The last time I visited Cuba was 2014 and although that doesn’t seem like that long ago, so much has changed on the island since then. From President Obama’s visit, the opening of new luxury hotels in downtown Havana (The Ritz Carlton and the St. Regis in 2019) to the the renovation of Cuba’s capitol building, progress is happening in many places in the capital city. That coupled with a thriving art and music scene, there’s no better time to visit, explore and see Havana for yourself.
These Spanish style doors literally are on every corner in old Havana. I managed to capture pretty much all of them on this trip. Here’s one of my favorite.
With the recent acceptance of Air B&B by the government, Cuba is seeing a tourism boom. Although my trip was pre-pandemic, I personally noticed double the amount of tourists than on my first trip. I opted for Air B&B’s only during this trip and I have to say the experience was better than I expected. All walkable from our Air B&B in Havana’s Vedado, we got lost on the narrow streets of Old Havana and discovered art from local painters and artisans. We ate local breakfast (pan con huevo frito) and strolled the famous Malecon at night with ease.
This is a classic Cuban neighborhood outside of our Air B&B in Centro Havana.
With quick taxi’s for less than $10 dollars to and from El Viejo Habana, staying eating and exploring locally made all the difference this time on delivering an authentic Cuban experience. I came back to an inbox full of DM’s and emails from many of you, wanting details for your own upcoming travels to the island.
So.. this is my attempt to give you the best insight. Below are my recommendations on what to expect, where to go and stay and what to do to get the most authentic experience on your next trip to Havana.
Where to stay:
Option 1: Vedado (suburb of Havana) is an upscale neighborhood in the west bank of Havana. It sits just a few blocks from the famous Malecon boardwalk and has easy access to taxi’s and restaurants in the area. What I loved about staying in Vedado was how walkable it was. We were able to walk to and from dinner, stroll the bars and even get into a dominos game or two with the locals.
The living room of our Air B&B in Vedado. So gorgeous and cozy. Felt like home away from home.
Option 2: Havana Centro (the heart of Havana’s local neighborhood section). Less than five minutes to the popular tourist attractions, like the Fort Havana Centro is a busy area in the city. If you don’t mind the vegetable and bread man at 7a.m. signaling with heckles at the crack of dawn, then you’ll love this area. Our Air B&B was quaint and lovely, but it was on a busy street. Neighbors often called out to each other from their balconies exchanging goods and the streets were busy well into the late evening/early morning.
Option 3: Old Havana. By far my favorite location to stay in Havana, La Havana Vieja has it all. It can be a bit pricier than other locations, so book early and keep a few things in mind; this is one of the most popular areas to visit in the city so it can be loud at night with parties going until the wee hours of the morning.
Our rooftop in Centro Havana. You could see every corner of the city and how the locals move about each morning.
Important: Most Air B&B’s are fully stocked with toiletries, towels, and light food and beverage. We brought much of our own to be safe, but its better to check with your SuperHost before your stay.
Rooftop of Atelier restaurant in Vedado, Havana. Photo by T&L.
Atelier: (high end option above) is a little gem in the heart of Vedado.. The Obama’s and many other celebs have eaten here and for good reason. It’s a classic Cuban rooftop terrace with views of the entire city and an incredible foodie experience to match. This was by far our best meal in Havana. From sushi options to Lomo Saltado (salted beef) Anthony Bourdain (may he rest in peace) would approve.
3D: (more classic and local) Right off the Malecon in West Havana, this little nook has classic Cuban meals for the low. At about $12 per person, you can enjoy classic Ropa Vieja, rice and beans and salad. You can also grab a classic Crystal beer for as little as $2.
The famous La Bodegita Del Medio (bar) in old Havana. As soon as you touch down you hear about the live salsa, street artists and of course, the mojitos! Make time to enjoy this gem!
Classic Cuban Drinks, Live Music and Dancing:
Bodegita Del Medio- by far the most popular attraction in Havana, La Bodegita del Medio is perfect for an afternoon stroll and street side jam session. Known for his famous guest Earnest Hemingway, who would visit the bar often for its mojitos and live salsa, I always make it a point to stop here when I visit.
(Bring comfy shoes as this part of Havana is all cobbled stone).
Strolling through old Havana, a cold coconut is always a good idea.
Hemingway’s Bar, El Floridita- After sightseeing all day, this was a great pit stop to cool off and grab a pina colada. There are lots of spaces to sit as well, enjoy a quick jamon y queso and catch a live salsa session with a local band. Lines can be a bit long here, so give yourself enough time to enjoy it and pack your patience.
Where to Dance, catch a classic Cuban vibe:
The soul of the Cuban people is directly tied to their music. Don’t be surprised to see corner bars pelting classics from Celia Cruz, Los Van Van and more. La Cecilia is probably the most famous (featured in several videos including Gente De Zona) this is where locals gather on the weekends to show off their serious salsa moves. (Heads up- Cubans take salsa very seriously, so be prepared to dance).
Sites and Must Do’s:
Classic Car Ride throughout the Havana proper. This was such an awesome way to see the city. Havana is huge, so its hard to see it all in three days. The classic convertible tour took us around Havana proper, the old forte of San Salvador, the Christ statue, El Morro Castle and Forte, Chinatown, the Botanical gardens and more. Many drivers will stop for you to take those photos and even suggest places to visit during your trip.
Browse the Barrio del Arte in Old Havana. If you’re on the hunt for local art, paintings and custom souvenirs, be sure to stroll through the art zone. Leave yourself enough time so you’re not rushed as there are galleries littered throughout the area, many with artists live painting on site. I could have spent all day in this area- vibes were sweet and the people were just as warm.
Important question- How much cash to bring?
Although I love to splurge on art and gifts, If you’re wanting to simply budget for exploring and eating in the city, $100 per day (per person) is ideal. Do note though that Cuba can be hard to change money because US are not widely accepted. I brought $550 for myself for 4 days and came home with cash. It all depends on how many things you want to buy. Ask your Air B&B or wherever you’re staying to change money for you when you arrive, but do keep some back. It will save you time and get you the best exchange if you do it in advance. As of 2020, the bank in Cuba’s exchange rate is .87 cents to every dollar versus .95 on the street. So if you want to keep more of your cash, shop around and don’t go to the banks. Taxi drivers also often have access to better exchange rates as well.
Finally, Cuba, although progressing is still after all a communist island. There are restrictions on the locals and tourists as well as lack of access to everyday basic things. that we often take for granted. Here is my essentials list on what to pack to make your trip as smooth as possible:
- A pillow that you don’t mind leaving behind. The beds, pillows and sheets can be a bit hard and course, so for extra comfort, pack your own.
- Bars of soap, shampoo, conditioner and toiletries. (These are hard to find on island).
- Mosquito repellent (A MUST in Varadero, Guanabo and areas outside of Havana).
- Sunblock (A MUST).
- Cash, small bills (as we discussed above).
- Extra space in suitcase or foldable carry on for things you want to bring home.
- Beach towels and regular towels of your own.
- One roll of toilet paper per person (per three days).
- Medicine (especially for common traveler sickness). Advil, Aleeve, Pepto, Benadryl, etc.
- Snacks- roadside snacks are harder to find so pack your own protein bars, nuts and berries etc to hold you over just in case.
- Mini Fan- Air conditioning is scarce on the island outside of hotels and Air B&B’s, restaurants and some govt. buildings, so bring a mini fan if you can. Yes Air B&B’s now mostly have A.C, but be sure to request one with it during your booking.
Lastly, pack an open mind and an open heart. Cuba is a unique place with a lot of history. It’s easy to have preconditioned views about it before ever stepping foot on the island. One of the most important things you need to know is that the people, just like here in America and other parts of the world are simply looking for respect, opportunity, food and opportunity to provide for their families. I always leave wishing the best for the Cuban people, giving where I can and hoping that in my lifetime an overhaul of changes will be made by and for the betterment of the Cuban people and future generations to come.
Written by Vanessa James. All opinions are my own.
2 comments
Awesome post. I’m glad you had such a great time. Thank you for all the pictures. I got to visit vicariously through you. ?
Thank you amigo!! Hope you get to visit soon!