Cuba Travel Guide December 21, 2007
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Banished for many from the community of the western world by the American boycott, Cuba is slowly coming back. And in fact there are many good reasons to visit the Island.Cuba offers not only some of the world’s finest beaches but also a rich cultural heritage and vibrant, passionate approach to life that has been enticing visitors throughout the ages. With a population of 11 million – the largest in the Caribbean – 20% of Cubans live in Havana.
Situated between Jamaica and the Bahamas, Cuba has a delightful tropical climate with year round sunshine, a daytime temperature that rarely falls below 26°C and warm, clear waters that gently lap against idyllic beaches of fine white sand and shady palm trees.
Further out to sea this fine sand gives way to some of the most exquisite coral reef to be found anywhere in the Caribbean, providing a perfect natural habitat for a wide array of underwater life… a mesmerising spectacle which no visitor should miss.
Yet if you do manage to drag yourself away from the sea, you’ll find a fascinating country, one that beguiles it’s visitors with a heady combination of Spanish, African and Caribbean influences, evident wherever you go, in its sights, sounds and tastes.
Most of all though, you will remember Cuba for the people. Naturally open and friendly, you are assured the warmest welcome in the Caribbean, a welcome that lasts from the day you arrive till the day you leave… awaiting your return.
Another side of the coin is the “National Quest for Dollars”. The people are very friendly indeed, but almost all people who start talking to you just want your money. They may have good reasons for this, but I will tell this. There are people who live in the slums, and go ask around people they know if they can borrow their most dirty clothes. Then they go to central Havana to beg. They only beg from tourists, because the Cubans don’t give enough. If five tourists give them one dollar (which is what they always ask for), they have earned what normal honest Cubans have to work a month for. I’m not saying that Cubans are dishonest, it’s just that the people you are most likely to come in contact with are going to annoy you. If you know that’s going to happen, it’ll bother you less. Next time I go (I will go again), I know I’ll enjoy it more. Also, I won’t be going in summer: I practically died of heat. Of course, that may be because I spent most time in Havana, where the heat reflects between the buildings.
One more thing: prices are terribly inflated. Because of the irrational government policy, you have to do your best to pay less than 15 dollars a night. Compared to South American standards that’s crazy, compared to Europe or America it’s acceptable.
The girls are wonderful. But as a tourist you have to be careful. Cubans are not allowed to get involved with tourists.
The ‘casa particulares’ are a wonderful way to save money and to meet Cuban people of all kinds. There is an underground network of contacts so if you decide to travel to another city, tell your hostess and they’ll arrange another casa in the city you wish.
The food is local and very fresh, of course you have to pay for that but it’s great. We even got some lobster which was caught a few hours earlier! Everywhere you go, there’s fresh fruit.
Try to rent a scooter and go your own way, into the countryside. We saw some huge mango and pineapple plantation. We did some horsebackriding and went to a tobaccofarm to roll and smoke our own cigars.
Havana Getting Around August 17, 2006
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Walking
The central part of the city is not that big. Walking is a great idea.
Coco Taxi
The small G shaped coco taxis can be found everywhere in the city. They bring you around for $1 or $2 depending on the distance. You’ll have to bargain though.
from and to the airport José Martí International Airport is at Rancho Boyeros 25km (16mi) southwest of Havana. Taxis and buses will take you into the capital.
Greater Havana
Getting around greater Havana by train is definitely the way to go. The Estanción Cristina located a few kilometers southwest of central Havana handles all train traffic within the metropolitan area.
Guaguas (city buses) are sometimes called aspirinas indicating that their rare appearances relieve the pain of long waits in lengthy lines. Shortages of fuel and spare parts have taken many buses out of service and are largely to blame for the delays. The bigger busses are called camello (Camel) because of their camel like shape.
Havana Sights August 17, 2006
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Havana, especially the old part, Habana Viaje, is full of interesting squares and colonial buildings, most of them not yet renovated though. Just stroll around and let the city surprise you.
Statue of Máximo Gómez
In the north part of the old city you will find the Parque Martires del 71 with the the huge statue of Máximo Gómez.
When José Martí began the War of Independence, he asked Gómez to lead his revolutionaries. Using small guerilla forces, Gómez would go from town to town, burning the Spanish plantations and eliminating their troops.
The interesting thing about the statue is that is actually inhabited! If you look at the back side, you’ll find a door. The old man living in the statue is always willing to trade stories about the Cuban battles for some Pesos or a bar of soap.
Gran Teatro
The old Gran Teatro, is where it all happened in the past. Now it´s still an exceptional venue for ballet and opera performances, old world horseshoe layout, meaning you must try to get tickets in the center or slight off-center sections.
Plaza de la Revolución
The Plaza de la Revolución is the grand communist parade place.
At the square you can find to remarkable landmarks. First is the 138,5 meter above sealevel José Martí memorial. The other is the large stylistic face of Che Guevara along the face of an apartment builiding.
Plaza Vieja
The Plaza Vieja (old square) was originally called Plaza Nuevo (new square). It is a nice square in the southern part of the old city. Around the square you can find many old colonial buildings, some renovated, some old and worn out.
Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas is a nice square located in the east part of the old city, close to the harbour.
The square itself is nice and green and it is full of book stalls selling old and new books. Many of them revolution oriented.
Around the plaza are some of the nicest colonial buildings. This is the part of the city where the renovation has done a good job already.
Catedral de San Cristóbal
The Catedral de San Cristóbal was built between 1748 and 1777. It is dedicated to Christopher Columbus himself becuase his body is believed to have rested there. There’s never been proof of this claim though.
Capitolio
The Capitolio is located in the quarted called Centro Habana, just next to the old city. The building is almost an exact replica of the Washington DC Capitol building only just a bit bigger and more nicely decorated.
Originally built to house the Cuban parliament, it now houses the ministry of science and a big library.
Plaza de San Francisco de Asís
This square, located close to the harbour is the end of the old 11km long aquaduct, parts of which, can still be found in the city. The end point of the aquaduct is the Fuente de los Leone. This fountain is an exact copy of the lions fountain in the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. It is decorated with four lions. It used to be place where ships used to take in fresh water.
An important building at the square is the Church of San Francisco de Asís.
Malecón
The boulavard following the north side of the city is called the Malecón. It’s a popular place for cubans to hang out in the evening. Nice for a scroll along the sea side. The bars along the Malecón serve good mohito’s.
Havana Travel Guide August 17, 2006
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Is Havana slowly falling apart? Almost. The lively capital of Cuba has seen better days. Old Havana still has much of interest however and strolling the area is like walking through a time capsule from the early part of this century. The city hosts some fantastic pieces of architecture and other interesting sights and friends of find a large choice to visit. Havana has a swinging nightlife, with cinemas, historic theatres, cabarets, nightclubs and music venues that will exhaust even the most hardened campaigner. There’s less traffic and less commercialization than choke your average Latin American city. But from the rough brilliance of Old Havana to residential areas ranging from shabby to demanding demolition, the exuberant friendliness of Havana’s inhabitants is something that will never be forgotten by the visitor.
The Caribbean Travel Guide August 17, 2006
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The Caribbean is named after the Carib Indians who inhabited most of the beautiful islands before Columbus’ Santa Maria became the first cruise ship to enter the area. Many have followed and will continue to do so.
The reason is obvious: this is a very beautiful area with white sandy beaches, cocotrees, great nighlife, happy and welcoming people. In the Caribbean you can find anything to make your holiday perfect.
The bigger countries Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Jamaica are probably most interesting to visit from a cultural perspective. Unfortunately they are not the quiet paradises the others arelike the secluded Anguilla, Saba and St. Martin/St. Maarten.
