Cuba has a modest but very present tipping culture. In restaurants, taxis, and for personal services, all tips are at your discretion. Many locals, especially those working in the service industries, are poorly compensated for their work so tipping helps them earn decent wages. Knowing who and how much to tip in Cuba is not always an easy task. Refer to this blog for your ultimate guide to tipping in Cuba.
Who should I tip in Cuba?
Cubans tend to tip anyone who offers them any kind of service. Cuban people will leave tips for waitresses at restaurants, grocery store cashiers, mechanics, bartenders, taxi drivers, barbers, maids, etc. During your travels in Cuba, we suggest tipping anyone who gave you service that went above and beyond their duties. Also, anyone who helped enhance your experience is a very good candidate for a tip. If you did not receive exemplary service, you are not required to tip.
You can tip anyone who gives you great service in Cuba.
What currency should I use for tips in Cuba?
A tip in any currency will be appreciated but we recommend that US travelers tip in USD or CUP (the local Cuban currency) while in Cuba. If you’re from another country, tips in EUR are generally accepted if you’re not bringing USD. For more information on what currency to use in Cuba, check out our blog about Exchanging Money in Cuba.
Leaving a tip of 10% of the total bill in restaurants and bars is a good rule of thumb.
When tipping in USD, you might want to leave a 1 – 2 USD tip. When eating out, you might consider tipping as a group and taking turns. For example, one person will tip for the group with a 5 or 10 USD bill at a meal. And at the next meal, someone else can leave the tip and so on.
When tipping in USD, we recommend bringing about $30 – $50 worth in 1/5 USD bills to leave as tips.
When tipping in CUP, the 10% rule also applies, but it’s a bit trickier and involves a little more math. The exchange rate for CUP vs USD may be different in private businesses than in the government exchange offices. Many restaurants will value 1 USD at varying rates so be sure to ask.
If you pay in USD, you’ll more than likely receive change in CUP. Before calculating your tip in CUP, you should ask what the restaurant’s exchange rate is for CUP vs USD.
From there, the example below explains tipping in CUP:
The restaurant values 1 dollar at 180 CUP.
Your meal at a local restaurant costs 15 dollars.
You pay with a 20-dollar bill. Your change is 900 CUP (5 dollars).
You want to leave a tip of 2 dollars in CUP.
2 dollars x 180 CUP = 360 CUP* is the tip in local currency.
*You can just round up to 400 CUP to make it easy on yourself!
It’s up to you in what currency you tip in Cuba… USD, EUR, or CUP.
How much should I tip in Cuba?
How much to tip in Cuba is always up to you, but as mentioned previously, 10% of the total bill is acceptable in a restaurant. You’re always free to leave more if you feel like the service you have received went above and beyond the call of duty. Below is a recommended list of who and how much to tip in Cuba:
Taxi drivers: 1 – 2 USD (if very good)
Luggage porter: 1 – 2 USD per suitcase (keep in mind weight & size, more if very big and heavy)
Waiter/Bartender: 10% of the total bill
Cleaning ladies: 1 – 2 USD per day
Local guide/Trip leader: 5 – 10 USD per day (or in one lump sum at the end of the trip)
Bus driver: 2 – 4 USD per day (or in one lump sum at the end of the trip)
Don’t worry about who or how much to tip. Just do what you feel is right and come ready to enjoy the beauty of Cuba!
Tipping in Cuba is really all up to you; there are no set rules. Just tip what you feel is right and deserved. Remember that those who give you service will usually be appreciative of any tip you may give. Another way to help the Cuban people is to bring gifts with you to Cuba due to the lack of access to goods there. Check out our blog about bringing gifts for the Cuban People to learn more about this. Happy travels!
Want to know what gifts you can bring for the Cuban people to help them? In Cuba, most people lack access to a lot of the things that we would consider basic necessities. Most of you, including travelers on our 9-day trip, will visit Cuba under the OFAC category “Support for the Cuban People”. Your trip is a great opportunity to bring some small things that could make a big difference and help the Cuban people. Below is a list of some ideas for gifts for the Cuban people you can bring.
Why bring gifts for the Cuban people?
There is an embargo placed on Cuba by the U.S. and Cuba’s government tightly controls the distribution of goods to the people. A combination of these two things (as well as many other political, economic, and social factors) makes getting items that most consider basic necessities very difficult in Cuba. For example, many of us wouldn’t think twice about running to the local pharmacy to pick up some Ibuprofen or Aspirin if we have a headache. This simple task isn’t so easy in Cuba because shortages of over-the-counter medicines as well as prescription medications are common, especially these days.
Due to shortages of everything from cooking oil to antihistamines and everything in between, we always recommend that travelers to Cuba who want to help bring gifts for the Cuban people to donate to those in need. You don’t have to pack your suitcase full of donations, but if you have some spare space in your luggage, basic items to help the people of Cuba are a great way to do some good while traveling.
The embargo is just one factor that makes getting basic goods very difficult in Cuba.
What gifts to bring for the Cuban people?
Any gift for the Cuban people you bring will usually be appreciated as there are shortages of pretty much everything you could imagine. However, there are three main things that are extremely hard to come by in Cuba: medicine, clothing, and toiletries.
Medicine
Most over-the-counter medicines, ointments, vitamins, supplements, etc. are next to impossible to find in Cuba. These are probably the most necessary things that are hardest to come by for the Cuban people. Below is a list of ideas for medicines and medical supplies you could bring:
Ibuprofen/Aspirin/Paracetamol
Antihistamines
Antacids
Antibacterial ointment/cream
Vicks Vaporub
Bandages
Hydrogen peroxide
Sterile gauze pads
Anti-itch creams for children
Toiletries
Anything related to personal hygiene is hard to obtain in Cuba. When you can find it, the supply is very low or it’s very expensive for the average Cuban person. Here is a list of things that don’t take up much space in your suitcase and would make great gifts for the Cuban people:
Bars of soap
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Sponges/Loofahs
Feminine hygiene products
Baby powder
Disposable razors
PRO TIP: If you bring shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel for your trip, you can just leave them behind for the cleaning lady at your casa and even if they’re just half full, they’ll make great gifts for the Cuban people. And as a bonus, your suitcase will be much lighter on the way back home!
Clothes
Clothing of any kind can also be difficult to find for many Cuban people. When you can find it, it’s expensive, very low-quality, and often in poor condition. For this reason, we always suggest bringing clothes as gifts for the Cuban people. They don’t have to be brand new or high fashion; even lightly used, but in good condition is alright.
PRO TIP: We recommend children’s clothing because these are often the most expensive and difficult to find in Cuba.
Miscellaneous
Pretty much everything under the sun in Cuba is hard to find so any little extras that you would like to bring will be great gifts for the Cuban people. If you bring bottles of any liquids or creams, even half-full bottles are OK! The items below are not essential but are still hard to get. Here is a list of miscellaneous items that you can bring to help out the Cuban people:
Rechargeable batteries and lightbulbs (due to the recent power outages)
Perfumes/Colognes
Lotions/Beauty creams
Makeup
Deflated soccer/basket-/kickballs
Small, handheld ball pump
Children’s backpacks
Hair accessories (i.e. brushes, combs, hair ties, bobby pins, etc.)
USB cables (for phone chargers)
AA or AAA batteries
Pens/markers
Small candies or lollipops
Any gifts, big or small, will be greatly appreciated by the Cuban people.
Who do I give my gifts for the Cuban people to?
Most travelers on our small group trips have told us that they weren’t sure who to give their gifts for the Cuban people to. It can be hard or awkward to decide who to offer them to. We understand that giving them to a random person on the street can be uncomfortable. We recommend giving your gifts to the cleaning ladies at your casa particular. They are often part-time hires by the casa owners and make less than the average Cuban so they are great recipients of these gifts. You can give them the gifts in person or leave them in your room with a little note at the end of your stay.
PRO TIP: The casa particular owners are often in better economic situations than many other Cubans as they usually have family in the US or overseas that often help them with goods and money. They’ll be appreciative of any gifts you may have for them, but we recommend giving your gifts to the cleaning ladies as they typically earn less and have access to less.
Traveling to Cuba is an experience of a lifetime so why not do some good while you’re there?
Pretty much any Cuban person you encounter on the island will usually be happy to receive a gift in any form as long as it is offered with a warm smile. Gifts for the Cuban people are not mandatory but can make a big difference. Whatever you decide to bring and whoever you decide to give it to will be very much appreciated. Happy travels!
Cuba is somewhat uncharted territory for many travelers and there are a lot of questions surrounding travel to the island. Cultural visits in support of the Cuban people for US travelers are a bit of a novelty. This is our list of the top 10 Cuba travel tips to help prepare you for your trip so you can have the best time ever!
#1: Things will break down
The old colonial buildings and vintage cars are amazing. However, they are old and that means they often break down. Replacement parts for things that you may consider basic are hard to come by in Cuba. If a replacement part is needed, Cubans have to improvise with whatever they have. They cannot simply order the part online or go to a shop and buy it. There is usually never an easy or quick way to fix things that break because Cuba still lacks a lot of resources to make repairs.
It’s important to come to Cuba with this in mind and a good amount of patience. For example, if something breaks at your casa particular, kindly speak to someone working there about whatever appliance is broken and understand that it may or may not be able to be fixed during your stay. Your host will do their utmost to make you feel at home and comfortable.
Classic cars are beautiful but old and prone to breakdowns
#2: Expect limited internet and phone access
Telecommunication in Cuba has improved a lot over the years. However, cell phone and internet usage are still very limited on the island. For US travelers, some of your service providers may advertise call and text messaging in Cuba. They typically have very high roaming charges for incoming/outgoing calls and texts though. Even if your provider says that you will have service in Cuba, it is very possible that you won’t have service during your trip. Calls and texts might work, but the internet (data) on your phone will not. When you land in Cuba, you will usually get a message from your service provider with the cost of texts and calls.
The internet can be hard to come by in Cuba. Be prepared to have only a few chances at most to connect on our 9-day trip. It can be accessed at some telecommunication stores in the form of WiFi cards. These cards can be used in designated public squares, parks, and some hotels. On our trips, your guide will point out where you can purchase the WiFi cards and use them. Most major tourist hotels or Etecsa sales points sell the cards. Unfortunately, even when purchasing these cards, the connection can be spotty at best.
WiFi cards
It’s best to inform your family and friends not to expect daily emails, calls, and messages from you during your visit to Cuba. Also, let them know not to worry if they don’t hear from you since the internet can never be guaranteed in Cuba. If you travel with us, we will have your emergency contact information and in case of an emergency, we will contact the number you provide us.
We know it can be hard because we are so used to having lots of telecommunication options at our fingertips. Try to enjoy this “digital detox” opportunity! It’s not every day that you have an excuse not to be glued to your phone, tablet, or computer!
#3: Learn a little Spanish
Spanish is the official language of Cuba. Don’t expect to be able to speak English everywhere you go. If you stay in a casa particular, there might be little to no English spoken. If it is spoken, it could be broken and/or limited. When visiting a store, restaurant or bar, interaction in English is not always guaranteed. Many non-Spanish speaking visitors to Cuba rely on gestures as a means of communication which are part of the fun of traveling!
We suggest learning some key phrases in Spanish before going. We suggest the standard “Please” and “Thank you” as well as “I would like…”, “How much is it?” and “It’s OK.” It’s also wise to brush up on food and numbers before you go. Most guidebooks will have useful phrases in them. Also, Duolingo is a free online learning tool that we love to help you learn some basic Spanish.
#4: Stay in a casa particular
A casa particular is a type of accommodation in Cuba. It is similar to a guesthouse or bed and breakfast. You can find casa particulares in most large- to mid-sized cities and in some smaller, more well-traveled towns in Cuba. You can identify a casa particular by the mandatory sticker with a blue anchor on the door. This indicates that it is a legal accommodation for foreign visitors.
Casa particulares are one of the best ways to have a more authentic experience in Cuba.
Casa particulares are generally very safe. Most have a small safe inside each room where you can securely store your valuables. They are owned and operated by private Cuban citizens who often live on the property. A casa may consist of up to 5 – 7 rooms or as little as 2 – 3 rooms. On our 9-day trip, we only stay at casa particulares.
The families who own and work at the casa will try their best to make you feel at home. Most casa particular owners are very friendly and love to talk to guests. Our travelers have said that the casa particulares in Cuba were highlights of their trip. The casas provide a great opportunity to interact with everyday Cubans. They also offer a different experience than staying in hotels.
Please note that power outages are becoming increasingly common. These may happen with little to no notice and are mostly due to the country’s very outdated and crumbling power supply plants.
#5: Don’t visit Cuba during hurricane season
Hurricane season in Cuba is from June to November. Hurricanes are most likely to happen in September and October. We don’t recommend traveling to Cuba during these months. Hurricanes don’t occur frequently in Cuba, but they can happen. Our trips are in March, November, and December/January to avoid peak hurricane season in Cuba.
Americans cannot use any debit or credit cards in Cuba. No US card will work in Cuba. Even if you’re not American, we do not recommend relying on any card as a main method of payment.
Cash is king in Cuba!
Some may advise you to get an MLC debit card on arrival in Cuba. We do not recommend getting this card. The Cuban government produces it and it works primarily at state-run businesses. We do not patronize these places on our trips. Most private restaurants, bars, casa particulares, etc. do not have card readers and will not accept payment by any type of card.
#7: Get a visa (Cuban tourist card)
A Cuban visa, also known as a tourist card, is mandatory for many travelers to Cuba, including those from the US. Most of you won’t need to fill out an application or hand in your passport to an embassy. If you’re from the US, you can usually get your Cuban visa with the airline you’re flying with.
Most travelers must get a Cuban tourist card (visa) to enter Cuba.
You can usually purchase your Cuban visa at check-in or at the departure gate of your flight to Cuba by credit/debit card only. If you have questions, it’s best to call your airline. Alternatively, you can pre-purchase your Cuban visa online with Cuba Visa Services.
If you’re not from the US, it’s best to contact your nearest Cuban embassy to see if you need a Cuban visa and how to go about getting one.
To learn more about the Cuban visa (tourist card) and how to get it, check out our How to Get a Cuban Visa blog!
#8: Pack everything you’ll need
Wondering what to pack for your trip to Cuba? Our advice is to pack everything you’ll need and double of the necessities. Finding phone chargers, shampoo, conditioner, bandages, aspirin, socks, and pretty much everything else in between are hard to find in Cuba. If you can find them, they are very expensive. That’s why it’s best to pack everything you think you’ll need. If you have any extras, you can leave them behind as gifts for the Cuban people.
Travelers from the US must travel to Cuba for one of the categories approved by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC). You can see the approved categories on the US Department of the Treasury’s OFAC website. All of our 9-day trips go under the category “Support for the Cuban People”. We adhere to the required full-time schedule of activities as relating to this category.
#10: Realistic food expectations
Food in Cuba is delicious but tends to be very simple due to extreme food shortages on the island. There isn’t much variety compared to what you’re used to and much of the food is what’s in season and it’s generally organic as Cuba doesn’t rely heavily on pesticides and GMOs. The best thing to do is to have the correct expectations as food in Cuba may not be as plentiful or great in variety as where you’re from. Most still find it delicious despite the food shortages. Dishes are always handmade and prepared with lots of love!
Here are some more things to know to help you prepare for your trip to Cuba:
Electricity outages with little to no notice
No toilet seats on some public toilets
No toilet paper in public bathrooms or for purchase from a bathroom attendant
Toilet paper goes in the trash bin, NOT into the toilet
Minimal water pressure in showers
Lack of air conditioning in many restaurants and public buildings
Smoking allowed in many establishments
Lack of hot water
No elevators; be ready to walk up 2 – 4 flights or more
Cuba is beautiful, but it’s worth preparing yourself for your trip to the island!
Cuba is a very unique and beautiful place that deserves a place on your bucket list. With these tips to help prepare you, you’ll have a trip of a lifetime in Cuba! Happy travels!
I never even thought about going to Cuba – it has been off-limits my entire lifetime. But then, over the course of an hour, not one, but two emails came into my inbox promoting a trip, and I thought it must be a sign! A sign to take a trip to Cuba! And it seemed really important to go now, before the trade embargo lifts and our US commercialism mentality charges full steam into Cuba, destroying the quaint and simple lifestyle it has enjoyed since Christopher Columbus discovered it in 1492.
But here was the thing – even though I am a seasoned world traveler, I felt a bit nervous about going to a place that few Americans had visited. I tried researching information and did find some, but even with that little bit of info, it still seemed better to travel with a tour group familiar with Cuba’s customs and history.
So we ended up picking Globe Drifters as our tour group of choice, and boy, are we glad we did!
A Crazy Time to Visit Cuba
As luck would have it, we opted to go to Cuba, a third-world country by anyone’s standards, at the worst possible time. We picked the week the U.S. President decided to go too. And the Rolling Stones decided to have a concert that week. Oh, and it was Spring Break, Holy Week, and, of course, Easter.
What were we thinking? Here was a country struggling to support itself, and suddenly it was about to handle an overwhelming number of visitors. Even though Americans have only recently been allowed to travel to Cuba, other countries, especially Canada and Great Britain, have been traveling there for years.
So we booked the trip, very excited to go, but the challenges started right away. Our charter got canceled. We ran into problems with our casa particulares (the homes where we were staying throughout our trip). Havana shut down for the Presidential visit. There were no ATM machines, barely any Internet, and no cell service. If we had been on our own, we would have felt cut off, isolated, and unsure what to do.
How Globe Drifters Saved the Trip
It was Globe Drifters to the rescue! Not only did they have connections and experience in Cuban travel, but they engaged a Cuban tour company that chauffeured us from town to town. They made sure our accommodation was reasonable, showed us the best places to visit (and eat!), and explained Cuban history and culture at every opportunity.
If it hadn’t been for Globe Drifters and Jodie, Rebecca, and our guide, Tatiana, our trip could well have been a disaster. So yes, while it was challenging and sometimes downright ridiculous, it was also an amazing, beautiful, fun, and exciting adventure. And that is the key to a successful Cuban vacation – you must remember it is an adventure.
I was amazed by how much I didn’t know before traveling to Cuba. Globe Drifters puts out a fair amount of good information before you go, but there were still unexpected surprises and, of course, unforeseen complications due to the particular week we visited.
What I Learned
When we returned to the US after our weeklong visit, it occurred to me that other Americans opting to go to Cuba might benefit from a comprehensive ‘how to’ travel guide. So I wrote An American In Cuba, a quick and downloadable e-book travel guide.
Now is the time to go to Cuba, before it is disturbed by all the corporations chomping at the bit to get into the country and build a coffee shop and discount superstore on every corner. Go now! Consider Globe Drifters as your tour company and, for sure, download An American In Cuba, available for download at Amazon. For just $3.99, it may help you have an unforgettable Cuban travel experience.
*Leslie Spoor is an entrepreneur and founder/president of two successful companies – Executive Errands®, a lifestyle management company in the Palm Springs area (www.executive-errands.com), and Concierge Business Solutions® (www.conciergebusinesssolutions.com), a consulting company for small business owners and a software development company that services clients all across the US and internationally. Leslie may be reached by email at in**@************************ns.com
And if you’d like to see Cuba for yourself, check out our next 9-day trip to Cuba here.Happy travels!
