Make Your Next Trip Extraordinary
Cuba Without Crowds and Hassles: Insider’s Travel Guide
Vintage cars in Old Havana, Cuba. Photo: Michael Petit
The insider advice on this page is from one of Wendy’s Trusted Travel Experts: David Lee of Cultural Cuba.
Yes, you can still travel to Cuba. While cruise ships and People to People tour groups are banned, private Support for the Cuban People custom tours are still allowed. The good news is that David doesn’t have to change a thing about the way he operates, and anyone who organized a trip through him (or who wants to in the future) can continue to experience Cuba in a way that the cruise masses and large tour groups never could. David is in Cuba almost every month, nurturing his priceless on-the-ground relationships. He gets you inside the small private restaurants and intimate music venues that big-bus tours cannot access, and into the best hotels in Old Havana—the perpetually sold-out favorites with rooftop pools and 360-degree views. He has tapped into Cuba’s underground art scene, so his trips include visits to renovated mansions-cum-art-galleries, special unadvertised music performances, and private art studios. He selects his guides for their willingness to give an honest assessment of daily life in their native country, and he doesn’t nickel-and-dime you by tacking on additional charges—which means his trips often end up costing the same as other operators’ itineraries that start at a lower price.
NOTE: The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control requires that all documents related to travel to Cuba (including a preapproved itinerary, a record of appointments, and all receipts) be documented and kept for five years post-travel. Cultural Cuba manages the entire process—including all the documentation, reservations, and transportation—so that clients can enjoy exploring the culture of Cuba without the concern that they are running afoul of U.S. regulations.
Where to Stay and Eat
Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski, Cuba. Photo: Kempinski
Best splurge hotel
The Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski—the country’s only five-star hotel—sits amidst UNESCO World Heritage sites in the heart of Old Havana, with views of the Capitol, El Floridita, and the Grand National Theater. Take it all in from the San Cristobal Panoramic Restaurant and the pool, both of which are situated on the roof. There’s also a one-of-a-kind ventilated cigar lounge and an excellent spa and fitness center.
Restaurant the locals love
5 Sentidos, a paladar (small private restaurant) in Old Havana, is the current darling of the Havana dining scene. The kitchen is known for its original interpretations of traditional Cuban cuisine—especially their fresh seafood. The desserts are particularly coveted.
Must-have dish
Ropa vieja is a Cuban stew made with tender, slow-cooked meat that is shredded and mixed with onions and peppers, melding the rich flavors. Of course, Havana is the birthplace of the mojito and the daiquiri, both delicious and easily paired with any meal.
Meals worth the splurge
Dinner at La Guarida, where visitors climb the faded marble staircase of a former tenement house to the top floor’s intimate rooms. Inventive dishes such as smoked marlin tacos with rum perfume and capers, or suckling pig in a savory honey and orange sauce, deconstruct and combine traditional Cuban and international cuisine. Allow extra time to enjoy drinks on the rooftop terrace. (Reservations are a must.)
A close second is Ivan Chef Justo, located near the Museum of the Revolution. Ask for a table in the dining room with a view of the kitchen or the romantic rooftop table for two that you walk through the kitchen to access. (The rooftop can be a bit chilly and windy, so bring a sweater if you opt to eat there.) Dishes are a modern take on traditional seafood and farm-to-table fare with a Spanish influence, including delicious paella, bouillabaisse, and of course ropa vieja (see “Must-have dish,” above). The wine selection is excellent.
Cuba’s colorful cars. Photo: Cultural Cuba photographer Natasha F Gomez
Things to Do and See
Hidden gem
Experience a private jazz concert and discussion with a renowned Cuban jazz trio who will provide insights into both the benefits and challenges of pursuing the arts under a socialist regime.
Bragging rights
Enjoy cocktails and conversation with renowned photographers Ramses Batista and Alex Castro. Ramses’ photography captures the beauty of the human form and nature. Alex pays homage to his father, Fidel, often revealing a not-commonly-seen sweet and tender side to the island’s former leader. Alex is also a renowned baseball photographer.
Visit the studio of Roberto Fabelo, whose paintings and sculptures draw viewers into a fantasy world of bird-headed nudes, human-headed cockroaches, and urns teeming with mermaids and forks. The artist, who is delightful and down-to-earth despite his celebrity status, will talk with you about his work and show you his sketchbooks, which illustrate his attention to anatomical detail.
Dancers at the Habana Compás Dance in Havana, Cuba. Photo: CulturalCuba
Attend a private performance by Habana Compás Dance, a group of classically trained dancers and musicians who use castanets, hourglass-shaped batá (the drums of Cuban Santeria), and even chairs as percussion instruments—think Stomp! mixed with flamenco. In the Q&A session that follows, you’ll learn how the choreography, a mix of traditional and modern, is derived from the dancers’ Spanish, Cuban, and Afro-Cuban roots.
Learn to distinguish the different flavors of rum and methods of aging at the leading distillery in Cuba. Enjoy a private tasting in a secret room not open to the public with the head sommelier of Havana Club rum, and sample bottles that are not available in the U.S.
Don’t miss
An exclusive discussion and presentation with the Lead City Planner and Chief Architect for the City of Havana, who has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and in numerous worldwide publications. He offers a fascinating history and perspective on the renovation of Old Havana, as well as critical redevelopment issues for the future.
A private, one-on-one salsa lesson at the oldest house of salsa.
A ride along the Malecon in a classic convertible. A private photographer will capture you and the colorful cars in motion, using Havana’s beautiful architecture as a stunning backdrop.
Don’t bother
Callejon de Hammel, an alley with art made from found objects, is a popular and increasingly crowded stop for tour buses and cruise-ship excursions. Instead, we can arrange for you to tour an artist’s private studio or visit the Cuban Wing of the National Museum of Art with a curator.
Streets of Old Havana, Cuba. Photo: CulturalCuba
Downtime
Havana is full of hidden gems. Make sure you explore beyond the renovated sections of Old Havana and don’t be put off by the dilapidated buildings and streets. They are part of the experience and completely safe. (Do remember to wear comfortable shoes, and to look down as you walk to avoid tripping on potholes and uneven pavement.)
Wendy Wants To Amp Up Your Trip!
On every third qualifying trip, Wendy will add a surprise WOW Moment to your itinerary. Click for details.
Best Time to Go
Late October through early April, when temperatures are cooler, and the air is less humid. If you want to visit the tobacco-growing region, come between December and April. The beach is best suited for May through November.
Worst Time to Go
There is no true low season in Cuba anymore, but as a Caribbean destination, it does get hot and humid in the summer months, especially August. The rainy season is at its peak in September and October, but unless there is an actual hurricane, it rarely rains all day.
Biggest Rookie Mistake
Failing to plan far enough ahead. Cuba is not a last-minute destination. If you don’t plan your trip well in advance, the best hotels won’t be available.
That said, Cuba really isn’t ready to be an unguided destination, and independent travelers do themselves a disservice. The country is bursting at the seams at its current annual visitor level, and the best hotels are sold out months in advance. Overbooking by guides, restaurants, and other services is commonplace, and the lack of reliable phone and Internet service makes coping with such problems a real challenge. Factor in flight delays, mechanical issues with cars and buses, and hotel cancellations or “rerouting” and you can see why expert planning is crucial.
Instagram Moment
From the rooftop pool deck of the Hotel Saratoga, you have a clear view of the ocean and an almost 360-degree view of Havana; come here in the evening for glorious sunset colors.
The best time to capture the intricate façade of the neo-Baroque Grand Teatro de la Habana, home to the National Ballet and Opera, is after dark, when it is showcased by dramatic lighting.
Tip: Cubans appreciate U.S.-branded candy and gum, not available in Cuba. Bringing a bag or two of miniature candies from America is a good way to spread the smiles that often lead to nice photographs.
Scam to Avoid
Rarely accept the first price offered by taxi drivers. Taxis are not metered; it shouldn’t cost more than 10 Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC) to go just about anywhere.
The Souvenir
Leather goods, hand-carved wooden items, and canvas folk-art paintings are especially good finds, as well as anything at Almacenes San José, the large covered artisans market near the marina. (Slightly better art is found in the back right corner.) Look for leather tubes for the single cigars you plan to bring home as gifts and also hand-crafted humidors—the prices are much better here than at the Partagas Factory Store. After walking down one or two rows, you are done—the aisles tend to keep repeating. For those who hate souvenir shopping, plan to meet your traveling companions at the brewery pub next door.
Can't-Miss Photo Op
On every trip, I hire a professional Cuban photographer to join the travelers for part of their touring. She shoots a combination of candid and posed shots, edited versions of which travelers receive on a flash drive before they leave Cuba.
Must-have App
Many U.S. apps are blocked from full use in Cuba. The fix: A VPN (virtual private network) app, which will allow you to use all of your apps when connected to Wi-Fi.
Baggage Tip
Unless you are going on a long trip, it is a great idea to go “carry-on only.” The Havana airport is a busy one, and when several planes arrive at once, it can be a very long wait for baggage.
Don't Forget to Pack
Any drug-store products you might need. Even ibuprofen is hard to find. When in doubt, pack a small supply just to be safe.
Good walking shoes. No stilettos, ladies! With cobblestone and potholes, you’ll encounter uneven pavement wherever you go. Comfortable footwear is the rule in Cuba.
