Cuba
Some call it a place frozen in time but the people that keep the city in motion can barely keep still. The streets are littered with beautiful buildings with dreamy terraces. These buildings house chipped paint showing layers of aged beauty and resilience. Electrical wires run parallel from one building to another; they function as the city’s veins, tiny but plentiful and essential.
When you walk the streets you are greeted by the smell of fresh gas, the feel of fresh hustle and the look of fresh faces. The people are happy to share their home with you even if it is only for a few days. The streets are busy, the weather is hot, and the smiles are warm. This is your typical Havana morning…
I spent just four days in Cuba and stayed in an Air BnB about ten minutes from the city’s capital building in between Neptuno and Concorida Street. This area of Havana has so much natural beauty. Conveniently, Old Havana is only about ten minutes away by foot and is a must see during your stay in Havana.
For me, Havana was a great anchor spot in Cuba because you can take quick day trips to surrounding cities. My first day trip was to the country, Vinales. If you love nature, a slower pace, and beautiful views, Vinales should be on your list while visiting Cuba. It's just about 2hrs. from Havana and you can get there round-trip by private car for about $150. Quick tip, just before sightseeing have your driver stop at the common rest stop which overlooks the Vinales Valley. There you will see beautiful untapped greenery that is almost breathtaking. While in Vinales be sure to visit La Cueva del Indio. I spent about an hour there and thought the short boat ride/ cave tour was well worth it. I would also recommend stopping by the Mural de la Prehistoria – the artwork is massive and captivating. Finally, before leaving the country side, visit el Secardero de Tabaco / Tabaco Farm. If you can catch a tour, the local farmers will demonstrate how they hand-make Cuba's famous cigars. The tour was free (although we might have infringed on a larger group’s private tour) but we did show support by purchasing a couple bundles of their hand-made cigars. They costed me $10 per bundle and were perfect souvenirs.
If you’re a beach lover, most make their way to Varadero for a day trip. Since I went during the summer season and didn’t want to risk a 2hr. plus drive just to end up in a rainstorm, I opted for a much closer beach called Playa Santa Maria (it actually rained there towards to the end of the day). You can catch a coach bus right across from the capital building and it will cost about you about $10 round-trip (a bargain when compared to the $120-$150 you’ll pay for a private car to Varadero). At Playa Santa Maria, the water is clear, warm and beautiful, and the sand is hot.
La Guarida is the restaurant rave of the city and it did not disappoint. I would suggest getting there for sunset and staying for dinner. The rooftop has an amazing views and is a perfect place for drinks, cigars and photos. Be sure to book at least two days in advance though - reservations are in high demand but once you get there, eat the food and experience the ambiance, you’ll quickly see why.
Practical Knowledge:
As you may know, the Trump administration has instituted a heightened level scrutiny on those travelling between Cuba and United States. With that said, you should be able to clearly articulate why you qualify under 1 of the 12 permissible reasons to travel to Cuba. I traveled with Jet Blue (in early July of 2017 – just before the more stricter rules applied) and left directly from Miami so I was able to get my visa right at the check-in station at the airport. Now, I’d recommend getting a visa in advance through Cuba Visa Services ( https://
Also, before heading to Cuba, be sure to refreshen up on your Spanish, you’ll need it.
Places to sightsee and activities:
Old Havanna, Plaza Vieja Revolution Square, the Capital building, National Theater, Museum of the Revolution, La Furia, Hotel Nacional, Mural de la Prehistoria, La Cueva del Indio, and Vinales Valley
Cuba Travel Hacks: