I've always wanted to travel to Cuba, but only thought it possible in the last year or so. Finally, after months of searching, not only did I find a relatively cheap flight ($300 on Spirit Airlines), but also a trip where the flight times were reasonable (5-6 hour trip time with stop in Fort Lauderdale). The same day I found the flight, I told all my friends, and agreed to buy it.
I was a little nervous about the visa requirements, but was assured after scouring the internet and listening to dozens of podcasts about visiting Cuba. It was extremely easy: I arrived in Fort Lauderdale, and there was a line beside the gate that said "Visas for Cuba." The flight attendants gave me a sheet of paper wherein I checked my reason for visiting Cuba, "Support for the Cuban People" and I paid $100 for the visa. No questions asked, and I boarded the plane with customs forms to fill out. The forms were very straight forward and not unlike any other international trip. In Cuba, they took the form, and asked me nothing and stamped my passport. I was in!
About 6 weeks before our trip, I booked an Airbnb right off the Malecon. The host immediately contacted me and asked if I needed transportation from the airport. So when I arrived in Havana, a taxi driver, Aleksander was waiting for me and immediately took me to the Airbnb in his 1950's Chevy. I exchanged about half my cash at the airport and kept the other half which I eventually exchanged at a hotel. (In Cuba, you must bring enough cash to last your entire trip because credit and debit cards will not work) It was the least stressful arrival in a foreign country I've ever experienced.
Right outside the airport, I got my first dose of Cuban propaganda.
My taxi driver, Aleksander, dancing to Gangster's Paradise while we drove to the Airbnb.
Aleksander's Chevy. No seatbelts
I arrived at our Airbnb to one of the most beautiful views in the whole city, and I met the Airbnb manager, Dayron who not only showed me around the neighborhood, but had lunch with me at La Catedral Bar Restaurant while I waited for my friend, Christiana to arrive about 4 hours later.
I choose my Airbnb's solely for the views. This place was perfect.
This is a very traditional dish called, Ropa Vieja, and my first meal in Cuba.
By the time Christiana arrived, Dayron and I were fast friends, and he joined us for dinner at La Torre, which is a fantastic restaurant with spectacular 360 degree views of Havana.
Another traditional Cuban dish at La Torre.
After dinner, we took a taxi to Old Havana where we had drinks at the rooftop bar above Hotel Inglaterra located on Paseo del Prado. We listened to live music and drank mojitos for several hours with an amazing view of the old city.
We started off our day on Sunday with a tour in an old convertible. I would recommend doing this type of tour to see Revoltion Square and Colon Cemetery because both are pretty far from Old Havana.
We took an hour tour for 40 CUC.
The first stop on the tour was Revolution Square where they have the Jose Marti Memorial, and facades of Cuban Revolution heroes, Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos.
More propaganda at Revolution Square.
The car didn't stop here, but instead made a big circle around Colon Cemetery.
The next stop on the tour was Isla Josefina, which is a huge green park in the middle of Havana. Some of the trees are over 500 years old.
After the tour, we headed to Old Havana, which has so many notable landmarks, and where the majority of tourists can be found.
Lunch at Café Habana
Castillo de la Real Fuerza
Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta
Museum of Revolution
La Bodeguita Del Medio, which is the birthplace of mojitos.
Basilica San Francisco de Asis
Cuban girls enjoying the afternoon with pups.
Delicious street Churros
Plaza Vieja
On our walk to Almacenes San Jose Artisans' Market-best market for souvenirs in Havana.
Our Lady of Kazan Orthodox Cathedral
We headed back to our Airbnb to get ready for dinner at El Cocinero, which is one of Havana's most popular restaurants. We made a huge mistake in not making reservations because the best part of the restaurant besides the food is the outdoor terrace. We were seated inside due to time. The food was still delicious!
Dinner was lobster with rice in a creamy curry sauce. So good!!
After dinner, our taxi driver, Aluan took us to Tropicana Caberet. This venue is a little bit out of Havana, but so worth the 20 minutes driving. Our tickets were by far the most expensive thing about Cuba ($85), but they come with an amazing show, 1/4 liter of Cuban rum, and a glass of sparkling wine. You can also book your tickets online before you arrive in Cuba. The show starts at 10 pm, and it absolutely stunning.
Monday, we had a our taxi driver, Aluan pick us up at 9am to take us to Santa Maria Beach, which is about a 30 minute drive outside of Havana. The beach was pristine and there weren't hardly any people there. I would advise bringing your own drinks/snacks because there isn't much out there besides a couple people selling mangos(which are delicious!)
After the beach, we headed across Havana's Canal de Entrada to see the Morro Castle, La Cabana De Che Guevara, and El Cristo de La Habana.
Our next stop was the Museum of Chocolate. We hadn't planned on stopping here, but once we saw the chocolate, we couldn't say no.
Ice cream sandwiches, chocolate milk, and milk chocolate candies. #diabetes
El Floridita Bar is famous for being Earnest Hemingway's favorite spot in Havana for daiquiris.
The Morro Castle fires its cannons every night at 9pm. We tried to stay long enough for it, but we were starving and left for dinner. Watching the sunset was beautiful though!
Tired, we opted for a Coconut Taxi to take us to dinner. These things are adorable and a pretty cheap ride.
For dinner, we stopped by our Taxi driver, Aluan's girlfriend's restaurant, Restaurante Café Del Oriente located in San Cristobal Square. This restaurant is so nice, and the food is even better. After dinner, the light went out and we assumed they'd had a power outage. All of a sudden, the girlfriend was wheeling toward us a cake lit of fire, and it was on the house since we'd become such good friends with them. Afterwards, they gave us champagne as well. Unforgettable!
Steak with mushroom sauce.
Champagne on the Square
I had no idea what Cuba would be like, but I was so excited to go. This trip far exceeded my expectations and there are so many things left to do when I return. The best part of Cuba had to be the people there. Not only are they friendly, but truly kind. I cannot wait to come back this fall! We were so sad to leave for the airport!
Itinerary:
Saturday, May 6, 2017
1. Arrival at Airport
-exchanging money
-visa requirements
2. Arrival at Airbnb
3. La Catedral Bar Restaurant
4. Relaxing on the balcony
5. Buy beer at local grocery for apartment (important!!)
6. La Torre for dinner
7. Paseo del Prado
8. Rooftop bar over Hotel Inglaterra
Sunday, May 7, 2017
1. Malecon-Most beautiful sunset
2. Old Car tour
3. Revolution Square
4. Colon Cemetery
5. Isla Josefina
6. Old trees
7. Old Havana-Churros/list of sites we saw
- Plaza de la Catedral
- Castillo de la Real Fuerza
- Almacenes San Jose Artisan's Market
8. Museum of Revolution
9. La Bodeguita Del Medio
10. Plaza Vieja
11. Dinner at El Cocinero
12. Tropicana Caberet
Monday, May 8, 2017
1. Santa Maria Beach
2. La Cabana de Che Guevara
3. Christ Statue
4. Morro Castle
5. Museo Del Chocolate
6. La Floridita
7. Coconut Taxis
8. Restaurante Café Del Oriente
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
- 1. Leave for Airport
TIPS:
- Don't bring check-in luggage: you could be waiting at the airport for your luggage for hours.
- Bring tissue and hand sanitizer for restrooms; most do not have any.
- Bring enough cash to last your entire trip. Your debit card will not work in any ATM machine. Cuba is more expensive than you think so be generous. $100 a day is conservative.
- Bring your own coffee/breakfast bars if you need coffee to wake up. Many stores/restaurants either open late or don't have any coffee/breakfast foods.
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