Cheap Flights to Havana

What should I know before visiting Havana?

Carry cash with you

While you’ll find some businesses that accept foreign debit cards, Cuba is primarily a cash-based economy. While visiting the country on cheap flights to Havana, always keep some cash with you. Also be aware that Cuba has two different currencies: the CUC, for tourists; and the CUP for locals. While it was once illegal for visitors to carry CUP, that’s no longer the case. It’s perfectly fine to carry both currencies while holidaying on flights to Havana. Just make sure you get the exchange rate correct: 1 CUC is about $1.50 NZD, while 1 CUP is about 6 cents NZD.

New Zealanders require a visa to visit Cuba

Before catching your flights to Havana, make sure you have a visa card. You can obtain this card from many travel agencies across New Zealand, or you could apply by post through the Cuban Embassy. With this visa card, you’ll be allowed to stay in Cuba for up to 30 days between your return flights to Havana.

Download the app Havana Good Time

If you’d love some tips and maps to use during your holiday, download the app Havana Good Time after booking plane tickets to Havana. It’s available to download for both Apple and Android smartphones. The app serves as a detailed guide, sharing the top tourist attractions around the Cuban capital, under-the-radar spots, and the best places to grab a bite to eat.

What are the best places to stay in Havana?

Habana Vieja

If you want to be at the heart of the action while holidaying on flights to Havana, this neighbourhood is the one for you. Habana Vieja, or “Old Havana,” is the cultural and historical centre of Cuba. It’s home to many well-known attractions, including Catedral de San Cristobal, Museo de la Ciudad, and the National Capital Building. Within Habana Vieja, there are several smaller neighbourhoods as well. The streets around Plaza Vieja are bustling with restaurants, cafes, and bars set inside classic Baroque-style buildings. If you’d like to experience the 1950s and Art Deco vibes of Cuba, look at accommodation around Prado after booking airfare to Havana.

El Vedado

Based on the banks of Havana Port, El Vedado has a modern and urban feel to it. While the majority of travellers flock to Habana Vieja, El Vedado is a favourite among locals. Much of the neighbourhood is residential, and it’s home to beautiful architecture and reminders of the Spanish-American War. Along the northern border of El Vedado, you’ll find the Malecón – a scenic waterfront street that’s a must-visit for anyone who books airfare to Havana. Throughout the neighbourhood, you’ll find plenty of shops as well as restaurants and bars that showcase Cuban food and drinks. If you’re looking to experience the city like a local, consider staying in El Vedado while holidaying on cheap flights to Havana.

Guanabo

The city centre of Havana is dynamic and exciting. However, if you’re looking to kick back by the beach between your return flights to Havana, consider booking accommodation in the coastal neighbourhood of Guanabo. The neighbourhood is home to a gorgeous stretch of beach that’s adored by locals. Between trips to the beach, visit the main stretch along Quinta Avenida to browse boutiques and grab some food from local food stalls and cafes. While Guanabo feels secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city, it’s still well connected to central Havana. When you want to visit the city centre, hop on a local bus or catch a taxi for 30 minutes.

What is the best way to get around Havana?

Once you’ve arrived into Jose Marti International Airport (HAV), make your way into the city centre by taxi. Currently, there’s no public transport from the airport. On average, a taxi from Jose Marti International Airport (HAV) arrives to the city in 20 minutes for a rate of around 20 CUC ($30 NZD). From there, much of central Havana is accessible by foot, and taxis are readily available. While the taxis from the airport are modern cars, a taxi around the centre is a unique experience to have between your return flights to Havana. City centre taxis are often bright coloured convertibles that date back to the 1950s – completely different to most taxis you’ll find around the world!

While visiting Cuba on cheap flights to Havana, you can also catch public transport around the city centre. 17 bus routes make their way around the city and suburbs with stops in Old Havana, El Vedado, and some of the beach neighbourhoods east of the city. Tickets to Havana buses are an affordable 40 cents CUC (60 cents NZD), making the bus a perfect option for budget travellers holidaying on flights to Havana.