Havana MIPYME Scouting Week
A structured first week for a founder evaluating a Cuban private MSME (MIPYME) — the legal form, a notary, sector contacts and the everyday reality of operating in Havana — with working dinners at the paladares that ARE the private economy.
For: Founders & operators evaluating a MIPYME
1 · Budget first
A transparent, itemised estimate for 1 traveller · 5 nights · business tier. Every line is a planner range in USD — an estimate to budget with, not a quote.
| International airfare | $300 – $950 |
| Entry documents (tourist card) | $30 – $75 |
| Travel insurance | $40 – $150 |
| Accommodation | $475 – $975 |
| Local transportation | $450 – $885 |
| Food | $450 – $825 |
| Guides & activities | $200 – $600 |
| Connectivity | $15 – $55 |
| Tips | $25 – $100 |
| Water, laundry & sundries | $15 – $60 |
| Emergency reserve | $170 – $559 |
| Total (1 traveller) | $2,170 – $5,234 |
- Per traveller
- $2,170 – $5,234
- Per day
- $434 – $1,047
- Ground only (no airfare)
- $1,700 – $3,725
- Airfare est. / traveller
- $300 – $950
Basis: business hotel · business food · private driver · 5 guided days.
Adjust every number in the planner →Estimates in USD to help you budget — not observed prices, quotes or guaranteed availability. Most US cards don’t work in Cuba; carry cash and keep the reserve.
2 · Fly in
Miami (MIA) → Havana (HAV) — José Martí International
Cuba's principal international gateway — the only truly diversified one, with links across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa.
Example dates 2026-10-24 → 2026-10-29 (adjust on the live search). CubaAtlas books nothing — these open live results:
3 · Day by day
Where to sleep and dine each day is a real listing from the CubaAtlas provider dataset, nearest your base.
Morning
Land at José Martí; settle in Vedado.Afternoon
Ground orientation: currency reality (MLC/USD/CUP), connectivity, transport.Evening
Working dinner at a leading paladar — the private sector in practice.Business step: Read the CubaAtlas 'starting a business' guide end-to-end before day 2.
StayHotel Nacional de Cuba5★ · Grupo Hotelero Gran Caribe S.A · La Habana(53 7) 836 3564- Ext:168Website ↗Map →Source: Cuba Travel (MINTUR official portal)DinnerCantabria, Restaurante Hotel Armadores de SantanderCimex · Internacional · La Habana(537)8628000Map →Source: Cuba Travel (MINTUR official portal)Open Havana on the map →Nearby: Viñales, Varadero, MatanzasMorning
Understand the MIPYME vs. sole-trader (TCP) choice and the DL 88/2024 framework.Afternoon
Draft questions for a notary; document checklist.Evening
Dinner with a local operator.Business step: Session with a Cuban notary (notaría) to review MIPYME incorporation and statutes.
StayHotel Nacional de Cuba5★ · Grupo Hotelero Gran Caribe S.A · La Habana(53 7) 836 3564- Ext:168Website ↗Map →Source: Cuba Travel (MINTUR official portal)DinnerCantabria, Restaurante Hotel Armadores de SantanderCimex · Internacional · La Habana(537)8628000Map →Source: Cuba Travel (MINTUR official portal)Open Havana on the map →Nearby: Viñales, Varadero, MatanzasMorning
Visit comparable private businesses in your sector.Afternoon
Supply-chain reality: imports via state comercializadoras.Evening
Dinner in Habana Vieja.Business step: Meet a gestor / accountant on tax registration (ONAT) and social security.
StayHotel Nacional de Cuba5★ · Grupo Hotelero Gran Caribe S.A · La Habana(53 7) 836 3564- Ext:168Website ↗Map →Source: Cuba Travel (MINTUR official portal)DinnerCantabria, Restaurante Hotel Armadores de SantanderCimex · Internacional · La Habana(537)8628000Map →Source: Cuba Travel (MINTUR official portal)Open Havana on the map →Nearby: Viñales, Varadero, MatanzasMorning
Scout premises and talk to potential staff.Afternoon
Banking and the MLC/foreign-currency account question.Evening
Vedado paladar dinner.Business step: Bank appointment on account opening for a MIPYME.
Morning
Write up findings against the CubaAtlas permit checklist.Afternoon
Transfer to the airport.Evening
Flight out.Business step: Submit a CubaAtlas research request for anything still open.
StayHotel Nacional de Cuba5★ · Grupo Hotelero Gran Caribe S.A · La Habana(53 7) 836 3564- Ext:168Website ↗Map →Source: Cuba Travel (MINTUR official portal)DinnerCantabria, Restaurante Hotel Armadores de SantanderCimex · Internacional · La Habana(537)8628000Map →Source: Cuba Travel (MINTUR official portal)Open Havana on the map →Nearby: Viñales, Varadero, Matanzas
4 · Visa, entry & customs
Every visitor needs a Cuban tourist card, a passport valid for the stay, and proof of onward travel and insurance. Travelling under US jurisdiction, there is no general tourism licence — you travel under an OFAC category (commonly Support for the Cuban People), which carries record-keeping duties. The full requirements, the US-law detail and customs allowances are in the guides below.
5 · Shipping & commercial issues
Bringing goods or equipment is a commercial import (not baggage), typically through a state comercializadora, with a foreign business operating under a Law 118 form and real MLC/USD currency constraints. For US persons the embargo adds sanctions exposure on many dealings — orientation only; verify with counsel and the relevant ministry. The roadmaps and sector guides below have the detail.
Sectors in focus: Food & gastronomy · Light manufacturing · Technology & software
Orientation only. Every legal step (MIPYME incorporation under DL 88/2024, notary, tax registration) is detailed with primary sources in the CubaAtlas business guide; confirm current requirements with a Cuban notary and the MEP before acting.
6 · Book direct, or compare an agency
This plan is costed to book direct — the $3,298 (expected) above is the itemised cost with no package margin. Prefer a bundle? Take an agency quote and compare it line-for-line against that breakdown.
Operating United States agencies serving Cuba, if you prefer a package:
- Cuba Travel Services (CTS) ↗
Long-running US seller of scheduled and charter air to Cuba plus packages.
Sells: flights, charters, packages, hotels
- ABC Charters ↗
Miami charter operator to Havana and other Cuban cities.
Sells: flights, charters · +1-305-263-6555
- Marazul Charters ↗
One of the oldest US–Cuba travel providers.
Sells: flights, charters, packages
- Xael Charter ↗
Direct flights Miami/Orlando/Tampa to Havana, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, Camagüey, Holguín; since 1988.
Sells: flights, charters, hotels, cars, tours · (305) 643-2200
- insightCuba ↗
Non-profit people-to-people and custom group tours; since 2000.
Sells: tours, packages
- Cubamax Travel ↗
Flights, packages, shipping and remittances; 13 Florida branches.
Sells: flights, packages, hotels, cars · +1-305-512-0303
CubaAtlas is non-commercial and takes no commission. Agency links go straight to the operator; we don’t book, broker or earn from them.
Every Cuba agency, compiled — with the free equivalent for each →Questions
- How much does the "Havana MIPYME Scouting Week" trip cost?
- An estimated $2,170–$5,234 all-in for 1 traveller(s) over 5 nights ($3,298 per traveller expected), including airfare, lodging, food, transport and a reserve. It is a planner estimate, not a quote — you book each part direct, with no agency margin.
- Do I need a visa to travel to Cuba?
- Every visitor needs a Cuban tourist card. Travellers under US jurisdiction have no general tourism licence and travel under an OFAC category such as Support for the Cuban People or family visits. See the CubaAtlas visa & entry guide.
- When is the best time to do the 5-night Havana MIPYME Scouting Week trip?
- The best months for this 5-night business plan are Year-round (business); avoid August heat, and it is a popular route from United States. Cuba's dry high season runs roughly November to April; the June-to-November hurricane season is quieter and cheaper.
- What does the Havana MIPYME Scouting Week itinerary include?
- A day-by-day route over 5 nights with a real hotel and restaurant chosen for each day, a live flight search from United States, and a full itemised budget of about $3,298 per traveller. It is free and self-booked — CubaAtlas gives you the plan and you arrange each part directly at the source, with no agency margin or commission.