The last time I wrote about Cuba, almost a year ago, it was just me documenting my trip. I didn’t expect so many people to engage with that post. Since then, a lot of people have been reaching out to me asking what I did in Cuba, and more technical details. So, I decided to put together a QUICK personal travel guide – there are so many things to do and places to eat in both Havana and Viñales but I wanted to just highlight some of my faves. I’ve divided this post into a Havana and Viñales section. I hope you enjoy!
before you go:
- Find out what documents you need before you book your flight. I have a Trinidad and Tobago passport, which is a CARICOM passport and I needed to purchase a $50 Tourist Card at the airport prior to arrival. If you have a Barbados passport, this fee is waived. Make sure to check online or call your embassy to see what your requirements are. Some passport holders need to apply for an actual visa prior to travel. You also need to have health insurance before you leave, but if you book with JetBlue, they take care of everything for you. I believe some other airlines do this as well, but I fly with JetBlue.
- Learn some Spanish! Download Duolingo and refresh your Spanish skills from form 4 Spanish class. While you can probably get around without Spanish, it’s always nice to talk and get to know people. At the very least, learn how to order a drink and ask for the bathroom.
- Know that this is not a luxury travel destination. Cuba is a beautiful place, with a rich history and a lively culture, however, your every day luxuries that you’re afforded where you’re from (constant wi-fi, multiple choices of brands, etc) aren’t available to you here. Be okay with that, or don’t go. Do not be the person that complains about everything.
- Download a map of Havana and Viñales – for the times you get lost and don’t have energy/time to just wander around.
Walking down a cramped, busy street, mojito in hand, live salsa music, old American cars in hot pink and baby blue, whistles throughout the street. You’re here. LA HABANA.
where to stay:
Because I am a uni student on a budget, I tend to stay away from hotels so I have no hotel recommendations. The best way to experience Cuba is by staying in a casa particular, with a Cuban family! And you can book right through Airbnb. In Havana, I stayed with Magela and Yuri for $34 a night, in a room with two beds. They provide fresh breakfast, inclusive of tropical fruits, juice, toast, eggs, and of course, Cuban coffee – all for $5CUC. Their home was located 1 minute away from the downtown area and still provided a sense of local life. I 100% recommend staying with them – let them know Kaiomi sent you! (hehe)
Hostal Havana Mia: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/16947788
where to eat:
Havana’s food scene is steadily increasing. Most of the places I found by just wandering around, or asking my host family – there are so many options to choose from, but here are my top four! Extra tip: Just pay the CUC$5 and eat breakfast in your casa. It’s usually a spread of tropical fruits, toast, eggs, bacon, coffee and tea.
- 304 O’Reilly – this is one of my favorite restaurants in Havana. I’ve been here over five times and the owner knows me. It’s a cute two story restaurant that serves a generous amount of seafood, and the prettiest drinks. They also have this really good salsa – so good that I bought an entire tub to take home. Try to sit upstairs and grab the window seat for views of the street life while downing your countless mojitos!
- Nao Bar Paladar – A great lunch spot. Grab a table outside to take in the live salsa music, the sea breeze and the amazing ocean view.
- Paladar Los Mercaderes – If you’re looking for a fancy FARM TO TABLE restaurant, Paladar Los Mercaderes is yuh place! Red tablecloths, elegant waiters, and a pianist playing in the background. Definitely get the lobster. I’ve been craving it since. They also have pulled lamb and pulled pork for the non-seafood lovers.
- 401 Lamparilla – Discovered this restaurant randomly on a quiet street. Serves up drinks in quirky glasses, and has lovely tapas on edgy cutting boards! Come here for a chill night, with friendly bartenders and waiters.
what to do:
- Visit the Revolution Museum: this is a pretty standard museum, but I don’t think you can leave Cuba without visiting – get a different perspective on the Revolution!
- Partagas Tobacco Factory: This is another standard place to visit, but pretty cool if you want to be amazed at how cigars are made. The factory expansive and you get to see all the various steps of the cigar making process in real time. If you’re going to Viñales, don’t bother to buy cigars here though. Save your money and get the organic, freshly-rolled and organic ones on the tobacco farms! No pics allowed here tho! 🙁
- Malecón – ahhhhhh Hasta Que Se Seque Malecón! The Malecón stretches 8km down the coast. Go here in the late evening to really get the quintessential Havana experience. Here you’ll see lovers, writers, and teenagers gathered around for the wi-fi. Feel the love. Feel the warmth. Feel La Habana.
- Get lost – My best experiences in Havana were when I was completely lost, and instead of panicking, I just wandered around the city. I found cute bookshops with Communist literature, met the most interesting people, found salsa bars, and the best places to eat. Not having Google maps, and forgetting my printed map in my casa was a blessing. Just get losttttt!
On my first trip to Viñales, I got gastro (stomach flu), so I was incredibly ill and could not keep food down, hence my food list is super short. But, hear me out, the three places I did actually eat were pretty good. It’s easy to find food in Viñales though, especially if you stroll down Salvador Cisneros. Otherwise, I really pushed through my illness and tried to enjoy my time there! Viñales is beautiful and a completely different tempo from the loud streets of Havana. Come hee to relax, enjoy a slower pace of life and make your own adventure.
where to stay:
In Viñales, there are over 300 casa particulares available – you could just show up on someone’s doorstep and ask to stay, I swear. I booked with Juana and it was a pretty decent place to stay for $30 a night, though you could find cheaper. I recommend using Airbnb and searching TripAdvisor threads for a place to stay in Viñales if you want to have a set place to stay. If you’re feeling adventurous, just show up on a doorstep!
Hostal Juana: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15270559
where to eat:
- Charly’s Restaurante y Bar – This restaurant and bar has an American city feel, with an extensive menu of Cuban, and other Caribbean foods. They serve up great tapas with unique sauces – get the shrimp with tamarind sauce, and pair with an ice-cold Cuban beer.
- Cocinita del Medio – Here you’ll get generous platters of grilled meat and fish/seafood, served with rice, salad and boiled yucca (cassava). It’s a very simple dinner. Ask them to go easy on the salt!
what to do:
- Bike ride to Muralla – On the first day, we rented two bikes to get around and explore (your host family can arrange this for you). We rode about 6km and ended up at the Pre-historical mural. This mural was free to see and you could even pack some food and have a little picnic on the grass in front. Locals and tourists alike gather here, so head by the bar, order a mojito and let the bartender explain the interesting mural to ya!
- Horseback riding tobacco tour: If there is anything you do in Viñales, please let it be this! This was definitely the highlight of my trip. Riding a horse through the fields and valleys, seeing the vast landscape of the countryside, and witnessing how tobacco is grown, processed and rolled into cigars was an unimaginable experience. Your host family can organize this for you. Make sure you get a strong, healthy horse though! You can get one cigar for CUC$3, so take advantage of that. Some tours let you do coffee and honey tasting as well.
- Cayo Jutias: One of the loveliest beaches in Cuba – your host family can organize a ride in a colectivo to and from for about $20CUC. The journey from Viñales is about 2 1/2 hours, but so worth it. Come here on your last full day to relax and unwind. Get the fresh grilled lobster and pair it with coconut water or endless amounts of mojitos!
I hope you enjoyed that very quick travel guide!
Cheers,
Stamped and Solo