10 Things To Know About Travelling To Cuba
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Travelling direct to Cuba (from the UK) is only available via a packaged holiday online. If you want to book flights only you’ll need to get on the phone with Virgin (the only airline that flights direct) and sort everything on the phone.
You will need a visa before entering the country. This usually is provided to you by the airline but please double check as you won’t be allowed in the country otherwise.
You can only get cuban currency once you are in the country, and it’s better if you get cash in Havana as ATMs get scarce when you travel through the country.
Internet is extremely limited. You will only have access to it in public parks and international luxury hotels. In order to get access to internet, you’ll have to get “internet cards” which you can buy for USD4 either at these hotels or for USD2 at the bank or postal services. These cards will give you internet access for ~1hr
Staying at private “casas” (cuban apartments) is a must and part of the experience. Not only you’ll get to see how cubans live but also will get to interact with the local community and live in colonial-style apartments during your stay. If I can only recommend you one thing for this trip is that you stay at Miriam and Sinai’s Casa in Old Havana. This was by far the best decision we made on this trip. The girl’s hospitality was fantastic (Miriam is like a Cuban Mamma!), and throughout the trip they hooked us up with other casas when and where we needed. They also helped us get private salsa dance lessons and booked us in the hottest restaurants in Havana.
You can travel the country on frenzy public buses (‘viazul’). Whilst a little bit tricky to buy online, it is definitely worth spending the time doing so as the seats get booked up pretty quickly and you wouldn’t want to get stranded while in transit! They are the only cheap and cheerful option unless you book yourself a car, which is advise against on (they are very old cars and they tend to break down unexpectedly), or a private taxi.
There is a pre-set itinerary that the government seems to want you to follow: Havana-Trinidad-Vinales and if you try to do it the other way around is slightly more complicated to achieve. Nevertheless, we are stubborn and manage to do so on public bus very successfully!
Salsa lessons in Havana or Trinidad are a nice taste of Cuba. Cubans are extremely friendly (and patient) and they will help you get some of their moves in you if they can. Both Havana and Trinidad are known for their salsa, there are a few clubs were to practice. However, if you are a beginner, I would start by getting private classes as the clubs can be a little intimidating!
Mojito is the national drink and you’ll find it quicker than water. And cheaper than £1.
Food all over the country is quite average compared to a westernised palate. But you have to acknowledge that they still live in socialism and food is scarce. Tourists get more food than locals and are making affordability of resources more difficult.
Be kind! Safe Travels :)