Is Cuba safe to travel alone? I highly recommend everyone go solo travel Cuba. I’m sharing my Cuba solo female travel experience in this blog post. I lived and traveled extensively alone in Latin America and speak basic Spanish. While I was only in Cuba for ten days, I feel I have some authority on solo travel to Cuba and Latin America.
Are you wondering, “Is Cuba safe for solo female travelers?” The short answer is yes—it’s one of the safest countries I’ve visited. However, of all the Latin American countries I’ve been to, my solo travel Cuba experience was by far the most challenging.
Yes, solo travel to Cuba can be challenging, but with some planning and preparation, it doesn’t have to be.
Quick Tip: Book tours ahead of time online to save money and stress.
Best Cuba Tours: Click here to check out the top Cuba tours
Best Cuba Accommodation: Click here to check out the top Cuba accommodation
Best Caribbean Transport: Click here to book a bus, ferry, or train in the Caribbean
What Makes Cuba Solo Travel So Challenging?
I faced two main issues as a Cuba solo female travel tourist.
- Budget: Cuba was way more expensive than I anticipated, mostly because I traveled solo. Cuba just isn’t set up for solo travelers. No hostels are outside Havana, making accommodations one of my most significant expenses.
- Being a gringa: Rather, a tall, blonde, blue-eyed gringa.
Let’s get one thing straight: As much as I hate it, I’m used to being catcalled by Latino men. While living in Colombia, I faced daily calls of:
Oi, gringa princessa!
Hermosa!
Oi, Reina!
It was frustrating because sometimes, all I wanted was to go to the shop and buy bread. However, I am used to it and try to ignore it as much as possible. Cuba, however, was on another level. The catcalling was aggressive and intimidating—I felt like a piece of meat while visiting. As a result, I tried to make friends and travel with others during my time in Cuba.
Is Cuba Safe to Travel Alone as a Woman?
Sadly, there is not much advice I can give you if you are a Rubia (the Spanish word for blonde) other than to stay strong, my friend. Although Havana was the worst place for it, I also got unwanted attention in Vinales and Trinidad. You will likely attract less attention if you have a darker complexion and brown hair, even as a foreigner.
However, there are some solutions to all the other possible problems you may face. It may mean you travel differently in Cuba than you usually travel, but everything is different here!
Can You Solo Travel Cuba on a Backpacker Budget?
As already mentioned, I blew my budget in Cuba. A friend told me I could efficiently budget $300 for nine days in Cuba so long as I didn’t eat out in fancy restaurants. Unfortunately, this friend was not traveling solo and didn’t pay for transport between cities since her group rented a car. It is simple to save money on food and drink, but almost impossible for accommodation and transport, as these prices are fixed.
At the end of this section, I have created a daily budget so you can work out how much you may need for the number of days you solo travel to Cuba.
How to Save Money on Accommodations
I am not a planner; I prefer to turn up and see what happens. Unfortunately, I thought I could do this in Cuba, so I booked only my first night’s accommodation and decided to leave the rest to chance. This turned out to be my biggest regret.
If you are traveling in a group, this is 100% the best way to go. Book your first night and take it from there. Talk to each host you stay with about what you want to do next and where you want to go. They will usually phone a friend or two and organize your transport and your next Casa Particular (the standard accommodation, a room in someone’s home).
Most rooms have double and single beds, so you can sleep three people. You pay a fixed price whether there is one person or three people—here lies the problem for Cuba solo travel!
Here are my Havana Accommodation recommendations
Backpackers Hostel – I stayed here and loved it.
Casa Malecon – Perfect for small groups
Tu Habana – If you prefer to stay in Vedado
Where Are All the Hostels?
There are plenty of hostel options in Havana. These are always the best options when you solo travel Cuba, as you can save money by paying for a bed and sharing a room with new friends.
This is important as you are likely to want to meet people. If you are alone in a room in a Casa Particular, you will have no chance of meeting other travelers. I tried to meet people outside of Havana, but it felt like everyone was traveling in groups. Plus, no phone and no internet make it virtually impossible to coordinate plans with anyone you meet.
Here’s How to Tackle This Dilemma When You Solo Travel to Cuba
- Budget more for accommodations: I would budget at least $25 per night to stay everywhere outside Havana, and ideally $30 to be safe.
- Pre-book your accommodation on Airbnb before you arrive in Cuba: I wish I had done this! You can find accommodations for under $15 a night on Airbnb in most places in Cuba. Just check on the map to see if it isn’t too far outside the center, or you will overpay for taxis. Yes, this means you will be more restricted and have less flexibility to change your plans, but at least you will save money and have a chance to meet other travelers.
- Hang out in Havana in a hostel until you find another person to travel with: This way, you can split the accommodation bills! If you are not restricted for time, this is your best option.
Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?
The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing
Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.
Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies.
How to Save on Cuba Solo Female Travel Transportation
It’s nearly impossible to save money when you solo travel to Cuba as all transport prices are fixed. I recommend avoiding the buses at all costs. Not only are they dirty, broken, and uncomfortable, but they also operate at set times and take hours longer than cars.
The best way to travel throughout Cuba is by taxi colectivos. They usually cost about $5 more than the bus and will take you door-to-door. You will also have more control over timing and arrive hours sooner.
Your Casa host can arrange these for you, so ask. I also strongly recommend making friends with other travelers on these journeys. My biggest regret was not making plans with them when we got to our destination. I didn’t realize how awkward I would find it to meet others, so I didn’t bother making a plan. Big mistake!
If you are on a tight budget and don’t have a huge backpack, your third option is to hitchhike. It is very safe and common to hitch a ride in Cuba. Most drivers will not take any money, but offers of food and drinks are welcome alternatives. I didn’t hitchhike myself, but I know many people who have done it successfully.
How to Save on Food During Cuba Solo Travel
Easy, don’t eat anywhere that has a menu translated into English! Those are the tourist places, and you will pay tourist prices. I don’t eat a lot anyway—usually, breakfast and one big meal around 3:00 p.m. satisfies me for the day.
I usually ate breakfast at the casa for $5 and spent around $7-10 on an afternoon meal. My food budget was $8-15 daily. I could have eaten local food and significantly reduced my food bill, but my vegetarian diet would have been severely restricted to eggs and bread.
If you are on a serious budget, look for local places to eat. Make sure there is a queue of locals (so you know the food is good) and that the prices are in pesos (local currency) and not CUC (tourist currency).
How to Save on Solo Travel Cuba Tours
Again, this is challenging when traveling alone. Most tour prices are fixed, and traveling with a group is the only way to have negotiation power. The standard (and most straightforward) way is to ask your host to organize tours. There will be no room for negotiation, but you will also get the standard price and are less likely to be ripped off.
If you want to save money, walk down the main street of the town you are staying in, and the tour operators will come to you. Once one has found you, it’s time to start negotiations. As most Cubans don’t speak English, you probably won’t get far with haggling unless you know some basic Spanish.
Is Havana Cuba Safe at Night?
If you’re wondering, “Is Havana safe for solo female travelers?” I’d say yes, though you should be careful going out at night. Although the catcalling in Cuba can be awful, it’s one of the safest places in the world to travel solo. I felt intimidated but safe walking home alone at night—I went out solo while in Vinales and had a great night with some Cubans I met in the club.
However, I’m not sure I would have ventured out to a club alone in Havana unless I was recommended somewhere I wouldn’t get harassed!
Why You Should Learn to Salsa
One tip I would give anyone traveling solo in Latin America is to learn to dance salsa. Whatever country I’m traveling to in Latin America, if I know I want to go out at night, I just need to find a salsa club. That way, I can go, spend the night dancing with locals, and not worry about drinking.
While in Cuba, I had a great night out at a salsa club. A young Cuban asked me to dance and then invited me to join their group for the night. I drank rum, he taught me Cuban-style Salsa, and I went home a happy gringa!
Cuba Solo Travel Tips for Making Friends
Outside of Havana, I found this a little challenging. Typically, we have WhatsApp and Facebook when traveling, so you can meet someone, swap contacts, and message them to meet later. However, you won’t have this luxury in Cuba.
In Vinales, I planned to meet a Cuban cigar farmer in the main square in front of a church at 10:00 p.m. I felt like I was 12 years old again—back in the 90s, before mobile phones and the internet, that’s what we did! In this day and age, it felt alien to trust this person would even be there.
Today, it is easy to bail and send a “sorry, I can’t make it” text. I felt nervous heading to that rendezvous point in case I stood up. But he was there!
Meeting people in Cuba is like going back to the 90s. You have to make plans and stick to your word, meet at the clock tower at 10:00 p.m., or find some friends and stick with them! Havana is the best place to meet people. For this reason, I strongly recommend staying in a hostel for your first few nights. Once you make friends, try to plan some stuff together before parting ways.
I can’t tell you how overjoyed I was when I was sitting on some steps in Trinidad, feeling utterly miserable and alone, only to look up and see the chica I met on my first night in Havana eating dinner alone. Cue me racing up those steps!
I’d already decided to check out of Trinidad early and go back to Havana to save money, so we planned to meet again at the same hostel. We did later that week, and along with a few others and a Cuban friend, we ended up having a fantastic few days exploring Havana together. This made up for all of the other struggles I had in Cuba.
Speaking Spanish When You Solo Travel to Cuba
If you’re wondering, “Is it safe to travel to Cuba alone?” I recommend learning a few Spanish words before setting off on your adventure. You will find very few English speakers in Cuba, especially outside tourist areas. Download Duolingo and learn some essential Spanish keywords and phrases. My Spanish is okay, and I struggled to understand people in Cuba! They speak very differently—most people understood what I was trying to say, even if I couldn’t understand them!
The people I met traveling in Cuba who knew no Spanish struggled but didn’t find it impossible. You can make life easier by booking accommodations in Casas, where the host speaks English. That way, they can help you.
Alternatively, ensure you have downloaded the Spanish Translate app on your phone. It works offline and can be a lifesaver.
Quick Tip: View my full Cuba packing guide here including a downloadable checklist. And check out my Cuba Essentials shopping list here.
Example Solo Budget for Cuba:
- Accommodations $40-50 per day: In Havana, you can find $20 beds easily; outside of Havana, expect to pay $40 per night for a room. If you want to spend less, book your accommodation before you go on Airbnb.
- Food $35 per day: I mostly spent less than this, but I did splash out a few times. $40 a day is a fair budget. You can eat for less, but I wouldn’t budget less than $25 a day. If you like your food and plan to eat three meals daily, budget $30-35.
- Drinks $5-15 per day: I don’t drink much, but when Mojitos are $5, it’s rude not to have a few. I mostly drink water and treat myself on a few occasions. $20 a day is a good budget average. If you are a heavy drinker, then double this!
- Travel: This depends on where you go and how much you plan to travel. A colectivo from Havana to Trinidad costs $30. On average, you will pay between $25 and $40 to travel between towns. The best way to determine the price is to check how much it costs on the bus and add $5.
- Activities and tours: If you want to do one thing in each place you travel to, budget $30-50. That should be enough for at least one tour or activity per day.
Is Cuba Safe for Solo Female Travelers? Final Thoughts
Is traveling to Cuba safe for solo female travelers? Based on my solo travel Cuba experiences, I can confidently say it’s a safe destination for women. That doesn’t mean I felt completely comfortable 24/7, but I never felt dangerous traveling there.
Of course, basic safety measures like staying aware of my surroundings and keeping an eye on my belongings were important. I felt as secure as I have in many other Latin American countries.
So, if you’re contemplating a Cuba solo female travel experience, go for it! Just exercise the usual precautions, and you’ll likely have a fantastic and safe time.
Quick Tip: View my full safety tips here for women traveling solo
Cuba Travel Guide Planning
🧳 Any recommendations on what I should pack for Cuba?
Yes! I have created a whole packing guide to Cuba which you can read here and you can also check out my packing list for Cuba on Amazon here.
🚗 Where can I book bus or private transportation while I’m in Cuba?
I strongly recommend using GottoGo. You can book almost all transport in the major Mexican tourist destinations through them online. They don’t just cover buses they also cover shuttles, ferries, and private drivers.
🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in Cuba?
I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide.
If you are traveling to Cancun you can use GoCity and save up to 55% of the initial cost of entrance tickets to various museums, tours, and attractions!
If you are traveling to Playa del Carmen then I recommend booking through my friend Vanessa at Turismo Channel. You can check out their tours by clicking here and using the following discount codes for the best prices clairecaroff (car rental), claire10off (for 10% off group tours), claireprivate (for a discount on private tours). You can also send her a WhatsApp message quoting the above codes to receive the discount.
👩⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?
I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance.
I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here.
✈️ Any flight recommendations?
WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.
📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?
I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.
With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using either Airhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.
🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?
The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia. They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.
🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?
I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack.
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