Life & The Cost of Living in Havana
As the capital and largest city in Cuba, Havana is the center of Cuban social, cultural, and political life and home to the country’s most important educational, cultural, economic, and political institutions. CASA students live and study in a privileged location for understanding the social, political, and economic complexities of this fascinating nation.
Students reside in the municipality of the Plaza of the Revolution — in the leafy, tree-lined streets of the Vedado neighborhood — and take classes at two prestigious educational and cultural institutions. The program's host institution, Casa de las Américas, is just steps away from the famous Malecón promenade, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Relations, and the Institute for International Relations. The University of Havana is located in the heart of the city, between 23rd Avenue and the Plaza of the Revolution. Vedado’s 23rd Avenue is home to Havana’ most important cinemas, which host the Festival of New Latin America Cinema each December and show a wide variety of films from across the world each week. Vedado’s second important thoroughfare, Linea, is home to Cuba’s theater district.
This area of Vedado is also home to important institutions like the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television, the Cuban Film Institute, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Sugar, the Association of Young Artists “Hermanos Saíz,” the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, the Union of Artists and Writers of Cuba (UNEAC), and many other important national institutions.
The neighborhood of Vedado is seen by many in Havana as the contemporary heart of the city. Many of the city’s public transportation networks converge in the neighborhood, connecting students to the diverse neighborhoods that make up Cuba’s capital.
Much social life in Havana’s populous neighborhoods takes place in public spaces, on stoops of crowded apartments, in parks, in street-corner domino games of the older generations, and street soccer games of Havana’s youth. The Coppelia Ice Cream parlor on the corner of 23rd and L and the Malecón, known as Havana’s living room, are emblematic traditional social spaces for many Cubans. More recently, numerous public WiFi areas have become new spaces of socialization in the city. Theses parks allow students and locals to keep in touch with family and friends abroad. Since 2011, a new group of privately owned bars, restaurants, gyms, bakeries, and shops have emerged, providing spaces of socialization for foreign visitors and a small group of economically privileged locals.
To get to know the diverse cultural activities programmed in Havana, check the “Carteleras” published by Ministry of Culture:
Cultural platforms of the city
Aguacero - Cultural dissemination platform
Aguacero
La Papeleta, Mincult cultural billboard
La Madriguera AHS - La Habana
AHS - Official Page of Young Art
Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, - Young Art and Culture.
Cartelera Cultural OnCuba
Program Costs
Before arriving in Havana, you should budget your anticipated expenses for the entire semester. The budget should take into account spending on transportation, cell phone data, school materials, eating out, cultural and social activities, as well as independent travel.
The budget presented below is approximate and reflects basic expenses – based on previous student experiences – that you should account for in your financial planning. It does not include estimates for personal independent travel outside of Havana nor for social activities, as these expenses will vary widely by each individual student.
Please note that due to economic sanctions against Cuba, it is practically impossible to withdraw cash or use US-issued debit or credit cards. It is also very difficult to transfer hard currency to Cuba. Please plan ahead financially and take as much cash (USD or EUR) with you as you think you will need. If your financial situation allows, bring a little more cash than less, and take back home whatever money you do not spend.
Cost Table
| Expense | Expense Type | Fall 2025 | Spring 2026 |
| Program Fee* | Billed by home institution | Refer to home institution | Refer to home institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing Fee (includes housing, loundry and partial board/breakfast and dinner) | Billed by home institution | $5,200 | $5,200 |
| Health Insurance (this refers to home school insurance; all students are enrolled in Cuban health insurance at no additional cost) | Billed by home institution | Refer to home institution | Refer to home institution |
| Airfare (round-trip flight to Havana; varies depending on departure location) | Direct Student Cost | $1200 | $1200 |
| Partial Board (lunches) | Direct Student Cost | $600 | $800 |
| Baggage Fees*** | Direct Student Cost | varies | varies |
| Personal (estimate varies according to individual spending habits) | Direct Student Cost | $1000 | $800 |
| Local Transport | Direct Student Cost | $300 | $200 |
| Books/Printing | Direct Student Cost | $50 | $50 |
| Immunizations and Medications (if applicable and not covered by insurance) | Direct Student Cost | n/a | n/a |
| Internet/Communication | Direct Student Cost | $220 | $150 |
Program Fee includes: pre-departure and on-site orientations, in-program cultural activities and excursions.
CASA Cuba Withdrawal Policy
Should you who withdraw from the program, you will be charged a non-refundable housing fee according to the following table:
Needs to be updated to CASA wide new withdrawal policy
Housing & Withdrawal Costs
| Withdrawal Date: | Fee: |
| 61+ days prior to the start of the program | 0% of housing cost |
| 60-31 days prior to the start of the program | 50% of housing cost |
| 30-1 day prior to the start of the program | 75% of housing cost |
| Program start date or after | 100% of housing cost |
Student Testimonials
