Sightseeing in Havana
Walking is your best means of seeing Havana. If you are getting weary you can take a co-co taxi - or horse and cart. By following the maps found in Information on Cuba guide books in the two main areas of
Havana
- Habana Vieja ( Colonial Havana) and Habana Centro (Central Havana), you will get to see this intriguing city and all its idiosyncrasies. The people are always the most fascinating sight in Cuba! Have your camera ready!
Cuban Music - You can't escape it!
Music in Cuba
– is everywhere. Wander around on a Sunday and it is pouring forth from bars, and restaurants. A main breadwinner for musicians is the sale of their CD’s. Only buy the ones you like best, as you will have a lot of CD’s by the end of your stay!
Eating Out Information on Cuba
We tended to eat breakfast and dinner, by arrangement, at our Casa's. There were plenty of reasonably priced restaurants, and we enjoyed a meal in Havana's China town, for something a little different.The food was simple, although there was not a huge variety. Fish- including lobster, pork and chicken were the most common meats. You never really SAW where the meat and vegetables came from. Although we did come across a back street market, in Playa del Este, which was much cheaper than anything in the shops.
Information on Cuba Beyond Havana
Vinales
in Pino del Rio Province is a popular trip from Havana. Set in a valley in the Parke Nacional Vinales ,it is a UNESCO heritage site.This beautiful valley is well worth a visit. Look here to read more information on Cuba's tobacco, and sugar cane growing area.
Trinidad
was our favourite place.
Another UNESCO heritage area, dating from 1514, you get the historic feel, the minute you arrive! You are immediately transported back to another time, as you negotiate the cobbled streets. You will find museums, crafts, beautiful historic homes, and wonderful Cuban music every night at Casa Musica - all within easy walking distance.The beach is only about eight kilometres.
Click here for more information on Cuba's beautiful Trinidad.
Varadero, is where the majority of the resorts are. These are set along the edge of a string of lovely beaches. The resorts tend to lack the Cuban feeling. You could be anywhere!
Many cheap package tours from England and Canada, go to Varadero. The all inclusive deal, means once there, you have no other costs in the way of drinks, food and activities in the resort. If you want to see something of the real Cuba as well, take some extra time.
Or at least a couple of days in Havana. You can see pictures and more
information on Cuba's resort area by clicking here.
Playa del Este Unlike Varadero which was mainly for tourists, Playa del Este is a beach popular with the Cubans. Not far from Havana, it was probably normally a very pretty beach. Unfortunately it had a lot of surface water, and many restaurants were closed or had very limited food supplies.
Our Casa here was very smart, although did lack the personal touch of the others we enjoyed. Normally, though this is a very pleasant beach, close to Havana to have a short beach break.
Information on Cuban Transport
Transport is unique and varied in Cuba . Along with their music, it is an essential part of Cuban lives, with as much character as the people. The cars which are to many, synonymous with Cuba , are truly museum pieces. You feel you have stepped into a “Grease” movie with 1950's automobiles in every colour imaginable, cruising the streets. One we dubbed the Purple People Eater. We discovered it was used as a tourist sightseeing taxi.
While some are beautifully maintained, many are only mobile due to the ingenuous improvisations of their owners, as parts are almost impossible to come by. There is no doubt the Cuban people have had to become home mechanics and learn to improvise, if they want to own a vehicle.
It became a common sight as we passed cars where the bonnet was up and the drivers head stuck in the depths of the engine. Cubans can buy a car, but apparently cannot sell one, which is why they stick with their old vehicles. Most cannot afford a car.
RENTAL CARS
These are an option but personally, driving on their very under resourced roads, full of potholes, could be challenging and stressful.
TRAINS
There are trains, but we didn’t use them.
TOUR OPTIONS
We met up with several groups doing pre-organised cycle tours.
Intrepid Tours - We have friends recently back from their Cuban Intrepid Tour and were interested to hear that outside of Havana where they stayed in hotels, they stayed in pre-organised Casa Particulares.
They enjoyed having the freedom to do their own thing, just meeting up with the tour group for specific sightseeing and get togethers. It sounded a good way of having things organised for you, without feeling you were on a tour where you are always with the group, and have little independence.
Accommodation Information on Cuba
Accommodation is NOT cheap. I have sometimes been alarmed, reading of people thinking they will go to Cuba for an ultra cheap holiday. This is not the destination for a "smell of the oily rag" holiday! HOTELS - There are numerous hotels of varying prices.
Hotel Inglaterra, is central and mid range. We did not stay there but used it as a base. Many tours leave from here.
They have computers tourists can use for a small fee, and a tourist booking desk which we found excellent. You can sit outside and watch the Cuban world go by, as you cool off with a refreshing mojito in hand.
Hotel Nacionale is the top end of the price range. The meals seemed expensive to us. But it is a stunning building, with magnificent views over the harbour.
Casa Particulares, or the equivalent of Bed and Breakfasts, are probably more numerous here than any other country you could go to. It is a major form of tourist accommodation. It is generally cheaper than a hotel. Around $25-30(Euro) per night. The meals are extra.
CLICK HERE to find a Cuba Casa Particulare
Casa Particulares are registered with a government agency, and you must only stay with one that is registered. They seem to have a good network system, so you can forward book your travels around Cuba with your host and hostess in Havana. Usually both husband and wife are involved in running their Casa's
All Inclusive ResortsThese are mostly in the Varadero beach area. Your price will include not only food but all drinks – a selection of cocktails, activities, with many organised things to participate in from salsa dancing to language lessons.
Personally, I found about two days would have been more than enough. But if you like this kind of holiday, there is a good selection of options. The desk at Hotel Inglaterra was very helpful in making our bookings.
Cuban Money and Currency
Cuban money consists of pesos, and convertible pesos. The Cuban pesos are worth very little, while the convertible pesos which are measured against Euro's had a high value.Credit Cards
You will find credit cards have very expensive charges,(11%) when we were there. There are also very few places to use them.It is best to keep them for large transactions such as hotel bills. They do not have a wide range of acceptable credit card choices. Visa and Master card were the best. I suggest you check the best credit cards of the moment.
Currency
American dollars are NOT the best currency to take. You can lose heavily in the exchange rate. As the Convertible peso is measure against the Euro, this was considered the best money to take when we went 3 years ago. A friend who went recently took British pounds and found that suitable also.
It is best to convert a very small amount into pesos. Many places will not accept them. Casa particulares will want to be paid in Convertible Pesos.
Living Costs for Tourists in Cuba
Cuba is NOT a cheap holiday. Most Casas were about $25- 30 convertible pesos (Euro's) a night. Some things are cheap, but generally, Cuba is a middle of the range holiday, price wise.
Language in Cuba
Spanish
greetings, and basic words to learn.
It is always nice to learn some of the local language. Locals love to hear that you have tried to learn their language.Spanish is the main language of Cuba , so download some simple phrases and greetings here. However, especially in tourism places, the standard of English was very good. Which is surprising considering their isolation. Few have been out of the country to learn English.
Information on Cuba Weather
Weather should be a big part of your decision when choosing a time for your Cuba vacation!This information on Cuban weather is worth considering, as there is no doubt, Cuba does suffer quite a few hurricanes, most years. It is not a one off rare event.Cuba's weather is hot with high humidity. Winter is only marginally cooler than summer.
WARNING:-Do NOT go in the hurricane season!
June to November with September- October the worst two months. Our holiday was really something of a disaster because we went in October, thinking the chance of a hurricane was limited. In fact we had Hurricane Wilma and another while we were there.
To be avoided - July and August will be very hot, and you will also be competing with locals on holiday.
Rainy season - May to October
If there is stormy weather, or hurricanes coming or going, you will not be allowed to swim! The government has a large say in what happens in Cuba.
Life guards vigilantly stride up and down the beaches blowing their whistles and interrogating anyone who has dared get wet!
Pools were emptied in hotels as a hurricane approached, and taxis were told they were not to take fares. We waited in vain, until our Casa host explained the government had said, no taxis were to be on the roads.
Safety was obviously the thinking behind it. But it did mean swimming in the sea was not possible, which is another reason to avoid the hurricane season.
Shopping
You will have your bags searched going in and out of shops - in particular supermarkets. They will probably ask to see your passport also.Unless things have relaxed!The shops are not very well stocked, as they have many import restrictions.
Information on Cuba Flights
Because you cannot fly direct through USA, getting to Cuba generally has to be through Mexico.Unless you are able to fly direct from Canada.You can fly with either Mexicana Airlines, or Cubana Airline -the Cuban National carrier.
Flights with Mexicana go through Mexico City. This usually means an overnight stay in Mexico City as the flights do not co ordinate on the same day.
Cubana Airlines flies from Cancun, and you can arrive and fly on on the same day.
These may change, so you need to check out these options.
Information on Cuban Visas
Americans must have a license from the Department of Treasury, to be allowed to travel to Cuba.UK nationals, Canadians, Australians, New Zealander's and Irish can have a single entry Tourist Visa Card which they can get from tour operators, or travel agents for a stay of up to 30 days. They must all have prepaid return tickets.
If you are going longer you will need the full visa.
Go to Travel Visas Online
or look at the
Travel Visa Search Box
CLICK HERE for full VISA INFORMATION
There is no other place I have ever been that is quite like Cuba - it truly is a unique and fascinating destination!
I hope this information on Cuba has interested you.It is a destination for those who want a very different experience. It really is a fascinating look at a country that is still in a 1950’s time warp. It will no doubt start to change as leadership changes.
For more detailed Information, Tips, and Stories on Cuba
CLICK HERE to read about HAVANA CUBA
