Welcome to your 5 day intro to Cuba! For any traveler or history buff, Cuba is calling. The fact that anyone 30+ couldn’t visit this country for most of their life is mysterious and alluring. I was lucky to visit this Caribbean island in November 2019. As a digital nomad who gets to work while traveling a lot, I live for my trips with no work. I knew Cuba was somewhere I had to go without having to hop online, so I visited for a quick 5 days during Thanksgiving week. This seemed like the perfect place for a digital detox and to really soak it the culture. The weather was warm and balmy and November also marks the end of rainy season, which is a bonus. Yes, we are planting holiday travel ideas for you!
A Brief History
A brief history, and how about those classic cars! Cuba’s rich past is a blend of colonialism, revolution and strength. Once a Spanish colony, the island gained independence in 1898 after the Spanish-American War. Next, the U.S. occupied the island from 1898 to 1902. This played a major role in its early years of independence. The U.S. heavily influenced Cuba’s political and economic structures, even after the occupation ended. Before the Cuban Revolution, American cars were imported in large numbers, as Cuba had strong trade relations with the U.S. In 1959, Fidel Castro’s revolution dramatically reshaped the nation established a socialist government that endures to this day. By 1960 the U.S. enforced an embargo to isolate Cuba economically and pressure the government to abandon its communist policies.
The history calls for a deep dive if it interests you! This was another country I didn’t know where to start with planning so I delayed going for many years. Our intro to Cuba guide is all the info I wish I had in one place before booking my trip. We hope this inspires you to plan your long-awaited trip!
Stay Connected, or Not?
To stay connected, or not? In Havana, Wi-Fi is available but not everywhere, so you have to know where to look. Public hotspots are scattered across parks, plazas, and some hotels, but you need an ETECSA internet card to connect. Finding these parks and cards takes effort, so if you can pass on Wi-FI, do it. The connection can be slow and spotty, especially during busy times. Some hotels and rentals offer their own Wi-Fi that you can inquire about.
My T-mobile cell rates in Cuba were much higher than most of my international trips. $.50/text, $2/minute for a call and $2/MB for data. 👎🏽 That was enough inspiration to stay off my phone. I emphatically say, try and make your intro to Cuba trip a disconnected one, with your cell phone only as a camera. The playful energy in the streets from the locals, live music and colorful facades will have you in another dimension in no time. Going to Cuba is like returning to a simpler time, in the best way possible. If you decide to stay offline, grab a paper map! I know, so retro.
Casa Particular
In Cuba an Airbnb or B&B style stay can also be called a ‘casa particular‘. This offers a unique and authentic experience that hotels often can’t match. We highly recommend this option to get a glimpse local living. You can stay with families, giving you a real taste of Cuban hospitality and culture. It’s also more affordable than many hotels, and the hosts can provide invaluable insights about local attractions, dining and hidden gems. Many casas particulares now operate more like stand alone rentals, where you can book an entire apartment or house with more privacy. This was how our casa was arranged, and for breakfast, we could go upstairs to the owner’s home for a fresh meal. Moments with our engaging hosts made my mornings!
* Bonus ~ By renting a casa particular, you’re directly supporting Cuban families and small businesses. This makes it a more sustainable and enriching choice for your trip. We found plenty available on AirBnB!
Cash is King
Staying on theme with Cuba taking you back in time, cash is king. You cannot withdraw Cuban currency (CUP) from ATMs using a U.S. bank card. This is due to ongoing U.S. sanctions and restrictions. This means that American travelers need to bring enough cash to exchange once in Cuba for their entire trip. I was told this could not be done with USD, which was not true. You can exchange USD as easily as you can exchange Euros and Canadian dollars. If you come from another country, you can likely use your bank card, but make sure it is not linked to a U.S. bank. Check before traveling to ensure your card will work in Cuba. Carrying foreign currency as backup is a great idea, regardless of your origin.
Most restaurants in Cuba do not accept credit or debit cards, and many eateries are extremely mom-and-pop. While some high-end restaurants or establishments may accept cards, it is generally uncommon. Cash remains the most reliable option for payments in Cuban restaurants, bars and local shops. Cash is 100% king in Cuba!
* Fun fact ~ Cuba used to have two currencies: the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) for tourists and the Cuban Peso (CUP) for locals. This dual-currency was officially abolished in January 2021, and the CUC was phased out.
Havana
Onward with your intro to Cuba guide! Now that housekeeping is over let’s talk about Havana a good time, 😉! I immediately fell in love with this capital and it is one of my favorites in Latin America. The city slicker in me could have stayed in Havana for the entire trip, discovering nooks, crannies and noir alleyways at night. Every turn was mysterious and intoxicating. I fell in love with the African and Latin vibes dancing in perfect harmony and Cuban jazz bands in the streets around every corner. The locals are incredibly interactive, friendly and full of smiles for the tourists. I appreciated their openness to talk about their culture, trials and tribulations.
Highlights of Havana
Below are my highlights of Havana, not to be missed!
• Classic Car History Tour – This tour will take you through the vibrant streets of Havana in beautifully preserved vintage American cars, primarily from the 1950s. These classic cars are often brightly colored, meticulously maintained and have become iconic symbols of Cuba’s unique past and political history. We loved the historical stories from our local guide/driver, all while cruising by important landmarks in a killer classic convertible. Read more about Cuban vintage cars, here!
• Fábrica de Arte Cubano – (FAC) is one of the coolest places I visited in Havana! It’s an old factory turned into an incredible multi-use arts venue. Here you will step into a world of creativity, with exhibits, live music, theater, dance and even film screenings happening in different rooms. The vibe is electric, as locals and tourists mix to enjoy everything from avant-garde art installations to live Cuban bands. Plus, there’s a fantastic bar where you can grab a drink and soak in the creative energy all night long.
Just Outside of Havana
• Fusterlandia – 30 minutes just outside of Havana and you will reach this playful neighborhood. It’s an entire zone in Havana transformed into a massive mosaic art project by artist José Fuster. He is called the ‘Picasso of the Caribbean’. Every house, wall and corner is covered in vibrant tiles, sculptures, and surreal shapes. Other than the mosaic town, we enjoyed the local jewelry shops, musicians and vendors in the streets. Fuster’s work has become a celebration of Cuban spirit and art.
• Beach day – The best beaches outside of Havana are located east of the city in the stretch of Playas del Este, 20-30 minutes from the city center. Santa María del Mar has crystal-clear water, soft sand and plenty of beachside spots to grab a cold drink. For a quieter vibe, head to Guanabo Beach, where the locals hang out and the fresh seafood awaits. For something more secluded, Bacuranao Beach is a peaceful escape with less crowds.
* Side bar ~ Havana may just be might favorite city to snap photos in. The colors, lighting and expressive locals make it picture paradise.
Viñales
If you can swing a trip to Viñales, do it! We left Havana and the 2.5 hr drive through the Cuban countryside was breathtaking. Once again in an amazing classic car. We enjoyed a break from the city life with rolling green hills, lush tobacco fields and beautiful rural villages along the way. As we entered the Viñales Valley, the towering mogotes (limestone hills) created an almost surreal backdrop. Once we arrived, we rode horseback through the stunning landscapes towards the tobacco fields. A lovely Cuban feast was prepared in what felt like grandma’s kitchen. It was a very memorable pinch-me afternoon.
At the tobacco farm, we were educated on the entire cigar-making process, from drying the leaves to hand-rolling the cigars. We even got to try one of Cuba’s famous cigars dipped in honey right there! The farmers openly shared how the government tracks their tobacco production and gives them an allowance of what they grow for personal use. They take the rest to factories to aid in producing one of the country’s major exports. We learned a cigar factory worker might earn around $20 to $40 per month. The government controls wages and prices in Cuba, which affects overall earnings and the local economy. This area of Cuba is worth visiting. If you can swing an overnight or day trip to Viñales, you must.
Not Ready to Leave
This 5 day intro to Cuba flew by and I was not ready to leave. At this point, I had talked to so many locals about other corners of the island, incredible scuba diving and more historic sites. I did end up scuba diving outside of Havana, but this is not the island’s scuba mecca. My instructor told me there is good diving farther off the shore from where we were, however we are not allowed in those waters. In the Havana area, there are strict restrictions on Cuban boats operating offshore partly intended to prevent unauthorized migration to the United States, amongst other reasons. Fascinating. For epic Cuban diving, research Jardines de la Reina, Playa Girón and the islands of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo.
And the Food?
And the food? Being the foodie I am, you may be wondering why I haven’t talked about food? Well, my food experience in Cuba was not one of the highlights. We booked the nicest restaurants we could find and things just didn’t hit. What Cuba lacked in scrumptious food, it made up for in swag, gorgeous cars and people, good vibes and perfectly lit evening streets. I did fall more in love with yucca on this trip, so be sure to get your hands on all the garlic yucca dishes you can! I’m still crushin’ hardcore on Cuba, its gritty, gorgeous and real. I hope my next trip is with a one-way ticket.
As a group of three females, we felt safe wandering around at all hours of the day and night. The government strongly emphasizes maintaining safety in areas frequented by visitors, as tourism is vital to the economy. Of course, use normal travel common sense.
I’m in awe of this country, its resilience and history. I hope this teaser intro to Cuba guide gets you down to this Caribbean gem. 🇨🇺
All my love,
Rach
PS ~ Our Puerto Rico Thanksgiving trip last year treated us very well too. To read all about it, click here!
