Some of my notes from a 4-day trip to Cuba to cover Vinales and Havana (March 2024)
Get-in:
If you're looking for an economical way to reach Cuba, consider flying through Toronto via Westjet. I managed to secure a round-trip ticket to Varadero for just 337 CAD per person, inclusive of a cabin bag and personal item, during the Easter holiday.
Health Insurance and tests:
Notably, there's no mandatory health insurance or Covid testing required for entry.
Visa Information:
Westjet offers complimentary tourist cards onboard; ensure you fill out the necessary form before boarding the plane. [Link to form:
https://dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu/inicio]
Transportation:
We booked three trips with
https://taxivinalescuba.com. The first journey took us from Varadero airport to Matanzas, including a city tour, a stop at the Puente de Bacunayagua viewpoint (where we indulged in Pina Coladas), and finally to our hotel in Havana, all for 110 USD. The second trip, priced at 220 USD, transported us from Havana to Vinales and back, featuring lunch, entrance to the Indian Cave, and an English-speaking tour guide. Our third trip, from Havana to Varadero airport, cost us 90 USD.
After reviewing rental car prices for Easter, which totaled around 400 euros for 4 days including insurance, I opted for private transport after reading Zoe's review. While driving in Cuba seemed relatively manageable, I weighed the potential risks, including the possibility of running out of gas due to shortages, enduring long waits at gas stations, or facing car malfunctions without immediate roadside assistance. Hearing about extended wait times during car pickup further influenced my decision. Given comparable prices, we chose to engage with a tour company, allowing for customizable itineraries. I secured the booking by making a 20% deposit via credit card to a European account in Euros, settling the remainder in cash USD to the driver after each leg of the journey. Notably, the company proved reliable, with punctual drivers instilling trust in our travel arrangements.
Get around:
My daughter was eager to experience a ride in the old cabrio Chevrolets. We embarked on a brief tour from Capitol to Plaza de la Revolución, National Hotel, Malecon, and back, priced at 25 USD. Later, we opted for yellow taxis to reach the Institute of Superior Arte (where we spent 30 minutes capturing photographs) and Fusterlandia, with fares totaling 10k pesos. On our return journey, we hailed a yellow cab directly back to Havana for 7k pesos.
Sim card and WIFI:
Airola eSIMs are functioning smoothly, offering 1 GB for 9.5 USD. Additionally, utilizing a referral code grants a 3 USD discount to both the user and the referrer. Should anyone require a code, feel free to use mine: CAN7274.
Furthermore, hotels provide complimentary WIFI passwords during your stay, enabling access to WIFI from any hotel in Havana, not restricted solely to your accommodation.
Stay:
While I typically opt for budget-friendly accommodations when traveling solo, this family trip demanded a higher standard, especially with my wife's meticulousness regarding hotel cleanliness. Hence, we selected the Innside Hotel Cathedral by Melia. Offering a spacious room at 250 USD per night, we were impressed by its impeccable location, cleanliness, and the quality of breakfast, all rated a perfect 10/10 by Cuban standards.
Eat/Drink:
Finding exceptionally delicious food in Havana proved to be quite the challenge, perhaps even bordering on the impossible. Despite this, I ventured to various establishments and sampled their offerings, including the renowned Ropa Vieja at Dona Eutimia (rated 6/10) and Van-Van (rated 7/10), as well as the Empanada with Picadillo at Dona Eutimia (rated 7/10), the medianoche at Lo De Monik (rated 6/10), the pizza habanera at La Vitrola (rated 6/10), and the seafood platter at Habana 61 (rated 7/10). Additionally, I evaluated the quality of mojitos at different venues, with standout scores including Dona Eutimia (rated 8/10), Don Julio (rated 6/10), La Vitrola (rated 6/10), Van-Van (rated 5/10), La B del M (rated 4/10), and Mojito Mojito (rated 3/10). I found the Cuba Libre at Van-Van to be lacking, rated at 3/10, while almost all the cocktails (Daiquiri, etc.) that I tried at the Kempinski hotel rooftop were exceptional, rated between 8 and 9/10. As for the local beer Kristal, it offered a drinkable experience.
Money change:
In Cuba, it's best to avoid paying with USD/Euro or using credit cards. Instead, opt for the Cuban Peso (CUP), which offers the most economical method of payment. It's important to note that there are two rates for CUP: the official rate and the black market rate. To obtain the latest black market rate, visit
https://en.eltoque.com.If you decide to exchange money on the black market, head to Neptune street in front of the Telegrafo Hotel. Along this street, you'll find numerous currency exchangers eager to assist. Simply approach someone carrying a backpack filled with CUP and inquire about the rate. They are typically open to negotiation and await your offer. While it's generally safe to exchange money here, it's wise not to convert all your funds at once for added security. During my stay, I exchanged 100 USD each time, totaling 300 USD over 4 days.
Museums:
Regrettably, the Museo de la Revolución, Havana's premier museum, is currently undergoing renovations and is inaccessible to visitors. However, be sure not to overlook the nearby Granma site, situated just behind it. If you have an interest in art, the Art Museum offers an exceptional experience. Additionally, although the Grand Theatre is undergoing renovations, guided tours are still available for visitors to explore its interior.
