How Many Towns: I advise
four to six towns in two weeks. That gives two nights each, enough to see the plaza, eat twice and meet your host, without spending half the trip on buses. More than six becomes transit with photographs.
Choosing the Kind: Pick by travel style.
First-timers should favor the central colonial towns, which have the easiest transport and the most casas.
Nature-minded travelers should choose the western valley towns, with hiking and horse rides among limestone hills.
Those with time and patience should add one eastern town for music and a rougher, less staged feel. Skip anything that is only a coach-stop plaza: if the main draw is a single church tower, a half day is plenty.
What It Costs: Budget
US$35 to 60 a day for a backpacker staying in casas. Rooms run US$15 to …
read more 👉 How Many Towns: I advise four to six towns in two weeks. That gives two nights each, enough to see the plaza, eat twice and meet your host, without spending half the trip on buses. More than six becomes transit with photographs.
Choosing the Kind: Pick by travel style. First-timers should favor the central colonial towns, which have the easiest transport and the most casas. Nature-minded travelers should choose the western valley towns, with hiking and horse rides among limestone hills. Those with time and patience should add one eastern town for music and a rougher, less staged feel. Skip anything that is only a coach-stop plaza: if the main draw is a single church tower, a half day is plenty.
What It Costs: Budget US$35 to 60 a day for a backpacker staying in casas. Rooms run US$15 to 35 a night, breakfast in the casa US$3 to 6, and dinner US$8 to 20, with lobster and seafood at the top of that range. Colectivos and buses add US$10 to 35 per leg. Museum entries are usually under US$5, and guided hikes or horse rides cost US$10 to 30. Carry more cash than seems sensible, because ATMs fail and cards are often refused. Euros and other hard currency fetch the best informal rates, so confirm the current exchange rate before changing money.
Safety and Culture: Violent crime against travelers is rare, but petty theft and street hustling are common. Expect jineteros (touts) who steer you to restaurants and casas for a commission, which is then added to your bill. Book your own lodging and decline strangers’ recommendations. Keep passports in your room and carry a copy.
Casas are legally licensed, and hosts must register you, so a passport is always required. Blackouts are routine, so carry a headlamp and a power bank, and bring any medication and toiletries you rely on, since pharmacies are poorly stocked. Tap water is not safe to drink; buy bottled or bring a filter.
On culture, Cubans are open and talkative. Politics can be discussed, but let locals set the tone, and never photograph police or military sites. Tip musicians US$1 to 2 and bring small gifts like soap or pens if staying with families. The details worth the journey are the evenings: live son in a courtyard, dominoes on the steps and a host who cooks. That is what the pastel facades are for.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.