Travel tips

How to:

The author travelled with small-group tour operator G Adventures on its Central Cuba Adventure trip. The eight-day tour focuses on the centre regions of the island and includes transportation, homestays and breakfasts.

Getting there:

There are no direct flights from Singapore to Havana; the easiest and cheapest route is to fly to Tokyo and to Havana via Mexico City on AeroMexico. Cost: S$1,500.

When to go:

The best time to visit Havana is in spring (April-June), during off-peak tourist season. It can get extremely crowded during July and August and from December to March. Cuba has a hot and sunny tropical climate with an average temperature of 24 degrees Celsius all year round. The dry season runs from November to April, when temperatures can drop to 15 degrees Celsius in the mountains. Try to avoid the hurricane season that runs from June to November.

Budget:

It’s important to note that Cuba has two units of currency: The Cuban peso (CUP) and the Cuban convertible peso (CUC). Foreign visitors use the CUC and most restaurants and hotels charge in CUC. However, if you are using the public bus or buying drinks, it’s best to use CUP to avoid overpaying. The average price for a homestay is at S$35/night and S$10 for a local restaurant meal.