Havana Cuba

Cube A traveller's paradise, it’s easy to get off the tourist trail and get a feel of the local struggles, illusion and reality. Living the drama of an old TV soap that got stuck in the past. But, holding on to what it has to survive.

La Habana. I like spending my last days (At least 3 days) of traveling around Cuba in Havana, as I feel I can enjoy more after acclimatizing to the heat and knowing a bit more of the culture, as Havana can be very hot and with a lot of pollution coming from those old cars.

Havana on foot is a great way to see the city and find it's hidden gem's.
There are lot's of small colonial bars playing music, art studios and dancing on the streets.

• Day 1. The largest number of tourist will be in Habana Vieja and Centro Habana. This is a good place to start you walk, so start after breakfast, and great way to get your bearings and a feel for the city. Have lunch at Asociacion Cararia de Cuba. The Restaurant Can be found opposite the Bacardi building, this is also worth a visit, you can walk up to the top of the building $1 CUC and offers great views of Havana.
  
• Day 2. A slow walk along the Malecón and walk left on street Padre Varela to China Town. Take the street Zanja to the left and continue to Paseo de Martí and El Capitolio will be on your left.
  
• Day 3. Long walk to Plaza de la Revolución. FromEl Capitoliowalk south and turn West along Simón Bolívar, continue along Carlos III, left at Calz de Ayestaran and turn right at Aranguren. Enjoy a evening dinner at Los Nardosfound on 563Paseo de Martí oppositeEl Capitolio

While spending your time in Havana , you can go with the flow. This can be enjoyed, while supporting local businesses and meeting locals. But be-aware there are many scams in Cuba and Cubans know how to use their friendliness to pull you in.

You can set the standard for fellow travelers by doing a little research first before arriving in Cuba/Havana, the places you intend to visit.

Havana is a place high on my list I recommend as a must see place. Some tips you need to know to give you a little knowledge to help enjoy your visit:

Accommodation Casa particular (Private house) for a better experience than staying in a hotel. If you are staying in a good casa your family will help you with where to go in Havana and onward to your next location in Cuba. Organising the bus to Vinales or a group taxi/minibus to Trinidad.
There is now over 2000 Casa's in Havana so do research and only book your first night, as then you can change the casa or decide you want to move on.
In Havana the average Casa particular $25 cuc, breakfast $8 cuc for 2 persons. Always confirm first. The casa owner will let you use the phone to phone a casa in the next city, the day before you move on.
I recommend Alex Casa in China Town. Zanja 502 /Rayo y Galiano, Zanja, La Habana, Cuba Phone: +53 7 8678371 (Say Martin sent you)

Money - CUC = Cuban convertible (For tourists. Pegged with US Dollar). CUP = The National Peso. $1 cuc = $25 cup. I take £'s and two cards to use to withdrawal cash. CUP's can be used in many places in Havana and all over Cuba. (But the locals do not want them, they are worth nothing. If you do receive in your change just round up when using)
Take some cash to exchange, stick to Canadian dollars, British pounds, or Euros. There is a significant surcharge for exchanging US dollars.
(Check with your bank before you travel to confirm that your debit, credit and ATM cards will work in Cuba)
When arriving in Havana by air, there is a cash machine and cash exchange. Obtain enough money for the taxi ride into the city to your accommodation, and enough for your first evening.
At your casaask about the location of the nearest ATM.
Withdrawals from ATMs, are subject to local commission charges of approximately 3% in addition to your bank transaction charges. Those with USA banks are unable to withdrawal money from an ATM
Change money at Cadeca exchange houses, large hotels or banks.

Bargaining - Locals sell their belongings on the street and at markets to survive. Up to you if you want to bargain a price.

Toilet Paper - Take some with you as public places do not provide.

Wifi - $3 cuc for 1 hour in Havana (Some of the big hotels charge over $6 cuc) and you can buy a card in the Boulevard de San Rafael, at Parque Fe del Valle. Where there is an antenna and you can connect. WhatsApp works but Facebook was blocked when we tried. $6 cuc in hotels or only $2 if brought from Vinales or Trinidad.

Restaurants for lunch $4 each; Asociacion Cararia de Cuba. The Restaurant Can be found opposite the Bacardi building, walk in and turn left up the stairs. Restaurant for dinner Los Nardos you may need to wait one hour, but if worth it.
*AVOID eating in the restaurants in China Town at the corner of Zanja & Rayo, as you will be over changed.
The small outlets selling sandwiches, cakes and drinks are fine and also can use "cup" making it very cheap. (Even though you will be over changed)
Drinks - Cuban beers £1.50 cuc, coffee $1.00 cuc Mojito £3.00 cuc, water 1 liter can be found for 0.80 cents in supermarkets and away from the old town.

What to be-aware of while visiting Havana By being savvy you can avoid being scammed and make it enjoyable for the next fellow travelers visiting Cuba.
Jineteros - These are local "career criminals" who basically make their living on the streets scamming tourists.
Walking the streets you will soon be asked; taxi? tour? restaurant? the conversation will start with where are you from my friend? or one question? (You will have to make your own mind up if this is for commission or you will have value/enjoyment) You can replay with "Ya gracias".
You may also be asked to buy a bottle of milk for my child. 1 liter of milk is free for every child in Cuba to the age of 7.
Live music in bars, $1cuc more or less, buy a CD $10 cuc
To use the toilet - voluntary payment
When taking a collective taxi to your next destination, on arrival the driver may say your casa is bad and will take you to a different one to what you ask. (We paid $30 each to Trinidad, less than 5 hours in a taxi).
Taxi from airport $25 cuc. To Airport $20 cuc
Short changers -When changing money always hold on to it and first ask what the exchange is. This is the same for paying a taxi driver in CUC and he gives you change in CUP, always ask first.
Fake Cigars - Jineteros will often approach foreigners on the street with an offer to sell Cuban cigars at a deep discount. Ever hear the old adage "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is"?

Read Blog Post Cuba
West On wards toVinales, visitingCayo Jutias, Cayo Levisa and María la Gorda. Return to Havana stopping at Soroa and Las Terrazas,
South East To Trinidad and return to Havana stopping at Playa Coco Bay of Pigs,
East Santiago de Cuba.