Cuba
Left my HEart In HavanA
Like the Locals
Foodie Must: Canchanchara (Cocktail), Guava, Ropa Vieja, & Cuban Coffee
Must See Site: Vinales Tobacco Farms
Current Event: Rationing Crisis
Popular Phrase: Acere – Friend
Know Before You Go
Language: Spanish
Currency: CUC
Visa: Yes – Price varies by airline
Health Precautions: Avoid Mosquitoes & Fleas & Don’t Drink Tap Water
Best Season to Visit: Dec – May
Fun Fact
Cuba has the highest doctor to patient ratio in the world. There are so many doctors in Cuba, that doctors are often sent abroad to countries that need medical attention.
Transportation
American Airlines – Trusted airline but they did cancel & rebook our flight last minute which threw off plans & they have most expensive visa fee ($100) paid before boarding (NYC => Havana roundtrip $340)
Taxis & Buses – taxis are the fastest way to get around but they can be pricey unless you are sharing the ride which is normal. You can also take the bus (Viazul) but make sure you know the schedule ahead of time.
Accommodation
1) Havana Airbnb – Luca’s Boutique Hotel
2) Varadero Airbnb – Norma’s B&B
Day 1 - Havana
- Catedral San Cristobal –Cuban Baroque architecture
- Plaza De Armas – social hub with restaurants and bars
- Plaza Vieja – city square – go to Casa del Conde Jaruco for stained glass windows and the camera obscura for fantastic city views
- Castillo de la Real Fuerza – a famous castle
- Museo de la Ciudad
- Plaza de San Francisco – entrance of Old Havana
- El Capitulo – the capitol building
- La Bodeguita del Medio – restaurant with classic Cuban food
- Calle Obispo – social scene – restaurants, bars and art
Day 2 - VInales
Tobacco Tour
- Shared taxi to vinales – 2.5 hour drive – $25 each way
- Go to Infotour in the main square – 4-hour tour – $20 – includes tour of tobacco crops, Cuban cigar rolling, horse riding, a guided tour to the local cave, lunch at an overlook restaurant, and a swimming hole.
- If you want to book ahead of time we did ours through Airbnb Experiences, and it was amazing because we spent time with a local family and they had so much knowledge about Cuba they also took us to an amazing restaurant that had vegetarian options.
- Make sure you CASH you will definitely want to buy some of the local products on the tour include coffee, cigars, honey and liquor
DAy 3 - VAradero
Take the bus or shared taxi to Varadero ($50 roundtrip)
- Hang out on the beach – literally surrounded by water
- Parque Josone – paths of flower-flecked gardens, fountains, and an ornamental bridge, mini golf and a pool – great for the family
- Casa De Ron – try local rums and learn about the process
- Xanadu Mansion – have dinner and enjoy the view
- Cayo Piedra Underwater Park – snorkeling area where you can see Military equipment, yachts, a missile-launching boat, and an airplane
- Snack Bar Calle 62 – cute outdoor restaurant that has live music during the day and a DJ at night. More top 40 and spanish music but if youre into rock try The Beatles down the block.
Day 4 Havana
- Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta – great harbor views and history
- Fusterlandia – fantasy land of clay and glass – art complex
- El Morro Castle – great sunset
- Malecon – literally think of it as a boardwalk – beware of high tide
- El Dandy or El Chancullero (both on the same street opposite parque Cristo) – trendy bar/cafe with traditional Cuban food & drinks
- La Floridita – known for their daiquiri (6cuc) & free live music – its a little touristy and crowded
- Al Carbon – restaurant opposite the museo de la revolucion (pricey but worth it)
Night in Havana
- Tropicana Cabaret – $85 – you can buy tickets before the show starts at 8:30pm – Includes a cigar, a drink, ¼ bottle of Havana Club Rum & a small plate of nuts.
- Cabaret Parisien at the Hotel Nacionale – $35 – A cheaper option than Tropicana and the 2nd best cabaret in town.
If We Could...
Trinidad
Salsa Class
Santiago
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