Budget for Cuba: [How Much Money Do You Need for Cuba?]

“How expensive is Cuba?” is one of the hardest questions to answer — because the real answer is: it depends.  And it’s the same answer to “How much money do you need for Cuba.  It depends on where you stay. It depends on how you travel. And more than almost anywhere else, it depends on the exchange rate you use. Two travelers can visit Cuba at the same time and have completely different experiences financially. One will say it’s expensive. The other will say it’s great value. Both can be right.  So instead of vague answers, let’s break this down properly.  Here’s how to realistically budget for Cuba in 2026.

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Budgeting for your trip to Cuba is incredibly important for several reasons, the most important of which is that Cuba is primarily a cash society.  Challenges with the island country being (mostly) outside the international banking structure mean that a lot of what you pay for here will be in cash.  And in order to get that cash, you’ll need to bring it with you.

So when we talk about budgeting for Cuba, what most people mean is “how much cash do I need to bring to Cuba for my trip,” or what’s the right budget for Cuba? If you want the quick, dirty, and easy answer, then assume you will need US$100-150 per person per day that you are in Cuba.  And yes, assume that’s in cash.

This article is for traveling to Cuba independently.  If you’re coming to an all-inclusive resort in Cuba, then you’ll need my guide to tipping, which is here.  

Credit and debit card usage in Cuba for most visitors is rare.  Challenges with the ATM network mean getting hold of Cuban Pesos (the currency, read more about it here) relies primarily on your bringing foreign currency to Cuba and changing it when you arrive.

Read about what currency to bring to Cuba here.  Or about the problems with the ATM network is here. And then want to know about card versus cash in Cuba?  That’s here.

What to include in your budget for Cuba

I’m going to ignore the fact that you’ve got to fly here and assume that you’ve got that covered.  Getting to Cuba is a tad more complicated in 2026, so I wrote about it here.  But for here and now and budgeting for Cuba, I’m dealing with everything aside from the flight.

So I’ll highlight the categories for cost you’ll need to budget for, and then go through them and assign amounts.

1. You’ll need an evisa.  Good news, you buy this BEFORE you come to Cuba.  You can buy it online here.  Or you read about it here.
2. You need insurance.  Specifically, you need medical insurance to enter Cuba.  This is a requirement of the Cuban Government.  If you’re flying here from the USA, then this is usually covered in the cost of your airline ticket.  Read my guide to insurance for Cuba here.  Again, good news, you’ll need this (and can pay for it online with a card) before you arrive in Cuba.
3. Transport.  You’ll need to get from the airport to your accommodation.  You’ll need to get around the island.  I’ll cover all of these in detail, but start by reading my guide to Cuban transport here.
4. Accommodation.  You can stay in hotels, you can stay in casa particulars.  I recommend casa particulars.  Read my guide to casa particulars here.  I’ll cover how to book them, how to pay for them, and why I think you should NOT use Airbnb.
5. Internet Access.  The internet is not free in Cuba.  Albeit it might be if you find a hotel or casa particular that offers free internet.  And if you’ve not got a roaming package that covers Cuba, you’ll want to get yourself a SIM card, an eSIM, or read about internet access in Cuba.
6. Food & Drinks.  It’s rare for the short-term visitor to go “self-catering” in Cuba.  So assume that you’ll be eating at your casa particular, cafes, restaurants, and the Cuban paladares (read my guide here).  I’ll cover costs, how to pay, and all the details.
7. Tours & Attractions. Whether it’s a ride in a Cuban Classic Car, a visit to El Capitolio, the glorious Vinales Valley, or a street food tour, you’re going to want to spend some money on experiencing what makes Cuba, well, Cuba.  So I’ll cover the types of costs you’ll pay for these, and how to pay for them.
8. Souvenirs to take home.  Whether it’s handicrafts, Cuban Rum, Cuban Cigars, or artwork, you’ll likelyh want a souvenir of your trip.  I’ll cover costs too.

It’s important to have a packing list for Cuba (my guide is here), because while in recent years it has become much easier to buy things in stores, the current challenges faced on the island mean that you’ll either pay a lot more than you would at home, or you might not be able to find it.  So for things like toiletries, snorkeling gear, mosquito spray?  Bring them with you.

Costs in Cuba for your Trip

So here we go, let’s dive into the costs. And mostly, if you spend a little time now, before you go, working out your route and your activities, it’s not difficult to figure out how much you need to budget for Cuba.

1. Evisa for Cuba

Anyone who visits Cuba as a non-Cuban will need a Cuban eVisa or a full visa.   Most (99%) of visitors need an evisa.  My guide to eVisas is here.

What’s the cost of an Evisa for Cuba?

If you’re on a direct flight here from Canada, then the evisa is included in your flight (direct flights from Canada are NOT currently running from February to at least May 2026).   The visa cost depends on where you apply, how you pay, and how quickly you want it.  For example, if you apply directly to the Cuban Embassy here, then the costs are USA:  US$50, Canada:  CAD$24, EU:  22 Euros, UK GBP£20, Mexico:  575 MXN, Türkiye: 22 Euros, Panama 25 PAB, Brazil:  90 BRL, Russia:  3,000 RUB, China 123 CNY.

Alternatively, you can get an express service from our partner, EasyTouristcard, here.

How to pay for an Evisa for Cuba

You can pay for a Cuban Evisa on a card (in most cases). If you’re applying from the USA directly to the Cuban embassy, then you will need to mail a check or a money order to the Cuban embassy in Washington, D.C.

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Where to get an Evisa for Cuba

You can get a Cuban Evisa either from the Cuban Embassy (it’s online here) or you can use our express partner service with EasyTouristCard here.

2. Insurance for Cuba

This is another non-negotiable cost.  The Cuban Government requires you have medical insurance. 

What’s the cost of insurance for Cuba?

The cost of the insurance depends on you, your circumstances, and the level of cover that you have.  Read my travel insurance guide here.

How to pay for insurance for Cuba

Another easy one, as you’ll buy this before you travel, so you can pay for it on a card.

Where to get insurance for Cuba

If you’re flying from the USA, then your required medical insurance for entering Cuba is included in your ticket.  But that doesn’t cover anything other than medical.

3. Transport in Cuba

There are a multitude of different ways you can get around Cuba.  I’ve covered the most common in my guide to Cuban transport here.  But the cost varies wildly.  Some of the transport options you can prepay on a card.  Others you can’t, and it’s a cash transaction. DONE

What’s the cost of transport in Cuba?

The cost of transport depends on where you’re going. And when.  Luckily, there are some easy ways to work this out.

You can use the Viazul Bus network – they have scheduled routes around the island with publishes prices lists.  So you can easily work out how much this costs.  And you can book before you fly in (I recommend it), so you don’t have to carry the cash for this part of your trip.

You can use Civitatis and Daytrip.com to work out how much private transfers cost. Even if you don’t use them, they will give you an idea of the cost of a particular route.

How to pay for transport in Cuba

You can pay for the Viazul Bus with a credit or debit card. You can book your tickets here.  You can book Viazul Bus online when you’re actually in Cuba, but you’ll need a VPN to make the site work properly. 

You can book an airport transfer and certain shuttles on Civitatis online with a credit or debit card (from any country).

You can book and prepay the deposit for a private driver with daytrip for private transfers with sightseeing along the way with a credit or debit card (from any country), but you’ll need to pay the remainder in cash.

For colectivos and taxis that you use in Cuba, you’ll need to pay cash.

How to book transport in Cuba

Book the Viazul Bus online directly on their site and pay by card.  Book airport transfers with Civitatis.  Book private drivers with cars through Daytrip.com.

Book informal taxis, transfers, and colectivos with your casa particular owner.

4. Accommodation in Cuba

It’s actually pretty easy to budget for accommodation in Cuba these days.  I’m going to focus on using casa particulars as an example.  You can find casa particulars (and their costs) on several sites.  Homestay is the preferred option, as it gets more money to the Cubans than Airbnb does.  There have also been some issues with Airbnb in recent months (read about it here).

What’s the cost of accommodation in Cuba?

You can work out the cost of casa particulars to put into your budget by taking a look at Homestay.com.   One of the ways in which casa particulars work is that if you’re staying in one that you like, you’ll mention to the owner that you’re going to stay in Trinidad next.  They will ALWAYS know someone there and recommend you stay at their place.  In this way, you get handed on from one casa to the next as you’re traveling around the island.  The cost will be the same or less than what you’re paying to book online.

How to pay for accommodation in Cuba

If you want to pay online with a card for accommodation in Cuba, then Airbnb is an option.  Homestay allows you to pay a deposit online and to pay the remainder of your accommodation costs in cash when you arrive. 

Paying cash for casa particulars is the normal way to pay in Cuba.

How to book accommodation in Cuba

You can use homestay.com to book your accommodation.  Or you can book your first few nights online, and then get passed on by recommendation to the next casa at your next port of call.

5. Internet Access in Cuba

Many more casa particulars and hotels have internet access that they offer for free now than when we first visited Cuba in 2017.  But you’ll likely want to have mobile internet access.  The easiest way to do this is to enable mobile roaming on your phone, but check the costs and if it’s even possible (for most people, it’s not).  Alternatively, you can get yourself a SIM card or an Esim for Cuba.

What’s the cost of internet access in Cuba?

What you pay depends on what access you want.  The Gigsky eSIM is generally regarded as the best option for a Cuban eSim (and you can check the cost here).  If your phone is not esim enabled, then make sure it is unlocked (you will need to do this before you leave home) and get yourself a physical SIM card.  You can preorder it for collection at the airport here.  Or read my guide to SIM cards in Cuba here.

How to pay for internet access in Cuba

You can prepay for a SIM or ESIM card online with a card (from any country).  If you’re buying internet access at one of Cuba’s public places, then you’ll have to pay cash when you’re in Cuba.  Read about WiFi in Cuba here.

How to buy internet access in Cuba

You can prebook an Esim for Cuba here.  You can prebook a physical SIM card here.  If you just want WiFi in public places, then read my guide on how and where to buy it here.

6. Food & Drinks in Cuba

In 99% of cases, you’re going to pay for your food and drink in Cuba with cash.  So you’ll want to read about Cuban currency here.

What’s the cost of food & drinks in Cuba?

One of the best ways to start your day in Cuba is to have breakfast at your casa particular.  You’ll pay from US$5 and upwards for an amazing meal and help the local community.  Lunch depends on what you want to eat and where, but assume around US$10.  For dinner, again you can eat at your casa particular, or head to a paladar (my guide is here), but assume US$15 for dinner without drinks.

Cocktails and local drinks are cheap in Cuba.  And it depends on where you drink.   You’ll pay around US$7-8 for a cocktail in Hemingway’s favorite, El Floridita in Old Havana.  Significantly less at a makeshift bar.

How to pay for food & drinks in Cuba

It’s 99% likely that you’ll pay for your food and drink in Cuba with cash.

How to arrange food & drinks in Cuba

Breakfast is easy to arrange at your casa particular, but the day before you want it, so that your casa owner can arrange to get the food in for you.  It might be some of the best fruit you’ll ever taste.  Equally, ask for recommendations of places to eat. 

7. Tours & Attractions in Cuba

If you organize a tour or a classic car trip while you’re in Cuba, then you’ll be paying cash for this.  You can prebook and prepay using Civitatis. 

What’s the cost of tours and attractions in Cuba?

The cost depends on the tour, attraction, and time of year you’re visiting.  A classic car tour of Havana, for instance, might cost you US$40.  A day trip to Vinales is significantly more.  Check out Civitatis.com to figure out what you might want to do.  Even if you don’t use Civitatis and book locally, it will give you an ideas as to how much things cost.

If you’re traveling around the island, perhaps following one of my suggested itineraries, then it’s best to work out what you might want to see and do, so that you can figure out before you arrive what costs you’ll incur, and therefore bring enough cash for that.

How to pay for tours and attractions in Cuba

If you book and arrange things in person in Cuba, then you’ll need to pay cash.  Check the cost in foreign currency or Cuban pesos and pay appropriately.

How to book tours and attractions in Cuba

You can book most trips and attractions through your casa particular owner.  Diving in the Bay of Pigs, for instance, is only booked in person with your casa owner or at the dive shop.  You don’t need to book that ahead of the night before. 

You can also book tours and attractions online through Civitatis.  The sites also work while you are in Cuba, and you can pay with a credit or debit card (from any country).  Check out your options here.

8. Souvenirs to Take Home from Cuba

If you’re heading back to the United States, then be aware that you are NOT allowed to take home Cuban Cigars or Cuban Rum.  (That’s a rule in the United States, not in Cuba).  And for those Canadians who are flying via the US back to Canada, this is going to impact you as well, as there’s no such concept of transit in the US; you’re going through immigration before you fly out again.

What’s the cost of souvenirs in Cuba?

It depends on what you’re going to buy!  You can check out the cost of rum in Cuba for an example here. 

How to pay for souvenirs in Cuba

In the vast majority of cases, you’ll be paying cash for souvenirs in Cuba.

How to buy souvenirs in Cuba

Check out artisan markets, small mom and pop shops, and the like, but for Cuban Cigars, make sure you buy from an official shop.  Don’t buy Cuban cigars on the street.  There’s more on this here.

Guides to Currency, ATMs, budgeting, and paying for things in Cuba

I’ve got a lot of content here on Cuba’s Best about traveling to Cuba.  And there’s a lot of content about currency, paying for things, and how cash in Cuba works. Here’s the specific detail about that.

• An overview of Cuban Currency in 2026
• Using ATMs in Cuba
• What Currency to Take to Cuba in 2026
• How to send money to Cuba in 2026
• How much money to take to Cuba in 2026
• A brief recent history of the Cuban Currency
• What to do if you run out of cash in Cuba
• Cash v’s Cards in Cuba
• Understanding the Informal Currency Exchange in Cuba.

How Much Cash Should You Actually Bring to Cuba?

I’m aware that I haven’t really given you a hard and fast “bring this much money to Cuba”.  And that’s deliberate.  Before you come to Cuba, you need to work out what you’re going to see, how you’re going to visit, and where you’re going to stay.  Even if it’s not each specific casa that you stay in, certainly the level of cost that it’s going to be.

1. Plan your route
2. Plan how to go between places on that route
3. Plan your accommodation
4. Have an idea as to the tours and attractions you want to visit.

Then you’ll be able to put together the budget for Cuba that is appropriate to you.

Bring a Sensible Buffer of Cash to Cuba

Cuba is not the place to budget down to the last dollar.  Infrastructure issues, transport changes, and availability fluctuations can force last-minute decisions that cost more.  So add a buffer.  It’s better to return home with some unused foreign currency than to find yourself short of options.  I’ve written here about how to send money to Cuba (so this could be to a casa particular owner, for instance), and what to do if you run out of cash in Cuba here.

Final Words on Budgeting for Cuba

Cuba is affordable for independent travelers if you plan your trip, manage your cash effectively, and use the exchange rate to your advantage.  But you do need to plan realistically. Bring enough cash. Build in a buffer. And once you’ve done that, you can relax and enjoy the country rather than constantly thinking about money.

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