How much does a holiday in Cuba cost?

How much does a holiday in Cuba cost and what are the costs on site?

Planning a budget for a trip to Cuba in 2026 is a challenge if you are planning the trip yourself, but not such a difficult nut to crack if you are booking a holiday with a travel agency. But there's no need to worry! Although the island is associated with paradise beaches and atmospheric townhouses, the final cost of the trip depends on whether you choose a luxury resort or authentic living in private apartments or boutique hotels. It is worth knowing that prices for tourists vary drastically depending on where and at what exchange rate you exchange your cash. Our guide will help you understand the current picture of expenses, from airline tickets to everyday pleasures in the rhythm of salsa. With this knowledge, you will avoid financial pitfalls and take full advantage of the charm of the ‘Pearl of the Antilles’.

Flight prices to Cuba

How much does a flight to Cuba cost? Getting to the island in 2026 will cost around €600 for an economy class ticket. Prices depend, of course, on the airport and country of departure. The optimal time to book is about two months before your planned trip. It is also worth monitoring charter offers from travel agencies to Cuba, which during promotional periods can be cheaper than scheduled flights, especially in last-minute offers.

Accommodation prices in Cuba

What are the prices of accommodation in Cuba? Prices of hotels and resorts Cuba – the accommodation market is clearly polarised between the expensive state sector and the dynamically developing private enterprise. The best option for tourists looking to save money are casas particulares, or private lodgings, where prices for a double room start at USD 25 per night. In the premium standard, which includes restored colonial townhouses, you will pay between $50 and $100, while luxury boutique apartments in Havana cost between $100 and $160. If you prefer hotels, the average cost for a three-star hotel is around $75, and for a five-star hotel, you will pay an average of over $85. The most prestigious hotels in the capital, such as the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski, offer rooms ranging in price from $328 to as much as $687 per night. It is worth making reservations through online systems or contacting hosts via WhatsApp to ensure you get the best rates.

Costs of food and attractions in Cuba

How much will we spend on food and attractions in Cuba? Cost of trips and attractions Cuba – prices in restaurants can be surprisingly affordable if we skilfully use the unofficial exchange rate. A meal in a cheaper restaurant will cost around $3-10, while a main course in a more expensive restaurant will cost between $15 and over $30 per person. Seafood lovers can enjoy a lobster dinner for around $12-20 in private restaurants called paladares. The iconic street pizza costs only $1-2, which is a great budget option. Admission to museums or fortresses in Havana costs between $2 and $10, which is a marginal amount at the street exchange rate. More expensive attractions include shows at the Tropicana cabaret (from $75) and an hour-long tour in a vintage convertible ($35-60). A branded cigar in an official state-run shop costs between $10 and$30, although you can buy them much cheaper from a farmer in Viñales.

The cost of travelling around Cuba

Getting around the island is considered one of the most difficult and expensive parts of the trip. The most popular choice among tourists is the taxi colectivo, or shared taxi, which picks up passengers directly from their accommodation. A trip from Havana to Viñales or Havana to Varadero costs between €20 and €35 per person. A cheaper, but less flexible alternative is Viazul buses, where tickets cost between $10 and $25, depending on the length of the route. Renting a car is a very expensive option – rates for a mid-range car range from $52 to $75 per day, plus compulsory insurance and a deposit. Short trips around the city by various means of transport, such as bici taxis or horse-drawn carriages, cost between $3 and $15.

How much money should you take with you and what is the currency in Cuba?

How much money to take on holiday to Cuba – currently, the only official currency on the island is the Cuban peso (CUP), but the payment system is complicated by the existence of the virtual currency MLC. The official bank exchange rate (approx. 120–435 CUP per $1) differs drastically from the market reality. On the black market, one dollar or euro can get you between 300 and even 473 CUP, which makes spending in pesos very attractive for tourists. It is best to take cash in euros with you, making sure that the banknotes are in perfect condition. Although Visa and Mastercard are accepted in hotels and state-owned MLC shops, their use is subject to an unfavourable official exchange rate. It is recommended to exchange currency with private accommodation hosts or in restaurants, where the rates are close to the market average.

Additional costs of travelling to Cuba

If you want to set your travel budget, Cuba may surprise you with small additional costs. What are they? Most citizens of European countries travelling to the island must have an e-visa, which has replaced the former tourist card and costs USD 22. Another necessary expense is compulsory medical insurance, which usually costs between €40 and €80. Although there are no compulsory vaccinations, it is recommended to be immunised against hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus and typhoid fever. In summer, high-quality mosquito repellents are a key expense to protect yourself against dengue fever. It is also worth stocking up on your own first aid kit with basic medicines, as their availability locally is very limited and comes with high prices on the black market.

All-inclusive holidays in Cuba – prices

How much does a holiday in Cuba cost? Holiday offers for Cuba – week-long all-inclusive holidays in 2026 can be found in last-minute offers starting from around €800 per person. Standard prices in popular four-star resorts in Varadero usually range from €1,000 to €1,500. If you opt for more extensive packages combining sightseeing with relaxation, you should expect to pay between €1,000 and €1,800. When booking luxury state-owned hotels such as Meliá Varadero independently, the price per night starts at around $150. It is worth remembering that tourists travelling on organised trips do not need to document their cash holdings upon entry.

Approximate tourist expenses in Cuba – summary

The final cost of a 14-day trip for one person in comfortable accommodation is around €1,800, including flights, visa and expenses on site. The average daily budget for an individual tourist, including accommodation in good casas particulares and food in reputable paladares, is around $80. Those who prefer economy standard can keep their expenses to around $40 per day. On the other hand, the premium scenario, which includes stays in five-star hotels and private transfers, starts at $330 per person per day. Remember to bring a supply of cash, as it is virtually impossible to withdraw money from ATMs on the island using foreign cards. And, of course, everyone travels differently, so all these prices may look completely different for different tourists.

Is it possible to have a cheap holiday in Cuba? Having a low-budget holiday in Cuba is entirely possible thanks to skilful use of the local economic realities. By choosing the simplest private accommodation for around £10 per night and eating in street cafés, you can significantly reduce your living costs. The key strategy is to make smart use of the informal Cuban peso exchange market, which makes the prices of services paid for in local currency very attractive to us. However, it is worth bearing in mind that the cheapest options require giving up luxury transfers in favour of public buses and planning each stage of the journey yourself. Cuba remains a place where, with good preparation, you can experience an exotic adventure at a fraction of the price of European resorts.

Are you looking for other guides about Cuba? I invite you to read our other articles: what to see in Cuba, when is the best time to fly to Cuba, how long is the flight to Cuba and what is the security situation in Cuba. We also encourage you to familiarise yourself with our offer of trips to Dubai and attractions in Dubai/accommodation in Dubai, which are our speciality!

Questions and answers (FAQ)

• Is Cuba an expensive tourist destination?

Cuba is considered a moderately expensive destination, and the cost of living on the island can be higher than in many other Latin American countries. However, the final expenses depend on the standard you choose and the exchange rate, thanks to which the prices of food and local services can be very affordable for tourists.

• How much does an all-inclusive trip to Cuba cost?

Week-long all-inclusive trips to Cuba can be found in last-minute offers starting at around €1,000-1,200, while standard package prices at travel agencies usually range between €1,200-1,600 per person. For longer, 14-day trips, the average cost of such a holiday is around €1,700, with the cheapest offers starting at €1,200.

• How to plan your holiday budget in Cuba?

You should start planning your budget by calculating the costs of transport and accommodation and taking a large supply of cash in euros, as ATM withdrawals are almost impossible on the island. The key to success is to take into account the more favourable unofficial exchange rate and assume daily expenses ranging from $40 for economy class to $80 for comfort class.