So, it was the long pages of complaints about traveling around Cuba on the internet that really surprised me. People intentionally choose to experience Cuba for its differences, but also complain about it? Did they have a different expectation of Cuba?

It seemed to me that people didn’t have a realistic idea of what life in Cuba is like. So here, I want to address that. Like most things in life, there are two sides to a coin. Cuba has great beauty to offer, but it also has its downsides. It is neither the fairyland of happy dancing people as it is sometimes portrayed, nor is it a dark place where people are left to starve to death as others might try to frame it.

I have tried to represent the situation in Cuba as objectively as I can, based both on my observations and research. Not everything written here is the absolute truth, and there could be other, opposing observations for sure. If you have similar or differing viewpoints and information, we would love for you to contribute to this post by writing in the comments below.

Note: If you are reading this to prepare for your trip to Cuba, I would recommend two of our other blog posts just for that. Don’t plan anything without reading them, or you could wind up disappointed.

CUBA TRAVEL TIPS & BUDGET INFORMATION
THINGS TO DO IN CUBA & IDEAL ITINERARY

Let’s begin with one of the most debated questions we’ve seen.

Do Cubans today live in poverty?

The monthly wages would seem to suggest so. A translator makes $20 a month, and a doctor makes $30 a month. A 1.5-liter bottle of water costs $2, sometimes $1. It’s an inevitable fact of life in Cuba that most things are out of reach of the locals. But let’s stop here for a moment. Before we move on, we should make sure that we are on the same page in defining poverty.

What exactly does “poverty” mean? There are several definitions of poverty. UNESCO’s defines “absolute poverty” as difficulty obtaining basic needs such as fuel, medicine, clothes, water, food and rent. Cubans have houses and are given a ration every month that covers 40% of food products.

Conditions in Cuba today

Access to education and medical services is universal. Because the weather is hot, they don’t need fuel to keep themselves warm. The state also provides a subsidy for citizens to buy staples such as eggs, sugar and rice. The constitution ensures everyone has access to music and art, and going to see concerts or plays is either free or very cheap.

While Cuba doesn’t quite fit in with UNESCO’s definition of “poverty,” it doesn’t mean that the conditions of the country are ideal. Life in Cuba is expensive, and people are always looking for a way to make extra money. The houses are in a dilapidated state and the furniture inside is at least 30-40 years old.

The fact that possessions have to be shared with the state doesn’t help. For instance, you are a farmer, and you have 3-5 cows. You don’t have anything to eat, and you want to slaughter one of your livestock for food. However, according to the regime, you can’t because you would need the state’s permission as they have ownership rights over your animal.

The economy in Cuba today

Cuba today has two official currencies – CUC used by tourists and Peso used by locals. 1 CUC equals 25 Pesos. The dependency of the locals on state subsidies for their basic needs has created an alternate economy, resulting in the need to have another currency for foreigners. As an example, a tourist at a store would be charged 2 CUC for water, while a local would get it for 15 Pesos, around 0.6 CUC.

A lot of people have turned their houses into homestays because it allows them to make a Cuban doctor’s monthly wage in a single night. This has changed not only day-to-day life in Cuba, but also has caused skilled workers such as nurses, doctors and teachers to leave their professions to pick up tourism. Some work two jobs. Don’t be surprised if your taxi driver turns out to be a doctor.

Before the revolution, Cuba Ranked 5th Per Capita GDP In The Northern Hemisphere

Seeing Cuba today, it’s hard to believe that life in Cuba used to be that good, but it’s true. Before the revolution, Cuba’s economy was doing really well. When America banned alcohol in the 1920s, Cuba became the supergiant’s “sin island” and attracted hordes of tourists and investment. However, this wealth was not dispersed equally.

The American mafia and their Cuba partners began making more and more money from its various business ventures, such as casinos, nightclubs, brothels and hotels. The growing discontent with this inequality was the thing that ignited the Cuban revolution. If you’d like to learn more about the revolution and what took place, then you should check out: The Cuban Revolution – Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and Communism.

The “Special Period”

After the revolution, all American products and business were nationalized, and economic reforms ensured that revenue made by these ventures was distributed nationwide. However, the economy never recovered. Cuba’s economy survived through support from the Soviet Union.

Once the USSR fell in 1991, the support ended and Cuba’s economy went into a massive crisis. This period of time is referred to as the “Special Period.” The state was so out of money that it couldn’t even feed its people. Food rations and product distributions were cut by half. Cuba’s economy shrunk by 60% and the average Cuban lost 30% of their body weight. Even years after the special period, in 2001, desperate mothers could be seen asking for money to buy milk powder for their children.

Today, there are still many things that the Cubans need, however, the economy is doing significantly better. Former Venezuelan president Chavez played an important role in helping recover the economy. Fidel and Chavez are known to have been good friends. They made a deal for Cuba to train Venezuelan doctors in exchange for cheap oil and financial support. Even though both Chavez and Fidel have passed away, economic and political relations between the two countries remains strong.

Are Cubans happy?

While reading articles on the internet about life in Cuba, you’ll probably find that a lot of them focus on how poor and unhappy the locals are. From where we stand, being satisfied and being happy are two different things. Yes, it’s true that opportunities in Cuba today are rather slim under the regime. Cubans are definitely not satisfied with their standard of living, but we couldn’t say that they are not happy.

We interpreted young people dressing up to gather in a square and loud music blaring out of houses as its own joi de vivre. Opportunities are rare; life in Cuba is hard. However, income is only one of the many indicators on the happiness index.

Interpretation is personal, but numbers will be a better judge. According to the World Health Organization, Cuba ranks 84 out 183 countries in the suicide index. During the “Special Period,” Cuba was ranked 28, which goes to show you how bleak of a period it was for Cuba.

“La Vida Gorda:” Fat Life

“La Vida Gorda” is a prevalent saying in Cuba today. As opportunities are few and far between, people have learned to rely on each other. For instance, one house in the neighborhood has a radio, the other a scooter, another a sewing machine, and they survive by borrowing from each other. This also means that people are forced to tolerate one another because everyone understands that they might have to cross that bridge again.

Scrambling for a piece of the Cuban pie

Life in Cuba is rapidly changing. In 2006, Raul Castro took charge and two years later, in 2008, Cubans were allowed to own cell phones and DVDs. This was the first thing that Raul Castro did to signal that he was more moderate than Fidel. In 2010, local farmers were given the right to own land, opening the door to foreign investment.

Foreign tourism investors are seizing every opportunity to open hotels. Every year, 3.5 million tourists come to Cuba, and, according to the World Bank, this could skyrocket to almost 10 million. Spanish, French, Canadian and UK firms have already purchased land. While roaming around Havana, you’ll see signs like, “We’re opening in 2019 – Kempinski” on every street.

American influence in Cuba today

American chains such as Hilton and Marriott are likely ready to pounce on Cuba as an investment destination; however, the US and Cuba have yet to fully patch up their relationship. American firms are still not allowed to enter Cuba. This gives companies in other countries a chance to enter the Cuban market, which is why the US is working quickly on resolving their issues with Cuba.

Has Cuba Changed Since Fidel’s Death?

Mont Blanc pens in new Havana stores have already been put up for sale for $2,000. Massive cruises are routing through Havana. The port’s potential is expected to grow as the state has begun a $900 million project. The Tallapiedra Electric plant is being renovated and will have a gallery similar to the Tate Modern in London, and the Nico Lopez Refinery is slated to be made into a science center.

Foreign companies are competing for a share of the Cuban market. Cubans living abroad who want to invest in the country are sending money to their families in Cuba to make investments and purchase property. The locals who are already involved in the tourism sector are aware of future opportunities. The money has started flowing to both the government and the people. Change is inevitable.

The Ban On Locals Going Overseas

After 50 years of not being able to leave the country (with a few exceptions, such as academics and artists), the government lifted the ban in 2012.

LGBTQ+

One of the best films dealing with this is Fresa y Chocolate, which was up for Best Foreign Film at the Oscars. The film depicts a period in Cuba’s history where being openly gay was punishable with jail time and delves into how the gay community socialized under the pressure. The flavors in the movie stood for different sexual preferences: for example, someone who bought only strawberry ice cream was signaling that they wanted to meet only gay men.

After a repressive regime, when Mariela, Raul Castro’s daughter, came out in support of LGBT rights it was a pleasant surprise. With her support, Adela Hernández, who was imprisoned in the 1980s for being gay, became the first transsexual member of the Cuban parliament. In his later years, also Fidel began to soften his tone. So Cuba today is more tolerant than it was in the past.

Long Live Freedom?

Internet – Access to the internet continues to be extremely limited in Cuba today. There is no internet in houses; it is only available in some public squares. Even in the sprawling metropolis that is Havana, there are only 5 parks where you can purchase internet access. Moreover, internet costs are high; it costs 1.5 euro per hour, which makes it out of reach on a Cuban salary.

Even when you can find internet and pay for it, your exposure is limited because it is too slow to watch something or to make a call on WhatsApp. Your GSM mobile operator will provide internet services to you as a foreigner, but not to Cubans.

Locals not allowed to see what’s available to tourists – There are a number of luxury businesses that are off-limits to Cubans.

Comités de Defensa de la Revolución (CDR) – Committee for the Defense of the Revolution is one aspect that affects all aspects of life in Cuba. There are a couple reasons for having a Revolution Committee in every neighborhood in Cuba today: To provide support for the elderly, to put together entertainment activities and street parties, to assist with anything related to security and to monitor any activity against the revolution.

Where Does That Leave Cubans With Regard To The Communist Regime, Revolution, Fidel and Che?

In 1980, 21 years after the revolution, an unexpected diplomatic crisis fell in Castro’s lap. Six citizens who wanted to flee Cuba drove a car through the gates of the embassy of Peru, killing a Cuban guard in the process. After hearing that Peru refused to give up these 6 asylum seekers, Fidel removed the Cuban police from the Peru Embassy and announced that Cuba will be withdrawing its security forces from embassies and consulates refusing to cooperate with Cuba.

It was a strategic mistake. Now that there were no gatekeepers, thousands of Cubans who wanted to apply for asylum fled to the Peruvian embassy in a matter of a couple of days.

Cuban brain drain

Upon hearing the news that so many people wanted to leave the country,  Castro announced that anyone who wanted to leave through the Mariel port was free to do so. The US announced it would be welcoming Cuban refugees.

Hundreds of thousands of Cubans showed up to flee the country. The crisis was getting bigger and bigger. Each departure encouraged others to leave too. The US took in 125,000 Cuban political refugees during this time.

Fidel had a plan in mind to make the US stop taking Cubans. He began sending criminals and people with mental health problems from prisons, and the US had no other choice but to close its borders.

On the other hand, Cubans overall feel a great amount of admiration for figures such as Fidel Castro – as well as his comrades Raul Castro, Che Guevara, and Camillo Cienfuegos – and regard them as founding fathers of the country. Even though part of the Cubans who might not be pleased with the current administration, they have great respect for those who fought for Cuba’s freedom.

When Fidel passed away in 2016, the entire country went into a state of mourning. Fidel continued to be president until 2008, 49 years of popular rule.

Cuba’s Education System

Here we’ll talk about one of the two most acclaimed achievements in Cuba today: education (the other is health care). It is one thing that has really affected life in Cuba overall. Cuba allocates 10% of its budget to education. Here is a summary of some of the advancements Cuba has made in education:

1. Before the revolution, Cuba’s literacy rate hovered somewhere between 36%-42%. It’s 99.8% in Cuba today, which is higher than Spain’s at 98.1%.
2. We are not talking about only literacy rates either. In a 1998 report by UNESCO, Cuban students scored an average of 350 points on a performance test, 100 points higher than the average score in all of Latin America. And this test was done during a time that corresponded with a bleak economic outlook in Cuba.
3. Students in Cuba today not only learn how to read and write, but also take creative classes in primary schools, such as theater and salsa.
4. There is one teacher for every 12 students.
5. Education is free. The government helps students by paying for their uniforms, but the students have to buy their own books.
6. The government has made sure an equal ratio of boys and girls attend school and ensured children in rural areas are also included.
7. Education is mandatory for children ages 6-16.

Medicine in Cuba

Like education, health care is also free of charge. It’s hard to understand whether or not the health care system is good or not as there are diametrically opposed comments on this topic. Some say that Cuba’s health care system is more advanced than other countries, while others say the state of the hospitals in the country is poor.

Cuba is able to train doctors really well. In Cuba today, there are 627 doctors and 94 dentists per 100,000 people. Compare this to America, which has 225 doctors and 54 dentists per 100,000 people. However, another problem is the lack of infrastructure and medicine, which is largely due to the American embargo.

Cuban hospitals now have treatments for some specific illness like lung cancer. A lot of people from all around the world come to Cuba for treatment.

Family and Homes in Cuba Today

Because of the shortages of houses, usually three generations of a family share one house. Some houses are huge, and some are like tiny boxes. It makes one wonder how the government decides to distribute houses to families.

Food Rations

The state provides monthly assistance to Cubans for basic foodstuffs like rice, milk and meat. The state created diet templates based on age and condition of health, and hands out rations according to nutritional needs. There are stores like the one in the picture, but they only have a maximum of 10-15 types of product.

None of the products are packaged, they come in bulk. Shopkeepers will weigh before selling it to you. The prices are subsidied by the government to make them affordable to its citizens.

Religion in Cuba

When the Spanish brought over Africans for enslavement in Cuba, they had tried to convert them all to Catholicism. As a result of their efforts, Cuba is now 60% Catholic, 5% Protestant and 24% atheist.

The remaining follow a religion called “Santeria,” which is a combination of a tribalistic religion and Christianity. When Nigerians were brought to Cuba, they also brought with them their Yoruba faith which has multiple gods. The Spanish forced slaves to become baptized and converted them to Christians, banning Yoruba in the process.

Many of the slaves wanted to make it seem like they were following Spanish orders, and so they combined Christian saints and icons with Yoruba gods, and began praying to them. As an example, they would make it seem as if they were praying to John the Baptist, but they would really be talking to Yoruba god of wind.

Hundreds of years later, these two beliefs melded into one and became Santeria. Santeria combines ritual dancing with Christian iconography under one roof. You can representations of this in people’s houses, as seen in the picture.

Made-up Prices

Until recently, private companies weren’t allowed in Cuba. All real estate belonged to the government. The government provided all sorts of services for free. When it comes to putting a price tag on different products and services, Cubans are a little inconsistent. For us, the price of renting a bike for the day was 5 euro, while renting a snorkel was 15 euro.

We couldn’t figure out how to square this in our minds – is this people reacting to the newly liberated economy or are they just looking to take advantage of tourists?

Interestingly, this is also the case in the property market. No one really knows how much anything costs, so they just name a price and see if it sticks.

“This is Cuba”

In Cuba today, companies operate with a laid-back mentality that might not always be ideal for some fellow travelers. But such is life in Cuba. The transportation system and companies that rent vehicles are largely monopolized by the state. Officials at these businesses have an interesting attitude when it comes to working.

Renters and bus riders, beware!

There was no one to be found from 12 pm to 4 pm when we attempted to rent a motorcycle from the rental place, even though the sign on the door said it was open until 5.

Our bus was at 3. We had to give the scooter back, and we didn’t know what to do. Should we miss the bus or get on the bus without getting our deposit back? Where should we leave the keys?

Sometimes the buses come to the bus stop an hour early and leave without waiting for passengers who have tickets. So, if you’re taking the bus, you’ll need to get to the bus stop one hour early and wait for a while. And most places only have one bus in the morning and one bus in the afternoon. That’s all. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

If you try to question the system, you’ll be met with the same answer over and over again: “This is Cuba.”

 Relations with America  ?

The US and Cuba haven’t always been on the best of terms. Unfortunately, this also negatively affected the quality of life in Cuba. The CIA has tried and failed to assassinate Fidel on 600 different occasions, and staged an invasion. The American government has also implemented a 57-year embargo on Cuba.

Despite this, Cubans don’t seem having any issues with America. There are locals who stroll around wearing American t-shirts. If you’re thinking whether or not they’re doing this to signal their discontent with the regime, they’re not. While talking to them, you’ll hear them say “Viva Che, Viva Fidel Castro,” and they mean it.

Maybe this positive attitude towards America could be explained by the fact that nearly 2.2 million Cubans (out of a total population of 11.3 million, you do the math) live in the US.

The American Embargo against Cuba

Obama loosened the reins on Cuba’s embargo in 2014. Despite this, the two still haven’t completely made up, and US President Trump has attempted to roll back some of the ties forged. American companies still aren’t allowed to make investments or operate in Cuba today, and the US government still hasn’t lifted the ban for its citizens to go to Cuba as tourists on paper.

However, the American government’s stance is vague about who is allowed to go in. While entering Cuba for tourism purposes is prohibited, Americans are allowed to go on “people-to-people” trips or to “support Cubans.” This is a formality. American tourism firms have already launched its “people-to-people” cruises for passengers.

While Obama was winning admiration for his moderate approach, there were detractors who second-guessed the intentions of America’s warming to Cuba. Some critics say that America’s approach is not for diplomatic or humanist reasons, but instead simply to promote the US’ interests. The essentials are this:

1⃣The export potential America has been missing out on.
2⃣As companies from other countries such as France, Canada and Spain are clinching shares in Cuba’s market, American firms have had their mouths water, but they are not allowed a bite.

One of the more interesting points in this whole discussion is that there are some Cubans living in America who are opposed to easing sanctions. They think that the embargo has not reached its goals and should continue. We shall see how relations between Cuba and America are being molded now that Fidel is out of the picture.

Cuban Cuisine

You can find out more from our Food in Cuba piece!

Planning a Trip to Cuba?

Check out our travel guides: Cuba Travel Guide

And to have the last word…

It is very unlikely that you will see the real Cuba if you stay in hotel. Everything from the touristic bus stops to the hotels seems staged. Our suggestion is to stay in local homestays, known as Casa Particulars.

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Food rations, economic restrictions limited the scope of chefs’ innovations. Because of this, we often found that the ambiance of Havana’s restaurants to be much more impressive than the skills of the chef in the kitchen.

On the other hand, as we explain in our  Cuban Food & Where To Eat In Cuba article;

The country is becoming more and more economically liberated, something that has trickled down to the plate. Though “fine dining” will be hard to find – please don’t come to Cuba and expect to find steak tartare smothered in quail eggs – there are a couple of trendy restaurants that have recently opened, elevating the food scene in the country.

Here you will find the best restaurants in Havana. They surpass any other Havana restaurant in every aspect but remember that Cuban chefs still don’t have access to some of the ingredients & tools that even you can easily find in your neighborhood’s supermarket.

♡ = Our Top Choice

Before you move ahead with your plans

We also recommend you take a look at
Top Things To Do In Havana
1 Week Cuba Itinerary
Cuba Travel Tips & Costs

Where to Eat in Havana: Best Restaurants

Atelier ♡

If you want to have a good meal before leaving Cuba, do it here. Don’t go anywhere else! This restaurant gets really creative with its dishes, mixing American and Caribbean flavors. Atelier constantly changes up its menu, as well as its decoration. It’s possible for you to visit the restaurant and see a new painting on display that wasn’t there before. Depending on how many people are in a group, Atelier will change the entire interior decor to accommodate.

For starters, try the fried taro root. Get the duck or the rabbit as a main. Price for two people will be about 30 Euros. You have to make a reservation before going. Address: Calle 5 #511, Paseo ve Calle 2 arasında, Vedado Telephone: 005378362025. Click here for the location.

Paladar La Guarida

If Atelier is full, then this is a good second choice. Though dining here is expensive compared to the rest of Cuba, the dishes are worth every penny. The dilapidated building creates a nostalgic, moody atmosphere. Because it’s gotten quite popular recently, you’ll have to make a reservation – even with one, you might still have to wait a while.

You can book your reservation on their website. The restaurant is closed on Sundays and is open 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm – 11:45 pm. Address: Concordia No.418 /Gervasio y Escobar, Centro Habana. Telephone: +53 78 66 90 47 Website: www.laguarida.com/en/ Click here for the location.

Paladar San Cristóbal

The food is quite tasty, though expensive for Cuban standards; be prepared to spend around 30 Euros for two people. There is a menu that features a fusion of Cuba cuisine with food from around the world. A special treat on the menu is pork with mustard sauce. Address: Between Calle San Rafael #469, Campanario and Lealtad, Centro Habana Telephone: 005378601705 Click here for the location.

Where to Eat in Havana: Cheap Restaurants

Dona Eutimia ♡

This is without a doubt the best place to eat traditional Cuban food, and puts it high up on our list of things to do in Havana. The places listed above are mainly for dinner, but this is an ideal lunch spot. Their signature dish is Ropa Vieja (beef tandoori in tomato sauce), which is Cuba’s most popular dish.

What really knocked our socks off, however, was the garlic shrimp starter. Even though we were able to sweet talk our way in, they usually only take reservations. You can expect to pay about 15 Euros for two people. The restaurant is very close to the Cathedral Square. Open between 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Address: Callejón del Chorro #60c, Plaza de la Catedral, Old Havana Telephone: +53 7 8611332. Click here for the location.

VanVan

With live music after 5:00 pm, this food stop has a killer decor, food and cocktails. On Thursdays, VanVan is open 12:00 pm-midnight and 12:00 pm – 11:45 pm every other day. Be sure to check out the bathroom! Address: San Juan De Dios 58, E/ Habana y Compostela, Old Havana Telephone: 537-860-2490. Please click here for the location.

Hanoi

We recommend the crawfish and shrimp. You can find traditional Cuban food and great mojitos here, and the prices are also reasonable. La Floridita is close to Hanoi in case you’re looking for places to go after. Address: Teniente Rey #507, Esquina Bernaza, Old Havana Telephone: +53 7 8671029. Click here for the location.

El Chanchullero

A cheeky response to all the other venues that use Hemingway to attract tourists, El Chanchullero has a sign on their front door reading, “Hemingway never came here.” With such an introduction, you won’t be surprised to see funky graffiti lining the wall as you enter the establishment. El Chanchullero is closed on Sundays, but open other days 1:00 pm-midnight. Address: Bernaza y El Cristo, 457 A bajos Teniente Rey, La Habana Telephone: +53 5 2760938. Website: www.el-chanchullero.com. Click here for the location.

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This slightly more charming, sweet and a welcoming little sister to older sibling Havana, Trinidad helped us get over some of our disappointments in Cuba’s capital. This is one city that is coming into its own after falling from its former glory in the 1800s.

We’ve prepared this article on just what Trinidad has to offer, and broken it up for y’all as follows:

OUR TOP PICKS IN TRINIDAD

1. Roam The Streets (Which Resemble A Film Set More Than A City)

We think one of the best things to do in Trinidad is to take your time wandering the city and absorbing its atmosphere. You could easily walk Trinidad from top to bottom in two hours, but you’ll probably find yourself stopping to take photos of every inch of the colonial square – in other words, it’ll take you much longer than two hours to explore.

Trinidad is a wonderfully romantic city with colonial houses out of a box of Smarties, painted every color of the rainbow. While there are plenty of things to whine on about about traveling through Cuba (or any other country, for that matter), we have to admit that one of the government’s biggest successes is preserving the country’s cultural heritage.

The government has paid so much attention to the historical fabric of the city and preserving its aesthetics that they choose which houses will be painted what color. Of course, as with every other place in the country, the state budget is tight, and government services only come every 5-10 years – but that’s a different topic. Since making UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1988, Trinidad has truly begun to shine.

A history told through the streets

Trinidad’s streets are a particular treat for history buffs. Trinidad was established in the 1500s, making it the oldest settlement in Cuba and all of Latin America. There was no real settlement here until slaves from Haiti working on sugarcane plantations escaped in a significant slave revolt and settled in Trinidad.

Trinidad went through its golden age in the 1800s due to the sugar mills in the area, making up 2/3 of all sugar production on the island. Of course, at the time, only aristocrats were able to afford sugar at their table. Owners of plantations were able to construct mini-palaces with marble from Italy, tiles from France and flooring from Germany.

2. Watch the sunset from a balcony overlooking the city

If in Trinidad around dusk, take a moment to notice that certain streets have gone empty, then look up. Many have gone to watch the sunset from their balconies. Trinidad is built on a hill, forcing the sun to set over the red tiles on every roof. If you ask us, one of the best things to do in Trinidad is to watch the sunset with a mojito in hand – this is a major hallmark of the city.

As there aren’t many, here are the most popular terrace bars:

– El Rintintin: This is a small terrace bar, meaning that you might have difficulty finding a place to sit. The bar also serves as a casa particular and has two rooms.(The food here is tempting, but don’t cave in as we have other plans for you!) Click here for the location.
– El Criollo: If there is no seating at El Rintintin, then you can go next door to El Criollo, where there’s live music. Click here for the location.

3. A Dinner must: Dining at Quince Catorce Museum/Restaurant ♡

Fancy dining out like a sugar baron living in Cuba during the 1700s? Well, then this ranks as one of the best things to do in Trinidad.

Quice Catorce is both a museum and restaurant that conjures up a sense of nostalgia in every corner. Take your #tbt to a new level here: the place is covered in antiques from floor to the ceiling – even the waiters wear clothes from the 18th century. Nothing has been overlooked, down to the embroidered tablecloth and tea sets from a bygone era.

This was the most romantic place we went to in all of Cuba and, to exaggerate just a tad more, the most nostalgic meal that we’ve ever experienced. As we mentioned in Food in Cuba – Where and What to Eat, the local fare hasn’t yet caught up to the stellar ambiance of most restaurants. So, while the food at Quice Catorce is lovely, it won’t sweep you off your feet like the decor.

Address: Simon Bolivar Sokak, No. 515, Trinidad 62600 Telephone: +53 41 994255. Click here for the location.

4. Other Amazing Restaurants In Trinidad

Sol Ananda

Another restaurant in Trinidad that resembles a museum, Sol Ananda is in a house dating back to the 18th century. They serve a Cuban lamb dish as well as fish patties and South Asian samosas. There are also quite a few vegetarian options. You can come here for dinner without making a reservation, but you might have to wait a bit.

Address: 62600, 45 Calle Real del Jigüe, Trinidad 62600 Click here for the location.

Taberna La Botija

With an eternal line out front, Taberna La Botija serves beer in old-fashioned ceramic wares. There is live jazz/soul music and passably acceptable bar snacks.

Address: 71B Calle Amargura Telephone: +53 5 2830147. Web Site: labotija.trinidadhostales.com Click here for the location.

5. Nightlife in Trinidad

Casa de la Musica

Located in Plaza Mayor, entertainment at Casa de la Musica starts early and ends early, around 1am. The venue is split into three different rooms. When we went, in one room there was live local music and dancing, another that featured reggaeton – a type of music originally from Puerto Rico – and a third room with more relaxed music.

Entrance was 2 CUC at the time of writing. Address: Calle Cristo, Trinidad 62600 Telephone: +53 41 93414. Please click here for the location.

THINGS TO DO IN TRINIDAD

To view the map, click on GoogleMaps.

Streets Wandering

You don’t have to be a professional photographer to be able to capture the beauty of the mansions and smaller, colorful homes that line the city’s cobblestoned streets. You’d be hard-pressed to find another city as photogenic as Trinidad. Not to hit this one over your head too hard, but meandering down Trinidad’s streets is a must as far as things to do in Trinidad.

Plaza Mayor

Discovering Plaza Mayor tops many a list of things to do in Trinidad for its houses that belonged to sugar barons and slave traders in the 18th century. After the revolution, Fidel nationalized these houses and turned them into museums. The most popular restaurants (paladar) and bars are also here. Click here for the location.

Historical places in Plaza Mayor and surrounding areas:

Romantic Museum / Museo Romantico (Palacio Brunet): The house was constructed in 1740 and belonged to Nicolás de la Cruz Brunet, who was a wealthy Spanish earl. The house was turned into a museum in 1974 and has antique furniture from the 19th century. Entrance: 2 CUC. Open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tuesday – Sunday.

Archeology Museum / Museo de Arqueología Guamuhaya: Has unearthed artifacts like bones as well as animal hides that have been preserved and stuffed on display. Entrance: 1 CUC. Open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tuesday – Sunday.

Colonial Architecture Museum / Museo de Arquitectura Colonial (Casa de Los Sánchez Iznaga):
Was a building constructed in the 18th century for the sugar baron Iznaga. Entrance: 1 CUC. Open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tuesday – Sunday.

Teslis Church / Iglesia Parroquial de la Santísima Trinidad: The main church in the square, it was rebuilt in 1892 in the neoclassical style after the original 17th-century construction was destroyed in a storm. There is a wooden statue of Jesus inside the church dating back to the 18th century. Open 11.00 am – 12.30 pm, Monday – Saturday.

Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco: This church dates back to 1813 and is probably the most recognizable building in Trinidad with its pastel yellow tower. There is a spectacular view from the tower, which visitors can go up. The church was made into a museum in 1986, and displays weapons, photos and maps from the revolutionary period. Entrance: 1 CUC, Open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tuesday – Sunday.

Art Gallery / Galeria de Arte (Palacio Ortiz): An art gallery with 19th century objects on display, this used to be the home of the Ortiz family. Entrance is free. Open 9:00 am – 4:30pm, Monday – Saturday.

Museo Historico Municipal

For history buffs, exploring Museo Historico Municipal could be one of the best things to do in Trinidad. The top floor of the neoclassical house boasts a beautiful view of Trinidad. The building used to be a mansion in the 1800s before it was passed on to a German sugar manufacturer.

Locals named this place Cantero, after Dr. Justo Cantero, who, according to local legend, scammed a bunch of wealthy folk. It’s said he murdered an old and wealthy merchant and married his widow, inheriting the family’s assets in the process.

Address: 423 Calle Desengaño, Trinidad 62600 Telephone: +53 41 994460 Hours of Operation: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Open every day except for Monday. Admission fee is around 2 USD.

Plaza Carillo

Plaza Carillo has fewer tourists than Plaza Mayor, but it’s much livelier. There is WiFi in the square and an ETECSA building close by where you can buy internet cards. At one corner of the square, you can also buy cigars and rum from state-owned stores.

Cuban Cigar tip – If you are planning to purchase cigars, don’t get them from the sellers off the street. Either buy them from here or get them from tobacco farmers in Vinales. Click here for the location.

Casa Templo de Santeria Yemaya

If you’re interested in discovering Cuba’s rich religious history, then stopping by the Casa Templo de Santeria Yemaya could be a great addition to your list of things to do in Trinidad. African slaves brought with them their own polytheistic religion, called Yoruba. Faced with mounting pressure from the Spanish to convert to Christianity, Yoruba mixed with Catholicism to form Santeria.

About 15% of Cuba’s population believes in Yoruba. Casa Templo de Santeria Yemaya is a house of worship for those who practice Santeria. You’ll be able to find information about Santeria, as well as watch a religious ceremony that brings together different customs, like dancing. On March 19, there is a ceremony that lasts all day in honor of Yemaya, goddess of the ocean. Click here for the location.

Trinidad Guided Tours

If you opt out of following our list of things to do in Trinidad, taking a guided tour is always a safe bet. Though, perhaps too safe, since we can’t ensure that the tour will be a particularly illuminating one.

– Infotur: This is one of the government-operated tour companies, and they can organize activities and trips in and around the city. A tour of Trinidad lasting a couple of hours costs around 12 CUC per person. (Open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm)
– Cubatur: You’ll find this tour agency operating throughout the country no matter where you go. They provide services such as booking hotel rooms. (Open 09:00 am – 8:00 pm)
– Maqueta De Trinidad: While this is a museum that shows Trinidad’s history, you can also arrange for a city tour here that lasts 1-2 hours. For the both of us, we only paid 5 CUC. You’ll need to ask as they don’t always have guides that speak English. (Open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm)

WHERE TO STAY IN TRINIDAD

Hostal El Mirador

This owners of this hostel have made an effort to place colonial style furniture in a living room that will take you back in time. Though decorated in antiques, the rooms are renovated and have a/c units. This had to be the most presentable place we stayed in all of Cuba.

The hostel is located 20 steps from the Viazul bus station in the heart of the old city, and one street down from the Saturday bazaar where you can buy souvenirs.  Since we don’t know if all the rooms were created equal: We stayed in room number 5, which had two double beds. (As you’re coming up the stairs to the first floor, the room will be behind you.

There is an excellent balcony where you can watch the sunset, the downside being that breakfast is served on the terrace – and it can get quite hot. A night’s stay is 35 CUC, and breakfast is an extra 5 CUC per person. Click here for more details.

HOW MANY DAYS TO SET ASIDE FOR TRINIDAD

As the city is quite small, you can check off all the things to do in Trinidad in one day. But if you are staying in Cuba for awhile, then there are activities you can do nearby. There’s no need to stay in Trinidad for longer than three days. Spend days two and three exploring the sugar mills and/or the beach.

If Staying for 1 Day: See the City

Our list of things to do in Trinidad above will help fill up an entire day in the city.

If Staying 2 Days: Go Trekking or Head to Valle de Los Ingenios by Tour or Train

Instead of spending your second day in the city, our suggestion is to go on a day trip to Valle de Los Ingenios to see the mansions and sugar mills that used to belong to big-time sugar producers. This is amongst the best things to do in Trinidad for colonial history buffs.

Day 2: By tour

The guided tours organized by Cubatur last for 4 hours. During this trip, you’ll ride in a minibus to visit the Guaímaro and San Isidro farms, as well as the home that belonged to the Iznaga family, the wealthiest family of that period. After that, you’ll eat lunch at the Manaca Iznaga farm and see the Alfarero Mansion before heading back to Trinidad.

Day 2: By train

With a little luck on your side, you can go to Valle de los Ingenios another way: a steam train from 1906. You’ll cross through picturesque greenery, tunnels and bridges into Cuba’s sordid past of slave trade and sugar plantations. The trip to get to the sugar factory and the famous Iznaga Mansion stops twice and lasts a total of 2.5 hours.

The train leaves Trinidad at 9:30 am and returns to Trinidad at 2:30 pm. You should be at the station at 8:50 am at the latest to find a ticket and to be able to get a seat on the train. Tickets are 15 USD. Address: Calle Antonio Guiteras Telephone: 419-3348

Day 2: Trekking

Cubatur also offers a tour for the national park Topes de Collantes, where you can swim in El Nicho, a natural spring and waterfall that originates from the Hanabanilla River. An ecotourism guide conducts the 1-km trip. After lunch, the guided tour leads back to the city.

For those who are looking to incorporate a bit more walking and adventure into their trip, there are 8-hour trekking tours that leave from Trinidad, going to different destinations. A guide can take you to the Topes de Collantes National Park on a 3-kilometer walk through the tropical forests and the coffee plantations in the region.

For more information on all the tours, and to learn more about pricing, you can call (537) 838-4597 or email comercial@opcional.cbt.tur.cu.

If Staying for 3 Days: Go Diving or Merely Enjoy the Caribbean Waters

Playa Ancon

You can quickly reach Playa Ancon by taxi in 15 minutes. Ignore the all-inclusive resorts on Playa Ancon and head for the beautiful corners of the peninsula for swimming. The outskirts of the peninsula are home to a range of coral reef, making it an ideal place to also go snorkeling or diving.

Cayo Blanco

Located 25 kilometers from the beach is Cayo Blanco, an island that offers eight different scuba diving locations to show off its coral reef. Marina Trinidad in the diving square offers diving tours that cost around 30 USD. The hotel that offers the most comprehensive tours on the peninsula for diving, fishing and cycling is Hotel Ancon. They have their own boat, but all their trips are full a month in advance.

For those of you interested in deep-sea fishing in the open sea, they catch large bluefin tunas. The tours can be quite pricey at 600 USD for one day. You’ll have to arrange the trip 1-2 months in advance from Cubatur or Infotur.

Note: There are sand fleas on the beach, and they get worse when the sun sets.

GETTING TO TRINIDAD

Trinidad by car

From Havana to Trinidad, it’s about 315 kilometers or 4 hours.
From Viñales to Trinidad, it’s about 419 kilometers or 6 hours.
From Cienfuegos to Trinidad, it’s 82 kilometers or 1.5 hours.

If you want to go between cities with a collectivo (shared taxis), you must negotiate that with the driver yourself. An alternative to this is a private service to transfer between cities. There is a price chart on their website, but these prices are much higher than using a collectivo.

Trinidad by bus

There are buses from Havana and Viñales to Trinidad. The only bus company that provides inter-city services is state-owned Viazul. You can buy tickets online. Note: Buses in Cuba can leave around an hour earlier than their designated times. To guarantee that you’ll actually get on the bus, you should be at the station at least an hour early.

There are two buses from Havana to Trinidad. One is early in the morning at 7:00 am, and the other is at 10:45 am. The trip lasts around 7 hours. Price for the ticket is 25 USD. There is only one bus daily that goes from Viñales to Trinidad, and it leaves at 6:45 am. The trip lasts around 10 hours and costs 37 USD per ticket.

The post ULTIMATE THINGS TO DO IN TRINIDAD, CUBA appeared first on Biz Evde Yokuz.

Tourist cards or visas won’t take up a page in your passport; instead, they are simply a signed piece of paper that allows you to enter the country. There are three main ways to apply for a Cuban visa or tourist card:

1. From the Cuban embassy where you reside.
2. From authorized travel agencies or websites.
3. Through an airline, if you are flying directly from the US.

What is a Cuba Tourist Card?

Tourist cards allow people to enter Cuba only for touristic purposes and grant cardholders a maximum of 30 days stay (90 days if you’re a Canadian citizen). If you wish to stay longer than the initial 30-day period, you have the right to extend the card once.

Should I get a Cuban Visa or Tourist Card?

Nationals from the following countries don’t need to have either a tourist visa or card: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Bosnia, China, Dominica, Grenada, Macedonia, Malaysia, Montenegro, Mongolia, Namibia, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Serbia, Singapore and Vietnam.

People from the following countries will need visas: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka. Citizens of countries not listed above will need to get a tourist card.

How much does a Cuban Visa cost?

Because there are so many different ways of going about getting a Cuban visa, the costs vary. Should you apply at an embassy or a consulate, expect fees anywhere in the range of $20-75 depending on your location. If you want to skip going to a consulate or embassy, then online travel agencies also provide Cuban visas or tourist cards. Often times, they will sell you a package and include the cost of the card. Keep in mind, the embassy charges third parties an extra processing fee, so going through a travel agency might be more expensive.

If you buy a Tourist Card from one of the airlines when flying direct from the US to Cuba, prices will range from $50-110 depending on the airline. The reason why this fluctuates is that some airlines choose to charge a processing fee, adding to the price. The only exception is if you are flying directly from Canada, in which case the cost of your card is bundled into the cost of your plane ticket.

How to apply for a Cuban Visa or Tourist Card

As mentioned earlier, there are three main ways you can apply for a Cuban visa or tourist card.

Applying at a Consulate or Embassy (or by mail)

You should gather the required documents and either head to your embassy or consulate or send your application in the mail. If you decide to send it in the mail, make sure that you include a self-addressed return envelope, so the embassy or consulate can mail your card back to you.

Applying through Travel Agencies or Online

Most tourism agents are accredited by the Cuban embassy and are able to hand out tourist cards and Cuban visas. You can go to any tourism agency with a passport, passport photos and the fee for the card to apply.

You can also apply online at businesses such as Cuba Visas, which focuses solely on obtaining visas. You’ll need to scan your passport, passport photos and a receipt showing payment of fees for the tourist card.

Applying through Airlines

If you are traveling directly to Cuba from the US, then you can get your card directly at the airport. You’ll be able to obtain it at the ticket counter, and the processing fees differ from airline to airline.

Everything You Need to Know Before Applying for a Tourist Card or Cuban Visa

Applying for a tourist card or a Cuban Visa is much easier than applying for something like a Schengen Visa. Whether you’re applying to a consulate where you reside, through a travel agency or through the internet, the process will be as follows:

1. You should prepare certain documents, including a copy of your passport along with the actual one (which should be valid for at least the following six months when applying), plane and hotel reservations, travel insurance for your entire trip and two passport photos (some agencies will allow you to scan the photos).
2. If you are going to a consulate or embassy, you’ll need to fill out a form (a tourism agency will do this on your behalf).
3. You’ll have to pay the required processing fee at the embassy or consulate (the fee varies from agency to agency).
4. You should be able to receive your tourist card within a day or a couple hours of applying at an embassy. However, this could change depending on location. If applying through a company such as Cuba Visa, then you should give this more time, such as a few weeks, as processing might take longer.

Other types of Cuban Visas

There are different visas depending on your stated aim of going to Cuba.

A-2/Family Visa

This type of visa is given to legitimate children and spouses of Cuban citizens, but who have not obtained citizenship themselves. Non-citizens who would like to visit or to enter Cuba to later apply for a residency permit should obtain this type of visa.

D-6/Press Visa

Members of the press who are not Cuban citizens should apply for this type of visa. Anyone who wishes to apply needs to do so through the press department of the Cuban Embassy; after approval from the press office, then the visa application process will move forward through the consulate.

Work Visa

This type of visa is for non-citizens who are in Cuba for business purposes. The application must be made to the appropriate office at the Cuban Embassy before being forwarded on to the consulate.

Required Documents for Obtaining a Cuban Visa

Obtaining the required documents for a Cuban visa is quite easy and practical.
1. A copy of your passport, which can’t be more than 10 years old, damaged or expiring within 6 months of the application date.
2. Some consulates or embassies only accept payment through a bank transfer. If so, you’ll need a receipt of payment (travel agencies take cash and checks).
3. Documents showing hotel reservations and roundtrip plane tickets.
4. Travel insurance covering your entire trip.
5. Two passport photos measuring 45 mm by 60 mm that have been taken within the past 6 months.
7. A self-addressed envelope if you are sending your application to the embassy through mail,
8. Completed application form from the embassy or consulate (the travel agency will do this on your behalf).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have a problem entering Cuba if I’ve been to the US, even if I have a visa?

No. Entering Cuba will not be a problem if you have already entered the US.

Does the Cuban Visa/Card allow multiple entries into the country?

No. One visa or card only allows you to enter the country once. If you want to leave and come back multiple times, then you’ll need to reapply for a tourist visa/card.

What should I do if I’ve lost my Cuban Visa/Card?

Contact the Cuban Embassy immediately if this happens.

How can I get from the US to Cuba?

Passengers going to Cuba can fly directly from the US. You can either get your card or visa from the airport or by applying to a travel agency in the US.

Cuban Holidays

Before applying, keep in mind national holidays in Cuba when the embassies or consulates are closed. These holidays are:

January 1 – Liberation Day
January 2 – New Year’s Day
April 14 – Good Friday
May 1 – Labor Day/ May
July 25 – 27 – Revolution Celebrations
October 10 – Beginning of the War of Independence
December 25 – Christmas
December 31 – New Year’s Eve

The post HOW TO GET A CUBAN VISA & COSTS appeared first on Biz Evde Yokuz.

Cuba is the type of place that has you running for the door one second and feeling like you never want to leave the next. It’s true, Cuba’s laid-back culture and nostalgic beauty,  the charming colonial-era buildings, the vintage cars – make it a waking dream. But it can also be an incredibly restless one for the well-intentioned traveler. For this reason, setting the right budget and knowing the best Cuba travel tips are important for ensuring a smooth trip!

Let’s just clarify one thing before we continue: This article is intended to prepare you for the hustle of traveling to Cuba so we focused more on the negatives and that positives. But otherwise, Cuba is legendary. Its 60 years of revolutionary history living under the watchful gaze of the US has made it one badass little island nation.

Other Articles To Get You Ready For Cuba

We have a series of articles full of Cuba travel tips:
Things To Do In Cuba & Cuba Itinerary
Cuba Travel Guide

WHY CUBA IS DIFFICULT TO TRAVEL TO

Socialist Cuba

As you know that Cuba is a communist country and it has been Cuba’s blessing & curse. The Revolution, Che, Fidel, and communism are often the main reasons tourists want to take a trip to Cuba. A major selling point for tourists is the way that a small island has stood up to a superpower like the US.

Tourists are also attracted to the nostalgic feel of the country, which was frozen in time after it was economically isolated from the rest of the world in the 1960s. Everything in Cuba is from a bygone era: home furnishings and decorations, the vintage cars that patrol the streets, even the pace of life. Cuba opening up to change led tourism to skyrocket 15% in one year. So communism blessed Cuba with booming tourism but it also cursed the country with a bad economy.

Living in Cuba on $25 a Month

Once Cuba became a communist country, the US implemented a severe and heavy-handed embargo, which led to many economic hardships. Yes, communism ensures that everyone has a place in society, free education, and healthcare, with staples such as milk, rice, beans and meat.

However, in reality, present-day government assistance only accounts for 40% of the basic requirements needed for one family. Furthermore, people in full-time positions are expected to work five days one week and six days the next.

Like anywhere else in the world, doctors make the highest salaries – but unlike in many other places, this only comes out to $25-$30 a month. People are forced to find alternatives to make ends meet. No matter how much the Cuban government subsidizes products, life in Cuba can be just as expensive as life in European countries.

How much do everyday items cost in Cuba?

Everything, down to cookies, has to be imported, as Cuba has yet to undergo industrialization. Under these circumstances, you can expect to find deodorant for 2-3 euro, baby food for 2.5 euro, and 1 liter of fuel at around 1 euro. With these prices, it’s impossible to live off of $25 per month.

Locals have turned to tourists, who they view as walking ATMs – especially when they see that a foreigner can easily afford a 7 euro meal in a restaurant.

Raul Castro Brings Cuba into a New Era after Fidel’s Death

In 2011, Raul replaced his brother Fidel Castro and became known for his more moderate communist leanings – which, to be fair, wasn’t super hard post-Fidel. Raul brought about more economic freedom, something that had a significant impact on the quality of life among ordinary citizens. Under these newfound freedoms, people are now allowed to rent their houses as homestays, use their homes as restaurants and run private businesses.

This type of homestay in Cuba is called a “casa particular” and costs between 25-45 euro a night. Here’s another of our Cuba travel tips: Breakfast is the same everywhere, and homestay owners usually charge 5 euro per person. No need to seek out trendy brunch spots here.

Why are Cubans turning their homes into Casa Particulars?

Because locals realized they could make one month’s salary from renting a room in their home for one night – surprise, surprise – almost every house on every street has turned into a casa particular. But this economic opening led the teachers, doctors, and engineers to leave their jobs and pick up tourism.

So it’s very possible your taxi driver could be a cardiologist. During your trip to Cuba, people will constantly try to sell you services like a room in their house, a ride in a taxi or a massage, or anything they can make a commission from. This is especially true in Havana. Just see what happens when you make eye contact with a person.

Tourists = Walking ATM

Though not only specific to Cuba, it can be quite tiring ambling down the street knowing that you are being viewed as a walking banknote. This can be particularly hard as people sometimes ask you where you’re from, as if to make conversation, all the while leading you to a “nice bar.”

You will casually be invited for a beer, and though you might feel happy to have made a local friend after you finish your drink you’ll see the bill. It’s then you’ll realize that each drink is ridiculously overpriced, and your new friend was just trying to get you to pay up at the bar, where he’s sure to get a nice commission.

Understandably, these types of hijinks can make people defensive. You might be sad that someone needs to go to such lengths to make a bit of extra money, but you’ll also be upset that you’re nothing more to them than an ATM with legs and feet. The best way to deal with this is to keep walking without making eye contact and say “No, gracias.”

SHOULD I BOOK MY TRIP TO CUBA THROUGH A TOURISM AGENCY?

Benefits of Going on a Guided Trip to Cuba

Language barriers

If you are curious about Cuba’s revolutionary history, you’re in for an unpleasant surprise. Dear amateur history buffs, consider this one of our most valuable Cuba travel tips: Learn the Cuban Revolution before you land in Cuba.

You won’t learn anything in the museums if you don’t speak the language. Almost everything is in Spanish and whatever is translated to English doesn’t explain much. For example, you’ll see placards saying: “This is Celia Sanchez’s apron.” You won’t find any other information about Celia, who she was or what she did in the revolution that made her important. Nor will you find a guided tour, nor an audio guide or written explanations in Museum of the Revolution in Havana or in the mausoleums that contain the graves of Che and his comrades.

Unless you go with a tour guide who can explain everything you’re seeing, you’ll wind up disappointed. Because tour operators pair up with tour guides who have expertise, they can explain everything to you.

All-inclusive planning

Arguably the biggest advantage of going on a guided tour is that the company arranges everything, such as transportation, accommodation and on your behalf. This becomes especially important in Cuba because it is extra hard to arrange these things due to lack of infrastructure & order.  There is no widespread internet access so you can’t arrange things from afar.

Avoiding transportation hassles

On the topic of transportation, let’s touch on the sporadic bus schedule. One of our general Cuba travel tips – inter-city buses only run twice daily: in the morning around 7 or 8, and in the afternoon around 2 or 3. Because there are no buses at night, that means that you can only commute from one place to the other during the day.

If you have arranged a private tour, then the company’s cars can take you to another city overnight, and you’ll be to make better use of your time during the day by sightseeing or doing other things. Of course, you are not only limited to traveling between cities by bus or by a tour company. If you choose, you can always get a taxi to take you to another city at any time.

Freedom from cash

Credit cards are not accepted everywhere in Cuba. You’ll have to bring cash wherever you go. If you are on a guided tour, then you’ll only carry what you’re going to spend. But don’t worry, we’ll provide you with information here about budget and costs, so you’ll get a good idea of how much you’ll need to bring.

Disadvantages of Going on a Guided Tour

○ If it’s not a private tour, then you have no say in the schedule (or your travel companions…)
○ On trips that offer nights out for entertainment, guides will take you to more touristy places. On “Havana Nights” outings offered by tour operators, you’ll drink champagne at cabarets and watch dancers decked out in peacock feathers. Some of these nights are held in normal venues and some are held on exclusive islands where everything is included – except for the Cubans.

Unfortunately, locals are not able to enter these types of businesses. In other words, these places are “sterilized” and far removed from the more authentic version of Cuba. We think that by going on that kind of guided tours it’s impossible for you to be able to understand Cuba and to interact with the locals. On the other hand, if you decide to brave Cuba by yourself, you might be forced to constantly follow local expectations.

CUBA TRAVEL TIPS

As with any new culture, there are upsides and downsides to experiencing Cuba, as the people can be both charming and tiring. To prevent you from leaving Cuba disappointed, we decided to write about who Cuba is for and what to expect from your trip.

A Tropical Fantasy?

Cuba has amazing beaches. But one of the most earnest Cuba travel tips that we can give you is that you should go elsewhere if you’re wanting to live out a tropical fantasy. Other countries have better developed infrastructure and facilities that are cheaper.

However, there are certainly fabulous beach destinations in Cuba, and one we recommend is Varadero – even though it doesn’t quite provide an authentic experience. If you can fall in love with a place just from looking at a map, Varadero’s 20 kilometers of beach will have you entranced – and the sand, sea and beach will do your passions justice. There are resorts along the coast (yes, unfortunately, there are resorts even in Cuba), but you’ll find plenty of quieter places along the 20-kilometer strip.

On the plus side, there are tons of different activities like kite surfing and fly fishing, since Varadero is a top tourist attraction. Likewise, you’ll have a wide selection of food and entertainment at night. The other upside is that Varadero is located close to Havana and other places to see in Cuba.

You’ll probably find that other articles spouting Cuba travel tips say that there are stunning beaches all around the country. Well, they are right! If you want to head out to a beach with nothing but yourself and a book, then you can check out our Ultimate Things to Do in Vinales and Ultimate Things to do in Trinidad posts.

Another good contender amongst our Cuba travel tips: The water becomes choppy around 4 pm.

Budget & Costs: Performance for Price

There are resorts and luxury restaurants that are off-limits to Cubans. So it’s no wonder that at these fancy establishments, where everything is so synthetic, you’ll have a hard time distinguishing if you’re in Cuba or any other tropical locale. It’s an expensive bell jar, and chances are you can find a more enjoyable experience in another country for far better bang for your buck.

If you’re cut off from the rest of the world, then you’ll be caught off guard when you venture out into the real Cuba. While there are beautiful houses, most are shabby. Things that we take for granted, such as soap and toilet paper, are considered luxury goods in Cuba, and you’ll have to go without in some places.

You would probably be shocked to see the standard of living that Cubans have gotten used to. You might also be caught off guard by the number of times you will be asked for money on the street or the constant negotiating for every. single. thing.

There is not much in the way of accommodation such as boutique businesses – only resorts/hotels and casa particulars, the latter of which will be lighter on your pocketbook. The stark difference between the two worlds can leave a bitter taste in your mouth.

Honeymoon in Cuba?

We loved our trip to Cuba, but we would not have gone there for our honeymoon. Even though Cuba might possess a romantic atmosphere, doing day-to-day things is a bit of a hassle. Also, scrambling to make your way down the street without being harassed is kind of a mood killer. But don’t worry if you have already bought your tickets to Cuba for your honeymoon! We’ve got travel tips to help keep every step of the way smooth.

If we unwittingly scared you away and you’re thinking, “I changed my mind, where do you recommend instead of Cuba?,” then head on over to our Suggestions For Honeymoon Getaways.

Photography

If photography is one of your hobbies, then Cuba’s backdrop is the perfect place for you. There are so many stunning things about the country that will allow for great photos: colonial architecture, houses in various states of disrepair, colorful streets and, for some reason we have yet to figure out, the amazing natural light. Prepare to live the #chasinglight dream. To top it off, locals are far from camera shy.

This is one of our Cuba travel tips that pains me to write: The best way to learn about the Cuban Revolution is at home. You’ll learn way more by watching documentaries on YouTube than by visiting any of the museums in the country.

Unfortunately, there is not much information at the two most important places that are supposed to preserve the country’s revolutionary history: the Museum of the Revolution in Havana and Che Guevara’s mausoleum in Santa Clara.

Scuba Diving

To make the most out of your trip to Cuba, you’ll want to plan your days carefully, particularly if you’re planning to go diving. Locals claim that the best diving spot in the Caribbean is in Cuba. But before you get excited, you’ll need to set aside at least one day, as the places where you’ll be able to do serious diving are located far out of the cities.

If you’ve traveled to Cuba just for the diving experience, then you can go around the islands and islets that make up Jardin De La Reina. This is undoubtedly the best place for diving. You even have the option of going aboard diving ships for a 5-10 day tour. These cost about $2,000-3,000 per week.

Professional underwater photographers agreed that it was expensive, but told us it was very much worth the money. We’ve also heard that shark diving is a dream come true.
The second-best place for diving is a small town located near the forest, called Maria La Gorda. Finding transportation and accommodation is a bit rough, but it’s cheaper than Jardin De La Reina. Aside from this, Playa Santa, which is connected to Camaguey, also offers shark diving trips.

IDEAL CUBA ITINERARY – 7 TO 10 DAYS

For even more Cuba travel tips, such as where you should go and where you should stay, check out our Things to do in Cuba & Ideal Itinerary article.

ACCOMMODATION IN CUBA

Casa Particular (Homestay)

If you don’t think that your trip to Cuba will be more of a resort-like vacation, then you should consider booking your accommodation in houses while seeing the country. It is one of our most cost-effective Cuba travel tips. Staying in locals’ houses allows you to have a sneak peek into the life of ordinary citizens, as well as the state of things in the country.

You’ll be able to gain a different perspective in understanding the dynamics that run your own life. Though it might go without saying, Cuba is a communist country, and that fact shouldn’t be forgotten if you’re looking for a luxurious tropical vacation.

More bang for your buck

Casa particulars, which are also known as homestays, are the best and most economical way to get to know Cuba. One of our major Cuba travel tips in terms of accommodation is that you make reservations to stay at a casa particular, unless you’d like to end up like us: wandering around in the heat for 1.5 hours, lugging our bags door to door inquiring about accommodation.

So, let our mistake be a learning experience for you. There are a lot of tourists, and places get booked up beforehand. The casa particulars that are left over are, well, let’s just say they are probably not the type of place you’d like to stay if you’re the kind of person who usually books ahead. This is especially true for busier times of the year, such as New Year’s and Easter. You’ll probably have the most difficulty in Havana and Varadero.

You can read everything you need to know regarding casa particulars for your trip to Cuba, such as what you should expect and how you can go about arranging your stay, in our Casa Particular – Where to Stay in Cuba article.

You can find our favorite casa particulars here: Things to Do in Cuba & Ideal Itinerary

Resorts & Hotels

• Rooms at hotels will be reserved more quickly than rooms at casa particulars. People who don’t make reservations beforehand might be left on the streets.
• Before, tourism was monopolized by the government, but now there is foreign investment in the sector. The resorts on the coast are Canadian businesses, and the French and Spanish dominate the hotel sector.
• We’ll let you in on another of our Cuba travel tips: There is a difference in quality between staying at a 200 euro per night hotel in Asia and Europe versus one in Cuba. Trust us, your money does not go as far as you’d think here.

TRANSPORTATION

While horses are still a common way of getting around, our Cuba travel tips focus more on transportation with engines   There are some horse and buggies for tourists, but they are a main form of transport in more rural places like Santa Clara.

Inter-city Buses

• State-owned Viazul is the only bus company that offers transportation services between cities. Just be forewarned that the buses leave whenever they want. You’ll need to arrive at the bus station one hour before the scheduled time. Unfortunately, we know this from personal, painful experience.
• You can buy Viazul tickets online.

Collectivo (Shared Taxis)

• Most of the time, you’ll be able to arrange collectivos, or shared taxis, and pay an extra 3-5 euro for the service during your trip. You’ll be able to find collectivos in whichever city you’re in. You can ask one of the many people who will approach you on the street asking if you need a taxi. Just ask, “Collectivo?” and more likely than not, they will say “Si.”
  It’s unlikely that anyone will turn you down, since they all know collectivos and will receive a commission for bringing you to them. You can ask “Cuánto cuesta de La Habana a Viñales?” which means “How much is it from Havana to Vinales?”
• Collectivos won’t have signs on their cars. There are some that do, but there are a lot of illegal ones, as people use their private vehicles as collectivos. Owners of collectivos are required to give money to the state.
• The vintage cars also operate as collectivos, but they might be more expensive. They’ll probably send a car that is between 10 to 30 years old to come get you. Just don’t expect air conditioning.
• You can arrange for a private transfer before coming to Cuba. Pro Cuba travel tips: Check out the company’s website to get a sense of their rates, but know they are at least twice as expensive as collectivos.

WHAT TO EAT IN CUBA

We won’t try to squeeze in here which local spots we’ve found for you to feast on during your trip to Cuba. Click here to read: FOOD IN CUBA – WHERE AND WHAT TO EAT

CUBA TRAVEL TIPS, BEFORE YOU GO

Cuban Tourist Visa/Card

Before the rapprochement with the US, tourists would simply ask customs officers at the border not to stamp their passports. Though travel restrictions have eased, tensions are constantly waxing and waning and the USA’s Cuban ban still exists on paper. We didn’t get our passport stamped. Just in case.

You can read all about the visa requirements in our Cuban Visa post. 

Money

• Some more Cuba travel tips: Be aware that there are two different currencies. One is the CUC used by tourists, and the other is the peso. The reason for this is the government subsidizes so many products, which has created two different economies. As tourists, we can’t benefit from government subsidies (you probably won’t see these items for sale or you probably won’t use pesos anyway). 1 CUC = about 24 peso.
• Make sure to carefully plan your costs and budget and bring enough money in cash to cover your entire vacation, unless you are willing to pay ATM fees. However, nothing is reliable in Cuba, and the ATMs might not accept your cards. Cash is best.
• You should bring euro instead of US dollars, as they’re more widely accepted and the commission is lower.
• Nicer hotels and restaurants will take credit cards. However, the commission is also pretty steep.

Learn About the Revolution Before Going

If you leave it up to museums to provide you with information on the revolution, you’ll wind up pretty dissatisfied. (If you go with a guide, you’ll have no problem.) You can start with our guide on the Cuban Revolution – Fidel Castro & Che Guevara & Communism!

Work on Your Spanish

Another of our Cuba travel tips: You’ll need to know a little Spanish. Write down a few clutch phrases like “I (don’t) want …” or “Do you have a room?” or “Can I get another mojito?” before you go.

Be Prepared for Jet Lag

The toll that changing time zones and jet lag takes can turn you into a zombie once you get to Havana. To go from Walking Dead to Walking ATM, give yourself at least two days to recover. If you are coming from a radically different time zone, we recommend that you sleep on the plane.

GSM

Some mobile operators might work in Cuba, but you should make sure that your phone’s settings have enabled roaming.

Internet in Cuba

This is probably the most valuable of our Cuba travel tips we can give you, as having an internet card might be the only way you can reach the outside world, much less update your Instagram followers. You can buy a card that allows you to access the internet for five hours, but be warned! Wifi is only available in specific hotels and parks. Don’t worry about tracking them down though, just look for the hoards of people sitting on the curb on their phones, getting their social media fix.

Beyond those bright, shining moments on the curb, get ready for a life without internet. If you have anything you need to do for work or anything else that relies on a reliable internet connection, we recommend that you take care of everything before going to Cuba.

You can purchase these cards from hotel reception or in one of the branches of Etecsa, which is Cuba’s telecommunications company. The prices vary. At Etecsa, you can find a one-hour internet card for 1.5 CUC, but the hotels sell them for 4.5 CUC. In Cuban fashion, you’ll likely have to wait at the Etecsa office, so you’re best bet is to buy 4 or 5 cards in one go. You can use the same card in any of the Wifi spots around the country, including the airport. If you haven’t used the entire allotment of your card in one sitting, that’s ok, it’ll keep track of your remaining credit.

Is it safe?

We didn’t encounter any security problems, and we didn’t hear about anyone who did. Compared to Europe, the crime rate is quite low. No one will steal your phone using petty lures like in Italy; however, if you leave it on the table, someone just might “nationalize” it for everyone to have.

Is it safe for women?

Women can travel alone, much like any other place, men will bother them. If you go without a male in the group, you’ll probably hear catcalls and comments, but they won’t make you feel threatened.

Click here for City Tour Guides

Havana– Places to See in Havana, What to Eat in Havana, Accommodation
Trinidad – Places to See in Trinidad, What to Eat, Accommodation
Vinales – Places to See in Vinales, What to Eat, Accommodation

Tour Operators for City and Activity Trips in Cuba

Two state-owned tour agencies can organize your trip to Cuba.
Infotur – For city trips and activities in the nearby areas (for example: guided city tour or deep-sea fishing).
Cubatur – Tour agency for services such as finding transportation and booking hotel rooms. Should you choose to stay at a state-run hotel, then you can get a discount by booking through Cubatur.

BUDGET

An article on Cuba travel tips is useless without the scoop on how much you’re likely spend. Well, the bad news is that Cuba is not a cheap place, despite how modest its buildings and infrastructure might seem. So, you might want to adjust your budget and costs accordingly. In fact, taking a vacation in Spain costs roughly the same price.

You can expect to spend about 150 euro for two people per day for food and accomodation at decent places during your trip. These costs take into account souvenirs, transportation within and between cities, tours, museum admission fees and diving.

If you decide to stay and eat at cheaper places, it’s possible that you can go under this limit. However, the standards fall steeply as the prices drop, and you might find yourself staying somewhere you don’t like.

For your reference, 1 CUC is about 1 euro.

Accommodation Prices

Just about the cheapest thing in Cuba is accommodation, but that’s only if you stay at casa particulars. The best casa particulars are around 45 CUC per night. This price decreases as you get further out into the countryside, but it’ll still be around 30 CUC per night. Breakfast is 5 CUC extra per person.

Prices of rooms in resorts and hotels change according to their ratings. Generally, the prices of rooms hover at 80 Euro per night. If you are looking to pay any less than this, just stay at a casa particular and you’ll be glad that you did.

Prices for Food and Drinks

A meal at a cheap restaurant is 5 CUC and  7-8 CUC at a standard place. A nice place that isn’t too fancy is around 10-12 euro. A big bottle of water is 1.5 euro, and mojitos are 2 euro.

Prices for Renting Vehicles

The only company that rents out vehicles is state-owned Cubacar, but one of our Cuba travel tips for renting, it’s both expensive and service is poor. In our case, no one was at the office between 12-3 pm, when it was supposed to be open until 4 pm!

Apparently, the guys working there decided to go home and take a siesta – no matter that we needed to return our motorbike, pick up our deposit and catch a 2pm bus. Sadly, that bus only runs twice per day and we had to decide between catching it and getting back our deposit. On top of that, maintenance was pretty shoddy. Our motorbike broke down twice in one day.

Renting Cars – The cheapest rate to rent a car is 60 CUC per day, but any added expenses can easily push this price up to 75 CUC.

Renting Motorbikes – Prices for places that are less frequented by tourists are around 25 CUC. Expect to pay 35 CUC in more popular places, such as Varadero and Havana.

Trip in a Vintage Car

We are of the opinion that taking a trip in a vintage car is the third-best thing you can in Cuba. To plan for your budget, a one-hour tour around Havana in a vintage car is 35 CUC.

Cost of Transportation

The most expensive thing about Cuba is transportation.
A taxi from the airport for Havana costs 25 CUC.
An inter-city busy generally costs between 15-25 CUC.

WHAT TO PACK

Summer Outfits

No matter what you pack for your trip to Cuba,  summer outfits are necessary. You’ll also want to bring something with long sleeves as nights tend to get chilly. Bring some comfortable walking shoes as you’ll walk around Havana quite a bit. You’ll also need a good pair of tennis shoes for activities like horse riding or trekking.

If you plan to eat a nice meal in a fancy restaurant, make sure to bring trousers and a jacket (for men). Bear in mind that there are a couple of nice places that don’t let men in without trousers and jacket. If possible, try to bring makeup and accessories you wouldn’t mind parting with – the locals will ask for your things as a gift, and it’s a nice gesture.

Other Items to Pack

• Plastic Bags – This is one of our Cuba travel tips that you’ll thank us for. Cubans barely use any plastic bags, so make sure you bring some if you use them to hold laundry and shoes or for quick shopping trips.
• Snacks – Because Cuba manufactures very few products, common snacks like cookies are imported, and it’s hard to find much else. Mexican and Spanish cookies cost 3.5 CUC, and they are only sold in bigger markets. Bring something along to nibble on while you are traveling between cities, trekking or at the beach.
• Insecticide – Having some mosquito spray or pluggable insecticide will come in handy so you won’t be eaten alive.
• Adapter – Most places have American sockets. However, some of the new houses being renovated are compatible with European wall sockets. Be prepared for both.
• Medicine – Whatever you usually pack in your standard traveling medical kit, bring it. Medicine in Cuba is expensive.
• Batteries – If you need to use batteries during your trip to Cuba, you should bring along however many you may need to use. It’s not impossible to find batteries in Cuba, but you might have a hard time doing so.

SEASONAL CUBA TRAVEL TIPS – BEST TIME TO GO

Best time: April and October. It’s not as hot or as crowded, and the prices and costs are lower. Try to avoid Easter in April if you can!

Worst time: May, June, September. Cuba is hot and humid during these months. Also, take note that hurricane season runs from June to October, and there’s a greater chance of rain during this time. Some tourist areas completely shut down during this time.

Peak season: October – March. The weather is cooler and less humid. Europeans seem to come en mass for their annual leave in July and August. Likewise, there are lots of tourists for Easter and New Years. Prices in Cuba go up 30% during this period.

WHAT TO GET FROM YOUR TRIP TO CUBA

As you may have guessed by now, Havana isn’t exactly the place to go shopping. But here are a few helpful Cuba travel tips on what you can purchase on your trip to Cuba, any any travel restrictions they may have:

• Rum – You are allowed to buy up to five bottles of rum per person at the airport’s Duty-Free.
• Cigars – You are allowed to take 25 cigars that are packaged and marked per person out of the country. There’s no limit to the unmarked cigars that you can find rolled at the tobacco farms. The most famous brand is Cohiba.
• Colonial style tablecloth – This is the classic tablecloth in the picture. For one that can fit on a table made for six people, it costs 35-40 CUC.
• Alicia Cream – This is a face cream made with placenta and aloe. Also, Jardin De Aromos is available for 12 CUC at the bazaar under the Sevilla hotel.

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– Here, we talk about the highlights of each city, the order in which you should visit them and how much time you need to spare.

– We’ve also written separate posts as a guide for each city, where you will find more detailed information such as where to stay, things to do and where to eat, places to see and so on.  You will find their links below.

– Santa Clara, Playa Giron/Bay of Pigs and Cienfuegos are such small places, we decided not to make separate city guides for them. So we included our tips here.

– We know that you’re excited to see Cuba, but if you’re planning your trip, please read our Cuba Travel Guide article before reading this one!

CUBA ITINERARY

1 week Cuba itinerary – For those of you who only have a week, our suggested Cuba itinerary is to stay in Varadero for 2 days, Havana for 3, Vinales for 1 and Trinidad for 2. If you need to cut your trip short, then you can remove a day from Havana or Varadero.

Do I need to include Santiago de Cuba in my Cuba itinerary? Traveling all the way to the southern portion of the island to see Santiago de Cuba takes a bit of time, but what it has to offer doesn’t differ that much from the rest of the country. If you aren’t able to make it to Santiago de Cuba, then you can rest easy.

VARADERO – A Turquoise Paradise (1 day is enough, maximum 2)

Get Ahead Of Jetlag

You’re probably impatient to see Havana, but we think it makes more sense start your Cuba itinerary form sandy white beaches at Varadero before heading into the capital city. This will give those of you traveling from far a chance to recover from the long plane ride and accompanying jet lag before going to Havana, where you’ll be walking around under the hot sun. Varadero isn’t the most exciting of places in Cuba, but it serves as an excellent way to slowly ease yourself into the country.

The 22 kilometers of Varadero’s coastline used to be the summer spot for wealthy folks living in Havana before the regime change in the 1960s. Today, it’s by far the best kept and richest place in all of Cuba. There are tons of foreign and domestic resorts in Varadero that offer unlimited buffets. These are filled with Canadian and European tourists looking to lounge around and sunbathe.

Don’t believe everything you’ve read about Varadero; the place is a romantic spot for Cuba’s youth to live out their relationships and eat fast food. This isn’t a place where you should expect to have an authentic Cuban cultural experience. Instead, go to Varadero with the expectation that you’ll be enjoying yourself in an idyllic beach setting.

How Much Time Should I Set Aside?

To get over jet lag and convalesce from a long journey, you’ll need two days. If sitting out on the beach isn’t your jam, then there are tons of other activities you can do during your two days there. Bear in mind that you will definitely need to make reservations one to two months beforehand. If your time is limited, then plan to spend only one day in Varadero, which is enough.

HAVANA – Heart and Soul of Cuba (Minimum of 2 days)

2 days min/ 4 days max in Havana

For most people, Havana is on the top of their Cuba itinerary. (For us, it was Trinidad, but we’ll get to that later.) As you probably know, Cuba is undergoing rapid change. This is most obvious in Havana. You’re going to want to spend at least two days, but no more than four, in Havana among the colorful but dilapidated buildings. We stayed in Havana for five days, which is why we can say without a doubt that it was more than enough time.

We suggest spending two days on tourist attractions and using the rest to roam around. The Museum of the Revolution is one major attraction; however, it’s as impressive as its name is creative.

Getting around

Definitely use a collectivo, or shared taxi, when leaving Havana for Vinales instead of the bus. Just getting to the bus station, which is out of city limits, costs 15 CUC if you’re taking a taxi. On top of this, you’ll have to pay 12 CUC for a bus ticket. We also explained in our Cuba Travel Guide about how Cuba’s bus transit system is less than reliable. Don’t waste your time trying to catch inter-city buses. It makes much more sense for you to take a shared taxi from where you are staying in Havana to where you are staying in Vinales.

Start Planning Your Trip To Havana

Best Things To Do In Havana

VINALES – Village Life & Cigars in Cuba (1 or 2 days)

Why Vinales?

Wandering around Vinales National Park is one of the best of ways to explore the island’s natural sites, and should without a doubt be on your Cuba itinerary. It’s home to a spectacular range of biodiversity, making it a protected site by UNESCO. It also boasts the world’s best cigars. This is also at the top of the list of places to see while in Cuba. Tourists frequent Vinales to take part in outdoor activities such as cycling, horse riding and trekking among the tobacco fields and to see rural life in Cuba. You don’t necessarily have to be in shape to participate either, as the tours are for everyone.

Cuban Cigars

There are trips for each different type of activity, and every trip goes to more or less the same places, so you’ll definitely be able to see how tobacco is made. One of the best parts about these tours is that you’ll learn about the relationship between the government and farmers, as well as how tobacco is made, how it’s dried and then how it becomes a cigar. You can stay at Vinales for two days and do a different activity on the second day, but because the content of the tours doesn’t change much, we think that it’s enough to set aside one day.

Day Trips

For those of you with more time, we suggest that you go on a day trip from Vinales Square to Cay Levico, which is another great place to see in Cuba. Cayo Levisa is a bay that has a beautiful coast on an island north of Cuba. Scuba diving is a popular activity, and it costs 40 CUC. Another popular activity is going to the Alejandro Robaina Tobacco Farm, which features the most famous tobacco growing family in Cuba. However, going there is not so different from the excursions in Vinales.

For diving enthusiasts: Maria La Gorda

For those of you who are into diving, Maria La Gorda is a great thing to do in Cuba. Getting to Maria La Gorda takes about 2.5 hours from Vinales. You won’t be able to go with public transportation as it’s located in a remote part of Cuba. You’ll need to arrange a collectivo from Vinales to take you there. If you only plan to dive for a couple of hours, then you can also negotiate with the driver to wait and take you back to Vinales. The drivers will ask 90 CUC total to take you there and 100 CUC total if you find four people for a collectivo. You can read about how to find a collectivo in the transportation section.

There are only a couple of all-inclusive hotels in Maria La Gorda, no casa particulars. The price for a room in one of these hotels is around 55 euro per person. You can say at a casa particular at La Bajada, which is located 5 kilometers away.

Start Planning Your Trip To Vinales

Ultimate Things To Do In Vinales Valley

BAHIA DE COCHINOS

This is one of the places that we were both really disappointed in. So we can’t say that Bahia de Cochinos should definitely be on your Cuba itinerary. If your time is limited, skip it entirely, make space for other places in your Cuba itinerary. Because it came up in our research, and it will certainly come up in yours, we decided to add some info in case you are interested in visiting while in Cuba.

Getting there

If you are coming from Vinales, then it makes sense to go to Bahia de Cochionos and then to Cienfuegos. If you decide to go, then set it up with a collectivo, and don’t waste your time dealing with the bus. The bus does an unnecessary detour, wasting time in the process, and going by collectivo is around the same price.

If you are taking the bus, you’ll first go to Cienfuegos and get on another bus to Playa Giron, going down a part of the road you’ve already been. There is only one bus per day that leaves from Vinales to Cienfuegos, and it departs at 6:45 am. Most of the time it’s full and costs 32 CUC per person. On top of that, you’ll pay 7 CUC for the bus from Cienfuegos to Playa Giron, making the total cost 39 CUC. If you find a private taxi, it’s 150 CUC, and if you find 4 people for a collectivo, the price is 45-50 CUC per person.

Bahia de Cochinos / Playa Giron For Divers

There is not much to do aside from diving in Playa Giron, which is a small, lesser-known town located on the sea. This place is typically recommended because of the quality of diving and the ease in reaching the location; however, we don’t think it’s worth it if you’ve been diving in Varadero, as you probably won’t see anything different. We are not saying that this is not a good spot to go diving; instead, we recommend nixing it in the interest of time.

If you do two dives during the day, then you’ll be finished around 2 pm. Price per dive per person is 25 CUC. If you’d like to do something else in the afternoon, then you can go to the museum explaining the guerrilla attack that was organized by the CIA. However, this will only take about 10 minutes.

Costs

You can rent a motorcycle (25 CUC for the day) or a car (70-80 CUC ) to go to neighboring areas. If you go on the road that heads to Cienfuegos, then you’ll come to a beach club called the Caleta Buena. It costs 15 CUC to enter, but you can eat and drink as much as you want from the buffet and bar. The club closes at 5:00 pm. If you head towards Playa Larga, you’ll see an alligator farm after a small village. It closes at 5:00 pm, but you can try alligator meat at the farm’s restaurant until 3:00 pm.

Playa Giron, Cuba Itinerary Notes:

1. At the beginning of March, hundreds of thousands of crabs head to the shore to breed. You’ll be seeing red as they climb up the trees and over the asphalt.
2. Hotel Playa Giron is the only spot where you’ll be able to find a computer connected to wifi in a 30-kilometer radius. If you don’t have an internet card, then you can buy one at reception. They will sell you one for 3 CUC, even though the market price is 1.5 CUC. Everyone in town knows where the hotel is. If you are coming by bus, then the driver will drop you off in front of the hotel.
3. The place to rent cars and bikes is located in the same square as the hotel and bus stop.

Where To Eat and Drink

1. Ana Carlos

There aren’t that many restaurants as it’s a small place, but Ana Carlos is definitely a place worth checking out. They serve soup and a heaping plate of rice and beans before each meal. Their specialty is the seafood platter, which comes with lobster, shrimp and fish. The platter is 12 CUC, and more than enough to feed two people. If you ask anyone around, they’ll be able to tell you exactly where it is.

2. Hostal Luis

Though eating quality seafood doesn’t even need to be added to your Cuba itinerary because it’s in such abundance, we suggest that a visit to Hostal Luis. Yes, it is a hotel, but you have just got taste their excellent seafood dinners – whipped up by the chef, who also owns the hotel. Hostal Luis is also close to Casa Yadira & Yurien, which we recommend below.

Accommodation

1. Casa Yadira & Yurien

Located in the garden, the guest house has two rooms, which are both new, clean and airy. We were pleased that we decided to stay there. The best breakfast we had in Cuba was here and costs 5 CUC. We paid 20 CUC for the night. The owners can arrange a scuba diving trip for you on your behalf, and the bus will come to pick you up in front of the house. They can also help if you want to rent a bike.
Playa Giron, Cienaga de Zapata
(53) 52 75 95 83

2. Casa Julio y Lidia

The location of this house is close to the center of the city – but there’s not much to do in the city center, so not sure how much this really matters! The owner of the house is an experienced diving instructor, so if you want to go, make sure to go with his team. By the way, it doesn’t particularly matter where you reserve your diving trips as there is only one firm and diving school. Rooms for the night cost 25 CUC and breakfast is 5 CUC per person.
(53) 45 98 4135

CIENFUEGOS

Founded by the French, the city offers a different type of architecture than you’ll find in the rest of Cuba, but you can breeze through the city in 3-4 hours, or leave it of you Cuba itinerary altogether.

If you are traveling with a collectivo, then negotiate with the driver to get him to wait 1-2 hours while you see the city. This city is often mentioned in articles and blogs that talk about must-see places in Cuba. However, if you’re short on time, we think you can just skip it entirely.

TRINIDAD – Our Top Pick (2 or 3 days)

Our Favorite Cuban City

The city that took the top spot on our Cuba itinerary is Trinidad by far. But, whatever you do, don’t start your Cuba trip in Trinidad. The place is so lovely that everything will be a letdown afterward. Established in the 1500s, Trinidad is Cuba’s oldest settlement.

The city is the best preserved colonial city in Cuba. In the 1700s, some of the Spanish owners of sugar plantations in Trinidad began to build themselves mini-palaces similar to European aristocracy, giving the city an entirely different vibe.

Most of these houses have been turned into museums. With its warmness, Trinidad has an entirely different feel to it than Havana. We found that the best casa particulars and restaurants in Cuba were also in Trinidad.

How long in Trinidad?

You can easily spend three days in Trinidad without getting bored:
1. You can spend one day aimlessly wandering the streets and take wonderful photos, which we think is one of the best things to do in Cuba.
2. You can spend another day going trekking, seeing the waterfall, or traveling to sugar plantations outside the city.
3. You can spend another going to the beach, but be forewarned that it’ll take 45 minutes – 1 hour by taxi.

Start Planning Your Trip To Trinidad

Things To Do In Trinidad 

SANTA CLARA – Che Guevara’s City (Maximum of 1 day)

Santa Clara is known as Che Guevara’s city. If you’re into Cuban history and already know a lot about it, then this might be an important addition to your Cuba itinerary, even though it might be a little disappointing. It’s not really a place that offers impressive views or architecture. In 1958, Che Guevara led a 340-person guerrilla army to defeat the military force 3,900-strong. This led to American-backed President Batista fleeing the country.

Under the command of Che Guevara, his rebel army was able to derail a train that was carrying some of the regime’s officials and ammunition, a significant factor in Guevara’s victory. One of the two things to see in Santa Clara is this train on display in an open-air museum, and the other is Guevara’s mausoleum, brought to Cuba in 1997. Guevara and his comrades were killed in 1967 in Bolivia after he went to spread the revolution to South America.

Sorry to Say…

It saddens me to say this, but don’t speak Spanish, you will be disappointed all over again (the first being at Havana’s Museum of the Revolution). “Is that it?!”

How something that carries so much historical and cultural importance can be overlooked regarding its presentation to the world was shocking to me. Any other country would glorify it out of proportion and turn it into a fan fair. But in Cuban museums, there’s no adequate English translation to learn anything of substance. So make sure to read Cuban Revolution – Fidel Castro, Che Guevara & Communism BEFORE going so you understand what you are looking at.

That said, you’ll only need to spend 2-3 hours seeing both landmarks in Santa Clara. If you don’t have enough time, skip Santa Clara and watch a documentary, which will equip you with more information than what you will see here.

Santa Clara: The Best Place in Cuba For Night Life

One big “however,” though, is that partying in Santa Clara might rank among the best nights out if you’re looking for a good time. Since it’s a college town, Santa Clara offers the best nightlife around. If you happen to be in Santa Clara on a Saturday night, then you can cut loose at Club Mejunje, which is an LGBT club and a really unique venue in Cuba.

In Short:

If you are short on time, then Santa Clara is the first place to drop from your Cuba itinerary. But if you are in Trinidad on your way back to Havana, Santa Clara is on the way. In that case, we’d suggest that you bargain with your driver to set aside two hours for Santa Clara.

It doesn’t hurt to see it with your own eyes, good or bad. And then again, in terms of history, it’s an important place to see in Cuba. If you find yourself there on a Saturday night, it’s definitely worth going out and partying with the locals at Club Mejunje. Note: The music at Club Mejunje is usually electronica and there is an entrance fee. Nightlife in Cuba typically starts around 9:00 pm and ends around 1:00 am.

If You’re Into Bar Hopping

Club Mejunje – Marta Abreu, No 107
La Marquesina – On Parque Vidal Cades between Maximo Gomez and Lorda streets

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What has influenced Cuban food?

Cubans are less open to the idea of experimenting with their cuisine, mainly due to the fact that both life and food in the country have been set in stone for 70 years. Another reason is the government’s hand in food and nutrition. The government decides what people should eat according to their age and health, and will distribute rations accordingly.

Because of this, locals aren’t really open to innovation in cooking. Having spent so long without a private sector, there’s usually only one product for any food item – no matter where you go in the country, you’ll find the exact same cheese at breakfast.

On the other hand, the country is becoming more and more economically liberated, something that has trickled down to the plate. Though “fine dining” will be hard to find – please don’t come to Cuba and expect to find steak tartare smothered in quail eggs – there are a couple of trendy restaurants that have recently opened, elevating the food scene in the country.

Traditional Cuban food and cuisine stem from the country’s history of being colonized by the Spanish, who then brought slaves from Africa. Food in Cuba is a blend of Caribbean ingredients and African influences. We’ll touch on this a little more further below.

Here’s what you can expect to find in this article:

FOOD IN CUBA

Plain Cooking

Though there are no standout features of Cuban food, this usually holds true: Whatever you’re eating, there will be rice (“congri”), black beans (“morro”) and greens to go around. Also, for those of you with a love for french fries, plantains can be a surprisingly close contender.  You’ll be rotating your congri, morro and greens around a main choice of chicken, meat, fish or seafood.

Massive Portions

The portions in Cuba are huge. We would often share one portion between the two of us and leave completely full.

Try the Lobster/Crawfish!

All in Cuba insisted that what we were being served was lobster – but be warned, tis not the lobster you may know. Caribbean lobster looked a lot more like crawfish to us, but we’re not complaining because 1. the price is right and 2. it tastes great.

The price of meat and lobster are about the same. Though the prices might change depending on where you eat, it should be about 11 CUC. Fish is a tad bit cheaper, at around 8 CUC. Definitely go for the lobster since it’s cheaper than most other places around the world. Plus, the Cubans normally grill it, which gives it a spectacular taste.

If This is Shrimp, What Have We Been Eating All These Years?

We’ll gladly bet that you’ve never come across better shrimp in your life. It’s not about the recipe, but the shrimp itself. We suspect it’s the Cuban water that makes the difference. Even though shrimp and lobster are high in cholesterol, let’s throw caution to the wind for this culinary experience. One of your first meals in Cuba absolutely has to be shrimp.

Breakfast in Cuba

We suggest that you eat breakfast at the Casa Particulars where you’re staying. Breakfast in Cuba is pretty standard and will be the same no matter where you go: a fruit plate, freshly squeezed juice, eggs, bread, tea, coffee, honey and butter.

If a place you go to doesn’t have a couple of these breakfast staples, they’ll probably give you some cheese or salami. If you are tired of eating the same thing for breakfast, I’m afraid there’s no escape; restaurants serve the same thing but at a higher price.

We were able to find a really great buffet in Havana with several different breakfast choices. Price per person was 4.5 CUC. Address: 5 Esquinas Trattoria. Click here for the location.

Tropical Fruit

Much like the shrimp, the pineapples in Cuba are something else – you won’t be able to find a better tasting pineapple anywhere. However, if you’re offered juice at breakfast, ask for guava! Guava is a super fruit, and the experience of drinking it down is 100x better than eating it.

Cuba is also home to the papaya, where it grows in abundance. In fact, much of the rest of the world gets its papaya from Cuba. Whether or not you ask for it, papaya will show up on your breakfast plate. Tropical fruits are a glorious aspect of Cuban food.

Cuban Coffee

Cuban coffee is easy to drink and goes well with the rest of breakfast. It’ll get you ready for the day slowly, no wake-up slaps from unnecessarily strong brews here.

TRADITIONAL CUBAN FOOD

Ropa Vieja: Lamb tandoori cooked in tomato sauce
Cerdo Asado: A regional recipe from Vinales. This is roasted pork, but it’s popular at some restaurants cooked over the grill.
Fried Plantains & Yucca: Plantains are a type of banana brought over by African slaves. There is also a Peruvian yucca that resembles potatoes. The yucca won’t give you the same guilty pleasure of wolfing down fried potatoes, but they’re lovely nonetheless.
Congri: Black beans that are likely to be served with rice, no matter what you eat.

TRADITIONAL CUBAN DRINKS

• Cuba’s national drink is rum. Bacardi and Havana Club are both Cuban brands. While on paper Bacardi is a Bermuda brand, the family who owns the company were from Cuba. They left after the revolution.
• So, this probably goes without saying, but cocktails made with rum are amazing here.
• Mojito – This was Hemingway’s favorite drink when he lived in Cuba. A mojito has rum, soda water, sugar, mint, lemon water and ice.
• Daiquiri – The Floridita Bar, which was Hemingway’s favorite bar, is alleged to have created the daiquiri. A typical daiquiri is made with crushed ice, lemon juice, sugar and rum. There are also strawberry and banana variations.
• Cubanito – This is a drink for those who enjoy a Bloody Mary as it has Worcestershire and hot sauce and is on the saltier side.
• With mojitos and a 1.5-litre bottles of water costing the same 2 CUC, you (along with just about everyone else in Cuba) will likely be doing a lot of tipsy exploring.
•  There are a ton of local beers, but our top pick is Kristal.
  

TOP RESTAURANTS IN CUBA

Here’s our selection of the best restaurants in Cuba. To be fair, these are based more on the ambiance and atmosphere and not the food.

Havana
– Paladar La Guarida
– Dona Eutimia
For all: Where To Eat In Havana – Pioneering Restaurants Of Havana

Trinidad
– Quince Catorce Müze Restoran, Trinidad (At the top of our list)
– Sol Ananda

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Tour bus operators tend to skip the horse tour in favor of taking customers to the largest cigar factory in Cuba. Cigar factories tend not to differ from one to the other. But we think riding a horse that takes you through tobacco farms in Vinales Valley, which is protected by UNESCO, is a much better experience than visiting a factory. This was by far one of the best things we did in Vinales – no, in all of Cuba.

You can also choose to walk through the valley if you wish. However, the best thing to do in Vinales is to ride a horse for four hours and watch the sunset with a mojito in one hand and a cigar in the other. You don’t have to worry about supplies, as you’ll probably come across a bar in the middle of a farm to provide you with staples like cheese, bread and, of course, rum.

We divided this piece into three main sections for you:

Note: If you are coming from Havana, then make sure to stop and drink a coffee at Las Terrazas, which is an ecovillage.

How many days should I set aside for Vinales Valley?

We think that setting one day aside for Vinales Valley is enough. Aside from the horse ride, we made a list for you of things to do in Vinales, but there’s no reason to stay here much longer when there is so much else to explore in Cuba.

CUBAN CIGARS

Cohibo Cuba is the most famous brand of Cuban cigars, and sampling them is something you have to do in Vinales. After that is Romeo y Julieta and Montecristo, which are cheaper. The state owns all these companies. Because the state owns everything that is produced in Cuba, they take 90% of the farm’s tobacco. The remaining 10% can be sold to whomever.

Typically, these cigars are sold to tourists who come to make cigars while touring in Vinales Valley. While cigar sellers tried to charge us 3 CUC for one, we were able to talk them down to 1.5 CUC. They also might try to sell you packs of 10 or 20 cigars; however, we don’t recommend this as the longer the cigar sits, the drier the tobacco becomes.

Sellers will try to get around this argument by saying that the tobacco will last longer if you wrap tree bark around the cigars, so do your research. The branded cigars have chemicals in them, making them last longer. However, you are only allowed to take a maximum of 25 out of the country. Unmarked cigars have no such limit.

HORSE RIDES IN VINALES

There are a couple of valleys inside Vinales National Park, but the tours are mostly done in the Palmarito Valley and in Los Aquaticos. Opting for a horse ride was our favorite thing to do in Vinales Valley, and is the best way for you to learn about how tobacco is grown and dried, how cigars are made and the relationship between farmers and the state.

You can do all this while riding a horse through the farms. It matters who you make the tour with: Some of the horses are in such poor health that what is an absolutely lovely excursion could easily turn into a guilt trip.

• You do not need to know how to ride a horse for the tour through Vinales Valley.
• The price for a horse tour is 5 CUC per hour, and the trip takes 4 hours.
• There is a pit stop along the way where you can swim if you’d like, so make sure to bring a bathing suit (You can watch our experience of this in the video above).
• You will definitely need to bring tennis shoes (no sandals) and trousers.
• You can go at two different times, as there are trips scheduled for sunrise and sundown. The sunset trip starts between 3-4 hours before the sun sets.

Where can I make arrangements for the horse trip?

Indeed, this is the most important question. You might be wondering whether or not you can make arrangements with people on the street offering to schedule a trip. We definitely don’t recommend doing this. While going on horseback is one of the best things to do in Vinales, you should make sure that the horses are treated well before deciding on a company. Be wary of the people you give your business to, as they might be looking to make a buck from a gullible tourist.

Some of the horses are in such pain that it makes you feel guilty just looking at them. To make sure you are making the right choice, call Yoan & Yarelis in Vinales Valley, who do a good job of taking care of their farms and horses. There are a couple of villagers who they also work with, and they split the proceeds with them. They also run a very popular homestay (you can read about it in the “accommodation” section). Telephone: 52- 74-17-34

PLACES TO GO IN VINALES VALLEY

In order to see the map of the center of Vinales, you can click on GoogleMaps

[column size=one_half position=first ]1.Villa El Mojito
2. Villa Los Reyes
3. Museo Municipal[/column][column size=one_half position=last ]4. BBQ Restaurant
5. Seafood BBQ Restaurant
6. Casa de La Cultura[/column]

Vinales Valley, which has been on the UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List since 1999, will provide you with the absolute best countryside experience. Vinales Valley offers more than just tobacco plantations, but also biodiversity, caves and traditional settlements. The landscape lends itself to several things to do in Vinales, from horse riding to hiking, climbing and diving. If you’re thinking of doing several of these activities, then you should probably stay two days in the national park. But if you’re thinking of just doing the horse trip, then one day is enough.

1. VINALES CENTER

You can arrange to have your tour encompass all of the things to do in Vinales Valley, instead of the city center in Vinales Village, which provides some of the best examples of colonial architecture. The church of the main square was founded in 1875. The place is tiny with only 4,000 people.

Casa de la Cultura –  This is one of the oldest examples of colonial architecture in the city center. Presently, Casa de la Cultura is used as a cultural center for dance lessons. Click here for the location. You can come here for the nightlife as well.

Museo Municipal – Between the years 1861-1914, this used to be the home of Adela Azcuy, an important figure in Cuba’s war of independence. Since 1982, the building has been used as a city museum. You can arrange plans for a tour of the national park by going to the office of the museum the day before you’d like to go.
Hours of operation: The museum is open 9:00 am – 8:00 pm Tuesdays through Saturday, and open until 11:00 pm on Sundays. Entrance fee is 1 CUC. Click here for the location.

Balcon del Valle –  Built on a steep hill on a tobacco farm, this is a good restaurant to come to watch the sunset. While you might not find it on the menu, you can order pork, lobster, fish and chicken The restaurant is located 3 kilometers outside of Vinales center. Website: balcondelvallevinales.blogspot.in Click here for the location.

2. THINGS TO DO IN VINALES NATIONAL PARK

Vilanes National Park features an amazing natural landscape spread over 150 kilometers. The park allows you to witness firsthand how agricultural products such as coffee, tobacco, sugar cane, oranges and avocado are traditionally grown.

The park also offers locals and tourists things to do in Vinales such as swimming, horse riding through the hills and valleys, hiking and climbing. You don’t have to necessarily be in shape to enjoy these outdoor activities. As Cuba’s top touristic location, tour operators have designed tours suitable for everyone.

With these tours, you can do other outdoor activities in other areas and see places such as the Indian Caves, San Miguel, Los Aquaticos Village and the Vinales Mural de la Prehistoria.

Rock climbing in Vinales National Park

The park’s geography resembles Yosemite, as there high freestanding crags called “mogotes,” making rock climbing one of the best things to do in Vinales for climbing enthusiasts. The government, though, doesn’t support rock climbing as a sport very much; if it did, then rock climbing enthusiasts from around the world would come to Vinales Valley to climb.

This goes for other sports, not only rock climbing. Because there’s not enough government backing, there are no signs, markers or pictures in the area. The best information you’ll be able to get on how to brave the elements would be from Cuba Climbing. While there is a bit more rock climbing going on in Vinales Valley, anyone who wants to climb is responsible for bringing all their own gear. At the time of writing, there were no businesses that offered equipment for rent.

Trekking in Vinales National Park

One of the best things to do in Vinales is reserving a tour guide to trek the national park as there are few ways of accessing information.  You can do this by going to the Museo Municipal or one of the tour companies in the city center. If you’ve already arrived in the park without arranging anything, don’t worry.

You can also go to the park’s visitor’s center. The price to trek per person costs 8 CUC, but as we mentioned earlier, it’s nowhere near as nice as horse riding!

OTHER PLACES TO SEE NEARBY

In order to see other places to see nearby Vinales, click on GoogleMaps

Let me begin by saying this: If you are not staying longer than 2.5 weeks in Cuba and only have a day for Vinales, set aside one day for the horse riding tour. You shouldn’t give up any of the recommendations we listed in the “Things to Do in Cuba & Ideal Itinerary“ post for anything written below.

As far as activities to do in Vinales’ surroundings, qe are of the opinion that the most attractive sandy beach is Cayo Levisa. But if you’ve been following our journey through Cuba, you’ll see that Varadero is also stunning.

1. Sea at Cayo Levisa

If you don’t mind a 1.5-2 hour trip, then you’ll love the beautiful beach on the island of Cayo Levisa, which is located to the north of Cuba. You can also stay there overnight in bungalow-style hotels. The island also offers a small restaurant and a place for diving. Each dive is 40 CUC.

From Palma Rubia, you can reach the island in 35 minutes. The boat leaves at 10:00 am and comes back at 5:00 pm. The round-trip boat ticket costs 25 CUC per person and includes lunch. If you are intent on staying in a hotel on the island, then the price is 15 CUC per person one-way.

A one-day trip from Adaya Vinales is probably the best option, with everything including transportation and food costing 29 CUC. There is a point I must make here: Cubans are not allowed to enter Cayo Levisa. Cubans are often treated like second-class citizens to tourists in their own country. They are deprived of one of the most beautiful spots in the country. Click here for the location.

2. Mural de la Prehistoria

Four kilometers to the west of the city center, you can see a massive mural called the Mural de la Prehistoria that stretches 180 meters up the side of a mountain. As an admirer of Mexican mural artist Diego Riveria, Leovigildo González Morillo designed the painting in 1961.

It took 18 people four years to finish painting it. The mural depicts sea creatures, dinosaurs, humans and a giant snail, which are supposed to symbolize the theory of evolution. Unfortunately, there’s no good way to look at the painting from afar, and you have to pay 3 CUC to get in, which includes a drink. There is a restaurant once you enter. Open 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. Click here for the location.

3. San Miguel and Indian Caves

The San Miguel Cave sits at the entrance of the San Vicente Valley, with the cave also doubling as a bar/club. Every day after 10:30 pm (except for Sundays), the bar turns into a nightclub. There is a restaurant at the other end of the cave, which you’ll be able to breeze through in 10 minutes.

The admission fee, which includes a drink, costs between 3-5 CUC. The cave is open to visitors between 9:00 am – 5:30 pm. Click here for the location.

Located 5.5 kilometers north of the center of Vinales, the Indian Caves, which were discovered in the 1920s, are one of the most frequented tourist spots in Cuba. You can take a motorboat into the caves, which are illuminated with lights. The cost to enter per person is 5 CUC, and the cave is open for visitors from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. Click here for the location.

4. Los Aquaticos Village

Los Aquaticos is the name of a mountain village (and region) that was founded in 1943. The name comes from its healing powers of water during a time when western medicine hadn’t reached the area. Since then, there are still a couple of families who continue to live the same way.

Because the community is in no way connected to the state, they are able to live by their own rules and they have a couple of their own businesses. A ritual started by this community involves cleaning yourself three times a day and drying in the wind.

They are also quite hospitable and are very open to answering questions anyone has about the community. Another thing that makes this place special is the sunrise. There is a guided tour from the center of Vinales here to watch the sunrise.

The only way to get here is to either ride a horse or walk, as the marshy terrain won’t hold up for vehicles. Be aware that there are no signs whatsoever. Because of this, we recommend that instead of coming by yourself that you go with one of the tour companies in the city center. See Yoan and Yarelis Reyes.

5. Maria La Gorda

Maria La Gorda is considered to be one of the best diving places in the Caribbean. You can find out more about it in our “Things to Do in Cuba“ blog post.

TOUR OPERATORS

We didn’t test these companies ourselves, but the ones that received the best comments on excursions to do in Vinales are below:

• Knowing Vinales – They provide services in Vinales Valley such as guided horse rides, renting bikes, arranging taxis and hiking tours. Click here for the location.
• Step in the Valley – They provide rock climbing tours and guided horse rides going to the Valley of Silence and Los Aquaticos. Click here for the location.
• Horse Riding Vinales – They are one of the official firms of the national park. The tours on offer begin in the city center from Villa el Habano, which is where their casa particular is located. Click here for the location.
• Yoan & Yarelis Reyes – This company gives unofficial tours organized by the owners, who are biologists at the Villa Los Reyes in the national park. Two popular tours they offer are the guided horse rides at sunset at Valle de Silencio and the sunrise at Los Aquaticos.
• Cubanacan – This is a state-owned company. They offer a number of services including finding hotels (not casa particulars), providing one-day tours to diving places like Maria la Gorda, as well as one-day tours to Cayo Levisa. They also have walking and horse tours, as well as guided bike tours through the national park.

Prices

Cay Levisa Tour, 29 CUC
Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas, 20 CUC
Maria La Gorda, 35 CUC
Guided Trekking, 8 CUC
Bike Rental, 1 CUC per hour or 6 CUC for 8 hours

WHAT TO EAT AND DRINK

While we can’t remember the name, there is one restaurant that serves some of the best pork chops made from the famous Vinales pork. If you like pork, you’ll absolutely love the place; if you don’t, then try any one of their meat selections, which are all fantastic.

Since we can’t give you a name, we’ll tell you exactly where it is. The restaurant is at the corner of Adela Azcuy and Rafael Trejo streets – you can’t miss it as it’s the only bbq place around. There are wooden chairs just like the ones in the picture. One dish will definitely be enough for two people.

Don’t forget to eat the churros they put on top of the food. Click here for the location. Right next to this restaurant is one that does grilled fish and crawfish, for those looking to eat something besides meat.

You can also order food at any Casa Particular you are staying at anywhere in Cuba.

ACCOMMODATION

The main avenue in Vinales is Salvador Cisneros. No matter which way you decide to make your way into the city center, either by taxi or by bus, the drivers will drop you off on that street (close to where the church is). This is where everything goes down. One street down, parallel to Rafael Trejo, is where you will find all the casa particulars. We were able to find a place to stay by going door to door, instead of making reservations beforehand.

Villa El Mojito is an extremely popular place to stay. You can even take a class on how to become an expert at making mojitos. The owners are quite friendly, and the atmosphere is quite nice; however, it’s a bit far away from the center. Address: Calle Adela Azcuy Norte, nº 43 Click here for the location. The villa is located in the same spot as the tourist agencies we talked about a bit earlier.

Villa Los Reyes The place that we mentioned in the section of tour operators above. Website

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Casa Particulars are widely available throughout the country. Aside from being an easy solution to your accommodation needs, they also provide you with the simplest chance to observe what it’s like for those living in Cuba. Through this alternative type of lodging, you may be able to better understand the country.

That being said, your expectations should be realistic. Understandably, the homeowners are not looking to show you around Cuba. They only provide a room for rent. Of course, they will help you in solving any problems that you might have that arise during your stay.

What are Casa Particulars?

Casa Particulars are a type of homestay in Cuba, and they also happen to be the cheapest type of accommodation you’ll be able to find while in the country. They are also the best way for you to get an inside peek into life on the island nation.

The streets are filled with “Casa Particulars,” but we strongly recommend that you make arrangements to stay at one beforehand. Otherwise, you might end up like us – going door-to-door in the heat, lugging our bags around for more than an hour trying to find a place to stay.

So, learn from our mistake: there are tons of tourists who book the best places first, and though shabby chic is very hot right now, many of the places left in the pool are a little more shabby and a lot less chic. This is especially the case during peak times of the year, such as New Year’s and Easter.

You’ll probably have the toughest time finding “Casa Particulars” in Havana and Varadero.

What to expect from Casa Particulars

• Most of the rooms have their own private bathroom.
• Cubans keep a clean house, and even the most dilapidated homes are spotless.
• Home furnishings and decorations at Casa Particulars are around 20-30 years old and, with that, there’s minimal design.
• The house or room you chose to stay in might not have a window facing the street. As the weather can be stifling hot at times, houses and rooms were built to absorb the least amount of sunlight as possible. Most houses have a garden in the middle of them, and each room is positioned to face it.
• Most of the room windows are not made of glass and instead only have blinds. Be sure to bring mosquito repellent.
• Most rooms at Casa Particulars have refrigerators and air conditioners.
• You won’t have trouble getting hot water throughout the day.
• Overall, most of the houses are a lot like student housing, though there are also nicely-designed villas with pools, and houses furnished with interesting antiques.
• If you want to add breakfast to your stay, the price per person is about 5 CUC, and dinner is about 10 CUC per person. Don’t wait until the last minute to tell your host that you’d like to have dinner.
• You can ask the Casa Particulars’ owners to wash your laundry, however, they will charge you. This price is reasonable.
• We didn’t experience any security issues, but homeowners can provide keys for every room. The owners will also give you a house key so you can leave and return to the house at your convenience.

What’s a hostal?

Some Casa Particulars will have a sign hanging up that reads “hostal.” These tend to be nicer and better maintained homestays. Most of the time, the owners receive money from someone they know abroad and are able to renovate their houses. The prices they charge reflect the money and time put into making changes to their home.

To add to this, there are villas with pools that you can rent. At these, you stay in your own space separately from the rest of the family.

How can I arrange to stay at a Casa Particular?

Before leave for Cuba, make sure that you have secured accommodation reservations for a Casa Particular.

Like we said, every street is lined with Casa Particulars, and the nicer homestays are always booked in advance. When making arrangements, you probably won’t be able to pay beforehand, though there are a few exceptions. Since you will have to pay on arrival, make sure you have enough cash on hand. To read about our experiences staying in different Casa Particulars in Cuba as well as our recommendations for different cities, then head over to our Cuba Travel Tips.

Casa particular booking platforms
Even though access to the internet is a bit limited in Cuba, booking your Casa Particular online before your trip is still the best way to go. You can try booking through sites such as CubaCasa and CubaBooking. However, you can also try your luck by Googling different Casa Particulars – and there is an advantage to this.

The Casa Particulars that are advertised online tend to be more on the professional side when it comes to homestays in Cuba. Be forewarned, if booking through an agency, your reservation might get canceled, and you’ll be reassigned another Casa Particular. That will definitely get you ready for the chaos and lack of infrastructure you’ll find in Cuba!

AirBnB also works
If you want to book with a more familiar website, then keep in mind that Airbnb also works in Cuba. However, there were reports of some payment problems in 2017. It might be worth doing a bit of research before making a reservation. A new trend emerged recently of renting out beds in Casa Particulars (similar to hostels) instead of rooms, so that might be another cost-effective option. For more information on how to book a Casa Particular, then click here.

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Cuba is a quirky fairy tale, and Havana is the beautifully majestic and dust-covered Cinderella all at once. Open-top vintage cars, neoclassical buildings and music rising from local households will steal your heart. But careful, Havana isn’t quite the sweet princess that you’ve read about.

There’s a frustrating and weary side of her that can blow away a travelers’ romantic notions. You are very likely to find yourself torn between falling madly in love with Havana and being pushed away by her. Havana, after all, is a place where people feel intense and complex feelings.

To help you navigate this article, we’ve broken up our guide in the following sections:

What to Expect in Havana

A lot of Havana’s bohemian ambiance lies in its eclectic architecture, which ranges from colonial to neoclassical. Without a doubt the best of things to do in Havana is wandering the streets aimlessly. In fact, we could even end this guide here, because the second-best of the things to do in Havana doesn’t come remotely close.

Havana is essentially one massive open-air museum. Because Cuba became isolated from the rest of the world following the revolution, the country is effectively frozen in time. Both the people and the country had no purchasing power, so locals were encouraged to live with what they already had on hand. This has meant that all personal possessions, the pace of daily life, buildings and habits are all from a bygone era.

Where some tourists see shabby and rundown buildings, others (like ourselves) feel the quiet charm the unkempt architecture gives off. It’s this charm that really adds to the soul of the city – not that it needs more. But there are others people who feel differently about it. They are overwhelmed by the unkempt streets and lack of infrastructure, and the locals who are constantly trying to sell you something. So it is a matter of personality.

So, having the right perspective and expectations are important for your trip to Havana and that is what we here for.

How many days should I set aside for Havana?

Plan to set aside a minimum of two and a maximum of four days.

GETTING TO HAVANA

Getting to Havana from Jose Marti Airport

Welcome! You’ve made it! But before you start crossing items off your itinerary of things to do in Havana, let’s get you properly into the city first. There is public transportation from the airport into Havana, but the process is quite grueling, so we don’t recommend it. Once you leave the airport, there is an exchange office immediately to the right. After changing your money out for the local currency (CUC), take a taxi into the city (around 30 minutes). The fare is fixed, 25 CUC at the time of writing. The fare is the same even if you split the cab with two groups and need to be dropped off at separate places.

Havana Can be Broken Down into 3.5 Regions

Habana Vieja (Old Havana), Habana Centro (residential center of the city, not the tourist center) and Vedado. Each one has its own unique character.

1. Habana Vieja (Old Havana) – This where the Spanish established themselves when they first settled in Havana. Also, the heart of tourism today. This area is also the fastest-growing and receives the most investment. By far, this is the most aesthetically pleasing place in all of Havana. If you ask us, you should stay in Habana Vieja.

2. Habana Centro – Vieja and Centro are divided by a large avenue; each side reflects a different pace of life in the city. Centro is primarily a residential area, it does not offer much in the way of tourist attractions. Our preference is still Old Havana, but you can stay here. The prices offered are a bit more reasonable, but it’s a bit harder to find a place where you’ll feel comfortable. Just for you, though, we found two really nice places we think you’ll like. (See “Places to Stay in Havana” below.)

3. Vedado – This was added onto the city a bit after 1930. You won’t find any colonial buildings here. Before the revolution, when Americans still came to Cuba, the most popular clubs and casinos were located here and, unsurprisingly, this is where all the rich people came to hang out.

3.5 – Parque Militar – More appropriately a continuation of Old Havana, it’s somewhere between a city and a village. We felt it was worth demarcating.

TOP 7 THINGS TO DO IN HAVANA

1. Aimlessly roaming the streets of Old Havana (Habana Vieja)

We talked above about the simple pleasure of ambling down Havana’s streets, but simply going from one place to another won’t cut it. Stroll, meander, wander, dawdle – definitely dawdle. One of the best things to do in Havana is to sit in a square, drinking a well-deserved mojito in the sweltering heat. Or spend a half-hour in line for some food truck churros. Scratch that, definitely do both.

Seeing children play baseball in their socks, batting with broomsticks while old ladies sit on the stoop chatting is much more of a cultural experience than trying to make it to a museum before closing time.

2. Tour the city in a top-down vintage car (Starting Point: Havana Vieja)

Take a ride in a vintage car on a mini-tour of the city. The tour that we did went through Malecon down Havana’s coastal road, where we were able to watch the sunset.

There are tons of classic cars that operate as a taxi.  You can simply ask one for a tour . Alternatively, if you want to pick out your favorite car, you can go to the 3 points where these vintage cars park:

1. In front of Hotel Inglaterra
2. On the side of El Capitolio
3. On San Pedro Avenue, before the ferry docks

We promise, this is one of the most thrilling of things to do in Havana.

Vintage car ride prices

A driver’s standard route lasts about an hour and costs 35 CUC. They will take you to the most obvious spots, but they won’t go into Old Havana. You do not have to go on a full-hour tour and can bargain a bit. (We were able to bargain down to 25 CUC for half an hour.)

Tips

1. If you do decide to change routes, we suggest passing through Malecon, as the coastal road is really something you shouldn’t miss out on.
2. Passing through Malecon at sunset is a great idea.
3. If you want to be taken to the airport in a vintage car, call +55 339 804. For any fellow fans of the Beverly Hills Teens cartoon: I’m happy to report that there is even a car that looks like Bianca’s!
4. You have to take a taxi in order to get to the Fabrica De Arte (something we’ll get to a bit later). You can arrange to have your vintage car tour end there. One stone, two birds.

3. Party at the Fabrica De Arte Cubano, See Cuba’s Most Innovative and Modern Side (Vedado)

There is nothing else like this in Cuba. A renovated refinery, the Fabrica De Arte Cubano functions as an area for culture and art. There is some serious art production in Cuba, and I’m not talking about the tropical-themed paintings sold on the streets. Art collectors from New York closely follow artists in Cuba.

Fabrica De Arte Cubano has drinks, food and a poppin’ nightlife. This is where the highest-profile artists come to hang out and take the stage. Here, you’ll see an entirely different side of Cuba.

It’s open from 8:00 pm to 3:00 am Thursday through Sunday. Before going, make sure to check out their Facebook page. Entrance fee: 2 CUC

Address: Intersection of Calle 26 and Calle 11 (Calle = street), Vedado, fabricadeartecubano.com. For the location, click here.

4. Cañonazo: Watch Artillery Firing From a Fort at the Cannon Firing Ceremony (Parque Historico)

Taking the No. 4 spot our list of things to do in Havana, the cannonball firing ceremony is an incredible spectacle. It takes place at the Morro-Cabana Army Park. You’ll want to head toward the entrance of the cove across the water from Old Havana. You can get to the harbor by taxi (from Old Havana, it’s 4 CUC) or via the Casablanca ferry from Old Havana.

If you opt for public transportation, the P-15, P-8, and P-11 metro-buses will bring you close enough. The ceremony takes place at an 18th-century fort, with soldiers decked out in old school military regalia, complete with a trumpet. While they don’t shoot actual cannonballs into the sea, the soldiers do fill the cannon with gunpowder and fire them off. All this lasts about 10 minutes, but it is an interesting experience to be in the fort and to hear the gunfire.

The ceremony takes place at around 9:00 pm, after it gets dark, but we think there are a couple of advantages to being there hours earlier at sunset.

1. Watching the sunset from this location is spectacular.
2. You can walk around Morro Castle (entrance is 2 CUC and it closes at 8:00 pm). We’ll provide you with more details in the “Places to See in Havana” section.

Notes:

1. If you only have one night in Havana, don’t go to the park. Only come to see the ceremony after going on a tour in the vintage cars. From here, you can go to the Fabrica Des Astes Cubanos. After all, it is open until 3 am.
2. No ferries run after the cannon ball ceremony, meaning that you have no choice but to return to the city by taxi. This is why the prices all of a sudden skyrocket to 8 CUC, though there are always plenty of taxis.
3. You can negotiate a package deal with the taxi driver: Going to the park + Waiting during the ceremony + Going to Fabrica Des Astes Cubanos.
4. We could only find a single place to eat around here, and it was pretty terrible pizza. Needless to say, the lack of decent food options was a bit problematic. Plan to fill up before or after!

5. Museum of the Revolution (Habana Vieja)

Unfortunately, the Museum of the Revolution doesn’t quite live up to the promises of its name. The summer we went to Cuba, a large portion of the museum was mostly photos, and the artifacts that were around included items like a piece of gauze used to nurse a wounded guerilla fighter.

Non-Spanish speakers be warned

Something that might drive people even more up the wall – the museum is mostly in Spanish. There are no audio guides or English-language tours available. To be fair, there are some English explanations, but these amount to vague descriptions like: “Here’s a guerilla’s bloody bandage.”

There are no translations describing who the fighters were, where they were injured or the importance of the Cuban Revolution. You come for your corner of the world to learn about Cuba, only to find a museum that doesn’t have any information in English… yet, you still have to see it! Otherwise, you’ll be asking yourself for the rest of your life whether or not you should have checked it out.

Know before you go

Spend the 8 CUC on your ticket, be disappointed and then check it off your list. The museum is open every day between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. Please forgive me if I sound a tad bitter, but the decision to visit Cuba over any other tropical country is usually because of its revolutionary history. Cuba deserves a better revolutionary museum, in my opinion. For the location, click here.

Tip: Forget just researching things to do in Havana, be sure to read up on Cuba’s revolutionary history before going. This is really the only way that you are going to get anything out of what you see. We were so disappointed that we have taken it into our hands to make sure you won’t be.

We have dedicated an entire article to the Cuban Revolution – Fidel Castro & Che Guevara & Communism. Read the article before going, and maybe you won’t be completely blindsided like we were.

6. Eat Fidel’s Ice Cream at Coppelia Ice Cream – Heladería Coppelia – (Vedado)

While not a priority stop as it’s a bit out of the way and the line is long, set some time aside to have an authentic and original experience if you can! Plus, ice cream in the summer heat ranks high on a list of things to do in Havana, or really anywhere, right?

A new level of cheap eats

State-run Coppelia is a giant “ice cream park” meant to provide Cubans with an easily accessible way to enjoy the sweet treat. Fidel himself became somewhat obsessed with ice cream. In a country where the average monthly income is between 20-25 dollars, it’s no wonder ice cream being offered up for 4 cents is wildly popular among locals.

Who says you can’t eat ice cream for breakfast? Certainly not the army of people waiting outside for the doors to open at 10 am.Probably the only orderly line you’ll see during your stay in Cuba will be the one at Coppelia. I’m convinced that the one thing uniting all Cubans is their deep love and admiration for this institution. And this isn’t your garden-variety foodie obsession either – people were eating 10 scoops (one portion is 5 scoops)!!!

Ice cream: the intersection of tourists and locals (who knew?!)

Our reasoning in recommending this place isn’t based on the ice cream alone – it’s a place where tourists and locals can intersect and observe one another naturally, and it carries cultural meaning. The ice cream shop would even top a local’s catalogue of things to do in Havana. The use of different currencies by locals (pesos) and foreigners (CUC) has created two worlds in Cuba. Even though locals and tourists might be walking down the same street, their lives aren’t likely to intersect.

For many Cubans, a meal at typical cheap restaurant could amount to a week’s pay. Coppelia is one of the few places where this difference is not so apparent. But be forewarned that the system is still trying to create a wedge between tourists and locals. As soon as someone spots that you’re a foreigner who will be paying in CUC,  you’ll be directed to another line where the price of a scoop increases 25-fold (1 CUC).

If you are aching to know more about life in Cuba, communism and locals’ ideas on these topics, then be sure to check out our “Life in Cuba Today” article for a better understanding of the country.

Fidel & Ice Cream

Fidel was a huge fan of dairy products and, after the revolution, he made sure that Cubans never went a day without ice cream. In 1960, he ordered his ambassador to Canada to ship him 28 boxes of Howard Johnson’s. At the time, Howard Johnson’s was the biggest hotel chain in America. After trying each flavor, Fidel put Cecilia Sanchez in charge of creating a better and more accessible ice cream for Cubans. For the first time after the revolutionary movement, there was a market for 26 flavors (an allusion to July 26).

Fresa y Chocolate (Strawberries and Chocolate)

The 1993 film Fresa y Chocolate explores how members of Cuba’s gay community created a code to socialize under a strict and oppressive regime. Different flavors stood for different sexual preferences, allowing people of the same sexual orientation to meet each other. Until 2014, the film was the first Cuban movie to be nominated for an Academy Award.

Note: The portions are big – we split one between the two of us, which was more than enough. You’ll probably want to share a portion too, as it seems to be the norm in this establishment.
Hours of operation: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm, Address: At the intersection of 23 and L streets, Varadero Telephone: +53 7 8326184 Click here for the location.

7. Art on Callejon De Hamel Street, and African Dance and Music (if you happen to visit on a Sunday)

The graffiti covering the walls of the streets of Callejon de Hamel are definitely worth checking out. Getting a good dose of culture is something you’ll never want to stop doing in Havana. There are also a couple of stores that sell psychedelic prints. Try to make it on Sunday to see the rumba, or African Tango.

The African Tango

The first time that the Spaniards brought slaves from Africa to Cuba was in 1526, but a larger boom occurred between 1842 and 1873. In those 30 years, they brought 221,000 slaves to the island. With the Africans came their rich culture, and, over time, both local and African cultures intertwined to create something new and powerful. Thus, the African Tango was born.

Another example of this intertwining of peoples is how the African religion of Yoruba mixed with Christianity to become Santeria. Presently, 11-12% of the population believe in Santeria. If you would like to learn about Santeria, you can read our article on Life in Cuba. The people of this faith still perform the ritual of connecting with God through dance and percussion.

This ritual takes place on Sundays on the streets of Callejon De Hamel. Even though this performance has changed over time, it’s still a sight to see. Click here for the location.

MAP OF PLACES TO SEE IN HAVANA

Now let’s get to the typical places tourist see when they are in Havana.

The red marks Old Havana. A larger map is below.

[column size=one_half position=first ]
1. Casa Habana Tropical
2. Fabrica de Arta Cubano
3. Necrópolis Cristóbal Colón
4. Atelier Restaurant
5. Coppelia Ice Cream
6. Universidad de la Habana
7. Hotel Nacional
8. Callejon de Hamel
9. La Guarida
10. San Cristobal Paladar
11. Paseo del Prado**
12. Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana
13. Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro
14. La Cabaña
15. Museum of the Revolution
16. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
17. B&B Las Maletas
18. Restaurant Van-Van
[/column]

[column size=one_half position=last ]
19. Paladar Doña Eutimia
20. La Bodeguita Del Medio
21. Plaza de la Catedral
22. Castillo de la Real Fuerza
23. Plaza de Armas
24. Calle Obispo
25. Calle Mercaderes
26. Basílica San Francisco de Asis
27. Chez Nous Restaurant
28. Plaza Vieja
29. Museo de la Farmacia Habanera
30. Hanoi Restaurant
31. El Chanchullero
32. El Floridita Bar
33. Great Theatre of Havana
34. El Capitolio
35. Almacenes San José Artisans’ Market
[/column]

So as I told you before Havana can be broken down to 3,5 half areas and I will be listing things to do in Havana region by region. This way you can plan your days easier.

MALECÓN (Old Havana – City Center – Vedado)

Malecón is one of the most popular places in Cuba. Like the rest of the country, Malecón has two sides: shoddy, dilapidated buildings along a wonderfully long coast. It also holds significance as an important part of social life for locals looking for things to do in Havana, particularly the youth. It’s definitely an attractive spot to get dressed up for a night of “chilling.”

Where do locals hang out in Havana?

Because Cubans don’t really have the luxury to spend money in bars and clubs, they look for alternative ways to entertain themselves. You’ll find all types of people here: those dancing without music, locals who bring their own tunes, people out fishing and those simply coming to sit. One documentary dubbed Malecón Street the “biggest chair in the city.”

There are a couple sites that you might want to check out, such as Castillo de la Fuerza, Castillo San Salvador de la Punta and Hotel Nacional de Cuba, which are all located on the 8-km stretch that is Malecón. The street starts at Old Havana, runs through Habana Centro (the city center) and goes through Vedado.

Click here for the location. (For your ease of viewing, the street on the map is a location even though the street is much longer)

OLD HAVANA / (HABANA VIEJA)

Central Havana and Old Havana are two areas that are nestled within each other, but most of the things to do in Havana are in the old quarters. For this reason, we listed everything together in one map.

[column size=one_half position=first ]
9. La Guarida
10. San Cristobal Paladar
11. Paseo del Prado**
12. Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana
13. Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro
14. La Cabaña
15. Museum of the Revolution
16. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
17. B&B Las Maletas
18. Restaurant Van-Van
19. Paladar Doña Eutimia
20. La Bodeguita Del Medio
21. Plaza de la Catedral
22.Castillo de la Real Fuerza
[/column]

[column size=one_half position=last ]
23.Plaza de Armas
24.Calle Obispo
25.Calle Mercaderes
26.Basílica San Francisco de Asis
27.Chez Nous Restaurant
28.Plaza Vieja
29.Museo de la Farmacia Habanera
30.Hanoi Restaurant
31.El Chanchullero
32.El Floridita Bar
33.Great Theatre of Havana
34.El Capitolio
35.Almacenes San José Artisans’ Market
[/column]

Why is Havana so important to Cuba?

Due to Cuba‘s strategic location, Havana was the most important port for the Spanish. They brought all the yields taken from plantations and repackaged them in Santiago de Cuba and Havana before sending everything to Europe. Due to the important trading role played by Havana, the city received the most Spanish investment out of all the colonies.

A large part of Cuba’s trade between the 1700s to the 1900s came from its sugar cane. Even though rum is wildly popular throughout all of Latin America, Cuba’s rum became famous due to the quality of its sugarcane. Because of the economic importance of Cuba and Havana, the English declared war to take the island from the Spaniards, but failed.

Later in the 1900s, the Americans had a more cunning plan to take Cuba away by supporting locals who opposed Spain’s presence. This allowed the Americans to take advantage of what Cuba had wanted politically and socially – so much so, that around 70% of Cuba’s land and resources were owned by American companies in the 1920s.

The entire island’s history can be expressed in its architecture: before the Spaniards arrived, the primary style of architecture in the 1700s was baroque, followed by the neoclassical period in the 1800s. The Americans brought art deco, which was followed by more eclectic styles.

Make a game of it

Keeping an eye out for these architectural elements while wandering the city’s streets is a fun activity when it comes to things to do in Havana.

For a good example of the baroque style: Check out San Cristobal de Habana Cathedral and Plaza de Catedral.
In terms of neoclassicism: Hotel Inglaterra, El Capitolio (Capitolio Nacional) and Universidad de la Habana.
For glimpses of art deco: You can visit Edificio Bacardi and Teatro America.
Havana’s best instance of eclecticism is at Hotel Raquel.

Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de San Francisco, Plaza del Cristo and Plaza de la Catedral are all on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list.

Plaza de Armas

Dating back to the 1520s, Plaza de Armas is Havana’s oldest square. The plaza was once used as an army base for a number of years after it was constructed. Surrounded by a number of historical buildings, the plaza has now turned into a place where people hang out and shop.

In the middle of the plaza, there is a bazaar that sells used books every day but Sunday. While it might be fun to flip through the old books on Cuba’s history, just know everything is unsurprisingly in Spanish. If you walk straight from the eastern corner of the square, then you’ll see the Hotel Santa Isabel, where you can pop in to see the hotel’s crystal chandeliers and antique furniture. Click here for the location.

Plaza Vieja

Plaza Vieja – while not as old as Plaza de Armas – is still one of the older squares. Similar to Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja was used for military purposes before being turned into a small shopping area for locals. Since around 1835, the plaza has been used as an open-air market. There are also several shops, bars, and cafes to check out.

We suggest that you take a breather in a cafe by sipping on an ice-cold mojito while people watching. This is a square where you’ll be able to comfortably watch how locals express their boundless joy through dance. Being at this square is particularly nice in the evening. Click here for the location.

Calle Mercaderes

As Mercaderes Street is closed to cars, you can easily go on foot to explore museums, shops and restaurants. The museums generally have statues on display, with others devoted to arts and crafts. One of the best parts is that many of the museums here are free.

Though we mentioned museum hopping isn’t at the top of our list of things to do in Havana, if you’re the kind of traveler who’s got an itch for such sites, here are a handful in the area: Casa de Asia has paintings and statues from Japan and China, Armeria 9 de Abril features an old weapons depot and Museo de Bomberos is dedicated to the 19 firefighters who lost their lives in the metro fire of 1890.

At the intersection of Mercaderes and Obrapía Streets, there is a statue of Simón Bolívar. Nearby, the Museo de Simón Bolívar is dedicated to her. Click here for the location.

Calle Obispo

The most well-known and crowded street in all of Havana is Obispo Avenue in Old Havana. The street is closed off to cars, and there are tons of stores, boutiques, booksellers, museums, old pharmacies and unbelievably stunning houses.

If you are looking to buy something, then you should definitely meander down this street and – as Havana’s longest avenue – this might take awhile. It’s inevitable that you’ll see a lot of tourists here, as this tends to be the popular hangout spot for foreigners. Click here for the location.

El Capitolio

The capitol building, which was built in 1929, resembles the White House and says a lot about Cuba’s history. It was made by Gerardo Machado – one of the dictators that liberated Cuba from the US. The capitol building cost 17 million dollars to build, with 5,000 people working on it over three years. Address: Paseo de Martí, La Habana For the location, click  here.

Plaza de la Catedral & San Cristóbal Katedrali

Built in the 18th century, San Cristóbal Plaza is the youngest of the city’s four most popular squares. In the middle of the square, you’ll easily spot the Zanja Real, Havana’s first aqueduct. If you wish, you can go up to the San Cristobal Cathedral’s clock tower, which costs 1-2 CUC.

Notes:
1. In front of the cathedral, you’ll see Bodeguita de Medio, which is just one of the many bars frequented by Ernest Hemingway (Empredrado Street).
2. If you would like to take pictures with Cuban women decked out in colorful garb and puffing on cigars, go here:
Address: 156 Empedrado, La Habana, Cuba Telephone: +53 7 8625109 Click here for the location. Cathedral’s website: www.arquidiocesisdelahabana.org

La Bodeguita del Medio

Where Hemingway used to come to drink mojitos, La Bodeguita del Medio is a major tourist attraction. Perhaps you’re not a literary lover or don’t think it’s worth waiting in line to check out an old Hemingway haunt. Well, the bar is a stone’s throw from the Cathedral Plaza, so we still suggest taking a peep as the staff will allow you to step inside. Besides, it’s still an important feature of things to do in Havana.

If you want to order something like a mojito, be warned that the prices here are a bit higher than elsewhere in the city (standard price for a mojito is 2 CUC, but here it is 4 CUC). However, the ambiance is worth the extra 2 CUC. The walls are lined with the names of people who have visited from all corners of the world. In fact, so many people have visited that there is no space left to sign on the walls, and people have resorted to signing on the street outside the bar.

The staff should provide you with a pen to write your name, but it’s better to bring your own. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to write ours! If anyone reading this visits La Bodeguita del Medio, we would absolutely love if you can write “Biz Evde Yokuz” for us.

Hours of operation: 8:00 am – midnight Address: Empedrado, La Habana, Cuba Telephone:+53 7 571375 Click here for the location. The bar is so famous, it has been franchised and has different locations in Argentina, Costa Rica, the UK and Germany.

Museo de la Farmacia

The Museo de la Farmacia, three or four blocks away from Plaza Vieja, currently functions as both a museum and a pharmacy. Opened in 1886, the pharmacy has a section displaying practices of old. The nostalgic atmosphere is quite nice, and we suggest a quick visit. The museum is open between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Address: 41 Teniente Rey, La Habana, Cuba Telephone: +53 7 8667556 Click here for the location.

Paseo del Prado

Named for the Spanish word “paseo,” which means to roam around aimlessly, Paseo del Prado (or Paseo de Marti to many locals) was built in 1772. It separates Central Havana from Old Havana and, in 1925, the street was given a new look with marble benches and trees lining the street.

The street has a number of buildings similar to Hotel Sevilla. Situated to the west of Parque Central and east of El Capitolio, Paseo del Prado is also close to important touristic spots, with the San Salvador de la Punta Fortress about a 10-km walk away. Click here for the location.

Gran Teatro de la Habana

The Gran Teatro de La Habana is an art center, and the complex houses a theater, concert hall, conference room and an art gallery. It is located on Paseo del Prado and is also called the Galician Center of Havana. It was originally founded as a social services center for the Galician refugees that settled in Havana. Galicia is an autonomous and self-governing region in Spain.

Address: 458 Paseo de Martí, La Habana Telephone:+537 8613096 Click here to access the website: www.balletcuba.cult.cu Click here for the location.

Basílica San Francisco de Asís

The Basilica San Francisco de Asis was originally built in 1738 for the Franciscan order as both a basilica and a monastery. When the Spanish later took over, the building was used as a concert hall. In fact, this is Havana’s most active concert hall.

Constructed in the baroque style, the basilica even has an attached bell tower. For those who want to see a painting or art gallery, the “Museum of Sacred Art” showcases pieces by artists such as José Nicolás de la Escalera and Vicente Escobar.

I’ll admit that there are several things to do in Havana and see in Cuba that your time there might be a bit limited. However, if you are able to attend a concert here, then you get the best of everything: good music, stunning architecture and a taste of art culture. It’s better if you don’t leave buying your ticket to the last minute.

Basílica San Francisco de Asís is only a four-minute walk from Plaza Vieja. If you decide to go, admission is 2 CUC and going up to the bell tower is 1 CUC. Children under the age of 12 can enter free of charge. Address: Oficios, La Habana Telephone: 537 2040624
Click here for the location.

Castillo de la Real Fuerza

Located on the sea side of Plaza de Armas, the Castillo de la Real Fuerza was destroyed by French pirates in 1555 and rebuilt in 1577. Here, atop a hill, you will find the famous statue La Giraldilla, depicting a woman holding an artistic weathervane. In fact, the La Giraldilla Havana Club Rom is the city’s symbol.

When Old Havana and its surrounding areas were put on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list in 1982, the fortress was included as well. This is because Castillo de la Real Fuerza lies at the historical center of Old Havana. In the area surrounding the fortress, there is a sea museum called the Museo de Navegación.

Castillo de la Real Fuerza is open Tuesday through Sunday between 9:30 am – 5:00 pm. Admission fee is 2 CUC. Address: At the intersection of Calle O’Reilly and Av. del Puerto Telephone: +53 7 8616130 Please click here for the location.

Museo de Navegación

Though we mentioned museums weren’t amongst our favorite things to do in Havana, the Museo de Navegación contains an exhibition on the history of Old Havana and the fortress. It also features a model of a ship that belonged to the Spanish Empire, the “Santísima Trinidad.” Ticket prices are 2 CUC. The museum is open 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.

Mercado San Jose (Almacenes San José Artisans’ Market)

Though this market could pass as an arts and crafts bazaar, you should be aware that items sold here are also super touristy: t-shirts with Che Guevara’s face and paintings that merely say “Havana.” This is the best place to buy souvenirs.

If you rummage around enough, you will be able to find paintings with artistic value. If you do buy a painting, make sure that you pay the 3-5 CUC extra for a certificate. You might run into trouble at the airport if you are brining out a painting without a certificate.

Hours of operation: Closed on Sundays, otherwise open every other day 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. Address: At the intersection of Avenida del Puerto and Calle Cuba, La Habana Click here for the location.

El Floridita

From tour guides to cafes, everyone will try to get you to eat, drink and walk in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway: many a literary lover would say this trail is the ultimate of things to do in Havana. In his correspondences, the famous author talked at great lengths about El Floridita, “the birthplace of the Daiquiri.” You might be turned off by the expensive prices – three times higher than elsewhere – but we still think it’s worth a visit. One cocktail is CUC 6.

Hours of Operation: Open every day 11:00 am – midnight. Website: www.floridita-cuba.com Address: Obispo, La Habana, Cuba Telephone: +53 7 8671300. Click here for the location.

Museum of the Revolution

We talked at length about this in the “Top Attractions in Havana” section. Click here for the location.

Museo Nacional Palacio de Bellas Artes

This museum showcases pieces that explain Havana’s art spanning from the colonial times to the era of modern art. Learning about local art history could be a great plus amongst things to do in Havana for art enthusiasts. There are two buildings that make up the museum, and it really can feel like two museums.

The first, “Museo Nacional Palacio de Bellas Artes,” focuses on “Cuban Art” with respect to local artists and pieces. The second one, “Palacio del Centro Asturiano,” features international art and artists. In the main entrance to the museum, there is a statue dedicated to Cuban artist Rita Lonja.

Some of the artists you can expect to find in the museum are Bencomo Mena, Manuel Vega, Domingo Ramos. If you want to go into either one of the museums, the price is 5 CUC. If you’d like to visit both, it’s 8 CUC. Hours of operation: Tuesday – Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sundays between 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Address: Calle Trocadero e/ Zulueta y Monserrate, Havana Telephone: 537 8632657 Website: www.bellasartes.cult.cu Click here for the location.

Castillo San Salvador de la Punta

The “San Salvador de la Puntra Fortress” was the most important in protecting Havana in colonial times due to its location in Havana’s bay. The fortress was built in the 1600s as part of a larger system of three castles – the other two being Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro and Castillo de la Real Fuerza – to provide protection for Havana.

This fortress was recently opened as a museum after it was renovated in 2002 to restore damage done in the 1700s during the British invasion. The museum has historical items of value on display, such as personal effects and treasure taken from sunken ships between the 1600s and the 1900s.

There are three different exhibition rooms always on display; if you want to delve into the history of the fortress’s construction, history and underwater archeology, then this is the place for you. Admission fee is 5 CUC. Children under the age of 12 can enter for free. Hours of operation for the museum: Wednesday – Sunday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Address: At the intersection of Paseo de Marti (Prado) and Av. del Puerto. Click here for the location.

VEDADO

Between 1902-1959, Vedado was where everything was happening at a time when Havana was America’s “city of sin.” This is where rich Americans would purchase their summer homes and where the American mafia made their money in casinos – to turn around and spend at night clubs. Well, of course, until Fidel nationalized all these assets. Vedado is still a place where the wealthy come to hang out – but if you ask us, it’s the least attractive place to find things to do in Havana.

Universidad de la Habana

Located in the Vedado region, Universidad de la Habana was founded in 1728, making it Cuba’s oldest university. Click here for the location.

Callejon de Hamel

We talked at length about this in the “Top Attractions in Havana” section. Click here for the location.

Fabrica de Arta Cubano

Please refer to the “Top Attractions in Havana” section if you haven’t read it already! Click here for the location.

Necrópolis Cristóbal Colón

Though it might not seem like an obvious attraction, the most important cemetery in Havana – Colon Cemetery or “Necropolis Cristobal Colon” – is a beautiful tourist hot spot. All you have to do is look up some photos of the massive cemetery to understand why people pay it a visit.

Throughout Cuba’s history, famous artists, athletes, politicians and other influential people have been buried here, including Máximo Gómez, Alejo Carpentier and José Miguel Gómez. We are of the opinion that it’s enough to wander around the cemetery for its aesthetics; however, you can purchase a map for 1 CUC if you want to know who is buried where.

Perhaps the cemetery’s most-visited tomb is at the center of the legend “La Milagrosa.” And so it goes: Amelia Goyri died in childbirth, and she and her baby were buried at Colon. The widower she let behind would visit her grave multiple times a day, each time knocking thrice on her tomb in an attempt to wake her up.

The tomb was exhumed years later, and witnesses say that Amelia’s remains were in tact, and even in death she was still cradling her baby in her arms. A large number of Cubans and tourists alike visit “La Milagrosa” and leave flowers, celebrating a mother’s eternal love.

Admission is 5 CUC. The map is 1 CUC. Open every day between 8:00 am – 6:00 pm, but they only accept visitors until 5:00 pm. Address: Calle 12, Vedado Click here for the location.

Hotel Nacionel

Hotel Nacionel has become a symbol for the wealthy in Cuba. While the hotel is now owned by the state, it owned Havana’s most popular casino before the revolution. The casino was home base for the mafia at the time and the Havana Conference mentioned in the Godfather movie took place here. Seeming to embrace its sordid history, they still use mojito recipes that were favorites among mafia bosses.

Here are some important figures who have stayed at this hotel: UK prime minister Winston Churchill, US president Jimmy Carter, Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Rita Hayworth, Mickey Mantle, Johnny Weissmuller, Buster Keaton, Jorge Negrete, Agustín Lara, Rocky Marciano, Tyrone Power, Alberto Simões, Rómulo Gallegos, Errol Flynn, John Wayne, Marlene Dietrich, Gary Cooper, Marlon Brando, Ernest Hemingway, Jean-Paul Sartre, Yuri Gagarin, among others.

Address: Calle 21 y O, Vedado, Plaza, Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba Telephone: +53 7 8363564 Website: www.hotelnacionaldecuba.com Click here for the location.

Coppelia Ice Cream Parlor

Please refer to the “Top Attractions in Havana” section if you haven’t already. Click here for the location.

PARQUE HISTORICO MILITAR (HISTORICAL MILITARY PARK)

Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro

This is the location of the cannonball ceremony we mentioned earlier. The Morro Fortress is also here, but in order to get to it, you would have to take a taxi or go down the road along the coast.

Between the years 1589-1630, the fortress was constructed to safeguard Havana’s coast from privates and invaders as it was attacked on several occasions by French, Dutch, and English pirates. The fortress’s famous lighthouse was added in 1844. The entrance fee is 6 CUC. It’s open every day 10:00 am – 7:00 pm. Address: Carretera de la Cabana, Havana Telephone: +53 7 8620617 Click here for the location.

Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana

Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana is normally shortened to “La Cabaña,” so odds are that you’ve probably come across this name before when looking for things to do in Havana. If you’ve noticed, there are tons of historical fortresses in Cuba, but the ones on the American side are the biggest and the oldest – this one is the third-largest.

Used by the Spanish after it was first built, it became a Cuban base after they won independence. While Fidel Castro and his brother Raul were at the helm, La Cabaña was used as a torture prison. Now, part of its grounds are a park, and there is a museum inside.

The El Morro Castle is only about a 10-minute walk from here. La Cabaña is open every day between 10:00 am – 10:20 pm. Click here for the location.

BEACHES IN HAVANA

Playa del Este

If you’re not turned off by the idea of traveling 2.5 hours, you’ll love the sandy beach at Varadero. But, surprisingly, there are some beaches you can get to without leaving the city of Havana! If may want to spend more time exploring the things to do in Havana instead of wasting 5 hours on the road for some beach time.

If so, have a taxi take you to Playas del Este and get off when you see Hotel Tropicoco. Here, you’ll find a place for yourself, with nothing separating you from the turquoise-blue water aside from a couple of palm trees. There are enough food and drink establishments here to keep you going with all that time you’ve saved! Click here for the location.

EAT & DRINK IN HAVANA

We would be stretching the truth a bit if we said Cuba was a center for gastronomy. It’s not like you’re going to be put off by anything you eat in Cuba, but you’ll find that the food is mostly “ok.” Food rations, economic restrictions limited the scope of chefs’ innovations. Because of this, we often found that the ambiance of Havana’s restaurants to be much more impressive than the skills of the chef in the kitchen. That doesn’t mean experiencing the local food and downing drinks aren’t important things to do in Havana!

But there are a few pioneering restaurants in Havana. You can find out about them here: Where To Eat In Havana – Best Havana Restaurants

ACCOMODATION IN HAVANA

As we mentioned in our  Cuba Travel Guide you really must stay at a casa particular (or homestay) while traveling.

Hostal Las Maletas (Old Havana)

This was by far the best place for the price that we came across in Cuba (we even went and knocked on 20 other doors in the area just to find the best one). The location is ideal, and this hostel is just like a boutique hotel with its appealing interior and design.

Address: Calle Empedrado, No 409 | La Habana Vieja Telephone: +53 7 8671623 Website: hostallasmaletas.com E-mail: reservas@hostallasmaletas.com Click here for the location.

Chez Nous (Old Havana)

This is a casa particular where you can stay with a Cuban family. It is a well-furnished place where you’ll be able to relax. The location is also amazing, as it is only a block away from the Plaza Vieja. The bedroom on the second floor also has a balcony. Most rooms have a private bathroom. Address: Between 115 Brasil, Cuba and San Ignacio, Old Havana region. Telephone: 005378626287. Email: cheznous@ceniai.inf.cu. Website: www.cheznoushabana.com. Click here for the location.

Casa Tropical

Because Casa Tropical is located in Central Havana, it’s a bit far from the city center, but we thought it was still located in a decent spot. Located in a residential neighborhood, Casa Tropical is the right place for you if you want a sneak peek into the real Cuba. There are a number of rooms, but ask for the one facing the garden, on the top floor at the top of the stairs. Price per night is 35 CUC. Address: Industria 154, la Havane. Click here for the location.

Note: We recommend looking on AirBnB and Casa Particular sites to find other places to stay.

We also suggest that you head to Trinidad after Havana. For all our recommendations, you can read our Things to do in Trinidad piece.

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