Accustomed Master Travel Guide: Havana, Cuba
Pre-Trip Priorities: What to Do, What to Download and What to Discuss with your Friends The New Travel Rules Before You Take Off Money Matters: Exchanging you cash Packing for Havana
Making Your Way Around Cuba: Get Around the City, Get to the Culture, Get to the
Food and Get to the People.
Staying in Havana: The Neighborhoods and Casa Particulars Getting Around Cuba: Taxis and Private Service
The Food of Havana The Sights : Vedado and Havana Night Life
Excursions Inside Havana Trips to Varadero Trips to Vinales Trips to Trinidad
Heading Back to America Exiting Jose Marti International and Landing back in the United States
What to do, What to download and What to discuss with your friends.
On June 16th, 2017 the world watched Donald Trump announce that he was rolling back the eased restrictions that President Obama put in place for travel to Cuba. Although it was technically still illegal to visit Cuba as a tourist, the people-to-people option made it possible to travel without the use of an official travel agency and for a significantly lower cost. Since this announcement and after my trip, I have had a lot of questions about traveling to Cuba. Let’s get some of the common ones out of the way travel bae! If you have more, feel free to contact me! “If I booked before Trump’s announcement on June 16th, can I still go” Yes! If you had at least one thing booked such as housing or an excursion prior to his announcement, you can still travel under President Obama’s Law. There were some questions about being subject to an audit by the government. That isn’t anything new. Keep your itinerary and receipts. What are my options if I booked after June 16th? You have a few! • If you want to book yourself, you can still use people-to-people travel. According to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the ending of individual people-to-people travel wont take effect until the new regulations are issued. There are still 10 out of the 12 categories of authorized travel will still be allowed for independent travelers. Here is the list of OFAC Travel Categories • If you do not want to risk it, you can look into tour companies such as Insight Cuba or Intrepid Travel. • Taking a cruise to Cuba is also an option. • If you are about that life, you fly to Mexico or Canada and book a separate flight to fly from there.
What are my options for Air Travel The major airlines still offer tickets to Cuba. The only airline that has stopped all flights as of now is Frontier. When I get to Cuba, are they checking for what I do or where am I going? To be transparent, the Cuban government really doesn’t care that we are there. Their major concerns are that you have the required documentation and health insurance and aren’t bringing anything crazy in the country. They glanced at our paperwork. Took our pictures and we exited. The only question we were asked was if we had recently traveled to Africa because of health reasons. Can I bring things back with me? Of course! Cuban rum and cigars are subject to the same restrictions as other countries. Just keep it below an $800 value. I brought back a high priced box of Cohiba Cigars and several bottles of Havana rum. Customs asked me what I had. “ten cigars and some rum” Let me skip right on through.
So you’ve booked a flight and you’re off to Cuba! It’s imperative that you make sure you have all the documentation you need before you board your flight • Passport (this seems obvious. I know) • Travel Visa: Must be the pink tourist visa. Purchase directions and prices below: Southwest: $50 – Purchase online & delivered at the gate JetBlue: $50 – Purchase at gate Delta: $50 – Purchase at gate United: $75 – Purchase at at gate American: $85 – Purchase online & sent via regular mail *can be purchased at the gate, but more expensive. •
Verify with your airline that health insurance is covered in your ticket. You must have it upon entrance to Cuba. If it is not, this is a great source to get covered: Allianz Travel Insurance 1-866-884-3556
I also suggest that you download your itinerary or important information in Google Docs and save off line. Google maps are hard to use for Havana considering a lot of the walking routes aren’t correct or not efficient. Two of the choice apps I used for Cuba were Google Translate and Triposo: Cuba. The maps worked off-line as well as allowed me to see where I was in real time. You can pull up places to eat and drink nearby, what to see and more without using any data. • Triposo for iPhone • Triposo for Android
Tip #1: Allow yourself time to get to the airport and have your documents checked. There is a separate line just for those going to Cuba.
Unlike other foreign countries, cards and ATMs do not work in Cuba for Americans nor will your USD. When budgeting for the trip, take into account that cabs can be anywhere from $5-$20 depending on the neighborhood you are staying in and the type of car, cigars, rum, souvenirs you may want to buy, and other activities. The two types of money are the Cuban Convertible Peso or CUC and the Cuban Peso. You will need to exchange to the CUC (it always sounded like they were saying the word cook so I had a lot of puzzled looks when paying for things). Also note that there is a 10% fee on exchanging USD to CUC. Depending on the amount of money you are exchanging, getting Euros from your bank and exchanging them to CUC can be in your favor. It is possible to do Cuba on a budget for around $50 a day if you limit the more expensive paladars and you can walk more than you take taxis. Outside of the activities that were pre-scheduled or pre-paid, I put aside $100 for each day. After the 4 day trip, I had about $100 left over that was easy to exchange back at the airport. I suggest take enough to cover your budget for every day and add on one. For instance, for 4 days a budget of $75 per day would give you 300. Add one and you would get $375. This is my typical rule of thumb for travel plus I like to keep some of the money from each country I go to.
At the currency exchange outside of Terminal 3, make sure you ask for CUC and count the money to ensure you have what you need after the conversion. With getting through customs and getting money exchange, it may have taken us about 40 minutes max with most of the time spent in the currency line.
Tip #2: Break down your money as fast as you can. If you don’t ask for change, they won’t give it to you or don’t have singles.
When we went to Cuba, it was around 96 degrees daily, but with the humidity levels in late July, it felt more like 105+. Depending on when you are going, take into account if you are doing a lot of walking, what weather you are used to, and of course what you feel most comfortable in. I also suggest that you don’t check a bag. It can take three hours or more to retrieve checked luggage at the airport. If you want to bring back Havana Club Rum, get it in duty free in the airport. Comfortable shoes for walking Casual clothing for day to day wear; swimsuits for the beaches Depending on where you are having dinner, there may be a dress code. Some Paladars do not allow men in that are wearing tank tops. Our friend Tony was given a polo at El Balcon Restaurante Paladar because of their rule of no arms. I read a few blogs that stated men shouldn’t wear shorts, which I can say is false. The only time the men in our group were stopped was for walking the streets of Vedado without shirts on. Bug Spray Medicines such as Advil, contact solution, birth control, allergy medicines, etc. These things are very hard to come by in Cuba Hot Sauce (some of the food is lacking seasoning. This helps) Toilet Paper. As Cuba’s sewage system isn’t the most developed, they don’t flush the toilet and many public places don’t have it or it’s not the quality we are used to. HANDSANITIZER. Noticed the capital letters. It’s important. Take travel size bottles of shampoo, face wash, and toothpaste to give to people in exchange for directions and help.
This picture was taken outside of the Chocolate Museum in Old Havana. We wore a variety of clothing, but most was all light-weight and colorful. I found that in long-sleeves and pants, I actually was a lot cooler than wearing shorts.
Looking to Slay the Gram? Dressing for a special occasion or dinner? Here are some pantones or colorways to assist when discussing with your group if you are doing any theme attire.
adesginlifestyle.net Fibermom.org
Wwd.com
Highpointmarket.org
Highpointmarket.org
Get Around the City, Get to the Culture, Get to the Food and Get to the People.
There are several neighborhoods in Havana, each having their own charm. My personal suggestion is to avoid staying in hotels as they are over priced for what you get, but choose casa particulars (private homes) or hostels if you are looking for cheap finds. This money goes directly to the Cuban people versus using governmentowned hotels. My top choices for neighborhoods: Nuevo Vedado: A little further out, great for longer stays for those who want peace
and quiet. A very residential neighborhood that is family friendly. It is not a tourist center, so fewer options for bars and restaurants.
El Vedado: Adjoining Nuevo Vedado, El Vedado is a very walkable neighborhood
that has copious amounts of restaurants during the day and bars for your evening adventures. Great choices for authentic Cuban private housing.
Miramar: On the Northern edge of Havana, diplomats, government officials, and
wealthy foreigners stay in this upscale neighborhood. A short taxi ride into Old Havana for sight seeing.
Depending on the neighborhood and the size of the house, casa particulars can range anywhere from $89 to $300 a night. Our house in Nuevo Vedado was a little further out from the action, but affordable and a good choice for a group of 6 girls considering the 24-hour security. Check out Pictures of La Casa de la Casada . This listing is also on Air BnB
Picture from bestcubaguide.com
Tip #3: A lot of the hosts offer services such as prepared meals, tours and shuttle service to the airport. Check with your hosts for their price to save some coins!
As stated previously, cabs can range anywhere from $5 to $20 depending on the neighborhood you are going to and the type of car you are in. Always ask how much or Cuánto cuesta to verify how much it is before you take the ride. Also note that if you have five people, they will give you difficulty about taking you because it is against the “law” to have 5 people in the cab. Cabs also don’t accept large bills. You can also pre-book rides around Havana, especially to and from the airport or other city transfers. We booked a Sprinter Van through Taxi Vinales. The air conditioned van took our 11 person group from the airport to our two houses for $80 total. They give you a two hour window to get through customs and outside to Terminal 3. Our driver was impeccable and gave outstanding service. On the way back to Jose Marti we took three taxis for $75 total. Taxi Vinales also offers a service to the beach in Varadero or visit other cities in Cuba such as Trinidad or Vinales for 120-200 CUC. If you have the time and the budget, I would spend a day or two in the exotic Varadero.
Cars can also be rented in Havana for about 15-30 CUC per day plus insurance coverage and a deposit. We looked into this option but agreed that the streets in Havana were very windy at some points and with not always having clear signs, renting wasn’t the best option. Scooters were also rentable on the street for 25 CUC for the day. Outside of the amazing pictures you take on the Old Car Tour, It’s a great way to see Cuba and stories first-hand from the Cuban people. Our guides from Old Cars Havana picked us up from our casa particular took us on a two-hour tour around the major sites in the city. We also had an English speaking guide that was wiling to stop along the way for cigars, Cuban sandwiches and cigars. We had three classic cars for 2 hours totaling 240 CUC. If you book, tell Oliver I sent you! He’s great to work with. They have over 40 Classic cars to choose from
View from the back seat on our old Car Tour
Tip #4: When walking around, the street numbers are on the blocks on the ground. Avenida 26 is the main street separating going to Vedado and Nuevo Vedado
La Rampa (Malecón hasta el cine Yara) Parque de 51 en La Lisa Parque Fe del Valle (Galeano y San Rafael) Anfiteatro de Marianao Paseo de la Villa Panamericana
Pabellones Central y 14 EXPOCUBA Parque Mónaco 10 de Octubre y Parque Coyula ( Calle 30 y 19, Playa ) Parques Línea y L, Vedado y José Martí, Santiago de Las Vegas Hotel Nacional
How to use the cards: Purchase a card at one of the corner stores or wifi café. There will be a user name and password under the scratch off in the back. Log in and you are set to go! You don’t have to use it all at one time. I made it my whole trip without getting on WIFI and I really did enjoy it. I encourage you to be disconnected for some days. It’s a great experience in this over-connected world.
Prior to our trip to Cuba, I read tons of blogs and did research about different places to get food. I saw a lot of mixed reviews but went into it with an open mind. The majority of the food I had was really good but if you are a seafood lover you are in heaven! Some of the places that we ate at weren’t on any maps or in the major blogs. We primarily ate in the paladars (the private restaurants that were in homes) but did enjoy the street food such as churros, fresh corn, and coconut water. Here is a mix of common and randomly walked into spots that I suggest: • La Panchanga (Nuevo Vedado) : The fried chicken meal is one of the best things on the menu. For 5 CUC, you get ¼ of a chicken, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. Hours Noon to 2 am Address: 270 Calle 28, La Habana 10400, Cuba Cost 5 to 15 CUC
• El Concinero: Next to Fabrica De Arte, the restaurant/bar is in an old vegetable oil factory offering up fusions of Cuban, Italian, and American Food. The ambience in addition to the food choices made it one of our Cuban favorites. The pasta was so good the first night that we went back again the next day. Hours 11 am to Midnight Address: Calle 26, La Habana, Cuba Reserve Visit their online booking system here (suggested) Cost 12 to 25 CUC • La Guardia: Made famous by Bey and Jay’s trip to Cuba, the food wasn’t as stellar as we thought. The atmosphere of course was amazing, but the food left a little to be desired. About half of the people ended up being happy with their choices. I had the oxtails, which was perfectly cooked, but drowned in the sauce. But again, Bey ate here so I’m ok with my decision. Hours 4 pm to Midnight Address: 418 Concordia, La Habana, Cuba Reserve Visit their online booking system here (required) Cost 15 to 30 CUC
TIP #5, they don’t split the checks in Cuba. Be prepared to do some math!
El Balcon Restaurante Paladar: We ate here our first day in Cuba for lunch! The seafood is more than abundant and the prices are super reasonable. 2 CUC Mojitos and Sangrias were the perfect start to the trip. Hours Noon to 11 pm Address: Calle 28 #590, Nuevo Vedada, Habana, Cuba Cost 10-20 CUC El Flordita Bar: A small bar in Central Havana, people are packed from wall to wall waiting on the famous daiquiris where Hemingway and Armani once stood. $6 for the drink was over priced for the drink, but I do suggest that you get the strawberry version and take in the experience. Hours: Noon to 11 pm Address: Obispo, La Habana, Cuba Cost Drinks are $6 a piece Coppelia: The famous ice cream shop shaped like a flying saucer. The long lines may not be worth the cheap scoops. Hours: 10:00 am to 9:30 pm M-Saturday Address: cnr Calles 23 & L Cost 5 CUC Otramenera Habana: A family-ran paladar that is a fusion of Cuban and Spanish dishes. If you want an atmosphere that is upscale, but downhome this place is for you! A fusion of a variety of foods, Otramenera prides itself on fresh ingredients and great reciepies. Hours 7 pm to 11 pm Address Calle 35, Entre 20 y 41, Havana, Cuba Reserve Visit their website here (suggested) Cost 15 to 25 CUC Paladar Vistamar: Overlooking the water, this paladar in Miramar is known for it’s fresh seafood and the sound of waves as you eat. You have a great view of the sea on both the deck and inside. There are also pools that you can sit outside by to enjoy dinner by moonlight. Hours Noon to Midnight Address Avenida 1era #2206 e 22 y 24 Miramar, Playa, La Habana Reserve Visit their facebook page and send a message here Cost 20-30 CUC
Elite: High quality food with a sophisticated atmosphere of black and white décor Service is exceptional and the food is even better. If you are looking for great service, this is the place for you. Located in the posh Miramar neighborhood, the paladar has a staff that graciously greets you upon entrance and is there to attend to your every need. Hours Noon to Midnight Address 705 38 St. B/ 42 and 7ma, Havana 11300, Cuba Reserve Visit their online booking system here (suggested) Cost 20-30 CUC O’Reily 304: Known as one of the best places to eat in Cuba, the space is very small and can come with a wait. Variety of Cuban cocktails and food such as tacos and sandwhiches. Hours Noon to Midnight Address #304 Habana and Aguiar, Havana, Cuba Reserve Call +53 7 8630206 or go by earlier in the day. Cost 10-20 CUC El Dandy: Cute little café for breakfast and lunch. They also sale homemade honey and Cuban sugar in Coca-Cola bottles. Stop in for some coffee, cocktails or a sandwich on your walk through Old Havana. The food ranges from pulled pork to soups and salads. Also check out the sign with Obama’s name on it asking to free the Cuban 5 from the US Hours 8 am to 1 am Address Street Brasil # 401 corner Sreet Villegas | Plaza de Cristo in Old Havana, Cost 5 to 15 CUC Los Nardos: This building hosts two different restaurants on two floors. Don’t go to the other restaurant on the first floor which may not have a line. Wait it out for the 10 CUC lobster and food with the locals. Check out the Sangria and live in the sounds of the live pianist as you dip into the Cuban culture Hours 24 hours a day Address Paseo de Marti, upstairs in the building Cost 2-15 CUC El Biky: A mesh of Cuban and International Cuisine, this Vedado restaurant is a good stop for breakfast and walking around the quaint neighborhood. Hours 10 am to Midnight Address Infanta y San Lazoro, Cento Habana, Cost 10-15 Starbien: Located in a private mansion, they offer a four-course lunch special for $12 that is the perfect mid day stop in this paladar. Hours Calle 205 Entre B y C Havana Cuba Adddress Calle 29 #205 Entre B y C, Havana Cuba Cost 5-10 CUC
Remember when I said earlier to pack comfortable shoes? This is why. On average, I walked five miles per day in Havana. Outside of the heat, it was easy to walk around and engage people while exploring the city. The Triposo app came in handy when trying to find landmarks or certain areas since it works off line. There are so many little shops and restaurants to peek your head into. The culture and the people are very beautiful. The Cuban people were very welcoming to us and stopped our group many of times just to take pics or wave. Make sure you hit these along the way: VEDADO Plaza de Revolucion The Square of Revolution has many unique features and landmarks, including the magnificent Jose Marti Memorial. This incredible tower measures an astounding 109 meters, and from the top, visitors are treated to an absolutely breathtaking view of the city. In front of the tower is a sculpture of Marti.
Hours: Address Cost
9 AM- 4:30 PM Avenida Pasedo 3 CUC
Museo Napoleoncio: One of Havana's best museums is something of a lost treasure half-hidden in the Vedado neighborhood. The decorative arts museum is adorned with fancy rococo, Asian and art deco baubles.
Hours: Address Cost
9:30-4:30 PM Cale 17 #502 3 CUC
Tip #6: Don’t buy the cigars off the street. The lack quality and authenticity.
Museo de Artes Decorativas: One of Havana's best museums is something of a lost treasure half-hidden in the Vedado neighborhood. The decorative arts museum is replete with fancy rococo, Asian and art deco baubles. Hours: 9:30-4:30 PM Address Calle 17502 Cost: 3 CUC Parque Lennon There are two parquet’s in Havana that share the name Paruqe Lennon – one named for the Russian Leader and the this one named for the ex-Beatle. The park has a hyper-realistic statue of Lenin that was unveiled by Castro in 2000. There is security on site all day to protect the statue from its glassed being stolen. Hours Open all day Address Calle 8, La Habana Cost None Universadad La Habana Founded by Dominican monks in 1728, there are roughly 30,000 people taking courses including social sciences, humanities, mathematics and economics. Hours: Varies Address cnr Calles L & San Lázaro Cost None Atelier This café and book vendor is full of religious inspired art that lays the background to discussion of Cubans and non-Cubans alike. Hours Noon to Midnight Address Calle 5 No 511/Altos Cost 10 to 15 CUC Decameron This paladar is known for being a steady favorite in Cuba. Collection of antique clocks and good people. The food is Cuban with international influences. The dinner may be a little pricey at 30-50 CUC a person, but they have a lunch specials flocked by locals for 10 CUC Hours 12 am to Noon Address Línea No 753 Cost 12-18 CUC
Cuba Libro Off the beaten path, Cuba Libro is a book store and coffee shop. A great place to talk with locals and grab coffee or freshly made juice Hours 11am-8pm Mon-Sat Address cnr Calles 24 & 19 Cost Varies Centro Cultural El Gran Palenque Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba specializes in Afro-Cuban dancing (all of the drummers are Santería priests). Hours 3-6 pm Saturday Address Calle 4 No 103 Cost 5 CUC La Churcheria Near the Malecon, the sports bar specialize is some of the best ice cream and fruit milk shakes in Havana. They also have pizzas with various toppings and sandwhiches to give you options across the board Hours 7 am to Midnight Travel Calle 1 Cost 2-7 CUC Quinta de los Molinos The former stately residence of Independence War general Máximo Gómez, the Quinta sits amid lush grounds that have been managed as botanical gardens since 1839. While the former Gómez residence is currently closed, the grounds have recently reopened as a botanical garden with 160 tree species, 40 bird species and the tiny colorful polymita snails that are endemic to Cuba. There's also a butterfly enclosure, the first of its type in the country. Guided visits only. Hours Address Cost
By Tour 10 am Tuesday and Saturday cnr Av Salvador Allende & Luaces 5 CUC
Malceon The 8 km-long seawall that goes along Havana’s coast also acts as a meeting point for Cuban locals. There are people along the wall at all hours of the day on dates, having conversation, and even fishing. Take a walk along the wall and get with the culture.
Old Havana/Central Havana Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro Named for the Magi or The Three Kings of Bethlehem, are the patrons of this chapel. This lighthouse is acitive and flashes over Havana every 15 seconds. Hours: Address: Cost
10-6 pm Tuesday and Saturday; 9-1 pm Sunday Carretera de la Cabana, Havana, Cuba 3 CUC
Museum of The Revolucion The place of knowledge of the Cuban revolution. One stop shop full of history Hours: Address: Cost
10 am- 5 pm Calle Refugio 1 | entre Monserrate y Zulueta, Havana 10600, Cuba 4 CUC
La Casa Del Son Known for having the best dance classes in Havana, tourists can book private 2-3 hour classes to learn a thing or two on the art of salsa. No matter the experience level they can have a class for you and your group. Hours Contact for Schedule Address Empedrado # 411 e/ Compostela y Aguacate Reserve Use their online reservation system here Cost Varies per person and size of the class Cuba Galeria Victor Manuel This gallery offers a nice selection of mainstream decorative modern paintings, some of which could be considered true works of art. Hours: Address: Cost:
9 am- 9 pm San Ignacio #56, esq. A Callejon del Chorro Free
Tip #7: Only drink the bottled water. Buy the large bottles at the corner stores or while walking around old Havana for 2 CUC
Havana Club Museum of Rum Visit this bar and museum for a history and drinking lesson on Havana’s most well known rum. Learn the process and history of making the rum and by the end have a drink! Tours run every 15 minutes all day. Booking is recommended. Hours: Address: Cost
9:30-5:30 Avenida del Puerto 262, esq. Sol, Habana Vieja Cuba, 7 CUC
Casa Miglis This Cuban and Sweedish restaurant went through a renovation for over year to complete Mr. Miglis’s dream of opening a place for dinner and music. Catch live music after Hours Address Cost:
Noon to Midnight Lealtad #120 e/ Ánimas y Lagunas Varies
La Factoria A great place to stop and get a cold beer in the heat. Hear the live band outside and mingle with other tourists and Cuban locals. Hours Address: Cost
9:30 am- 4:30 pm #308 e/ Habana y Aguiar Free
Basilica Menor y Convento de Sanfricisco Cathedral that was formed in 1716. This was one of the most important symbols of the Franciscan order. Hours: Travel: Cost
9 am – 6:30 pm Oficios e/ Amargura y Teniente Rey, Habana Vieja 2 CUC
Mural painted along a wall in Havana
Museum of Chocolate Not really a museum, but a quaint restaurant to buy various types of chocolates. You can go directly to the counter to snatch some desserts, or take a seat to watch chocolate being made while sipping on a glass of cold chocolate Hours Address Cost
10:30-7 pm Daily Calle Amargura, La Habana, Cuba 1-5 CUC
Our lady of Kazan Orthodox Cathedral The white cathedral houses a Russian presence in Cuba. The gold domes overlook Havana providing exceptional landscape to the the area. Hours Vary Address Calle San Pedro 309, Esquina Santa Clara, Havana Cuba Cost None Galeria Habana This gallery opened in 1962 to promote Cuban talent. Artists such as Wifredo Lam, René Portocarrero, Mariano Rodríguez and Amelia Peláez have shown their work here. Hours: Address: Cost
10 am- 1 pm Línea #460 Free
One of the local ladies that you can take pictures with. We each gave her 1 CUC for tips
Tip #8: If you want to buy souvenirs buy them in Old Havana. We were able to grab keychains, magnets, ashtrays and more for 8 for 5 CUC
With the limitless amounts of Havana Club Rum, this should tell you that the night life has a lot to offer. There are plenty of bars and restaurants that stay open late in which you can grab drinks. If you are looking something more, check out some of these options: La Zorra y el Cuervo The Fox and the Crow is a small basement housing Latin jazz, drink specials, and plenty of dancing. There is bright red English phone booth outside as you enter into the intimate room with Cuban locals. Get there by 9:30 pm on the weekends to grab a good seat. Hours Address Cost
10 pm-3 am Avenida 23 Entre N y O 10 CUC
Don Conegro The spot of choice for a Friday, you are bound to be lost in a sea of people and hear a variety of music in this Cuban Club. Hours 11 pm to 2 am Address Avendia 1ra between Calle 16 & 18 Cost 10 CUC Fabrica De Arte This by far was one of my favorite places in Cuba. The three level art gallery also included a stage with live music and a theater with movies playing. We made the mistake of trying to go around 10:30 after dinner. Get there between 8:30 and 9 to avoid standing in line. There are several bars and various rooms to go into. Around midnight the gallery changes into a club like atmosphere. It’s 2 CUC to get in. Make sure you keep the white card that they give you. You will need it to exit or pay $30 Hours Addreess Cost
8:00 pm to 2 am Calle 26 & 11 2 CUC
Outside of El Concinero before heading to Fabrica de Arte
El Gato Tuerto Previously known for being the place for Cuba’s alternative and sexual scene, it’s now where you go to get in some karaoke. It's hidden just off the Malecón in a quirky two-story house with turtles swimming in a front pool. The upper floor is taken up by a restaurant, while down below late-night revelers raise the roof in a chic nightclub. Hours Address Cost
Noon to 6 am Calle O No 14 5 CUC drink Minimum
El Huron Azul Huron Azul is where the socialites and creatives in Cuba rub shoulders and meet up. There are often performances in the garden by local Cuban artists. Hours
Varies Address Cost
cnr Calles 17 & H 5 CUC
Piano Bar Delirio Habanero This sometimes suave, sometimes frenetic lounge upstairs in Teatro Nacional de Cuba hosts everything from young rap artists to smooth, improvised jazz. The sharp red-accented bar and performance space abut a wall of glass overlooking Plaza de la Revolución . Hours Address Cost
From 6 pm Monday-Saturday cnr Paseo & Calle 39 5-10 CUC cover
Chill Out Rooftop bar with plenty of sofas and poufs to relax and “chill out” Hours Address Cost
7 pm to 3 am Linea No 504 Varies
Tip #9: Take a few of your travel sized toiletries like shampoo and toothpaste with you while you walk the streets. Perfect to give to people while getting directions or having them guide you to locations.
Tropicana Cabaret The Tropicana Cabaret is a well-renowned cabaret that dates back to the early 50s. People come from all over the world to enjoy the shows and grab dinner. The types of shows vary from month to month but focus on live music, culture and exciting colors. Hours Address Cost
8:30 pm to 1 am 72 e/ 45 y LĂnea del Ferrocarril , Marianao, La Habana. Cuba. Starts at $75. For ticket information see here
Cabaret Parisian Located in the Hotel Nacional, the Cabaret Parisian is a showcase of local Cuban talent. Outfit changes and live bands coming across the stage in an action packed show that has a price tag for a portion of the price of Cabaret Parisian. Hours Address Costs
9 am to 1 am Calle 21 y O | at the Hotel Nacional, Havana 10400, Starts at $45. For ticket information, see here
Picture from Tropicana website
Havana Exursions and Tours, Varadero, Vinales, and Trinidad
Havana has a large of culture directly in the city but there are several places on the outskirts of town that are less visited by tourists and not the ideal walk to spots. Here are some options from Cuba Travel Network for excursions and tours around the outer Havana areas Private Tour in Vintage Car: Green Havana Botanical Garden tour for four hours to see a variety of flowers and Japanese gardens. Pricing starts at $145 Culinary Field Trip A private car will take you to the outskirts of more rural Havana After spending time learning about the agricultural , the 6 hour trip concludes with sampling freshly prepared food from that farm in a local restaurant. Pricing starts at $237 Private Tour to Las Terrazas This 8 hour private tour by Jeep or by SUV will take you on an adventure just right outside of Havana to see local art, communities and culture. Pricing starts at $242 Hemingways Tale and Trail The excursion drives you around to Hemingways home as well as spots that influenced many of his famous works. Pricing starts at $189 For more information, visit Cuba Travel Network. I have a specific contact I work with at Cuba Travel Network. Feel free to contact me if you need assistance
If you have the time and budget, I would suggest going to Varadero! This beautiful beach sprawls out 20 Kilometers having over 60 hotels, shops and restaurants. The white sandy beach is a two-hour drive from Havana that has more of a tropical island feel over the colorful buildings and crowded streets of Old Havana. We did a one day all-inclusive beach excursion through Cuba Travel Network. The Cayo Blanco Islands were nothing short of beautiful! Our excursion included round-trip transportation by air conditioned bus, open bar ALL day, yes ALL DAY, snorkeling, seafood buffet on the island, and swimming with dolphins. The excursion cost us $150 per person but was worth the money. They also have an option for $85 per person that includes everything except the Catamaran boat, snorkeling and dolphins. Another option is to book a private taxi or shuttle service through a company like Taxi Vinales and float around yourself. If you have the days to spare, look into taking an overnight trip to Veradado. You can get a taxi for about 120 to 150 CUC. Split between a few people it isn’t bad. Varadero also has plenty of Air BnB and dining options for a quick over night trip if you choose.
A small town in western Cuba, Viñales is known for its sprawling country side and tobacco farms. If you want to experience the Cuban cigar history from start to finish, head over a few hours outside of Havana for the day or stay over night to experience the colorful homes, botanical gardens, and beautiful mountains. It the farms aren’t your cup of tea, you can experience some of Cuba’s best hiking, climbing and caves. Horseback rides while taking pictures of scenic art can fill your day between laying out and engaging with local Cuban farmers. It is also possible to book a transfer to Vinales by taxi or private van if you are wanting to explore on your own. Vinales Valley Tour: (Cuba Travel Network) 12 hour tour to Vinales to the various tobacco farms and the scenic nature sites. Start at $79 USD Private Vinales Valley Tour (Cuba Travel Network) A private driver as well as guide driver you outside of the city to see the green areas of Vinales Valley, tobacco farms and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Starting at $122 USD Outdoors in Vinales Valley (Cuba Travel Network) The destination is the same as before, but the tour adds on more activities such as horseback riding and is off the beaten track. This is an overnight trip that includes an overnight homestay. Starting at $389 Discovering Vinales (Discovery Vinales) This four hour tour will lead you through the history of tobacco, the farms, and the Cuban Cigar. This tour does not include transportation. 30 CUC per person. Secrets of Tobacco (Discovery Vinales) Want to learn the secrets of Cuban tobacco? Secrets of Tobacco explores the various stages of tobacco and cigar making including seeing the cigars being made by skilled hands. This tour doesn’t include transportation. 45 CUC per person
Nestled in central Cuba, Trinidad is an even older Havana. Perfect for the visitor who wants to experience time travel, this town is still reminiscent of the mid 1800s. Brightly-colored colonial style houses line the quiet streets of antiquity. Trinidad also contains Playa Ancon beach and Sierra Del Escambray Mountains. Trinidad is about 3 ½ hours away from Havana. As before, you can book a private shuttle or transfer service if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of renting a car and driving across the island (I know I wouldn’t…but that’s me lol) Private Tour: Cienfuegos, Trinidad and Santa Clara (Cuba Travel Network) A private Jeep or SUV that gives you two days of site seeing across three different cites and includes an overnight stay. Starting at $264 Private Tour: Cienfuegos, Trinidad and Topes de Collantes Going through central Cuba, the private tour hits all three cities over two days for an adventure of art, history and culture. Starting at 175
Leaving Jose Marti International and getting through customs
If you haven’t booked a taxi or shuttle through a service to get back to Jose Marti, you can catch a taxi for $20-$30 total.
Depending on when your flight is, you may want to book ahead of time.
As stated before…DO NOT CHECK A BAG. When you get to the security gate, they will ask you for your pink visa and stamp one of the back pages of your
passport.
There is also a currency exchange past security. Wait until you stop at the duty free to buy your Havana Rum then
exchange your leftover money.
If you have a small portion of money left, it is better to exchange to USD right then instead of trying to do Euros then
USD when you get back.
There is Wi-Fi in the airport if you have leftover cards to use When you get back to America, if you have Global Entry customs is a breeze. Keep your purchase amount of liquor and
cigars to under $800 and you shouldn’t have any issues. It took me less than ten minutes to get through.
If they ask why you were in Cuba be prepared to give the best answer you can. If they stop you don’t be alarmed. It
happened to someone in our group and they just wanted to see his passport and know why he was in Cuba which as easily answered because of our BOMB itinerary (humble brag) Tip #10: If you have an extended layover in the US before your final destination, you don’t have to check your bag upon entry to the US. As long as your duty free bag remains sealed you can take it as a carry on.
Thank you for downloading my guide and I hope it was helpful in planning your trip! There are TONS of things to do in Havana and surrounding areas so all though this is very detailed, you will peak your head in and find places just like I did. If you need me to help plan your trip to Cuba or have some general questions after seeing this guide make my hot line bling at greetings@thebrittanyb.com I also love feedback! If you have any questions or just want to shoot me a note if this guide helped you or even if you threw it in the digital trash, let me know!
Again, thank you for your support Travel Bae!!!