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Back to Guanabo

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Voykit pocket guide · Cuba

Guanabo

Skip unless you want a quiet, local beach town near Havana: half a day for a swim and a meal, or one night if you need a cheap base.

Guanabo is a small seaside town 30–40 km east of Havana, with a so-so beach but a genuine Cuban feel, many casas particulares and a handful of good restaurants. It works as a half-day escape from Havana or a one-night stop if you want to avoid the hotel strip.

HavanaArtemisaBaracoaCamagüeyCayo CocoCayo GuillermoCayo LargoCiego de ÁvilaCienfuegosFloridaGuanajayGuantánamo BayGuantánamoHolguínGuanabo100 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Cuba
Best months
Nov–Apr
Avoid
May–Oct (rainy season, heat)
Stay
1 night

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
CUP
Money
Currency is the Cuban peso (CUP). There are three official rates: 24 and 120 CUP per US dollar for state accounting, and a managed "floating" rate launched in December 2025 (about 680 CUP per US$1 in late September 2026). The informal street rate tracked by elTOQUE was about 730 CUP per US$1 on 26 September 2026. Rates move weekly — check before you go (checked 2026-09).
Daily spend
Budget CUP 1,000–2,000 excl. bed · Mid CUP 2,000–4,000 excl. bed · High CUP 4,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
ETECSA is the only operator; tourist SIMs and eSIMs are sold with passport at the airport and ETECSA offices (check eSIM).
Emergency
Police 106 · Ambulance 104 · Fire 105
Plugs
Types A, B, C, L · 110 V and 220 V · 60 Hz · Casas often have both; check before plugging in.
Tipping
Restaurants: 10% in cash.; Casa hosts, drivers, musicians: US$1–5.
Water
Do not drink tap water; bottled water can be scarce, so bring a filter bottle or tablets.
Toilets
Often without seats or paper; carry tissue and small coins for attendants.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Pizza at PiccoloCUP 200–400
Mixed grill at MaedaCUP 300–600
Beer (bottle)CUP 50–100
CoffeeCUP 20–40
Taxi within townCUP 100–200

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

HAV · José Martí International Airport
About 40 km (25 mi) west; taxi to Guanabo about 1 h, check price

Typical fares

Bus 400 Havana–Guanabo
about 0.40 CUP, about 1 h (check)
Taxi Havana–Guanabo
about 20 CUC / CUP 2,000 (check)
Hershey train to Havana (seasonal)
check price and schedule locally
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Walkable town; for the Hershey train station (2 km (1.2 mi) south) take a taxi or bici-taxi.

See and do

Known for

  • Local beach town atmosphere
  • Casas particulares
  • Wood-fired pizza at Piccolo
  • Hershey Train connection

Day trips

WhereHowTime
HavanaBus 400 or taxiAbout 1 h
Santa Maria del MarTaxi or bus, about 10 minAbout 20 min
VaraderoTaxi or bus via via BlancaAbout 2 h

Sleep

Town centre
Most casas particulares are within a few blocks of the beach and restaurants.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
HelloHolaoh-lah
Thank youGraciasgrah-see-ahs
How much is it?¿Cuánto cuesta?kwahn-toh kwes-tah
Do you have a room?¿Tiene una habitación?tyeh-neh oo-nah ah-bee-tah-see-ohn
Where is the beach?¿Dónde está la playa?dohn-deh es-tah lah plah-yah

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Handshake, or a cheek kiss among acquaintances; avoid: Rushing straight to business
  • Casas: Respect the family's routine and water use; avoid: Leaving air conditioning on in blackouts or low supply
  • Shortages: Share useful supplies if asked; avoid: Handing out gifts in the street
  • Politics: Let hosts lead; avoid: Pushing people to criticise the government

Scams and watch-outs

  • Beach is not the cleanest: check conditions before swimming.
  • Bus 400 from Havana costs 0.40 CUP but can be crowded; taxis are about 20 CUC (check).
  • Hershey train runs only in season and is slow; verify schedule locally.
  • Bring cash: ATMs are rare and cards may not work.

Generally safe for tourists, but petty theft can happen on the beach and on crowded buses. Keep valuables in your casa.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Guanabo yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Local beach town atmosphere
  • Casas particulares
  • Wood-fired pizza at Piccolo
  • Hershey Train connection

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Guanabo

A esta dirección, por favor

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

Carry small CUP bills; change is often scarce.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/guanabo). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.