Cuba (Havana)
Places visited: Havana
Dates: December 24th to 29th 2018
General tips:
Gosh! Cuba is one of the most interesting countries I've been to so far. I saw first hand what repeated revolutions and over 60 years of communism can do to a country.
(1) Cuba is a country stuck in the 60s or 70s.
(2) The Spanish colonial architecture in Cuba is great and pretty well presevred, but the rest of the city of Havan could use some serious maintenance.
(3) Economy is struggling - no milk, no food in grocery stores, grocery store shelves are empty. Internet is not readily available - you have to purchase an internet card which is quite inconvenient.
Getting to Cuba from the US:
Recently (I'm typing this in Jan 2019) US lifted the travel ban to Cuba. Anyone with a US passport or Green Card can now freely land in Cuba and get their passports stamped upon arrival.
The first thing you'd notice when you get off the place is the airport. The Habana International airport is quite dated! The restrooms in the airport are clean. Step out of th airport and take a taxi from right outside the airport. No need to have a taxi pre-arranged for pick up. We did this (through our AirBnB host) - but there was absolutely no need for this.
Just the drive from the airport to the city center will give you a good idea about the economic situation of this country. You would get generous sights of everyday Cuban life by looking through the window of your taxi.
AirBnB/Hotel:
Cuba is probably one of the few places where I would recommend a hotel over an airbnb, especially if you are travelling with a baby/toddler. Good hotels are very expensive, but it may be totally worth your $$ if what you are looking for is clean, safe accommodation. To add clarity to the previous sentence - Cuba is a safe country, it's safe to walk on the streets, etc. - but there are concerns about acquiring water borne diseases such a typhoid from consuming polluted water and cut fruits (i.e., fruits that you did not cut open/peel yourself).
One of the things I had to keep telling myself is (copied from elsewhere) 'boil it, steam it, peel it or leave it'.
The AirBnB we stayed at near the Museum of the Revolution was very basic. Having lived in the US for over 10 years now, the kitchen and the quality of appliances came as a bit of a shock to me. These details especially mattered to me since I was travelling was a 2 year old for whom I was advised to cook most meals 'at home'.
Travelling with an infant/toddler?
Some tips if you are travelling with a young one:
(1) Take milk powder with you - test it out before your trip to make sure it's the brand your baby will consume.
(2) Take nuts, rice, cereal, cookies - everything you need for a baby with you. It is safe to assume that you will not find anything in the markets in Havana. I even took a pressure cooker with me and I'm glad I did.
(3) Take some cutlery with you like spoons, forks, etc.
(4) Wash everything you put in your baby's mouth with bottled mineral water.
What to see and eat:
(1) The Spanish colonial architecture.
There are a few Spanish squares in old Havana - totally go and see them. They are absolutely beautiful! They were the highlight of our trip to Cuba! To slowly walk through Old Havana will take you 2 full days.
(2) Eat at one of the top restaurants like 304. Get breakfast and/or dinner at Dandy's.
(3) Buy tobacco cigars for folks back home.
(4) Get a city tour in a vintage American car (mostly chevrolet) and also take the coco taxi (its the Cuban equivalent of India's auto rickshaws).
(5) Eat rice and beans atleast once - this is the staple Cuban food.
(6) If staying in an AirBnB (recommeneded only if you are travelling without children) DO NOT opt for the 5 CUC breakfast. It was quite bad.
Dates: December 24th to 29th 2018
General tips:
Gosh! Cuba is one of the most interesting countries I've been to so far. I saw first hand what repeated revolutions and over 60 years of communism can do to a country.
(1) Cuba is a country stuck in the 60s or 70s.
(2) The Spanish colonial architecture in Cuba is great and pretty well presevred, but the rest of the city of Havan could use some serious maintenance.
(3) Economy is struggling - no milk, no food in grocery stores, grocery store shelves are empty. Internet is not readily available - you have to purchase an internet card which is quite inconvenient.
Getting to Cuba from the US:
Recently (I'm typing this in Jan 2019) US lifted the travel ban to Cuba. Anyone with a US passport or Green Card can now freely land in Cuba and get their passports stamped upon arrival.
The first thing you'd notice when you get off the place is the airport. The Habana International airport is quite dated! The restrooms in the airport are clean. Step out of th airport and take a taxi from right outside the airport. No need to have a taxi pre-arranged for pick up. We did this (through our AirBnB host) - but there was absolutely no need for this.
Just the drive from the airport to the city center will give you a good idea about the economic situation of this country. You would get generous sights of everyday Cuban life by looking through the window of your taxi.
AirBnB/Hotel:
Cuba is probably one of the few places where I would recommend a hotel over an airbnb, especially if you are travelling with a baby/toddler. Good hotels are very expensive, but it may be totally worth your $$ if what you are looking for is clean, safe accommodation. To add clarity to the previous sentence - Cuba is a safe country, it's safe to walk on the streets, etc. - but there are concerns about acquiring water borne diseases such a typhoid from consuming polluted water and cut fruits (i.e., fruits that you did not cut open/peel yourself).
One of the things I had to keep telling myself is (copied from elsewhere) 'boil it, steam it, peel it or leave it'.
The AirBnB we stayed at near the Museum of the Revolution was very basic. Having lived in the US for over 10 years now, the kitchen and the quality of appliances came as a bit of a shock to me. These details especially mattered to me since I was travelling was a 2 year old for whom I was advised to cook most meals 'at home'.
Travelling with an infant/toddler?
Some tips if you are travelling with a young one:
(1) Take milk powder with you - test it out before your trip to make sure it's the brand your baby will consume.
(2) Take nuts, rice, cereal, cookies - everything you need for a baby with you. It is safe to assume that you will not find anything in the markets in Havana. I even took a pressure cooker with me and I'm glad I did.
(3) Take some cutlery with you like spoons, forks, etc.
(4) Wash everything you put in your baby's mouth with bottled mineral water.
What to see and eat:
(1) The Spanish colonial architecture.
There are a few Spanish squares in old Havana - totally go and see them. They are absolutely beautiful! They were the highlight of our trip to Cuba! To slowly walk through Old Havana will take you 2 full days.
(2) Eat at one of the top restaurants like 304. Get breakfast and/or dinner at Dandy's.
(3) Buy tobacco cigars for folks back home.
(4) Get a city tour in a vintage American car (mostly chevrolet) and also take the coco taxi (its the Cuban equivalent of India's auto rickshaws).
(5) Eat rice and beans atleast once - this is the staple Cuban food.
(6) If staying in an AirBnB (recommeneded only if you are travelling without children) DO NOT opt for the 5 CUC breakfast. It was quite bad.
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