Living & Costs
Rent, costs, payments, internet and health — Havana orientation; notes on shortages and cards.
Updated: Research as of: November 2026
Rent (Havana orientation)
Numbeo averages for Havana (Oct 2026). Casas particulares and short stays vary; often quoted in USD.
Havana rent (Numbeo, ca. USD / month)
| Type | ca. USD |
|---|---|
| 1 BR center | 248 |
| 1 BR outside | 214 |
| 3 BR center | 884 |
| 3 BR outside | 506 |
Shopping & eating out
Numbeo Havana extract (ca. USD)
| Item | ca. USD |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive restaurant | 3.60 |
| Meal for 2 | 27.50 |
| Fast-food combo | 5 |
| Cappuccino | 1 |
| Internet 60+ Mbps | 90 |
| Mobile plan 10GB+ | 39 |
Goods availability fluctuates; markets, rationing systems and private actors (MSMEs/TCP) shape supply.
Payments & daily life
- CUP is legal tender; USD/EUR are common for visitors.
- US-issued cards do not work. Other international cards: limited, uncertain acceptance — bring cash.
- MLC: banking denomination, not tourist cash.
- Power outages and shortages (fuel, water, goods) are reported — buffers and offline copies.
Monthly budget
- 1 BR center rent ca. USD 250/month (Numbeo).
- Food and local transport can be low; hotels and transfers raise costs.
- Internet/mobile: often ETECSA prepaid; reliability varies.
Health
Medical insurance is mandatory on entry. Clinics for foreigners often charge in foreign currency up front. Bring essential medicines.
- Cover care and evacuation/repatriation.
- Tropical health advice before travel.
- Emergency contacts offline.
Price disclaimer
Sources
Disclaimer: This page is for general guidance only and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules and prices change — verify with official sources.