Cuba is a fascinating destination for a short break or up to 2-3 weeks. There's quite a lot you can do on this small island although we think it's better to try not to do much at all! You could for instance have a great holiday not even leaving Havana, and just sleeping in til late, get up for lunch and a walk around the streets of the old town, taking in a daquiri or two, the street performers and some daytime music, before heading back to bed for a siesta and then up again for dinner and a late night of music and dancing at any one of a great number of venues. You could have this sort of break in Santiago as well.
Alternatively, you could tour the island, taking in some of the tobacco factories and the wonderful countryside and seeing some of the historical sites that tell the story of Che and the revolution.
Here are our impressions in a snapshot:
+ outstanding music on pretty much every corner, music is in the soul of the people. There are fantastic late night venues for live music which includes traditional (Buena Vista Social Club, rumba, samba, cha cha etc), reggae, reggaeton, rock, jazz, hip hop.... - all superb, live, and you will want to be up dancing irrespective of your ability.
+ warm, friendly people. It feels very safe walking around in the evenings. You are warned about pick pockets and some hustling but if you are a seasoned traveler and/or just keep your wits about you will find it much less threatening than walking around most other places in the world.
+ if you're a car buff, and even if you're not, there are all the great old American cars to look at and drive around in.
+ cigar officianado? No better place to visit. The tobacco countryside is beautiful and the tobacco factories fascinating. Prices are excellent for the real Cuban cigar if you buy at the factory shops themselves. Don't be tempted to buy from the touts who nick cigars from the factories, along with the certificates and packaging as these cheap cigars are bitter and sub-standard, you can easily taste the difference. You get what you pay for and the prices of the real deal are already very good so don't be tempted.
-/+ the food isn't great at all in the government owned restaurants which are the majority. It's typically a choice of pork, fish or chicken served with rice and beans and it's all very greasy. In some countries this would be good food, but not in Cuba. Having said that, before you go, look into the paladars and make reservations at these. They are privately owned restaurants, often in a block of flats so they're typically quirky but with really excellent and memorable food.
-/+ you wouldn't go to Cuba for the quintessential Caribbean island beach holiday but for a cultural fix, the people, music and dancing are really wonderful and for an insight into the communist regime it's worth going. As long as you don't overdo it - guides will want to show you absolutely everything there is to see and know about the revolution, which may be more than your level of interest, however it is truly fascinating to get an understanding of how the system works with its strengths as well as weaknesses and how people live on a daily basis.
+ the architecture. Really terrific buildings abound which is why UNESCO have listed some of the cities as World Heritage.
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We are definitely going back. See you in Cuba!
Julie and Adam
May 2011
Salsa, Cigars and Che in Cuba: May 2011
