×

Cuba🇨🇺 | attractionsMuseo del TabacoCigar bands, rolling tools, Taíno origins, Plaza Vieja | things to do and best time to go

Explore Museo Nacional de la MúsicaExplore Museo de la Ciudad

Backpacking in Museo del Tabaco
👀 For curious travelersattraction ranked #14
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

The Museo del Tabaco sits in a colonial house that was once a private home, and the entry fee is small enough to count as loose change next to a Havana cigar lounge bill. The museum is in Old Havana, in Cuba’s capital, on Calle Mercaderes, a few minutes’ walk from Plaza Vieja. It is small, so skip it if you want grand displays; come for the tobacco history and the cigar shop. Crowds stay thin, since most people walk straight past to the bars. I once sipped a US$4 mojito on the plaza right after, and it was the best-priced pause of the trip. Best for curious smokers and history nerds; not for anyone wanting a factory tour.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Cuba Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Cuba
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Cuba
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Cuba
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Cuba
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Cuba
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Cuba
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Cuba
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Cuba
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #14 attraction in CubaWhat sets this place apart

Museo del Tabaco gives you the context that makes every later cigar in Cuba mean something. Inside you see old rolling tools, antique cigar boxes, and the story of how tobacco shaped the island’s economy and its colonial wealth. That background is the core reason to walk in, and it takes under an hour. The location also matters: the museum sits on Calle Mercaderes, a few minutes from Plaza Vieja, so you can pair it with the square’s craft brewery and the surrounding restored mansions without crossing the city. If you plan to visit Vuelta Abajo farms in Pinar del Río later, this stop is a useful primer, because you will recognize the leaf types, the curing terms and the brand histories when a farmer explains them.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. Tobacco history rooms: the main exhibits trace cultivation and trade, from Indigenous Taíno use of the leaf to its place in colonial commerce.
  2. Antique cigar boxes and bands: colorful lithographed labels show how brands marketed themselves, and they are the most photogenic items inside.
  3. Rolling tools and accessories: cutters, molds and old smoking gear help you see how hand-rolling works before you watch a roller.
  4. Colonial house architecture: the courtyard, wooden beams and tall doorways belong to the building itself and are worth a slow look.
  5. The cigar shop: a small counter sells Cuban cigars, so you can compare what you just learned against real products.
  6. Plaza Vieja: walk a few minutes south to the square, with its pastel facades and open seating, for a drink and people-watching.
For a first visit, … read more 👉
  1. Tobacco history rooms: the main exhibits trace cultivation and trade, from Indigenous Taíno use of the leaf to its place in colonial commerce.
  2. Antique cigar boxes and bands: colorful lithographed labels show how brands marketed themselves, and they are the most photogenic items inside.
  3. Rolling tools and accessories: cutters, molds and old smoking gear help you see how hand-rolling works before you watch a roller.
  4. Colonial house architecture: the courtyard, wooden beams and tall doorways belong to the building itself and are worth a slow look.
  5. The cigar shop: a small counter sells Cuban cigars, so you can compare what you just learned against real products.
  6. Plaza Vieja: walk a few minutes south to the square, with its pastel facades and open seating, for a drink and people-watching.
For a first visit, start with the tobacco history rooms, because they explain everything else in the building and in the cigar shop at the end of your visit to Museo del Tabaco.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Dry Season (November to April): Days run 26 to 30°C (79 to 86°F) with low humidity, and the museum’s tour groups are thickest from December to March, when Havana room prices also peak.
  • Wet Season (May to October): Expect 30 to 33°C (86 to 91°F), sticky air and afternoon downpours. Hurricane risk is highest from August to October, but rooms cost less and the old-town streets are quieter.
  • Time of Day: Mornings are cooler and the shop and tasting corner are easier to browse before the midday cruise-ship rush.
Arrive on a weekday morning, and pair it with an early start in Old Havana before the heat builds.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: good for travelingFEBFebruary: good for travelingMARMarch: good for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
when-to-go

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutCuba Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Cuba
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Cuba
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Cuba
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Cuba
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Cuba
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Cuba
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Cuba
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Cuba
The digital guide (327 pages) contains:
✅ 113 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 5, 10 & 15-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

Old Havana (Habana Vieja) is the best base, since the museum sits in its heart on Calle Mercaderes and you can walk there in minutes. Casas particulares here are the backbone of budget travel: a private room in a family home runs about US$20 to 40 a night, and hosts hand out tips on safe taxis and local paladares. Streets around Plaza Vieja and Calle Obrapía are lively at night and well watched by police, so solo travelers feel comfortable. Centro Habana, just west, is grittier and cheaper, with more local life and fewer tourists, though you should keep valuables out of sight after dark. Vedado … read more 👉
Old Havana (Habana Vieja) is the best base, since the museum sits in its heart on Calle Mercaderes and you can walk there in minutes. Casas particulares here are the backbone of budget travel: a private room in a family home runs about US$20 to 40 a night, and hosts hand out tips on safe taxis and local paladares. Streets around Plaza Vieja and Calle Obrapía are lively at night and well watched by police, so solo travelers feel comfortable. Centro Habana, just west, is grittier and cheaper, with more local life and fewer tourists, though you should keep valuables out of sight after dark. Vedado is a longer taxi ride but has a younger crowd and good nightlife.
Best hostels in Cuba


Best quality hotels in Cuba

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

A day at Museo del Tabaco fits within roughly US$38 to 125 for a backpacker in Havana, with the museum itself a small slice of that total.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Museum entryUS$2 to 5Small fee, usually paid in cash at the door
Cigar purchasesUS$0 to 30Single cigars cost far less than boxes, and official shops sell genuine ones
Accommodation (high season)US$20 to 40Private room in a casa particular
FoodUS$10 to 25Paladar lunch and dinner, with street snacks cheaper
Local transportUS$1 to 10Walking is free in Old Havana, while taxis are priced by negotiation
Drinks and extrasUS$5 to 15Mojitos and cafés near the plaza cost more than side streets
Total Daily BudgetUS$38 to 125Typical midrange backpacker day is about US$80


source: viajescuba.org
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQTraveler FAQ

Plan on 45 minutes to 1 hour for Museo del Tabaco. The displays are compact, so a full visit rarely stretches beyond that, and many travelers combine it with Plaza Vieja, which is a few minutes’ walk away. Add another 30 minutes if you want to browse the shop for cigars.
Museo del Tabaco is worth the small entrance fee, usually about US$2 to 5, if you want to understand how Cuban cigars are grown, rolled and graded. It is not large, and the exhibits are modest, so it suits a short stop rather than a main event. A tasting or cigar purchase on site is the best way to get extra value from the visit.
Museo del Tabaco is in Old Havana, so most backpackers simply walk from Plaza Vieja or the Capitolio in 10 to 15 minutes. From Vedado or Playa, a taxi ride takes 15 to 30 minutes and costs roughly US$5 to 12, depending on your haggling. Bici-taxis and shared taxis also run through the area.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Cuban attractions near Museo del Tabaco

Explore more nearby:


💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Cuba including Museo del Tabaco and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all attractions

Or checkout all Cuba has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Cuba
Country photo of Cuba
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

Museo del Tabaco is small, and the common mistake is buying cigars from street touts afterward, where fakes are routine. I would use what you learn inside, then buy from the museum’s shop or another licensed store, and ask for a receipt.

✈️ When did I visit Cuba?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Cuba for 6 weeks in February, March 2016, being extremely lucky that that coincided with the free concert of The Rolling Stones.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Cuba, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, 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.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story