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Lonely Planet's Cuba is our most comprehensive guide that extensively covers all the country has to offer, with recommendations for both popular and lesser-known experiences. Enjoy the live music scene in Havana, explore historic Habana Vieja, and trek up Pico Turquino; all with your trusted travel companion.

Inside  Lonely Planet's Cuba  Travel Guide:  

Lonely Planet's Top Picks  - a visually inspiring collection of the destination's best experiences and where to have them

Itineraries  help you build the ultimate trip based on your personal needs and interests

Local insights  give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - whether it's history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, politics

Eating and drinking  -  get the most out of your gastronomic experience as we reveal the regional dishes and drinks you have to try

How to Pick a Cuban Cigar

Toolkit  - all of the planning tools for solo travellers, LGBTQIA+ travellers, family travellers and accessible travel

Colour maps  and images throughout

Language  - essential phrases and language tips

Insider tips  to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots

Havana, Artemisa, Mayabeque, Isla de la Juventud, Valle de Vinales and Pinar del Rio Province, Varadero and Matanzas Province, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Trinidad and Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, Cameguey, Las Tunas, Holguin, Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo

ISBN: 9781788688017

Edition: 11th

Publication Date: December 2023

Writers: Lonely Planet

336 pages, 83 maps | Dimensions: 128mm width × 197mm height

Next edition due: December 2025

Best Sellers in Cuba Travel Guides

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Lonely Planet Cuba (Travel Guide) Paperback – 16 Oct. 2015

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#1 best-selling guide to Cuba *

Lonely Planet Cuba is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Take a drive along Havana's Malecon, soak up the live music scene, make yourself at home in a casa particular all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Cuba and begin your journey now!

Inside Lonely Planet Cuba :

• Full-color maps and images throughout
• Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests
• Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
• Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices
• Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
• Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, architecture, cuisine, music, dance, landscape, wildlife, literature, arts, politics
• Free, convenient pull-out Havana map (included in print version), plus over 80 color maps
• Covers Havana, Artemisa, Mayabeque, Isla de la Juventud, Valle de Vinales, Pinar del Rio, Varadero, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Trinidad, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, Las Tunas, Holguin, Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo and more

The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet Cuba , our most comprehensive guide to Cuba, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less traveled.

• Looking for more extended coverage? Check out Lonely Planet's Discover Caribbean Islands guide.

Authors: Written and researched by Lonely Planet, Brendan Sainsbury and Luke Waterson

About Lonely Planet: Since 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel media company with guidebooks to every destination, an award-winning website, mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveler community. Lonely Planet covers must-see spots but also enables curious travelers to get off beaten paths to understand more of the culture of the places in which they find themselves.

Lonely Planet guides have won the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 in the Favorite Travel Guide category.

*Best-selling guide to Cuba. Source: Nielsen BookScan. Australia, UK and USA. Mar 2014 - Feb 2015

• Print length 544 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Lonely Planet
• Publication date 16 Oct. 2015
• Dimensions 12.9 x 2.3 x 19.8 cm
• ISBN-10 9781743216781
• ISBN-13 978-1743216781
• See all details

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• ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1743216785
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lonely Planet; 8th edition (16 Oct. 2015)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 544 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781743216781
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1743216781
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.9 x 2.3 x 19.8 cm
• 140 in Caribbean & West Indian Food & Drink
• 11,858 in Specialty Travel
• 65,553 in Home & Garden (Books)

About the authors

Lonely planet.

With over 150 million guidebooks in print, Lonely Planet is a trusted source for any traveler. Since our inception in 1973, we've inspired generations of travelers to discover amazing places and enabled curious travelers to get off the beaten paths to appreciate different cultures and become agents of positive change.

Brendan Sainsbury

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Read Before You Travel: 6 Best Books About Cuba

Travel to Cuba is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before! If you’re looking for some inspiration or background knowledge about Cuba’s complex and fascinating history, culture, and people, I recommend reading books about Cuba (or watching a movie ) before your trip to build a good point of reference.

This ultimate guide to the best books about Cuba will inspire you as you plan, prepare for, and embark on your travel adventure in Cuba! It covers a variety of books about Cuba, from Cuban history and the Cuban Revolution to culture, language, and much more.

This post contains affiliate links that may reward me monetarily or otherwise when you use them to make qualifying purchases – at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please read our  disclosure policy .

Before we dive in, most of these books are available on Audible, Amazon’s online audiobook and podcast platform. Once we discovered just how much is available on Audible and how easy it is to use, we were quick converts to the platform.

Use this link to get a free 30-day trial membership , which includes your first audiobook free, so you can start checking these books off your list!

Best Books About Cuba

The motorcycle diaries.

Diarios de Motocicleta

This book isn’t about Cuba specifically, but it is so inextricably linked to the Cuban Revolution that it’s like a must-read prelude.

The Motorcycle Diaries is composed of the travel diaries of Ernesto “Che” Guevara on a motorcycle trip across Latin America – in them, you’ll see the roots of the philosophy that he carried with him only a short time later as a leader of the Cuban Revolution.

For travelers to Cuba, having read something written by Che before seeing his face and learning his history everywhere you go in Cuba will make your trip that much more meaningful.

This book is one of the all-time best road trip tales, and I found it to be extremely readable. I first read it while on my own road trip through the Southern Bolivian highlands in college, a place also closely linked to Che’s history.  I highly recommend the movie, too.

The Motorcycle Diaries is Available on Amazon

¡Cuba Libre!

Cuba is so much more than the Revolution, but I wanted to include a book about it on this list because as a traveler you’ll hear about it constantly and see its imprints on Cuba.

It’s hard to find a book about the Cuban Revolution makes everyone, on both sides of the political spectrum, perfectly happy. I doubt one can be found anymore, really.

However, Cuba Libre makes my list because of its readability and comprehensiveness for those that are just starting to learn more. It weaves together some fascinating anecdotes of the making of the revolution with the larger history in a really nice way for readers.   

¡Cuba Libre! is Available on Amazon

What to Pack for Cuba

Check out our  Ultimate Cuba Packing List   to help you pack for your trip – we’re sharing exactly what to bring to Cuba and what we never travel without.

Back Channel to Cuba

This is the behind-the-scenes story of secret negotiations between the United States and Cuba that lasted for decades, leading up to President Obama’s December 2014 announcement of a “new approach” to Cuba.

It is extremely illustrative of U.S. policy towards Cuba, and will give you a taste of the way U.S. policy has shaped Cuba’s history in sometimes extreme ways – which you’ll witness firsthand as you travel through Cuba and speak with Cubans.

Back Channel to Cuba is Available on Amazon

La Paloma y La Ley

This beautiful work of photojournalism shares stories of Cuba, but from abroad, where so many Cubans remake their country.

It documents the perilous journey of two Cuban migrants from Guyana – the only country in the Americas that allows Cubans to visit without a visa – through South and Central America to the border of Mexico and the United States. Like those who chose to go by sea, many, many did not make the journey.

While the photos are taken outside of Cuba, they are intimately linked with recent Cuban history. This book will shed light on what you see on your trip, and how migration has become such an important part of Cuban history after the Revolution.

Bonus Tip: Follow the author, Lisette Poole on Instagram at @LisettePoole for a preview of the book and so much more. Her photography and the stories she shares with it are exceptional.

The Dogs of Cuba and The Cats of Cuba

Do I even need to explain why these books are must-reads?!

A collection of photographs and commentary, this pair of books by Emmy Park captures the soul of Cuba through its animals. In reality, these books are just as much a portrait of Cuba as they are of it is of these animals.

They’d also make a great gift for a photography lover, animal lover, or anyone who has traveled to Cuba.

The Dogs of Cuba and The Cats of Cuba are Available on Amazon

The Old Man and the Sea 

You may have read Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea in high school English class, but this book is definitely worth revisiting. It is the classic and enduring story of a Cuban fisherman overcoming loss.

Written in 1952, this book is essential, especially if you have any desire to visit Hemingway’s home, Finca Vigía, or any other spots on the so-called Hemingway Trail while in Cuba. 

The Old Man And The Sea is Available on Amazon

Other Popular Cuba Guides

• Can Americans Travel to Cuba? Legal Cuba Travel from the USA
• How to Get the Cuban Tourist Visa
• Travel Insurance to Cuba: What is Required and How to Get It
• Ultimate Travel Guide to Cuba
• Ultimate Travel Guide to Havana

Carley Rojas Avila

Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual travel writer, editor, content marketer, and the founder of the digital travel publications Home to Havana and Explorers Away. She is a serial expat and traveler, having visited 40+ countries and counting. Carley has written for publications like Travel + Leisure, MSN, Associated Press, Weather Channel, Wealth of Geeks, and more. Find her front row at a Bad Bunny concert, befriending street cats, and taste-testing every pizza in Havana.

Contact me: +01 760 327 9879 or cell 760 285 9827 | cpbaker @ earthlink.net

book: moon cuba guide

The award-winning moon cuba travel guidebook by christopher p baker is available an all-new, full-color edition and remains the most comprehensive guidebook to cuba, first published in 1997 as the cuba handbook , christopher p baker’s moon cuba guidebook has been acclaimed as the most comprehensive, detailed, and entertaining travel guidebook to cuba., the seventh edition, released in january 2018 in full-color, remains the most comprehensive guidebook to cuba on the market., what you’ll discover in  moon cuba :.

• Expert perspective  from award-winning travel writer Christopher P. Baker on the country he has studied for decades
• Full-color photos and detailed, easy-to-use maps  for navigating independently
• Strategic itineraries for every trip and budget , including: The Best of Cuba, Best Beaches, Havana’s Musical Feast, Scenic Drives, Birding at Its Best, Cars, Cigars, and Cabarets, Dive Into Cuba, and Eco-Adventures
• Focused coverage  of Havana, Artemisa and Pinar del Rio, Isla de Juventud Special Municipality, Mayabeque and Matanzas, Cienfuegos and Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila and Camagüey, Las Tunas and Holguín, Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantànamo
• Honest advice  on air travel, finding the right accommodations, and getting around by car or public transportation
• Activities and ideas for every traveler : Go birdwatching or horseback riding or hike the revolutionary trails of the Sierra Maestra trod by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. Savor delectable  criollo  cuisine, indulge in the world’s finest cigars fresh from the factory, or enjoy a night on the town with a few authentic mojitos and cuba libres
• Detailed and thorough information , including crucial background on culture and history, geography, and language
• A handy, comprehensive guide  to travel laws, visas and officialdom, and health and safety tips

With  Moon Cuba ‘s practical tips, myriad activities, and local insight on the best things to do and see, you can plan your trip your way.

Seventh Edition, January 2018 Pages: 652

Print Price: $24.99 USD ISBN: 9781631216459

Digital Price: $15.99 USD ISBN: 9781631216466

Sample pages…

Looking to dive deeper into Cuba’s cosmopolitan culture? Try  Moon Havana .

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From lush forests to a dynamic music scene, Cuba is a country of indefinable magic. Puff on Cuban cigars or cruise down the Havana streets in a classic car for a true taste of the good life.

Best Time to Visit

Best places to visit, your next trip starts here.

Go from dreaming to planning with trip planning options made to help you craft your ideal itinerary.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Necrópolis Cristóbal Colón

Havana's main cemetery (a national monument), one of the largest in the Americas, is renowned for its striking religious iconography and elaborate marble…

Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca del Morro

Santiago de Cuba

A Unesco World Heritage site since 1997, the San Pedro fort sits impregnably atop a 60m-high promontory at the entrance to Santiago harbor, 10km southwest…

The Malecón, Havana's evocative 7km-long sea drive, is one of the city's most soulful and quintessentially Cuban thoroughfares, and long a favored meeting…

Capitolio Nacional

The incomparable Capitolio Nacional is Havana's most ambitious and grandiose building, constructed after the post-WWI boom ('Dance of the Millions')…

Plaza de la Catedral

Habana Vieja

Habana Vieja's most uniform square is a museum to Cuban baroque, with all the surrounding buildings, including the city's beguiling asymmetrical cathedral…

Castillo de los Tres Santos Reyes Magnos del Morro

Regla, Guanabacoa & the Forts

This wave-lashed fort with its emblematic lighthouse was erected between 1589 and 1630 to protect the entrance to Havana harbor from pirates and foreign…

Fusterlandia

Where does art go after Antoni Gaudí? For a hint, head west from central Havana to the seemingly low-key district of Jaimanitas, where artist José Fuster…

Museo Conjunto Histórico de Birán

Holguín Province

Fidel Castro Ruz was born on August 13, 1926, at the Finca Las Manacas near the village of Birán, south of Cueto. The sprawling ranch, bought by Fidel's…

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Music, magic and mojitos: the 17 best things to do in cuba.

Fábrica de Arte Cubano

If only every city had a cultural venue as wide-ranging, inclusive and downright revolutionary as Havana’s unique art factory. The brainchild of Cuban…

Museo de la Revolución

This emblematic museum is set in the former Presidential Palace, constructed between 1913 and 1920 and used by a string of Cuban presidents, culminating…

Comandancia de la Plata

Granma Province

Topping a crenelated mountain ridge amid thick cloud forest, this pioneering camp was established by Fidel Castro in 1958 after a year on the run in the…

Cuartel Moncada

Santiago's famous Moncada Barracks, a crenelated art deco building completed in 1938, is now synonymous with one of history's greatest failed putsches…

Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra

Comprising a sublime mountainscape of verdant peaks and humid cloud forest, and home to honest, hardworking campesinos (country folk), Gran Parque…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Best Things to Do

Get ready to uncover the buoyant and sophisticated magic of Cuba. Here are the top things to do on your visit.

Things to Know

Cuba can confuse even hardened travelers. Here's everything you need to know before you go.

Transportation

Want to travel around in Cuba? See the best of the island with our guide to transportation.

Visa Requirements

Travelers often have questions about the visa process for Cuba and whether US citizens can even visit. Here’s our guide to Cuba’s visa requirements.

Money and Costs

You can still see the best of Cuba even without a huge budget. Here are our tips on getting the most out of your money.

Traveling with Kids

If you’re looking to travel to Cuba with kids, you’ll find music, carnivals, watersports, horse riding, classic American car rides and much more.

Best Road Trips

From beaches to mountains to historic cities and more, these road trips around Cuba offer access to the best of this enchanting island.

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Six Essential Tips for Your Trip to Cuba 2022

From alternative accommodation to bypassing the restrictive internet in Cuba, check out these six essential tips for your trip to Cuba.

Cuba up-close

When is the best time to visit Cuba?

Planning a visit to Cuba? The island offers sunny skies and activities year-round. Learn more about its seasons, weather, and cultural calendar.

Is it safe to travel to Cuba?

Here are some of the best safety tips to follow as you enjoy your trip, and use public transportation in Cuba.

Greatest Waterfalls in Cuba

Imagine finding yourself in Cuba, surrounded by an exuberant natural environment - where the vivacious green mountains stretch out into a splendid blue sky - while the fresh Caribbean seabreeze brightens your face. And on this tropical voyage, you discover a land of waterfalls on every corner of the island.

El Nicho waterfall, Sierra de Escambray

Photo: Shutterstock

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The top five best bakeries in havana.

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Where to Drink in Havana: Our Essential List of the Best Bars

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Step Back in Time at Finca Vigía – Hemingway’s Home in Cuba

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Top Four Jazz Clubs in Havana

Cuba’s capital has always enjoyed a lively jazz scene, and has produced legendary musicians. It’s time to visit Havana’s best jazz clubs!

La Zorra Y El Cuervo jazz club, Vedado, Havana

Photo: Alamy

Winter activities and tips!

History & Heritage

Visit the Museo de la Revolución

Wildlife & Nature

Ciénaga de Zapata

Castillo del Morro

Beaches & Islands

Hit the Beach at Tarará

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Tired of typical tourist spots? Get to know Tarará beach,

Castillo del Morro: A Historical Fortress in Havana

Learn about the History of Cuba in the bay of

Ciénaga de Zapata: A Natural Cuban Treasure

Encounter the endemic flora and fauna of Matanzas Cuba, and

Visit the Museo de la Revolución, and Relive the Fight for Cuba

Havana’s Museo de la Revolución offers a thorough look at

The Cuban Cigar: Everything You’ll need to know

Learn about the curious and mysterious history of the Cuban cigar, how a Habano is made, and where you can buy quality tobacco like Cohiba cigars.

A Cuban woman with a cigar, Havana

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Best Books to Buy about Cuba

What Cuba Travel Books Exist?

There is relatively little written about Cuba and what has been written, has tended to come in the form of tourist books with only the most positive aspects of Cuban life and culture mentioned.

Below I detail the best books I have read and can recommend. Please feel free though to recommend me books on Cuba to review for this page!

1. The Other Side of Paradise by Julia Cooke

This is a wonderful book by Julia Cooke who spent almost a year in Cuba and writes about life in Cuba first but as a non-native.

Julia’s writing style is engaging and shows a real insight into life behind the tourist curtain and how the local Cuban people live.

This is not a purely positive book in terms of how it reflects on Cuba life and the daily life of the everyday Cuban.

But, this book comes across as being an honest attempt at representing the realities of life under the present Cuban government and the difficulties faced.

If you are looking for a book about Cuban culture and the realities away from the tourist areas, then this is a great book.

If you are a tourist looking for travel guide information, then the books below will be much more your cup of tea.

2. Cuba: The Land Of Miracles: A Journey Through Modern Cuba

This is a book I really enjoyed reading and which gives a real in-depth and personal insight into Cuba, from a non-touristic point of view.

Traveling across Cuba in one of the old 1960s cars, which have become so iconic in pictures and photos of Cuba, the author Stephen Smith gives what for me is a quite accurate and fair account of life in Cuba away from the tourist areas.

I loved his story of how he met Fidel.

Overall this is a great book.

If you are more interested in Cuban culture and understanding the way of life for locals, as opposed to knowing where the best beaches, attractions, and tourist joints can be found, then buy this book.

A great read!

3. Waiting for Snow in Havana by Carlos Eire

This is a book that is quite different from the others listed on this page.

This book by Carlos Eire is really a historical look at Cuba and gives a wonderful insight into how it used to be in the 1950s on this island.

Carlos Eire’s story is a stunning one, which portrays how life changed overnight when Batista overthrew the Cuban government in the 1950s.

The book then goes on to explain about life under Fidel and the second half of the book is a particularly good read and includes a deep look into the difficulties, such as divided families, and the problems many faced in the 1950s and 1960s in Cuba.

4. The Island That Dared: Journeys in Cuba by Dervla Murphy

This is another excellent travelogue style book, this one by Dervla Murphy who travels with her daughter and granddaughters, makes a conscious effort on her travels around Cuba.

They chat with as many locals as possible and to gain an understanding of the feelings of the Cuban people, in particular those who support Fidel.

Any of you who have read any of Dervla’s previous books (such as ‘Eight Feet in the Andes’ or ‘In Ethiopia with a Mule’) will already be aware of the depth of effort she goes into, to understand the cultures in which she travels.

She also has a wonderfully poetic way of expressing and representing the places and the people she meets.

This book on Cuba by Dervla is another one of her classics!

5. Lonely Planet Cuba

Heading now into tourist and travel guides territory, I find that the Lonely Planet Guides are probably the best series of books on the market and I used the Cuba guide last year as I travelled the length and breadth of Cuba.

The book was as accurate as one could expect given that accommodation, transportation and other travel facilities do change.

I used to love the ‘Let’s Go’ books twenty years ago when I first started traveling (I think they were created by Hardvard).

These days though, I think the ‘Lonely Planet’ has nailed the market, and this Cuba one I think reflected the country very well.

6. The Rough Guide to Cuba

This is a very close match with Lonely Planet in that I find this book (and the series) to be solid.

Well written, the information normally as up-to-date as is realistic (as long as you buy the latest version of course) and insightful and overall the book itself can save you the book’s own cost overnight, with the tips on where to stay.

Maps, some brief information on the history, attractions, accommodation , bars , how to get there and a lot more.

Just like with any travel guide, make sure to buy the latest version because the travel information can become out of date, as any of you who has tried to use the Cuban train (rail) system in the last year will be aware.

Routes in Cuba can easily get closed down or new services created.

Things are changing fast here in Cuba, so be warned. Overall though the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide are both great options for travelling Cuba.

7. Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba: The Biography of a Cause

And back to a good read rather than a travel guide.

This book is a fascinating story that highlights the real-life experiences of the Bacardi family and their tumultuous relationship and experiences with the Cuban government and the rise of their drinks empire.

One hundred and fifty years after starting and as an independent company, Bacardi is still going strong and this is a wonderful example of freedom and an alternative and unique story from within Cuba.

During times when organized crime controlled parts of Havana and with the threat of interference from the Spanish and Cuban governments, the Bacardi company story, which is re-told with the help of some family members, is unlike any other business story you are likely to read.

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Your ultimate cuba travel guide, with tips, things to do, and best things to see in cuba. great for first-time and returning travelers..

Located on the largest island of the Caribbean, Cuba is a very popular tourist destination and for good reason.

Cuba is home to beautiful white-sand beaches, impressive rainforests and waterfalls, vibrant culture, and lively cities .

Due to various trade restrictions over the years, Cuba has many described by many as like walking into a time capsule and is now a unique blend of the past and present, where vintage cars roam around colorful historic buildings and towns.

The birthplace of salsa music, Cuba is also full of rhythm. Add in its sub-tropical climate, and it is a great place to vacation.

This Cuba travel guide will help you plan your next vacation.

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• Things to do in Havana
• Cuba Photos

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Table of contents

Table of Contents

Fast Facts about Havana

• Power voltage is 110V-220V at 60 Hz. Type A, B, C, and L.
• Cuba’s two currencies are the Cuban Peso and the Cuban Convertible Peso, mainly used for tourists.
• 1 Cuban Convertible Peso is equal to 1 USD.
• The best way to get around Cuba is by bus or taxi. If taking a taxi, make sure the taxi is licensed before riding.
• You need a tourist card to enter Cuba, as well as a passport that is valid for two months after your trip ends. The tourist card allows you to stay in Cuba for up to 30 days.
• The most popular cellular networks in Cuba are Cubacel and Digicel and both offer SIM cards. It should be noted the SIM cards can only be used on unlocked GMS phones. To rent a SIM card, you need a passport and your IMEI (phone ID) number.
• Cuba has a sales tax rate of 2% on wholesale sales and a 10% rate on both retail sales and services.
• SIM Cards : Cuba has very limited Internet and the best bet for visiting Cuba is to unplug, relax and if you have to, use your hotel’s limited WiFi for emergencies.
• It is advisable to download offline maps and any apps offline that you use to travel.

Things to See and Do in Cuba

• Hike Through Sierra Maestra:  Cuba’s largest mountain range and the start point of the Cuban Revolution. Take a tour to learn more about Cuba’s history and enjoy a beautiful hike and great mountain views.
• Varadero Beach:  Visit this pristine and popular beach in Sol Palmeras. Walk through the sand, swim in the clear waters, get to know other tourists or locals, or simply relax and take in the beautiful views.
• Old Havana:  Old Havana is the city center of Havana is considered a crucial part of any trip to Cuba. Stroll through one-of-a-kind historic streets and buildings to see the history of Cuba.
• Tropicana Club:  Head to the famous Tropicana Club for some great nightlife entertainment. Get dinner and enjoy the thrilling cabaret show that’s been running since the 1930s, featuring lively song and dance numbers.  

Cuba Travel Guides

• 36 Fantastic Things to do in Havana, Cuba

Accommodation

Budget:  Cuba offers family-run bed and breakfasts (or casas particulares) for around 15 to 25 pesos per night.  

Mid-Range:  For mid-range hotels, expect to pay roughly 70-130 pesos per night.

High-End:  Upscale hotels will cost about 150-250 pesos per night.

Check out our favorite booking platforms Booking.com , Tripadvisor and VRBO for the best deals on accommodation.

If you’re on a budget, you can find options for pizza or spaghetti at around 3-4 pesos each.

Coffee lovers can find delicious cups of coffee for around 0.10 pesos. Restaurants are a good way to learn more about Cuban cuisine.

Expect to pay around 10-15 pesos for a meal at a restaurant. 

The Best Ways to Get Around Cuba

Getting to cuba:.

Getting to Cuba:  While there are 10 international airports in Cuba, the Aeropuerto Internacional José Martí in Havana is the main one, with the Gualberto Gómez International Airport in Varadero being a close second.

Flights:  You can check for the best flights to Cuba on  Skyscanner .

Transportation:

Transportation:  Look for the Viazul buses, which are made especially for tourists and feature air-conditioning. Great for long distances, you can travel from Trinidad to Havana in six hours for just 25 pesos.

You will want to arrive at the station in advance to get a spot.

Trains : The train system in Cuba runs the length of the island and is a good way to meet the locals.

Go from Havana to Santa Clara for just 20 pesos, or from Santa Clara to Santiago de Cuba for 50 pesos. Be advised that the trains only run every few days, so planning ahead is key.

Taxis:   Taxis are an alternative way to get around Cuba.

Fares start at 1 peso as a flat rate and increase by 1 peso for each kilometer traveled.

To travel from Old Havana to Miramar, for example, costs 8 to 12 pesos.

Car Rental:   It is possible to rent a car in Cuba, but it is expensive and can be convoluted. Take care when you do. Check rates and availability here.

When to go To Cuba

Between November and April is the most popular time to go to Cuba, as temperatures range from 78 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and skies tend to be blue.

You can find higher temperatures (up to 90 degrees) and lower hotel rates in August but note that hurricane season is between August through October. 

Where to Stay in Cuba

Iberostar Grand Packard  – Located on the Malecon and walking distance to Old Havana, this is the premier place to stay in Cuba.

Hostal Las Palmas :One of the most highly rated bed and breakfasts in Trinidad. Explore Trinidad and the Playa Ancon beach, which are both close by.

Suite Florencia :  Built-in 1940, this colonial house turned hotel in Santa Clara is right in the middle of everything. Descend the white marble staircase into this romantic hotel.

Enjoy beautiful views of Santa Clara from your room, or roam about Santa Clara and visit the nearby restaurants and bars.

What to Pack for Cuba

Cuba has a tropical climate so you can count on it being hot and humid.

• Swimsuit:  With Cuba”>
• Sunscreen:  Protect your skin from the powerful sun with some sunscreen.  
• Cash:  As you may not be able to withdraw money from your bank accounts while in Cuba, make sure to bring an appropriate amount of cash based on what you think you’ll spend.
• We didn’t have a problem withdrawing from ATMs in Havana, but it is better to be safe

Cuba Travel Guide: Best Booking Resources

Whenever we travel to we make sure to start with these companies. We have tried a lot of different ones over the years and all of these have consistently proven to be the best when it comes to offering great prices.

We have used every one of these personally and continue to do so.

• Booking.com : This is our go site to when comparing prices for accommodation. It usually has the cheapest prices, especially in Europe and we love their interface. Not to mention you get free cancellation and you are guaranteed the best price.
• Trip Advisor :  What we like about Trip Advisor is that we can look at all the reviews and then book our accommodation. TripAdvisor is where we go when we want to compare prices with multiple accommodation providers.
• VRBO : is the main search engine we use when we are looking for a home or apartment rental. It can sometimes be cheaper than hotels and it is the best way to stay in areas that offer a more local feel.
• Hostelworld :  With one of the largest databases of hostels in the world, Hostelworld is the go-to site when you are looking for budget accommodation.
• Skyscanner : This is the first place we check for flights. It consistently comes back with the cheapest and best options. It allows us to compare a lot of airlines to get the best price.
• Rome 2 Rio :  If you want to see how to get somewhere by plane, train, bus, ferry or car Rome2Rio lays it all out for you as well as related costs.I love how they show it all to you on a Google Map and it works offline.
• Get Your Guide:  For all your day trip and city guide needs, we use Get Your Guide. It has the world’s largest collection of things to do with more than 30,000 activities in 7500 destinations.
• World Nomads Insurance:  When traveling to Italy you should always have travel insurance. We have found the best bang for your buck is by far World Nomads.

Cuba Travel Guide: Related Articles

To browse all our articles and guides about Cuba Click Here.

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Travel guide books to Cuba (7)

The Rough Guide to Cuba

This practical travel guide to Cuba features detailed factual travel tips and points-of-interest structured lists of all iconic must-see sights as well as some off-the-beaten-track treasures. Our itinerary suggestions and expert author picks of things to see and do will make it a perfect companion both, ahead of your trip and on the ground. This Cuba guide book is packed full of details on how to get there and around, pre-departure information and top time-saving tips, including a visual list of things not to miss. Our colour-coded maps make Cuba easier to navigate while you're there. This guide book to Cuba has been fully updated post-COVID-19 and it comes with a free eBook. The Rough Guide to CUBA covers:  Havana; Artemisa and Pinar del Rio; Varadero, Matanzas and Mayabeque; Cienfuegos and Villa Clara; Trinidad and Sancti Spiritus; Ciego de Avila and Camaguey; Northern Oriente; Santiago de Cuba and Granma; Isla de la Juventud and Cayo Largo. Inside this Cuba travel guide you'll find: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER

Experiences selected for every kind of trip to Cuba, from off-the-beaten-track adventures in Varadero to family activities in child-friendly places, like Habana Vieja or chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas, like Trinidad Old Town. PRACTICAL TRAVEL TIPS

Essential pre-departure information including Cuba entry requirements, getting around, health information, travelling with children, sports and outdoor activities, food and drink, festivals, culture and etiquette, shopping, tips for travellers with disabilities and more. TIME-SAVING ITINERARIES Includes carefully planned routes covering the best of Cuba, which give a taste of the richness and diversity of the destination, and have been created for different time frames or types of trip. DETAILED REGIONAL COVERAGE

Clear structure within each sightseeing chapter of this Cuba travel guide includes regional highlights, brief history, detailed sights and places ordered geographically, recommended restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and major shops or entertainment options. INSIGHTS INTO GETTING AROUND LIKE A LOCAL

Tips on how to beat the crowds, save time and money and find the best local spots for visiting tobacco plantations and cigar factories or diving into the country's vibrant music scene. HIGHLIGHTS OF THINGS NOT TO MISS Rough Guides' rundown of Trinidad Old Town, Habana Vieja, Santiago, Artemisa's best sights and top experiences helps to make the most of each trip to Cuba, even in a short time. HONEST AND INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Written   by Rough Guides' expert authors  with a trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, this Cuba guide book will help you find the best places, matching different needs. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter of this travel guide to Cuba features fascinating insights into Cuba, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary. FABULOUS FULL COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHY

Features inspirational colour photography, including the stunning Hotel Nacional and the spectacular Plaza Vieja. COLOUR-CODED MAPPING

Practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys for quick orientation in Havana, Varadero and many more locations in Cuba, reduce the need to go online. USER-FRIENDLY LAYOUT

With helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time. FREE EBOOK

Free eBook download with every purchase of this guide book to Cuba allows you to access all of the content from your phone or tablet, for on-the-road exploration.

Description

Book details.

This title is a part of Rough Guides Main Series

Practical travel guides series covering countries, cities and regions, with detailed factual travel tips, perfect for independent, long-stay, backpacking and budget-conscious travellers seeking comprehensive travel information and off-the-beaten track experiences

Extensive practical travel information including getting there, getting around, climate information, safety tips, accommodation explanations, food & drink advice and shopping essentials 

Curated author picks with destination highlights at the beginning of each guide

Ready-made itineraries covering every corner of the destination

Colour-coded places chapters with detailed coverage of places and sights, presented in a points-of-interest structure 

Extensive recommendations for accommodation, restaurants, shops and leisure activities for all budgets

Colour-coded detailed maps with marked-up key sights 

Insights on history and nature highlights  

Easy to use, newspaper-style layout

All guides published from January 2021 are printed on paper from responsible sources verified to meet FSC’s strict environmental and social standards

Free eBook with each printed guide published from May 2019 

Format: 129 x 198mm

Price: £14.99-£26.99 | $13.99-$34.99

Extent: 616–1208 page

BOOK DETAILS

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