Cuba People & Culture

Fantastic beach side town with only one street. People are very friendly and all you need to do is ask at your casa particular and they'll arrange stuff from scuba diving to transport (and of course food) for you.

As in any big city, walk. Don't take buses, don't rent a guide, just walk around and talk to the people. Havanna will stay interesting even after a week of walking around.

Stroll along the Malecon to see the real Havana. You'll get a lot of people trying to flog you booze, drugs and girls, but if you're lucky you'll also meet some genuinely nice people. Don't fall for the hype with all the Hemingway-esque bars etc. La Floridita is seriously overrated, there are way better bars nearby, particularly on Obispo, where you can hear some great Salsa.

almost every night there is a great fiesta for everyone in the center of the town. is free and you can learn to danse by cuban people!

Absolutely horrible place! Nothing but Euro-trash, crappy food, and people only thinking it is cool because of the US blockade. Remember Taiwan is even worsely treated by its bigger neighbor and even is banned from the UN and other international organizations and they seem to not have half the sympathy of the Cuban regime among Euros... Very hypocritical if you ask me, especially since Taiwan is much more attractive in terms of seaside and its culture of resistance than Cuba, which is a real dump.

Beautiful city, great architecture, music, and history. Try to visit Habana without a guide, it's much more fun. Unless you want to hear about dozens of things you'll soon forget anyway. It's very important to know the Cuban history and economy before going to Cuba, it explainy why locals are keen on getting our money (peso convertible and $) et cetera. In summary: A City you must visit, especially before the U.S. has the chance to destroy its very own charme and cultur

Absolutely horrible place! Nothing but Euro-trash, crappy food, and people only thinking it is cool because of the US blockade. Remember Taiwan is even worsely treated by its bigger neighbor and even is banned from the UN and other international organizations and they seem to not have half the sympathy of the Cuban regime among Euros... Very hypocritical if you ask me, especially since Taiwan is much more attractive in terms of seaside and its culture of resistance than Cuba, which is a real dump.

Careful La Habana great and full of Culture City, has problems like all the cities in the World, first, carefull with local people always try to keep well all your valuable Sutffs (passport, money) because it's usual the pick poketing in all the city, remember don't accept the touring to the Paladares (local food restaurantes in houses) because it can cost you double because the give comission to the guy that guide you to those places. You can Enjoy Cuba with all the cares you need for a save travel and try to always let your passport at the safebox in the Hotel.

This is the end stop on the travel bus route through provinces in Cuba.  The people here are the best in hospitality ONCE THEY KNOW YOU and the business you are here for.  But they are definitely NOT as friendly here as in Santiago or as in smaller towns.  I didn't know much Spanish and was still treated rightly.  Most of the citizens who befriended me spoke flawless English!TIPS:Know Spanish!Stay with friends.Carry toilet paper!DO NOT take pictures of soldiers, or those who you haven't asked permission.Buy no more than three boxes of cigars.  Avoid ANY illegal activity or you'll stay longer than you wish.  See the Hemmingway House if you can and sneak some pictures or you will be charged about $200 for the privilege.  You MUST see the Plaza of the Revolucion and take the elevator to the top.  WALK the Malecon rather than drive.  The Deauville the the best hotel for value and view (if you can get a room facing Havana Harbor).  I made the mistake of aiming an expensive video camera towards the North during a rally.  When I realized that this was a jumping-off place for refugees to the U.S. I understood the big deal the police made of my shots.  The churches are beautiful and somewhat preserved since the religious ban lifted in 1993/94, so these are also great cultural places to photograph.  You must see the capital which is fashioned after the U.S. Congress building.  El Morro will encompass your entire day so bring WATER or you'll be charged an  exorbitant fee to refresh yourself. TIP: Dress down, look/act Cuban and you can get around on their public transportation for pennies.  Wear no socks and carry no watch.  

This is the other end stop on the travel bus route through provinces in Cuba.  The people here are the best in hospitality ONCE THEY KNOW YOU and the business you are here for.  But they are definitely friendly here as in smaller towns.  I didn't know much Spanish and was still treated rightly.  Most of the citizens who befriended me spoke flawless English!TIPS:Know Spanish!Stay with friends.Carry toilet paper!DO NOT take pictures of soldiers, or those who you haven't asked permission.Buy no more than three boxes of cigars.  Avoid ANY illegal activity or you'll stay longer than you wish.  You MUST see the Plaza of the Revolucion and take the guided tour.  WALK the Malecon rather than drive.  The Los Americas is the best hotel for value.  Walk as many places as you can as see all five/six neighborhoods.  The churches are beautiful and somewhat preserved since the religious ban lifted in 1993/94, so these are also great cultural places to photograph.  You must see the Barracks.  El Morro will encompass your entire day so bring WATER or you'll be charged an exorbitant fee to refresh yourself, then go to the beach below.  There is an excellent airport runway view from the ancient fortress from which planes fly directly over your head as they land. TIP: Dress down, look/act Cuban and you can get around on their public transportation for pennies.  Wear no socks and carry no watch.  

Beautiful city, great architecture, music, and history. Try to visit Habana without a guide, it's much more fun. Unless you want to hear about dozens of things you'll soon forget anyway. It's very important to know the Cuban history and economy before going to Cuba, it explainy why locals are keen on getting our money (peso convertible and $) et cetera. In summary: A City you must visit, especially before the U.S. has the chance to destroy its very own charme and cultur

take a few days to see the city amazing architecture friendly people hmm good music avoid alleys as can be a bit dodgy....great place to meet people as locals can speak mulitiple languages may 1 is labour day big time in havana

Do tamo možete samo sa rent-a carom ili sa službenim taxijem.Nema lokalaca osim onih koji rade u resortu...idealno mjesto za opuštanje bez da cujete :hellou maj frend i pokušaja da vam se proda sve što se može prodati.Nemojte da vas uhvati noć jer iz pijeska pocnu izlaziti neke musice koje vam izgrizu cijelo tijelo i vjerujte da ulazak u more ne pomaže...

if you want to have fun, go to "the stairs" next to the church.
every evening music and dance outside for free must do!

Beautifull place, the heart of music from Cuba. A visit to the church of El Virgen negro is worth while

Lovely little town. The cathedral has a beautiful gold leaf altarpiece. Amazing for such a small place.

If you're in Cuba over Christmas, you must head to Remedios for the Christmas Eve parranda (fireworks battle). 16 hours of non-stop firework action is sure to bust your eardrums and give you memories for life!

The beaches are great but you have to go else where or take an excursion if yiou want to snorkel.

Travellers are always complaining about the food in Cuba. In fact, it's excellent. The best place to eat is at someone's home. You will be served excellent and plentiful food - curries, chicken, rice, black beans, fruit, fish... In Trinidad, there are a lot of casas particular (bbs) in people's homes. You can easily find a place by asking around, or checking the listed casas particular in the Lonely Planet guidebook.If a place you want is booked up, they will be able to recommend somewhere else and will often take you there. This is a pretty cheap alternative to a hotel. Be forewarned, however, that the beds will be uncomfortable. (All beds in Cuba - other than at the resorts - are pretty uncomfortable).

Great place to relax and bike.

ITS AN AWESOME PLACE 4 THOSE WHO LOVE TO FISH

If staying in Varadero it is very worth your while to make the trip to Havana for a real taste of what Cuba is about.

Vinales is one of the more touristy places in Cuba. Be sure to ask for the prices before going on activities. A 45 min evening walk in a finca (farm) cost us 15 CUC (about USD17) each!

Be sure to go horseback riding (5 CUC per hour) and visit Cuevas Santo Tomas, the 2nd largest cave system in the Americas

In Cuba, probably the less nicest place: a lot of tourists and local male and female prostitutes

A superb place to stay in Cuba. The peninsula Ancon is just 15 minutes away from the colonial town of Trinidad. Bonus: you will be far from the greatest mass of tourists in places like Varadero...

very nice beaches, good idea to bring your old clothes and other things to give to the locals

If you're in Havana, head out to the western part of town, beyond Miramar, to an area called Cubanacan where the National Art Schools are located. Built early on during the Cuban Revolution, these schools were a pedagogical experiment in creating an unconventional space geared towards learning in five areas: Plastic Arts, Music, Ballet, Drama, and Modern and Folkoric Dance. Set on a large parkland, the buildings are made of brick and concrete and feature striking catalan domes. The schools were unfortunately abandoned, but the Cuban government is rehabilitating them right now. UNESCO seems to have named the schools a World Heritage Site. Eventually, you will be able to get into the schools, but for now you can see them by circumnavigating the grounds.

So...women travelling alone. Cuba is a very safe country. The government has made it's best effort to keep away the big problems like grugs and guns problems. And they have achieved this goal.

Some streets may seem dark and frighteninig but they are for sure safe. Nevertheless, avoid just in case dark places or walking alone very late at night. Try to walk trough iluminated streets or just grab a taxi. At night better take a government taxi, Havanatur or Panataxi, it will be safiest, just to avoid any particular taxi driver with bad feelings.

And most of all...

Because of the economic and other kind of problems in cuba, many seek to fly away, by any mean they can find....translated it means that many young and not so youg men and women will approach to U with good intentions but many of them are looking just money, or, the final goal, get married and leave the country.

So my advice is: enjoy Cuba, meet their kind and always happy people, try to know all our customs and ultimately try to discover each lovely place this island has. But, take the usual precautions that U use anywhere and don't fall in love. If U do it, just try to be sure about your and yours mate feelings.

And this goes for men and women, same situation for each of U in Cuba!

Make Sure You Have a creditcard NOT from the US Interacting with locals should be easy since the people are so nice. Unfortunately it's not allowed by the government so the police is checking every step you make towards a local.

Many Americans like to visit Cuba by traveling from a third country. The problem with this, besides being illegal, is that it avoids the opportunity to have an incredible and unique travel experience.

Cuba is a Caribbean tourist destination for everyone but US citizens. It is not unlike many other culturally interesting tourist designations in the Caribbean. So, for US Citizen to travel illegally to Cuba just to have a similar tourist experiences available in a dozen cool and unique Caribbean nations is somewhat boring (for me.) The unique opportunity for Cuban travel is to do so legally as a US citizen with a Treasury Department licenses.

I traveled to Havana by invitation of the Cuban Government and permission of the US Government. I was with a group of US Citizens who flew in five small prop airplanes from Miami directly to Havana. I was able to meet Cubans of all social classes and political ideologies’; befriended my “minders” and easily walked away form them disappearing into the neighborhoods of Havana and Matanzas. I did visit a few tourist spots and met Spanish, Argentina and American tourists but this was by far the most boring part of my trip.

It is not illegal for an American Citizen to travel to Cuba it is illegal to spend money unregulated (under the Trading with the Enemy Act.) Any US citizen can get an invitation and licenses simply by participating in a planned activity (film festival, professional conference, volunteer to work on a collective farm… )

The opportunity to travel to Cuba, as a guest of the Cuban Government under a US Treasury Department license, is far more interesting and unique opportunity than simply slipping in to hang on beaches and watch showgirls at nightclubs.

Brush up on your Spanish Listen carefully since there are many dialects/accents Most incredible, loving people. US Dollars were the money of choice in 2000. Don't drink the water. Food can be spicy. Many restaurants are in homes. No racism. They have no concept of classification by skin color. Schools were segregated before the "revolution." Making eye contact with men means you want "nookie" Nookie with a cuban probably = cooties/STD (a fellow student got one) If the governement find out someone has cooties they ship them off to a colony Cubans are not allowed to visit with foreigners in their hotels. There is a policeman on every corner You will walk everywhere, 5-10 miles a day was the norm No artificial sweetners so pack them! Shortage of all types of medicines/medical supplies due to embargo. Great music, mojitos and cigars!!!

Beautiful city, great architecture, music, and history. Try to visit Habana without a guide, it's much more fun. Unless you want to hear about dozens of things you'll soon forget anyway. It's very important to know the Cuban history and economy before going to Cuba, it explainy why locals are keen on getting our money (peso convertible and $) et cetera. In summary: A City you must visit, especially before the U.S. has the chance to destroy its very own charme and cultur