The best part about traveling to Cuba is that you don’t have to plan anything — here's why

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December 19, 2017 6:50 PM

Cuba is an exciting travel destination, but the best part is you can travel without planning ahead. Business Insider has travel tips that could save you money.

Traveling to Cuba is different from vacationing in most other countries.
Many of the best and most reasonably priced lodging and activities are only available on the island because of the lack of internet.
If you don't book ahead of time and instead book things on the island, you will likely save money and make sure more of your tourism dollars go to actual Cubans.

Not booking ahead of time will save you money and direct more of your tourism dollars to actual Cubans, rather than the Communist Party or American corporations.

Once you get to Cuba, however, you realize the system actually works efficiently if you don’t book ahead. That’s because of the "casa particulare" system.

"Casa particulares" are everywhere, marked by this blue insignia on the front of houses.

Your host will be knowledgeable about the best tourist activities (a guided tour, horseback riding, snorkeling, a taxi to the next city) and will be happy to arrange it for you. Again, for a commission of a couple dollars.

In addition, casa owners all will make a delicious breakfast or dinner for you for a relatively cheap price. And if you want to go out, they will have recommendations.

Or you can head into town and find a tour guide, taxi driver, or activity organizer yourself to avoid the commission.

There are no shortage of taxi drivers on the street who will travel distances both near and far, tour guides offering all different kinds of tours, and casa particulares to stay in.

One note: There are two crucial parts to making the non-planning work.

You're likely arguing over a few bucks in an impoverished country. Don't be greedy.

A few ballpark prices to remember (in CUC, which is roughly equivalent to US dollar):

These have likely changed slightly since last year when I visited:

- Casa particulare: 20-40 CUC/night, depending on quality (size of room, quality of bed, air conditioning, location, if breakfast is included, etc)

- Meals at casa: 5 CUC for breakfast, 10-15 CUC for dinner

- Taxi from Jose Marti International Airport to downtown Havana: 20-30 CUC

- Taxi between cities: roughly equivalent to the Viazul bus price for the route

- Taxi rides in a city: 2-12 CUC, but most should be around 3-5 CUC

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