From May 2011 to June 4, 2019, Americans could visit Cuba for family, professional, religious, cultural, humanitarian, educational, or journalism reasons. “Going forward, the United States will prohibit U.S. travelers from going to Cuba under the previous ‘group people-to-people educational travel authorization. In addition, the United States will no longer permit visits to Cuba via passenger and recreational vessels, including cruise ships and yachts, and private and corporate aircraft.” (State.gov)
Cuban Tourism
The Cuban people were very nice to us. We had a tour guide who taught us a lot about the Cuban culture, and way of life. Tourism is very valuable to Cuba. Most young people there want to grow up to become tour guides and work in tourism as it’s in demand and a financially rewarding career. Everyone in Cuba has free healthcare and free education. But only the smartest get to go to college for free. And if you become fluent in English, you are pretty much guaranteed a job in tourism.
Cuban Architecture
Most things in Cuba look like a flashback from the 60s to 80s. There’s not much modern architecture.
Havana Cuba Cars
The taxis and tour guides drive 1957 Bel Airs. The Bel Airs look nicely painted. But the interior of the cars are not newly renovated due to a lack of replacement parts available. So while they look great, they don’t run so well.
Havana Cuban Cigar Tasting Tour
Through the cruise ship, we signed up for a Cuban cigar tasting tour! This is a must do if you ever go! My husband and I have never smoked in our life but we did try the Cuban cigar as it’s known to be highly rated. To our surprise, it was not bad and very smooth actually. There was no bad smell like other cigars we have walked past. The guide at the cigar place showed us how to roll the cigar as well which was really cool.
Havana Cuban Mojitos
Cuba may be known for their daquiris’s but their mojitos are excellent!! I would go as far as to say the best mojito we have ever had! And the price cannot be beat.
Is Havana Cuba Safe for Tourists?
After the guided tour, we were free to tour the rest of the place by ourselves. We felt very safe. Unlike in other tourist destinations where locals try to sell their products to you and sway you into eating at their restaurants etc, Cuba was not like that. It was almost as if you felt all the locals were instructed to not bother any tourists.
Havana Cuba Best Restaurant
We ended up eating at La Taberna del Pescador. It was a small place. It was very clean and they had great food! The restaurant had entertainment with one person playing guitar and singing. It was so nice and peaceful. They also had mojitos which was 2 for $5! An incredible drink at an incredible price! I would highly recommend the place.
We walked around the rest of the time looking at buildings.
Their main government building looked a lot like our Capital in Washington D.C. We even went up to a hotel roof top bar checking out the area from above.
Havana Cuba Churches
Here’s a picture of one of their churches, which we enjoy visiting in other countries. The size and architecture of churches outside of the United States is a beautiful thing to see.
Havana Cuba-Birthplace of Daiquiri
We also learned that Cuba is the birthplace of Daiquiri, the alcoholic drink. An American named Jennings Cox invented the Daiquiri at the time of the Spanish-American War. They also made a drink in Cuba after Ernest Hemingway, his favorite Daiquiri…Papa Doble. Interestingly enough, Ernest Hemingway wrote 7 books while in Cuba. The location below is where Hemingway would have his Daiquiri.
Overall, we had an educational and enjoyable time. We enjoy going to places that are unique to the time and place of what’s happening in this world, and Cuba fit the bill at the time.
