What currency is used in Havana?

Havana uses the Cuban peso (CUP); euros and US dollars in cash are widely wanted, and cards issued by US banks do not work.

What is the emergency number in Havana?

In Havana, call 106 for police, 104 for an ambulance.

How much does a day in Havana cost?

Roughly $40-65 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $100-170 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Havana?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Havana without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Havana travel guide

Cuba

Faded colonial grandeur, 1950s cars and music spilling out of doorways along the sea wall. Daily life here is shaped by shortages and power cuts, so arrive patient and ready to improvise.

Essentials

Language: Spanish; English spoken in tourist businesses, less so elsewhere
Currency: Cuban peso (CUP); euros and US dollars in cash are widely wanted, and cards issued by US banks do not work
Plugs: Mostly Type A and B at 110 V; some hotels also have 220 V Type C sockets
Emergency number: 106 for police, 104 for an ambulance
Tipping: Tipping is customary and matters a great deal on state wages; around 10% in restaurants, plus small tips for musicians and guides.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $40-65, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $100-170, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Havana

Habana Vieja: the restored old town of plazas, churches and museums, best explored on foot.
Centro Habana: crumbling, crowded and very real, with cheap guesthouses close to the Malecón.
Vedado: a leafier grid of mansions, cultural venues and late-night music.

Getting around Havana

Walk the old town, and use classic-car taxis, shared almendrón taxis on fixed routes or bici-taxis for longer hops. Agree every fare before you get in.

Best time to visit Havana

November to April, drier and cooler, outside the June to November hurricane season.

Top things to do in Havana

Walk between Plaza Vieja, Plaza de la Catedral and Plaza de Armas in the old town
Join the locals on the Malecón sea wall at sunset
See Cuban art at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
Visit the Callejón de Hamel, an alley of Afro-Cuban murals in Centro Habana with rumba on Sunday afternoons
Watch the nightly cannon-firing ceremony at the fortress of La Cabaña across the harbour

What to eat in Havana

Ropa vieja: shredded beef stewed with tomato and peppers
Moros y cristianos: black beans and rice cooked together, served with most meals
Yuca con mojo: boiled cassava dressed with garlic, citrus and oil
Guarapo: fresh sugar cane juice pressed at street stalls

Day trips from Havana

Playas del Este: a string of white-sand beaches, around 30 minutes east
Las Terrazas: a hillside eco-village with forest walks and river pools, about an hour west
Viñales: tobacco farms and limestone hills, around three hours away, so many stay a night

Local etiquette

Ask before photographing people, and expect to pay if someone poses in costume. Bring a little patience to queues and shortages, which locals face every day.

Staying connected

Prepaid SIMs from the state provider ETECSA offer mobile data, but speeds are slow and Wi-Fi in hotels and parks is patchy, so download maps and translations before you arrive.

Staying safe

Violent crime against visitors is uncommon, but expect hustlers selling fake cigars or steering you to restaurants, and check your change. Pavements are uneven and blackouts can leave streets dark, so carry a torch.

A local tip

Stay in a casa particular, a licensed private home, for local advice and usually the best breakfast you will find.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Havana on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Havana for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Havana, you could be one of the first hosts.

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Questions about Havana

What currency is used in Havana?: Havana uses the Cuban peso (CUP); euros and US dollars in cash are widely wanted, and cards issued by US banks do not work.
What is the emergency number in Havana?: In Havana, call 106 for police, 104 for an ambulance.
When is the best time to visit Havana?: November to April, drier and cooler, outside the June to November hurricane season.
How much does a day in Havana cost?: Roughly $40-65 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $100-170 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Havana?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Havana without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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