See Cuba With Your Own Eyes
See Cuba with your own eyes
Welcome to the final instalment of TMi! Cuba. Together, we have time travelled through Cuba, explored modern day Cuba and looked at some of the ways we can support Cubans & educate ourselves further.
Today, I thought I would lighten the mood a bit by doing some online socially distanced perving on Cuba. Because let’s be honest, after all this research you can bet your ass I’m itching to book a flight there. So, we’re going to imagine we’ve all got flights to Havana booked! We’re going on one big happy SIWYOE family holiday.
If I booked a trip prior to TMi!, I think I would have just booked a resort, sat on a beach, posed for photos in a vintage car & drank rum. I mean, that does sound pretty good. But, knowing what I know now, there is so much more I want to see for myself.
I am not going to build an itinerary, I’ve not been there & it wouldn’t be fair. But I am going to list the points I would plan to see & share some itineraries that I think look good.
Touring Cuba
Havana
Old Havana
When Joanna Lumley filmed her series in Cuba, she said Havana was on the ‘chic side of shabby’, which from a far, seems perfectly apt. Old Havana, which is a district in the capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s where Havana started, and uncoincidentally, where many of the historical points of interest are located. El Capitolio, Cuba’s answer to the Capitol Building in D.C, for one. The fort, pictured below right, has witnessed numerous attacks AND was a front row viewer for the original pirates of the Caribbean (the 1600’s version). The perfect place to wile a day or two away, ambling colourful streets & soaking in the history.
Museo de la Revolución
The Revolution Museum, AKA, the original Presidential Palace. This place was mentioned during The Evolution of Cuba Part 3. It was where the presidents lived right up until Batista ran away. It was also witness to the Presidential Palace Attack, (when the students broke in trying to assassinate Batista). I can’t remember where and I have no idea if it’s true (such a great source of information I am) but I read that Fidel never lived there, because Fidel never stayed in any one place for too long. Something about people always trying to kill him or something… Anyway, he gave it a good old Castro makeover & turned it into Revolution Museum.
Did You Know: Boxing is a hugely popular sport in Cuba. Cubans have won 37 Olympic Medals in Boxing. Oh, and by Cubans, I mean MALE Cubans. Women aren’t allowed to box competitively… YET. If Boxing is your thing, find a ring!
Hotel Nacional
Once host to many a mafia meeting, the Hotel Nacional was the place to drink and gamble. Today, the hotel is still active. I’m not sure if I would actually stay there (supporting socialism & what not), but I am definitely open to catching a cabaret!
Buena Vista Social Club
Since happening across BVSC at the beginning of this journey, I haven’t been able to get enough of them. The music, the documentary… The next logical step is to see where it all happened… and then find somewhere to sip on a cocktail & listen to more Son music.
Did You Know: Hemmingway once sank 16 Daiquiri’s at El Floridita in Havana
Learn more about the history of the daiquiri here
Beaches
Whilst I wouldn’t be flocking all the way to Cuba to just sit on a beach, I wouldn’t flock all the way to Cuba and not sit on a beach! I’ve highlighted the 3 that look the most gorgeous to me – but bare in mind that probably means they’re the touristy ones!
Playa Giron
This beach is famous as the landing place for the Bay of Pigs Invasion – Not appealing? Just look at it.
Playa Varadero
On the North side of the island, there’s this bit of land that juts right out and it looks amazing. A quick Google maps search shows this is indeed littered with hotels – but I can see why!
Playa Paraiso
If you’re looking for an island getaway… from the main island… Playa Paraiso look SO GORGEOUS.
More to see – North
A side from beautiful beaches & the capital there’s a a few other spots I’d like to see for myself in Cuba…
Modelo Prison
On the isle of Pines, this is the prison that Fidel Castro was placed in after his famous ‘history will absolve me’ speech in 1953. I previously mentioned in The Evolution of Cuba Part 3 that you can visit this prison 24/7. Spooky night time visit anyone?
Che Guevara Memorial
Situated in Santa Clara is Che Guevara’s memorial. His remains were brought here after his assassination by the CIA in Bolivia.
Vinales Region
If you’ve even the remotest interest in Cuban cigars, a trip to the Vinales Region is a must. Cuban cigars are world renowned & all of them stem from this region.
Did You Know: That Hershey visited Cuba & bought sugar plantations in the North to supply his growing chocolate empire? The town ‘Hershey’ still exists today.
Read more
More to see – South
Lucky for me – my main interests seem to lie largely in the North region of Cuba, making for an explorative yet relaxing 2 week trip. That said, given the choice to cover the entire island, I wouldn’t want to miss the below.
Santiago de Cuba
This is the area where Fidel grew up and for that reason alone, I would love to see it for myself. Oh, and not far East is the town of Daiquiri… So you can sip a daiquiri in Daiquiri!
Guantanamo
The city not the detention camp… Whilst I feel intensely nosey about Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, there is no way to get near it. But, the city of Guantanamo close by could offer some curiosity relief! And if not, it looks colourful & it’s by the sea, so what’s not to like?
Itineraries
If you’re looking for someone to do the planning work for you… Here are a list of people who have decent looking itineraries. It seems to be generally agreed that Cuba is too big to explore in 2 weeks. Many travellers opt to explore either the North or the South depending on what appeals to you. here are some of the most appealing I have found:
KimKim – offers two routes covering North & South of Cuba. I had no idea Whale Sharks appeared off the coast of Cuba & it makes me want to scuba dive there so badly!
Cubania Travel – primarily these guys offer cycling routes around Cuba but their knowledge of the island is clear from the site. They also offer Kayaking & trekking tours.
Insight Cuba offer fully established packages that will show you the ‘undiscovered’ Cuba. Check this one out if you want to the full works!
Locally Sourced Cuba provide great looking itineraries with local tour guides.
So, that’s a wrap! I hope you’ve enjoyed discovering Cuba from a far with me & this has given you some inspiration to go and see it for yourself! I know I will be once the World opens back up!
I’ll be back in the not so distant future with a new country & a new focus for TMi! so…
Until then, take care & remember… No Info is Too Much Info
xoxo
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