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Casa de Palo a unique BnB in Cuba
CubaHavanaTips Cuba

Unique BnBs in Cuba Part 1

by Ines
written by Ines
There many really nice BnBs, or Casa Particulares in Cuba. Some of them have pretty views, some have amazing decorations and most of them have lovely owners so that you instantly feel at home. There are so many different kinds of unique homes that give you the opportunity to experience an awesome time in Cuba
Sometimes it’s a little hard to find them and a recommendation or some tips on where to stay in Cuba are helpful.
But this post is about something else. This post is about BnB, that a little different and transmit a different vibe, or just have something very special. This is not publicity for those places.
If you find one on your own and want to share it, please feel free to send me a message or an email!

Casa de Palo

So here is my first example of a special Casa Particular in Havana’s Neighborhood Vedado. Why is it special or different? Well- Palo means wood or stick. And that’s the material of the house.
Yes, the Casa the Palo is partly a wooden House in the middle of the urbanized Vedado.
Being one of the first houses around here in around 1900 the Bnb maintained it’s traditional wooden structure but got modernized inside and offers a new eclectic vibe. They mix classic and modern elements and create a unique home
DSC02870
This their Facebook page and they are also on Air BnB.
The house has three rooms, of which two are possible to connect through a door and one is more independent.
The place has a huge porch and nice hosts that are happy to assist with anything.
Casa the palo is your chance to stay in a house that used to be one of the traditional fincas in the Vedado, before it became a high-class neighborhood in the early 20th century.
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CubaHavana

Bellas Artes

by Ines
written by Ines

Havana has a lot of museums with all kinds of themes and exhibitions. Some are motor interesting and worth a visit than other, some are hidden and others are just a must see on your trip to Havana. 

One of them is the museum Bellas Artes. If you are into art you should not miss it. 

The museum is art museum that has a Cuban and an international part with different exhibitions. The Cuban section takes you on a journey through Cuban Art from the colonial times until now. 

 It divides up into four sections: Art from the Colonial Period (16th to 19th century), Art from the turn of the Century (1894-1927) , Modern Art section and the Contemporary Art section which is mainly dedicated to the 1960’s. 

The pieces are selected very well and the museum is to spend almost a day if you take a reasonable time in the different sections. The pieces also help to understand Cuban history and society during the centuries. 

The building itself is quite interesting and it also has a small theater where different artists make concerts, especially on weekends. 

Most of them are jazz artists but you can find electronic or pop music as well. 
The museum is open: 

Tuesday – Saturday : 9.00 am- 5.00 pm 

Sunday : 10.00 am- 2.00 pm 
The entrance costs 5 CUC for tourist and 5 CUP for Cubans and residents. 

There is also the possibility to take a guided tour through the museums and let the staff explain the exhibitions and permanent collections to you. 

Bellas Artes is located in : Calle Trocadero e/ Zulueta y Monserrate, La Habana Vieja Telf.: (537) 861 0241

 

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Havana Old Town
HavanaTips Cuba

Where to get the best Cocktails in Havana? – 5 Spots!

by Ines
written by Ines
Cocktails are as much a part of Havana as the Capitolio or the old cars. You can get cocktails in Havana with your food, without and everybody makes them in a different way.
Mojito, Daquiri , Piña Colada and Cuba Libre are Cuba’s most famous cocktails and people love to drink them all over the world. But of course, you should have them where they come from, where the limes are fresh and the bartenders don’t try to save rum and sugar and where the Mojito is actually made with “hierba buena”(good herbs) and not with mint.
Those four drinks are traditional cocktails, like the Cuba Libre, which was born during the second independence war as a symbol of US-American and Cuban union. Originally it is made with Coca Cola and Cuban rum. Getting cocktails in Havana is easy, but where are the best places to have a Mojito?
Here are some great places to enjoy a good Cuban cocktail in Havana.

1. El Chanchullero

This Bar/ Restaurant in the Old Town of Havana is pretty popular. They have a nice decoration and a terrace on the roof. Sometimes you might have to wait for a little to get inside but it’s worth it. They have great Mojitos and Daiquiris and also very good food.
The Mojito currently costs 2CUC. The address is: Teniente Rey No. 457 A bajos, Plaza de Christo, Habana Vieja.

2. El Hotel Nacional

Although the drinks in the garden of the Hotel Nacional are not the cheapest, the location and the history are worth a visit. You could have a Mojito where members of the Mafia and many famous visitors before enjoyed their drinks and the great view from the bar in the garden.

3. Bar Madrigal

The Bar Madrigal has a big variety of cocktails, beyond the traditional Mojito and Daiquiri you can get all types of cocktails. They also serve variations of the Daiquiri with different fruits. The atmosphere of the bar is very nice and they have live music on weekends. The Mojito costs 2,50 CUC. The address is: Calle 17 No. 809, e/ 2 y 4, Vedado.

4. Mamainé

This Café/ Bar has a really nice atmosphere and a creative decoration. During the day they serve Breakfast and snacks and great coffee. Later the day the place turns into a Bar and the have a great Mojito for 1,95 CUC. The Adress is: Calle L No. 206, e/ 15 y 17, Vedado.

5. Casa Balear

Ok, it is not the best of all Mojitos but the Bar has definitely one of the cheapest Mojitos in Havana. Besides that it has a nice atmosphere and a lot of young Cubans go there to have a drink and a good time. It is at Calle G esquina 23. The Mojito costs 15 CUP, that’s about 60 cents.
Casa Balear Havana

The Casa Balear

If you want more tips on where to eat and drink in Havana check out the little guide I created. And make sure to enjoy some great cocktails in Havana during your stay.
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Inside the Garage Vintage Store in Havana
HavanaTips Cuba

The Garage- A Different Vintage Store in Havana

by Ines
written by Ines
There are a lot of hidden treasures and antiques in the city and while you are there you should include a stop in one vintage store in Havana.
There are a lot of unique places to discover in Cuba’s capital. Sometimes there are a little bit hidden. You can find the best restaurants in apartment buildings, shops in streets where you would never expect them and cafés and bars in patios of private homes. Usually, those are the best places to discover like this particular vintage store in Havana. One example is the Garage in the neighborhood Vedado.
This place is like a mixture of a museum, an antique shop, and a souvenir store. In the garage of a private home, José from Spain opened this weird place. It is all about vintage and old but gold stuff. He collects items from the 50s and older, sometimes he repairs them, so they can be used to decorate homes and restaurants. He is living in Cuba for over 15 years and changed from a corporate career to what he really loves. Also, he just bought a bigger place to expand the vintage store in Havana and add a more social feeling. It is totally worth stopping by just to have a chat with him since he has some great stories to tell.

Anything you can imagine…

The Garage is a place where you can find anything. José sells baseballs from the 1940s signed by teams, that no longer exist, shoes, movie posters, toys, jewelry or Barcadi signs with wholes of gunshots.
Just to see the items it is worth a visit and maybe you find an exceptional piece to take home.
Garage Vintage Store owner Jose

José in his Garage

You can find the garage in: Calle 19 e/26 y 28 Vedado.
While you are close by,  stop at the café/bookstore/oasis Cuba Libro. It is just one corner away and offers a truly unique atmosphere, amazing coffee, and the talented American Author Conor Gorry. She has her own take on Havana and life in Cuba.
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Sunset in Havana at the Malecon
HavanaTips Cuba

5 Spots to Watch a perfect Sunset in Havana

by Ines
written by Ines
In Havana, you can see spectacular sunsets. And experience the pink light that puts the city and everything in a warmer light. That is the moment when you should head to one of the spots to watch an impressive sunset in Havana and make your friends at home jealous with your pictures.

The Malecon – the most stunning Sunset

 Malecon Sunset in Havana
At the fortes La Punta, where the Malecon starts, this is where you get pictures like this. Also, it has a nice atmosphere during that time, especially on weekends. You can meet a lot of people fishing, taking a bath in the sea or watching the sundown like you.

The Focsa – Sunset on the highest building

With a hight of 121 meters, the Focsa is not only the highest building in Havana but the highest building in whole Cuba. The green building in the Vedado neighborhood is full of private apartments but has a Restaurant and a Bar on the last floor. I don’t recommend the restaurant so much, but from the bar, you also get a spectacular view and you can enjoy a Daiquiri or mojito with it. The Focsa is located in 17 and L.

El Penthouse de 17 y K

This is still a little secret. The restaurant is a former penthouse in an apartment building, so don’t be shy and take the elevator to the 6th floor and have a seat on the terrace. They offer great food and drinks and as the place is still not popular you have the chance to be alone and get a private sundown experience. As it’s already in the name the address is 17 y K.

El Christo de la Habana or El Morro

Sunset in Havana watching from El Moro
Havana has the second biggest Christ statue in Latin America, after the one in Rio. It’s located at the other side of the bay and can be reached by the ferry from Habana Vieja, or you take a walk from the fortresses Morro y Cabana. By the way, from there you can also get a great view of the city and the sundown. If you want you can stay there until 9 p.m to watch the traditional canon shoot, the Cañonazo.

Hotel Ambos Mundos or other hotels

Not so much of a secret but still with a great view are rooftop terraces of hotels like the Ambos Mundos, Parque Central or Saratoga in Old Havana. I recommend the view from the Ambos Mundos especially if you like Hemingway that could be something for you. The hotel was the place where Hemingway stayed during his first times in Cuba. His room can still be visited.
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