Cuba: 10 Days Guide

Explore the madness, mayhem and magic of this time-wrapped Caribbean jewel

Checklist

• Tourist visa (I did mine here)
• Check that your credit card works in Cuba
• Print travel insurance and accommodations itineraries 
• European + US power plugs
• Energy bars
• Sunscreen 
• Mosquito spray 
• Cash (~$100 per day)
• Download offline maps (maps.me / Google maps)

Things to know

• Most international flights get to Havana airport but you some European airlines operate direct flights to Varadero (so you can finish your trip there)
• Most Casa Particulars (rooms in local families houses) offer breakfast for extra charge (usually 5 CUC/$5 USD)
• Exchange money in banks and cadecas (at airport or hotels)
• Taxi from Havana airport to city center: 20-30 CUC ($20-30 USD)
• The most recommended way to travel in Cuba is group taxi (called colectivo). For the best price and service use TAXI CUBA company. Otherwise use private taxi or  bus service
• WiFi – The only way you can connect to the internet is by purchasing cards called ETECSA, usually 1 hour for 1 CUC (5 hours card is also available)
• *** From December 2018 you can get a local SIM with 3G but it might require waiting in a long queue + setup process ***
• Don’t speak with anyone on the streets (as nice as they may seem), they will probably want to sell you an overpriced service or product 

1. Havana (2 nights)

Stay

• I recommend staying in the old town (in Spanish: La Habana Vieja)
• Most hotels are dated and expensive, best is to rent a Casa Particulars (ideally near Plaza Vieja)

Do

• Old town (La Habana Vieja)
  • The Old Square (Plaza Vieja) – Filled with bars, restaurants and cafes
  • Johnson Drugstore (cool store)
  • The Cathedral Havana
  • Almacenes San Jose market for local art and souvenirs
  • Take a tour at the Museo del Ron Cubano (Havana Club Rum Museum)
• Havana Center
  • Vintage car tour in Havana is one of the most popular ways to see the city – will cost you about CUC 15-30 (always negotiate)
  • Walk along the Malecon sea drive
  • The National Capitol building, also located close to the famous Gran Teatro de la Habana
  • Learn more about Cuba’s revolution with a visit to the Museo de la Revolucion
  • Head to revolution square where you’ll find huge artworks of Fidal and Che. These are one of many, many pieces of public artwork paying homage to Cuba’s most famous political figures
  • View from Hotel IBEROSTAR Parque Central rooftop
  • Coppelia ice cream (former popular hangout place)

Eat

• El Café (vegan options, great for breakfast)
• O’Reilly 304 (international)
• La Guarida – made famous by its cameo in the Oscar-nominated Fresa y Chocolate, La Guarida is considered by many to be Cuba’s best restaurant. The crumbling Centro Habana building where it’s housed adds to the cachet. Reserve in advance.

Drink

• Fábrica deArte (hipster place for drinking, dancing, poetry and art)
• El del Frente – restaurant and a rooftop bar
• Mix literature and cocktails with a pit stop at Hemingway’s favourite bars, El Floridita and La Bodeguita del Medio
• Rooftop bar of hotel Ambos Mundos and Hotel Inglaterra
• Have a Mojito at Hotel Nacional

2. Viñales (2 nights)

• The sunset walking tour arranged by Villa Reyes
• Horse riding to tobacco and coffee plantation (4 hours, 20 CUC)
• Eat
  • Tres jotas (International)
  • La Berenjena (Vegetarian)
  • El Olivo (Italian)
• Drink – Casa de la Musica (live music)

3. Cienfuegos (1 night)
   • Many travellers stop here but I recommend to avoid as not much to see or do
   • If you have to visit, must stay in Casa Buenavista
4. Trinidad (2 nights)
   

Stay

• I stayed at Casa Doña Cuca (nice host and great location – recommended)

Do

• The Lonely Planet has a great scenic walk around Trinidad and suggests where you can take the best photographs. Explore the beautiful Old Town, including Plaza Major, stunning colonial architecture and a variety of museums
• The Belltower in the Municipal History Museum close to the main square has the best views
• Playa Ancon (beach) – take a short taxi colectivo (avoid the bicycles ride that some guides suggest – long and nothing special)
• Hike through the forests of Guanayara National Park until you get to a beautiful waterfall and natural pools for you to bathe inside or simply dip in your toes to cool down before the uphill hike back through the park

Eat

• La Redaccion (best place in town, Mediterranean)
• Vista Gourmet (great rooftop)
• San José

Drink

• Casa de la Musica (live music)
• Berthold Brecht
• Las Ayalas club (more commonly known as La Cueva)

5. Cayo Santa Maria (4 nights)

The idea was to avoid crowded Varadero but since all northern beaches seem to be quite the same, on a second thought I would choose Varadero which is much closer to Havana (flights back)