The Dreamiest Week in Cuba.
Hello loves!
I’m sure you’ve heard that Cuba is stuck in the 50’s and let me tell you, it’s 100% true. Traveling to Cuba is like jumping into a 1981 Delorean from the movie Back to the Future and going back in time. Cuba has been on my bucket list for the longest time and I finally had the opportunity to do so thanks to a wonderful company called Cuban Adventures. If you’re a lover of music, art, history, and nature, you will fall in love with Cuba.
Cuba is such a unique and charming place. I have had the pleasure to travel all over the world and haven’t found any place that is similar to it. The history that has made Cuba the way it is today is fascinating and I would encourage anyone that visits Cuba to dig deep into it. Talk to a local Cuban and they will be delighted to tell you about it. Aside from all of the beautiful experiences I was able to appreciate in Cuba, what I truly loved most about it was the people of Cuba. They are full of joy and make the best of their situation. I have never seen the streets of a city so full of life as I did in Havana. No matter what time of day you choose to go out, there will always be something to do.
Cuba is architecturally inquisitive due to its mix of 1950’s original structures, baroque art, and its communist influence. Father time has added its own touches of art that make it even more interesting. Add an array of colorful classic cars to it and you get some of the most amazing backdrops for any photographer to become a living Picasso or Van Gogh.
I will say that it can be difficult to get around Cuba if you go on your own. The easiest way to get around and have an organized trip would be to use a tour company. We chose to use Cuban Adventures. They made the whole trip so easy for us by making sure we had everything necessary to make our trip run as smoothly as possible. We arranged the 6 day tour which began in Havana and took us through Viñales and Trinidad. We were set up with Karell Aragu as our guide who I can say has been the best guide I’ve ever had. We also had the privilege of exploring Cuba with these beautiful souls @thewanderlust_rose and @haleypoing. No lie, these girls made our experience even better! They were beyond loving and friendly and we became friends right off-the-bat. Make sure you give them a follow!
Alright, let’s get started!
HAVANA
Havana is a city full of hustle and bustle that never ceases to amaze. You can enjoy all the historic sites, visit countless art museums, or dance your way around the whole city. We absolutely loved walking around the city and getting to know so many amazing people.
WHERE WE STAYED
We stayed in what Cubans call “Casa Particulares,” which I would say is most comparable to bed and breakfasts here in the states. It’s a wonderful way to visit Cuba because of three things: firstly you are supporting the local people, secondly you get to eat homemade breakfast which is delicious, and thirdly you get more interaction with locals. I even had the opportunity to go shopping with the cook at the casa particular one afternoon and it was quite the experience finding the right “carretillas” to get the food for the next morning. The rooms are very comfortable and centrally located in the city. In Havana we stayed at a Casa Particular with a the sweetest cuban lady named Christi to start off our trip and finished our trip staying at Casa Obrapía. Both were centrally located and very comfortable. You also get balcony views in the middle of the city which made for great photos!
WHERE WE ATE
Food in Cuba is an interesting dilemma because it is not always easy for the local people to get the ingredients necessary to make the food they want. So be ready to be flexible to a constantly changing menu, but delicious nonetheless. There are plenty of restaurants, but it’s nice to know which ones are best because they aren’t always easy to find, especially while not having good internet.
Havana 61
A small quaint restaurant that serves traditional food. It’s a wonderful way to start a trip in Cuba because you get to try their traditional dishes like “ropa vieja” which a dish made with garbanzo beans and shredded beef.
La Guarida
One of my favorite locations in all of Havana and is actually a filming location for the oscar nominated movie “Strawberry and Chocolate”.
Elizalde Restaurante
Great restaurant for a family style meal. One of the things I absolutely love about going to Cuba with Cuban Adventures was eating meals with our driver and guide. From the very beginning, we shared stories while eating delicious food and that’s how we were able to bond and feel like a family. It was absolutely amazing!
Jama
A really cool vibe with asian fusion food and really tasty drinks. A perfect restaurant if you want a change from Cuban food. No lie, we came here twice because it was way too delicious. I highly recommend it. Plus, everyone is so friendly!
La Boca del Lobo
Right in the middle of Plaza Vieja, this restaurant hit the spot when we were hungry after a long day of walking. I ordered the ceviche and it was absolutely delicious.
The Grand Hotel
Great views of the capitol building and old Havana! We ordered some appetizers and drinks to watch the sunset with great company. I highly recommend it to get cool instagrammable photos.
Fajoma
This is such a peaceful and beautiful terrace with many outdoor plants and innovative food. I loved that they celebrate various artist by putting up their art on their walls. The food was absolutely delicious, because their dishes are on the smaller side, my husband and I ordered a few to try and share. It was a great place for dinner.
Don Eduardo Alegre
This restaurant holds a beautiful view of Plaza Vieja. We ate Ceviche, Brusettas and drank a Piña Colada and a Michelada. Our main entree was a Piccadilly de Res Habanera. Very delicious but what most impressed us was the view. A great place for a romantic lunch or dinner.
O Sole Mio
We were really craving pizza so we ended up eating here because it was only right around the corner from where we were staying at. We were very impressed by the tasty pizza. We were definitely satisfied. :)
El Floridita
I know a lot of people say this is a tourist trap, but I didn’t want to leave Cuba without visiting where Hemingway drank their famous daiquiris. Ernest Hemingway was a guest of El Floridita for the first time in 1932 and kept going for his favorite daiquiri until 1960! While in Cuba, Hemingway received notice, via telegram from the Swedish Academy, that he won the 1954 Noble Prize for Literature. He decided to give the 23-karat gold medal to the people of Cuba. It now resides in the Catholic Church for display in a sanctuary at El Cobre, a small town outside Santiago de Cuba on the island’s southeast coast.
I absolutely loved the environment. Yes it can get pretty crowded with many tourist but it’s very easy to find a seat. We ended up at the bar right next to where they play live music. We really enjoyed drinking our daiquiris just like Hemingway. You can sit right next to his statue at the bar too!
WHAT WE DID
Car tours
A definite must! You can’t leave Cuba without riding a classic 50’s car around beautiful Havana.
Why are is Cuba filled with classic cars from the 50s? Afte rthe Cuban Revolution, the U.S. embargo was erected and Castro banned the importation of American cars and mechanical parts. That’s why Cuba is the way it is today, essentially a living museum for classic cars.
These vintage cars play an essential role in supporting the local economy. They are used for public transportation (taxis) and as rentals for tours around this magical island.
We were able to book the car tours through our casa particular and paid $30 per hour. What a steal! So, I would suggest giving a little extra for a tip. They take you wherever you want to go and you definitely feel like a movie star while doing it. Our favorite car was ran by Jorge Montes (Whatsapp: +53 53272183) and he was the sweetest guy. We liked him so much that we re-booked him for our ride back to the airport.
I highly recommend taking the time to rent one! You won’t regret. Plus, you will be supporting the local people.
Rum and Cigar Tour
We visited a local rum distillery and learned the history of the famous Havana Club and you finish it off with a lesson on how to make a cocktail and a tasting. We also visited the Cohiba factory and were able to see their cigar makers literally hand roll each cigar. It’s an amazing process. You also get to visit several famous bars with amazing history and have a rum and cigar pairing with an expert local guide. It was an amazing experience and we ended up buying quite a bit of rum and cigars which, by the way, you can bring to the states. You can book your Rum and Cigar tour through Cuban Adventures Havana Tours.
Take in the historical sites
We had a great time visiting the famous historical buildings like the capitol building and the Plaza de Revolución where the actual revolution took place way back in the 50’s. We also visited the five famous plazas that are all unique in their own way. Finish it off with breath taking views of the city from the malecon or the fort.
Fusterlandia
Visit the famous artistic neighborhood that does not fall behind Antoni Gaudi’s art in Barcelona. José Fuster created a modern playground for adults to frolic around and you won’t want to miss it. The details were outstanding and it’s definitely a sight to see.
Go for a photoshoot
Take your camera to the streets and make your own photoshoot whether it be with a model, look for live events happening in the streets, or appreciate the architectural sites. Havana is a city that can turn the most amateur photographer into an artist. There are so many places to take photos because Havana is so rich in color!
Guajirito and see a grammy award winning group
The Buena Vista Social Club, a grammy award winning group performs at the Guajirito regularly and it is a blast to see them perform live. It costs $35 per person and is considered a tourist trap, but it’s still a really cool experience. We absolutely loved it. It includes 2 drinks and you can pay extra for a meal. However, we ate before going so we didn’t pay extra. There was so much dancing and the place was overflowing with happiness. I recommend it.
Dancing
We literally danced everywhere we went. People expect salsa clubs left and right, but we didn’t notice many clubs for dancing salsa, although there are salsa bands in literally every restaurant and out on the streets which make for great dancing. Both locals and tourists tend to get up and dance in front of the band, so don’t hesitate!
VIÑALES
Viñales is a renown location for its production of the world’s best tobacco. The soil and weather conditions make it for an ideal location to grow tobacco. The tobacco plantations surrounded by rocky gorges make Viñales one of the most beautiful topographic locations in Cuba. I loved walking down dirt roads and watching farmers carry mounds of tobacco leaves on their horse carriages. It is a really friendly community that embraces tourists and makes them feel as one of their own.
WHERE WE STAYED
We stayed at “Casa Yosbel y Yurisbelky” which was owned by a lovely family. The room was very comfortable, but what we loved most was interacting with the family. They had the cutest kids! The breakfast was delicious and they even served us fresh fruit from their backyard. It was a perfect start to our time in Viñales.
WHERE WE ATE
Balcon del Valle
This restaurant serves all the food at your table, family style and you can serve yourself whatever you want. The juice is homemade and has a perfect balance of sweet and refreshing. And the best part of all is the spectacular view of the whole valley of tobacco farms.
3J
Although we didn’t eat much here, I can tell you the drinks were amazing so I’m sure the food is just as good. They specialize in tapas, so it’s the perfect place for a midday snack. My favorite drink was the strawberry daiquiri! I wish I could go back for more.
La Complaciente
Great place to get a refreshing coconut with rum after walking through the tobacco farms. This was a great pit stop after taking the tobacco farm tour.
Finca Agroecologica
My favorite restaurant of the whole trip. Not only did it have the most amazing views at sunset, but it has its own farm where everything you eat at the restaurant is grown right before your eyes. And the best part of all is that 80% of the food goes to the restaurant and the remaining 20% is given to the local community. The food was amazing and we got a chance to meet the owner and she was such. acharacter. She was absolutely friendly and bubbly. A great place for a good time.
WHAT WE DID
Tobacco Farm Tour
Visiting a local tobacco farm was by far one of my favorite parts of the trip. You feel so disconnected from the hustle and bustle of the city and get to experience what life would be like a farmer in the 1950’s. Due to the lack of supplies everything they do while farming is completely organic and it is incredible how resourceful the farmers can be. Walking through the small neighborhoods and farms was so beautiful and I hope to do it again sometime soon. I would also recommend taking a horseback riding tour.
The farm itself and the process for making cigars or how they say in Cuba, “Cubanos,” is so insightful and we finished it off by going to “Casa de Gerardo” a local family’s farm home and were taught how to roll a cigar. Best part of all, was hanging out with the grandpa and grandma who at their elevated age actually continue working on the farm. You may have smoked a cigar, but trust me when I say, there is nothing like smoking a freshly rolled cigar with a local farmer. You have to try it!
Mirador las Jazmines
Best view of the valley can be seen here. We were able to go for sunrise and the lighting was just spectacular!
TRINIDAD
WOW! Trinidad is one of the most beautiful towns that I’ve been to in the world. It was originally the center of the sugar trade in the 18th century and is one of the best preserved towns in the anywhere. As you walk through the cobblestone streets you will marvel at Spanish influenced homes and buildings. What I especially loved about this town was all of the art being displayed and music being played everywhere. It is truly a magical town.
WHERE WE STAYED
“Casa Melian” was a beautiful home with the cutest art display in the backyard. It had a feeling of a small hacienda within the city. I even went up the stairs onto the roof to get a view of the city from the rooftop. The host received us with some homemade almond ice cream that was really, I mean really good.
WHERE WE ATE
Terraza Vista Gourmet
This restaurant had the best atmosphere of any restaurant we went to. The live band was incredible, so yes we got up and danced. It was located on a terrace overlooking the entire city and the mountains surrounding it. Definitely one of the best sunsets I saw in Cuba. Oh, and don’t miss out on the “canchanchara,” a traditional drink from Trinidad made with honey, lime, and Vitamin R (rum) as our guide called it.
Balcón del Caribe
A wonderful buffet with all you can eat traditional Cuban food.
San Jose Restaurant
This restaurant has a mix of all kinds of food in a fancy indoor area. It’s definitely worth the stop.
WHAT WE DID
Walking Tour
On our first day, our tour guide, Karell took us throughout the town and we marveled at the beautiful architecture. We stopped at a bunch of cute little shops to buy souvenirs. Definitely wait until you get to Trinidad to get souvenirs, you won’t regret it. We also stopped at several art boutiques and it is incredible to see the talented artists work right in front of you.
Torre Manaca Iznaga
The bell tower is just a short drive from Trinidad and is located on an old sugar cane plantation. It is 45 meters high and after a good walk up a bunch of stairs you can get a 360 degree view of the whole valley. Theres also a lot of good options for souvenirs here, but don’t buy anything until you’re on your way back so that you get to see all the options first.
Playa Ancon
This is a quaint beach that the locals like to go to. The water is pretty calm and the beach is surrounded by beautiful mangroves. We reserved some beach lounge chairs under umbrellas and sipped on some beers. It was really relaxing to finish the day off there.
Discoteca Ayala
“Discoteca Ayala” is the most unique club I’ve ever been to. The club is located on the outside of the city and is inside a cave! Even the bathroom is surrounded by the natural stone of the cave. It costs about $350 pesos to get in and it includes a free drink. The music is varying, but all fun and it is a great place for locals and tourists to get together and dance the night away. As good of a dancer as you think you are, I’m sure you’ll be amazed at some of the dancing that goes on in there.
Cuba is one of the most beautiful places that I’ve experienced. The sights are so amazing, but what makes Cuba unique to any other place in the world is the culture. The culture is so wonderful and there is not one person that wouldn’t enjoy it. Cuban Adventures made our experience so unique and perfect. I would recommend Cuban Adventures to anyone traveling to Cuba. We loved our guide so much that we still talk to this day and plan on doing so for a lifetime. Cuban Adventures made us feel like part of their family and that is priceless.
To start planning your trip, make sure you check out my Travel Requirements for Cuba blog to make sure you have everything ready for your adventure!
Happy traveling and I hope you get the most of everything Cuba has to offer!
