Enjoy the Sunshine in Havana, Cuba

Republic of Cuba, located in the northern Caribbean where the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean meet, is a country comprising the island of Cuba as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. The name Cuba might come from Taíno language and translated either as “where fertile land is abundant” or “grate place.”

🔺Visa

While relations between Cuba and the United States were improving, there are still regulations in place. According to Travel.State.Gov, tourist travel to Cuba remains prohibited. The visitor must obtain a license from the Department of Treasury or your travel must fall into one of 12 categories of authorized travel (check https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Cuba.html for more information).

12 categories:

Family visits
Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
Journalistic activity
Professional research and professional meetings
Educational activities
Religious activities
Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions
Support for the Cuban people (the most frequently used)
Humanitarian projects
Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials
Certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing regulations and guidelines

💗HINT: You have to purchase a Visa card when you check in at the airport. The price of the visa card varies from airline to airline. United Airline charges $75. There are two same parts in the card, fill it befre entering Cuba and keep it for the entire trip. You need to show this to the custom when leaving Cuba.

🔺Transports to Cuba

✈Flights

Direct from USA

United Airlines
Jet Blue
Delta
American Airlines
Southwest Airlines

Top Departure Cities

New York
Miami
Houston
Orlando
Los Angeles

🚢Cruises - usually one-day visit in Havana

🔺Currency

There are two currencies in Cuba.

CUP (called peso) is only used by local people. Visitors can’t exchange CUO at airports or some local banks, but visitors can use CUP at some local shops if you have CUP.

Another currency, CUC (called kuk), is only for visitors. 1 CUC = 1 American Dollar = 24 CUP.

Some stores are priced with CUP, but you still can pay with CUC. When you exchange American Dollar to CUC in Cuba, you will get 10% “punishment” and somewhat service fee. Thus, Euro and Canadian Dollar are recommended.

🔺Internet

There is SIM card right now but Cellular Data fee is relatively high. Usually visitor buy WiFi Cards (one dollar each), which is valid for one-hour WiFi at any WiFi areas, such as EL Marlecon (sea shore), Central Park, or some hotels.

🔺Hotel

Casa Particular: private house or local hotel. The price of one room ranges from 10 to 50 CUC per night. When you get there, you can ask the host directly to check if there’s a room for rent. Or you can book one from Airbnb but remember to communicate well with the host and write down or screenshot the detailed address before you are in Cuba.

💗HINT: If you see red sign which means the house is only available for renting to local people

International Hotels: these hotels are like normal hotels in USA. More expensive but most of them offer free WiFi.

🔺Domestic transportation

🚕Taxi: yellow cab. 0.5-1 CUC/KM. The most convenient way between the airport and the hotel, and it usually costs 25-30 CUC.
🚗Old Car: fancy car to have a city tour or get to another city if you don’t want to take a bus. It usually costs 60CUC for one hour, but you can bargain!
🚌Bus: pay a ticket with CUP, and it is super crowded. Some routes you might take are line27, 222, P12, and P16, which stops at most attractions in Old Havana and New Havana.
🐎Horse: another way to take a city tour.
⛴Ferry: except for bus, the ferry is another way to get to EL Morro. There are specific time spots to get aboard.
🚍City bus: Viazul (mainly for visitors). It’s equipped with air-condition, and more comfortable seats than a local city bus. You can reserve tickets online (at least two day ahead) and print out the itinerary since you probably can’t buy a ticket to the next city at the bus station.
🚙Car rental: you can rent a car by checking the price at Transtur and Cubacar websites.

🔺Useful Apps

Maps: offline map. Remember to download the Cuba map in advance.
Google Translate: remember to download Spanish and English offline translation.

🔺Best Cities to visit in Cuba

Havana: the capital, should be your first stop in Cuba
Trinidad: Perhaps the most touristic destination in Cuba
Cienfuegos: a UNESCO World Heritage site, a relaxed and breezy city
Vinales: national park, caves, and cigars manufactures
Santa Clara: the first city that the revolution forces freed from the control of Bautista’s army in December 1958.
Baracoa: the perfect starting place to visit beaches
Varadero: a beach city like Cancun

🌞Sunshine in Havana🌞

Havana (La Habana) is the capital city, largest city, major port, and leading commercial center of Cuba. The city of Havana was founded by the Spanish in the 16^th century. The city now is divided into 15 municipalities but is well known as Old Havana and New Havana.

🔺Best Attractions in Havana

⭐La Habana Vieja (Old Havana): the core of the the original city of Havana.

⭐Plaza Vieja (Old Square)

⭐El Capitol: modeled after the U.S. Capitol

⭐Central Park Area: lots of old cars waiting here for being chosen. Gran Teatro de La Habana (The Great Theater of Havana) is located here as well. It is an opera house famous particularly for the National Ballet of Cuba.

💗HINT: The white building back there is The Great Theater of Havana

💗HINT: These old cars are all over 100 years old

💗HINT: Horses!!!

⭐Churches and Plazas: Plaza de la Cathedral, Plaza de San Francisco …

⭐Plaza de la Revolución: The square is notable as being where many political rallies take place and Fidel Castro and other political figures address Cubans.

⭐ Street Arts

💗HINT: Wall next to Malecon

💗HINT: A Art Gallery Street

⭐The Malecón: is a broad esplanade, roadway, and seawall that stretches for 8 km (5 miles) along the coast in Havana.

⭐Morro Castle: named after the three biblical Magi, is a fortress guarding the entrance to Havana bay in Havana. Here, you can see the entire sea shore of Malecon, and the best sunset of the city.