If you’re heading to Cuba and wondering how to get around, you’ve surely heard about the Varadero double decker bus — also known as the hop-on hop-off bus. But here’s the real question travelers keep asking:
💸 Is it $5 CAD or USD?
💳 Do they take credit cards?
🚌 Where does the tourist bus go?
In this updated 2025 guide, you’ll get straight answers, directly from travelers who just came back from Varadero — with a sprinkle of Cuban flavor and tourist confessions.
👉 Keep reading — itinerary attached below!
⚠️ Please Note
VC Tours is not affiliated with the Varadero double-decker tourist bus. This guide is for informational purposes only, based on real traveler experiences. Our goal is simply to help you avoid surprises (the bad kind, not the Cuban kind).
✅ How Much Does the Varadero Double Decker Bus Cost?
The price is $5 USD per person, and it’s a full-day ticket — unlimited hop-on hop-off from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
“I paid $5 USD today, no problem.”
“It’s $5 for the whole day, not per ride.”
You can ride all day like royalty (if royalty liked wind-blown hair and budget-friendly adventures).
💵 Can I Pay with Canadian Dollars?
Yes… sometimes.
- Some travelers were able to pay $5 CAD, but it depends on the driver.
- Others were told: “No Canadian” but the person behind them paid in CAD without issue.
- Some drivers accept CAD, but expect no change or a grumpy face. 😅
To avoid awkward standoffs, stick to USD — small bills if possible. Consider it the “unofficial” bus currency.
💳 Credit Cards and Varadero Buses
⚠️ Do not rely on credit cards on the Varadero hop-on hop-off bus, especially:
- U.S. credit cards don’t work at all due to U.S.-Cuba banking restrictions (yep, still in 2025).
- Canadian cards sometimes work, but many travelers have reported double charges or mystery charges.
- If you do try, make sure to get a receipt (and maybe a small prayer).
Veterans will tell you: cash is king on the Varadero double decker bus.
🚌 Varadero Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Route
The Varadero double decker bus covers the whole peninsula, stopping at:
- The Marina
- Downtown Varadero
- Plaza America Shopping Mall
- The Beatles Bar and Havana Club corner
- The famous flea market near Calle 8
- Almost every resort from Blau Varadero to Melia and beyond
“It goes from one end of the peninsula to the other.”
“Plaza America is a must if you need sunscreen or rum (so, yes).”
🟣 See the official itinerary map here:
Varadero Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Route Map (Updated 2025)
You can hop on and off all day between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM. No reservations, no problem.
🟡 Pro Tip: Pack Your Solar Protection!
The upper deck is open-air, which means:
✅ Epic views
✅ Fantastic breezes
✅ Sunburns if you forget sunscreen
✅ And please — no sombreros, unless you want to spend the ride chasing them down the road. The wind will win.
Instead, pack:
- A compact hat or cap
- Good quality sunscreen
- Sunglasses with a strap (trust us)
⚡ Latest Traveler Tips (2025)
✔ Buses usually come every 30 to 45 minutes (but this is Cuba — relax).
✔ Stops are usually just outside your resort.
✔ Some drivers ask for USD, others might accept CAD or credit card if they feel like it that day.
✔ Occasionally, you’ll spot an old tourist train for $3 USD. It’s cute, but half the time it’s on vacation too.
🟣 Skip the Bus Hassle with VC Tours
Want to skip the waiting, the payment guessing, and the “will the driver accept this bill?” anxiety?
VC Tours offers:
- ✅ Private transportation
- ✅ Custom excursions
- ✅ Real Cuban guides, with real stories (and no credit card drama)
- ✅ Trips to Havana, Varadero town, Playa Coral, Saturno Cave, and beyond
You’ll get to the fun parts faster, and you’ll avoid becoming an honorary bus stop statue.
🟢 Final Word
The Varadero double decker bus is still a classic for budget-conscious travelers. Just go prepared:
- Bring small USD bills
- Accept that Cuba does things Cuba-style (flexible, charming, a little chaotic)
- Protect your skin and your head on the upper deck
For those who prefer zero stress, VC Tours is always ready to get you where you need to go with comfort and personalized attention.
Suggested Internal Links:
- 👉 Why Visit Havana with VC Tours?
- 👉 Cuba Mosquito and No-See-Ums Guide
- 👉 Private Transfers in Varadero – Worth It?
- 👉 What’s the Best Currency for Cuba? Complete Money Guide