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Take a step off the beaten track and experience the real Cuba. Here are my highlights of towns and cities Cuba has to offer.
Full of ancient, cobbled streets, peaceful plazas and endless museums, Trinidad is considered the colonial treasure of the island. It’s famous for hosting some of the most beautiful historical architecture in Latin America, and in 1988 the city was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Relatively small and compact, the city can be toured in a few hours on foot; it is painted in an array of bright pastel colours and adorned with wrought-iron balconies and red tiled roofs.
Or you could alternatively take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride through the luxurious palaces and villas of the sugar barons, which stand as testament to the great wealth during this period. In the 18th and 19th centuries the sugar trade was booming and Trinidad reaped the rewards. Economic decline later meant that modern construction was restricted, but this is what makes the town so special today. It’s as if time has stood still.
The old town is dominated by a fusion of Moorish, Neo Classical and Baroque architecture, The 19th century Iglesia Parroquial de la Santísima Trinidad (Church of the Holy Trinity), the largest church in Cuba, is just one of the highlights of the area.
The symbolic city of Santa Clara is the capital of the central province of Villa Clara. This lively city is located in the most central region of the island and is home to the monument of Che Guevara.
Che Guevara’s Mausoleum
Santa Clara is seen as the real revolutionary city of Cuba because of its historic ties with the iconic guerrillero Che Guevara. We were taken to visit Guevara’s Mausoleum, a memorial site where he is buried, together with many others that died with him during his last battle in Bolivia.
The festivals
Santa Clara is a culturally vibrant city and plays host to many festivals and activities, the highlights of which include the annual theatre and film festivals.
Cienfuegos City is located in the central-south region of Cuba, on the Caribbean Sea. It is known as “The Pearl of the South” or “The beautiful city of the sea” because its architecture and the stunning bay.
It was the trading port for Cuban sugar, coffee, and tobacco.
Within a short drive you can find several unspoilt beaches. I highly recommend a few nights here exploring this stunning UNESCO town mixing with locals and strolling along its boulevard and come evening sitting in one of the bars or restaurants listening to traditional Cuban music.
As you will undoubtably fly into Havana I couldn’t leave the wonderful capital city out of this blog and it definitely warrants a good 3 nights or more either at the beginning or end of your trip.
Havana is a simply sensational city where the rhythm of music and the lure of its history hangs at every corner. A city known for its passion, love of music and exotic repertoire of dance, no place better captures the essence of Cuba than its vibrant, buzzing capital. The cityscape is defined by the country’s rich colonial past, with remnants evident across the city, particularly in the UNESCO World Heritage site neighbourhood of Habana Vieja (Old Havana).
There are so many fantastic experiences that Cuba has to offer. But if I had to only pick a few, these are my must do’s.
Buena Vista Social Club
You simply must spend a night at the Buena Vista Social Club the original being in Havana, they also have one in Varadero which is predominantly a beach resort. It gives you the chance to enjoy decades of legendary and immortal traditional Cuban music with a tribute to the famous, original Buena Vista Social Group.
Tropicana Show
Another Cuban tradition is the very glitzy and over the top Tropicana Show, you might think you are in Las Vegas
An amazing experience that lasts for a couple of hours- my tip take your mozzie spray you are in a garden environment
Vintage cars
What Cuba is probably best known for, and no visit would be complete without a ride in one, there are all sorts and it’s a fun way to see the sights of Havana which include Revolution Square and Moro Castle
Hemingway’s House
Another place that the legendary author had a home Finca Vigia, which is situated just outside Havana in the hamlet of San Francisco de Paula. Its now a museum owned by the Cuban Government.
A Casa Particulares is a type of private accommodation in Cuba and is very similar to a bed & breakfast. It is the perfect quintessential Cuban accommodation for your stay.
I had totally the wrong impression of Casas before I went. I believed as a guest you were essentially a lodger in someone’s house. However, although the owners may live on-site, they are totally separate, and the Casas are generally in the heart of the town. A lot of them have roof terraces, they all offer breakfast, and some are very modern apartments. The standard is really very high. The only downside is that they are generally up a few flights of stairs mostly without lifts so you would have to be fit and able to carry your luggage. I would always add a private transfer on for you when booking the Casas as coaches are unable to get through the narrow, cobbled streets.
There are of course your usual international chain hotels, but for the real flavour of Cuba I highly recommend a local experience. I have visited most of the hotels in Havana and Varadero so we can discus which one would suit you best
Cuba is very different from other countries you may have visited. Here are some tips I picked up from my time in Cuba.
Cubans find it difficult to get Western items. I took a bag of make up with me and gave to one of our reps over there. She was thrilled. Leave your part used bottles of shampoo and body lotions they will be very grateful.
Most restaurants are government run and they take 51% of the profit. Food is generally not spicy like the rest of the Caribbean and rely on what ingredients are available on the day .
You can’t take Cuban currency in or out of the country.
Cuban doesn’t have free wifi. Luckily hotel guests have access to the hotels wifi but to do this you have to buy the sort of scratch cards that we used to years ago .
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