Drinking on a Budget in Cuba

Think of Cuba and rum isn’t far behind, but if you don’t know where to drink you can end up blowing your budget in the bars. In the tourist bars of Havana you can pay up to $7 for a mojito, expensive in many parts of the world. If you want to save some money, avoid the famous names like El Floridita and Bodeguita del Medio in favor of lesser-known alternatives.

Check out El Chanchullero for cheap cocktails, and even the opulent Hotel Inglaterra is affordable. For those on a tight budget, look for state-run bars where you can get local rum for 50 cents per shot and beers for $1.50.

You’ll struggle to find beers much cheaper than that, but you can stock up on rum in the shops and drink it on the street. In Cuba, street drinking is completely legal as long as you’re not wasted. Look out for the small juice cartons of Ron Cubay for $2.

Cubans do like to have a good time, and you won’t be short of options if you want to have a drink. Just make sure you keep an eye on the pennies, as the bills always add up.