The beauty of Cuba doesn’t rely on what to see but rather on the people and their lifestyle. Relaxed and content, the Cubans are known for their happy take on life. I am sure many of them would like things to run differently, but at least they try to stay positive, and I could not relate more to that.
You can see Havana in very little time, but you won’t FEEL Havana unless you spend 3-5 days in it. The rhythm of the city is something that you need to get used to it, and we loved it.
Walking through the Capitol and immersing ourselves into the streets of Old Havana was extremely fun. We stopped at many key spots along the way, including El Floridita and La Bodeguita del Medio, bars frequently visited by Hemingway in his visits to Cuba, as well as other lesser known spots. Beware, these places (like Tropicana and Buena Vista Social Club) are nice, but are also extremely touristy and therefore you’ll have to cue to stay in a very small bar when there’s plenty others lesser known and as good. Pick your choices wisely!
Of course, there are a few museums you can visit and that are worth visiting: Museo de la Revolucion gives you a great overview of Cuba’s history (though most of it it’s in Spanish so make sure you get a guide) and the Museum of Fine Arts is also worth checking out. Just make sure you check opening times as we missed a few museums because of this!
Food-wise, there are two musts in Old Havana: La Guarida and Michifu. Both in the same street! The first one is in an old colonial house and has kept its appearance to make it look more decadent. The second is much more contemporary and hosts la creme de la creme of the city. A restaurant for every vibe.
Another fun thing to do whilst in the city is renting a 50s car. Surprisingly to most, you’ll see these cars all over Cuba. One would have thought that such gas-heavy cars would be extinguished by now but they are all there! Expensive and probably terrible for the planet but damn we loved riding on it.
Now, if you like dancing and/ or cuban music (probably one of the reasons why you are visiting the country?) then you need to visit Club 1830 by the Malecon. This is a restaurant during the day but at night it becomes THE place to be for cuban salsa lovers. Even if you are a beginner, you’ll have fun people watching.
Immerse yourself in the tobacco fields of Vinales
