The capital of Cuba is Havana. This huge city is today an urban center.
There are convertible pesos and local pesos in circulation in Cuba. Payment for services and goods is also charged in dollars. If you take Euros with you, you can exchange them for local currency at the airport.
Cost of living
A visitor to Havana can live in a private hotel or in a hotel. Most of the small hotels are located in old colonial-style buildings. In a hotel, a single room will cost $ 60 or more. You can rent a house from private owners at half the price.
The payment usually includes a simple breakfast of coffee, toast and fruit.
Staying in Havana hotels is not recommended for those tourists who are on a budget. Good hotels are expensive and cheap hotels have poor service.
Where to stay in Havana
There are a lot of privateers in Havana who want to rent out their apartments and rooms. Their houses usually have identification plates. The cost of a room per day starts from $ 20. In areas remote from the city center, prices are even lower.
To find accommodation in Havana, it is enough to stroll through the old quarters. There you will find many signs with the Casa Particular designation. After you look around the room, you can negotiate the rent with the landlord.
The cost of food in Havana
Products in shops in Cuba can only be obtained with cards. Therefore, it is better for a tourist to take a voucher, which implies an "all inclusive" system.
You can also eat in restaurants or cafes, but food is expensive there. Eating in Cuban cafes is not recommended for travelers, as prices are high and the quality of service is low. In the markets you can buy vegetables and fruits at affordable prices.
If you are interested in restaurants, then visit government catering establishments. The hotel restaurant is also a good choice.
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A full lunch at a Cuban restaurant costs about $ 20. A snack at a pizzeria will cost $ 15. Eateries are cheaper to dine, but the freshness and quality of food there is questionable.
Excursion programs
A sightseeing tour of Havana costs about $ 50. Currently, desolation reigns in many parts of the city. Colonial mansions are deplorable.
Recreation and entertainment in Havana
Driving outside the borders of Old Havana, you will be amazed at the abundance of neglected buildings. You can see the slums of the city during the excursion, which costs $ 40. It lasts 4 hours and allows you to see the real life of Cubans.
Areas like Central Havana and Vedado lack the luster of the touristy side of the city. There you will meet the frank capital of Cuba. In such places, you can hear street musicians and watch the voodoo ritual. This excursion costs from $ 60 per person.