Wow, I am in Cuba! My first stops were Havana and Old Havana (La Habana Vieja), and I really enjoyed them. Cuba is an amazing destination and experience, but also very unique. I will post a summary of things to know before visiting Cuba to help you plan your own trip soon, as there is plenty to know. As for me, from Havana to the Viñales Valley, my first few days were full of adventures. I didn’t know what to expect from Cuba, but the images online looked amazing, so I was very keen to explore this country.
For comfort reasons, I decided to book mainly hotels in Cuba instead of the casas on offer. I’ll write more about that soon. It took me a while, but after lots of online research, I finally found the perfect place to start my journey, the boutique hotel Paseo206. Nestled just outside Old Havana, it is a little gem in an otherwise quiet area.
Of course, when in Cuba, a pickup from the airport in a brightly coloured classic car is a must. After all, Cuba is known for its classic cars cruising through the city. My Cuba adventure has started in the right way. How exciting!
I was welcomed by the friendly staff at Paseo206 and enjoyed a beautiful Italian dinner. The only downside was that I stayed for just one night. I could easily have enjoyed the rooftop suite and my private jacuzzi a little longer. That said, I was also keen to explore the second property by the same owner, right in Old Havana, the Estancia Bohemia Hotel. Another boutique hotel gem, and truly the best of Cuba, for sure. I would highly recommend both hotels for your Cuba adventure.
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Old Havana – La Habana Vieja
My plan for Havana was the same as in most cities: walk and explore. I found a nice restaurant for dinner and a great bar for evening drinks. The vibe was truly amazing. Being Cuba, the streets weren’t filled with shops everywhere, which was fine for me. Produce in general is a rarity here, yet there are plenty of local souvenirs around. It was a unique balance, but I guess everybody was trying to make money from the tourists. Which was more profitable?
The vibe in the city, however, was amazing. Old Havana reminded me a little of my trip to New Orleans – The Music in New Orleans. Musicians playing on the streets, people laughing and dancing, and artists selling local artwork everywhere.
Havana is quite a large city, and there was plenty to explore in Old Havana. Although some streets were dirtier than others, as the rubbish is clearly not picked up regularly, the architecture was absolutely stunning. It would certainly compete with any beautiful town in Europe. It must have been an incredible city in its prime.
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I walked a lot in Havana and enjoyed seeing the different parts of the city, feeling the vibe and the people. That said, in the evening Old Havana suddenly changed and became almost like a ghost town. I wasn’t out late, just walking back to the hotel after dinner, but it felt quite spooky. I was expecting lights, busy restaurants, and live music coming from every corner, but instead it was dark, with hardly any people and only a few open yet empty restaurants. Where did everyone go?
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Besides exploring old Havana, I also organised a trip to Viñales Valley. It is supposedly THE must see destination in Cuba.
Viñales Valley Day Trip
Visiting Viñales Valley and this area of Cuba, around 180 km west of Havana, definitely gives you a true rural experience. Now a UNESCO Site, the Viñales Valley is encircled by mountains, with a landscape interspersed with dramatic rocky outcrops. It is quite a scenic destination and I was especially keen to see the traditional techniques still used to produce tobacco and Cuban cigars. Let’s go and see!
I organised a classic car and a great driver, which not only created fun photo opportunities but also meant the drive took over three hours each way. Luckily, I had plenty of time. I skipped the caves and instead visited a cigar farm, followed by lunch in Viñales town. All in all, it was a great day trip and a ‘must do’ when visiting Cuba.
You also have the option to stay overnight in the Viñales Valley, with plenty of casas to choose from. However, I had my boutique hotel in Old Havana, and I was happy to return there.
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And so
From Havana to the Viñales Valley, my trip to Cuba has only just started, but it has so far been quite amazing and fascinating. It was great talking to my driver about everyday life here, as well as seeing and feeling the happy vibe in Old Havana. I’m really enjoying my time here.
That said, after a few days, even though I’m not a big eater, I can definitely feel the lack of food and beverages here. There is just not much choice. Even sparkling water or milk are very very hard to get.
But let’s see what else the best of Cuba has to offer. There’s still Varadero and Trinidad to visit and I can’t wait! Not to mention my final days in Havana in another amazing luxury hotel. Stay tuned for more on Cuba!
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