Havana, Cuba
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Northeast Coast of Cuba
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Best Times To Visit: Dec - May
Overview
** HAVANA, CUBA **
Read travel tips for Havana, Cuba from our amazing community of BLACK AND BROWN TRAVELERS that will help you find some of the best places to visit Havana, Cuba. Our variety of travel tips will definitely help you plan your next trip. Our tips range from best places to visit in Havana, Cuba, affordability, nightlife, local food, where to stay and even what it is like Traveling While Black. Lastly, we are working diligently to create a comprehensive city guide for Havana, Cuba. Stay tuned! But in the meantime, scroll down to read tips below!
THINGS TO DO Adventure-Seeker? Check out activities with a flame ( [icon name=”fire” class=”red” unprefixed_class=””]) for some extra thrills!! Old Havana – Take a walk through the original parts of Havana with over a thousand buildings of historical importance. Havana was developed on four main squares: Plaza de Armas, Cathedral Square, Piaza Vieja, and Plaza de San Francisco de Assisi. Take a stroll through these colorful areas connected by narrow streets. Featured Photo: @amyanizphoto | Tag #WWTTHavana to be featured in our Havana City Guide Ride in a Classic Car – Now we go into more detail about transportation options in Cuba in a different section but riding in one of these 1950 relics is an experience that is a must. Most of these “Grancars” are around the expensive hotels (i.e. Hotel Nacional) and cost around 5-10 CUCs. Featured Photo: @osamoje | Tag #WWTTHavana to be featured in our Havana City Guide Calle Obispo – The main street of Old Havana that is vibrant and filled with tourists and locals alike walking over its cobblestone streets. Tall buildings block out most of the sweltering sun, so you can wander through the art galleries, shops, and bars in relative comfort. Enjoy a mojito, listen to some authentic Cuban music, and even get a chance to practice your salsa. www.lahabana.com/guide/calle-obispo/ Parque Historico Militar – This is the home of El Morro and Faro del Morro fortresses, originally constructed to help protect the island from attack by sea. Every night, at 9 pm sharp witness el canonazo de las nueve, where costumed soldiers shoot the canon indicating it’s time to close the city gates. www.visitarcuba.org Plaza de la Revolucion (Picture Time) – Havana’s largest plaza and serves as the administrative hub of Cuba. Be sure to see the memorials to Che Guevara and Camila Cienfuegos (Not Castro), two of the most important heroes of the Cuban Revolution. Seriously, do not miss these!! Featured Photo: @guelmita | Tag #WWTTHavana to be featured in our Havana City Guide Fabrica El Laguito (Cigar Factory) – Whether you’re going to smoke a Cuban cigar or not, you have to visit a factory to see how they’re made. This factory is given the first choice of tobacco from the harvest, primarily because they roll the Trinidad, a cigar that was made exclusively for Castro and high level diplomats until the late 1990’s. Tours are reserved for dignitaries so can you request permission at Tabacuba, a cigar warehouse. (Virtudes #609, e/ Escobar y Gervasio, Centro Habana) Featured Photo: @chaemichael_ | Tag #WWTTHavana to be featured in our Havana City Guide La Corona (Cigar Factory) – For 10 CUCs, you will have a knowledgeable tour guide walk you through the steps of cigar creation and actually see over 200+ men and women hand-rolling the cigars while on the tour. Factory workers are given a selection of cigars each week so don’t be surprised if they try to sell you some on the low since they make no more than 20 CUC a month. The factory offers a variety of Cigars such as the famed Montecristo and Cohiba. It is as quick tour, about 20-30 minutes, but well worth it even if you are not a smoker. www.cigaraficionado.com Pico Turquino ( [icon name=”fire” class=”red” unprefixed_class=””] Mountain Trek – Bayamo) – This is the highest peak in Cuba at an elevation of 6500 feet and house’s Castro’s old hideout that was used to avoid Baptista’s troops during the Revolution. Located on the southeast part of the island in the Sierra Maestra Mountains, take a flight to Santiago de Cuba (2.5 hours) and then drive 2 hours to Bayamo. Alternatively, you can also take a bus to Bayamo (10-15 hours). The hikes are 2-3 days and can be a bit challenging but you will have some of the best views in Cuba. www.ecoturcuba.tur.cu HISTORY Modern History (Christopher Columbus) – If you look back on the history of Cuba you can begin with the landing of Christopher Columbus at Guantanamo Province in 1492. Spain colonized the island and for three centuries served as a stopping point for ships crossing the ocean to the New World. During the 19th century, with the loss of Haiti’s dominance in the sugar cane industry, Cuba came into its own as a major sugar producer. [Don’t forget Guatanamo Bay, the U.S. military prison is in Cuba] Modern History (Cuba’s Path to Independence) – Cuba struggled to gain its independence over the years, and finally gained its independence in 1902 after five years of occupation by the U.S. Military. Cuba was a country wracked with corruption and violence as well as political irresponsibility. In the 1930s, a group of students aided by Fulgencio Batista were able to overthrow the government, thereby allowing Batista to become the self-appointed chief when he forced the resignation of then president Ramon Grau San Martin. Batista was president from 1940-1944 and came into rule again from 1952 to 1959. He was also heavily supported by the US government (aka the US’s puppet). During this time Che Guevara worked closely with Fidel Castro to wrest control of Cuba from Fulgencio Batista and in 1959 helped Castro become the prime minister and eventually the president through what is known as the Revolution. Modern History (Che) – Just so you know, Che is a guy to be remembered (aka a “boss”) and is the face you see on all of these T-shirts and in the Plaza de Revolucion. Che Guevara served as head of La Cabana prison, acted as ambassador for Cuba, director of Cuban’s armed forces, was appointed president of the national bank, and ultimately did as much as he could to aid the country’s transition to communism. Modern History (Bay of Pigs) – During the late 1950’s, the relationship with the United States continued to rapidly deteriorate, and the U.S. imposed an embargo on Cuba that broke relations. In early April of 1961, the CIA attempted to seize control from Castro, but the never forgotten Bay of Pigs invasion was a miserable failure. How, you ask? Well, Castro’s Cuban Revolutionary Armed forces defeated the CIA sponsored group of 1400 Cuban exiles in just 3 days. Not only did the CIA’s 13 million dollars that was invested in these troops, also known as the Brigade 2506, prove to be useless, but this secret invasion was also a direct violation of the United Nations. After this major US embarrassment, Castro happily claimed Cuba as a communist system on April 16, 1961. Modern History (Cuban Missile Crisis) – After the Bay of Pigs, Cuba wanted to deter any future US attacks and requested that their new allies, the Soviet Union, place nuclear ballistic missiles in Cuba. They agreed and some missiles made it to Cuba, but once the US’s spy planes identified the threat, they created a military blockade to prevent any future missiles from entering Cuba and required that the existing ones be removed (i.e. Cuban Missile Crisis). Although there was intense standoff, Kennedy and Khrushchev came to an agreement and the missiles were removed from Cuba. In order to reach this agreement, the US had to promise to never invade Cuba without provocation and also had to dismantle nuclear ballistic missiles bases in Italy and Turkey. However, with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Cuba could no longer avail themselves of the economic subsidies that were being provided by the Soviet Union. Cuban exports began to drop drastically, by as much at 79%, which threw the country into economic turmoil. Cuba in 2017 – Today’s Cuba shows a generation influenced by hip hop and rap which slowly trickled in through the radio waves of Florida (just 90 miles away). You won’t find a lot of salsa in clubs (at least for the young people) but instead reggaetone, a mix of reggae, rap, and Spanish hip hop. It is one of the most popular musical styles in Cuba. It has energy, a beat that makes those hips move and is loved by young people in Cuba. Now, with the arrival of Barack Obama in Cuba, as the first president to visit in nearly a century, a new era has been ushered in. Although embargoes have not yet been lifted, change is coming as you have likely already seen as Cuba is the new spot. You better get there before what used to be Cuba is gone though or before Trump brings us back and you have sneak over there even more so than you would now!! AFFORDABILITY Cuba is cheap!! – Cuba is a very affordable city but their currency situation is unique in that they actively use two different currencies! First we have the CUC, the Cuban convertible peso, which is artificially inflated to be 1:1 with the American dollar. This is what most tourist will use and many of the larger purchases are required to be paid in CUC (i.e. taxis, hotels etc). Then we have the CUP, the regular Cuban Peso, and this has a conversion rate approximately 26 times less than the CUC. Currency 1: Currency 2:
Featured: @f_mylife_brenda [CUC Left / CUP Right] | Tag #WWTTHavana to be featured in our Havana City Guide Two Currencies Hurt Local Cubans – Just so you know, this puts Cubans at a severe disadvantage as many make their money in CUPs but have to buy various things in CUCs. This also encourages prostitution because these ladies will make money in CUCs, which is highly more desirable. From a tourist stand point, you can use this CUP to buy local food (i.e. a $2 sandwich) and goods at a discounted price. “Homeland or Death” [Picture of Che] – Castro’s motto used during the Revolution and against US forces. See more in History Section. CUPs were illegal for tourist – When I was in Cuba in 2012, tourists having CUP were illegal (I still got them though), but now you can evidently go to local bank and get either currency. Be prepared to pay a hefty 10% penalty just for using American currency. I know it sucks but it’s not always great to be American..seeeeee! Cuban Scammers – Please be wary of scammers since they love to be paid in CUC and give change in CUP. Make sure you are either really good at math or have a calculator out. From the USA? – If you are from the USA be prepared, because your American ATM cards and credit cards will be useless. Check with your bank to be sure because things are becoming more allowable there but I still doubt it. What this means is that you have budget correctly and ensure you have more than enough money that will last you your entire stay in Cuba (no pressure). Also, don’t forget about that 10% penalty for using American money. Not from the USA? – If you are not from the US you have a higher chance of being able to withdraw money and use your credit cards. You also do not have to deal with that 10% penalty. Before you Leave Cuba – Lastly, convert all the Cuban pesos back to your local currency, because unless you want to keep them as a souvenir, they are worthless outside of Cuba!! General Costs – A beer or wine will cost $1-$2 USD and you can easily get away with a dinner for two being around $20-25 USD in tourist locations. If you go to casas or smaller local restaurants dinner for two would be closer to $10-15 USD. No Big Macs in Cuba so the is a guesstimate but this should still help give you an idea. To sum it up it is just saying Cuba is cheap!!! RELAXATION Take a Cruise To or From Havana – Cruises have been leaving Havana for years but just not for Americans so if you aren’t American you are in luck!!! They leave from Montego Bay and from Havana and have a variety of excursions available to you. For us back in the U.S. we will have to wait until the embargo is lifted for similar access but we can take expeditionary cruises offered by companies like Fathom National Geographics. They have a focus on “social impact” but do your research and be prepared for the paperwork!! www.fathom.org/travel-to-cuba/ Santa Maria Beach (Relax or Party) – A local favorite that is only about 20 minutes from Havana and accessible by local bus ($3-5 CUCs) or taxi ($15-25 CUCs), this is your beach destination if you are looking for a quick dip in the beautiful blue water of Cuba or a weekend of relaxation. This 12 km white sand beach is alive with tourists and locals and offer a variety of rum/snack bars with live musicians playing music ranging from Cuban drum sets to maracas. There are even so clothing optional areas!! However, be prepared, once people start to get off work, get ready for turn up, especially on Fridays. www.cayosantamaria.info/beaches Featured Photo: @lafontaine | Tag #WWTTHavana to be featured in our Havana City Guide Museo del Chocolate – Opened in 2003, this museum which is really just a small store, has some interesting artifacts relating to the history of chocolate. Sip some decadent hot chocolate and sample some of the artisanal candies while watching the chocolate being made. I love chocolate so I spent half my day here indulging myself! www.lahabana.com Plaza de Armas (Casual Shopping) – This plaza was first known public square of Havana, and was originally used for government ceremonies and military events. Today the streets of the square are filled with booksellers and stamp collectors displaying their wares. There’s no pressure to buy – they’re just happy to be there. www.oldhavanaweb.com Havana Club Museum of Rum (Rum Tasting) – It’s time to drink! The 7 CUC rum tour is cool and gives you a comprehensive run through of how rum is made but the true highlight is tasting at the end. This is a good way to spend an hour while you are walking through the city. www.havana-club.com/ Museo de la Revolucion – The best museum in Havana for you controversial history buffs out there! While in the museum, be sure to check out the Corner of Cretins where Presidents Regan, Bush Sr. and Jr., are portrayed in caricature. You can also read about the “so called Cuban Missile Crisis” (as the museum puts it) and walk to the outdoor pavilion where you can see vehicles such as tanks and jeeps used int he Revolution. Featured Photo: @exxeo | Tag #WWTTHavana to be featured in our Havana City Guide Featured Photo: @moshstagram | Tag #WWTTHavana to be featured in our Havana City Guide Maqueta Museum of Old Havana – This is just one of the spectacular museums to visit for information about Old Havana. Also be sure to visit the Palace of the Counts of Casa Boyana, in the Cathedral Square, and the Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi in the Plaza de San Francisco de Assisi. Guantanamo Province (Historical) – This is where history was made long before the U.S. had the controversial navy base of Guantanamo Bay there. This mountainous province is where Christopher Columbus first set foot in Cuba and left a wooden cross, which is now displayed in the town’s cathedral. This is the easternmost province from Cuba and you will have to take a flight to get here. Not necessarily worth it and extremely far from Havana but the historical significance is pretty cool. ROMANCE The Malecon (Must do) – Devised as a barrier to protect the city from attack by water, it has turned into the place to be at sunset. It reaches 5 miles along the Havana coast from Havana Harbor to Vedado, and you can hear the heartbeat of the city’s history as you pass along the way. Perfect opportunity for a midnight stroll with bae. www.cuba-junky.com/havana/malecon.htm Featured Photo: @jepgil | Tag #WWTTHavana to be featured in our Havana City Guide La Casa del Son (Cuban Salsa Lessons) – If you want to learn how to salsa, Cuban style, then this is the school for you. Get your groove on as you enjoy classes with professional instructors that teach you a salsa style rooted in Afro-Caribbean roots. You can even have a “Dance Chaperone” take you out for a night on the town so you can put that practice into action. Private classes are 15 CUCs per hour, group glasses are 10 CUCs for 2 hours, and your chaperone is 25 CUCs which includes drinks and club entry. www.bailarencuba.com/lacasadelson Varadero (Beach) – Located about 2 hours from Havana, once you arrive, you will never want to leave. Pure white sand and crystal clear blue water that stays perfectly warm all year long and stretches for miles. Rain or shine, this beach is beautiful and you will love it! Go as a day trip or spend a couple of days there. www.seatemperature.org Featured Photo: @fatal_ice | Tag #WWTTHavana to be featured in our Havana City Guide Vinales (Quaint Town) – A very romantic place on the island where you are taken a back into time with landscapes full of lush green forest and valleys. In Vinales, you can explore caves that were inhabited by Amerindians, go horseback riding, and explore the colorful, quaint street of this small town. This again is not quite in Havana but a 2.5 hour ride away. You can get a Viazul bus in town to take you there for about 15 CUCs. www.viazul.com/ Featured Photo: @iamtravelco | Tag #WWTTHavana to be featured in our Havana City Guide Trinidad (Colonial Charm) – This charming town was founded in the 1500s and contains over 1000 colonial buildings that showcase’s some of Cuba’s oldest architecture. As you walk through the cobblestone streets of Plaza Mayor, this historic town center, you will get a sense of how time stood still in this little colonial gem. Located 4 hours away from Havana, there are only a few hotels to stay in but lots of “casas” where you can stay for almost nothing. www.cubaccommodation.com Northern Cays (White Sand Beaches) – Located in central Cuba and consist of over 100 small islets with stunning white sand beaches that contain some of Cuba’s newest resorts and beauty that can quite possibly top Varadero. The drive up to this beachy paradise is part of magic as you drive on the causeways that connect these tiny islands and see fuana, mangroves, and beautiful variations of blue in the water. Unfortunately this destination is almost 5 hours by bus. Just for your reference he main islands are Cayo Las Brujas , Cayo Ensenachos, and Cayo Santa Marí but you can get more information with this link. www.cuban-beaches.com/villa_clara LOCAL FOOD As explained in the Affordability section, it doesn’t really matter what currency you use, you are going to be able to eat like a King and Queen in Cuba if you are coming from American currency. Before we jump into some of the restaurants let’s give you some context on Paladares since you will be eating at many of them. $$$ – Expensive Paladares (Historical Context) – These establishments were legalized and came into vogue in the 1990s in Cuba to allow local residents to employ some of their entrepreneurial and culinary skills. These are small restaurants, generally operated out of someone’s home, and have rules attached to their operation (not sure how much they are enforced though). For instance, you must employ at least two family members to help prepare and serve the meal or all ingredients must be purchased at state stores. These local joints now number more than the state-run restaurants and are much more popular. Because each of these establishments is run out of someone’s home you can expect a very comfortable atmosphere with lots of eclectic décor although the outside may be a bit unassuming. Featured Photo: @simplyshannah | Tag #WWTTHavana to be featured in our Havana City Guide LaGuarida (Central Havana) – Opened in 1996, this paladar boasts that they are the “most elegant Paladar in Havana” and hosted film stars such as Natalie Portman and Helen Hunt and now more recently, Jay Z and Beyonce. It is located on the third floor of a colonial mansion with a lot of character and history. They serve great drinks and even better food. Thus will likely be your favorite dining experience while in Havana so be sure to make a reservation. [ $$ ] www.laguarida.com/en Featured Photo: @simplyshannah | Tag #WWTTHavana to be featured in our Havana City Guide Atelier (Vedado) – Located on the second floor of a contemporary home in Vedado, Atelier offers a twist of French and Cuban cuisine with a focus on the latter. Ingenious decoration like old fashioned typewriters and lamps create a décor that matches perfectly with its divine cuisine. The menu is constantly changing but if you are lucky, try the ropa vieja, with lamb or the lobster and steak. Dishes can range between 2-15 CUCs [ $$ ] www.saveur.com/best-paladares-havana-cuba LeChansonnier – Another gastronomic delight carved into a townhouse run by Hector Higueras (brother to Hiuris Higueras who runs Atelier) where you’ll find incredible Italian inspired Cuban cuisine. Start your meal with terrine of rabbit, followed by a main course of Duck with Olives, and finish up your meal with brandy chocolate truffles or peach carlota. [ $$ ] www.lechansonnierhabana.com Street Food Lessons 101: Street Vendors in Havana offer up some of the best, most authentic food and drink in the area, for mere pennies on the dollar. Here you’ll find people hawking their wares from their windowsills, baskets laid over their arms, or push carts attached to bicycles. Look for the longest lines because that’s where you’ll find the best food. In the mornings, look for those selling fried egg sandwiches, or the pan con tortilla, the local version of an omelet served on bread. Also look for pan con chorizo, pork sausage that’s highly seasoned and served on bread. Wash it all down with authentic Cuban coffee and you’ve got breakfast for about one dollar. Cubans are fond of fried foods, so try the churros, chicharitas (paper thin slices of fried plantains), or grated taro, deep fried with egg and crushed garlic. To quench your thirst try the fruit shakes, made using fresh mango, papaya, and guava Batidos de Guayaba. Or sip on the sweet nectar of cane sugar (guarapo), pressed right on the spot. Prices vary by vendor, but you can absolutely get lunch for two for under five bucks. Pork is widely used in Cuba whether it’s in a stew, a thick pork steak, or a fried chop served with rice and beans. Try the pork burgers (hamburguesa de cerdo) or the goat platter (fricasse de carnero). NIGHTLIFE Club 1830 (Ave. Malecón y 22, Vedado ) – Set in a gorgeous mansion with an outdoor garden facing the sea. The dance floor is under the stars and the locals are usually kind enough to show you a dance move or two. Get ready to Salsa or Timba until 2 a.m. www.insidecuba.havana-club.com Featured Photo: @simplyshannah | Tag #WWTTHavana to be featured in our Havana City Guide La Cecilia – If you want reaggaeton, you got it! Le Cecilla features some of the best reggaeton around and is a frequented venue for live music and concerts. Expect a lively crowd in this open air club and enjoy the music in to the early morning (4 a.m.) There is $15 CUC cover depending on the act. www.lahabana.com/guide/la-cecilia/ Buena Vista Social Club – A rag tag group of musicians who accidentally became one of the biggest hits in Havana. Their initial album has sold more than 8 million copies and they have performed at Carnegie Hall as well as won a Grammy for their music. Check out the documentary The Buena Vista Social Club which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2000. www.buenavistasocialclub.com Havana Club Bar – After you’ve finished the tour of the distillery and the tasting room (look at the Relaxation section), check out the bar which is adjoined to the museum. You can enjoy rum mixed in more ways than you can imagine. A local musician, Solista Antia Marquetti along with her band regularly entertain here on the weekends with a repertoire of traditional Cuban music. www.havana-club.com/ WHERE TO STAY You can find a variety of hotels or Air BNB’s (300+) in Cuba that range in price but an alternative to those are “Casas Particulares” or just “casas”. They are similar to Bed and Breakfasts or private homestays and will give you an awesome opportunity to interact with a local family www.havanacasaparticular.com Old Havana (Havana Vieja) – Old Havana is the historic part of the city that is overflowing with museums, boutiques, restaurants, salsa clubs, and many of the key tourist sites. This is the perfect place if you want to explore the city by foot and be in the heart of everything. However, most places will be closed by midnight for you late night-goers. Featured Photo: @camillawanderlust | Tag #WWTTHavana to be featured in our Havana City Guide Featured Photo: @bubbsy55 | Tag #WWTTHavana to be featured in our Havana City Guide Central Havana (Havana centro) – Only a few blocks from Old Havana but quite the distinction. This neighbored is more impoverished with collapsed buildings and is not at all touristy. See locals playing dominoes, the stray dogs, pickup games of soccer or baseball, and watch how the neighborhood comes alive as people return home after 5 p.m. A very safe area, come here if you want to experience the real Havana. Miramar (Luxury) – A fabulous neo-classical neighborhoods which house diplomats and embassies, along with resident foreigners. Loaded with restaurants, mansions (Cuban style), and high end night clubs, this modern suburb is where Havana’s elite used to reside. Many luxurious business class hotels and private accommodations are located here. Many locals still live and party here but it is relatively quiet and taxi ride away from most sites. Vedado (Everything) – This is the most modern part of the city and has great nightlife. Many of Cuba’s best hotels are located in this busy neighborhood and there also some great restaurant options like Atelier (described in Local Food). The Malecon is located on the outskirts of this district so you will still be close to all the action if you stay here but it will be a bit quieter than Old Havana. Habana del Este / Playas del Este (Beaches) – A semi-popular tourist destination in Havana known for its serenity and beautiful beaches. This is a great substitute if you cannot make it to beaches of Vardero but do not except as many options for accommodations as this area is normally enjoyed by the locals, particularly in July and August. Varadero (Beaches) – This beach city is 2.5 hours east of Havana and was founded in the late 1800s, mostly for wealthy Cuban families. Today there are more than 50 hotels and resorts to choose from and almost all transactions are handled in U.S. Dollars. Fabulous white sand beaches and crystal clear blue waters await you in Varadero. www.mycubavisit.com/cities/varadero.html Featured Photo: @thegabriella | Tag #WWTTHavana to be featured in our Havana City Guide Trinidad (Colonial Charm) – This charming town was founded in the 1500s and contains over 1000 colonial buildings that showcase’s some of Cuba’s oldest architecture. As you walk through the cobblestone streets of Plaza Mayor, this historic town center, you will get a sense of how time stood still in this little colonial gem. Located 4 hours away from Havana, there are only a few hotels to stay in but lots of “casas” where you can stay for almost nothing. www.cubaccommodation.com Featured Photo: @_soyamerica | Tag #WWTTHavana to be featured in our Havana City Guide Suggest Duration – 4-6 days (in particular if you add another city) Visa – Yes, it is required. It cost about $30 USD and you can get at one at the airport in Canada or Mexico (or whatever your gateway city into Cuba will be). However, I just let my travel agent do it for me so I could have a peace of mind. If you do a licensed trip they will take care of it for you too. Also, be sure you have at least 4-6 blank pages in passport just in case. Disclosure – Cuba is a bit different when talking about experience as it is illegal for American to travel there unless under specific guidelines. So to be clear, I am not offering advice of how to get to Cuba I am simply informing you of my past experiences. You cannot hold me accountable for any potential legal issues that may arise from reading the below information, as it not meant to be used as advice but as an opportunity to share my Cuban experience. Legal Options – So after reading that, here are some legal options just in case you can’t bring your heart rate back to normal levels: Explorica – An official educational tour that includes airfare from Miami, lodging, most meals, and transport around the city. You are definitely paying an extreme premium as these trips will run you around $4000. explorica.com/educational-tours/cuba-educational-exchange.aspx Group Travel – Licensed with OFAC (Office of Foreign Asset Control). I discuss traveling with Fathom in the Relaxation section: How I got to Cuba – I personally just used Cuba Travel USA when I went in 2012 (it was much more illegal back then) and had them book my flight through Cancun. You can NOW book flights to Cuba from the U.S. so you will not need a third party like I did in the past. But back to my experience. I was a bit nervous when I picked up the tickets in Cancun and even more nervous when I was coming back to the U.S. but everything worked out just fine. My entire trip couldn’t have been more than $1500 (including flight). You can repeat after me if you like, but this is what I said as I was going through U.S. customs: “I went to Cancun for vacation and I had a great time!!” www.cubatravelusa.com General Transportation – You will likely take a normal yellow taxi to your accommodation when leaving the airport, so make sure to negotiate. However, what you really came to Cuba for are the classical 1950’s cars and the like. You will be taking a step back into time as you take these old American classics. Negotiate a fare again (start at 5 CUC) and expect to share the ride with locals. Your primary mode of transportation will be walking or taking taxis in Havana but you can use buses to travel to destinations that are farther away like Trinidad or Varadero. There are also these adorable little yellow motorized taxis that are perfect for a quick trip called Coco Taxis. Although they look like toy cars on steroids, they can actually get up to a pretty good speed. Airport Transportation – Currently, Cuba is not open to U.S. residents for tourism. “Purposeful” travel such as official government business, journalism, educational and religious activities, and humanitarian visits are allowed. So another words I went to Cuba for educational reasons (wink..wink). Many Americans have already gone to Cuba and many will be going in the future so don’t overthink this. Just relax…wooh sah. Just make sure they do not stamp your passport which they will more than likely not attempt to do anyway. If you get caught through it’s not my fault. I am just telling you what i have done I am not advising you to do the same (another disclouse just in case). Here is the fine print: https://www.treasury.gov/cuba_faqs_new.pdf MY EXPERIENCE Pros – Everything! The culture, the history, the people, the food, this place is absolutely amazing!! Cuba is very safe and the people are very friendly. There really is no other place like this on Earth. Where else can you can take a step back into time and drive in a car from the 1950’s. Cons – Cuba will soon be Americanized so there is an urgency that you have to hurry up and get over there before the original Cuba is gone. Internet is a difficult commodity to come by so don’t expect to be posting to Instagram and googling things with ease. In addition, the fact that it is not “legal” to go there to be a tourist is annoying. Many people people will not speak English so practice your Spanish. Lastly, the inability to use your American credit card, withdraw money if you are using an American bank, and that 10 percent penalty for using American currency is also irritating. My Experience – I used cubatravelusa.com to book my flights via Cancun in order travel to Cuba in 2012. I was more than a bit nervous I must admit. All I could think about was how illegal this trip was lol. I remember sitting in the Cancun airport and kind of just freaking out. What if I get caught? Would I lose my job? Would I get fined? I also thought that I may get robbed immediately upon coming off the plane. In hindsight, I was definitely overreacting, but as a precautionary method back then, I stashed some money in my socks just in case. I stayed in a casa with a family. The accommodations of course were of course not your Ritz Carlton but it wasn’t that bad at all. It felt very hostel-ish. The host was an older guy who spoke little to no English but he ended becoming like our Cuban dad despite the language barrier. He also had a son in his early 20’s who would constantly walk around the house with just his underwear on (I mean it is his house). While in Cuba, I of course did the taxi rides in those classics. I probably rode in those 1950 cars a couple of times a day just for the experience lol. These guys would have these taxis fresh to death. The one below is about the only picture I could find with a picture with me and a car from 2012 but this picture also illustrates how incredibly friendly Cubans are. I don’t know why I was afraid at all in Cancun. These guys are so nice!!! Another major highlight of Cuba for me was the Chocolate Museum. I love chocolate!!! I So once I figured out there was a store it was game over! Now this place, is really more of a chocolate store. However, it didn’t matter because I literally spent hours there just indulging. I think I tried just about everything on the menu. I was on such a chocolate high but it was worth it. The bill wasn’t terrible either as each piece was about $.40 CUC. Now compared to other chocolates that I have had since then, Cuba’s would not be the best but still pretty good. For this case, in particular, it was quantity over quality. I also got to see the world-renowned Buena Vista preform. I had no idea who these old guys were (I know..I know.. shame on me) but met some people that gave us the rundown of their importance so we definitely felt lucky to enjoy the show. These old guys still had some serious swag as they were performing. They had the crowd pumping as they were still trying to holla at young women. I am pretty sure one of them tried to get a woman’s number at our table so he could take her out. There are a ton of stories I could tell you about Cuba but one of the funnier ones was when I was actually leaving Havana. Along the way we met various Americans that also traveled “illegally” to this beautiful country. While we were all having a great time we were all bit nervous about coming back to the state as well. Some of us ended up being at the airport at the same time and I just remember all of us huddling together, trying to get our stories straight in case we were asked questions by border control. “Well, what are you going to say if they ask you where have you been? If we get our passports stamped in Cancun twice that could raise suspicion and we could get the $10,000 fine.” We were all calmly freaking out lol. It was beautiful. What made this moment so special was that it was quite a mixed group. It was two black guys (my buddy and I), a Mexican American, a white girl, and an older white guy. Now, where else would you see a group like that, one that barely knows each other, but yet still leaning towards each other for camaraderie. We of course did make it back OK but it was just a funny memory of how race, socioeconomic status, and looks didn’t matter. It was simple. We were just Americans that wanted to make it back home. Got to love traveling!!!
Cost of Big Mac (or Similar) in Cuba: 1.89 CUC or $1.89 USD [2015]
Big Mac (USA): $4.79 [2015]
Exchange Rate: $1 to 1 CUC (Note Exchange rates are constantly changing. Please use following link for must up to date rates. www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
Cost of Big Mac (or Similar) in Cuba: 50 CUP or $1.89 USD [2015]
Big Mac (USA): $4.79 [2015]
Exchange Rate: $1 to 26.5 CUP (Note Exchange rates are constantly changing. Please use following link for must up to date chance rates. www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
$$ – Moderate
$ – Cheap
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So I landed in Havana and next step was going through border control. That went pretty smoothly, surprisingly. They saw my passport and didn’t really pay much mind. It was kind of anticlimactic. They didn’t even attempt to stamp it and just hurried along. Success!! So after my buddy and I grabbed our luggage we hailed a taxi and then boom, we are on the road in Communist/Socialist Cuba!!
I highly recommend going to Havana Cuba. I felt safe as a solo traveler and I met a black tour guide who spoke English and Spanish. It was easy and inexpensive to get to Cuba from Miami. I highly recommend that you bring tissue and hand sanitizer because the public bathrooms have no tissue or soap. Also American credit cards are not accepted so bring all the cash smaller bills are preferred by the locals.
Cuba was the most unique and different place I’ve ever traveled to. It was the closest thing i’ve ever felt to time traveling. While it has a lot of restrictions as an American, it was really interesting to take a deep dive into the culture and people there. Check out our youtube video linked below to see our experience here!
https://youtu.be/9MM6X_c98tA
I always say Cuba holds a special place in my heart! We visited May 2019. One of my good friends was born over there. So he connected me to the right people to make sure we had a unique experience. At the time you couldn’t book anything from US websites. So the best route was using a travel agency out of Canada. She booked our hotel accommodations in Cayo Santa Maria. It’s about a 5hr car ride from Havana. My boy had his friend pick us up from Havana and drive us down. The car ride cost us $200 US but was well worth it. We stayed at a all inclusive resort that was booked through the travel agency. Paid $70 a night for two people which is nothing! The report was beautiful but the food was very limited as far as selections. I didn’t want to pay another $200 to get back to Havana. So we took the local bus for $50 total. It took about 6hrs stopping at local rest stops. Once we got to Havana we navigated our way to our Airbnb. It was nothing fancy because we wanted to stay with the locals. But it was clean, safe, and affordable. I think we paid $30 a night. The locals are so nice and helpful. So they’ll tell you where to eat, drink, and party. Bring tons of cash though! They don’t accept US cards or currency. You can exchange your $ at the airport. At the time we got $73 for every $100. I’m a hustler so all prices for tours and excursions were negotiable. Honestly we should have done more touristy stuff. But we just wanted to experience Cuba the Cuban way! They treated us like their own. Loved our beautiful brown skin. Hell most of them looked just like us. This is a trip you should take. It’s like going back in time. The entire culture is a vibe. We wanna return so to be continued.
Tip:
Bring lots of cash
Use Airbnb to book accommodations
Book through Canadian agencies. They have less restrictions.
Most people speak English
You can buy a Wi-Fi card for $10 it’s 1hr but you can start and pause as you please.
Don’t drink the water. They have camping water bottles on Amazon. It saves time and $$
Bring a portable fan. It’s crazy hot
Rent a drop top for your tour of the city
Don’t buy Cuban cigars off the street. Go to the government store.
Cuba is amazing. I visited in 2018 on a cruise out of Miami. We only had a day and a half there, which isn’t enough time. We did a day trip to see old Havana, visit a cemetery, city center, a rain forest, see Hemingway’s house and we did it all in a 50s car. First – the food, is just, so good. I’ve been trying to find Cuban food as good as what we had there in the states to no avail. The art and culture are just amazing. We visited a Cuban hotel that had peacocks just roaming around. We felt incredibly safe and welcomed. All the guides were happy to greet us and tell us about their country and their culture. I recommend purchasing rum, specifically Havana Club, they don’t sell it here in the States, though you can find it over in Europe. If you get the chance to go to Cuba, just do it.
I spent 4 days in Havana on my first solo trip. My #1 recommendation is to either learn some basic Spanish before you go or travel with someone who speaks the language. I neglected to do this and although I still managed to have a good trip, it definitely made things more difficult. Also, be sure to have plenty of cash to exchange for pesos as American money is not accepted anywhere in the country. Internet is not readily available, so you will have to purchase a wifi card. I stayed in an Airbnb that was near a hotel, so I could walk to the hotel and purchase wifi there. Havana is great for traveling while black. I walked the city alone for hours and no one looked at me sideways. There are so many Cubans there that look like us that they just assumed I was a local going about my business.
There is so much to say and write about this marvelous country.
We did a cruise and had an overnight stay in Havana, Cuba.
Upon departing the ship you will enter the main plaza where you can find the ladies wearing the fruit on their heads. You can take a photo but you will need to pay. There is so much shopping and exploring that can be done in the centre.
We did a cigar rolling tour and tried some of the cigars.
We ate at the San Ignacio Restaurant- the food was really nice and they give you a shot and a cigar at the end of your meal.
You can take a ride in the old cars to the Nacional Hotel for a nice drink as well.
I went to Cuba for my 30th birthday in April 2018. What can I say, the people, the vibe, the culture was EVERYTHING. My group of 8 friends, stayed at a Penthouse Airbnb along the Malecon–La Habana. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/20539279?source_impression_id=p3_1615557201_TYKGAXWCYta%2Fg%2F00&guests=1&adults=1.
To kick off the trip, we started with a walking tour of Old Havana. In the afternoon, we had a 2 hour private salsa lesson classes at Casa del Son ($25 CUC/person). This was so much fun! We were each paired with a male partner and learned a routine that we practiced over and over, which proved super helpful for the rest of the trip. The instructors were very patient and had lots of energy to keep us excited and entertained. There is also a little cafe in the back of the studio, so we grabbed a few drinks during breaks.
The next day we did a classic car tour ($40 CUC/person). We visited so many sites–Plaza Revolution (a must), Fusterlandia (a colorful, fun neighborhood–covered in mosaics), Habana Forest (super enchanting), Christ of Havana, Morro-Cabana fortress, and the Beverly Hills of Havana.
The highlight of the trip was hands down our day trip to Vinales, the countryside and home to many tobacco farms ($100 CUC/person). We started off the day by visiting the Indian Cave and took a boat trip to through the cave and underground river. Next we went ziplining . Then we visited Proyecto Raices (Project Roots) owned by a local farmer. The views here were breathtaking. For lunch, we visited the local organic farm El Paraiso. This was the best meal we had the entire trip! Everything was super fresh and well seasoned (which was hard to find in Cuba). After lunch, we did an hour and a half walking tour through the Valley, where we visited a local tobacco farm and had the opportunity to talk to a famer, learn about the process of making cigars and try some cigars ourselves. After the farm, we did an hour horseback ride through Silence Valley to the Prehistoric Mural, located in Dos Hermanas Valley. Our final stop was at the Jazmines lookout, capped off with a fresh pina colada drink.
The last day of our trip we Santa Maria beach, the local’s beach :).
I had the best time in Cuba and look forward to visiting again!
Absolutely amazing trip, no issues at all. The people we’re respectful and very helpful when asked questions. Took a day tour bus around the city. Food was amazing and affordable. Definitely looking forward to going back to Cuba again.
I absolutely love Cuba and would definitely go back again and again. Make sure you stay in an Airbnb in old Havana, it will not disappoint. I stayed at Hostal Coabana Habitacion. It has individual rooms and each room has its own bathroom. It cost $75 for 3 nights, 4 days. Can’t beat that. It can be booked via Airbnb and tell Andres I said hi. It has beautiful high ceilings and the breakfast was delicious. Everything from our Airbnb was walking distance. The capital. The Obispo market. La Floridita. Make sure you stop and get a daiquiri and take a photo with the famous Ernest Hemingway statue. Drinks were $6. Drinks and food in Cuba are dirt cheap. I paid $4 for two drinks and $7 for an entire plate of rice, beef, and veggies, and it came with a drink! The souvenirs are all handmade and inexpensive.
Cons
Although Cuba seems very safe, the men can be overbearing when you are walking the streets. They will cat call and stop to ask you “one question” which is usually about being a boyfriend. I don’t have a pro-tip for this. My friend and j just politely said “no gracias” and kept moving. But after a whole day, we were exhausted telling every man where we were from and “no Thank you”. Use your best judgement but whatever you do, be polite.
Pro-tips
Stay in an airbnb!!!
Change USD to Euro, then Euro to CUC, you get a better rate. You can do this at your bank for 3 business day service or at TD bank for same day exchange
I traveled to Cuba in May of 2017 with a VERY light skinned (white passing) Puerto Rican friend of mine. As a racially ambiguous Afro Latina, I was was received very well, my friend not so much. This was the first time I’d ever been to a place that was excited to see a Black people lol.
I stayed in Havana for a week at an AirBnB in the heart of the city. Overall my experience in Cuba was just ok. Most Cubans that I met were not accustomed to seeing American or African American travelers so their curiosity had them beside themselves. I felt safe throughout my stay but was NOT prepared for the amount of stares and catcalling. As a New Yorker, I’m used to the pressure of the male gaze and street harassment but this was on a different level. Literally every man I walked past has a comment or kiss to blow. One man even dared to kiss me on the cheek when I asked for directions!
The customer service was terrible almost everywhere we went and we were treated very poorly by the women on the island (which is something I’m also accustomed to while traveling.) At a restaurant on Playa Del Mar, we waited for 45 mins for our food and when we decided to leave, the waiters and customers laughed at us as we left. Most of the food that we tried was overcooked and flavorless. But the men were very welcoming and when they found out that I was Puerto Rican they made it a point to remind me that “Somos iguales” or “we are the same’. I really feel like my negative experiences were connected to my American nativity and my female identity while my Blackness was celebrated.
Overall, I would return to Cuba to explore the countryside. As a city girl, this trip felt like an extended excursion to the Bronx lol.
This was an amazing trip for several reasons- my 30th birthday and I had a group of 10 traveling with me that dated all the way back to middle school friends. The exchange rate was pretty good so we were able to do a lot. La Guarida was such a cool experience; ambiance and food were a 10. We traveled out to Vinales for a real cigar factory tour and made some friends. We (some by force) attended a show at the world-famous Tropicana and were brought on stage to dance. Nightclubs, day-drinking and CHEAP lobster meals. We had the best time–which I also attribute to the fact that wifi and internet is basically non-existent. Get ready to really spend some quality time with whomever you travel with!
Cuba…Oh my God, Cuba!! This has got to be one of my favourite places I’ve traveled to. Let’s start with the people. Rich with dignity despite having so little!! Definitely know that a smile cost nothing!! I traveled there with my wife and daughter for fourteen nights of bliss. We stayed at the Iberostar Varadero which we enjoyed immensely. I have personally never walked into an ocean that felt like a spa. The water was so outrageously warm, like 28 degrees warm. It was like a magnet, I couldn’t get out, I didn’t want to get out!! After a week of sheer indulgence, we hired a caddy to drive to Havana. We spent four nights there living with a local family which enhanced our appreciation of being grateful for the things we take for granted at home! Havana is an amazing city. There’s nothing new there yet it was so beautiful. The music, the language, the vibe. There’s nothing like Cuba!! At night you can roam the streets safe in the knowledge that you won’t be attacked. Cuba has a zero tolerance on crime and it is adhered too hence an almost zero crime rate! We felt so at peace here amongst the locals, if only we could speak their tongue. I have not spoken to anyone who haven’t had a memorable time here in the entire country. You will too if you’re thinking of making the booking!!
Oh Havana, the city that surprised me the most from all my travels. I loved Havana so much I did not want to leave haha. There is so much history and the culture is so rich. The Cubans are so warm and friendly and they always asked where I was from and they would relay that they have black ancestry. The locals are always willing to open their homes and share a meal and conversation which I found to be beautiful. When you visit Cuba, make sure that you do your research of where you want to stay and also bring more than enough US dollars to exchange when you land at the airport because you can not use your cards there. Booked a beautiful Casa through Airbnb, do your research and reviews but the hosts were so amazing and it looked and felt like a 5* hotel room in terms of cleanliness and décor and hospitality. The food in Cuba I enjoyed inspite of the reviews I had read, try to eat at family owned restaurants or paladeras as they call them to enjoy some of the authentic Cuban meals Donde Adrian is one we frequented when we didnt have reservations or plans , they have the most amazing mango and also their Tamarind juice is to die for. There is so much to do in Havana from walking the streets of old Havana, the many museums that hold so much history and art, rooftop bar hoping, vintage car tour and the music and dancing. There is so much for everyone, you just have to be open minded. Believe the hype of the tapas at O’Reilly’s and the drinks at Floridita…these places get packed fast so plan wisely. I love Havana and I cannot wait for my next trip there
So. About Cuba. I wasn’t the biggest fan. Overall it’s rich in culture but the food was mediocre to me which was very disappointing and the sexual harassment was a bit much. They really love them some black women over there. We did the typical activities like drive in the fancy old cars, tour the city, drink mojitos, and go dancing. I’ll say the art there is spectacular, the beach is nice, and I really enjoyed touring the city. But would I go back? No. Maybe I didn’t spend enough time there but I’ve experienced way better islands. Insta – auntiesophsoph_
Havana and Cuba in general is the most authentic place I have ever been.
The food habits, the infrastructure, the cars, the new technologies, the system, everything is different, it’s like pushing the “on” button on a time machine.
I have visited many countries, but Cuba has made a big impression on me and has shown me that one can be happy in a world different from what one knows, apart from certain economic and technological influences.
Precision: the food is excellent (picadillo, tamales, medianoche, pulled beef…), the climate is hot all year round, and the inhabitants are so warm… I recommend to everyone to take a tour of this place.
This is by far my top ‘travelling whilst black’ destination to date. Everyone in Cuba seems to be a shade of brown and it’s brilliant. I had totally underestimated how much representation matters!
I instantly felt safe, relaxed and at home there, even as a solo female traveller. I spent most of my time exploring the hidden gems of Havana, I highly recommend the Alocubanotours (insta) through Airbnb experiences to tick off a tour of Havava in a vintage car along with getting some wonderful pictures. The experience was worth the $25pp and 75cuc for the whole car.
I stayed in airbnbs in Havana and Vedado too, both came with everything you need for a comfortable stay and also lovely balconies. They cost less than $40pn and have good restaurants and bars within walking distance.
I also did trips to Santa Maria Beach, Trinidad and Vinales, with Intrepid tours. This tour was quite costly and the group was a lot older than myself so I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it but a tour of the island is a must. Each location was special and magical in it’s own right and everything is steeped in the eye-opening Cuban history.
Drink rum, smoke a cigar, dance, listen and learn… And then drink some more! You are bound to fall in love with the country.
Yes there are things to get your head around such as WiFi access and currency but this is all overshadowed but the wonderful Cuban people. They are a kind and passionate people. One of the many plus sides of being brown in Cuba is that many people think you are a local! It was wonderful and something I havnt really experienced before, I just wish my Spanish was better.
Top tips, go to a slasa club-they are fire. There are few in Havana. Entry and drinks are cheap, music and dancing unlike anything I’ve experienced anywhere else and download MAPS.ME before you go, it came in handy so many times.
Get to know locals-they will show and share things, places and experiences only a local can and support them anyway you can.
Everyone should go to Cuba! I will be back for sure.
I didn’t realize how many black people are actually in Cuba. This was one aspect of Havana that I was pleasantly surprised to see. Walking/driving down the streets you see so much melanin it’s beautiful. Girls with box braids, guys with cornrows, an aspect that I hadn’t expected. Depending on your Spanish, you might easily fit in. Either way, an obvious tourist or not, I felt welcomed, I was complimented constantly. Not once did I feel judged or discriminated against because of my skin.
Very relaxing atmosphere! Stayed at Alas Habana Bed and Breakfast it was very clean and modern almost mimicking a US air bnb (yes it had WiFi). They sent an airport shuttle to pick me up so I had no hassle on arrival. The driver was outside with my name held up on a paper. Whilst in Cuba I didn’t face any racism I was searched at the airport however but I was told it was at random (not sure how true that is). If you go to Cuba take a day trip to vinales and buy your cigars from there to support the Cuban people. In terms of food I tried a lot of Cuban food and contrary to popular belief it wasn’t bland just not spicy. My top three restaurants would definitely be La Guardia, Paladar Dona Eutimia and O’reily 304. Overall it was great! I felt safe and the Cubans were really helpful.
The local food is amazing… Mimosa, Austariano, and Dnext are the best restaurant with delicious traditional food.
For sometime now I’ve wanted to visit Cuba. My aunt and cousin who reside in Canada have been visit every year for over 20 years now and have always spoken highly of the people and the rich culture and they did not do it justice. To truly understand how beautiful Cuba is, one needs to experience it oneself.
My cousin and I spent a week there last April to celebrate my birthday. We stayed at a beautiful air bnb located in La Habana ($278 for 5 nights) on Avenida de los Presidentes, which is one of the main streets where you can get to and from any where in downtown Havana.
For most who travel, being connected is very important, and one thing to note is that you have to purchase WiFi which comes in the form or a card with login info and an assigned number. I spent about $2 for an hour or so of service. These cards were purchased from La Presidente Hotel, which was in walking distance (5-10 mins) from where I stayed. We often hung out at the hotel, ate lunch and dinner or just had a few cocktails while mingling with other guests and tourists who came there to hangout.
The popular places to visit are Old Havana and the the statue of Christ. We used the opportunity to ride in one of their famous antique cars to visit these destinations. We also visited the highest peak in Cuba, swam in the cool waters of the caves and spent the day at the beautiful Varadero beach which was about an hour away. Everywhere we went, there was sweet and savory food and drinks, so there is no need to take food. Just walk with a towel or you can purchase one from one of the boutiques by the beach. We chose to hire a driver for that day which cost about $75 which was more than worth it. Our driver was pleasant and never rushed us. We rode in air-conditioned comfort or with the windows down and allowed to cool breeze to kiss our skin. Our driver allowed us to enjoy each part of the day and acted as a tour guide taking us through famous areas and pointing other things of interest.
One thing that was very pleasing to about Cuba was the cost and quality of food. Our breakfast was on the rooftop of the apartment building of the air bnb and cost less than $10. We ate the best tasting muffins and omelettes and washed it down with freshly squeezed juice (my fave was the guava). We ate dinner at various restaurants that were all very close by (either walking distance or less than 10 mins drive). Dinner was less than $20 per person and included cocktails and a three course meal. I chose fish and other sea foods, which were usually caught fresh that same day–everything was simply delish!!!
I could go on and on about my wonderful experience but you have got to see it for yourself.
Cuba is one of my top trips thus far. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly. I felt completely safe there. I’m one who is extremely nostalgic and Cuba takes me right back in time. I was able to get a sense of how the 1950’s were while in Cuba and I loved it! I highly recommend doing a convertible car tour.
Cuba has a very oh school classic vibe and I love it. The old school cars are very cool. So cool we use the old school car service everyday. The colors buildings and cars and so nice it looks like it’s out of a magazine. You will almost never have service there. They WiFi is very very bad there. So posting on social media is out of the question. I was able to have WiFi every blue moon. The food here is well cooked. I ate so much in Cuba. It was very hot but beautiful. I ended up giving half my clothes to our driver and him and his family.. Cuba is very affordable and you won’t spend half the money you come with.
Havana, Cuba is in desperate need for more tourists. The lack of financial support to the people is prominent there. The locals are hustlers trying to survive. Therefore, it’s still open for travel. I seen great deals on direct flights from United or southwest and convert your currency in the states before you get there. The people love seeing Black tourism. If your into Art Deco you will see a lot of great black art. This is must to put on your bucket list.
I traveled to Cuba with a group of 4 of us In May 2018! We decided to stay in an Air Bnb instead of a hotel which saved money and allowed us all to have our own rooms and bathrooms. One thing I would 100% recommend while staying at an Air Bnb in Cuba is to make sure you choose one with a “Super Host” Cuba is such a developing country that we needed our super host to arrange airport pickup and drop off for us as well ass Taxi pick up for excursions we had done. One other major tip is to make sure you learn the currency. We changed our money over at the airport to GPB then when arriving in Cuba our Super Host took us to the bank which allowed us to change our money over to Cuban currency. The last tip I will leave you with is make sure you are comfortable being away from cell service. your device will not work in Cuba and the only way to connect is to go to local wifi parks and purchase a card which gives you very slow internet access for about an hour and costs around $5 USD. Overall Cuba is a great cultural experience!
I took my brother to Havana with some of our friends last year for his bachelor party. One thing I can say is definitely check out veradero beach. It’s about a couple of hours drive outside of Havana but the city is nice and the night life is better. Definitely suggest staying a day or two
Cuba was a warm and welcoming destination. We stayed at an Airbnb in Old Havana and literally walked everywhere between old and new Havana. We did a vintage car tour which was right outside of our Airbnb so we walked right up to a driver and asked for their rate. It was $50 for two people. Through the vintage car tour we learned a lot about their history, culture and current economic standing. We also danced salsa at a salsa club with a family we just met. The only downside of Cuba was that the food was not the best in my experience other than that I would highly recommend!
We roamed the streets of Havana and stumbled into two bars courtesy of some local men. They took us to this cute bar with an upper level and delicious local drinks. We danced salsa with them and had a magical night. The club closed at 3 A.M which was suitable. There were a few local shops open serving food or closing up for the night. There wasnt too much nightlife being that we went out on a weekday but the ones we were able to go to they were great. Dont be scared to ask a native for some local bars and restaurants but make sure you’re with a group just to be safe.
Cuba is such a unique country full of culture, cocktails, and fun. The hubs & I chose Cuba as our first ‘kid-free’ vacay and it was a great location for ‘adulting.’
We stayed at an Airbnb in Havana Vieja so we were walking distance to all the plazas, revolution museum, and malecón.
https://abnb.me/LbzQ4uYk12
Things to do:
-Revolution Museum (it’s interesting to get the Cuban perspective)
-Afro Cuban Culture Tasting- such an amazing experience to learn about their religions, cook & eat in their home, and converse with a locals. We booked it via airbnb experiences but you can find them on IG @beyondrootscuba.
-Viñales- the tobacco farms. Our tour guide picked us up from our Airbnb in a classic car. The drive from old Havana is about 2 hours- so be prepared (especially since the roads in Havana aren’t the smoothest & you feel every bump in the back seat of a 1954 vehicle.) On the way we stopped to see the mogotes & have a bathroom break. The mogotes were nice but nothing spectacular. The tobacco farm tour was okay- a bit rushed- but learning how they rolled the cigars and trying them
out was pretty awesome! On the tour we also stopped at the Indian Cave which was beautiful; I enjoyed that experience as well. We booked this tour through VC Tours. Cuba_x_all on IG is another option
-We love doing a photography session while traveling as you get a tour from a local and her souvenirs for a lifetime (pics!) CubanSoulPics on IG is the truth. His editing is beautiful. It looks like it’s from a magazine. We booked him via Airbnb. He gave great insight to life as a Cuban and also great tips.
-Take the Beach Bus to the Santa Clara beach about 30 min away. It’s only like $5 round trip. At the beach you can get a beach chair & umbrella doe $6. But note there aren’t towels or a hotel to get some. They bring food to you on the beach but you can walk down a 1/2 block or so and get it yourself for 20% less.
The food in Cuba is not the tastiest. I found most things to be bland. The upscale restaurant, La Guardia was tasty & not too pricey for an upscale restaurant. Pizza at II Rústico in Havana Vieja was tasty. We ate there twice!
Cuba is such an interesting country. I loved it there but also have to say, I wish I did more research before I booked my accommodation in Havanna. We were in the old town and I must say, things were really overpriced. We got played by a few locals. They try their best to get to the CUC currency lol Everything in the old town is expensive because, of course, us tourists bring the money to the country. I would recommend to find a nice air bnb accommodation In Vedado for example, the nightlife there is dope and you can get anywhere from there.
When you think about visiting Cuba the first thing you usually have in mind are the old cars. Luckily Old Havana has more than enough things to do and views of the amazing city. Personally, I love to see local art work on any trip i go on and Havana definitely delivered. Callejon de Hamel is a lovely street filled with lots of street art, live music and paintings showcasing the local culture. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is another great stop for art lovers and a couple moments to escape the busy street. If you’re looking for the best view of the city and a decent cocktail then head to the rooftop of Hotel Ambos Mundos. Depending on how much time you have or how far you want to travel, there are a few options for beaches. Playa Santa Maria is relatively close to Old Havana with the options to order foods and drinks on the beach. There is a fantastic nature swimming pool at the Copacabana hotel that allows you to buy a day pass to enjoy all of the amenities.
In terms of where to stay, I spent half of my time in Old Havana and the rest on the Malecón. This was a really great decision. The first 3 days, we were walking distance from all the historical monuments, amazing restaurants, and the activities we booked. The last three days we were on the water and it was truly such an amazing view. These days we also did half-day trips to Viñales and Veradero. These are absolute must-see places.
Link to my oceanfront AirBnB:
https://abnb.me/hCtXKzOOS1
When I traveled to Havana Cuba in September , I didn’t Know what to expect nor think. To be honest Cuba was my only trip where I actually Didn’t focus on my phone and social media . From the classic cars, to the old buildings , to the Cuban people really made me feel good to be there and appreciative of the things I do Have. No matter where you traveled to in Cuba , there was always someone there to give you a piece of history, this is what I enjoyed The most about Cuba . I learned So much during my trip and most importantly felt at home.
I was a bit nervous about traveling to Havana because I read some negative reviews about the food but in my experience Havana had the best food I’ve ever had on a trip! Most of the best restaurants require a reservation so I called or emailed the restaurants I wanted to dine in proper to flying out. The food is so authentic and so cheap! Usually less than $10US. It’s almost easier to get a mojito in Havana then water lol. The mojitos are also super cheap, usually $3 – $5. My fave restaurants were Paladar 5, Habana 61 & Restaurante Elizalde. Overall Havana is a foodies paradise!
This is hands down one of my favorite countries. Everything is perfect honestly. The people are nice, the country is safe and affordable. There are PLENTY to do.
Tip: if you are traveling from the US. Convert ur money to CAD then to CUP. You will get more thn if you were to convert from USD
Havana was my first solo destination and I was suprised at how safe and welcomed I felt throughout my trip. There was literally so much to do I was busy everyday whether it was beach trips and boat rides, walking the streets of Havan Vieja, salsa dancing all night long, or taking day trips to neighboring cities it was all amazing. The fact that you are able to unplug and really relax and engage yourself in theworld around you is an added benefit.
Suprisingly enough the food was also ver good contrary to what I heard prior to my arrival. There are also several amazing roof top bars that are a good vibe. I loved my time spent in this city and I would definitely return.
Sidenote, if you know a little spanish it definitely helps you negotiate better deals for taxis and such when talking with the locals!
Cuba ranks in my top three travel experiences. My girls and I rented the cutest Air BnB (Casa Habana Vieja, an special place) that was just a block and half from the Museum of the Revolution. I read lots of reviews before deciding to stay near the Museum of the Revolution and it was ideal for everything that we wanted to do … close to a main street where we could easily hail a taxi, it was also walking distance from many attractions, had several good restaurants and shops in the neighborhood and more. It was on a quaint street and had the cutest Spanish style balcony that was perfect for morning coffee, afternoon tea and evening people watching. Armando, our host, even coordinated our driving tour of the city, our taxi ride to Varadero beach, recommended restaurants (my favorite was Habana 61 which was only a block from the Air BnB) and even exchanged our dollars for Cuban Convertible Pesos. The neighborhood was safe and affordable. Our Air BnB was only $600 total for five nights. The housekeeper came to clean mid-trip, bring fresh linens and restock the fridge with drinks and snacks that we could consume (for a small fee) at our convenience. Overall, it was an amazing trip and our location and Air BnB experience made it even better. Happy Traveling!
Havana was an okay country. Would I go again? Yes. The people are very nice. They embrace americans, although they tell us they dont get much americans here. I wore my hair in an afro. And everywhere I went, both cuban guys and girls would compliment how beautiful my hair was. The food was actually decent. I brought my garlic powder with me just in case. The trip would have beeb better if I understood spanish lol.
As i expected it Cuba was a great trip. We visited La Habana, Vinales, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Santa Clara and Varadero in 9days (yes very short). In la Havana we stayed in the Copacabana hotel. the quality was ok but they still have some sequels from Irma 2017 cyclone. The hotel is well located not far from the city center and la “quinta” the fifth avenue.
We wanted to visited a maximum of areas so we took a circuit with a cuban guide and driver from Cubatur agency (Victoria and Juan Carlos) Victoria speak an excellent french. I really enjoyed all the extras information and moving around from different places quickly. Its definitely a great place to travel while black. People were very welcoming and curious about my African origins. I had a special crush for Trinidad that i found more authentic with the nature and beautiful landscapes.
Local travel agency – cubatur.cu
on Facebook – Agencia de Viejes Cubatur
Names of hotels
@La habana – Be live Havana City Copacabana
@Cienfuegos – villa Islazul Yaguanabo
@Trinidad – Hotel Las Cuevas
@Varadero – Iberostar playa Alameda
Is it too cliche to say, Take me back? Oh well! I will Gladly regain the 10+lbs I gained After my week in Cuba. The local food is great but I will say if you are able to book a cook with your stay go for it! We were blessed enough to have two lovely cooks during our stay and for a small fee for each meal we were feasting on breakfast, lunch and dinner! Our local favorites included O’Reilly 304 and the ever popular thanks to the Obama’s, Paladar La Guarida. Overall Cuba is affordable, full of history and beauty. If you have the chance to go do not skip out! You won’t be disappointed!
I volunteered my time at http://tungasuk.com/ (@fincatungasuk) farm. Which was hands down the best experience! I took donations for the family and local families who depend on the farm. The wife is chef and you pay $25 lunch while there, but omg her food is to die for!!! And the hammock nap you take after is LIFE!
Cuba was hands down one of my best trips; very quiet, safe, dirt cheap and lots of things to see.
I USD = 1 CUC. It is advised to change your money to Euros first and then change to CUC at any bank in Cuba with a valid passport.
We rented a two bedroom one bath house through Airbnb (Royal Suites Habana) for $88 per night and we’ve spent a total of 5 days here. The house was very modern. The host got someone to prepare a heart breakfast for us for as little as $6 (eggs, sausage, toast, fresh fruits, freshly squeezed juice, tea, coffee.. the works). He also recommended a tour guide who was soo sweet.
Upon arrival we were greeted by the host who gave us full details about the cheapest spots to dine, how to catch cabs, how to purchase WiFi cards etc. He also gave us a number to reach him 24/7.
Tour day 1 consisted of a city tour (El Floridita, Hotel Nacional, vintage car riding, plaza de revolucion).
Tour day 2 we drove to the country side of Cuba where we went horseback riding, visited the tobacco plantation where we were taught to roll a cigar, zip lining, Murales de la prehistoric, Indios cave etc.
We’ve had the most beautiful lunch date, overlooking the valleys of Viñales. It was sooo refreshing and definitely a must try.
The food was really good, pretty healthy, fresh and VERY AFFORDABLE.. The most we’ve spent on dinner was $20 and that was considered one of the most expensive restaurants in that area. One night, we ordered pizza, two large pizza and two liter bottles of soda was about $15 USD.
It was a pleasure to visit such beautiful, quiet and safe country. This trip was one of kind and so heart warming to see how people with so little make the most out of what they have without complaints..is definitely recommend Cuba to anyone.
Please be sure to visit my Ig page @Dachea.elle for pics and snippets of my trip to Havana Cuba.
Thoroughly enjoyed riding in the antique cars. The ‘55 Chevy Convertible was a beauty. Exploring the cigar factory was interesting.
Havana was okay. A bit overrated for me. It was nice to get off the grid due to their outdated network service. The people are very nice and friendly. I stayed at the Revolution Boutique hotel in Havana which was right at the square. It was noisy in the day time but at night it got quite so I really appreciated that. There isn’t much nightlife in Old Havana, the action is at New Havana. Lots of activities to do in New Havana. Old Havana has more of a relaxation, chill, people watch vibe to it. Lots of cool bars. The city is beautiful and the food is decent. I was told to bring spices because their food is bland. On the contrary, I didn’t use any of the spices I brought. They may have gotten better by the time I visited. I prefer the meals I had in New Havana and Vinales than the meals I had in Old Havana, although in general I have had much better tasting foods in other countries and in the US. If you are staying in Old Havana, I would recommend Al Carbon restaurant, it’s a bit on the upper price end compared to some restaurants in the area but their food is better than decent.
Traveling while black: Cuba is a black hub so you will feel at home.
I’m truly in Love with Havana. I’ve been there twice in the last two years. The first time I flew in, and the second time I took a cruise. Both were great experiences but there are some things you need to know. Is Cuba safe , Cuba is very safe. Though tourism is new for the general population of Americans, Cuba has been a destination for our neighbors in Canada, and Europeans for a while. Tourism is one of their largest forms of income. Money yes they accept American dollars but dont expect to get a great exchange rate if you buying something off the street. No you cant use your credit cards, and or atm cards in the country the US hasn’t done business with them in 30 years. They best thing to do is find a currency exchange and get as much money as you think you’ll need while you are there. Cuba is really cheap so 60 usd day per day will be more than enough, except if you are paying for cabs by yourself. Now that we got all that out the way. The city is beautiful you are literally stepping back in time, with old cars bustling through the streets. Live music being played outside of restaurants, ladies with baskets ready to snap a photo. You must go to Fabrica De Arte Cubano its a club/art exhibit/warehouse. I have never experienced anything like it 3 DJ’s playing all ranges of music from Top 40, Hip Hop, Salsa Music. The room upstairs is like a gutted out theater had live jazz with a hip hop flare people dancing and singing. That same room later turned into a huge Top 40 dance floor. Even if you’re not a clubber there is plenty to do in see tons of art work on the walls and hidden rooms. This place is totally Instagram worthy. La Guarida is a restaurant that you don’t want to miss. The food was simply divine and the ambience is even better. This restaurant has hosted the likes of Beyoncé and Madana, but the price point is really cheap. I had two entrees for 30 usd, yes two I’m sorry I couldn’t choose. The restaurant is 4 floors with the main dining on the 3rd floor. Don’t miss the roof top terrace with unrestricted views of the city. If you cant get a reservation or not hungry still go, you could spend an hour just taking pictures on all the floors. Lastly you must visit the glass city, yes that’s right. Cuba has a whole neighborhood designed by the artist Jose Fuster. He build a house with nothing but glass entry is free check their website for times. The whole neighborhood is decorated in tile glass, this is also a great place to find authentic souvenirs for the low. If you love art this also consider one of Havana’s art District.
I recently took a trip to Cuba and loved every moment. While in Havana, I stayed at an inexpensive airbnb close to the main street in old town that has all the hotels. In Havana, I took a bike tour of the whole city and got a history lesson along with it, and it included a food tasting. I booked it through airbnb and it was well worth the time! I also took a trip down to Vinales Valley. Visiting Viñales Valley is like stepping into a green paradise! From Havana, it’s a two hour scenic ride through the Pinar del Rio mountainside. Once there, I toured a tobacco plantation and learned how they make Cuba’s famous cigars. In addition, I had freshly grounded Cuban coffee, took a boat ride through Cueva del indio cave, rode on a bull, and I also enjoyed an authentic Cuban meal, complete with Cuban rum! Viñales is a perfect day trip to Cuba’s countryside that everyone will enjoy!
On another day trip, I went to Varadero, Cuba! This has the best beach you could ever image, which crystal clear blue water and white sand. I loved every moment of it and got to enjoy the all inclusive beach resort that we stayed at. I booked both the trip to Vinales and to Varadero through a national travel agency. It doesn’t really matter which one you book it with, all the agencies have the same deals and the same set price that is determined by the government. They will provide you with a bus to get there and back to Havana, and food for the day! They have lots of options for tourist to book and I thought it was nice to get out of Havana and see how the rest of Cuba is. Trust me, you will love every moment you spend in Cuba! Check out my Cuba photos on my instagram: axelle_travels
Stay in Cuba is always a question that’s asked. To avoid any issues my suggestion is to book a place on Airbnb which is very easy to do so. But if you find yourself in Havana without a place booked my suggestion is to walk around Old Havana and look for houses that says Casa Particular on the doors and they will also have a blue sign. Simply go and ask if they have any rooms. And I suggest that as well because not everyone in Cuba has internet to post their place on the internet this is a way to support their businesses. Do not worry because there are a lot of Casas Particulares available and there will default be a room or bed for you
If you’re traveling to Havana, Cuba, you should look into renting a “Casa Particular” instead of staying at a hotel. A Casa Particular is a private accommodation or homestay similar to a bed and breakfast. It is often the best way to connect with Cuban people during your stay on the island. You don’t necessarily need Spanish, but it will definitely make it easier if you know some.
I rented a Casa Particular through @airbnb for my stay. It was located in the Vedado area of Havana and was perfect for my group because we were able to walk to some of the sites. The best part was the proximity to restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. I never felt unsafe and we walked around our neighborhood at very late hours to grab food and drinks. It was also lovely because our rooms were cleaned everyday, we could opt to pay additional for breakfast, and the lady of the house, graciously called to arrange transportation, etc., for us. A friend told me it would be nice to bring clothes, toiletries, etc to gift to the host of the casa particular. I gave my host clothes, shoes, bar soap, and perfume. She was so thankful for the gift.
Havana was amazing! We stayed in Old Havana at an Airbnb, which was walking distance to everything, especially to the main taxi street. The Cuban locals were the sweetest and they welcomed us with open arms. If you’re not fluent in Spanish, it’s fine…locals would go out their way to help us understand. The historic architecture was beautiful along with the food and overall culture. We did not have a tour guide for the entire trip, so we pretty much navigated everywhere on our own (which was great). I recommend going on the vintage car tour, Rum Factory Tour, and enjoying the local shops in Old Havana. If you’re looking to escape to a beautiful beach, we took a taxi to Vedado Beach (1hr away) and the water was crystal clear! My biggest suggestion would be to have an explicit daily plan for every day prior to arrival, including maps of each place you wish to visit (the internet is VERY limited). We spent most of our time in Old Havana surrounded by local restaurants, salsa dance classes, and mojito bars. Again, there is limited WIFI, so make sure you have planned EVERYTHING you want to see. If you’re interested in staying at the Airbnb for your trip, here’s the link: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/14027947?s=51
Havana was one of my favorite vacations because it truly gave us an opportunity to bond as friends . There was no internet so that forced us to have some meaningful conversations . Havana was filled with beautiful colors and was one of my cheapest trips . For food stay and flights I paid $500. I picked relaxation because we had a beach day in Cuba 2 hours away from Havana in VEradero and it was simply the best beach experience . The water was warm and calm and crystal clear . We got drinks and stay in the ocean the entire day . My family is Jamaican so I am use to beautiful beaches but this was by far the most relaxing and serene experience. I will say I wish there was more food options but nonetheless relaxation was a 5 star . I flew out of JFK on delta and stayed here : https://abnb.me/5jtfZvE3QX .
I went to Cuba a tourist and left with a family. With all of the “restrictions” surrounding traveling to Cuba, I was apprehensive about going. My reason for going was to support the Cuban people. In efforts to do so, I brought a variety of balls from soccer balls to Footballs, I wanted to promote outdoor activities for the children. I travelled with JetBlue who furnished the visa at airport check at my departing city for all of $50. We stayed with a local family via Airbnb, just outside of Havana, which was my other way of supporting the Cuban people. We spent the next four days disconnected from the digital world and just engulfed and submerged into the people around us. There is no wifi unless in wifi zones such as a park, restaurant etc. even in this case in order to access wifi, one has to purchase a wifi card to gain access to the net for 15 minutes to an hour based on your purchase. When in Havana… I brought my Mom on an old car tour which I reserved on Oldcartours.com at just 90 CUC which amounts to approximately $90USD. This tour consisted of us cruising through and exploring the most prominent sites in Old Havana such as the Forts that once were used to keep invaders out of the city, Plaza De La Revolucion and a rain forest that locals hanged. In addition to our day’s tour, we supported a few local restaurants with some of the best foods that I have ever tasted. In addition to the eats, the culture and history in Havana is so rich. That being said, I had the pleasure of visiting a historic restaurant where the Kardashians, the Obamas and the Carters all dined by the name of L Guarida. The ambiance is a mixture of antique but rich. The best part of Havana is the way how people make time for each other without their heads in their phones.
Will need a visa (travelled on British passport) but that can be done online and is very quick to be approved. Many people opt for casa particulars but I went with an Airbnb in old Havana which had wifi and was a great base. There’s a lot of black/mixed Cubans so you’ll be at home but they’ll probably know you’re not from there based on clothing etc. Be aware though that a minority may target you to ask for money on an “my brother / my sister” tip. Old Havana is steeped in history and the artwork around is amazing, Casa de Africa and Fabrica de Arte Cubano particular standout spots. However, food is not the best here I must admit can be quite bland. A decent command of Spanish would be recommended, but you can get around on a few common phrases, emojis or a phasebook.
Cuba is a stunning place to visit. Cuban food is delicious and is very similar to other Latin American countries so if you are Latino or enjoy food of the type you’ll be very happy with the local food in Cuba. The only heads up I’d like to give is that (especially for those staying with a local) sometimes specific types of foods/ingredients can be hard to find for those planning on cooking while there however restaurants and such usually are not as affected so you shouldn’t really have a problem.
How did we ever restrict ourselves from Cuba? (Legislation aside ?). My travel bff and I carried this destination on our must-do lists for as long as we could, and when the Obama administration pulled its strings.. we went for it! Here’s what I think you should know:
Visas!: not nearly as difficult or elusive as we thought! We legit did so much online research we kinda gave ourselves anxiety about it. But turns out the process was completed the day of our flight (arrive a lil earlier), requiring a simple form to complete and fee. It was $60 but has raised to $75 recently. Can’t knock the hustle.
Dinero!: unlike the ease of the travel visa process, US debit/credit cards presented a bit of a nightmare for us. My homegirl planned to pay for her portion of the hotel stay with her debit card..but the entirety of Cuba was like “nah”. We spent an insane amount of time calling and pleading with banks and management staff..just store your plastic. Pull out cash for accommodations, food, excursions, etc. And I recommend exchanging half of that amount at the airport. The rates are the lowest (even if the lines are the longest).
Language!: if you’re planning to go, and serious about it ?brush up on your spanish. Commit some key phrases to memory to assist you with all the moving parts. Many speak English, so it’s not a deal breaker. But being able to freely converse and get guidance without language barriers really unlocks the experience!
Classic cars!: absolutely BEAUTIFUL. And make the perfect backdrop in your IG posts lol. But they can put a serious dent in your travel budget. I recommend riding them once or twice especially to get your perfect pic..then stick to the regular schmegular cabs! They all run efficiently but the plain jane ones cost significantly less! More mojito money! ?
The best food and drinks were those we discovered in restaurants that looked like houses on typical streets or in secret lounges and restaurants down allies that made us nervous. Maybe skip the latter lol. Prepare for a full beach day, if your a beach buff. The best one’s are better than an hour drive away from Havana. And remember you’ll need car travel there and back! Uber spoiled us, we forget! And lastly: connect with the people! They’re amazing. My fluency made it easy for me to converse with so many, I danced, I drank, and listened to stories and narratives that made my heart full.
That’s really how Cuba feels: full!
Cuba was probably the best trip I’ve ever been on! Nothing short of amazing! The food is incredible, the people are extremely kind and chivalrous, and the history I’ve learned, not only by the tour called Easy Panoramic Havana we booked through Royal Caribbean, but by the Cuban residents is something that I believe all people should know about! If you head there, make sure to find our boy Lester to show you a little bit of downtown! Everybody in town knows him! You’ll definitely enjoy this one!
Cuba was nothing short of amazing. I stayed for 5 days at an Airbnb. You must do the rooftop tour with Robin! He was a great host and set the tone for the remainder of our trip with the advice that he gave us. Taxi’s will definitely try to get over on you so make sure you negotiate, walk away if you have to and they will lower the price. The food was ok, I honestly didn’t like any of the food while I was there. But everything is fairly cheap, down to lobster and even lamb. Breakfast is hard to come by unless your host makes it for you. But if you are expecting pancakes, French toast etc, you definitely won’t find it there. Make sure you visit Varadero Beach which is 2 hours away but its worth it! I booked the rooftop tour and beach trip via Airbnb. Also visit Fabrice De Arte. I also booked a Cuban inspired photoshoot with Manuel @cubansoulpics and the photos came out amazing!!!! Make sure you brush up on your Spanish though. I got through fine but it was definitely hard communicating at some points, esp since google translator didn’t do the best at translating.
Cuba is a definite must on the list of places to visit. When I was there, I stayed at the gran hotel manzana, kempinski. The hotel has the absolute best views ever! If you wake up early, you will see the sunset and you can take the best pictures. The hotel staff are great and it helps because they speak English and will be able to communicate with those who can’t speak Spanish. Outside the hotel there were shows that people would put on that you can watch and even be a part of for free. There are also a lot of vintage cars parked right by the hotel for you to take pictures with and negotiate a ride with the drivers. The hotel however also sets up a vintage ride as per your request. The hotel is not far from the local spots so you could literally walk and be surrounded by those beautiful colored buildings. Also not far from the hotel is a long wall that people sit on and chill and take pictures. It was nice to go there and just soak up the sun. The red city bus tour is a must because it takes you to all the must see spots such as the area where they have ten Che Guevara statue like creation. We also took a taxi which took us to the local areas to spend time there and eat. That was fun. In the evening, there are plenty of of night clubs. There was one I went to that had different music playing in different areas. It was also a build in art museum where you could see different art works. Cuba was definitely amazing and is a must!
Cuba is amazing! Full of culture & beauty!
While in Cuba a did the Mafia Tour, cigar experience, horse back riding & even Suva diving! All thru Airbnb
If you book an experience thru Airbnb they will come & get you from your Airbnb or meet you by a major landmark.
You will not have cell service, wifi is currently becoming more widespread I used WhatsApp for text/calls.
Most likely your ATM card will not work in most places….but don’t worry when you arrive at HAV international airport there will be a international ATM to exchange money if you run out many hotels can exchange for you.
Lastly have fun! Bring Bug Spray!!!
Cuba will be everything you thought & more!
I stayed in Havana last July for a girls trip. I had heard the food in Cuba wasn’t good. We were there for a long weekend. Wifi was limited so Yelp wasn’t helpful trying to find local restaurants. One of my friends spoke some Spanish and was able to ask someone for good local food. She pointed us in the direction of El Barrocon de Hamel. The food was delicious! I had pork, rice, beans and salad. The drinks were fresh and tasty. The film Fast and Furious was shot outside of the restaurant so small tour groups occasionally pass through. There are also cute little boys that blow kisses at women to buy them sodas. The art outside is unique and untouched like Cuba. We went back again for lunch the next day. Certain items were not available. Supplies are limited and change from day to day. Another restaurant that was recommended was Cafe Brown. It is modern in decor and they serve fresh NY cocktails for happy hour prices. I had lobster with a pineapple sauce, rice beans and salad. The staff at both restaurants were warm and welcoming. We took pics at both restaurants. Our meals did not break the bank and we made friends.
First there was a rare tornado and then a meteorite shower days before my flight. Everything in my mind was telling me to cancel my trip. Good thing I listened to my heart instead! CUBA was EVERYTHING I needed. If you’re thinking about going, just do it!
Day 1- we went to an amusement park (Parque Mariposa) and zoo (I forgot the name). We wanted to experience attractions that the locals visit and devote a day to the kiddo. Both were very secluded, but it was a weekday so that could explain. The rides need updating for sure, but we still had a nice time. Day 2- we took a day trip to Viñales. We booked through Discover Vinales. This was my favorite day of our trip. This included Los Jazmines lookout, the Mural of Prehistory, a boat ride through a cave, zip lining, horseback riding, tobacco farm tour, a meal in the home of a local family, a cigar tasting, and some strong ass coffee. Day 3- Santa Maria Del Mar, photo shoot & city tour with Manuel, and Morro Castle for the cannon shooting ceremony. 3 days was not enough and we are going back very soon as long as Trump’s restrictions don’t mess us up! There is plenty to do, depending on what you’re open to. When we go back, we plan to tour Hotel Nacional, go to Calle Obispo (they have street performers and such), visit the 4 main plazas, Museo Del Chocolate, visit the rum museum, visit plenty of museums, and so much more. We have lots on the itinerary, so I’ll just update my review or create another review after we go.
You’ll need a visa. My “reason” for going was to “support the Cuban people”. But honestly no one actually asked during my travels. If it makes you more comfortable, take an itinerary to support that reason just in case. But I wasn’t too worried about it. I was only asked the purpose of my visit when going through US Customs coming home and my husband slipped up and said “for vacation”. No consequence or other questioning.
We got our visas from cubavisaservices.com American Airlines sent us the link when we purchased our flights and there was a discount. It costs more if you go directly to the website.
We stayed here: https://abnb.me/H6s7d7lUKV
It was in Centro Habana, about a 20 minute walk to Old Havana and you could see the Malecon from out front.
We booked these tours in advance: Day trip to Viñales- https://www.discover-vinales.com/day-trips/interactive-tour-havana-vinales/
City tour/ photoshoot- https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/78119?s=41&user_id=228319651&ref_device_id=948c50bbaef2651e4046f7e59d765924c97af1a1&_branch_match_id=599193265581408475
We took about $100 usd per day per person plus a little extra just in case. (Put the $ for your transportation to the side to be safe so you have a way home if you end up overspending because you can’t withdraw cash or swipe cards while there.) We arranged transportation to/from the airport in advance with our Airbnb host ($40 each way). They also arranged transportation to the beach but we found our own taxi back and it was much cheaper. Caught a taxi for $14cuc round trip to Morro Castle. CHEAP! But we gave him extra because we didn’t ask him to stay and wait for us- he did that on his own. (Don’t just hop in the taxi. Negotiate prices before you get in.) Tip generously though and don’t take advantage. The people are very sweet! Everywhere else we walked. We walked to Old Havana daily for food, shopping, or wandering. Not sure how, but everywhere we went, locals shouted out “Americans, Americans! Welcome to Cuba!” and a few shouted out “People my skin color! We love our people” etc. We had no issues traveling as Americans or traveling while Black.
Cuba has been one of my favorite places so far. It’s history is impeccable the food was great and the night life was vibrant and fun. On my birthday each year I make it a point to travel to new country and Cuba was my selection for that year and I was not disappointed.
First we flew on spirit airlines which was a seasonal route which cost about $200 round trip. Spirit may not have great rep but they are the cheapest and safest airline after doing my research and to avoid additional charges try getting a travel backpack( The long hiking backpack that can fit the same things as a carry on )which would be considered your personal item. They do charge for everything on board such as snacks so avoid that bring your own. Spirit airlines also have something that they call the penny fare yep penny meaning the flight would be for a penny so all you’ll pay for is the taxes which could be $20. Only way to get this is to go to the airport weeks before trip and say what days do you have penny fares and for when and where and they’ll let you know.
That wasn’t the case for this trip just thought I should share. Next we had to get a visa to enter the country which was $100 same day as travel you could get it at the counter. Traveling to Cuba being a person of color was no problem we blended in well because some Cubans have a darker color. Also when we got to customs there my friend is a us citizen when they took his passport it was as if they didn’t want to touch it they didn’t even stamp it but mine on the other hand was a Jamaican passport where they were pleased to stamp.
From there I had to use the restroom and out of all the things I experienced in Cuba this was the only horrible thing. Because everything is so old including the pipes they tend to get backed up so the toilets for the most part did not flush so ppl were doing there business on top of each other. I came across that a few times in the different places there. We stayed at a Airbnb for like $50 a night . It was a four bedroom house we had our own room and bathroom and balcony right in the heart of little Havana it was awesome the host was amazing and made Cuban breakfast for us for only $5. But they did not speak a word of English so it was a good thing we downloaded this offline translation app that totally helped because 85% of Cubans do not speak English.
Also there was no WiFi in most places but if you want to pay a crazy bill when you get back to the states you could use your phone while roaming. The food was good tasteful my favorite dish is the ropa veija. There was live bands and music at every corner. Everything was so beautiful I felt like I stepped back in time to how everything was old like the cars and the buildings.
The prices was cheap for almost everything and you can always call down the price from taxi to purchasing anything say this is what I have because what these places tend to do is try and charge extra for tourists. My overall experience was great I spent around $800 for 5 days but that’s because I collect beautiful art paintings but besides that very affordable place and I will definitely go back.
I cannot wait to return to Cuba! It is one of my most talked about experiences when I talk about my travels. Once I stepped outside the airport, it definitely felt as if I traveled back into the 50s. I spent two weeks traveling around the island, with Habana being my entry point for less than 24 hrs, and then returning for ~four days.
I’m a history buff, so I visited multiple museums while in Cuba. By the time I got to Habana, I didn’t think I needed to visit another, but I opted to view Casa de Africa. I was underwhelmed to be honest. I did enjoy Fábrica de Arte Cubano, and also Callejon de Hamel.
I did A LOT of walking in Cuba, and lost a few lbs (not complaining!), enjoying daily walks along the malecon. Locals are very friendly, and offer tips in places to visit, eat, etc. Some restaurants I visited: La Paila Fonda (paladar), O’Reilly’s 304, Restaurante Los Amigos. Also La Zorra y el Cuervo jazz club.
Sites I visited while in Habana: Old Habana (and Plaza Vieja), Plaza de la Revolución, Almacenes San José Artisans’ Market.
My accommodations were made with a Cuban local friend, Linet, who arranged for me to stay at two casas (her own casa, which is often booked: La Lynette Accommodations, https://www.facebook.com/lalynette11/).
Traveling While Black: While I didn’t encounter any issues in Habana, Trinidad, or Santiago de Cuba, I did have an issue (unbeknownst to me) in Camagüey because I was mistaken for a local (a Russian visitor informed me as I was attempting to get a wifi card).
Cuba was one of the most rewarding trips I have yet to experience. The culture, the locals, everything about it was so humbling. I admired the genuine love and appreciation for life and people while there. We stayed in Havana, in the middle of everything via Airbnb host. https://www.airbnb.com/users/show/127557339
It was beautiful renovated, included breakfast and we could walk EVERYWHERE!
The best part was the food tour. We ATE SO MUCH food we didn’t eat anymore that day.
https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/99377
We also took salsa lessons from a local via airbnb. However, there are lots of free salsa lessons offered around the city. You will see signs.
We also went to this super cool cultural center with a bar and shows as well as a live band.
La Fabrica de Arte Cubano (La FAC) Calle 26 – we went at night around 9PM
The nightlife was better than expected. We hopped between 3 night clubs with a local and had so much fun dancing and drinking. You must go to Olala, LaEsencia. Those were our favorites!
https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/121904
You must take a walk around Malecon this boardwalk where ALL the locals hang at night. There are vendors out there as well selling things. Everything was super CHEAP! When you go, take small things with you like pens to give to the locals. They appreciate it so much and things are very scarce there. I cannot wait to go back. Beautiful city, beautiful people. Also the whole supporting documents to show you are supporting the cuban people is a scare tactic. We did not have to verify or show proof of anything. it was just like going to any other country. Enjoy!
Please stay in Old Havana!! In January 2019 we spent 5 days in Cuba. Honestly you don’t need more than 3 days in the city to experience everything. The history and architecture will take your breath away however it’s imperative to stay in Old Havana where everything is within walking distance. Our Airbnb was located in the Miramar district in Havana which is roughly a 15 minute cab ride to Old Havana. Despite being a short cab ride, the cost per ride started adding up especially since we were on a daily budget. Remember, the money you take with you is all you will have during your stay since there isn’t a way to access funds from a bank or ATM.
Traveling while Black, while comfortable, does come with some difficulty. Hailing a cab was relatively simply when my husband and I looked more like traditional tourists (i.e. with backpacks and cameras out). However, when we attempted to blend in and leave these items at our housing accommodation we found great difficulty in getting a cab. Conveniently, everyone found themselves too busy to help us.
Havana Cuba, will take your breathe away if you do it right. I had the pleasure of spending four days there on a solo travel trip. I stayed in an authentic Cuban neighborhood without an America in site and it was the best experience ever. I was invited by the next door neighbors to celebrate I a woman’s 85th birthday. I went to the beautiful beaches they have right outside Havana for a whole day. I enjoy the neighborhood bars that have live music performances on Friday’s. Cubans are some of the friendliest people you’ll meet ! I was walking by myself and on multiple occasions, and a Cuban guy or woman would start walking with me to make sure I was enjoying myself and knew where I was going without asking for money. If you want a true historical and beautiful experience , where blacks people will be accepted and loved . Cuba is the place for you. BRING CASH cause if you’re american your debit cards won’t work there !
Havana, Cuba was my first solo trip out the country. Simply amazing! I loved everything about the country…minus the heat! I went in the middle of July. The country is so rich with culture and history. I would recommend taking a tour of the city and learning the history. I would also recommend taking a Salsa class…definitely one of the highlights of my trip.
Salsa class: http://www.baila-habana.com/
Photo Tour (Instagram): @ilovecubaphotours
I spent about 36 hours in Havana. It was a port stop on a Norwegian Cruise. Even though 36 hours doesn’t seem like a long time however it’s plenty of time to see everything in Havana. Soon as I arrived I walked around the streets of Old Havana, by myself (I was a solo traveller). I loved to see how the Cubans actually live; and honestly you couldn’t help be directly in the center surrounded by their culture. HHavan (Cuba) is not a touristy location at all. There are no pretty sculpted lawns or trees, nothing flashy to catch the foreigners eye….it’s only local living shown. It’s not the prettiest sight however it opens your eyes to the things that we may take for granted. There are plenty of local restaurants and bars lined down each street. Kids playing, stray dogs and cats roaming, and the smell of fresh bread being baked. The highlight of my trip was to ride in the old cars and took a private tour to see Old and New Havana. The tour was booked people to my arrival and it was from 9-5pm. Excellent tour to see everything at your own pace. The guide was very accommodating. Outside of the tour I found a night club to attend which is popular amongst tourists and locals. So in my 36hours I was able to check off everything I wanted to do (minus see how they roll cigars) and I was told you have to book that in advance. Officially checked Cuba off of my bucket list!
Talk about time travel. I’ve visited Cuba twice and it’s one of those countries you have to prepare and do research before traveling. You can get the visa online for $100 or at the airport, but it sucks because you can only use it on that visit. So every time you go you have to get a visa again. I said the reason for my visit on my visa was education my first visit, and second visit, was religious reasons. When it comes to Currency exchange, the smartest thing to do is change your cash to Euros then change it to CUC in Cuba. The exchange rate is higher on US dollars. Forget about using credit cards there because they don’t have atms. Everything is cash ONLY. So exchange all your money you plan on spending there. They have 2 forms of currency, tourist can only use the CUC and not CUP. CUP is for the locals. Be careful that they give you CUP when purchasing items. There is no WiFi unless you purchase a WiFi card. An hr card is about $2CUC and you can easily find them on the street. You can only use the WiFi in the hot spots areas so beware. They upcharge locals like crazy. So always negotiate. There isn’t a lot to do in Havana other than hang at the Malecon, nightclubs, maybe some tours, but it is still so much fun. If you want to be entertained with live music and dancing. Check out Casa De Musica. Havana is very safe, I stayed in a low budget Airbnb, I’m prob the worst area and was perfectly fine. Don’t stay in a hotel unless you are balling like that. Lol If you travel there take items for the locals, toiletries, makeup, hair ties, clothes, diapers, toys. I did a drive with my friends and got donations of lightly used items and passed them out on the streets, they really need these items and were so appreciative. DO NOT go empty handed. When it comes to the food Cuba doesn’t have many imported spices, so don’t take your appetite there, trust me, the food is bland, but very affordable. The locals are friendly and will hang with you the entire time, so enjoy it! If you would like to go to the beach, Varadero is a great beach and it’s 1hr away I think… and the you can get a private taxi to take you there. :) overall Havana, it’s an amazing place, and so much history that you never hear about. You’ll love it.
The best thing when I was in Cuba was the fact that they thought I was Cuban. So basically you are treated like a local if you don’t behave like a tourist. Cubans I met, in general, were very cult and friendly people.
During my visit, I have rented a car (I had troubles finding a car in the airport, so I took a taxi to an hotel area recommended by the taxi driver, wandered a bit and asked many places, and attached to the “Panorama Hotel Havana” there was a nice car rental office, ~65$/day, paid in cash, car was good with AC – this was in low season!) and drove all around Cuba except to south towards Santiago, I had not enough time. Driving in Cuba is easy and the “highway” is decent, just watch out for potholes and slow vehicles/people in the road. People tend to ask you for a ride, give some from time to time, is tradition and you may make some friends or get good hints. I have been 3 days in Viñales area and for me was the highest point of the trip, is a must to visit the tobacco production area, horseback ride trough Viñales valley and taste some local delicacies like the “goiabita de viñales” liquor. Also there is a nice nightclub with live performance and cocktails in the center of the town. Near Viñales, Cayo Jutias is a must for beach lovers and for that fancy instagram picture. …In the othe side of the Island, I wasn’t impressed with “Cienfuegos” or “Trinidad”, was ok to just spend an afternoon. Other nice beach areas was “Playa Pilar”, “Cayo Santamaria”, “Cayo Guillermo” and Varadero. Havana was nice for the architecture, old cars, life and colours, but the smell in some streets was really bad, also there is a lot of garbage to collect and building falling apart. …Some prices for food/snacks were crazy low (locals money- Cuban Peso) and other crazy high(tourist industry money – Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC)). I paid equivalent 8$ for 1 coconut, 45$ for a bellow average meal for 2 with 1 drink in the Havana oldtown, for example. But I also paid like 2$ for a bag full with mangos, bananas and abacaxi in a local market, and other cheap snacks in the street… Watch out for nice guys trying to take you to a dancing place as they will expect you to buy a drink/cocktail. Check your bills in restaurants. Overall it was a nice experience, the country is really beautiful and slow paced, but I will not repeat as in Havana, when eating out, they will try to take your money with some hidden fees. Also food was poor in too many places.
I absolutely love Havana and will make it a yearly event! I went in April and the weather was absolutely perfect. I had a great Airbnb host, Mister Navi, and he coordinated everything for us including rides and events. Everything is cheaper there and our three bedroom apartment was about $100 a night and included breakfast. there was no wifi, which meant we got to live all the way in the moment and I had a great time. The Havana club rum is now my favorite liquor and is exclusive since you can’t buy it in America. I would definitely recommend this city and make sure you plan ahead to ensure your excursions and everything is taken care of since you won’t have access to wifi. I was surprised of the amount of black cubans of all varieties , people that look just like American black people that only speak Spanish! It was amazing and educating, as they asked us many questions as well. Cuba was the first place I visited that the people had no desire to visit America.
Because Cuba has been out of American reach for so long, the basics about Cuba remained a mystery to me for so many years. A group of 9 black women embarked on a group travel which remains one of our best to date. There are so many choices for places to stay in Cuba, but we picked an Airbnb in Miramar to house us for 6 days. I chose Miramar because I read it was like the suburbs in Havana. The houses in Miramar are large mini mansions which you can tell belonged to rich families prior to their departure for the US. Those homes were divided and given to the people by the government. Therefore many families try to make a living by renting them as Airbnb and avoid taxation from the government. Our 4 bedroom house included a full bathroom in each room and spacious enough for a courtyard, living room and dining room. We loved it. We didn’t stay in downtown Havana because we felt after a day of pure chaos and hustling and bustling thru the city, we enjoyed some peaceful sleep by returning to Miramar and enjoying an evening on the patio while sharing stories of our day. Miramar also where most of the foreign embassies are located. Tree lined, well kept. You will love it. Also a short dollar cab away from downtown.
My experience in Havana as a black solo female traveler was quite surreal because I felt so safe and comfortable. I stayed at Cuba 58 Hostel in La Habana Vieja for 6 nights. Fábrica de Arte Cubano is the place to go for modern nightlife. Talk to the locals and see what they do for fun etc. Los Nardos is the place that locals eat on special occasions, so go and wait in the long line because it’s worth it. Eating at the small tourist shops with burgers etc will be of poorer quality and very cheap. Be careful of some unofficial locals may offer to take you around and go out to eat but then expect you to pay for meals and for their services. Once you suspect that is happening, you can always say no and walk away. The government ensures that weapons or drugs are tightly regulated and restricted, so you can roam all hours of the night without worry. Cubans vary in skin tone, many locals have dark skin and what I would consider as black. Everyone was extremely friendly and I never felt threatened. I asked a local tour guide, who was showing us about old and new Havana, if blacks are especially targeted in Cuba or if there is any discrimination such as I experienced in the Dominican Republic (in regards to Haitians) and other countries. He laughed, as he did not understand why anyone would “fight their brother” or any Cuban regardless of skin color. From his understanding, everyone there was solely Cuban and had the duty to take care of each other. No one is treated differently or in an unfair way. He explained that it is also very common for interracial couples to exist with no trouble of cultural acceptance. This is something I kept inquiring locals about and I received a similar response each time. The fact that they could not even comprehend why there could be any issues between races already says a lot about the culture in general.
I don’t know where to even start. Havana was really one of the most relaxing vacations I have. First I stayed in an Airbnb in old Havana. Some people thought I was crazy because I wasn’t staying in a hotel that was safe, but I would have to disagree with them. My Airbnb was safe and even came with AC. I was right by the city center so I got breakfast and workoutted at the playground every morning!
Just like the comments below you have to most definitely ride in the old school taxis and try the mojitos!
O’reilly was my favorite restaurant by far. Had the best chicken pasta there and they also made their own plantain chips with homemade mango salsa.
Be prepared for the heat! It’s so hot so after the first day, I wore Nike shorts and a tank top the rest of the trip.
I will warn you, no advice or help is free. It’s a third world country so people will have their hand out for money if they notice you’re a tourist.
Havana, Cuba was the best place I’ve been so far. From the culture, to the beautiful city, the beautiful beach, just everything about it was dope! The food wasn’t too good which was weird because the Cuban food in Miami is delicious, maybe they have something the country don’t I’m not sure. But I highly recommend visiting Cuban, it’s so many black people there, you can learn so much!
I work in a cruise ship call Norwegian cruise line and I had the opportunity to know Cuba , for 5 months ones a weeks getting to Cuba and this is one of the activities I did , I rent a bicycle in a place called ciclo cuba near the capitolio at a price of 18 to 20 cuc for three hours they do private tours, but I decided to go with a friend And made us the tour From the Capitol to the end of the Malecon the route was very nice, we managed to stop by some places like the Antonio Maseo monument, the ramp, the Hispanic American culture center, the USA embassy , we stop and talked with some fishermen who are on the malecón fishing , I think this is economical way to do things in CUba and get to know it as well do some exercises and take beautiful photos . Before going to Cuba, * never take the first offer you get * go with someone who speaks a little Spanish because some places, taxi drivers take advantage of you are a tourist and charge more than the estimated price * you can not go Cuba without having learned to dance salsa and without trying the mojitos * no pay in dollars better change the money before * enjoy Cuba.
I spent 4 days in Havana and the one thing that really stood out to me was the vibe of the city and the pride that the Cubans take in their culture. I took a tour around the city in a one of the classic old school convertibles and almost felt like I was in a music video riding through the city with the music going while smoking a cigar. I also booked a local photographer though Airbnb experiences and was able to get some really cool photos in different parts of the city. All of the locals I encountered were really welcoming and I always felt safe walking around. I also speak a little Spanish which did help out alot as the Airbnb host and some of the local cab drivers didn’t speak fluent English.
I stayed in an Airbnb in Old Havana that was walking distance to quite a few restaurants.
I really recommend you two things in Havana, a little bit out of the typiacl tourist routes. They are both on the other side of the bay of Havana; Casablanca and Regla.
Casablanca is really typical and nice background for pictures. Its majour attraction is the Cristo de la Habana a 30 metres Statue of Christ overlooking Havana, the view is magnificent and nearby you have Che Guevara house.
Regla instead is a holy place for afro-cubans since we can find here La Virgen de Regla, or Yemaya in Yoruba culture, the church is.nice and the village as well.
The fastest way to arrive is also considered an attraction which is an old ferry boat, cost is about 1usd for tourists and you can visit both sights. It runs the whole day. This two are the best placed to have a panoramic of Havana’s skyline.
Cuba you stole my heart! My experience in Cuba was nothing short of amazing! The culture the people the love is a force not to be reckoned with! You can’t help but submerge yourself into their culture. I went to Cuba on a cruise we were there for about 15 hours! Within those hours I rode around in their vintage cars I ate there delicious Cuban food and I danced with the beautiful Cuban women and men! We walked for miles and miles while grabbing a Mojito at almost every block. While we were there we arranged a local tour guide (https://instagram.com/cubawthyoyo.15.7?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=1sdybhfu5mkgh) YoYo was amazing and very reasonably priced!! Book Yo-yo if you go I attached his Instagram link above. He will arrange everything for you. Our tour guide also arranged a beach trip for us as well that day. To get to the beach you have to take a taxi. The beach it’s not very close to get to, the water is close but the actual beach that you can walk to the sand is not. The streets the buildings are extraordinarily vibrant full of colors and life and plants and vegetables and fruit on every corner that you turn, and it is absolutely breathtaking.The best part is they want you to come and take part of what it is they have to offer, what it is they have to give they want you to see! it’s really nothing that you can just explain in words it’s something you must go see. Do not let this lifetime pass you by without going to Havana Cuba! “¿Hola Hola que Bola?” Thank you Havana Cuba for reminding me to Live vibrantly and full of color!
Havana is a delicacy. Full of history and love. It is a beautiful city filled with beautiful people. Describe Cuba itsois hard because it such a plethora of positive emotions yet a bit sadness because the privilege of being able to travel in and out. Maybe because it was my first solo trip and my familiar connection to the country has me in such awe, but the city is incredible. You can catch a bus ride the the beach for 5$ roundtrip. Mojitos. Street food. Restaurant. Cigars. The children. The elderly. They all play such an amazing role the the expierence. Take a cooking class and a car tour. Havana is one of the delveloping places that is more of a vibe. Dancing in the streets at night with locals is really what is all about. Really connecting with the locals makes the experience. I’d definitely suggest knowing some spanish. As English is not prevelant language there. As I speak Spanish it’s was definitely easier to connect, but google translate and an offline map is so helpful. My best suggestion for Havana is just to walk around and see what and who run into. It’s a expierence like no other that everyone should enjoy. Absolutely adore it.
We went to Cuba to celebrate my birthday and it was just what I needed. We were there for a total of 4 days (3 in Havana and 1 day in Vinales)
Must dos:
1). You absolutely have to ride in a classic car. (pick one that matches your look so that you can capture that perfect pic for the gram)
2). The mojito was invented here so be sure to hit up La Bodeguita del Medio! (take a permanent marker, they allow you to write on the walls)
3). EAT! Churros, rice and beans, ropa vieja
4). Dance/fraternize with the locals. they are a ball of energy!
5). El Dandy is a great spot to do both 3&4
6). Roll up a few cubans (we did this doing a tobacco farm tour in vinales.)
Things to note:
1. NEVER take the first offer thats given to you when selecting an excursion.
2. Brush up on your Spanish because although the people near tourist attractions speak English, the majority of the locals do not.
3. There are a number of stray dogs, they were pretty to themselves but I thought it best to provide that caveat.
4. Exchange your money before you get there.
5.internet is scarce!
Outside of that things are pretty amazing!
I flew directly into Cuba from Atlanta. I stayed in an airbnb in old Havana and it was really cute and clean. My airbnb host was amazing. She provided me with a local cell phone to use while I was there and kept the place stocked with juice, liquor and wifi cards if needed. So far Cuba is the best country I’ve visited. It’s so historic and completely shut off from the rest of the world. Everyone was friendly and I felt completely safe. My airbnb was in the perfect location and walking distance from a lot of restaurants. I booked most of my excursions (cooking with a Cuban family, photo shoot, salsa lessons) through airbnb before hand. There’s also plenty of taxis hanging around that you can take for tours. The beach that I visited was Varadero and it’s a two hour drive from Havana but it was well worth it, the beach was beautiful. I used the support for the Cuban people as my travel reason which staying in an airbnb (considered a casa in Cuba) was all that was needed to travel. I received my visa at airport the day my flight departed through Delta which was $50. Please exchange your USD to either Euros or Canadian Dollars before you go. They charge a 10% fee on USD to exchange to Cuban Pesos. Your US debit cards WILL NOT WORK in Cuba so please prepare to exchange money. For a 5 day trip $400 is enough for spending money if you book your experiences beforehand. Most of your money in Cuba will be spent on taxis, food, and souvenirs. A lot of things are in walking distance so if your ok with walking just bringing comfortable shoes.
“No Jamon” or no Pork. I’m not a pork eater so that was my favorite phrase in Cuba. I love the food here because I know it’s not from a box. They have fresh everything for a cheap price. I recommend going to the places that look rundown and beat up. The service is great because they are competing with others and will do anything to accommodate your needs as long as your respectful. Mojitos are life here and the right bar tender will give you a extra punch if you also make the experience enjoyable for them. Don’t take for granted a big meal of your choice in a small shop with a mojitos and cigar to wash it down?.
There’s this quote that says “Lets wander where the Wifi is weak”. If that’s your goal, Havana is your destination lol. That’s truly one of the beauties of visiting Havana Cuba. You truly get to bask in its beauty and all that it offers because the Wifi is horrible which means very limited connection or interaction to the outside world. Visiting Havana is truly like getting into a time machine and going back into the 1950s and 1960s. The cars, the fashion, the weak internet connection, the music, the culture. Its truly like while the rest of the world was moving along, Havana pressed pause. While in Havana I also stayed in an Airbnb by the name of Casa Colon ( https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/13617238 ). This location was walking distance to Havana’s central and the host was very helpful and accommodating. When it comes to Havana’s food people either love it or hate it, I loved it. One essential note when visiting Havana make sure you have enough money. You can not use an ATM or use any type of bank or credit card AT ALL in Havana. If you run out of money there’s no way to receive money other than western union and tourist can not receive money via western union. In Havana you have the option of a sightseeing tour in an old American car. You have the option to visit Santa Maria beach which is 45 minutes outside of Havana’s central. I decided to take the two hour drive and stay two days in Varadero. The taxi was about $50. During the ride, he stopped us for food with the locals and once you arrive the beach is well worth the ride. Downtown Varadero is very upbeat and fun and festive at night. Its pretty much a block party with many bars, food vendors, music and dancing. The same with Havana in its center at night. Very upbeat and lively. I would definitely revisit Havana, especially before Trump stop us from being able to enter again.
The city of Havana is beautiful and has managed to preserve a historic essence that you can’t find anywhere else in the world. The beautiful old cars and lack of commercial advertisements make it easier to appreciate your vacation without distraction.
When in the city of Havana it is easy to explore and get around the city by foot. I actually preferred to walk rather than ride in a car. Because the cars are so old, they tend to have really strong exhaust smells. It’s Cuba, not the US, so the smog isn’t regulated the same. Havana is one of the safest countries in the world and you will see teenagers and adults alike outside at all hours of the night.
Nightlife: We went out to a nightclub one night. We went to Fabrica de Artes (located on Avenida 7). I live in Los Angeles and know a great nightclub when I see one, but Fabrica de Artes was unlike anything I had every experienced. Fabrica de Artes was a multilevel, multiroom club decorated with amazing modern art and murals. They played a combination of popular in English and Spanish music on the first floor. As you enter other rooms there are English hip-hop rooms, R&B and others. There was even a room that had a large theater and played music video on the humongous screen. There was a roof top and a full restaurant area. It was AMAZING!!! The entrance fee wasn’t more than $10CUC. There was a long line to get in so go early and there is no VIP or bottle service so you have to wait your turn.
Another couple of nights we just went to local bars and chilled. There was a mixture of locals and tourists. Be prepared to see prostitutes. Most of the time they are with Caucasian men who are obviously tourists and appear European, but they could be American. It’s sad to see, but I saw it most of the nights I went out…so just a heads up.
Day life: One day we (me and 4 friends) piled into a car and went to a nearby beach. We went to Mar Azul and it was about 15-20 minutes from Central Havana. It was beautiful, had warm beach water, vendors and bars along the beach. A bottle of rum was less than $10 depending on the size and you can always buy soda and make your own drinks or the bartender can whip up something. We did a combo of both and had pina coladas, drinks in fresh coconuts and bought a bottle of rum. There were chairs along the beach so no need to worry about a place to sit.
We spent another couple days just exploring. Going to the Malecon, Old Havana and different neighborhoods just taking it all in. There are museums and govenments buildings in old Havana. The architecture is also beautiful to look at.
If you get a chance check out Callejon Hamel. This the area where you will find a largo Afro-Cuban population. The best time to go is on a Sunday from 12pm to 4pm to experience dancing, singing, and art. It does get crowded so get there a little early to get a good spot.
Excursion: Keep in mind throughout your trip internet access will be extremely limited so it’s best to book your trip through a reputable website before going to Cuba. My fiance and I booked a day trip ahead of time to Vinales, using http://www.cubatravelnetwork.com. A tour bus met us at a predetermined hotel location and took us to Vinales, which was about 2 hours from Havana. It was a full day trip and we got to tour cigar factories, tobacco farms and ride in a boat through ancient caves. Oh, did I mention we were also provided an amazing lunch and historical content along the way.
Good info to know: Before going to Cuba I would recommend researching. Know a little about the history and the culture and you will appreciate the things you see so much more. Be prepared to see lots of black people! There are more black people than the media ever shows in Cuba. If you are able, take clothes that you no longer need or want and leave them with a local that you meet. The country is poor and the people appreciate what they can get especially toiletries, anything name brand and feminine care products. It is not an English speaking country so try to know a little Spanish or download a translator ahead of time.
Whenever I travel, I like to mingle with the locals… because why not! It’s all about capturing the essence and there’s nothing like experiencing the culture with locals! This includes the food! The food in Cuba was great.. but I’m talking about the LOCAL good. Avoid any chance you get to eat mainstream, it takes away from the adventure. But you still must be careful of where you eat from as some places, no matter how good the good was, are not the most sanitary. I found that out the hard way. It may be delicious right off someone’s mother’s stove, but they FDA isn’t grading Mama’s kitchen. Still it was great!
I just got back from an amazing trip to Cuba to celebrate my 34th birthday. It was a solo trip and I felt very safe throughout my time there. I stayed at an Airbnb in Havana and it was easily accessible, very well kept and chic. I also engaged in a lot of experiences on Airbnb, including getting picked up at he airport in a classic car, doing a photo shoot throughout New Havana, the city centre and Old Havana, taking a day trip to Viñales, taking a Cuban cooking class and a pub crawl to bring in my birthday. Here are links to all the things I did. I would definitely recommend visiting Cuba!
Accommodation – https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/20133867?s=51
Airport pick up – https://abnb.me/RKqNzrGUYM?user_id=77293425&s=50
Trip to Viñales – https://abnb.me/JQt8Xma7HR?user_id=77293425&s=50
Photo Shoot – https://abnb.me/tSozJgCHOM?user_id=77293425&s=50
Cooking Class – https://abnb.me/T4DXh0SqBR?user_id=77293425&s=50
Pub Crawl – https://abnb.me/Kn6E8qcPTM?user_id=77293425&s=50
Viva Cuba! I had so much fun in Cuba! There’s so much culture and art to see. We stayed in an Airbnb that looked impeccable with daily breakfast and WiFi. Each day we toured a different part of Havana from the museums to old Havana. The people were very nice although they do not speak English! Luckily I know a little Spanish! They only accept cash so you can leave your credit and debit cards at home. You also need a visa which was easily obtained at my local airport. The food was cheap but delicious as well!
Havana was such a good time. I went with a group of girlfriends and we didn’t have any trouble with TSA or getting past security (I bought a travel visa ahead of time). We stayed at two different AirBnBs. Both hosts were very helpful and provided recommendations for things to do. If you have more than a few days I would suggest a day trip to Viñales (our AirBNB host offered a tour), this is where the tobacco farms and rum plantations are and the vast fields of green are much different than the experiment you get in the city. Definitely do you research on where to eat, there are some great restaurants but it’s very easy to end up in a bad one. The government owned restaurants don’t pay much attention to their product but the private restaurants (Paladar) are worth a visit – some of my favorites were El Del Frente, El Cocinero, Villa Los Pinos. I wish I had time to try Tocamadero and San Juan Bar & Grill. We went to Fabrica de Arte nightclub Friday night and had a really good time, they had a really good champagne mojito and many rooms for dancing. We ended up in a bar called La Gruta another night and it ended up being fun, a lot of dancing and talking with locals.
Cuba is definitely a place to visit. Highlights include the dramatic landscapes of Viñales Valley, Spanish colonial towns such as Trinidad and the capital city itself. Havana belongs in another era, with its vintage American cars, art deco architecture and lack of violent crime. Don’t forget to grab a Mojito for a little buzz and smoke a real Cuban cigar.
As the Cubans say: “Hola Hola Que Bola!” Cuba was nothing short of amazing, great experience to say the least!! Cuba is full of life and adventure, you literally never know what you’re going to see or come across within the next 5 minutes. I love the authenticity of Havana. The old cars are so exciting to see and even better to ride in; somehow they keep these cars running in tip top shape even though they’re so old! The tour I went on took us through the central market area where all the food spots and bars are along with shopping markets. We walked through some of the poor parts of the city so you should beware of beggars (but hey it’s apart of the experience). I loved the trip because it was a complete getaway from the American reality. You won’t find Hardly anything Americanized or hardly anyone who speaks English. Those 3 years of Spanish in high school became very useful. The beaches are amazing and very serene. I would recommend Cuba if you’re looking for adventure and heavy Afro Cuban culture, music, cheap food and drinks!! Safe travels
Cuba was amazing and i got a true vibe of Afro Latina and felt like i was at home . Visit fabrica de arte cubano on Saturdays . It’s a museum with a live band area, bars and food all in one . Visit Habana blue for authentic Cuban food . Cheapest and best lobster I’ve ever had .
Food in Havana is fresh, and cheap!! There’s tons of local restaurants that offer traditional Cuban cuisine, (think: lots of pork, black beans and bananas) for very low prices. In Vieja (Old Havana), I went to El Trofeo, a beautiful sit down restaurant with waiters in ties and air conditioning (a bonus, believe me!). I ordered roasted pork, beans and rice, black bean soup and a rum cocktail and my bill was only $8! And I got 3 full pieces of pork. I had leftovers for 2 days!! Very cost efficient and delicious.
Visit La Casa de la música, located in Old Havana and Miramar area. There’s live music with a different Cuban band everyday. Have dinner at El Guajirito, besides mojitos and food there’s a show included, totally worthy.
If you want to learn about Afro Cuban Religion (Santeria) and Art go to Callejón de Hammel, every Sunday there are drummers and Afro Cubans dancing local music, it can be crowded on Sundays tho and it’s a small area. Walking at El Malecón it’s a plus and great way to meet locals. Lots of Cubans sit there at night with their music and rum. If you like the beach, besides Varadero, there’s Playas del Este. Only 20 minutes drive in a bus that runs daily for tourist back and forth.
We did the Havana City Tour. I highly recommend Cubaoutings from the moment i started my inquiry Gloria was quick to answer any questions and made it very easy to book with them she even altered the times to meet us. Our tour guide was Adita she was amazing we were so thankful that she waited on us since we were almost last to get off the ship. She waited on us for 3 hours and the look on her face was priceless once we arrived. She was great at explaining everything to us her English was top notch, She even translated for us when needed. The vintage car was our favorite part and it started raining and the driver was quick to pull the hood up so that we didn’t get wet. We also went to the cigar shop and purchased some rum and cigars and Adita helped us with that and also recommended a place for me to get a Mojito. When i visit again i will definitely book with Cubaoutings and of course request Adita!!
Cuba was good times! Havana is gorgeous and haves a lot of history. Make sure you visit the currency exchange before you get to Cuba, Its best to get Euros and exchange them into CUP. I recommend checking out this cool spot called Flordita’s supposedly its where the first daiquiri came from. Live it up!
My BF and I stayed in Havana for 5 days which in my opinion was entirely too long. Cuba is a beautiful place but NO ONE speaks English and it’s very difficult to communicate if you don’t speak the language. We stayed in an Airbnb, which was the best route considering the entire stay was $300 vs $1200 to stay in a hotel. There is no WiFi so you have to get in where you fit in. The food is decent, I mostly ate chicken just to stay on the safe side of things. Cuba is very safe, there isn’t any crime. We did get a few looks because we couldn’t speak the language but for the most part it’s a great place to travel while black because a lot of the people are indeed black. The culture is beautiful and the beaches are nice. Don’t settle for prices on anything because everything is negotiable and just in case you didn’t know the US dollar is much less than the CUC, so it may be beneficial to get Euros first then CUC… other than that we had a good time. Alcohol is very cheap and so is the food. My fav places to eat was La familia and El Gusto. These places seem to have the better options.
Havana is beyond cheap for every single activity. Food, drinks, excursions, etc are all very affordable. You’ll spend the most money on cabs since there’s no public transportation. Be sure to agree how much the fare will be before you decide to go with any specific cab driver, as they will definitely jack up the prices if you look like you’ll fall for it. For food and good ambiance, you have to visit La Guarida and Vistamar restaurants. I’d also recommend taking a private day tour, and visiting the slavery museum as one of the spots on the tour. A lot of the city can only be seen on foot, but having your own driver is worth it.
Cuba is one of those places where you go to disconnect from everything and everyone. It’s a place where you are able to relax and enjoy the world as it was before technology came in to our lives and our phones became our number one priority. From walks around the city to sitting on the malecón there’s a peace and a sense of relaxation you won’t be able to get anywhere else.
I enjoyed Old Havana mainly because it looked like I stepped into a time warp. Old cars, old buildings and no internet lol. It all looks so different compared to most cities so wandering through the streets of old Havana was like a new adventure every day. Passing by random museums, restaurants, monuments and random dance parties in the street. You can’t go wrong exploring the streets of Havana. Locals are very nice and helpful when needed. Not many speak English do they do try. I suggest you wear comfortable shoes and go where ever your mind takes you. You might get lost a bit but it’s a small area so you’ll find your way. I would recommend you not waste your time searching for Wi-Fi. It’s so scarce and by the time you find it, the speeds are so slow you’ll get frustrated and give up. So put your phone down for once and actually enjoy your surroundings !
Looking for a inexpensive getaway? HAVANA CUBA IT IS!
I flew Southwest to Havana for roughly $365 roundtrip. I booked my flight in one-ways so I didn’t have to pay for it all out of pocket at once. Southwest was major key for me because I knew I’d want to bring back plenty of alcohol and goods.
My group of 6 stayed in a local air bnb. It was amazing to say the least. Each of us paid $80 for a 4 days stay. We had an incredible host that would come in every morning and make us breakfast for $2-$5/day.
A visa is required to go to Cuba. We choose the OFAC reason of: Support for the Cuban people. Since we flew southwest our visa was only a total of $50.
My entire trip: Airfare, Lodging and Visa (Mandatory) totaled to be less than $500.00.
If you’re looking for culture, good food, genuine people and beaches… Cuba is the place to visit.
Havana has to be one of the most beautiful cities I have traveled to. Everything is just so pure it gives you a real feel as to how life could have been years before we were born!
We stayed in an Airbnb – Revolution Boutique the Havana Suite. The host was super helpful. They cook breakfast for you every morning and offer tips on what to do. They recommended this amazing place we visited that you should too! It is a nighttime experience – a museum called Fabrica Del Arte Cubans. It is an art gallery that also serves as a night club. It contains amazing artwork and is really something to see. I also suggest taking the bus to the beach! It was super cheap for the round trip fare I can’t remember the exact price but the beaches were amazing and very clean. Do enjoy the authentic food the city has to offer and drink as many mojitos as possible!!
Make sure to bring cash as you WILL NOT be able to use a US credit card anywhere. There is also no WiFi of phone service in this city. Snapchat is banned in the entire country…it is really a way to escape for a while
My trip to Cuba was GREAT. Not only was it an inexpensive trip, the food was also great, people super friendly and helpful (as long as you know at least basic spanish lol), the city of havana was as vibrant as advertised and its SAFE. Theres police everywhere at all times of the day/night.
Most people ask how do you get to Cuba with all our US based regulations – the answer is get a Visa. Theres 12 justifications to obtain a visa. The most common one for basic travel and leisure is “For the support of the Cuban People.” Thats the one i used and i wasnt asked any questions or needed any documentation apart from the visa, leaving nor entering the US. Im not sure if other airlines are different but i flew with Jetblue. With them, you have to checkin 3hrs in advance as opposed to the standard 2hrs for international flight. Reason being that you have to fill out and pay for the visa ($50) at the check-in counter. So theres no extra work required after purchasing your ticket with Jetblue, just show up 3hrs in advance when checking in. I stayed in an airbnb while in Cuba and it was worth every penny. My airbnb spot only cost me about $30US a night. It was very nice and in a perfect location right on the famous Malecón in Havana. Our host was the best, he took us around (for free) and to an event one night at the Cuban Art Factory. He even put us on to a few GREAT food spots (“New George’s” & “Habana 61”) in Havana. $20US bought me a full entree, two starters and a beer. The food in Havana is very very cheap and tasty. I also did a few activities/tours which i booked through airbnb “experiences”: classic car tour, walking city tour, scuba diving trip and trip to the cigar farm. My activities were all booked prior but after getting there, I realized i could have just done everything on the spot. Its really a personal preference, if you like to book in advance you can but you can also do things on the fly when you arrive. Visit the beaches, water was calm and warm, i went to Santa Marie beach.
IMPORTANT TIPS:
1. You can bargain for EVERYTHING out there. So dont take the first price you’re told.
2. US credit cards are NOT accepted
3. When changing US dollars you will lose a few dollars depending on where you go. DO NOT CHANGE THE BULK OF YOUR MONEY AT THE AIRPORT. Change a few bucks to get to where you’re staying and maybe for a meal. You will get less there than at other places. At the airport $20 = 17CuC. I found a local bar in Havana that gave me 19.50CuC for $20US. So the exchange rate varies depending on where you go. Things are super cheap so losing a few dollars when changing money wont hurt you.
4. There’s generally NO wifi in most places but there are certain places that have wifi (some hotels, wifi designated areas, restaurants) its hard to find but you can find if you ask around. BUT in order to use the wifi at these places, you MUST purchase a wifi card. Its like a calling card. You buy the card and scratch off the login info for the wifi on the back. Again, bargain for the price of the card. You’ll find people selling them 1Cuc for 1hr and some 4Cuc for 1hr. Bargain bargain bargain !! The Wifi card is on cheap paper so be gentle when scratching off the back. I blew 3 cards by scratching to hard.
All in all, Cuba is must !!!
Gorgeous place filled with culture. So scenic and so much to do. You’d certainly enjoy this.
So my boyfriend and I decided to visit Havana, Cuba for a quick trip. We flew JetBlue both there and back and had no issues! Just make sure you get to the airport 3 hours ahead because you have to get a visa at the airport (at least at JFK, $50). Once we arrived we just hopped in a taxi (we stayed on Malicon and 5th, so it shouldn’t be more than $20 CUC). I advise changing your money At the airport. However, we got lucky and found a restaurant that changes USD to CUC for 19.50 for every 20 US. That’s a steal i promise you.
I suggest eating at New George’s restaurant. It’s delicius! Also another place to eat is in Old City was Habana 61, but you need to make a reservation!
For activities. I suggest booking your “experience” on Air BnB. It made our lives so easy! Everything is already paid. Make sure you have enough cash to go with because it is quite difficult to find a place that takes credit cards or USD.
For activities we did a photo tour around Old Havana, a car tour around Havana to Castillo del Morro, Hotel Nacional, and the national forest. Then we went to Santa Maria beach (get there early because it gets packed), we went scuba diving one day that was a fun experience (it’s more an introductory experience so anyone can do it), and Sunday we went to Viñales Valley to the Tabacco farms to see how cigars are made, and the coffee farm, took a horseback ride between them and a small boat through a river inside of a cave.
For parties…. ART FACTORY! We had a lot of fun! We made friends there and ended up hanging out with them and our Air BnB host! I definitely recommend! Follow me on Instagram for pics and videos! @iamnursett
Havana was such a amazing trip for us. There were so many things to do and so many places to visit and eating and traveling was extremely affordable. We did loads of research before we arrived so we knew all the amazing places we wanted to visit Plaza de Revolucion, the cigar factory, calle obispo, Porto Habana located on the 12th floor of a high rise (outside of Havana but one of the best places to eat ). We even visited an old sugarcane factory in Trinidad Cuba which was very enlightening and even had fresh cane juice on the spot. Hemmingway’s house which was in the city but you had to travel to it was exquisite with so much historic facts about him and what he loved to do in Cuba. One of the best drinks if you like rum is called a Cuba Libre and that was typically about $3 US. Habana 61 was an elegant restaurant with delcious food, make a reservation. The locals are uber friendly and always ready to help. One of the main things we loved about Cuba generally speaking is that it has very little crime if any.
This isn’t just about being black but PLEASE remember to bring cash. I forgot my cash and no US debit or credit cards are accepted in Cuba. You can not receive money through Western Union either. The only option I had was to send money to a Cuban to receive it for me,
Use Bookmundi to book great & cheap afro cuban tour in a classic old car for under $40 USD!
Do U Havana Style:
Beach: Playa Saint Maria 20min drive from city center
Things To Do: Ernest Hemingway’s home, Malecon boardwalk along the ocean, Salsabor a Cuba (Dance School) Salsa Dancing, Christopher Columbus Cemetary (Cemetario de Colon), Rum Museum
Lunch: Los Nardos, 5 Centidos (patio), or Hoy Como Ayer
Dinner: La Guardia ( Jay Z & Bey ate here), La Concordia (rooftop), or El Cocinero (rooftop)
Clubs: Club 1830, Casa de la Musica de Miramar, Fabrica de Arte Cubano (FAC)
I was fortunate to have visited Havana in January 2017 with 5 other girlfriends. We got there by purchasing an inexpensive flight out from Houston via AeroMexico. When we arrived at our brief layover in Mexico City, we purchased our visas at the counter (which ran us about $20). Upon arrival in Cuba, catching a taxi to our Airbnb in the Vedado area (approximately 10 min or so drive away from Old Havana) was relatively easy and simple.
Throughout our few days spent in Havana, my friends and I were able to experience a variety of activities (driving tour, Sunday night salsa, visiting museums) and truly immerse ourself in what felt like a back to the future time in Cuba. As several Black women, we felt quite safe and also were admired and appreciated throughout the city (especially by the men) for the most part. My only regret was not being able to experience Fabrica de Arte while there because it was shut down at the time. I would most definitely consider visiting Cuba and would highly recommend it to others to experience a country like no other!
Havana is an experience that I think everyone should witness. It is like you are dropped in a different century–everything frozen in time. We stayed in an airbnb in Old Havana and it was very charming. Everyone was very friendly and it was easy to get around. None of us spoke Spanish, but the google translate app helped us tremendously. Our Airbnb host cooked us breakfast every morning for a fee of around $8. I personally felt that was too much for a couple eggs, toast, and fruit. Another thing I would note is the quality and sanitation of the food may be poor. I got really sick while I was there. While the food was delicious, my stomach did not agree. My stomach problems followed me for at least a week AFTER I returned from Cuba.
Things To Do
Cuba was incredible! I spent mornings on the balcony of my casa particular (air bnb) sipping some of the best coffee in the world. I then spent my days wondering around the streets and alleys of Old Havana, seeing the building, colors, and talking with locals. I also took a drive over to the beaches to relax. At night, music fills the streets and you can drink and dance the night away! Take a trip over to the small local town of Vinales to visit the tobacco and coffee fields. I rode a horse throughout the fields, took a break at the tobacco farm and learned straight from the farmer how cigars are made, then of course enjoyed one. Salsa dancing is the highlight of the night in Vinales! Cuba is amazing, it’s history, is culture, and it’s people. Can’t wait to get back
I fell in love with Cuba the moment we got there. If you ever wondered what stepping into a time machine felt like….journey to Havana. Driving around in those beautiful classic cars are so much fun. I recommend staying at an Airbnb instead of a hotel. Make sure you visit Vinales. The country side is gorgeous. You can learn how they make cigars. If you’re looking for a fun night out, definitely go to Restarante 1830. Best salsa dancing! For the beach, Veradero Beach is a must.
Tips:
-Bring cash (You won’t be able to use the ATM)
-Our Airbnb host had WiFi (you won’t be completely disconnected from the world)
-Practice your Spanish
-For quality food research “Paladares” in the area. (Local restaurants don’t have good quality food)
-Research Cuba’s history, watch a documentary before you go. You will better understand why the country is the way it is. You will appreciate it more too.
-Stay up to date on travel document requirements for US citizens. When I went in 2017 you just had to purchase a visa which I did through the airline. (JetBlue)
-Bring snacks…in case you get the munchies late at night
– Cuba is safe. I never had any issues
While on my 4 day trip to Havana, I ate dinner at two local Paladares (private/family owned restaurants), as well as the famous restaurant that Obama, Beyoncé and Jay Z ate at! Night one.. Paladar Doña Eutimia: A quaint little indoor/outdoor restaurant in Old Havana, tucked away in a corner behind a bunch of other paladares. You may need to ask a local or bike taxi for directions. The food was amazing! I ordered the shrimp in garlic sauce, rice w /Black bean and a side of sweet plantain. Out of all the restaurants we ate at, Doña Eutimia had the BEST black beans, hands down! In all, two meals with drinks and extra sides ran us a bill of approx 35 CUC total! I definitely reccomend this place!
Night two… Paladar La Guarida. Known as a secret treasure in Havana, the atmosphere and ambiance was exquisite, yet the food fell short of the hype.. I ate mediocre ropa vieja with OK rice and black beans, and a decent guava daiquiri. Two meals with drinks ran us approx 50 CUC, definitely more on the expensive side. I recommend this place just for the experience of traveling up the signature and picture-esque marble staircase and obligatory Cuban flag photo-opt.
Night 3… Paladar San Cristobal. All around wonderful experience! Nestled in the not-so-touristy part of old Havana, (I reccomend taking a bike taxi so you you can see everything) from the moment you enter, the restaurant will captivate you! With its cast iron gate entrance and neon lights, to the OVER THE TOP restroom! This particular night was my birthday and the waiters surprised me with a rendition of happy birthday, a small cake treat, shot of rum, and complimentary cigar! I ordered the Lobster canoa india (??) and rice and black beans (still no beating Doña Eutimia’s beans, but the lobster was great!) I also had one heck of a mojito!! In all, this was a great dining experience that I definitely reccomend! Two meals and drinks ran us approx. 60CUC, but definitely worth it!!
*All restaurants are located in Old Havana and you MUST have a reservation!
ROOFTOP POOL: The Gran Hotel Manzana is a luxury hotel located in La Havana Vieja (old Havana), directly across the street from El Floridita (great daiquiris and WiFi!). We came across this hotel by mention of our Air BnB host. We were looking for places to go for WiFi and she suggested we check out the rooftop for an amazing view of Havana- she wasn’t lying! The rooftop of the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski houses an inside and outdoor restaurant, an infinity pool, spa and pano view of Havana!
We were quite amazed! On our first visit to the rooftop we sat outdoors for lunch and drinks (decently priced). We asked if outside guest could access the pool, and were told no, but that we could purchase a day pass for 66CUC which gave us access to the pool and spa area from 9am-9pm. So, the next day we came back at 9am sharp ready to enjoy the day-lounging poolside!
The best part about it is that not many tourist have caught on to the day pass deal, so the pool was quiet and peaceful! (If you’re on a budget, the day pass is definitely the way to go! Regular room rates at the hotel are upwards of $400USD/night)
Afro- Cuban Culture
Our most engaging encounter with Afro- Cuban culture came from our visit to Callejon de Hamel. What we
thought would be a chill Sunday turned into so much more! Located in central Habana, “the shrine” is a dedication to all thing Afro-Cuban including from religion to art to food.
We arrived around noon and the first thing that caught my eye was the street art. A small segment that
seemed completely untouched by the outside world was eclectic to say the least, it was cumbersome but yet poetic. DJ, the more artistic one, was hypnotized. From vibrantly colored murals and sculptures made from recycled materials to quaint art shops and whimsical
trinkets, I fell in love. There was also a strong religious presence. Santeria, otherwise known as the worship of the saints, has recently gained popularity. Dressed in all white, head to toe, the religious practice is African based with adaptations from Catholicism.
It was fascinating to see how in this once small religious group had shaped an entire group of people.
The people in general were something else. One minute DJ had someone rapping to her then the next they
were taking her to enjoy a rumba performance. The intermeshing drum patterns and chants filled the space. My favorite aspect would have to be the comparsas! The traditional carnival street band had everyone engaged for the entirety of their set. While the
music kept a huge smile on my face, I felt as if every beat was in sync to my own heartbeat. As for DJ, she was obsessed with their moves; they were invigorating. Callejon de Hamel is a tourist dream.
What can I say, Cuba has completely captured our souls. It’s authentic, unique and inviting. The people
are welcoming, the food is bomb and their music will have you on your feet for hours at a time. It is definitely one of our favorite countries to date and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we did.
Cuba was an AMAZING experience. The culture is beautiful, the people are happy and the souls are pure. I would suggest everyone to visit Cuba at least once. I went with one of my best friends for a weekend getaway. From the moment we stepped outside the airport, it was love at first sight from the 1950s classic cars, to Mojitos to every person showing affection to their mate.
The first day, we took our time to settle into our airbnb and familiarize ourselves with the neighborhood. The street signs are nailed to the side of the apartment buildings so it could be a bit confusing. We used the app–maps.me to navigate through the buildings and found our way to The Malecón, seawall along the coast of Havana. Many of the locals hang there to dance and socialize. There are a few restaurants and a hotel, Deauville, to access the internet if needed. The night ended with watching the locals laugh, kids playing games, couples in love and some others fishing.
The next day, we booked a 5 hour tour, Havana Combo Hemingway & City Tour, via http://www.oldcartours.com. There are other options to do other tours but this tour takes the scenic routes to the Capitol building, China Town, Reina and Carlos III streets, Revolution Square, Cristobal Colon Cemetery, Habana Forest, 5th Avenue and Malecón Avenue. When the tour was over we went back to the Malecón where I had a short salsa lesson and enjoyed fresh lobster tails at one of the hotels.
The last day, we booked another tour with the Oldcartours.com to go to Vinales. It was a 10 hour day, (2.5 hrs. travel each way). There we visited an Indian Cave, tobacco field and rode horses through the fields. Overall an AMAZING experience. You will have the opportunity to see the rural side of Cuba. There is a fee to ride a boat through the Indian Cave. The country side is equally as beautiful as Havana.
Things to note:
-Understand the basic Spanish phrases
-Change USD to EUR to CUC
-Negotiate EVERYTHING!!!!!
-Cabs to and from the airport to Havana should ONLY be 25-30 CUC. Some cab drivers will try to scam you.
-Cuba is a ROMANTIC country, there is a lot of affection throughout the country. (BEAUTIFUL).
-The buildings look poor outside but are AMAZING inside.
-Cubans love to socialize. Engage in conversation.
-Embrace the culture.
-Learn salsa…. aye!!!!
To sum, enjoy the culture and relaxation. Embrace the culture and step outside of comfort zone!
Photos on my IG: Anastaeishak
Looking for an affordable warm-weather destination that is rich in culture, architecture and history? Then Cuba (all of it) is definitely where you want to visit. From the moment you step off the plane in Havana, you immediately feel like you want to fully immerse yourself in this time capsule.
Cuba is not as modernized as many of its neighbouring islands and that in itself is an attraction. Large, colonial style buildings from its glory days still remain standing. Although many of the buildings have not been maintained over the years, they still have such character that add to the overall aesthetic and is definitely a photographer’s haven. Brightly coloured antique cars from the 1960s, 70s etc still roam the streets and are used for taxis, tours/ excursions in and around Havana. Driving around in one of these convertible, white leather seat beauties is a must! Where else are you going to do that? Feeling a bit more free-spirited and adventurous? Try a Coco-taxi which is an auto-rickshaw type taxi. These half-moon shaped, yellow, moped thingies zip and weave you through the alleyways and traffic unlike what a regular vehicle would have been able to do. They’re quite cute!
As compared to many other Caribbean islands, Cuba is fairly inexpensive for the average visitor and the US$ is widely accepted, although you may have to stay on your p’s and q’s when spending otherwise you’ll get ripped off big time!
Cuban art and cigars are another ‘attraction’ any visitor should experience in action! The time and effortless strokes of the painter’s brush is hypnotizing and let’s not mention watching a roller make cigars. Wow! Talk about skill.
Like most of my travels, I try to see and do as much as possible. I want to eat what’s local (most of the time), buy original art and craft, interact with locals, go to tourist attractions, go outside the touristy areas etc., so I took a 2-hour ride out of the city to Soroa, Vinales and Pinar del Rio. Quite a tiring drive but the beauty of the journey and countryside made it all worth while. While in Vinales, it is an absolutely MUST that you visit the Vinales Mural de la Prehistoria which is a massive mural of neo-caveman art on the side of a mountain in the Vinales Valley. It creates a stunning backdrop for pictures! In Soroa, the Cascada de Soroa/Salto de Soroa (Soroa Waterfall) is another must do! I don’t know if I took the long route getting to the falls but the trek through the canopy evergreen forest had me sweating buckets and I had to make frequent stops, so if you intend to visit, be sure to stock up on your water.
I ate at several different places in Havana and Vinales but the El Cocinero Restaurant in Havana stands out boldly in my memory. Every single thing about that experience was remarkable. From the simple fact that it’s located in an old oil factory to the roof top views and eclectic menu, dining at this cocinero is also another ‘must-do’.
Last but definitely not least is the 5-bdr house in Miramar that I stayed at for a whopping US$43 per night! Yes, only US$43 per night!!!! Like hello! The gardens were well maintained and the house helpers prepared fresh fruit for me every morning.
Can I seriously just leave my desk and head back to Cuba NOW?!
Love! Love! Love! Of all the places I’ve traveled this is the most welcomed I’ve ever felt. People literally inviting you to have dinner in their homes. They were so thrilled to see black Americans visiting. My favorite place was Callejón de Hamel where I danced with the locals and just had a damn good time. As we were walking around a gentleman offered to show my friend and I around the city just so he could improve his English at no charge to us. He made Cuba amazing!
Havana oh na na! Cuba! Half of my heart is actually in Cuba! Cuba is definitely a must see, especially while black! The people are amazing, very hospitable, and happy! Knowing Soanish would be very helpful because alot of people do nor speak English! We stayed in an air b n b for 2 nights in old havana. I would not suggest staying in Cuba for too long especially if you are addicted to technology, because you are in the 1960s when you are out there( still an amazing feeling to wake up and not have to worry about your social media). The men are call you beautiful every day! The food is amazing! Cuba is very safe, we walked around at night alot and just soaked up the culture. Definitely a different vibe, but make sure you wwlk around, make friends with the natives of the land, be open minded and have fun! Cuba is a must see and so are the people ans their cars!!
Cuba was a priceless experience. I went for Memorial Weekend 2017, around the time when Trump was trying to ban travel to Cuba. This was my first trip with Urbn Trvl. There were some mix ups with the transportation and I didn’t have a ride to my air bnb. It was confusing at the airport because English was limited. I eventually found a ride to the air bnb since I couldn’t find my pre-arranged transportation. Once I arrived at my air bnb, I found that I was emerged with the locals. This was not a luxurious stay. I didn’t mind though, it allowed me to live like the Cubans and at the end of the day, i was appreciative for all that I have in the states. During my stay, the water was cut off in the neighborhood, but our house host paid extra to make sure we had water running in our house.
During my trip, we explored the Hamel Alley, which consisted of Cuban creativity, colors and Cuban pop art! We also did salsa lessons with an authentic Cuban dance instructor. This was one of the highlights from my trip!
We took old school cars from Havana to Varadero. We stayed the night at Memories Varadeo Beach Resort. We also went to the Beatle Bar to experience the nightlife.
While in Varadero, we went on a booze cruise on a Catamaran! The boat was the ultimate party experience and once we touched down to the beach, we had a huge beach party! We even got to snorkel and go swimming. We enjoyed Lobster, shrimp, fish and open bar for lunch on the beach.
We headed back to Havana that night and explored the Malecon seawall that stretched across the Havana coastline.
We visited the Havana Cathedral and the Havana Viejas Plazas which held a strip of museums. It was interested to learn about the communist country and how Fidel Castro viewed Americans. The propaganda in the museum was unbelievable!
This trip was a combination of culture, history, fun, and turn up! LOVED CUBA!
Havana was a real crush as soon as we arrived! We feel really safe, at any time! Our first impression when we discovered Havana is that we felt like we were stuck in the 1950s with old American cars, buildings, etc. It is really impressive! My favorite district in Havana was Centro Habana, where we lived. In my opinion, this is one of the liveliest and warmest neighborhoods in Havana and it’s the one I liked the most. This district perfectly reflects Cuba! There are far fewer tourists than Habana Vieja. We stayed at the Casa Cuba Habana-Rooms, an apartments with an amazing view of the roof of Centro Habana. We took this on the Cuban site Bbinvinales. It cost 30CUC/day and we had all the appartement for us. The housing is close to Hotel Deauville, and the Malecón (2 min walk).
This is my list of Things to do in Havana :
1. Go to el Malecón and walk along the Paséo Martí.
2. Visit Havana Vieja in depth, not limited to squares and tourist streets.
3. Discover Centro Habana, the authentic neighborhood of Havana.
4.Go to the Plaza de la Revolucion & Visit el Vedado.
5. Make a beach day in Playa Santa María Del Mar (Playa del Este).
6. Walk along the Malecón which extends for 7 km. I advise you to go at the end of the day to admire the sunset.
7. Go around the city in old American car. We did it with the most Texans of Cubans: Michel Monte Fu. We paid 40CUC for more than 2h! The driver even took us to take our Viazul tickets to Viñales, so we left him a tip. Generally the price for a 1 hour ride is 50CUC.
8. Buy souvenirs at Almacenes San Juan. Do not forget to negotiate prices!
9. Buy cigar (Cohiba, Montecristo or Roméo y Julietta) and rum (Legendario Elixir, Varadero, Caney & Mulata are the best).
10. Go out in nightclub: I recommend the Asturia box to discover the real Cuban atmosphere! The entrance is 10CUC for 4 drinks (soft or alcohol). I regret not having been in Callejon de Hamel but I will go when I come back to Cuba to discover the east of the island.
Recently I was fortunate enough to visit Havana, Cuba. Havana is the the most breathtaking city with a great balance of new and old cultures wraps into one. One of the best things to do is ride around in the classical. Cubans are very easy to negotiate with in prices. DO NOT make the mistake of riding around unless a price is agreed upon. Havana also has beautiful beaches which was about a 25 minute ride from the center of the city. With plenty of the famous cigar factories and restaurants you don’t want to pass on the opportunity to experiencing Havana! The top beach suggested by the locals was playa de este. A perfect restaurant is La Guardia and you can local cigar EVERYWHERE! Havana locals tourism and dedication much of the city in order to satisfy all visitors.
I would definitely recommend traveling to Cuba if you have time. It is very unique because it is old fashioned. If you are looking for a trip in which you’re disconnected from social media/internet and just experiencing life in the moment, Cuba is a good bet. I traveled there by plane and my flight was $285 roundtrip. I stayed at an Airbnb. I would highly recommending at Airbnb because they are super affordable. I split with friends and paid around $200 each for 5 nights. We stayed in La Habana on Calle 37. However, it was difficult to get taxis from where I stayed. If I went back, I would definitely choose to stay somewhere in Central Havana. La Guarida and El de Frente were the restaurants that I liked the most. La Guarida is famous for its architecture and has a beautiful grand staircase that is perfect for pictures. The food was great too. El de frente is a cute restaurant with yummy food, a rooftop and sometimes live music. Make sure you make reservations in advance. If you’re looking for something fun to do for the day taking salsa lessons is a fun way to absorb culture. I took salsa lessons through this website – http://www.salsaexpresscuba.com. Another great way to spend your day is by going on a tour of Cuba in an old convertible car. These cars are generally parked outside of El Capitolio. Be sure to bargain to get the best price. If you enjoy day trips, you should definitely make a trip to Varadero. I’d recommend working with your Airbnb host to organize a ride there because it is 3 hours away from Havana. It is one of the beautiful beaches of Cuba. It’s a great place to relax and get fresh pina coladas on the beach. Also, I recommend organizing a trip to go ziplining in Les Terrazas. Ziplining costs about $35. If you like art, the Museum of the Revolution is great. However, the best thing I did in Cuba was going to an art party at the Fabrica de Artes. It is a multi-floor museum with art, tapas, drinks, music and more. This party only costs like 2 US dollars to enter. This was one of the most memorable experiences I had in my life. I hope this review was helpful. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me on Instagram @iamsiennachristine :)
Want a trip back into time with classic cars, lively music and culture, and beautiful brown people everywhere? Havana here you come!!! Cuba is a city that should be on everyone’s list to visit at least once in a lifetime. You can unplug due the lack of access to readily available WiFi. I stayed in an Airbnb which was an amazing condo in Miramar. Restaurant 1957 is classic an delicious. In city center Havana you can sight see, shop, be a part of live music and soak in all the sites related to Cuba’s vast history. The locals are extremely welcoming to their brown brothers and sisters. We met a couple while walking through a residential neighbor they brought us in their home and cooked myself and my friend breakfast!! The beach at Varadero is calm and beautiful but if you’re looking for a less touristy beach check out Matanzas. A short bus ride from central Havana to Matanzas was fairly cheap. For a fun night out check out Fabrica de Art Cubano, for hiking and just enjoying the beautiful scenery Viñales Valley. Cuba has so much political and historical content to see while visiting museums and other sites. Prepare yourself to be in a beautiful time capsule accompanied by fresh fruit everywhere!!
Visiting the city of Havana is at least a 2-3 day activity in itself.
Varadero is a nice resort area about 2 hrs away from Havana with nice beaches.
Make sure to grab a sweet snack at Cake Shop before walking along paseo del Prado and viewing all the art on display and for sale.
El Malecon is a beautiful and romantic spot to watch the water along the city walls and take lovely photos with Castillo De Los Tres Reyes Del Morro in the background.
There’s no reason as to why you shouldn’t have a nice meal in Plaza de Armas while reading one of the lovely books you’ve purchased just outside the museums located in the area.
Havana is full of history. It’s interesting to discover the history of Havana through the minds of the locals. Sometimes as Americans or tourists in general we have our own ideas of what happened in a certain place but to get to Cuba and hear the locals talk about their heroes and describe their family histories of events is very fascinating. We left our carnival cruise ship and immediately were able to grab a convertible cruising the front of the terminal. We paid about $80 for 2+ hours. The driver and his son who spoke English took us on a tour of the local dives and historical sites where African culture and art meshes with Spanish to merge into one Cuban identity. The art made by the locals was simply breathtaking. We got a lesson on how to spot fake cigars and were informed on where to go to party later (club 1830) and we were recommended “dos hermanos restaurant” which was very good and cost effective at 10.99 for a 4 course plus it was walking distance to the cruise terminal. I plan to return on another cruise in September with my son. It’s a place definitely worth seeing if you know anything about Cuba’s history or want to learn about it.
Havana is beautiful! Between the bright colors and the old buildings, it is a photo opportunity waiting to happen. There are old classic cars everywhere. Make sure you get your Instagram worthy pic next to one. Old Havana is a great city to just walk around it, and take in the beauty. You have to get a picture in the Revolution Plaza. I recommend eating at O’Reilly 304. The food was delicious. The Nightlife is great. You have to go out and get your salsa on. Fabrique d’Arte is a must. It is a museum and at night it turns into a night club. It is quite large, there is an area with a large screen and seating. Club 1830 was a nice outdoor salsa club with a live band. The Malecon is a hot spot for locals. At night you will see them just drinking and hanging out along the strip. For shoppers, Almancenes Market is huge. It is on the Malecon. They have different vendors selling lots of things ranging from bags to artwork to jewelry. The Cuban people are so nice and friendly. There are a lot of museums to explore. It’s easy to get a tour guide to take you around Havana. They are usually parked outside, near the Malecon. My favorite part of Havana was just walking the streets and taking it all in. Havana can be visited in 1-2 days.
I recently went to Havana for a weekend trip and was sure to pack as much stuff in as I could. I booked a vintage car tour on Airbnb and it was phenomenal. I saw every single important thing to see in Cuba in about 3.5 hours. We also had one of the locals venture us to the Afro Latino community which was gorgeous and filled with photoescape landscape. All in all Cuba is amazing. I stayed in new Havana, down the block from the university and around every turn was a new thing to eat, do or see. Go to Cuba!
What I loved most about my time in Cuba was how cozy it felt. Our airbnb was a nice home for the week, and our host was so helpful with transportation when we first arrived. One of my favorite details was our daily breakfast with our little senorita who sent us off into our day well fed and with smiles on our faces. The Cuban people are very accommodating (and enterprising). I love using Airbnb as an opportunity to support individuals.
Havana is definitely a quick trip that’s affordable and fun. I stayed in a nice Airbnb which was located in a community called vedado and had amazing views of the malecon for like 50$ usd a night. There’s so much to do in old town Havana (cigar tours, salsa classes, shopping, eating, etc). Be careful when exchanging currency there because they have two different currencies they use and it can be a bit confusing so be mindful so you aren’t over paying. Be sure to visit Varadeo beach as well as Santa Maria both are amazing. The food was a hit or miss for me so make sure you pack hot sauce or your choice of seasonings just in case. The night life was very fun!! I believe the name of one spot was La Fabrick?!? It was sooooo fun art mixed with club vibes.
Havana
I decided to go to Cuba for a week and a half. I don’t recommend you stay that long. I would have enjoyed it more if I did 4 days most. Havana is a beautiful city. The people are super friendly and it is a big cultural party. I would recommend that you go with a group when traveling to Cuba. Havana is nice but you will want to venture out to the beautiful Trinidad or Varadero because there isn’t a lot to do in Havana in my opinion. It is super expensive to get to these other places from Havana traveling solo or in twos. My favorite part of Havana was the vintage car ride. You get to see all the historical buildings and it’s also super cool to ride with the top down all over the city. The driver will also give you all the history while on the tour. While in Havana my favorite find was the ART MARKET!!!! It is a hidden treasure. There are thousands of artist and beautiful paintings to choose from. Everything is done in cash so make sure you come with enough money because if not you WILL be back. My friend and I made about 3 trips. We couldn’t get enough. Cons about Havana is that there is limited access to internet and there weren’t many good airbnbs to choose from, so I would do a hotel if I decided to go back. Overall it is a beautiful city full of culture and amazing people.
I had an amazing time in Cuba! I wish I would have stayed a little longer. Five days was just not enough. If you want to get the real Cuban experience I recommend staying with a local family visiting Trinidad, Varadero, and Vinales valley. Plan to stay for 7 days or more. I used Airbnb to book the 2 apartments and 1 casa. Now you can stay in a hotel but all of the decent hotels 4/5stars in my opinion are pretty pricey. When we arrived in Havana we stayed in a modern apartment in central Havanna great location https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/18998616?s=51 Robert (little English) and Chely (good English )are wonderful and will take care. In Trinidad Cuba we stayed with Teresa and her family. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19328827?s=51 The casa is about an 8 min walk to the center of the town where all the tourist things are. My friends and I stayed at her casa for 2 nights and she helped arrange all of our activities and made us breakfast for 5 cuc and it was delicious. She gave us a card with her address and that’s what we used to get back to her casa when we went walking around the town on our own. I recommend staying here she will take care of you like you are part of the family. She doesn’t speak any English so brush up on your Spanish or download google translate offline it was our saving grace. The last apartment we stayed in was my favorite. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/17223917?s=51 The apartment is located in Nevado neighborhood. Not only is it very well located but you can also experience the daily life of Cubans in this neighborhood. Our stay at Alexei’s place was incredible. Alex and his brother Abel were truly amazing and helpful from when I inquired about the apartment to my departure of the country. The apartment was clean, warm and cozy; breakfast ($5.00 CUC per person/per day) was delicious and worth it; the pictures on Airbnb was accurate and there is WIFI!!!!!!!!
1. Havana
If you don’t come to Havana when you visit Cuba, you’re doing this country an injustice.
Havana is one of the most wonderful cities we’ve ever visited. Havana really is full of wonder and one of the best things to do in Cuba. The city is full of life, colors, live music and the people are very welcoming. The night life is beyond words!! From the crumbling buildings to its curious narrow streets brimming with life and ingenuity, Havana is Cuba’s capital for a reason. Here you get the perfect screenshot of a culture the rest of the world has pretty much ignored for so many years.
Our best advice is to take a walking tour through the city. You’ll hear some of the amazing history and culture that’s alive here and discover elements you’d miss if you weren’t told about them.
Things to see in Havana, Cuba:
• El Capitolio – National Capitol Building
• Rooftop bar of Hotel Ambos Mundos
• The Malecón – esplanade and sea wall
• Almacenes San Jose market
• The Cathedral Havana (plus square of the houses of the 4 richest families in Cuba)
• Plus if you have time, visit the castle – Castillo el Morro – the other side of the harbour. It’s full of history and a real icon of the city.
Varadero
Varadero peninsula stretches into the Caribbean at the northernmost point of Cuba. It’s about 2 hours east of Havana. Cuba’s north coast, this famous strip boasts a sublimely beautiful 20-kilometer beach overlooked by more than 50 all-inclusive resorts.
Things to see in Varadero, Cuba
•Varadero Beach
• Saturno Cave
• Mansión Xanadú
•Varadero Museum
Cuba is one country I would travel to multiple times. Between the history, culture, food, people and the beautiful beaches; I just can’t get enough. Even just walking around Old Havana and talking to the locals is suffice during vacay!! My favorite part was Santa Monica Beach!! CLEAR CLEAR Water, pretty white sand, no seaweed, no trash floating; it was just beautiful!! Best beach I’ve experienced thus far❤️
Food is hit and miss!! I recommend going on tripvisor to look up top restaurants to go to.
The people are wonderful; everyone was so nice and loving. As we walked around the streets we would give the kids money and the smiles on their face were priceless.
Don’t leave without taking a ride in one of the old schools top down cars!!
CUBA was an experience. To see how they’er living in the conditions; yet still happy and smiling makes you appreciate the littlest and simplest things more!! It was fun and an enlightening adventure, I will definitely be returning.
Cuba is definitely one of those must see affordable cultured countries. Even better is the in expensive flights (from the US) and lodging. Did a girls trip for my bday last March and flew on JetBlue for like $450 RT. We stay at a lovely 2 bedroom Airbnb villa($85/night) in Vedado….which is like 10 mins from Old Havana center. Taxi rides were like $5-7 each way when we went in town. Just keep in mind the exchange rate from USD to Cuban peso is dollar for dollar(no big savings there)….and they only take cash there no ATMs or cards used. You can exchange at the airport but it is a higher tax for USD. So make sure you bring enough cash for your entire trip. Keep in mind everything you’ll normally spend money on when budgeting how much cash to bring. We ran into a couple at the airport when we arrived that ran out of cash and needed a ride to the other terminal. So they begged to hop in our cab lol.
For activities we did a 6-hour bike tour all around Havana at about $40 per person. This was the best activity we did! We were able to see a lot of Havana with an English speaking tour guide. There’s so much history and culture in this country. We also went to the beach Santa Maria….which is probably the closest beach to Old Havana. Took about 20-25 mins by cab….$25 each way. We rode in one of those lovely classic convertibles.
The food at most places were a hit or miss unfortunately. My favorite restaurant we frequented was San Juan in Old Havana. The food there is delish! All the rest was so-so. Even the famous restaurant that Beyoncé and Rihanna went to (La Guarida) was sub-par food. But the view is impeccable! Great place to take pics for sure.
All in all…..we enjoyed our stay. Wouldn’t mine visiting again…maybe with bae ?
I went on a girls trip to Cuba. We started in Havana where we stayed at a family house also called casa particular. In my opinion it’s a most. Not only do you feel the Cuban culture, it’s cheap and it’s a great way of getting to know the locals which I prefer when I travel. If you aren’t convinced choosing a host family I will give you another reason?. When you stay at a host family over a hotel then you support the Cuban people, all hotels in Cuba are own by the government. In addition to the fact that living at casa directly helps make life easier for your “host family”, the service and quality of these rooms are also often better than at many hotels.
Havana is a city full of culture!
The locals are very friendly and even though none of us spoke a word of Spanish we were still able to get around, enjoy and most importantly we felt welcome.
If you have time I would advice you to visit vinales while you are there. It’s one hour or maybe two hours away. Our host family helped us renting a car and a driver. When you get to vinales there is a tourist information where they show you what to see in vinales. One of the guys working there ended up going with us, as our private tour guide that was very helpful as he was the only person speaking English. I would advise you, if you don’t speak Spanish to do the same. I will make another review of what we did in Vinales otherwise this one will be to long ?.
I would say 2-3 days is enough in Havana – we stayed 2 days.
Havana is a must see, but maybe only once. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there; the affordable food and drink options, the live music, the people, the architecture and overall history all make for a great experience. However, it’s not a place that I just have to get back to. Keep in mind you will be disconnected so far as technology is concerned; wi-fi is not readily available. Also, learn some spanish for sure. It will help tremendously as I found most natives did not speak English. Be open-minded and flexible and you’re sure to have a good time.
Havana is a step back in time with a sprinkle of the western modern world. If you want to be off the grid for the duration of your vacation Havana makes it easy. Wifi is hard to come by even with the best international plans you become hard fought to connect with those that you left back home.
Awesome night life and rich history will leave you begging for more and posting the typical “take me back” post when you return. There is no meter in your taxi so learn to negotiate your price…. on the other hand your taxi will more than likely be a time machine from the 50’s. It’s easy to become cash broke because there are no ATM’s for American banks, so the cash you brought will have to last you your entire trip. You don’t want to spend a whole day on your vacation getting creative on who to wire yourself money from home.
My girls and i visited Cuba back in August 2017 and it was such an amazing experience. It was surprisingly very easy to get there from the United States. We booked a straight flight with Alaska Airlines for less than $400. We split our trip in half between varadero and Havana. Varadero is a great place if you want to experience clear blue water and white sands (breathtaking). It was very relaxing and an experience like no other. At night my girls and I went to the Havana club. Who would have thought you can buy a bottle in the club for only $30? Next we went to Havana. Havana is rich in culture. The locals were super friendly and as an African American woman i felt like i fit in here. My friends and i chose to stay in an Airbnb because we wanted to experience the culture first hand. When trying to think of a location for our girls trip, we chose Cuba because it was so different from most places. It was the one place that wasn’t “Americanized” Overall it was an amazing experience. I would recommend it to anyone thinking about traveling there
Cuba is undoubtedly one of the favourite countries I’ve ever visited! The place is bursting with culture from corner to corner. It really is like stepping back in time! There is so much to do in Cuba that it really is worth finding out as much as you can about the activities available BEFORE you get there because you can’t rely on the internet! Luckily we prebooked a few activities before we arrived.
Our first stop was Havana. Our Airbnb host was amazing and organised a 3 hour tour of the city for us. Every road has a story to tell and the history is etched on the streets and the buildings. It’s very easy to get ‘lost’ in the beauty of it all.
I would recommend a day trip visiting Vinales. We prebooked a tour for about £50 each which included a visit to the cigar factory. Vinales is very chill and relaxed, so for us a day trip was sufficient.
Veradero was a place of relaxation and even more pina coladas! We took a day trip on a catamaran to see and swim with dolphins. Another thing to check off the bucket list! The total cost was £88 per person but it included lunch and bottomless alcohol!
Trinidad was probably my favourite place to visit in Cuba. The streets were even more vibrant and it felt like a home away from home. We booked a hiking tour ‘Trinitopes’ with Cuba-excursions.com; it was about a 3km descent which led to a beautiful waterfall. The view was definitely worth the ‘leg-day’ cardio climb back up!
I can’t recommend Cuba enough!
The best place In Havana to eat is YOUR AIRBNB!! All the restaurants we went to during our stay only on stood out to us “Hostal Doña Carmela” the food was great but the service was a little on the bad side. They have pictures everywhere from when Beyoncé and Jay-Z came to eat there . Like I stated the best place to eat was our Airbnb breakfast was fresh and simply amazing every morning and on our last night in Havana our hosts mother made dinner for us and it was beyond delicious. If you’re looking for great food while in Cuba I suggest you take a trip over to Varadero.
Havana has been by far my favorite place I visited in 2017. Full of culture, genuine people, beauty, and just an amazing place to visit. Its completely affordable if you managed to exchange your money to Euros and then to their currency( i believe its CUC). In my visit, I had a one day tour to Villales Valley, vintage car tour(i recommend you negotiate the price), a tour on foot of all historical places. I also went La Factoria which was so much fun for nightlife. One thing for sure, I was not amazed with the food so I would be careful not to eat meat. Unfortunately, the day I had planned to go to the beach it was raining since I went in October before the new regulations took place. By far I do plan to go back next year.
Cuba is definitely up and coming. I actually caught a flight there from New York City during Fourth of July weekend for 300 dollars , which is unheard of. If you have a small budget to travel well look no further because Cuba is the place for you. I went there with four other friends and our Airbnb was a 6 min walk from Old Havana. Our Airbnb was immaculate because it look like it should belong in downtown in New York City. The entire apartment was newly renovated and it had two bedrooms and two full baths.The Airbnb split between four of us for our entire stay of five days cost us 112 a piece. Cuba has a lot of history and being from the United States helps people to appreciate how fortunate we are to have opportunities. I spent a total of 300 dollars for the duration of my stay. Most cost went to food, transportation, exchange fee, and a couple of excursions we did. What a low cost for such an amazing experience. I do have to mention please do not drink the bottle water they have and only eat at hotels . I threw up twice while I was there. I was apprehensive to eat until we discovered to only eat at hotels.
Cuba, is hands down one of the best places ive visited thus far! The culture, the people, the food and the music are only a fraction of what makes Cuba unique in its own way. If youre truly looking for a great time, be amicable and open to meeting people and trying new things. I was able to explore the earnest hemmingway mansion, the el cristo, a local beach in havana, the parade at the light house and Vinales Valley. My advice, find a good vintage car driver and negotiate your trips with one of them for your entire stay. I found mine by the museum in havana, they’re all parked out there.
Change your USD- Canadian or Euros at the airport in the US, take the currency you changed to cuba and change that currency to CUC. You will get wayy more for each dollar
Oh Havana!! Everything about this city brings joy to my heart. It is such a beautiful place. I don’t need to say much. You only have to go there to see for yourselves. From the people to the lifestyle and the colorful city, it’s beyond words to explain!! I had a blast.
Havana is amazing. The city is beautiful and there is a lot to do and see. I recommend going to Varadero Beach and also doing the Vinales tour. The Vinales tour was soo much fun, cigar making and horseback riding was a great highlight to the trip.
Havana is beautiful and accommodation is very affordable if you stay in a casa particular. I found mine on Airbnb and it cost around $30 a night. The other benefit is you get to interact with your Cuban hosts and they can give you tips about the city. As for food, I recommend eating at the small, family-run restaurants, as the food is much better. You may have to ask around to find one, as they’re not as visible as the government-run restaurants. Tours around the city can get expensive, so I recommend taking a short trip to Vinales, where it’s much cheaper and more laid back. Vinales was my favorite part of my Cuba trip!
Cuba is hands down my FAVORITE trip thus far!!! You get off the flight and step back in time with the architecture, classic cars, and the feel of the people. Internet is only for designated for certain parks for so that def took me back in time lol. We did a quick 4 day trip but made sure to pack in as much as possible. We arrived around 5pm our Airbnb host sent over a host Yoan to pick us up. Our Airbnb was great, spacious, and clean but located in central Havana and for a short trip staying in Old Havana would of been definitely convenient to be closer to all the actions. Our first night we relaxed had dinner at a local restaurant Binkys just a few blocks from our Airbnb. When I say Havana is safe!!! Everybody is outside well into the night, its probably around 11pm you start seeing people slowly heading home. Our first full day in Havana we spent the day roaming around Old Havana, We literally just got lost walking up and down the narrow streets getting lost in time memorized but the old buildings and wondering what stories laid inside their walls. We took a $1 fairy across the river to see El Christo, their version of Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer. It’s located next to Che Guevera’s home but it was closed to the public. We returned back to Old Havana and had a late lunch. Afterwards we did some shopping and took a classic convertible back to our Airbnb. taxi’s were $10 each way thats also why I recommend staying in Old Havana. Also keep in mind their currency is worth more than ours so $1USD is about 0.87CUC and while food and drinks is pretty cheap things do add up. Day two we got up early and took a two hour drive to the beach down of Varadero and spent the day there. Its SOOO beautiful, warm clear waters and the waves gently hit the sand. Getting a beach chair and an umbrella isn’t easy though, its either one or the other and extremely limited. I recommend getting to the beach as early as possible to secure. it’s pretty much a lazy beach with simple activities. We did go snorkeling which only cost us 40CUC for two people. Around sunset we headed back to Havana and got some rest. Next day we went to tobacco country Vinales, located about 2.5hr away from Havana it’s a sleepy farming town. There we went to Ophelia’s Tobacco farm where she explained the process of tobacco farming it was truly a magical place. Afterwards we went Horseback riding around the local farms. Then we had lunch and headed back to Havana for our last night! Upon arriving into the city, we changed and went straight back to old havana to spend the night on the town! We hit up a few bars, danced in the street, and laughed till we cried. Truly a magical place.
Cuba is something special! Nothing like it.
If anyone wants to go back in time and have a amazing time cuba is the place to go to be honest!
While I was doing my research I figure that the best place to stay is like a local, me and my friends rented a house in Habana. In the morning we was able to hear the people chatting and having coffee. It felt like no one was working there where all just sitting outside their home chitchatting. Walking distance from the apartment it was a pizza place and OMG it was the best pizza I ever try. the pizza place is around san martin and padre varela st, its around the china town. try eating in local places if you want to try the best food its really cheap but if you go to the tourist side you will spend a more money. Bar Arturias is really good you pay 10 cuc and you get 4 tickers those tickets are to get drinks, try the mojitos they are to die for and they will get you drunk faster. Cuba is one of the safes places to travel to you can walk around at 4am drunk (like i did and my friends) and nothing will happen to you. Enjoy Cuba its amazing
Cuba ?? is one on the most beautiful places I have ever been on this earth. I visited Cuba last July- August 2017 and it was a life changing experience for me. I met so many beautiful ppl who are humble and happy with the little means they have of survival. I landed In Havana and drove 3 hours To Bella Vista Veradero where I stayed at the Ocean Vista Azul hotel for 7 days. It’s an all inclusive hotel that’s not adult only therefore if u are visiting with your entire family (kids included) you’re more than welcome to stay at that hotel. The food at the hotel was terrible everything seems so watered down and not very nutritious but leaving the hotel property to dine at restaurants around Veradero Omggggggg the lobster and fish with rice and peas and plantains was AMAZING!!!! Some of the best lobster I’ve had. What’s amazing about Cuba every where we went there was always a group or band that was ready to perform for everyone singing, dancing and playing instruments to numerous songs including the hit “despasito”. Most of our days were spent at the resort and we took a day tour to blanco beach where it was a separate island all by itself on the other end of Veradero and it was filled with palms trees and beautiful Caribbean waters. The tour guide and every one was so welcoming and very nice to us and willing to help.
We travelled to Havana on a day tour where we learned about some of the history of Cuba we went to small towns around Havana we went to little shops where they sold coffee and Havana rum and the highlight of my Havana trip is going to Tropicana that was beautiful. There were so many performances very organized and beautiful costumes and everyone was just so happy. I’ve never been to another place where the energy is so happy and filled with love like it was in Cuba.
Overall experience the food was great as we went to beautiful restaurants in Havana some of which i cant remember the names I went to plaza de revolution and drove in the beautiful convertibles that they have as cabs. The buildings there are so amazing even though some of them are old the architecture is still so amazing and great for pictures. I had a beautiful time and plan to visit Cuba once more with the love of my life ♥️
Cuba is easily one of my favourite destinations that I have travelled to. As a Canadian, Cuba is a popular destination for us (I’ve been there 4 times and counting), however most people just stay on the resorts and do the basic excursions. Personally I like to get out and experience the real Cuba, as their people and culture is unmatched! Havana is a MUST see destination if you are travelling to this country. Havana is split between Old and New Havana, Old having the classic Spanish-influenced architecture and monuments, and New Havana having the more modern (still not up-to-date) buildings and points of interest. Fair warning, if you are a young woman you will receive a lot of male attention in Cuba, they really love the melanin there (which you will also learn about their history with colourism if your tour guide is as thorough as mine was on my first trip). But don’t worry, they no their boundaries, they limit themselves to the limited english “compliments” they know, and their own Cuban sayings. Now to some historical points of interest.. My favourite area in Havana is Old Havana, simply because I am a history-junkie and love photography.
San Francisco de Asis Square:
This is one of the most memorable and photogenic areas in the city. It is said to be the “Gate to the New World”, many immigrants and travellers entered Havana through this plaza. It is also said to be where they freed the slaves. There is the famous Cathedral in this plaza as well, which you are allowed to enter, however, if you are wearing a short dress, skirt, or shorts they will not allow you to enter. There are also Cuban ladies dressed in their traditional garments ready for photos, but you will have to pay them.
Hotel Nacional de Cuba
This grand hotel is beautiful. Open for non-guests to take a look around, the grounds are beautiful with a beautiful view of the ocean. It is the inside of the hotel that is filled with the most glamour and history. With original flooring and decor, the halls of the lobby are filled with classic designs and details that just make you feel like a a 1960s Hollywood Star. You can feel the presence of all the past Hollywood legends, mafia big-names, and royalty who have walked the halls of the Nacional. There is a bar at the hotel that has many items and artifacts that were once owned or used by famous guests. It’s really an all around interesting hotel to visit.
All together, Havana is beautiful, every street and ally has a piece of history. If you do a guided tour, make sure to ask for AUTHENTIC cuban food. I have been on two tours, and spoken with others, and most tours bring you to an Italian restaurant, which has great food, but it takes away from the real Cuba you’re trying to experience. Also if you’re interested in doing a tour, find someone who is more local but still certified to be your guide, the hotel tours are good but they don’t always give you that real historical and personal experience you want when visiting a place like cuba.
Tipping:
Tipping is the norm in Cuba, you will hear story after story of how the Cuban’s life is set up under their government. The best advice I can give you is, pack little goody bags with small toiletries/beauty supplies to gift to workers you see often, bar tenders and restaurant staff I usually tip at the end of my stay, instead of every time I see them. And be weary of the people who keep telling you long stories of hardship, as those are the ones who know the game well, and tell that story to countless tourists in hopes of more gifts and tips. If you have any old ipods, games, etc, bring those as well.
Not history related, but make it a point to go on one of the catamaran sails, specifically the ones with snorkelling, dolphin interaction, and lunch. They will bring you to a beautiful white sand, uninhabited beach where they grill fresh seafood, meat and poultry. The drinks are unlimited on board, the and sail is breathtaking!
I traveled to Cuba in April and by the end of the tripit felt like a second home. I took a tour of the Havana Cuba where I got a chance learn more about the history and visit some of the monumental sites. What I love the most about Havana Cuba is the fact that it is affordable and it has it’s original architecture. It was nice to see the classic cars and ride around in them. The Cuban people were truly friendly and helpful. One place that was very popular was Fabrica de Arte Cubano (Art Factory) that featured local art and music. The food and drinks were affordable and taste delicious. I would highly recommend Havana, Cuba for its rich culture, food, and sightseeing!
Things To Do – Cuba is a charming country! I traveled to Cuba February of 2017, I arrived on a Friday morning. I went to a hotel located in front of the Univerisity of Cuba and booked all my tours there. Friday night I went to Tropicanas, a 2 hour spectacular dance show for $80 which included a personal bottle of Rum and a rose for the lady. I opted not to eat (additional) and ate prior the show. After the show it turned into a nice dance club where you’re allowed to get on and share the stage with others that were there watching the show as well. On Saturday I went to an all day trip to Viñales for $80 (if I recall well). You get picked up in front of the hotel (where I booked my tour) early morning and the first stop is a town about 2 hours from Havana where you can buy cigars and Rum. Then we stopped in another area where you get a nice panoramic view of Viñales with some live musicians on site. The next stop, was the tobacco plantation where you become more educated about the culture and their tobacco growth. Another stop was a cave where you ride a short ride boat. Lastly, you go to this nice place where you get to sit down, relax, eat, drink Rum, and take it all in (food/drinks included). On Sunday, I went to the museum and walked the streets of Old Havana. I went to places like Hotel Ambos Mundos (I recommend the Piña Coladas), walked the famous Malecon and Floridita bar known for their daiquiris just to name a few. On Monday, I went to Varadero where I stayed all day at an all inclusive beach resort for $100. We got picked up early in the morning in front of the same hotel and enjoy the resort all day!
Nightlife – FAC (Fabrica Arte de Cuba) is by far the best club venue I have ever been! You must get there early otherwise you will be in line for two hours. I came here on a Saturday night and had a blast! The cover was like $3 to get in (CUC). The tall glass flower vase Mojitos were like $10 (CUC)! The person behind this creation is a genius! It’s like walking into an art gallery/club. If I recall correctly it’s a 3 story building with at least 6 rooms including the outside/rooftop. The club stayed opened until 4 I believe and they played everything including hip hop! A tad crowded, but great atmosphere – good crowd. One of the rooms had a large wall to wall plasma/projector where they play all kinds of music videos/genres. Most definitely my top dance club in the world for its creativity and authenticity.
?? Cuba/Havana is magical! It felt amazing to simply disconnect from all the technology and take a time capsule to go see Fidel!
May-June is a great time to go… plenty of sun and just the right weather for a sweet escape! I recommend air bnb and hiring a driver for the trip! Your driver may also end up being your private salsa instructor for you and your friends at your lofty air bnb hacienda!
Viva Cuba!
Check out the restaurant Port Habana. Located in Habana Nueva, Ciudad De La Habana, Cuba. The best food I had in Cuba! In addition, the views and elegant decor are amazing!
Not much relaxing because TOO MUCH DANCEING.
– Cheapest internet card valid for 5hrs/ 10$ – purchase at hotel Hotel Gran Caribe Hotel Plaza,
– Afro culture street party on Sundays 12-4:30 at Calle de hamel
– CUBAN PIZZA , unfortunately I don’t remember the name of the pizza joint but it’s near the veining of the malecon. Ask locals around there and I’m sure they will direct u as they are some of the nicest humans I’ve ever encountered. ITS NEAR A NIGHT CLUB called studio 8 !! Down a side street off the malecon
Cuba was an amazing experience. If you are into rich history and culture then this is the place to be. There is so much to do and learn. One thing I love about traveling is to be able to interact with the locals and you definitely get a huge taste of this when you travel to Cuba. Even the night life was exciting. I would recommend that everyone visit atleast once. The only downside is the food. There is no flavor, spices and during the last day I got really sick from the food.
I traveled to Havana, Cuba in February 2017 and it was without a doubt one of the most affordable trips I’ve taken in years. We booked flights on Frontier for an incredible steel ($97 each way/per person) and traveled light to avoid baggage fees. Steering clear of the tourist-heavy areas like Old Havana, we managed to spend less than $50 a day (as a couple). While we did visit Old Havana, we only spent a few hours there and strategically avoided the street artists, restaurants, and over-priced stores. Even still, visiting the more touristy areas won’t set you back too much. Costs are comparable to any major city in the U.S. where you would pay $20+ per person for a meal.
For accommodations, we booked an Airbnb in Central Havana for $25/night (there are lots of options cheaper than this, we just wanted a nicer room and breakfast), ate at local restaurants and street vendors (about $3-7 per meal), and walked to attractions when possible. When we did have to hop in a cab, we opted for the less fancy cars, because the older and dingier the car, the cheaper the fare. I also avoided speaking English when negotiating a fare with a cab driver. They obviously knew we weren’t locals, but speaking Spanish helped us get some decent fares and we were even able to have some cab drivers wait for us while we visited attractions.
Havana was even affordable when it came to souvenirs. We avoided buying souvenirs (aside from cigars) during the entire trip and went to the Market for souvenirs on our last full day in Havana. The market or “Mercado de Artesania” is a huge warehouse right off of the port where you can find almost any souvenir that you can imagine at incredibly low prices. We spent about $50 on souvenirs, but bought an insane amount of items (2 purses, 4 shot glasses, a bongo, a wooden car, statues, bracelets, 8 magnets, and some other items that I can’t even remember)! Hands-down, the cheapest souvenirs and gifts that we’ve ever purchased. Even cheaper than China!
If you can score a good deal on the flight and avoid being scammed into overpriced tourist traps, Cuba can easily be one of the cheapest and most unique trips you’ll take in your life!!
Stepping in Havana is really like stepping back in time. From the classic cars to the old buildings, you really get a sense of what things looked like in the ’50s and ’60s.
The people are beautiful and come in all different shades and they all consider themselves Cubanos. There’s not really separatism out there; at least none that I encountered.
Old Havana is a must visit. You can purchase cheap souvenirs and take a bicycle ride down the narrow streets while taking in the views.
Santa Maria del Mar is also a beautiful beach that is the closest to Havana.
I was boob deep in the sea and could still see my toes! You can order food on the beach while the waves splash over your feet. It’s a very serene experience.
There are also locals that will come and play music for you as well. Beware though, they charge for each song!
I loved riding around in the classic taxis but the exhaust they emit is terrible. I recommend wearing a mask but if you want to thug it out, go for it!
Now the food on the beach was good but I didn’t have the best experience with food. Most places only had ham and cheese sandwiches and some other places had bland food.
El Bacon Restaurant was good though. It sits on a rooftop so you have views of the city as you dine and they weren’t expensive either.
Fusterlandia is also a cool place to visit. It’s an old home designed by an artist and he also painted some of the surrounding areas. It’s quite beautiful to look at.
Even though I purchased a wifi card, I only used it when my prebooked shuttle didn’t arrive. I suggest you have one for emergencies but don’t use it if you don’t have to so you can get the real Cuban experience of life with limited wifi connection. It’s good to detox from social media sometimes and connect with what’s around you.
Oh Cuba! What an adventure it was. The food is really cheap. And I paid about 3 pesos for a medium size bottle of liquor. I’ll admit some of the food is okay. But the higher the price of food the better it taste. You have to pay for quality. The people there are so friendly and they just want to help you out. And no hey won’t hate you if you’re American lol. The only person they don’t like is Trump. If you’re an American get ready to convert all your money to pesos because they do not accept American cards. Also, get ready to take a break from the internet because you have to 1 pesos for an hour of internet. I suggest you stay in a casa particular where you can get the authenticate Cuban experience and lifestyle. Cuba is such a great place and I highly recommend it. It’s my second favorite country I visited.
Havana was beautiful. So many things to do such as beaches, festivals, markets, local farm tours, etc. My 3 favorite activities were hiking the Mural de la Prehistoria, touring an organic cigar farm in Vinales and the day trip to Veradero Beach.
The food is horrible….lots of history and locals
First time in Havana Cuba this year! Wow so different. People so friendly. Good food And nightlife. Cuban cigars Cuban rum.Beaches so beautiful. Cuba is very safe place to visit. Its going to be harder for u.s citizens to visit cuba now that trump reversed the obama policy. Best bet go on a cruise from Miami to Cuba!
I went to Cuba with group of 6 others in March of 2017. It was the first place out of the country that I truly felt like like I was in a totally different world- the old cars, the roads and the feel of the city is just totally different than cities like Boston, New York and LA. I absolutely loved it! I’m also someone who can live without checking my phone every 5 minutes, so limited WiFi didn’t bother me. You have to go to public spaces and buy internet. The people were very friendly and welcoming. I didn’t do a formal tour (I wish I had, as I enjoy hearing about the history). But we hired a driver for the week and he told us a lot. You’ll benefit greatly from speaking Spanish or going with someone who can. We didn’t do many activities really, but we did drive 4 hours to Vinales which felt like a waste of time and energy because all we saw was a shack that had tobacco leaves in it. I didn’t see where they had horses to go riding (as I saw the pictures on Instagram of people riding in Vinales). We walked around old Havana a lot. My driver took us to his home to meet his family and gave us the inside scoop of what life is really like in Cuba for the average Cuban. It was heartbreaking to hear that they don’t really have an opportunity to change their economic status- even if they are a lawyer, they get paid the same wage as a teacher or cashier! They don’t have a lot of higher end items (Dove, American gum, snacks, Tresemme, St.Ives, Covergirl makeup, etc.) are very high end, so I encourage to pack extra products like lotion and shampoo and snacks to give to them when you arrive. Clothes as well! Trust me, they really appreciate it!! I would love to go back in a couple of years to visit with my driver and his family and see how they are doing. Overall, loved Cuba.
Cuba was incredible! I spent mornings on the balcony of my casa particular (air bnb) sipping some of the best coffee in the world. I then spent my days wondering around the streets and alleys of Old Havana, seeing the building, colors, and talking with locals. I also took a drive over to the beaches to relax. At night, music fills the streets and you can drink and dance the night away! Take a trip over to the small local town of Vinales to visit the tobacco and coffee fields. I rode a horse throughout the fields, took a break at the tobacco farm and learned straight from the farmer how cigars are made, then of course enjoyed one. Salsa dancing is the highlight of the night in Vinales! Cuba is amazing, it’s history, is culture, and it’s people. Can’t wait to get back!
La Havane, what can I say….
Around Obispo road it’s the place to be.. too many restaurants, bar, Live Music everywhere! Daiquiri, Mojito, Cuba libre!!!
La Havane it’s nice but you don’t need more than 4days here, to many things to discover in Cuba like Varadero (amazing beach), Trinidad (old Cuba), Vignares (nature,trekking) !!
I wanted to visit Cuba for so long and when I was finally able to I was ecstatic. Being that I’m from South Florida, I often visited Lil Havana a lot and I loved the culture and food since day 1. The Cuban people in Havana we’re very hospitable and friendly. It was so rich in culture and identity.
Visiting Cuba with my friends and family was one of the most humbling experiences. As soon as you step foot into Havana you can feel the history and culture everywhere. Such a proud nation willing to share there city with tourist, curious of the lost land as we once knew it to be. From the beautiful beaches, the fancy colorful classic cars everywhere, the Mojitos lessons, the Caipirinhas drinks, the Cuban Cigars, the aged rum, the Cuban coffee, the fashion, and the famous Cabarets there’s enough culture to soak up to leave you with a Lifetime of memories when you get back home. Definitely a must on anyone’s bucket list.
We went to Cuba for the first time summer of 17 on a cruise to the Caribbean. We didn’t know what to expect after such a long period in history that we couldn’t travel there. Shortly after arriving we discovered that the people were humble , loving , and very welcoming. The beaches were beautiful some areas could use som attention where there was trash but amazing nonetheless. Later that evening we took a horse carriage ride around town and had dinner at a local restaurant where we smoked cigars. Awesome place I would certainly go back.
I loved my experience in Cuba!! It was amazing!! Went horse back riding in vinales that was an all day adventure it was tiring at the end, but such a great experience. No wifi so definitely a great bonding experience
A country with so much interesting history. Be sure to get cash out prior to leaving the states as you will not be able to use your credit card or pull out money. If you have time be sure to go to veradero (almost 2 hours away). The beach there is beautiful and area is relaxing. Don’t expect great food especially in the tourist area
Overall, I loved Old Havana. It’s a beautiful city that feels frozen in time with the cobble stone streets, colonial architecture, and classic cars. It’s also incredibly lively and the art is amazing! It has some of the common drawbacks of a dense urban area: dirty, crowded, and ridiculous amounts of street harassment. While there are some great restaurants, they were few and far between. However, the drinks are great and super strong.
I wanted to go to Cuba because for Americans it was forbidden for so long. And I wanted to learn the history of the country for myself. I loved interacting with the locals and learning about their economy, slavery history, and Castro. It was so great to get a real Cubans opinion about how life really is!
What is really interesting about Cuba is that there are the two currencies. It appears you can get them pretty easily in 2017 but when I went to Cuba in 2012 they were a hot commodity for tourists to get their hands on. However, despite this and even the 10% penalty they will charge for exchanging American dollars, Cuba is still hella cheap. Money long in Cuba..money looonnggggg.