolution are displayed – including the infamous Granma Yacht, which brought Fidel Castro and his men ashore after their exile in Mexico in 1952.

Havana is a haven for museums. Apart from the big players like the Revolutionary Museum and Havana Club Rum Museum (both of which I highly recommend) there are lots of wonderfully weird little museums which are free or cost just a couple of CUCs – and most have air conditioning, which can be a godsend in the heat! Some of my favourites include the Playing Card Museum, the Chocolate Museum (a tiny factory complete with free samples), and the Firefighters Museum, which is housed in an old fire station and displays equipment and vehicles from times gone by.

Looking to Che in the Plaza de la Revolucion .  The plaza itself is little more than a large square of tarmac, but it does claim to be one of the biggest central squares in the world – and the towering steel-sculpted outlines of Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos on two building facades are extremely impacting.

Wander along the Malecon . This boardwalk is the perfect place for a stroll: it stretches along the seafront for miles, and at night it’s full of busking musicians, flower sellers, groups of friends and loved-up couples. If you’re not feeling the walk, simply stick your hand out and a flurry of convertibles, posing as taxis, will stop and drive you the rest of the way.

Browse the Plaza de Armas secondhand book market . If you’re anything like me and love yellowing photographs, rusting metallic badges and colourful old posters, every stall in this market is a goldmine. You can pick up Communist trinkets of all sorts – I even found an old comic book which explains Che’s history to kids!

Explore Morro Castle. Across the water via a short ferry journey is this castle, which guards the entrance to Havana Bay. Nowadays it houses a small museum and offers some cool respite from a sweaty Havana day in the shady grounds, along with good views of the city.

Discover Ernest Hemingway’s apartment in Hotel Ambos Mundos . Cuba is filled with Hemingway-related activities, as the writer had a long love affair with the island and spent much of the later years of his life here. If you find the queues at Casa Floridita too intimidating and can’t trek to Hemingway’s villa, Finca La Vigia , a few miles outside of the city, head to the fifth floor of Hotel Ambos Mundos . Hemingway had a long-term tenancy in Room No.511, and a quick tour around the room shows various first editions of his books, as well as his glasses, a typewriter and framed photographs.

Wander the streets of Havana.  There aren’t many cities in the world with as much frenzied streetlife as Cuba’s capital, so simply getting lost in the fray is a worthy experience all of its own. Some of the streets with most activity include Calle Oficos, Calle Obispo and Calle Mercaderes – all located in Habana Vieja (the old town), they feature a slew of live music, plenty of shops and an all-day party vibe.

Read about my first impressions of Cuba here

Getting to havana.

The vast majority of tourists visiting Cuba will fly into Havana’s José Martí airport. It’s 20km from the centre of Havana so a taxi ride takes between 20-30 minutes and costs 20CUC (unlike most airports, there’s no reliable bus or train network to transport travellers to the capital).

Havana’s Viazul bus station is in the Nuevo Vedado district on Calle 26. Taxis should charge between 5-10CUC to central Havana.

Days 4–7: Viñales

Three days in Viñales is enough to get a feel for this sleepy, sun-soaked part of Cuba. It’s everything Havana isn’t: straw-hat-wearing farmers riding their horses in thick rubber boots through wide open landscapes of deep red earth and past strange bulbous limestone formations called mogotes.

The only unequivocal reminder that I was still in the same Cuba was being offered shots of local rum everywhere I went.

What to do in Viñales, Cuba

Despite the wonderfully relaxed attitude of this part of Cuba, Viñales hasn’t missed a trick when it comes to tourism. Thanks to a glowingly positive Lonely Planet write-up a few years ago, tourists now flock to this patch of farmland close to Havana – and there’s plenty on offer to keep you occupied.

The most obvious pastime is to take a cigar tour. Viñales is located in the Piñar del Rio province of Cuba, which produces 70% of Cuba’s tobacco as the farmland is abundantly fertile.

Dozens of farmers will show you around their tobacco plantations, inside their various  secadero  smokehouses to explain the tobacco drying process, and eventually sit you down with an accomplished cigar roller who’ll deftly create a cigar you can smoke just moments afterward. Don’t forget to buy some more to take home – UK citizens are allowed to bring back 50 cigars from Cuba.

You can read more about the cigar making process in Cuba here

Horse riding is also a popular way to spend your time in Viñales. I spent an afternoon ‘riding’ a horse (ie. walking very slowly) with a group of friends and a guide, past the  secaderos  and onward into the landscape beyond. At the entrance to Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas – Cuba’s largest cave system – we hopped off our horses and took a guided walking tour though narrow underground chambers, replete with colonies of bats and glinting underground pools.

It’s easy to rent a car and drive to a number of beaches nearby. There are plenty of secluded swathes of sand along the shoreline. Just make sure you have enough gas in the tank, as petrol stations are few and far between!

Go walking. One afternoon I took myself off into the red landscape and went wandering, amazed by how much solitude was available so close to the madness of Havana. I found a family of snoring pigs in the dirt, got caught in a rainstorm and watched the earth swirling into ochre dust under fat droplets of water.

But honestly,   my favourite activity in Viñales was simply allowing the place to wash over me.  I spent hours people-watching from a rocking chair on my casa host’s porch: it was opposite the baseball field so there were always passersby who my adopted Cuban grandpa was friends with, and we spent a happy afternoon waving to everyone he knew and pointing at the gathering storm clouds above us.

Getting to Viñales

I took a bus at 2pm from Havana to Viñales , which cost 12CUC and took 4 hours. There are two other departures at 8.40am and 11.25am.

Buses arrive and leave from the Viñales ticket office, on one side of the town’s central plaza.

Other routes to Vinales include: 

• Varadero to Viñales – costs 22CUC, takes 7 hours, departs 8am

Days 8–10: Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos isn’t on every Cuba tourist’s list, but it should be. This is the only Cuban city to be colonised by the French instead of Spaniards in the 1800s, and the architecture reflects that classical French flair.

When I arrived, the skies above Cienfuegos were threatened by the presence of an impending thunderstorm. It meant my impression of the city was all dark swollen clouds and a sense of drama. I loved it.

What to do in Cienfuegos, Cuba

Wander beneath the Arco de Triunfo . Dedicated to Cuba’s independence and built voluntarily by city workers, there’s no other building like this little pink arch on the island. Close by is a marble statue of Jose Marti, Cuba’s infamous revolutionary hero, and soon you’ll realise you’re in Parque Jose Mart i – complete with a bandstand and free wifi! Lots of people hang out here at night so it’s a good people-watching spot.

Visit Cementerio la Reina .  There are quite a few cemeteries in Cienfuegos, but this one is the city’s oldest and holds the graves of Spanish soldiers from the Wars of Independence.

Take a tour at Teatro Tomas Terry .  This grand old theatre has both an Italian and French influence, and is filled with ornate decorations, smooth marble, ceiling frescoes and mosaics of gold leaf. You can take a short tour and imagine performers gracing the stage in years gone by.

Have a drink at Palacio de Valle .  This historic villa is located on the Punta Gorda peninsular, a wealthy neighbourhood which sits by the water. It was built in 1917 and now acts as a restaurant and terrace bar.

Interact with local Cubans. As we wandered under broody dark grey skies, we traded short conversations with old men on street corners with their string vests rolled up ; with an elderly woman through the bars on her front door as she recited her favourite poetry to us; with a rickshaw driver who told us Cienfuegos was the safest city in Cuba then wanted to take us clubbing. At my chosen casa particular , I watched telenovelas with the family’s granny and played dominos in the shady garden with the neighbourhood granddads while the family parrot squawked irritably and planes to Miami flew overhead.

Getting to Cienfuegos

I took a 6.45am bus from Viñales to Cienfuegos,  which cost 32CUC and took 8 hours (there’s only one bus driving this route each day, so it’s advisable to book it ahead of time).

The Cienfuegos bus station is on Calle 49, between Avenidas 56 & 58.

Other routes to Cienfuegos include: 

• Havana to Cienfuegos – costs 20CUC, takes 4 hours, departs 7am, 10.45am and 2.15pm
• Trinidad to Cienfuegos – costs 6CUC, takes 1.5 hours, departs 7.30am, 8.15am, 3pm and 4pm

Days 11–15: Trinidad

Five days may feel like a while, but Trinidad is one of those Cuban cities where time slips easily away from you. It’s a compact and colourful town with plenty to keep you occupied, from little art galleries and street markets to climbable clock towers and an underground disco cave.

Yep, I did say ‘underground disco cave’…

What to do in Trinidad, Cuba

Art galleries are everywhere. Most have an open door policy so you’ll find yourself accidentally wandering in to watch an artist casually painting scenes from everyday life.

Go museum spotting. Just like every city in Cuba, Trinidad has plenty of museums. I enjoyed the Santeria museum – a tiny white-painted room with a Santeria altar to Yemaya – and the  Maqueta de Trinidad,  which holds a scale model of Trinidad’s historical district in beautiful detail.

Visit the Valle de Los Ingenios .  Just outside of Trinidad is the Valle de Los Ingenios , a stunning valley which once fuelled the country’s sugar industry. Nowadays the ruined 19th century sugar mills are all that’s left – but they’re still fascinating places to explore. I headed to the Manaca Iznaga sugar estate and climbed up the old 44-metre-high bell tower to gaze across the valley.

Eat the biggest pizzas at San Jose Paladar restaurant.  Just take my word for it!

Spend the evening in Plaza Mayor.  The many bars and restaurants which spill out onto the stairs beside Iglesia Parroquial allow you to get a prime position for the evening’s entertainment, like the 10pm salsa show which kicks off each night.

Go clubbing in an underground cave at Disco Ayala . Walking distance from the city centre is a small hill with steps that go into the ground. Once you pay an entry fee to the bouncer, you’ll find yourself inside a cave-club which is a bit tacky but is still worth visiting for the location alone! Be forewarned: there’s little to no street lighting on the way, so take a torch/your phone light.

Getting to Trinidad 

I took a 11.40am bus from Cienfuegos to Trinidad, which cost 12CUC and took 2 hours. There are two other departures at 2.30pm and 4.05pm.

The bus station in Trinidad is at Piro Guinart No224.

Other routes to Trinidad include: 

• Havana to Trinidad – costs 25CUC, takes 6 hours, departs 7am, 10.45am and 2.15pm
• Varadero to Trinidad – costs 20CUC, takes 6 hours, departs 7.25am
• Viñales to Trinidad – costs 37CUC, takes 9.5 hours, departs 6.45am
• Santa Clara to Trinidad – costs 8CUC, takes 3.5 hours, departs 10.30am and 5.15pm
• Camaguey to Trinidad – costs 15CUC, takes 4.5 hours, departs 2.45am
• Santiago de Cuba to Trinidad – costs 33CUC, takes 11.5 hours, departs 7.30pm

Days 16–19: Santa Clara

If you’re in Cuba to learn more about Che Guevara and the Cuban Revolution , come to Santa Clara. The city is is famously known as the place where the Cuban Revolution was won in 1958, and that fiery energy still exists here: as a university city, it’s filled with headstrong students and a wealth of cultural happenings including the country’s best rock festival and Cuba’s only official drag show.

What to do in Santa Clara, Cuba

See Che Guevara’s mausoleum in Plaza de la Revolucion .  The central plaza of Santa Clara is home to the Che Guevara Mausoleum, a memorial which holds the remains of Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara. He’s interred alongside twenty-nine of his fellow combatants, all of whom were killed in 1967 during an uprising in Bolivia. There’s also a bronze statue of the man himself, accompanied by the transcribed text of the farewell letter he wrote to Fidel Castro.

Learn about revolutionary history at Monumento a la Toma del Tren Blindado . This little group of train carriages – and a bright yellow bulldozer – may not look like much, but they sit on the site of the most important battle of the revolution. In December 1958, Che and a group of fighters derailed an armoured train filled with Batista soldiers using Molotov cocktails and a borrowed bulldozer, and thus ended the country’s dictatorship. Cuba became a Communist state just days later.

Walk the trail of everything Che.  There’s much more Che to see in Santa Clara, if you’re so inclined. At the Mausoleum there’s also a museum with objects from his early life, including family photos, his doctor’s coat, his dentist equipment, his binoculars, and the chess set he played with while hiding in the Sierra Maestra. Outside the Oficina de la Provincia  stands a lifesize statue of him holding a baby, along with hundreds of tiny statues of his troops, friends and pivotal moments of his life. And as you walk around the city, you’ll notice variations of his name on street signs and shopfronts.

Search out the political street art.  You’ll see so much graffiti and street art all over Cuba, but it steps up its game in Santa Clara. The city is home to Melaito , a magazine which has published satirical cartoons and caricatures for the last 50 years. There’s tons of provocative pieces all over the city, and even a whole building dedicated to a constantly rotating set of cartoon murals – head to Carretera Central between Vidaurreta and Carlos Pichardo to see them.

Tour of the Constantino Perez Carrodegua tobacco factory.   One of the best cigar factories in the country, it costs 4CUC for a guided tour and is well worth the visit (although unfortunately photography isn’t allowed). Make sure you check ahead of time as their opening hours can be confusing.

Buy cigars and rum at La Veguita . This little shop is opposite the tobacco factory and has a huge range of cigars and rum on offer at good prices. There’s even a little bar at the back with really good coffee!

An evening spent in Parque Vidal .  Hanging out in the central plaza watching tiny children riding tinier ponies before eating their weight in candy floss and popcorn is a good way as any to spend the evening!

Dinner at Casa Florida Center. I ate lobster here two nights in a row and still don’t regret it. Casa Florida Center is a stunning little oasis of a restaurant (and casa , if you can manage to book a bed!): it was built in the 1800s and has an eclectically decorated open-air courtyard filled with plants, old clocks, vintage Cuban posters and little knickknacks. Plus their food is divine. Head to No.56, Calle Maestra Nicolasa, between Colon and Maceo.

Getting to Santa Clara

I took a 7.30am bus from Trinidad to Santa Clara, which cost 8CUC and took 3 hours.

The Terminal de Omnibus Nacionales, where all Viazul buses go from, is 2.5km west of the city centre on the Carretera Central.

Other routes to Santa Clara include:

• Havana to Santa Clara – costs 18CUC, takes 4 hours, departs 12.30am, 6.30am, 9.30am, 3pm and 7.45pm
• Varadero to Santa Clara – costs 11CUC, takes 3 hours, departs 7.25am and 9pm
• Cienfuegos to Santa Clara – costs 6CUC, takes 1.5 hours, departs 8.35am and 3.30pm (on the Varadero bus)
• Trinidad to Santa Clara – costs 8CUC, takes 3 hours, departs 7.30am
• Santiago de Cuba to Santa Clara – costs 33CUC, takes 12.5 hours

Read about my attempts to learn more about Che & his Communism in Santa Clara here

Days 20–21: sancti spiritus.

The sleepy little town of Sancti Spiritus is a joy to wander around. It feels a bit like Toytown: brightly painted buildings which look squat and adorable; plenty of old men with fantastic hats sitting on benches and chilling out; and an easily navigable town centre, complete with narrow cobblestone streets.

If you’ve faced any hassling from the touts in Havana or nearby Trinidad, rest assured that Sancti Spiritus is blissfully ‘untouristy’ enough to be hassle free. The one full day I spent here mostly involved my favourite activity in a new place: wandering around with a camera, getting myself lost and chatting in Spanish to people.

What to do in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba

Puente Yayabo. This old bridge in the south has four arches and is the city’s signature sight. There’s a great viewing spot from Taberna Yayabo – or you can just wander along the street like I did!

Chill out in Parque Serafin Sanchez . This little square in the centre of town is a great place to people-watch.

Visit the Iglesia Parroquial Mayor del Espiritu Santo . The city’s adorable blue-painted church was originally constructed in 1522 but recently underwent a renovation for Sancti Spiritus’s 2014 anniversary celebrations. Local Cubans are rightly very proud of their church, as it’s said to be the oldest original church in the country.

Explore the Fundacion de la Naturaleza y el Hombre museum. This place documents a canoe expedition of 17,400km from the Amazon to the Caribbean, which was undertaken in 1987 by a group of explorers and led by a Cuban writer named Antonio Nuñez Jiménez.

Getting to Sancti Spiritus

I took a bus from Santa Clara to Sancti Spiritus , which cost 6CUC and took 1.5 hours.

The bus station in Sancti Spiritus is 2km east of town on the Carretera Central.

Other routes to Sancti Spiritus include: 

• Havana to Sancti Spiritus – costs 23CUC, takes 6 hours, departs 12.30am, 6.30am and 3pm
• Trinidad to Sancti Spiritus – costs 6CUC, takes 1.5 hours, departs 8am (on the bus to Santiago de Cuba)

Days 22–24: Camaguey

Camaguey is the third largest city in Cuba, and it’s well known for its maze-like street layout – legend says it was purposefully designed that way after repeated pirate attacks in the past. It’s easy to head out exploring: there are plenty of plazas, restaurants, art galleries and bars, and it has the same faded grandeur vibe as Havana. The downside is there are more hustling  jineteros  to contend with.

I’ll be honest though: by the time I reached Camaguey I’d had enough of travelling solo in Cuba. Thanks to sheer exhaustion and July’s sweltering temperatures, I spent much of my two days in Camaguey in my air-conditioned casa room, reading on my Kindle and planning my final two days in Havana.

Luckily, the other guest at my casa was an Ecuadorian-American who seemed very keen to spend all night dancing, so in the evenings we ended up in various Camaguey bars in half-ruined buildings (something the city is famed for). He also had a few friends in town so there was a lot of salsa, rum and general night-time frolicking.

Photo courtesy of Marika Bortolami

What to do in Camaguey, Cuba

Wander through Plaza del Carmen . There are a selection of life size statues sitting on benches, pushing carts and reading newspapers, which make great photo-posing partners!

Explore Camaguey’s answer to Hollywood. Close to the main shopping street of Calle Maceo is a stretch of cinemas and movie-related stores – which explains why Camaguey hosts an International Video Festival each year.

Go tomb hunting in the Necropolis . It’s free to enter Camaguey’s cemetery, and the elaborate white Gothic tombs are a fascinating place to spend an hour or two.

Learn about mosquitoes at Casa Finlay. A tiny museum celebrates the life of Dr Carlos Finlay, who discovered how mosquitoes transmit yellow fever.

Cabaret at Centro Cultural Caribe.  If you’re looking for a cheap cabaret show, Camaguey’s offering is supposedly amazing (although I arrived mid-week didn’t manage to see it). The show starts at 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights – book a seat from the box office that same day.

An evening at Casa de la Trova.  Sitting on the patio of a traditional poetic singing house while sipping mojitos: that’s my main memory of Camaguey. And it’s a pretty good one! Apparently Tuesday is the best night for traditional music.

Photo courtesy of Miguel Discart

Getting to Camaguey

At 9.30am I took a bus from Sancti Spiritus to Camaguey, which cost 10 CUC and took 3 hours.

The long distance bus station is at Carretera Central Este at Calle Peru.

Other routes to Camaguey include:

• Havana to Camaguey – costs 33CUC, takes 9 hours, departs 12.30am, 6.30am, 9.30am, 3pm and 7.45pm
• Trindad to Camaguey – costs 15CUC, takes 5.5 hours, departs 8am (on the bus to Santiago de Cuba)

Days 25–27: Havana

Returning to Havana after a month of travelling the rest of the island feels wonderfully familiar. Bookending a trip in the same place you arrived in like this means you can pick up souvenirs, head to places you’ve been recommended or forgot to visit last time – and you also see the city with different eyes, influenced by all the experiences you’ve had across the rest of the country.

What to do in Havana

As my final full day in Havana was a Sunday, I headed to Callejon de Hamel for a daytime party I’d heard great things about.

This colourful alley is filled with murals, mosaics and sculptures from the Cuban artist Salvador Gonzáles Escalona, who wanted to celebrate his Afro-Caribbean style of art in his own neighbourhood. The result is a fantastical shrine to Afro-Cuban religions, with depictions of rituals and deities all over the place. Best of all, every Sunday afternoon there’s rumba dancing sessions with drummers, lyricists and performers who get whipped up into a frenzy.

I took an 11am bus from Camaguey to Havana, which cost 33CUC and took 9 hours. There are four other departures at 12.35am, 6.30am, 2.25pm and 11.45pm.

Other routes to Havana include: 

• Varadero to Havana  – costs 10CUC, takes 3 hours, departs 8am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm
• Viñales to Havana – costs 12CUC, takes 3 hours, departs 8am and 2pm
• Cienfuegos to Havana – costs 20CUC, takes 5 hours, departs 9.20am and 4.05pm
• Trinidad to Havana – costs 25CUC, takes 6.5 hours, departs 8.15am and 4pm
• Santa Clara to Havana – costs 18CUC, takes 4 hours, departs 3.35am, 8.40am and 4.50pm
• Santiago de Cuba to Havana – costs 51CUC, takes 14.5 hours, departs 12.30am, 6.30am and 4pm
• Sancti Spiritus to Havana – costs 23CUC, takes 5 hours

Is one month backpacking in Cuba long enough?

The simple answer? Probably not!

Cuba is such a diverse country that exploring these seven cities over the course of a month barely scratches the surface – but a normal Cuban tourist visa only lasts thirty days.

Ultimately, I’m really glad I spent four weeks travelling around Cuba on my own. I learned a hell of a lot about myself – what I can handle and how I like to travel, not to mention having all the possibility to practice as much Spanish as possible! Most importantly, giving myself 1 month in Cuba allowed me multiple conversations with dozens of Cubans, which is usually my main aim in any new country.

As I rode to Havana’s airport with Armando, my taxi driver, we chatted in English because he wanted to practice. We shouted car-related questions to the drivers on either side of us, discussed the benefits and downsides of Cuba’s ‘old car’ infamy, and laughed about how his brother got married next to his beat-up car.

By the time I boarded my plane, I felt like I’d managed to get a taste of what Cuba’s all about. Just a taste, though. There’s always more to come.

Have you gone travelling in Cuba? What would you change for your Cuba travel itinerary? Let me know in the comments!

Pin this article if you enjoyed it .

Want to read more about travelling in Cuba?

A budget guide to travelling in cuba, my first impressions from inside cuba, cars, cigars and casas: understanding the great havana hustle, navigating cuban accommodation with ‘casas particulares’, learning about cuban cigars in viñales, the story of che, castro, and cuba’s communist history, sexism and machismo: the attitude to women in latin america.

Flora Baker is the founder and editor of Flora the Explorer, where she writes about her travels around the world, her volunteering exploits and her ongoing attempt to become fluent in Spanish by talking to anyone who'll listen. Follow her on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .

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11 comments.

Dear Flora Thank you for your blog about Cuba it sounds an amazing country I have never been however I have a cousin who has been you gave a lot of information about Cuba and lovely photos too with plenty of in depths descriptions of where you went and what you did a truly good article thank you so much for putting your blog on line all good wishes Frederick

Thanks so much Frederick! I’m glad you enjoyed reading about Cuba 🙂

Finally read your trek through Cuba, very mentally scenic because of your words, thank you for the journey

And thank you for reading!

Great article. I want to visit Cuba in the near future, now I have a great road map for how to tackle the planning. Thank you!

Great – that’s exactly what I was aiming for! Hope you have a fantastic trip to Cuba 🙂

Great article. I am 68 year old female thinking of backpacking Cuba this winter. Was it easy to pick Casas?

D B Randerson

Wow Sue. I’m also thinking of BP cuba. I’m 60. I’m three weeks there then maybe trinidad for BP there too. I’m a single male that has travelled and mountain biked Jamaica and lived there 3 years. Hawaii for 12 years. I’m in Canada since 2014 but traveled Jamaica for 7 months visiting. Most fun there but just burned out from Jamaica. Many friends told me CubaCasa travel is fairly good. Living in Canada is cold weather So you can be sure I am not impressed with snow.

Hi Sue! Yes, I found it really easy to pick casas in Cuba. There are so many options, and every host has their own recommendations for casas in the next destination you’re heading to!

Hi Flora, I will be traveling to Cuba soon just by myself. As I will only be staying for a week I still can’t decide if I should only visit Havana and Varadero or if I should also include Cienfuegos or Santa Clara. What do you think?

Hi Lena! I would suggest visiting either Viñales or Cienfuegos alongside Havana and Varadero because you’ll get a bit more of a flavour of Cuba that way. Although Havana is a fascinating place it’s definitely worth seeing another spot on the island (I haven’t been to Varadero but as it’s mainly a resort town you won’t see much of ‘the real Cuba’ there). It’s entirely possible to visit Viñales as a day trip from Havana too!

(Also I probably wouldn’t suggest Santa Clara, only because it’s pretty far from Havana)

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Havana Solo Travel Guide

Planning a solo trip to Havana , Cuba? Here’s everything you need to know for your visit:

QUICK FACTS

• Capital and largest city of Cuba, with a population of about 2.15 million .
• Located on the northwestern coast of Cuba, on the Gulf of Mexico.
• Founded by the Spanish in the 16th century to serve as a base of operations for the conquest of North America. Havana has a rich political and cultural history
• There are three main districts: Havana Vieja (Old Havana), Havana Centro and Vedado.
• Nickname: The City of Columns

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• Currency: Cuban Peso (CUP) for locals, Convertible Peso (CUC) for tourists. 1 CUC = 1 USD.
• Spoken languages: Cuban Spanish .
• Best time to visit: from mid-March to mid-November , for the best weather.
• Arriving via airport: Havana Jose Marti International Airport is located 15 kilometers from the city center, and a taxi ride takes 20-30 minutes. Standard taxi fare is around $16-20 (or 16-20 CUC). There are local buses, but tourists are not allowed to use them.
• Foreign currency : bring Euros instead of USD (they are easier to exchange). Do not pay with Euros in bars or restaurants (they will quote you a horrible exchange rate). Instead, you can exchange foreign bills for CUC just about anywhere: from your casa hosts, park benches, souvenir markets, etc.

WHERE TO STAY

• Best Havana hostel for solo travelers: Hostel Mango Habana Vieja . Located right in the historic centre, Hostel Mango is run by a welcoming couple. Very clean rooms, daily home-cooked breakfast, and an epic rooftop terrace from which to watch life go by in Havana. Make sure to book ahead!
• One of the best districts for accommodation is Havana Vieja , which is the real old Havana with all the associated attractions. Most tourists stay at major hotels.
• The country is not particularly friendly to backpackers, though homestays (Casa Particulares) exist as an attractive option and offer a more “local” experience.

GETTING AROUND

• Once you are in the city center, everything is within walking distance! Take the time to stroll around the city and its unique streets.
• To visit other districts, you could take the bus (expect long queues) or taxi . Taxis are the most convenient option. Tourist taxis charge CUC 1 per kilometer, while Panataxis (yellow and black Lada) charge CUC 1 for the first kilometer and CUC 0.50 for each subsequent km. The Panataxis are not allowed to pick you up within 100 meters of a tourist hotel.
• The drivers of Bici-taxis are licensed to carry only Cubans. They often take a longer route to avoid the police. Don’t pay more than CUC 2 per journey in the city center.
• Colectivos are not allowed to pick up foreigners.

HAVANA NIGHTLIFE

• Drinking age 16 , and there is no official last call .
• Vieja District is a popular tourist night spot, with a good mix of local bars and venues catering to visitors. Search around the famous Calle Obispo for cocktail bars, restaurants and salsa bars. Remember: Havana has something for everyone!
• If you want go out with the locals in the more trendy bars and discotheques, check out the Vedado district.
• Go to the area around Paseo del Prado to experience the real street life of Havana.
• Looking to catch the game ? Your best bet is Sloppy Joe’s (food isn’t great, drinks are decent).
• Great bars to start your night: La Cocina de Lilliam, El Dandy, Los Nardos (great food).

UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT

• Go to the Vieja District , where you will find historical landmarks such as the Capitolio National , Plaza de Armas (featuring street art and bookshops), Old Square (Plaza Vieja), National Museum of Beautiful Arts of Cuba , and the Plaza de la Catedral .
• While it is largely residential, Havana Centro still makes for very interesting visit. Notable spots include: Plaza de la Revolution with the Monument of Jose Marti, and the Ministerio del Interior with huge images of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. There is also a small Chinatown with great Asian food.
• Vedado is the district for hip and trendy young people, and features office buildings, cinemas, and shopping malls. A great contrast to the old part of the city, and definitely worth a look.
• The Malecòn Boulvard stretches over 7 km along the coast, and makes for a nice walk early in the morning or in the late afternoon/evening. You will find a row of restored houses on the Malecòn, including the famous Hotel Havana Libre. The Malecòn connects Havana Vieja and Vedado – a shortcut if you don’t want to navigate the narrow streets between the two areas.

INTERESTING WALKS

• With its old city center, Havana’s streets are dripping with history. Don’t be afraid to venture into side-streets and forge your own path.
• You can start your walk in Central Park. Explore Havana Vieja, and make your way to the Capitolio National . After you have visited Havana Vieja, go in the direction of Vedado . Here you have two options: go for a walk along the ocean and enjoy the Malecòn, or venture into some of the often overlooked side streets (such as in Havana Centro).
• Havana Centro is a maverick. It is the biggest area and the landmarks are quite far away from each other, but if you like to walk and see real city life, just go for it! Don’t forget to visit Plaza de la Revolution at night.
• Tired of all the walking? Relax at a cafe and have a traditional Cuban coffee or m ojito .
• If time allows, take the ferry shuttle from Habana Vieja to Regla and Casablanca (a small village), which leaves every 10 or 15 minutes from Muelle Luz. Foreigners are usually charged CUC 1, and the crossing takes just 10 minutes.

LOCAL WISDOM

• Can you spot the vintage cars ? Keep your eyes peeled for old Soviet and American cars/bikes, often in perfect condition!
• If you see bottled water sold at a good rate near you, stock up (it’s not always in good supply). If you expect to do any hiking or trekking in the mountains, try to bring a water filtration system with you. 1.5 Liters for 100 CUP is a typical price (4 CUC or so).
• Before paying for anything, agree on a price (and currency ) beforehand ! Casa (homestay) hosts are great for negotiating better rates with taxis, tours, etc. Staying off the beaten path (i.e. outside of tourist areas) means you may pay as little as 20% or 25% of the price you’re used to paying for food, transport, etc. Two completely different price brackets exist: one for foreigners, one for locals.
• Want to add a bit of flavour to your food? Consider bringing with you a small packet of your favorite spice powder, or a bottle of emergency Sriracha. Do not depend on restaurants to even have adequate supplies of pepper!
• There are just 200 internet cafés in the whole country. If you need internet , ask for directions at a Western hotel.
• Cuba is slowly (but surely) opening up the world. The United States has now lifted its long-running embargo, and relations are improving. Expect to see even more American tourists and businesses here in the coming years.
• Cuba is still a de facto communist country, and locals are strictly forbidden from discussing politics (and other sensitive issues) with visitors.
• Where to find good cheap eats : just about anywhere! Go for a meal at a small restaurant or food stand to eat like a local. Rice and red beans are the basic ingredients of a Cuban dish. Chicken and beef are the most common meats, fried food is very popular.
• Dangerous areas : Havana is generally very safe. Just watch out for pickpockets!

Recommended trip duration: 3-4 days

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Is Traveling to Cuba Safe? Solo Travel Cuba Guide

Posted on Last updated: May 14, 2024

Is Cuba safe to travel alone? I highly recommend everyone go solo travel Cuba . I’m sharing my Cuba solo female travel experience in this blog post. I lived and traveled extensively alone in Latin America and speak basic Spanish. While I was only in Cuba for ten days, I feel I have some authority on solo travel to Cuba and Latin America.

Are you wondering, “Is Cuba safe for solo female travelers?” The short answer is yes—it’s one of the safest countries I’ve visited. However, of all the Latin American countries I’ve been to, my solo travel Cuba experience was by far the most challenging.

Yes, solo travel to Cuba can be challenging, but with some planning and preparation, it doesn’t have to be.

Quick Tip:  Book tou rs ahead of time online to save money and stress.  Best Cuba Tours :  Click here to check out the top Cuba tours Best Cuba Accommodation: Click here to check out the top Cuba accommodation Best Caribbean Transport:  Click here to book a bus, ferry, or train in the Caribbean

What Makes Cuba Solo Travel So Challenging?

I faced two main issues as a Cuba solo female travel tourist.

• Budget: Cuba was way more expensive than I anticipated, mostly because I traveled solo. Cuba just isn’t set up for solo travelers. No hostels are outside Havana, making accommodations one of my most significant expenses.
• Being a gringa: Rather, a tall, blonde, blue-eyed gringa.

Let’s get one thing straight: As much as I hate it, I’m used to being catcalled by Latino men. While living in Colombia, I faced daily calls of:

Oi, gringa princessa! Hermosa! Oi, Reina!

It was frustrating because sometimes, all I wanted was to go to the shop and buy bread. However, I am used to it and try to ignore it as much as possible. Cuba , however, was on another level. The catcalling was aggressive and intimidating—I felt like a piece of meat while visiting. As a result, I tried to make friends and travel with others during my time in Cuba.

Is Cuba Safe to Travel Alone as a Woman?

Sadly, there is not much advice I can give you if you are a Rubia (the Spanish word for blonde) other than to stay strong, my friend. Although Havana was the worst place for it, I also got unwanted attention in Vinales and Trinidad. You will likely attract less attention if you have a darker complexion and brown hair, even as a foreigner.

However, there are some solutions to all the other possible problems you may face. It may mean you travel differently in Cuba than you usually travel, but everything is different here!

Can You Solo Travel Cuba on a Backpacker Budget?

As already mentioned, I blew my budget in Cuba. A friend told me I could efficiently budget $300 for nine days in Cuba so long as I didn’t eat out in fancy restaurants. Unfortunately, this friend was not traveling solo and didn’t pay for transport between cities since her group rented a car. It is simple to save money on food and drink, but almost impossible for accommodation and transport, as these prices are fixed.

At the end of this section, I have created a daily budget so you can work out how much you may need for the number of days you solo travel to Cuba.

How to Save Money on Accommodations

I am not a planner; I prefer to turn up and see what happens. Unfortunately, I thought I could do this in Cuba, so I booked only my first night’s accommodation and decided to leave the rest to chance. This turned out to be my biggest regret.

If you are traveling in a group, this is 100% the best way to go. Book your first night and take it from there. Talk to each host you stay with about what you want to do next and where you want to go. They will usually phone a friend or two and organize your transport and your next Casa Particular (the standard accommodation, a room in someone’s home).

Most rooms have double and single beds, so you can sleep three people. You pay a fixed price whether there is one person or three people—here lies the problem for Cuba solo travel !

Here are my Havana Accommodation recommendations Backpackers Hostel – I stayed here and loved it. Casa Malecon – Perfect for small groups Tu Habana  – If you prefer to stay in Vedado

Where Are All the Hostels?

There are plenty of hostel options in Havana. These are always the best options when you solo travel Cuba , as you can save money by paying for a bed and sharing a room with new friends.

This is important as you are likely to want to meet people. If you are alone in a room in a Casa Particular, you will have no chance of meeting other travelers. I tried to meet people outside of Havana, but it felt like everyone was traveling in groups. Plus, no phone and no internet make it virtually impossible to coordinate plans with anyone you meet.

Here’s How to Tackle This Dilemma When You Solo Travel to Cuba

• Budget more for accommodations: I would budget at least $25 per night to stay everywhere outside Havana, and ideally $30 to be safe.
• Pre-book your accommodation on Airbnb before you arrive in Cuba : I wish I had done this! You can find accommodations for under $15 a night on Airbnb in most places in Cuba. Just check on the map to see if it isn’t too far outside the center, or you will overpay for taxis. Yes, this means you will be more restricted and have less flexibility to change your plans, but at least you will save money and have a chance to meet other travelers.
• Hang out in Havana in a hostel until you find another person to travel with: This way, you can split the accommodation bills! If you are not restricted for time, this is your best option.

Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet? The Insurance companies I recommend are  Hey Mondo and Safety Wing Hey Mondo  is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing  is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy. Read my full  travel insurance post  here, where I go into detail about all companies. 

How to Save on Cuba Solo Female Travel Transportation

It’s nearly impossible to save money when you solo travel to Cuba as all transport prices are fixed. I recommend avoiding the buses at all costs. Not only are they dirty, broken, and uncomfortable, but they also operate at set times and take hours longer than cars.

The best way to travel throughout Cuba is by taxi colectivos. They usually cost about $5 more than the bus and will take you door-to-door. You will also have more control over timing and arrive hours sooner.

Your Casa host can arrange these for you, so ask. I also strongly recommend making friends with other travelers on these journeys. My biggest regret was not making plans with them when we got to our destination. I didn’t realize how awkward I would find it to meet others, so I didn’t bother making a plan. Big mistake!

If you are on a tight budget and don’t have a huge backpack, your third option is to hitchhike. It is very safe and common to hitch a ride in Cuba. Most drivers will not take any money, but offers of food and drinks are welcome alternatives. I didn’t hitchhike myself, but I know many people who have done it successfully.

How to Save on Food During Cuba Solo Travel

Easy, don’t eat anywhere that has a menu translated into English! Those are the tourist places, and you will pay tourist prices. I don’t eat a lot anyway—usually, breakfast and one big meal around 3:00 p.m. satisfies me for the day.

I usually ate breakfast at the casa for $5 and spent around $7-10 on an afternoon meal. My food budget was $8-15 daily. I could have eaten local food and significantly reduced my food bill, but my vegetarian diet would have been severely restricted to eggs and bread.

If you are on a serious budget, look for local places to eat. Make sure there is a queue of locals (so you know the food is good) and that the prices are in pesos (local currency) and not CUC (tourist currency).

How to Save on Solo Travel Cuba Tours

Again, this is challenging when traveling alone. Most tour prices are fixed, and traveling with a group is the only way to have negotiation power. The standard (and most straightforward) way is to ask your host to organize tours. There will be no room for negotiation, but you will also get the standard price and are less likely to be ripped off.

If you want to save money, walk down the main street of the town you are staying in, and the tour operators will come to you. Once one has found you, it’s time to start negotiations. As most Cubans don’t speak English, you probably won’t get far with haggling unless you know some basic Spanish.

Is Havana Cuba Safe at Night?

If you’re wondering, “Is Havana safe for solo female travelers?” I’d say yes, though you should be careful going out at night. Although the catcalling in Cuba can be awful, it’s one of the safest places in the world to travel solo . I felt intimidated but safe walking home alone at night—I went out solo while in Vinales and had a great night with some Cubans I met in the club.

However, I’m not sure I would have ventured out to a club alone in Havana unless I was recommended somewhere I wouldn’t get harassed!

Why You Should Learn to Salsa

One tip I would give anyone traveling solo in Latin America is to learn to dance salsa . Whatever country I’m traveling to in Latin America, if I know I want to go out at night, I just need to find a salsa club. That way, I can go, spend the night dancing with locals, and not worry about drinking.

While in Cuba, I had a great night out at a salsa club. A young Cuban asked me to dance and then invited me to join their group for the night. I drank rum, he taught me Cuban-style Salsa, and I went home a happy gringa!

Cuba Solo Travel Tips for Making Friends

Outside of Havana , I found this a little challenging. Typically, we have WhatsApp and Facebook when traveling, so you can meet someone, swap contacts, and message them to meet later. However, you won’t have this luxury in Cuba.

In Vinales, I planned to meet a Cuban cigar farmer in the main square in front of a church at 10:00 p.m. I felt like I was 12 years old again—back in the 90s, before mobile phones and the internet, that’s what we did! In this day and age, it felt alien to trust this person would even be there.

Today, it is easy to bail and send a “sorry, I can’t make it” text. I felt nervous heading to that rendezvous point in case I stood up. But he was there!

Meeting people in Cuba is like going back to the 90s. You have to make plans and stick to your word, meet at the clock tower at 10:00 p.m., or find some friends and stick with them! Havana is the best place to meet people. For this reason, I strongly recommend staying in a hostel for your first few nights. Once you make friends, try to plan some stuff together before parting ways.

I can’t tell you how overjoyed I was when I was sitting on some steps in Trinidad, feeling utterly miserable and alone, only to look up and see the chica I met on my first night in Havana eating dinner alone. Cue me racing up those steps!

I’d already decided to check out of Trinidad early and go back to Havana to save money, so we planned to meet again at the same hostel. We did later that week, and along with a few others and a Cuban friend, we ended up having a fantastic few days exploring Havana together. This made up for all of the other struggles I had in Cuba.

Speaking Spanish When You Solo Travel to Cuba

If you’re wondering, “Is it safe to travel to Cuba alone?” I recommend learning a few Spanish words before setting off on your adventure. You will find very few English speakers in Cuba, especially outside tourist areas. Download Duolingo and learn some essential Spanish keywords and phrases. My Spanish is okay, and I struggled to understand people in Cuba! They speak very differently—most people understood what I was trying to say, even if I couldn’t understand them!

The people I met traveling in Cuba who knew no Spanish struggled but didn’t find it impossible. You can make life easier by booking accommodations in Casas, where the host speaks English. That way, they can help you.

Alternatively, ensure you have downloaded the Spanish Translate app on your phone. It works offline and can be a lifesaver.

Quick Tip : View my full Cuba packing guide here including a downloadable checklist. And check out my Cuba Essentials shopping list here.

Example Solo Budget for Cuba:

• Accommodations $40-50 per day: In Havana, you can find $20 beds easily; outside of Havana, expect to pay $40 per night for a room. If you want to spend less, book your accommodation before you go on Airbnb.
• Food $35 per day: I mostly spent less than this, but I did splash out a few times. $40 a day is a fair budget. You can eat for less, but I wouldn’t budget less than $25 a day. If you like your food and plan to eat three meals daily, budget $30-35.
• Drinks $5-15 per day: I don’t drink much, but when Mojitos are $5, it’s rude not to have a few. I mostly drink water and treat myself on a few occasions. $20 a day is a good budget average. If you are a heavy drinker, then double this!
• Travel: This depends on where you go and how much you plan to travel. A colectivo from Havana to Trinidad costs $30. On average, you will pay between $25 and $40 to travel between towns. The best way to determine the price is to check how much it costs on the bus and add $5.
• Activities and tours: If you want to do one thing in each place you travel to, budget $30-50. That should be enough for at least one tour or activity per day.

Is Cuba Safe for Solo Female Travelers? Final Thoughts

Is traveling to Cuba safe for solo female travelers? Based on my solo travel Cuba experiences, I can confidently say it’s a safe destination for women . That doesn’t mean I felt completely comfortable 24/7, but I never felt dangerous traveling there.

Of course, basic safety measures like staying aware of my surroundings and keeping an eye on my belongings were important. I felt as secure as I have in many other Latin American countries.

So, if you’re contemplating a Cuba solo female travel experience, go for it! Just exercise the usual precautions, and you’ll likely have a fantastic and safe time.

Quick Tip : View my full safety tips here for women traveling solo

Cuba Travel Guide Planning

🧳 Any recommendations on what I should pack for Cuba?

Yes! I have created a whole packing guide to Cuba which you can read  here  and you can also check out my packing list for Cuba on Amazon  here .

🚗 Where can I book bus or private transportation while I’m in Cuba?

I strongly recommend using  GottoGo . You can book almost all transport in the major Mexican tourist destinations through them online. They don’t just cover buses they also cover shuttles, ferries, and private drivers.

🎫  Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in Cuba?

I recommend either  Viator  or  GetYour Guide . 

If you are traveling to Cancun you can use  GoCity  and save up to 55% of the initial cost of entrance tickets to various museums, tours, and attractions!

If you are traveling to Playa del Carmen then I recommend booking through my friend Vanessa at Turismo Channel. You can check out their tours by  clicking here  and using the following discount codes for the best prices  clairecaroff  (car rental),  claire10off  (for 10% off group tours),  claireprivate  (for a discount on private tours). You can also  send her a WhatsApp message  quoting the above codes to receive the discount.

👩‍⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?

I recommend using  Heymondo  for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out  SafetyWing  digital nomad insurance.

I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance  here .

✈️ Any flight recommendations?

WayAWay  offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise  Skyscanner  or  Expedia  are my go-to flight searching platforms.

📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?

I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read  here . I personally use  GlocalMe  as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.

With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using either Airhub  or  Alosim . Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.

🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?

The 3 best platforms that I normally use are  Booking.com , Hotels.com , and  Expedia . They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.

🛅  Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?

I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list  here . I’m currently traveling with  this suitcase  and  this backpack .

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© 2023 Claire’s Itchy Feet  

10 Tips for Traveling Solo in Cuba

1. Learn Basic Spanish Phrases

If you don’t at least know a few basic phrases in Spanish, you are going to have a really tough time solo traveling in Cuba. Aside from helping you get around, knowing basic Spanish phrases will also help anti-target you as a tourist, and prevent you from getting over-charged or hustled.

2. Stay in a Casa Particular

Casa Particulars are people’s homes that rent out rooms to travelers and tourists. Many of them house exchange students from the U.S. so are a great way to meet other people, learn about the area you’re in, how and where to go, and even can help you with translations. Casa Particulars are also much cheaper than staying at a hotel, and usually include the option for home cooked meals! It’s a lot easier now too to find them because most big travel-finder sites list them, and even offer deals since it’s a relatively new concept!

3. Don’t Wear a Fedora or Che Hat

It’s slightly embarrassing to see tourists wearing the souvenir Cuban fedora or Che hats for some reason. Actually, it’s kind of funny to see the Che barets that people wear because they look cool, when they have no idea that they are basically representing Communism. Anyway, don’t wear a souvenir hat. You’ll look like a tourist, and get treated like one.

4. Know Where to Find Wifi

The only way you’ll be able to communicate with anyone back home (without spending a crap load of money) is by using Wifi, but it’s not always easy to find. Most hotels will let you buy an hour of Wifi per day, but I learned that if you go to the cellular stores, you can find the same Wifi cards for cheaper, and then can just bring them to the hotels to use.

5. Use Tourist Buses for Transportation

Towards the end of my trip I started running low on cash, and since there are no ATM’s or ways to withdraw money from American banks in Cuba…that kind of sucked…a lot. Cabs usually range from 5-10 CUC, and while I had no problem walking…that limits you to the main areas of Havana. Then I discovered that you can take those touristy double decker red buses, or the air conditioned charter buses from Parque Central in Havana Vieja for only 5 CUC and they will take you all over town and even further out to the beach !

6. Prepare to be Lonely at Night

Someone asked me about what my opinion was on solo traveling in Cuba and I said I wasn’t scared the whole time, and she said, “I was thinking more because it gets lonely”. This is true. I didn’t even have anyone to miss back home besides my dog, and my friends, but the fact that I couldn’t use my phone, or even connect to Wifi after 6PM was a huge bummer. I ended up watching a lot of Telanovelas , super old American movies, Baliwood movies, and writing enough content to get me through a year of blog posts.

7. Avoid Interacting with Officials

Although most people are extremely happy about relations in the U.S. improving…there’s still kind of this rule where U.S. citizens are not allowed to have “free time” or be in Cuba for “touristic purposes”. As I mentioned before, I almost started crying when the guard came up to me and asked where I was from, not to mention the three people at the airport who asked to see my passport when I arrived. I’m sure the most punishment you’d get is a fine, but I’d suggest avoiding dealing with the government as much as possible.

UPDATE: Now that relations have improved and most touristic activities are allowed in Cuba, you really don’t have to worry about this one. In fact, the government officials will probably love you.

8. See More Than Havana

Havana is great and all, but there are so many other places in Cuba that it would be a shame to go all the way there and just stay in one place! As I mentioned before, you can take the tourist bus to nearby beaches, or take a tour of the outskirts of Havana. If you have time, you can even go see the tobacco fields in Viñales or the resort beaches in Varadero!

9. Make Friends With Locals

Most taxi drivers will offer you their card or number after giving you a ride in case you need one later, it’s pretty much like marketing to them, and they really will come get you if you call them. Also if you happen to make friends with a local, (like a young, non-threatening-looking one) take their number in case you want someone to potentially hang out with or ask advice on things to do.

10. Eat at “Paladares”

“Paladares” translates to “house-restaurant”, and is kind of the same concept as a Casa Particular. A family converts part of their home into a restaurant and they are able to keep the profit from it. What makes them unique though is that you get to see these great houses, even mansions, and get an authentic meal for not nearly as much as a restaurant would charge you!

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35 comments

wow amazing and helpful post for travelers thanks

I am traveling solo to Cuba at the end of June for 2 weeks. Your post was super informative. What were the benefits of staying in the Vedado area as opposed to Old havana, which is where I was planning on staying? I am not so interested in nightlife as I am possibly just hanging out with a beer and photographing and people watching. I am planning a few days in Havana, Vinales and Trinidad then back to Havana. My concerns are about the amount of cash I seem to need to bring (Im an American), missing some great places (obviously 2 weeks is not enough), and my minimal Spanish (I speak some and have taken lessons in Nicaragua and traveled solo to other Spanish speaking countries such as Colombia and Spain, but it’s always a concern). Again, thanks for your post and if anyone else reads this post and will be in Cuba during this time- please email me 🙂

Vedado was cheaper, quieter, and more local. But if you’re going solo and want to be around people, Havana Vieja might be a good choice! You’ll definitely love hanging out on the Malecon with a beer! Have you seen my other Cuba posts? I have really long lists of things to do in Havana and outside of Havana, so it will be hard to miss something! If you’re going for 2 weeks I’d bring around $500 in American cash — you can sometimes use it to pay for things (it’s worth more than their currency) but you can also use your debit card to get money out, so the cash is really just a back up.

Last but not least – don’t worry about your Spanish…the majority of tourists who go to Cuba can’t speak any Spanish at all, but it’s always a nice gesture to attempt learning a little and speak a little! Have a fab time in my “homeland” 😉

I just read your previous article about traveling alone in Cuba, it was really informative, thank yoU! I have just booked my flight for my first trip there in about a month and I had some questions I was hoping you could answer.

As for the visas, now that relations are much better between Cuba and the US do you think I still need to apply for a visa? When booking my flight I chose the Education: people to people option but I am unsure if I still need to acquire anything else.

Also, as a single, white, 26yo traveling alone, I just wanted to see if there were any housing recommendations you could give me- always better to go off a recommendation than sifting through Air B and B. I have traveled a lot but this will be my first solo adventure so I just want to make sure I am being smart.

I was also curious about money- will I have access to my money there? If not I assume I will have to bring enough to last me (Sun-Fri) so I was wondering if you had a rough idea of your daily cost or just anything I should consider.

I appreciate any help!

Thanks, Gabby

Hi Gabby! Not sure if you were replying to someone else (my name is Alyssa but you wrote Emmie?) but to answer your questions — you don’t need to apply for special visas anymore, you can simply just get a tourist visa at the airport. AirBnB will probably be your best bet unless you want to pay more for a hotel, but to be honest, the AirBnB’s are probably nicer! When I went they didn’t have that option yet so I can’t really refer a specific one! For money, I always budget around $50/day for food, transportation etc. You should bring U.S. cash and get it exchanged at the airport because it’s sometimes hard to find banks in town! Most importantly, don’t worry! Havana is awesome and you’re going to have an incredible time! xx, Alyssa

Hi Gabby- when will you be in Cuba- I am traveling solo from June 28th to July 12.

I’m thinking about planning a solo trip to Havana. I’ve read on several websites that many vendors don’t take credit cards and ATMs are almost impossible to find. Did you carry cash on you? Any insights on how you handled the financial part would be really appreciated! I think that’s what I’m most nervous about.

Yeah definitely bring cash from the U.S.! You can exchange it at the airport or at a few big hotels like the Hotel Nacional. You can also sneakily pay for a lot of things with U.S. dollars, because they’re worth more than the local currency! If you’re worried about carrying a lot of cash, you can also use Traveler’s Cheques for back up!

Hi I’m just wondering if it’s safe to take taxi alone at night? My flight lands in HAV at 11:30pm and I need to take taxi to get to Havana. Should I wait until morning? Or is it just very safe and there’s no worries?

Hi Laura! The airport is probably not a great place to stay till morning and there’s nothing nearby hotel-wise, but there are definitely a ton of cars waiting at the airport at all times to take people from Havana, and most work under the government so they should be safe. I would just make sure you have your hotel name, address, and maybe even a screenshot (or print out) of the GPS directions from the airport to the hotel. Also make sure to ask how much it is before you get in. If anything, I think you might also be able to coordinate a pick up through your hotel if you’re staying at one, or if not, through a site like CubaJunky.com! Let me know how it goes! I’ll be back in Cuba at the end of the month!

Thank you in advance! I want to study with the curanderos (healers) in Cuba. Do you have any ideas how I would put an required itinerary together?

I’m planning a trip to Cuba in January – I’m so glad I found your post!

Thank you! Hope you have an incredible time!!

@kristimiller I am going in January too! I am beyond excited. Although I am nervous, this is the first time ill be traveling alone!

Don’t be nervous! Traveling alone is such an awesome adventure! You’ll love it, and Cuba for sure!

Hi Emmie! I am traveling alone in January too! What dates are you goin? I’m kind of nervous too! You can email me at [email protected] if you like

What’s the name & location of the Paladares you posted here? DYING to go there next week!

It didn’t have a name haha! All I know is that it was in “Vedado” (not to be confused with Varadero), and that it’s about 11 blocks down (South) of the Presidente Hotel on one of the residential streets. It’s a beautiful area with all of the old mansions, albeit, quite sad to see their current conditions, but this place in particular you cannot miss..it was one of the biggest mansions I saw there…with a shack-like tarp roof over the front lawn where they created the little restaurant!

I don’t eat seafood/meat…what’s there to eat in Cuba otherwise? Is rice/beans and salad going to be my food the whole time?

Good tips Alyssa. I also traveled to Cuba, in 2014, and found the people to be very inviting and friendly. I’m not a single female, but even as a white male wondering around the strange streets of Havana, I never felt unsafe. I was propositioned for drugs, but that’s about it!

One correction is that traveling independently to Cuba purely for tourist activities is still not technically legal. I wrote in depth on this topic here for anyone who’s interested http://www.stridetravel.com/blogs/travel-to-cuba-what-you-need-to-know-now.html

That’s what I thought!!! I thought they were just getting a little more lenient. Thanks for sharing what you know!

GREAT POST! So how did you respond to the guard who asked you from what country are you from? Did he ask you for I.D.? And what was his reaction when you told him you were from the US, if that was your answer. Also, I read the people to people visa requires Americans to present an itinerary full of educational activities. Did you encounter anyone asking for such a list? Thanks.

Thanks Jennifer! It was super sketchy getting the visa..basically you have to pay for it and they warn you that there is absolutely NO free-time or touristic activities allowed for U.S. citizens…I”m not sure if that’s still the law, but I know they say you have to have an itinerary. I assume since I was alone people just thought I was from Europe or Canada, but I did say the U.S. when the guard asked, but luckily his response was, “OH!!! Your leader is meeting with our leader right now! We hope things go well!” 😀

Alyssa, Thanks for the information. Like you, I currently find traveling solo preferable simply because it forces me to engage in conversations I would otherwise not have had if traveling with a partner. Not only do I learn more about other cultures but I also learn more about me. With that said, When traveling in Europe, I have crossed paths with a few pesky characters that ask straight away if I am American. When ignoring them is no longer an option, I resort to saying I’m from the neutral nation to our north. For some reason, saying I’m from Canada always settles them down and makes them go away. … Travel safely!

Hi Alyssa, it sounds very hard visiting a place in which there is not any common spoken language. Why English language is not taught? What the level of education in there? It seems to be still 3rd world though. Great adventure. Shall we consider Communism responsible for it? I will travel soon to the Americas and my Spanish is zero. I hope to be able to discriminate between threatening-looking and non-threatening-looking people but I am not sure I can. Any tip from your side? Keep goin´.

I like the way you enter in the depths of local culture. I just do not understand why you suggest to not deal with a communist government as much as possible (tip 7). A Mexican friend who went there told me that the guards can help you a lot if you give them small bribes, or small value objects. Through them you can buy cheap cigars etc.

Your Mexican friend is legally allowed to be visiting. For people with U.S. passports, even though now we are able to go there if we qualify for a visa, they are still very strict on U.S. citizens “not having any free time or being there for touristic purposes”. So no, I would not advise U.S. citizens to approach government officials (unless in danger), and I DEFINITELY would NEVER suggest bribing them or ANY member of a government or security force! The goal here is safe travel and no jail time!

Thanks for the tip!!!

I’m in the midst of planning a trip to Cuba for December, so this is really useful. I’m excited beyond belief to go!

Is spent half the day researching for an ETA of Nov, Dec at latest!

Congrats on being one of the vanguards for traveling in Cuba. I am sure these tips will help many in the future as more and more Americans make their way to Cuba. I will be going to Colombia soon, and I found some of these tips helpful for that adventure. Need to bone up on my Spanish.

Great story Alyssa – how did you actually get there and was there any problem booking as a solo passenger? Also, how much of your accommodation did you have set up prior to arrival? Thanks!

Thank you!!! I took Havana Air, it was about $398 round trip out of Miami (for a 45 min flight…), and just had to get a visa which I would recommend doing a month or more in advance – if you need information on how to qualify for one I did this post on it: https://mylifesamovie.com/2015/04/23/how-to-get-a-visa-for-cuba/ I had my accommodation set up a week in advance which I’d also recommend going because there was hardly a time when there was a vacant room in the “casa particular” I stayed in (might be more flexible for hotels). If you need any other info let me know! I’d highly recommend the place I stayed called “Casa Fraga” 🙂

Hello, I will be traveling alone to Cuba in January and would love to stay in a casa Particular! Can you please send me the Casa Fraga’s information? Also, what did you do at night?! Is there much of a night life?!

Thanks in advance, Emmie

Hi Emmie! I don’t have their contact unfortunately, but I’m pretty sure they were talking about using AirBnB when I was there so I can tell you the area of town it was in! It’s a part of Havana called Vedado — if you Google map the Presidente hotel, the house I stayed in was about 5 blocks south of there! Nightlife is pretty much all salsa clubs, my personal favorite was a unique mixture of an art space and dance club called Fabrica del Arte! 🙂

No thanks, I’m not interested!

• North America

Cuba Solo Trips and Holidays 2024/2025

Cuba is an island that is full of life, history, and culture. It’s history with both Spain and Africa makes Cuba not only a culturally diverse place, but also a unique meeting of the eastern and western worlds. Looking for a good sandwich? How about a Cuban?

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• Cuba Travel Guide

Cuba - Tour Highlights and Travel Tips

Tour Highlights

• Go and delight in the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, Cuba’s national ballet.
• Enjoy a game of baseball, football, cricket, or basketball.
• Listen and get your feet moving to mambo, cha-cha-cha, and salsa.
• See some of the classic cars that line the streets of Havana.
• Go and visit the small city of Trinidad.
• Soak up the sun on one of Cuba’s many beaches - a must do when on a trip to Cuba.
• Hike the Sierra Maestra Mountains, and enjoy the rural nature the island has to offer.

Travel Tips

• Bring a guidebook; Cuba has terrible Internet connection.
• Know your money; there are two different types of pesos.
• Don’t engage the hustlers on the street; if you appear disinterested, they’ll leave you alone.
• Don’t talk politics; with Cuba’s checkered history comes discomfort.
• Drink only bottled water.
• Learn Spanish; it will make your life easier during a holiday in Cuba.
• Don’t stay in hotels; go with Casas Particulares (private houses or homestays).

Cuba has seasonal weather so please do check up on the best time to visit Cuba before planning your tour. And if you’re still hunting for more things to do and places to explore in Cuba, do check out our Cuba Travel Guide for more information.

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Locally Cuba

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Cuba Explorer

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Popular Destinations

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Trending Travel Guides

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Cuba Solo Trips Tour Reviews

• Richard Owens

8-DAY CUBA TOUR FOR WOMEN

Travel like a local ., 8-day women only cultural tour of cuba , for women by women., travel for the soul, empowering you to build confidence and friendships through travel., embark on an unforgettable 8-day women’s cuban adventure and join me,, along with a group of fabulous women., our mission is to empower you to expand your horizons, boost your confidence,, forge enduring friendships, and have an absolutely fabulous time., we warmly welcome women from all walks of life to join our travel experiences., discover the joy of exploration in a safe and supportive environment,, and let the fun and adventure begin.

Ignite Your Adventurous Spirit

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with Wanderlust Solo Women Tours! Join our 8-day Women’s Tour of Cuba and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and rich history of this beautiful country.

Travel with a small, fun, women-only group, stay in women-owned Cuban guesthouses, and support local women initiatives. With activities like a walking tour of Old Havana and a visit to the Che Guevara Museum, you’ll have the opportunity to explore and interact with the local community.

Don’t miss out on this incredible experience! Book your spot now and get ready to create lasting memories.

So what are the details?

Tour description: , looking for an empowering dose of feminine solidarity.

Visit Cuba on this all-female tour, run by women for women and with a focus on Cuban women, by * Cuban Adventures and hosted by Gina of Wanderlust Solo Women Tours.

This tour will give you the opportunity to meet and interact with many of the strong female entrepreneurs and artists that are a source of inspiration, wisdom, and laughter.

Additionally, you will experience Cuba with other like-minded female travelers, it’s an opportunity not only to learn the local culture but also about the other people on your tour.

DATES; 7th November 2024

*Hosted by Wanderlust Solo Women Tours with tour provider Cuban Adventures.

Embark on an unforgettable journey. Experience the magic of our 8-day Women’s Cuban Tour as we dive into the vibrant culture and captivating history of this stunning country.

Join our exclusive women-only group and indulge in authentic Cuban hospitality while supporting local women initiatives. From strolling through the enchanting streets of Old Havana to exploring the iconic Che Guevara Museum, immerse yourself in the heart and soul of Cuba.

Secure your spot now and prepare to create timeless memories.

Read on and discover all the information you need to make an informed decision and join us to uncover the beauty of Cuba like never before!

Why join this Women’s Cuba Tour?

Personally hosted tour.

Not only will you have a wonderful local female Cuban guide, but also a personal host to help you with any pre tour planning, and on the ground support.

Support throughout

You will receive extra support right from the time of your booking to help you organize this fantastic tour of Cuba, with pre-tour Zoom Q&A’s and personal travel coach.

Women Supporting Women

Looking for an empowering dose of feminine solidarity? Visit Cuba on this is an all-female tour, run by women for women and with a focus on Cuban women.

Belonging & Fun

Belonging is a very important part of our ethos, where you feel safe, included and supported and part of a magic community. Plus add a dash of awesome fun too!

Unleash Your Sense of Adventure

Experience the vibrant culture and rich history of Cuba on our 8-day Women’s Cuban Tour. Join our small, women-only group as we explore the charming streets of Old Havana, visit the Che Guevara Museum, and support local women-owned initiatives. Our tour includes comfortable twin-share accommodations in women-owned Cuban guest houses “Casa Particulars”, local style breakfasts, and a personal host to ensure a memorable experience. Whether you’re a seasoned solo traveler or new to exploring the world on your own, our tour provides a safe and enriching journey for women of all backgrounds. Join us on this amazing adventure and create lifelong memories. Wanderlust Solo Women Tours – Empowering Women, One Journey at a Time.

You will get to look forward to:

1:1 personal support right through your booking and travel experience, pre-tour q&a events and group connection, a local cuban guide and me as your host, lots of optional extra activities to really get you connected with the local communtity, x7 nights accommodation in authentic casa particulars own by cuban women, your transfers from and to the airport, we will be waiting for you, cultural connection to immerse yourself in this diverse culture, visit-havana, playa ancón, santa clara, trinidad and viñales, plus lots more goodness, secure your special space with a $670.00nzd deposit, payment plan available., cuban tour highlights.

Playa Ancón

Santa Clara

Private Room option

*Private room option-additional $400.00NZD PP.

Accommodation

Accommodation is in standard local CASA PARTICULARS.

Women-owned Cuban guest houses.

Extra nights

*Pre and Post tour x1 night accommodation available.

8-day Women Only Cuba Tour

Tour summary.

Tour dates; 7th-14th November 2024

Trip style:

• Original. Small Women only group. Standard guesthouses.
• Best for Americans to join.
• Special Interest.
• Supporting local women.
• Personal host.

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights

Group size: Max Average 12

Accommodation: Women-owned Cuban guest houses. Rooms are air-conditioned with ensuite bathroom. Twinshare.

Single supplement: Single Room for the tour – $400.00NZD extra pp

Transport: Private air-conditioned transport throughout mini-bus, micro-bus, or taxi depending on group size.

Activities included: Walking tour of Old Havana, Che Guevara Museum. We will offer several special optional activities on this tour that will support women-owned initiatives and allow for fun local interaction.

Inclusions: 7 breakfasts, airport arrival transfer, local guide and personal host throughout

Suggested additions: Add on a pre-or post night accommodation, from $115.00NZD per night extra.

Can Americans join this tour? Yes! This tour forms a great base for a legal trip to Cuba. Read more about  how to make your trip to Cuba legal

Not Included in the Tour

• International Flights
• Visa and passport fees
• Insurance ( Travel Medical Insurance   is required  to participate on the tour)
• All meals (except for 7 breakfasts)
• Optional activities  / day-tours / excursions
• Airport departure transfer

More important information.

Please read all the Terms and Conditions, *note operating under Cuban Adventures-  https://www.cubagrouptour.com/booking-terms-and-conditions

A deposit of $670.00NZD secures your spot with us, payment plan available.

*Please check entry requirements to Cuba PRIOR to confirming your booking. TRAVEL TO CUBA FOR AMERICANS  –  VISAS TO CUBA-OTHER

* US ESTA may be affected by travel to Cuba- Visiting Cuba may impact your ability to enter the US on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) using an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). For further information see the  US Customs and Border Protection (external link)  website, or contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate for details.

Your Balance Due must be paid by (30th June  2024) 90 days before departure or any balance paid will be forfeited. The deposit is non-refundable,  cancellation fee is loss of full deposit or  100% kept as credit.   See full terms and conditions at:  https://www.cubagrouptour.com/booking-terms-and-conditions . *This tour is operated by Cuban Adventures.

*By registering you also agree to receive emails from WANDERLUST SOLO WOMEN TOURS LTD.

Spending Money

We estimate you will need between €420 and €560 EUR, $450 and $600 USD, or $700 and $950 NZD for local expenses during the tour, such food and optional activities (but not including any  Local Payment ).  Click here  to see details of the expenses you will have while on the tour in Cuba.

8-DAY Women Only Tour of Cuba. For women by women

Fun 8-day Women’s Cuban Tour adventure, which focuses on supporting women in Cuba, and their businesses.

Throughout the tour we will meet some extraordinary Cuban women of all generations – restaurant/cafe/bar owners, local craftswomen, women in the Arts, and entrepreneurs.

Some examples include:

•  Visits with clothing and jewellery designers
•  Meet prominent local artists and gallery owners
•  Learn about independent magazines focusing on entertainment, style, and women’s issues
•  Enjoy a special menu from a highly respected local chef
• Visit a recording studio to hear music from local artists

Embark on an Unforgettable Cuba Adventure: 8-Day Women's Tour

Twin Share Room

• Come grab the first release of the 8 Day Cuban Women’s Tour for 7th Nov-2024. For a limited time you save $300.00.
• We do our best to team you up with another awesome like-minded woman in our twin share rooms.
• A $670.00nz deposit is required to secure your space.

Terms & Conditions

PLEASE READ THE FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS WHICH THIS TOUR IS OPPERATING UNDER; https://www.cubagrouptour.com/booking-terms-and-conditions

• The full payment must be fulfilled no later than 20th June 2024 prior to the start of the tour.
• Deposit is NON-REFUDIBLE.
• Cancellation by the Customer. If the Customer cancels, a cancellation fee may apply. Cancellations must be in writing and the date on which the written communication is received by the Company or its Agent, will determine the cancellation charges applicable. Official cancellations must be made in writing to [email protected]
• 90 or more days  prior to start date: The cancellation fee is loss of full deposit or  100% kept as credit. 60 – 15 days  prior to start date: The cancellation fee is 25% of tour price or  100% kept as credit. 15 days or less  prior to start date: 50% of tour price or  100% kept as credit
• OTHER SERVICES. Some extra services booked in conjunction with a tour may be non-refundable, such as  pre or post additional hotel reservations.
• There will be no refunds for failure to attend or complete the tour.
• Any non-refundable deposit is a transferrable credit to another tour with Cuba Adventures
• Wanderlust Solo Women Tours Ltd is proudly New Zealand owned and operated. Run by women for women.
• We carefully hand pick activities provided by third parties and operate under their H&S regulations.

Cancellation by the Company. Insufficient sign-up.  The Company reserves the right to cancel any trip due to insufficient sign-up (not meeting the 2-person minimum), which makes the trip economically unfeasible to operate or for any other reason. If this happens, either 100% refund (all admin/bank fee waived) OR 100% credit towards another trip. The Company is not responsible for additional or incidental expenses incurred by travellers preparing for the trip (i.e., non-refundable ‘Advance Purchase’ air tickets, equipment, medical expenses, visas, loss of enjoyment, bank fees for receiving the refund etc). Force Majeure.  The Company will not cancel a tour less than 60 days before departure except for force majeure, unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside the Company’s control. In such situations if this is prior to the departure date either 100% refund (all admin/bank fee waived) OR 100% credit towards another trip is offered. If this occurs after the tour has departed, then a pro rata (days remaining of trip) refund is offered – either 100% refund (admin and bank fee waived) OR 100% credit towards another trip. The Company is not responsible for additional or incidental expenses incurred by travellers preparing for the trip (i.e., non-refundable ‘Advance Purchase’ air tickets, equipment, medical expenses, visas, loss of enjoyment, bank fees for receiving the refund etc).

We do require you to fill out a Traveler profile, this gives us all the info to make your trip safe and also travel insurance and approved visa’s to Cuba is required. Travel insurance is mandatory for all our international retreats and tours. All prices are stated in New Zealand dollars.

Cuba Travel Checklist

Tick off the things you need to do to join us in Cuba :  https://www.cubagrouptour.com/legal-cuba-travel/checklist

Plus we will be holding live ZOOM calls for those booked to ask any questions about the tour and travel to Cuba

What is Included

• Private air-conditioned transport  throughout: mini-bus, micro-bus, or taxi depending on group size
• Activities included -Walking tour of Old Havana, Che Guevara Museum. We will offer several special optional activities on this tour that will support women-owned initiatives and allow for fun local interaction
• 7 breakfasts , airport arrival transfer,  local guide throughout
• 7 nights accommodation- twin share (private rooms options added extra)
• Personal female host and local guide
• Pre tour support

What is not Included

• Additional transport
• Pre or post tour accommodation

*Single Supplement. All accommodations (hotels, etc) are based on double occupancy. All efforts will be made to allocate the single traveller into shared accommodations. If no roommates are available, then the Customer will be supplied with single accommodation without further charge. If at any time during the tour the Customer requires single accommodation, the Customer may request this from the Tour Leader. The Customer must pay directly to the Tour Leader for any additional costs. Please check this item if you require a private room. There is no guarantee such accommodation will be available, but we will do our best to accommodate.

Check out frequently asked questions here:  https://www.cubagrouptour.com/frequently-asked-questions

We will also be hosting live ZOOM call to answer any questions about the tour.

Dietary Requirements info

Have dietary requirements? Please read this link first:  https://www.cubagrouptour.com/food-and-drink-in-cuba

VEGETRAINIANS: Cubans are gradually awakening to vegetarianism. Many of them are aware of its existence; however, most do not understand its reasoning, and the belief that to eat well means eating meat is still firmly embedded in the nation’s consciousness. However, through the influence of tourism, more and more vegetarian options are to be found on restaurant menus in Cuba, and the cooks in the guesthouses are now quite accustomed to providing vegetarian meals. Therefore, it is not difficult to get a vegetarian meal in Cuba, although you generally won’t find much variety, and you may get tired of being offered the same (i.e., rice, beans, omelet, and salad) every day. A vegetarian dinner in the guesthouses in Cuba isn’t much cheaper than a dinner containing meat, and the reason is that vegetables on the free market in Cuba are of similar prices to those of meat.

Gluten-Free: There is little problem maintaining a strict gluten-free diet in Cuba. This is mainly because the food in Cuba is very natural (there isn’t much processed food available in Cuba). This is especially true in the guesthouses where there is also the additional advantage of being able to order specific meals and give the cook instructions about what you can and cannot eat. The guides are informed about gluten intolerance and know which ingredients to instruct the cooks to avoid.

GIVING BACK

A percentage of profit will be donated back into the community.

Accommodation is in standard local CASA PARTICULARS. Women-owned Cuban guest houses. Rooms are air-conditioned with ensuite bathrooms. Twinshare.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Be safe in the knowledge we will be there for you.

Discover the Unforgettable Cuba 8-Day Tour for Women

Secure your spot with a simple deposit. convenient payment plans available., check out all visa details and cuban adventures tcs on this link:.

*Before confirming your booking, please take a moment to carefully review our Terms and Conditions.

*Note: Hosted by Wanderlust Solo Women Tours with tour provider Cuban Adventures.

This tour is operated by Cuban Adventures. For more information, visit https://www.cubagrouptour.com/booking-terms-and-conditions

*Make sure to verify the entry requirements to Cuba.    TRAVEL TO CUBA FOR AMERICANS   –  VISAS TO CUBA-OTHER

Contact Us for a Personalized Call and Get All Your Questions Answered:  CLICK HERE

Alternatively, you can email us at [email protected], come and enjoy amazing cuba with us a tour by women for women..

We’re proud to be part of JourneyWoman’s Verified Partner Program, which tells women that our services are women-friendly. 

JourneyWoman™  is the most beloved and respected women’s travel brand in the world, helping women travel safely and well for almost 30 years.

Please review your experience with us on the JourneyWoman Woman’s Travel Directory.

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