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Ines

Already as a little girl, I was bitten by the travel bug and will most likely never get rid of it. I love to travel and to understand other cultures and languages. After living in Cuba for a couple of years showing the beauty of Havana to others, it was time to pack my suitcase and move on. I keep traveling and am currently based in Malta writing about all sorts of travel adventures and other stuff. I love to travel slow and engage with the local culture.

Tips Cuba

Cuba on a Budget- Taking the Bus in Havana

by Ines
written by Ines
As I mentioned in some posts before, traveling Cuba on a budget can be a bit tricky, but it is not impossible.
Havana is the best place to stay on a budget because of your many options to save money in food and transport. Here you have hostels and a lot of options to eat good but not expensive. In other areas, especially touristic towns and popular locations, you might have to look longer for such things, but they exist.
Moving around will affect your budget a lot and is yet one of the best chances to save money. In Havana, there are a lot of possibilities to move around. The cheapest would be walking, but it is a big city and you can not walk everywhere.
A little more expensive than walking is taking the bus, or “guagua”, but really just a little. A bus ride cots 40cts from the CUP. Just be aware that if you pay with 1CUP you will not get any change back, usually and bigger bus stops there are people who change the coin to cents.
Some buses are really crowded, so always try to catch them during the first stops.
A great way to get around a little faster and still see something of the city is the P- Metro buses.
You could even safe on your city tour if you take rides on the P4 or the PC and discover less touristic areas if you take the P3.
Keep in mind that at the bus stations you should always ask for the last person in line: El Ultimo.
Have fun discovering Havana by bus.mapa-lineas-metrobus-habana
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fusterlandia havana
CubaTips Cuba

Colorful Fusterlandia in Havana

by Ines
written by Ines
Imagine your home as a tourist attraction, you’ll get a lot of visitors from all around the world. Of course, there has to be a reason why a home can be an attraction at the same time or somebody famous lives or lived there or somebody has turned his home to something different.
That is what the artist José Antonio Rodríguez Fuster did. Fuster, who lives and works in Havana’s neighborhood Jaimanitas started to decorate his home and parts of the neighborhood with mosaic and sculptures. That project grew over the years and is now one very interesting and less known attraction in the city.

Where to find Fusterlandia and what to expect

Located in a less touristic area but easy to reach by taxi, route taxi or bus, Fusterlandia is a different experience of Art and community project.
Each part of the main house and the surroundings tells his own story. You can find sculptures and paintings about Cuban history, culture and identity but also about other countries and the personal lives of the people living close by.
The place feels like a huge playground of fantasy and things to discover. The ride there takes you through some beautiful parts of Havana and combines well with a visit to K’chos studio at the Paradero de Playa. Yolo
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Tips Cuba

A Place for the Living and the Dead – Colón Cemetery in Havana

by Ines
written by Ines
Cemeteries are popular sights sometimes in cities like Paris, they are also used for a Sunday picnic or just a walk.
In Havana, the cemetery Coloón is also a tourist attraction and that’s more than justified. Although it doesn’t have Jim Morrisons grave it is a really interesting place to visit.
The Cementerio Colon is located in the Vedado neighborhood and was built in 1870 and still is one of the biggest cemeteries in the world. Havana’ population grew fast in the 19th century. And cholera spread among the city the existing churches and cemeteries had not enough space for all the bodies. So they built a new one which now is about 56 ha big and counts about 800.000 graves. The thumbs are decorated with ornaments and statues made by famous artists and there are several mausoleums telling their own stories.

Visit the founder of the Daiquiri and other celebrities

Famous Cubans are buried here and as the place is so huge is has its own system of streets like a small city.
You have the chance to visit the graves of famous people from Cuban history and culture like Ibrahim Ferrer.
It’s worth to plan a lot of time for the visit and discover the artistic thumbs and stories behind them.
Be aware that for tourists the cemetery is considered a museum and the entrance is 5CUC. Residents and Cubans do not have to pay.
Plan your visit in the morning or in the late afternoon. The sun can get tricky and there is not much shade to hide from it.
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Sunset valentines day in Cuba
CubaStories Cuba

February 14th in Cuba

by Ines
written by Ines

Everybody knows that day, some love it, some fear it and some people hate it. All around the world, this day is connected to a lot of pressure and money spending on your loved ones and their gifts. February 14th in Cuba, however, is a little bit different.

As in other countries in Cuba people also celebrate Valentine’s day, but it’s called differently. February 14th in Cuba is the “día de los enamorados” or also the “día de la amistad”, so it’s the day for loved ones and also the day of friendship. And believe me, people take this celebration seriously!

So here are some tips for Valentines Day in Cuba:

If you want to eat out that day, make a reservation or eat early. Streets, especially in Havana are packed that day!  Everybody goes out with their partner, date or just a group of friends. Outside of restaurants and cafeterías, there are queues and every place has their own special offer for that day.

check some of them out at A la Mesa.

How to spend Valentine’s Day in Havana?

If you hate Valentines Day, stay in or get a bottle of Rum and make new friends at the Malecón.

If you want to take somebody out to impress him or her, here are some ideas for:

Dinner 

Drinks 

or Dancing or Music

Also, you can just go out wandering the streets and watch what the others do!

It’s going to be a unique February 14th in Cuba that’s for sure!

 

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Cuban Indie Music – Because there is more than Salsa

by Ines
written by Ines

Yes, Cuban music is famous all over the world. Everybody knows at least the Buena Vista Social Club. But there is Cuban Indie Music too!

Cuban music is not just Salsa and Son or Reaggeton. There is much more and especially young Cubans experiment a lot and make mix different styles and influences to create a unique musical environment. There is Cuban Rap, Indie Rock, Reggae, Punk, Metal and also electronic music.

In Havana you can see concerts from different groups and styles in many places like the Fabrica de Arte Cubano or the Diablo Tun Tun (Calle 35, esquina 20, Playa)  and the Corner Café, or Clubs like the Berthold Brecht (Calle 13 e/I y J, Vedado) or the Submarino Amarillo close to the John Lennon Park .

In those places, you can discover more Cuban music and see live concerts for just a small fee or even no entrance prices. You can enjoy Jazz, Indie and other types of music that you might not have expected on the Island.

Here are just some artists and songs that you should have heard of:

X Alfonso – A Cuban Indie Music Classic 

The artist who also started the F.A.C in Havana grew up in a very musical environment and mixes a lot of styles and influences. He has a lot of songs about the Cuban lifestyle and everyday life. He got popular, also internationally, by making the soundtrack to the Spanish movie: Habana Blues.

Check it out:

Buena Fe

Buena Fe is really popular on the island. Ok, they are not an Indie Band anymore, but they still sound different.  They have nice and interesting lyrics and catchy songs, also they do great live concerts. They form part of current Cuban culture so if you have a chance to see them while you there, do so!

They also have quite creative video clips, check them out:

 

Wichy De Vedado – Some Cuban Tecno

My next tip is a Cuban DJ, who named himself after a neighborhood in Havana. He produces and mixes his music in his home in the Vedado and does a really good job with it!

check it out:

Xander Black

Another good Cuban Dj. You could also expect him to play in a Club in Berlin or elsewhere in Europe.

http://www.cubamusic.com/es-ES/Store/Album/07000129/dj-xanderblack/tour-havana

Telmary

Telmary does Hip Hop mixed with Cuban rhythms and Cuban topics. Her music is for listening and for dancing. She gives great concerts and you should also have heard of her or take the chance to see her live!

Sweet Lizzy Project

Sweet Lizzy Project is a young indie band. They sound like an indie folk band from Norway or Sweden, but they are from Cuba and gained some fame for the last years.

don’t miss them:

 

So check these artists out and be surprised by the variety of Cuban music. Of course those are not the only ones making Cuban Indie Music.

But for now :

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Christmas decoration in Cuban Shopping center
CubaStories Cuba

Happy Holidays – A Cuban Christmas

by Ines
written by Ines

Merry Christmas to all of you and thanks, you guys for reading and following!

Or better to say FELICIDADES!

Cuba, as every country has their own Christmas traditions and especially for new Years Eve. People gather around with their families and share the last week of the year with them.

On the 24. in Cuba people celebrate Nochebuena and on New Years Eve people meet again to celebrate the end of the year with their families.

Important for both days is the food! People start preparing early to have all the stuff together for the big celebration and everybody ships in to buy “carne puerco” (pork), Yuca (Maniok) and all the other food for the big dinner!

Christmas is less about religion and presents since the Revolution but some people still celebrate and have a small Christmas tree made of plastic. Usually with colorful decoration, lights, and flashy ornaments. The decoration got more popular over the years and if you happen to be in Cuba around Christmas you will see a lot lights and inflatable Santas.These Days are dedicated to loved ones.

So hopefully you have a nice Christmas, maybe even in Cuba!

Merry Christmas and Felicidades to all of you!

Thanks for reading this blog!

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CubaTips Cuba

Essential Advice for Traveling to Cuba

by Ines
written by Ines

There are some things you should know about before you travel to Cuba, or at least have a rough idea about them to avoid unpleasant surprises. Sometimes a little advice for traveling to Cuba comes in handy.

I am not talking about planning every detail about your trip… just some basics

so here we go:

THE INTERNET: Cuba has an extremely poor internet environment, and most of the foreign companies have really high roaming fees for Cuba. And, yes I mean extremely poor internet environment, there is no private internet connection, just public WIFI in parks or hotels (2CUC -3CUC per hour). More about the Internet here. And more about Telefons and Cells here.

MONEY: There are two currencies in Cuba (maybe that’s going to change soon) the CUP and the CUC (similar value than USD). One CUP is 24/ 25 CUP, and you can pay with both of them in almost every place, you just have to know how much they are worth. You can change money in banks and CADECAS (currency exchange) or withdraw from the ATM with Visa or Mastercard. Just be careful with American cards, there are still some problems. Try to get money to the bank with your credit card, before you try the ATM. (The last advice is just for travelers with American Credit Cards). More about Money here.

Accommodation: Stay in BnB (Casas Particulares), more here.

TRANSPORT: There are buses and shared taxis all around the island. Also, you could hitchhike if you are on a budget or seek for authentic adventure. More about transport here.

Here are some general tips for behavior in Cuba.

Politeness: Be polite to the people. Please don’t just walk into homes, schools or official buildings without a permit. (Would you want people to do that at your home?) If you want to talk politics be polite and not hardly direct and accept it if people do not want to talk about that kind of topic. Also be respectful. If you want to bring a gift, please consider this post first.

Tipping: As in many countries, in Cuba, you also tip 10%. Sometimes the 10% is included in the check. You usually would tip in restaurants and bars, also tour guides or taxi drivers. In a restaurant you leave the money with the check, wait until the waiter returns with your change and then leave the amount you would like to tip.

Toilets: There is a thing about Cuban toilets that you shouldn’t forget: Do not through your paper in the toilet! Never! In most places like hotels or public restrooms, you should pay about 10cents or 1 CUP for the paper, or carry your own. Also be aware that most public restrooms are not in the best condition.

Safety: Cuba is a very safe place. Nevertheless, you should be aware that there are pickpockets and scams in touristic areas.

Water: Do not drink tap water. You should buy bottled water or drink boiled, and filtered water like most people in Cuba do. Don’t wonder if you cannot get water anywhere that happens. Make sure to drink enough because of the heat and the sun.

Check out my packing list, for your trip to Cuba.

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CubaTips Cuba

Tips for the peak season in Cuba

by Ines
written by Ines

Now after the days of mourn and the funeral Havana and Cuba are heading back to normal again. And so is tourism. People are preparing for the peak season in Cuba.

So don’t worry you will be able to buy rum and have drinks again.

[Comment 2018: I wrote this post after Fidel Castro died in 2016 | There was an official mourning period of 9 days and it was forbidden to buy any kind of alcohol or listen to music]

How to prepare for peak season in Cuba?

And speaking of tourism, it’s also the beginning of peak season in Cuba! So there will be a lot of travelers and tourist, but also Cubans and families from all over the world visiting their loved ones on the island. SO prepare for things to get crowded.

Usually traveling around Cuba is not a problem at all, Bnb owners send you from one “casa” to another and might also reserve the transport for you. Usually, there is not much planning needed.

It might get crowded

For December and January, I suggest you reserve some places early. Especially in Viñales, which got so booked out last season that people had to sleep in parks. So, if you don’t mind that, you’re fine though!

If you plan to rent a car, you should also plan ahead, because family members from abroad tend to rent most of them in that season, so they disappear fast.Should you want to take the Viazul buses, you should maybe plan that as well, but usually, there are more taxis that just charge a little more and take you to your Casa particular or hotel directly.

If you plan to have a big party on New Year’s Eve, be aware that in Cuba usually, people celebrate this holiday with their families. That night of the year there is not so much going on on the streets. So, in case  you do look for a party, you should probably be in Havana that day, because there are more and more clubs and bars offering specials and parties.

Overall the time around Christmas and New Years is a great time to be in Cuba. You will experience a different kind of holiday season!

 

 

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CubaTips Cuba

Discover Cuba by Bike

by Ines
written by Ines

Biking around Cuba is a great way to get to know the Island and its people and culture. Why not getting to know the place this way? There are some perks in discovering Cuba by bike.  You are slower and less isolated than in a rented car or in a Víazul bus. In that way you have more contact to the people and might even need their help from time to time. Going through Cuba by bike, you have the opportunity to see small villages and secret beaches.
As the roads are not that busy in Cuba you could even bike on the “carretera nacional”, national highway.
There are several routes that are interesting to do by bike or by bike combined with other transports. There are also some things you should plan and bring if you plan to travel around by bike.
Great and interesting tours can be done all over the island. One really nice one is biking around the west of Cuba, along to tobacco plantations and beaches with white sand. Generally, it’s possible to do all the routes also by bike or combined with bike and bus.

What Should I Know Before I Do a Trip Around Cuba by Bike?

There are some things you should think about before you start your bike trip around Cuba. First of all: Should you bring your own bike or rent one when you get here?
That depends on you. There are services like Cuba Ruta Bikes, that organize bike vacations in Cuba and also rent bikes and offer guided tours. That’s a great opportunity by the way because you don’t have to plan your trip yourself and always have someday who knows the best ways and can explain you a lot.

If that’s no option for you and you love your bike, bring it! It’s not complicated to bring bikes to Cuba. Check with your Airline first, most of them, like Air Berlin or Air Canada offer to transport bikes for an additional cost, (usually about 100-150 $). Some Airlines, like Virgin Airlines already include bike transport in the ticket price.

What if my bike needs fixing?

You also should bring the necessary tools, in case you’ll need them. There is also the option to get help in a local “poncheria”, shops for repairing cars and tires, but it’s helpful to have special tools and tires because they might not have it here. You also should bring a helmet, a light, and a great lock.
Cuba is not a criminal place, but there are just a few good bikes, so they are a popular thing to be stolen. Make sure to lock them up!

Most of the Casas Particulares, have space to store the bikes inside overnight.

If you decide to make your trip by bike, you start early in the morning because of the sun and the heat. Make also sure you bring something against mosquitos and that you drink enough water!

For more tips and info about biking in Cuba are happily provided by Cuba Ruta Bikes! So get in touch with them and bike Cuba like a pro!

 

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CubaTips Cuba

El Ojo del Ciclon – A Hidden Gem in Havana

by Ines
written by Ines

The Ojo del Ciclon (Eye of The Hurricane) is a unique space in Habana Vieja, that is worth a visit or more. The Gallery, Studio, and Place to hang out and meet people, is located in Habana Vieja, just one street from the main shopping and touristic street Obispo. But inside you feel like being in a completely different world. Surrounded by art and music or voice recording, that creates a special environment. In the Ojo del Ciclon Leo D’Lazaro, the artist, works and create a cultural and welcoming spot in Havana. His paintings, collages, and sculptures are unique and full of Ideas. His work is inspired by what surrounds him, his friends, his family, and everyday life. In paintings and collages, he works with colors lice ocher or sepia and puts painting and photos together.

Art and Fun at Ojo del Ciclon

His sculptures are often made out of recycled materials and have some kind and purpose.

One of them is a table football, he created, that actually is used by the friends and visitors of the gallery. They also do parties and activities there. Every Wednesday, for example, you could be part of their private Tango lessons and Milonga. They also exhibit Art of other Cuban artists and are happy to tell you everything about it!

So include a visit, you won’t regret it!
The Adress: O’Reilly No. 501 Esq. Villegas, Habana Vieja

For more Information visit: http://leodlazaro.blogspot.com or www.cuban-artist.com

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