State-owned agency Havanatur launched a digital payment option on August 21, 2026, enabling residents in Cuba to book domestic tourism services online and pay in U.S. dollars using a Fincimex-issued Clásica card linked to the MiTransfer platform, as the country struggles with a steep decline in foreign visitors.
Tourism authorities in Cuba have opened a new digital booking channel that bypasses intermediaries and targets domestic residents who possess foreign currency. Under the newly implemented system, local consumers can book hotels, excursions, transfers, and tourist experiences directly through the agency’s digital platform.
The rollout follows a period in which international Visa and Mastercard options stopped operating inside the country, severely restricting electronic payment avenues for individuals on the island. Until this update, residents wishing to secure online reservations had to rely on third-party buyers, typically paying from abroad.
Pricing and Available Offerings Across the Island
The digital catalog covers a range of day trips, beach excursions, and hotel day passes departing primarily from Havana. Offerings start at 12 dollars per person for trips to Santa María del Mar and 15 dollars for excursions to Varadero. Other listed options include 30 dollars for Ranchón Don Pepe, 42 dollars for trips to Viñales, 52 dollars for Tarará, and 64 dollars for Las Terrazas.
For those seeking short hotel stays without overnight lodging, Day Pass options at resort properties start at 80 dollars. The agency is also promoting registration packages for competitive sporting events, such as the Gran Final of the Serial de Aguas Abiertas Gran Retto Varadero 2026.
Technical Requirements and Financial Infrastructure
To complete a reservation, customers must register on the MiTransfer application using a mobile phone line registered in their own name and link a Clásica card denominated in U.S. dollars. The process requires inputting specific authorization codes obtained at Fincimex points of sale.
The underlying financial mechanics involve entities tied to the state. Fincimex, the financial arm of the GAESA corporate conglomerate, issues the Clásica card. Fincimex is sanctioned by the United States.
Alternative payment instruments remain limited. The Tropical card—a separate prepaid dollar card issued by the Banco de Crédito y Comercio—is not currently enabled for these online tourism purchases, though the agency indicated it is exploring further payment integrations.
Broader Pressures on the Cuban Tourism Sector
This push toward domestic consumers occurs against the backdrop of a severe contraction in foreign arrivals. Official data from the Onei reports that Cuba welcomed 387,591 international visitors during the first half of 2026, representing 39.3% of the volume recorded during the same period in 2025 and translating to a loss of 598,015 tourists.
The downturn has been exacerbated by the withdrawal of major international hoteliers. Speaking before the National Assembly of People’s Power, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero reported that 73% of the nation’s hotel facilities remain closed after seven foreign hotel chains pulled out of the island.
Compounding these operational hurdles, flight reductions stemming from aviation fuel shortages earlier in the year, alongside widespread infrastructure challenges, have restricted visitor movement.
Strategic Shifts Toward Domestic Consumers
Historically, domestic tourism occupied a secondary role as state planners focused on generating foreign exchange from overseas travelers. Public lodging access was restricted, with citizens barred from staying in international hotels until March 2008.
The current reliance on local residents holding foreign currency highlights an economic contradiction: while state enterprises aim to capture hard currency from within the country, the majority of the domestic population lacks regular access to U.S. dollars. Nevertheless, observers note that expanding digital sales channels lays groundwork for broader electronic commerce should additional payment methods eventually be integrated.
