Taxis & Rideshare in Havana (2026) - Grab, Uber & More
Get around Havana like a local with reliable taxi and rideshare options-good for exploring top restaurants, nightlife, and good spots.
Safety Tips
Spot the real deal fast. Yellow taxis wear black plates beginning with 'T'. A taxi company logo on the door seals the deal. Skip anything missing these marks.
Meters are mostly decorative in Havana. Fix the price before you open the door. Make sure the quoted fare covers everyone riding. No surprises later.
Cubans tap 'DiDi', run by state telecom ETECSA, or the 'Cubataxi' app. Forget Uber or Lyft here. Download before you land.
Ride solo or after dark? Sit in the back. Send your route to a friend on Whats WhatsApp. Skip dim street hails. Ask hotel or restaurant staff to summon an official cab.
Common Scams to Avoid
The 'broken meter' ruse: drivers claim the taximeter is out of order and then quote an inflated flat fare. Insist the meter be turned on or agree on a price before entering the car. If refused, simply find another taxi.
Currency switch with CUC vs CUP notes: some drivers hand back change in the lower-value Cuban pesos (CUP) instead of convertible pesos (CUC), hoping tourists won't notice. Familiarize yourself with the two currencies and count your change carefully before leaving the vehicle.
Fake official-looking taxis at José Martí Airport: cars with makeshift 'Taxi' signs charge multiples of the normal fare. Use the clearly marked official taxi ranks outside each terminal and confirm the approximate fare with the dispatcher before boarding.