Havana, Cuba
Just Chilling. 4-5 Nights.
3 nights are definitely not enough. If you have a week of vacation, Havana is the place to go. You should really go visit Havana before McDonald invade. For me, oh can easily spend 1 month there no problem.
House keeping, Is it safe?
YES. It is so safe. Except just to be cautious at the airport. That's probably the only place you could get in trouble. And, no taking picture of the officials, ex, police or solders.
Learn some Spanish before you get there. Some numbers should be good enough.
Wifi and cell services: Aha! This can be a real getaway for you. There is no cell services at all so don't even mention wifi. There are certain spots that has wifi, you will spot it when there are tons of people around one corner with phones. And even in hotels, wifi ain't free. They sell wifi card, which is about one US dollar per hour. But seriously, try not to! Relax, enjoy Cuba, you will find it really different when we spend our time without internet and it's rewarding.
Download the google map before you fly and mark the places you wanna go. Use the function of google map "add to your favorite", it will automatically save for you and it's save you times planning your route.
Transportation
There are taxi and bus you can take. I'd recommend just to take taxi. It's cheap and pretty safe. Bus is always crowded.
TAXI: YOU BARGAIN! One think about Cuba, all the cars are still those 1950s classic car. Make sure you bargain for taxi before you sit your butt in. Most likely, you will charge you double the price since you don't look local or speak Espanio. There is no machine in the taxi, so make sure you negotiate the price. From the airport to Havana is about 20 minutes ride, this should be around 20-30 CAD. Once you are in the city, all taxi should be under $10. Sometimes they will try to charge you per person if you have more people, just say no if you aren't comfortable and offer a price, they will most likely take it if you are firm. And there are SO many taxi, so if one doesn't accept, the other will.
Learn some Spanish before you get there. Some numbers should be good enough.
Wifi and cell services: Aha! This can be a real getaway for you. There is no cell services at all so don't even mention wifi. There are certain spots that has wifi, you will spot it when there are tons of people around one corner with phones. And even in hotels, wifi ain't free. They sell wifi card, which is about one US dollar per hour. But seriously, try not to! Relax, enjoy Cuba, you will find it really different when we spend our time without internet and it's rewarding.
Download the google map before you fly and mark the places you wanna go. Use the function of google map "add to your favorite", it will automatically save for you and it's save you times planning your route.
Transportation
There are taxi and bus you can take. I'd recommend just to take taxi. It's cheap and pretty safe. Bus is always crowded.
TAXI: YOU BARGAIN! One think about Cuba, all the cars are still those 1950s classic car. Make sure you bargain for taxi before you sit your butt in. Most likely, you will charge you double the price since you don't look local or speak Espanio. There is no machine in the taxi, so make sure you negotiate the price. From the airport to Havana is about 20 minutes ride, this should be around 20-30 CAD. Once you are in the city, all taxi should be under $10. Sometimes they will try to charge you per person if you have more people, just say no if you aren't comfortable and offer a price, they will most likely take it if you are firm. And there are SO many taxi, so if one doesn't accept, the other will.
Must do:
Smoke some cigar or like smoke till you pass the f out. (honestly not a good idea, indeed, you could get cigar high...so watch out! the high on cigar can make you REAL sick. I threw up and was sun burn and drunk at the same time crawling back to my bed in my hotel.) Every bar and hotel sell them, just try one each meal, you will find the type you like eventually.
You can't say you have been to Havana without a bucket of Daiquiri.
Deep dive into the streets. Walk away from the tourist spots.
You can't say you have been to Havana without a bucket of Daiquiri.
Deep dive into the streets. Walk away from the tourist spots.
Where to Stay?
I wasn't brave enough to Bed and Breakfast by myself in Havana. But here's my recommendation:
If you're on a budget, Sevilla Hotel is your choice!
And going all fancy, Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana! Even if don't stay here, still go have a drink by the pool!
If you're on a budget, Sevilla Hotel is your choice!
And going all fancy, Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana! Even if don't stay here, still go have a drink by the pool!
Eat
The reputation of Cuban food, you probably heard, not that good. But, BAN you are so so so wrong. Trick is, some tourists are worried about getting sick so they chose to eat at the hotel (which i respect.) but man, you are missing out so much. Because the hotel food are the worst there, (well in my case). If you only eat hotel food, yes i can see the reason why people say Cuban food sucks.
Here are the spots you have to hit:
Here are the spots you have to hit:
- El Chanchullero $ I was in Havana for a week, and honestly, I was probably here almost EVERY DAY. There's always a line to get in, both the Cuban and the tourists. And for a country that is not famous for its food, I am telling ya, this will flip your mind. And it's SUPER cheap. I also LOVE the Daiquiri here more than any other bars. Ask the servers their recommendation for comidas and just order them all.
- Ivan Chefs Justo $-$$ Seafood paella. If you are traveling with friends and family, this resto offers a more fancy vibe. The price may look a bit pricier than others on the island, but the portion and the quality are guarantee.
- El cocinero $-$$ Make a reservation for dinner before you head down there! It's around 10-15mins drive from Old Havana. Take a cab and enjoyed the ocean view ride. At first, I looked at the place, I thought "oh god, man this looks really expansive." Turned out, not at all. Try the tacos and desserts, and make sure that you go on the very top, you gotta climb up to the bar!
Drink
Well of course if you're first timer to Havana, you gotta hit: Hemingway’s bar of choice El floridita, have a sip and enjoy the music.
After you checked off the bucket list, go have a drink at the local vendor bar. They do way different drinks than bars that host tourists!
I can't list all the bars in Havana here, because basically you will be drinking cocktails like water all day long...
After you checked off the bucket list, go have a drink at the local vendor bar. They do way different drinks than bars that host tourists!
I can't list all the bars in Havana here, because basically you will be drinking cocktails like water all day long...
