Cuba Travel Guide
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Top Attractions
Cheap Flying Tips
Where to Stay
Things to Do
Your Guide to Cuba
Cuba is a lush country known for both its natural beauty and captivating cities. It’s rich in culture with many attractions and stunning accommodations. Whether you’re interested in exploring Cuba’s natural wonders or stepping back in time as you explore the renovated cities, Cuba has something for you.
Let’s take a closer look at Cuba’s hottest attractions and best places to stay.
Top Attractions in Cuba
When you visit Cuba, there’s never a dull moment. Cuba’s top attractions include Old Havana, Varadero Beach, and Delfinario de Cienfuegos. Whether you’re traveling with friends, family, or taking a solo trip, these attractions are beloved by all.
Old Havana
Old Havana is a historic city area in Havana, Cuba. According to TripAdvisor, it’s the number one place to visit in Cuba, and for good reason. It’s steeped in culture, music, and best of all, people.
Furthermore, it’s an official UNESCO World Heritage site, meaning the United Nations recognizes it as having cultural and historical significance and is thus protected by them.
If you love beautiful architecture that kisses the sky, cool classic cars, and an exciting city vibe, you’ll love Old Havana.
Here are the top five things you can do in Old Havana:
- Smoke a Cuban cigar as you explore the city. What could be more relaxing than a genuine Cuban cigar as you take in the historic architecture of Old Havana? Nearly every corner and street has stunning buildings and neat gems to discover.
- Enjoy the music and grab a drink. As you explore Old Havana, you’ll notice there’s not a quiet spot. Instead, the streets and shops are filled with music. Music pours out of restaurants, bars, and even speakers set up by street vendors hawking their goods. Step into a bar that catches your fancy and enjoy the music for a moment.
- Take an official walking tour with a guide. If wandering on your own isn’t appealing, take an official walking tour of Old Havana. Your guide will be able to point out hidden treasures and give you all of the facts about the sweeping, grand buildings you pass along the way.
- Take a tour in a vintage car. You can either rent a vintage car to drive around the city or seek out plenty of tour guides that will take you for a ride inside one of their sleek vintage cars.
- Stroll down El Malecon boardwalk. You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back in time when you take a walk down El Malecon. Locals play music all along it, and the ocean provides a beautiful, relaxing view. Check it out around sunset for an extra-special sight.
Varadero Beach
Varadero Beach is beloved by both tourists and locals. Bring a swimsuit, some sunglasses, and a desire to relax, because Varadero Beach will provide you with plenty of relaxation—and it’s a prime location to catch a beautiful Cuban sunset.
The sand is white and soft, the water warm and clear. What more could you ask for? Sand dollars? Seashells? Well, you’re still in the right place. Take a walk along the sandy shore, and you’ll be sure to find all sorts of treasures straight from the ocean.
Along the beach, you’ll find plenty of parasol and sunbed rentals so that you can thoroughly enjoy your time on the shore. Feel like snorkeling? Don’t worry; there are rentals for that as well.
Delfinario de Cienfuegos
The Delfinario de Cienfuegos is a hot spot for tourists. Its main attraction? Dolphins. Delfinario translates to a dolphinarium, which is an aquarium for dolphins.
This Cuban attraction offers both dolphin shows and a once in a lifetime experience to swim with dolphins. They’ll even take your picture, so you have a keepsake of the enchanting experience.
The dolphin swim is 20 minutes long. A small group of people, around ten max, get into the water with two dolphins. The dolphins will kiss you, let you pet them, and of course, pull you through the water with them. Afterward, you’ll pose for a photo with your new friend.
The cost of the interactive experience is only 50 CUC, which is the equivalent of 50 US dollars. The printed photo is an additional 10 CUC, or 10 US dollars, but is well worth the price to cement the memory.
The Experience Flying into Cuba's Airports
When flying into Cuba, there are a few things to consider, including your current passport status, budget, and airports you can choose to fly to.
There are two main Cuban international airports: The first is the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, which is closest to many attractions and hotels. The second is the Ignacio Agramonte International in Camaguey. There are a few other airports in Cuba; however, they are primarily reserved for regional flights.
To travel to Cuba, you need two main things:
- A passport is required.
- Cash for spending, with a declared amount of $5,000 USD or more. US credit and debit cards will not be accepted in Cuba, which is why you’ll need cash.
Top 3 Tips to Fly Cheap to Cuba
Flying anywhere in the world can be pricey. However, there are some ways to make the flight to Cuba quick, easy, and cheap.
1. The best way to catch a cheap flight to Cuba is to fly during the “offseason.”
These months will be the ones that the demand for flights go down because not many people are traveling to Cuba; therefore, the price goes down. The most inexpensive month to fly to Cuba is in September. The plane tickets will be the lowest then, whereas January, February, and December will be the most expensive months.
2. Book your flight for a weekday.
Although there isn’t one specific day that’s cheapest to fly, tickets are usually lower on weekdays. This also has to do with demand, as more people fly on weekends and therefore airplane companies can raise the prices on the weekend. When booking your flight, try to leave on a weekday and save some money.
3. Use a price watcher app or website like Hopper.
If you know the general details of your trip, such as where you’ll be flying from and what airport you would like to land in, then price watchers like Hopper are fantastic resources to save money. Hopper brags that it can save you up to 40% on tickets. It will send you alerts when tickets go on sale and what days are the most cost-effective to fly.
Popular Areas of the City to Stay
The most popular city to stay in while in Cuba is Havana, and there are a few reasons for this:
- Havana is closest to the main attractions, including Old Havana.
- Havana offers many hotels and Airbnbs at a low cost.
- Havana has one of the biggest airports in Cuba, the Jose Marti International Airport.
Popular Hotels in those areas
Are you looking to stay somewhere modern? Or perhaps, a little more historic charm is your style? Cuba offers it all with their plethora of hotels available.
The Iberostar Grand Packard
The Iberostar Grand Packard is a modern hotel in Havana, Cuba. It’s rated as a 5-star accommodation and won the Traveler’s Choice badge for 2020.
Besides its modern, sleek accommodations, this hotel offers other pleasures such as a cigar lounge, a fully equipped spa, three restaurants, and an infinity pool that overlooks the city. This hotel is a short walk from Old Havana and El Malecon.
El Candil Boutique Hotel
El Candil Boutique Hotel offers historical charm as opposed to sleek modernism. It also won the Traveler’s Choice badge for 2020.
This hotel offers a more classic vibe, and you’ll think you stepped back in time as you enjoy the tranquil setting. In addition to an included breakfast, they offer a rooftop pool, beauty salon, and Wi-Fi.
Melia Habana
Melia Habana is a bay-side hotel that offers suites with stunning views. It’s a mix of modern and historic and caters well to businessmen and women.
This hotel was also awarded the Traveler’s Choice badge for 2020. Some of its most coveted accommodations are the five bars inside the hotel, the well-equipped gym, a sauna, and live music.
Popular Airbnb Places in Those Areas
Airbnbs are great for unique experiences and to save money. In Havana alone, there are many options for fantastic Airbnb rentals. The following Airbnbs are all hosted by super hosts, which means they’re highly rated and trusted on Airbnb:
Price : $23 a night
Space : Boutique Room
Room(s) Provided : 1 Bedroom + 1.5 Bathrooms
Wi-Fi Available : Wi-Fi
Price : $13 a night
Space : Private Room + Bathroom Only; Common Areas Are Shared
Room(s) Provided : 1 Room + 1 Bathroom
Wi-Fi Available : Wi-Fi
Price : $20 a night
Space : Entire Apartment
Room(s) Provided : 1 Bedroom + 1 Bathroom
Wi-Fi Available : Wi-Fi
For some interesting but pricier Airbnb options, check out the Luxury Tropicana Penthouse or the Stylish Spanish Mansion.
Top Things to Do in Cuba
In addition to what you do, sometimes the experience is also about where you are. Cuba offers some of the coolest Airbnb experiences, the most interesting restaurant choices, and a “folk art kingdom” that you won’t want to miss.
Restaurants
In Cuba, there’s nearly a restaurant on every corner in the city. However, if you’re looking for something outside the box, check out these two:
- Finca Agroecologica El Paraiso is a family-owned farm and restaurant. They’ll cook you a meal made with ingredients fresh off the land as you enjoy a view of the Vinales hills. Pair your dinner with one of their cocktails, and you’ll never want to leave.
- Casa Miglis is a quirky restaurant and bar in The owner, Michel Miglis, is a Swedish film director who fell in love with Cuba. The food is as quirky as the restaurant and is a mixture of Swedish and Cuban.
Fusterlandia
Artist Jose Fuster transformed his poor neighborhood into a “folk art kingdom.” Inspiration struck him while he visited different art galleries in Europe. Fusterlandia uses simple shapes and bright colors to transform the mundane into something magical.
There’s no entrance fee to stroll the streets and take in the bright colors that adorn nearly every surface. Many artists now live in the neighborhood, and you’ll be able to browse their art for a souvenir.
Coolest Airbnb Experiences in Cuba
Whether you’re at home in the kitchen or snorkeling over the remains of shipwrecks, Cuba has an Airbnb experience that you’ll love. The best thing about these experiences is they fit under an array of budgets and tastes.
Let’s take a look at three popular expeditions.
Cooking Cuban Recipes at a Colonial Villa
This family-owned cooking class will immerse you in all of the flavors of Cuba. In a small-group of ten or fewer people, you’ll learn how to prepare an authentic Cuban recipe. Of course, afterward, you’ll get to enjoy the fruits of your labor and dig into the delicious food.
- How long it will last:5 hours
- Cost: $29 per person
Snorkel to a Shipwreck in Havana
Right off the coast of Havana are two shipwrecks, the SS Olivette, and the City of Alexandria. This snorkeling expedition will take you to one of the wrecks, where you will snorkel above and get a clear view of the wreckage and the sea life below.
- How long it will last: 2-3 hours; expect to be in the water for 2 hours
- Cost: $50 per person
History and Art in Trinidad
Immerse yourself in Cuban culture through this tour of Trinidad. The tour starts at the Historical Center for Trinidad and concludes at the Cafe Don Pepe, where you’ll be served a traditional Trinidad drink. In between, you’ll learn about Trinidad’s rich culture and art.
- How long it will last: 2 hours
- Cost: $20 per person
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking to sip Pina Coladas on the beach or explore the deeply-rooted Cuban culture, Cuba has something unique to offer to any traveler. The flights can be cheap, the accommodations modern or charming, and the sights incredible.
