Cuba: Culture, Chaos and Cars!
Who doesn’t love a city by the sea? Havana is mesmerising; from the allure of music to an eclectic mix of colonial buildings and 50’s cars that roam the bustling streets to the pulsating sounds of salsa. Throw in a few mojitos and you have the perfect city, one of the best I’ve ever been to.
Hotels are expensive in Havana but we wanted to experience a true flavour so we chose to stay at the Hotel Florida, a former home which was built in 1836. Located in the old town, it is a small hotel with elegant architecture and is well known for its piano bar.
The rooms are traditional with very high ceilings with a true Cuban influence. It was nothing fancy, but a pleasure to stay there.
If you can afford a little more luxury, I would recommend the Saratoga Hotel. Another authentic hotel with a stunning roof top bar.
Once we stepped out in to Le Habana Vieja (old town), you could feel the beat of the city and we didn’t stop! We visited everywhere from art galleries and palaces to the famous Hotel Nacional and from crumbling buildings to the beautiful Art Deco Bacardi Building. The Cuban people are very friendly and love to photo bomb but be prepared to then tip them for doing so. It’s all harmless fun and makes for some great snaps.
A visit to Havana would not be complete without a drive through the city and the Malecon, in one of the stunningly beautiful and amazing classic cars. We paid about CUP60.00 which is equivalent to approx. £45.00 for an hour and it was money well spent. Our driver gave us a fabulous tour along the Malecon to Castillo De Los Tres Reyes Del Morro. We had amazing views looking back over the city and port. He also drove us around the Vedado area including the Plaza de la Revolucian, where you can view the iconic image of Che Guevara.
Sadly, our stay in Havana came to an all too soon halt and we travelled to Varedaro by bus. We usually hire a car everywhere we go but we tried months in advance and they were all sold out; hire cars are very limited in Cuba. On the positive side, it worked like clockwork and only cost USD12.00 to travel between Havana and Varadero; a beautiful drive and it made us feel young travelling with all the back packers. I would recommend Viazul as a form of cost effective transport in Cuba and they offer an inclusive list of destinations. However, be prepared for the driver to stop off en-route to see his family and friends. It all adds to the charm of this laid-back lifestyle that the Cubans have created for themselves. Alternatively, we can arrange for private transfers and bespoke tours through our specialist destination management company based in Cuba.
We stayed at the Sanctuary at Grand Memories in Varadero which is an Adults Only element of the Grand Memories Hotel. The suite was large and well stocked with spirits as an all-inclusive hotel. My only recommendation would be to try and book your meals in advance in the A La carte restaurants as they limit the sittings to a number of covers and it can be difficult to make a reservation at short notice.
I would recommend staying at the Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa which was just a little further down the beach.
After a day relaxing on the beautiful white sands of Varadero, it was time to take to the road again. After an early wake up call, our driver and guide arrived on time to take us to Trinidad and Cienfuegos.
It was a beautiful drive through the quiet countryside and we managed to witness a stunning sunrise accompanied by a few Cuban coffees, not cigars! Did I mention the Cuban coffee, strong and full bodied and a most welcome boost to kick start the day ahead, very addictive just like the mojitos!
It was almost a four-hour drive by the time we reached the UNESCO World Heritage site of Trinidad. A stunning colonial but quaint town full of colourful historical buildings. It’s like stepping back in time to a whole different era, with the shadow of the pretty Sierra del Escambray Mountains looming in the background. From cobbled streets to ageing donkeys, Trinidad depicts the charm of the Cuba of years ago and yet you will still glimpse of the pre-revolutionary cars even here in Trinidad reminding us of our current time. Although, it was very busy when we arrived, Trinidad carries a tranquil air about it but I believe this changes when it hits nightfall and it comes alive with the seductive music which Cuba is so well known for.
If you want to stay overnight in Trinidad, I would recommend the Iberostar Grand Hotel.
Make sure you visit the Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco which is former convent and is home to a famous bell tower and offers attractive views of Trinidad and the surrounding area. Enjoy a walk around the Plaza Mayor and appraise the Neo Classical and Baroque architecture that dominates Trinidad’s old town.
After an enchanting few hours here, it was time to return to Varadero via Cienfuegos.
Cienfuegos is quite a contrast to Trinidad, almost quite modern in comparison with its grand buildings and polished piazzas and squares. It’s the only city in Cuba that was founded by the French. It has much wider streets and the architecture is neoclassical in style, it resembles New Orleans in some areas. Buildings of interest include the Palacio de Valle which is now a restaurant and The Statue of the Sleeping Beauty in La Reina cemetery.
After another couple of days on the beach, it was time to head back to Havana and unfortunately the Airport. We returned via the bus and with an added bonus of driving through Havana again. Still as captivating as a few days ago!
Cuba is as complicated as it is chaotic, a truly beguiling and seductive country. It is contemporary whilst it is vintage, it offers a heady mix of intrigue and curiosity.
Prepare to be bewitched!
Top Tips:
Know your history before you travel, it adds to the intrigue of this amazing country.
It’s noisy in Havana, it lives and breathes exuberance, music is its heartbeat.
Be prepared to be a little exploited but go with it and smile, it’s all part of the experience.
Varadero is great for a few days relaxation but it doesn’t portray the real Cuba, Havana is a must see!
Make sure you spend all your Pesos before you leave, as the Airport said they had no Euros or Dollars to give back to us. I have a hunch this was not strictly true!
Love life, love Cuba!