#3 Hours - ​Private Havana Classic car tour

[searchingforstillness]

Havana

Our Havana Vacation

Earlier this year the husband’s brother and his wife took a cruise that had a stop in Havana. They enjoyed the day there so much, they said they’d love to go back to spend more time exploring the city. That got us thinking….this year is our 20th wedding anniversary and in June our only son would be traveling for 2 weeks with a school group…..maybe we should take the opportunity to visit Havana ourselves. I mean, we currently live just a 45 minute plane flight away, why not!

I’d like to get a few details out of the way before I start telling about our trip.

1) Traveling to Cuba from the U.S. is still allowed, you just can’t go there on a cruise ship. Through some research we discovered that the easiest way was flying there under the Support for The Cuban People visa. We found it as easy as traveling to Mexico.

2) I recommend changing your US dollars to Euros or Canadian dollars (which ever has a better exchange rate at the time) before you go to Cuba. There is a 10% tax on exchanging US dollars in Cuba (also, when we were there, Euros and Canadian dollars had a better exchange rate than US dollars regardless of the extra 10% tax). When you get to the Havana airport, only change what you need to pay your taxi. You can get a better exchange rate at the banks in town than you will at the airport.

3) Water in casas and hotels (anywhere, I assume) comes from a large blue tank on the roof that is filled by a large water truck. I’m not sure how often they are filled, but you see the truck all over the city constantly filling tanks. We found out the hard way that you can run out of water. Now before you go on the “wasteful American” kick, we don’t/didn’t waste water. We took quick showers and shut the water off while brushing our teeth, etc., but it seems that the toilet continued to run one day after we left our casa. That evening we ran out of water during our showers. While our host was quick to switch the tanks and get our water back running, it would have been nice to have been aware of the water situation (and toilet situation) when we got there so we could have kept an eye on it.

4) They don’t have any emissions standards, so be ready for some pretty noxious fumes (Thank You EPA Emissions Standards!).

5) The average salary in Havana is $15-$20/month….yes, MONTH. So you will have many friendly Cubans offering to show you around, sell you cigars, take you to the best restaurants, etc. as a way to try to make extra money. Also, what we Americans consider a normal tip (15%-20%) is often the monthly salary for these hard working people. So be generous, gracious, and tolerant. These folks are just trying to get ahead while sharing their wonderful hospitality and beautiful country.

6) We booked all of our trip, except for the flight, through AirBnB (we flew Southwest). You can rent a casa particular for much less per night than a hotel room in the U.S. There are homes, condos, apartments, or just rooms available, depending on the type of trip you want to have. The casas are privately owned by locals, so the money is going to the Cuban citizens. You can also book tours through AirBnB. That’s what we did. These are hosted by the locals as well. The tours we took were very informative and certainly recommended.

7) There are two forms of currency in Cuba, the CUC which is the tourist currency, and the CUP which is the local currency. The CUC is very close in value to the U.S. dollar, so keeping track of how much you're spending isn’t that difficult. The CUP is worth much less (the CUC is worth 25 times as much as the CUP). So when you are looking at prices, make sure to note whether it is in CUC or CUP.

Now, on to the trip……

Day 1 - We flew into Havana from Ft Lauderdale on a Wednesday afternoon. Our casa host arranged a cab to pick us up at the airport. Our cab driver was waiting when we got there. The airport is about a 30min ride from Old Havana, where we were staying. The cost of the cab ride was 30cuc and we tipped on top of that. Also, I want to note that the cool classic ‘50s cars you see in all of the pictures are not the cabs that will pick you up from the airport. If that is what you are wanting, you will need to make special arrangements, and those cabs will probably cost a little more. Otherwise you will get to ride in a Russian Lada. Our host greeted us at our casa, showed us around the area, and helped us get settled. We scheduled a walking tour of Old Havana for our first evening so we could get a feel for the area and what we wanted to see/do (FREE walking tour: Welcome to Havana is the AirBnB listing). This is a tour I would definitely recommend. Our guide, Daniel, was a great host, knew much about the city and its history, and was happy to answer questions. The tour was listed as free, but you should tip what you feel the tour was worth. As I said earlier, the people of Cuba offer these services as a way to make extra money. Daniel works as a journalist and does these tours on the side. Our tour started at Parque Central, just a block from the capitol building (Explanada del Capitolio) and where all the cool ‘50s cars park and offer city tours. From there we learned the history of the Gran Teatro de La Habana (Great Theatre of Havana), and that the Explanada del Capitolio was modeled after the U.S. Capitol, but is one meter taller ;). It also has a diamond in the floor in the middle of the rotunda and the distance to every place in Cuba is measured from that diamond. From there we toured on foot to the Revolution Museum, saw the remains of the original walls of the city, the fort protecting Havana Port, and visited the four Plazas. We ended the tour at the Plaza Vieja, which was just a few blocks from our casa and was the location of one of the restaurants our host recommended. That evening we enjoyed some Cuban beer on the balcony while people watching.

Day 2 - After a surprisingly restful sleep (I was worried because I didn’t bring my pillow and the beds there don’t have box springs, just a mattress) we went to meet up for our second tour. This was to be a 9.5 hour nature walk and swim at Canasí Ecological Reserve. Well, after meeting the guide and checking the weather, we opted to head back to the casa and just wing it that day. And after it stormed all afternoon, we were glad we made that choice! We spent the part of the day, before the storms, exploring some of the areas we were introduced to the night before. We also began the husband’s quest for authentic Cuban cigars. After the storms started, we found a nice rooftop bar (covered) and watched the storms roll across Havana. That evening we enjoyed dinner at El Rum Rum de la Habana where the husband had the biggest lobster tail we’ve ever seen. Delicious and inexpensive (by U.S. standards)!!

Day 3- One of the best things we found in Cuba was the coffee! So our mornings were spent coffee shop hopping (kinda like bar hopping, but for coffee instead of beer). All that caffeine made the 8 miles we averaged walking each day a little easier. Our favorite place to stop was the Iberostar by Parque Central. There we could get one hour of wifi with the purchase of a drink. So coffee and stalking the son became our morning routine (#StalkerMomReturns). After our coffee, we spent the rest of the morning on the quest for cigars. After visiting one the government stores, the only place you can ensure you’re getting authentic Cuban cigars, we tracked down a classic ‘50s cab (a beautiful ’56 Ford Fairlane) to take us to the Vedado neighborhood for our final scheduled excursion. This last tour was a cigar tasting. We met at Cigar Passion (which also happens to be the name of the tour on AirBnB) and ordered drinks. We each received a Cohiba to enjoy with the tapas and mojitos while our host, Luis, told us the history of cigars in Cuba and what makes Cuban cigars special. Luis has worked at the cigar factory for 20 years and is now one of the tour guides at the factory. We were joined by a lovely young Russian couple. This was probably the most splendid evening of our trip. Our 2 hour cigar dinner turned into 3 hours of wonderful conversation. Luis was a great host. A definite must do when visiting Havana. After returning to Old Havana we enjoyed dinner at Esquina de Cuba, then back to our casa for drinks, cigars, and people watching.

Day 4 - During our tour on our first day, Daniel told us there is an art show every Saturday at the Paseo del Prado just down the street from Parque Central. So we left our Saturday open for this and to check out all the things we had seen but hadn’t had time to explore. When we got there we were surprised by a fun run taking place along the Paseo de Marti. Of course I had to stop and cheer for the runners, and be jealous that I  wasn’t able to participate. The art show was very interesting with a mix from whimsical to political in a variety of mediums. Another recommended activity if you are in the Old Havana area on a Saturday. After the art show, we decided to take a city tour in a beautiful ’56 Cadillac. These tours last about an hour and cost 40cuc. Our driver spoke English very well and showed us all of the highlights of Havana…from Revolution Square and Lennon Park to the University and Hotel Nacional de Cuba. Another recommended experience.

Day 5 - Our host arranged a taxi to take us to the airport. We changed our left over CUCs back to Euros at the airport. While we probably should have done that at the bank in Old Havana, we didn’t think of it in time. The flight and customs was easy to manage. They just want to know what you purchased while in Cuba. I believe that you need to pay tax if it’s over a certain dollar amount, but with only a box of cigars and a couple of paintings, we were safe from extra fees.

While this was not your typical relaxation vacation, it was a wonderful cultural experience for both of us. The husband said that if he were asked to describe Havana in just one word it would be ‘alive’ and he is correct. The city is very much alive, and just like their music, there is movement everywhere.  

[tamboradventure]

How to Experience Cuba on a Budget

Posted: 11/28/19 | November 28th, 2019

As a Cuban-American, Talek Nantes has had a lot of experience traveling around Cuba. There’s a lot more to the country than just all-inclusive resorts! In this guest post, she offers some an in-depth breakdown of how to travel around Cuba like a local.

I’ve been traveling between Cuba and the US since I was born. (Actually, even before I was born: my mom came to the States when she was pregnant with me. I like to say I was made in Havana and born in the USA.)

As a Cuban-American who wrote a book on the country and runs tours there, I’ve made it my mission to share my appreciation for Cuban culture with everyone who wants to experience it.

People frequently ask me if Cuba is expensive.

It doesn’t have to be. It can be quite an affordable place to visit.

From obvious tried-and-true advice, like eat at locations at least three blocks away from popular tourist sites, to little-known tips only the locals know, here’s how to experience Cuba on a budget.  

1. How to save money on Cuban currency exchanges

Cuban currency cannot be purchased overseas, as it is not traded internationally, so you’ll need to get it on arrival.

Cuba has two currencies: the CUC, which is what tourists and visitors use, and the CUP, also called the peso, used by everyone else. As a visitor, all your transactions will be done in CUC, which is roughly equal to one US dollar. There are about 25 CUP to 1 CUC.

In a country with 2 currencies, it is important to know the difference between a CUP and CUC. For example, you don’t want to overpay in CUC when something is priced in CUP. And when you receive change from a CUC, make sure the change is not in CUP. The best way to keep them straight is to remember that a CUC has monuments on its face and a CUP, or peso, has pictures of people.

Once in Cuba, you should exchange money at the airport “CADECA.” A CADECA is the official government exchange location. Keep in mind that you will need your passport in order to exchange currency.

Change only enough to get you to your accommodation, then change more at the CADECAs in town, as they have better rates. Avoid exchanging currency at banks and hotels, as these offer less favorable rates.

US citizens should be aware that credit cards drawn on US banks are not accepted in Cuba and ATMs cannot dispense money from US banks, so you must bring enough cash to last the entire trip.  

2. How to save money on your accommodations in Cuba

For the best value for your money, you can’t beat a casa particular.

Casas particulares, or casas for short, are the homes of local Cubans who rent rooms to visitors like a B&B. You can rent a room in a private home for an average of 30 CUC per night.

The best part of staying with a Cuban family is that you can have an authentically Cuban experience. You eat with them, hang out in their living room, play with their kids or pets. You’re treated like one of the family while you are there. That’s a lot more rewarding than staying at a sterile hotel.

It’s easy to book a casa. You can reserve on Airbnb or any number of similar online sites (though Airbnb often has the largest selection and one of the few sites Americans can widely use). You should pre-book a casa from home at least for your first night’s stay in Cuba. Once in Cuba you can book the following nights yourself either through your host or just by looking for a house with the casa sign (a blue anchor with a roof on a white background) and simply knocking on the door.

Otherwise, hostels will be your best option for saving money. Some top-rated Havana hostels include the following:

Cuba 58 Hostel

Casa Rene & Madelyn

Hostal DRobles

Casa Novo Guest House

Hostal Corazón del Mundo

Casa Zeila

Prices per night range from around 5 to 15 CUC, though most are around 11 CUC.

I find casas to be the best accommodation option. A hostel may be cheaper, but there are many casas with hostel pricing, so you get the best of both worlds: low cost plus interaction with a local family. Isn’t the connection with other cultures one of the main reasons we travel?  

3. The best places to eat in Cuba without breaking the bank

The best places to eat in Cuba are paladares. These are privately owned (vs. government owned) restaurants. There are all types of paladares, from high-end establishments in renovated mansions to hole-in-the-wall stands.

Traditional dishes you will find at paladares include arroz con pollo (chicken and rice), ropa vieja (shredded beef), and lechón (roast pork). Typical drinks include the classic mojito, daiquiri, and Cuba Libre. Fruit juices are also readily available. The local beers, Bucanero and Cristal, are very good.

Any guidebook will point out the paladares. You can also find them in the A La Mesa app. Typical costs (in CUCs) for meals in paladares are as follows:

High-end paladar:

Lunch: 10–25

Dinner 15–35

Mid-range paladar:

Lunch: 7–10

Dinner: 10–25

Some of my favorite paladares in Havana include Doña Eutemia, near the cathedral; Los Mercaderes; and San Cristóbal, where US President Obama had lunch. A typical meal at one of these will cost about 15–20 CUC.

Street vendors are also found throughout the country and offer little sandwiches, pizza, croquettes, pastries, and other snacks for 1 to 3 CUC. The food is not great, but it certainly is budget-friendly.  

4. Cuban transportation on a budget

Transportation is likely to be your biggest expense, with taxis being the most common. Rule number one for getting around in Cuba is to negotiate before getting in. Tell the driver where you want to go, or show him in writing and ask how much (“¿Cuánto?”). Whatever the driver says, counter with a couple of CUCs lower. The drivers are used to this; they generally start at a higher rate, anticipating that they will end up with a lower fee.

Yellow taxis are government-run (vs. privately owned). These are used by tourists and tend to be the most expensive.

Coco-taxis are essentially motorcycles with a cover shaped to look like a yellow coconut (hence the name), and they are everywhere. They tend to be cheaper but can only take two people at a time.

Bici-taxis are rickshaw-like bicycles that’ll take you around Old Havana.

Another option is the colectivo, or collective taxi. These are cars that travel busy thoroughfares within city limits, picking up and dropping off people as they go along. A trip from one end of a busy, central street to the other, or anywhere in between, will cost about half a CUC. The taxi is shared with up to six people.

Buses are overcrowded, unreliable, and not air-conditioned but they are very cheap. They travel major routes mostly outside Old Havana.

Typical transportation costs:

Yellow government taxi: 10 CUC within city limits

Coco-taxi: 5 CUC within city limits; only fits 2 people

Bici-taxi: 2 CUC per person; only fits 2 people; not motorized

Collective taxi: Half a CUC per trip in a shared taxi

Bus: About 0.20 CUC

A fun way to explore a big city like Havana is by taking a tour in a classic American convertible from the ’50s, but at 40 to 50 CUC an hour, they aren’t very budget-friendly.  

5. Staying connected in Cuba without paying a fortune

Internet access in Cuba is iffy. It is not offered everywhere, and where it is, it is unreliable.

The best way to stay connected is to purchase an internet connection card, sold in increments of 1 CUC per hour, at the local ETECSA, the Cuban government’s telecommunications office with branches all over the island. You use the login and password on the card to connect your phone or computer.

You can also purchase an internet connection card at most high-end hotels, but the cost can be as high at 7 CUC per hour, so purchasing your card at an ETECSA is a huge savings.

Once you have your card, find a location where you can connect. Most parks have connectivity, as do areas around ETECSA offices. Just look for groups of people huddled over their phones.

Higher-end hotels also offer Wi-Fi at outrageous fees.

If you don’t use up your internet time, the leftover will be saved on your card and you will be able to use it again.

A typical daily budget For a typical day in Havana, Cuba’s most expensive city, you can expect to budget as follows:

Breakfast at your casa: 5 CUC

Street food snacks: 2–5 CUC

Lunch at a paladar: 5–7 CUC

Dinner at a paladar: 5–10 CUC

Alcoholic beverage: mojito: 2–3 CUC, beer: 2 CUC, rum: 5 CUC/bottle

Room in a casa: average 30 CUC

Intracity taxi: 2��10 CUC

Museum entrance fee: 2–8 CUC

Entrance fee to a music venue: free or 2–10 CUC

Internet connection card 1–2 CUC

To be on the safe side and leave yourself a little room to splurge, budget 100 CUC/day. Keep in mind you may want to purchase the world-famous cigars and rum. The local art you find at the many galleries around town may also appeal to you.

Traveling outside of Havana When traveling outside Havana, you’ve got a couple of options. The most convenient and expensive is to reserve a taxi that will pick you up at your casa and deliver you door to door. Your casa host or hostel or hotel staff can arrange one for you.

Another option is the national bus service, which extends across the entire country. The buses are air-conditioned, and the prices are very reasonable. Prices from Havana to popular destinations are as follows:

Havana to Viñales: 12 CUC

Havana to Trinidad: 25 CUC

Havana to Varadero: 10 CUC

Havana to Santiago, on the far side of the island: 51 CUC

You need to purchase your tickets at the Viazul bus station at Avenida Independencia #101, at the corner of 19 de Mayo. The buses will take you to the bus stations in your destination city, which are generally in very central locations convenient to wherever you want to go.

There are car rental agencies throughout Cuba with which you can organize a self-drive tour. However, keep in mind that the roads outside Havana can be in very poor condition and difficult to navigate. With easy transportation within the big cities and convenient bus service between cities, a car rental may not be your most budget-friendly option.

Domestic flights are pretty unreliable and I wouldn’t recommend it.

***

Before traveling to Cuba, US citizens should check the travel requirements. Ordinary tourism is prohibited for US citizens. All US visitors must travel to Cuba under one of 12 US government approved categories. “Support for the Cuban People” is the most commonly used category and can be selected when purchasing the airline ticket.

Experiencing Cuba on a budget certainly has its challenges, but it is totally worth it.

Cuba gets under your skin quickly. It bewitches and beckons you to explore more of it.

No matter how many times I return to Cuba I always find something to amaze me; a new art venue, a remarkable piece of 18th century architecture or an innovative take on traditional Cuban cuisine.

Cuba is a safe, beautiful country with welcoming people and a fascinating culture. Put it on your must-visit list and you won’t be disappointed.

Talek Nantes is an author, digital content creator and founder of the travel blog, Travels With Talek. She is a passionate travel enthusiast and enjoys sharing her travel experiences with others. She lives in with her husband in New York City and Miami. Talek leads tours to Cuba and her most recent book is Don’t just travel to Cuba, experience Cuba available on Amazon.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com, as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them both all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all those I use to save money when I travel — and they will save you time and money too!

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[boyversusworldblog]

As mentioned in a prior post about my first day in Havana Cuba, I visited the country of Cuba for the very first time. Travel to Cuba had been somewhat off-limits to Americans for some time, so that might explain the huge influx of U.S. travelers to Cuba to see what the country has to offer. The majority of my time in Cuba was spent in Havana.

We arrived in the port of Havana by cruise ship and headed out to explore the city of Havana. Let me first say that we almost didn’t make it to Cuba due to a very intense hurricane season in the Caribbean. Luckily, all three of the major hurricanes that hit Cuba died out and finally left us in the clear to travel. We had been watching our cruise line’s website by the hour in the event they canceled our cruise or would divert us to other islands. The problem was that a larger majority of the islands that the cruise line usually diverted to were also badly hit.

We were also slightly aggravated by the talk by the Trump administration of rolling back Obama era regulations regarding travel to Cuba. The main concern was whether we would be allowed to book our excursions ourselves and travel as individuals or if we have to book a group tour. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Tip: If you’re a U.S. citizen, I would highly advise that you check the US travel website for any recent changes for travel to Cuba before you book your tickets to anything. The regulation changes were actually pending after we had booked our cruise and our excursions, so needless to say we were kind of on edge. As far as tours go, we decided to not book our tour through the cruise line as it was actually more expensive than picking a local tour company on our own. If you are worried about getting back to the cruise ship on time or have a tight schedule and/or don’t feel comfortable booking tours outside of cruise line, then you may want to consider the excursions through the cruise line.

Usually, my sister and I can figure out an itinerary on our own and just make an experience in line with what we like to see. This time we decided to be a bit lazy and let someone else navigate and do all the talking as we did all the walking. You may still be okay to navigate on your own if just get a detailed map of Havana. Be aware though that you most likely will not have cell or internet service in Cuba as it’s regulated and pretty spotty in most areas, so print your maps prior to coming or buy one when you get there. There are certain spots that have Wi-Fi and there have been talks that due to increased tourism there may be changes to allow more Wi-Fi access. I will say that all of the key sites are reasonably close to each other so you won’t have to travel far. If you’re trying to get out of the city a little further, you might need a lot more than just a map.

After a bit of searching on the internet to find a credible tour company, we settled on Havana Tour Company which is a sister company to Locally Sourced Cuba Tours. We didn’t want to be in the midst of all the people rushing off the cruise ship for the earlier tours provided by the cruise ship or other tour companies. Also, it was easier to get through customs later in the day since it wasn’t packed with all the cruise ship tourist. So, we slept in a bit and eased into the day and then ventured out for the Havana Afternoon Delight Tour.

There are a lot of tours to choose from but we picked this tour since it offered a little bit of everything. It’s part walking tour, part classic car ride, and lastly an interactive authentic mojito making. The tour is noted on the website to be four hours long and for groups of two to twelve, so you might be mixed in with a group that is less than twelve. We headed off the cruise ship, exchanged our U.S. dollars (USD) into the Cuban Convertible currency (CUC) and headed our the terminal. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

TIP: Exchange your USD for another currency like Canadian Dollars, Mexican Pesos, or Euros to possibly get a better exchange when you exchange in Cuba. You are automatically charged 10% just for exchanging in USD and then an additional 3% for a financial transaction charge. So you may be able to avoid the large 10% fee if you exchange in a different currency. This is only if you get a good exchange rate to begin with on the currency you originally exchange your USD from.

We didn’t know this before we went but we weren’t worried about the 13% fees since most things are pretty cheap to purchase anyway in Cuba and you may not need a huge amount of money if you’re traveling on a budget.

Anyway, we met up with our guide at the location that was noted on our confirmation email. We found out that we were the only people on our tour, so we basically got a private tour! We also learned throughout the tour that our guide was very educated about Cuban history as well as international current events. He spoke about the degrees he received in university in teaching and in history. We also talked about how many people think that Cuba is completely cut off from the world but they aren’t completely cut off. They know quite a bit about what’s going on in the U.S and U.K and worldwide. As we crossed the Paseo de Marti toward the statue of Jose Marti, our guide was stopped by the police in military clothes. He showed them his tour guide license/identification card and answered a few questions and we kept on truckin’. He advised us that this is a regular occurrence as there are tour guides that aren’t licensed to be actual guides that solicit tourists for tours and they aren’t actually valid tours and may not charge a fair price or provide a comprehensive tour. This is why it’s important to do your research and pick a company that is official.

  We walked past the restaurant bar El Floridita which was frequented by Ernest Hemingway and down the beautiful cobblestone streets of Havana. He explained the historical significance of certain structure around town and talked about the times of revolution. He also drew similarities between the history of the U.S. regarding the slave trade and the history of Cuba. It was intriguing to find out that even Cuba was built on the backs of slaves from Africa, among others. We discussed general opinions about the Obama administration and the Trump administration. He let my sister and I know that it was astounding and extremely motivating when Obama visited Cuba. He said that people were in awe of the fact that an African American, someone like themselves, was the leader of the United States and would choose to visit Cuba. He said that it was a very humbling experience and something that he would never forget. We also talked about the changes that were pending implementation from the Trump administration. It was interesting to understand the impact of actions taken by the president of the nation in which you reside and how it affects other people from the perspective of the people that actually reside in that country. The conversation wasn’t heated politically and I never got a feeling from our guide of any animosity or hatred toward one side or the other. It’s not common nowadays to just have an honest and open discussion about issues that affect the world without interjecting one’s own bias. It was a very comprehensive and eye-opening discussion.

We walked into Havana’s Old Town with it’s wonderfully laid out public squares and market areas. We stopped by a building were local artists were busy at work creating beautiful works of art and were able to chat with some of the locals about their craft. We stepped in briefly to the La Catedral and marveled at the intricacy of the ceiling and other fixtures as well as the facade of the outside of the church. La Catedral charges a small fee to walk around the inside of the church. It’s a nominal fee but just be prepared. It was around $5 CUC as of the date of this blog post. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

What I loved about this tour is that it didn’t feel rushed at all. The guide let us ask all the questions on our mind and it almost appeared that his explanations were finished just as we came upon one of the main areas of focus for the tour. I don’t know if this was strategically planned but it was really awesome to not feel rushed and really get a chance to digest the information that was being provided. There was plenty of time for photos as well. Once we made it to the Plaza San Francisco de Asis, the walking portion of the tour was over and we went to a local bar to have an adult beverage while we waited for the classic car to arrive.

When the car arrived, I chuckled a little because it looked like a short pink Cadillac. I’m not sure how much of the car was actually classic as our guide let us know that they haven’t imported any cars for several years so they have to re-use parts to keep all the classic cars running. We winded through the streets of Havana, past the El Capitolio and away from the city toward the Plaza del Revolucion.

  This seemed to be a stopping point for many of the classic cars but our guide advised us not to venture too far as there is a strong military presence within the Plaza as well as by the Monument to Jose Marti.

The military personnel aren’t to be feared, but you have to just be cautious and mind your manners. So, be respectful and don’t take any photos of military personnel without permission.

After stopping at the Plaza del Revolucion we drove back into the city as the sun started to set for the mojito making. The mojito demonstration was on the rooftop of a local house which appears to be turned into a bar once the sun goes down. The friend of our guide showed us how to make two drinks, a mojito, and a caipirinha. Let’s just say, they’re not light on the liquor and after walking all day I was ready to experience the power of alcohol other than cruise ship drinks if you know what I’m sayin’. Since we were a party of two, let’s just say the drinks were….flowing. It was such a chill vibe and our conversations continued through at least two packs of cigarettes between our guide and my sister. I don’t smoke, so don’t get it twisted.

They do have non-alcoholic options if you want to take this tour so don’t let the alcohol scare you off. I asked our guide what made him most proud to be Cuban and he said that he knows that wherever he goes on the island if he’s ever in need, people will help out as a community even if they don’t know him personally. He said he enjoys the sense of community as a nation and that in a way, he is his brother’s keeper. He said this after I answered that what I like most about being American is that we can be whatever we what and have a sense of self and individualism like no other. This was another point where I really had to stop and think because one thing that I do think is missing in the U.S. is a sense of community. We all try so hard to make it on our own that we forget to stop and ask for help from time to time or don’t try to help each other toward a common goal.

Needless to say, the sun was almost completely set by the time we left the mojito making and our guide took us to a little cafe/bar as a drop off point. My sister and I had a beer as we processed our day and talked about the entire experience. I can say that this was one of the best experiences of my life! I say this not because of the tourist attractions and the key sights but more because of the conversation and the interaction with true locals. That is the experience I yearn for. This was an experience that will leave a lasting impression and give me stories to tell to start a conversation with people who may never get the chance to do the same. I’m also happy that my sister felt the same way. I’m glad that she and I were able to share the experience together as siblings because it’s something I’ll always remember. Pardon the blurry photo with a front-facing camera on an iPhone 5.

As of the date of this blog post, the fee for the tour was $75 per person. As you can tell, it was well worth it. As I mentioned in my previous post, our tour ended up being nine hours even though it was supposed to be four. Don’t let this scare you because the guides are very mindful of your time so if you need to stick to the four-hour timeline, they will make sure you meet your time goals just in case you have other excursions planned or need to get back to the cruise ship terminal or airport. We didn’t have anything planned and I’m glad we were able to make a full day of it.

On a side note, there is also a Free Walking Tour company that operates if you’re on a budget and just want to get a taste of the city to bookmark places to go back to.

If you want to read more about My 36 Hours in Havana Cuba Day One, click on the link. I had to break it up in two parts so you can read about My 36 Hours in Havana Day Two by clicking here.

Happy Travels!

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Review: Havana Tour Company – Havana Afternoon Delight Tour As mentioned in a prior post about my first day in Havana Cuba, I visited the country of Cuba for the very first time.