My heart is in Cuba <3

"Sé que me fui de Cuba pero sé que Cuba no se fue de mí..." - Orishas

Whether it's the sensual notes of salsa floating from the doorways of the Old Havana or the colorful colonial towns hidden among tobacco fields and tropical beaches, Cuba has something special that will fascinate you. You might even call it love at first sight! The charm of Cuba is its perfect simplicity. And this can be confirmed by anyone who has had the good fortune to touch this country, still preserved from the rough human hand and the relentless course of time, technology and progress. No internet, no great communications, no modern computers and laptops.

You can read below why Cuba is one of the most amazing travel destinations of the Caribbean.

Havana

The heat in Havana hits you at the airport - it's winter and temperatures are 25-26 degrees. You need at least a week to see eveything. We only had two full days. The hotel exceeded our expectations as we had a clear idea of ​​where we were going and what we were going to encounter. We were jet lagged and we didn't sleep much during our entire stay in Havana, but we weren't tired either. And how can you possibly sleep when you're in Havana! Half-ruined, but uniquely beautiful, Havana keeps the memory of much better and richer times, and you can see that on every street and from every corner. Tall colonial buildings, huge facades and beautifully sculptured details still capture the eye, despite the destruction. Here and there you can see some restored buildings, which are like strange spots at the background of the rest. Havana has preserved its soul...Remains of every Cuban era can be seen everywhere, from the invasion of the Spaniards to the Castro revolution.

Throughout the city passes the Malecón, a roadway, and seawall that stretches for 8 km along the coast, near which our hotel was located. The sidewalk on the boulevard reaches the breakwater where the waves of the ocean crash. We were told that on summer evenings everyone goes out to Malecón, street musicians sing and play for money, couples hold hands.

In the center of Havana is the building El Capitolio which is a copy of the Capitol in Washington DC. It was established in 1929 and was the seat of government until 1959 after the Cuban Revolution. It is remarkable for those wandering around Havana and its huge dome is visible from almost anywhere in the city.

El Capitolio

One of the sightseeings that you should not miss is the Plaza de la Revolución, which is one of the largest squares in South America. The statue-monument of José Martí (the highest point in Havana city) stands out, as well as the portrait of Che Guevara, which is on the wall of the Interior Ministry facing the square. Other major ministries there are the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the National Council and the presidential office of the President of Cuba.

Literally, the whole territory of the country is a unique car park full of cars from the 50's and 60's - Chevrolet, Buick, Ford. Many have a taxi status, allowing tourists to enjoy a Havana tour while riding in a classic American car. Prices usually range from 30 to 50 pesos per hour (Cuban convertible peso CUC, which is approximately 1:1 with the euro), but you can always bargain.

Cuba is, among other things, also known for its rum, of which I am not a big fan myself, but I didn't miss to try the local Mojito, Daiquiri, Pina Colada and Cuba Libre. It is absolutely necessary to visit the famous cocktail bar and restaurant El Floridita, which was Ernest Hemingway's favourite haven. It is where he tasted for the first time the cocktail Daiquiri, which later became his favorite alcoholic beverage. The bartenders even created in his honor a new cocktail called "Papa Hemingway" - daiquiri with a double dose of white rum and squeezed grapefruit juice instead of pure sugar syrup (since Hemingway suffered from diabetes). This is the cocktail I tried myself, but to be honest I didn't particularly like it, so I recommend the strawberry daiquiri. If you have more time, stop by hotel Ambos mundos where the writer lived for 7 years in the 30s of the last century. The famous room 511 has been transformed into a mini-museum where you can see his bedroom and bath, typewriter, telegrams, and Nobel Prize. As far as his favorite mojito, Hemingway had it at the legendary bar La Bodeguita del Medio.

There is another place in Havana that impresses with its splendor and colors, namely the Cabaret Tropicana. The show lasts about two hours, during which a hundred dancers change over two hundred costumes to the sounds of rumba, salsa, cha-cha-cha, bolero, Spanish rhythms, Afro-Cuban performances, as well as opera performances by Cuban tenors. When the show is over, the dancers invite people from the audience on stage, welcoming them with songs from different countries. Make sure you book your tickets in advance (online or in the hotel you are staying at), it is absolutely worth seeing the unique show that will saturate your senses.

Cabaret Tropicana

Each lady at the Tropicana Bar was presented with a flower while the gentlemen received a cigar. Since I am not a particular fan of the clove, I was able to get a cigar for myself which I brought with me to Spain. In Cuba, the most famous cigars are Cohiba, followed by Romeo y Julieta, and Montecristo. Cigars can be bought everywhere, but beware, because many of them can be fake and you might not be allowed to export them at the airport.

If you have the opportunity to try at least one Cuban dish and you are not vegetarian, Ropa Vieja ("old clothes") is the right choice. It is made of shredded lamb, beef or, most likely, pork. The meat is cooked for a long time in a pan with a sauce of tomato, dry wine onions, green pepper, and garlic. It is usually served with rice and / or black beans and fried bananas.

Our next stop was Varadero, where we were planning on getting some rest and enjoy the good weather. Unfortunately, we only got one hot sunny day, which we spent on the beach - kilometers of shiny white sand and crystal clear water...

Varadero

Frankly, we were slightly disappointed with Varadero, mainly because of the bad weather and the fact that the hotel didn't live up to our expectations. But, for my part, I managed to fulfill one of my long-standing wishes, which was to swim with dolphins. The experience cannot be described, so if you have the opportunity to do it, don't hesitate even for a moment. These are incredibly intelligent and kind creatures, and the feeling of being so close to them is a precious memory to cherish for life.

Varadero Dolphinarium

Cubans, like any nation, have their own understanding of happiness, but it is what makes people free and open, responsive and grateful, real… Poor but happy - another cliché that is one hundred percent valid for Cubans. And these are not just words - you will hardly see frowned or disrespectful people there. You might though, but it is not very common.

Cuba cannot be experienced in one breath or at a glance. It takes time, emotions and curiosity for Cuba. You probably need to spend at least a month there to immerse yourself in the atmosphere and local culture. Cuba is a dream come true, but it can also be disappointing. What is perceived to be an abundance of salsa, smiling people and cigars is not entirely true. Havana is a city of poverty, which lacks much needed things, but you can find everything a person needs to live. You can live without a nice TV and expensive furniture, without expensive clothes. If you are a person who loves to have fun and loves life in its natural form, in Havana you will find what you are looking for. But you must not be Cuban. You have to be a tourist who is there for a little while and looks at things from the side…