Art Factory

Opening hours: Thu.-Sun. 10pm - 2am

The Fabrica de Arte is a combination of art exhibition and club. There are several areas with different types of live music and music to dance to. There is also a food area in the basement with a variety of culinary offerings for the little hunger in between.

eastern beaches

Playas del Este is a beach area in Havana. The white sandy beach and crystal clear water make this place a paradise for beach lovers.

Capitol

The Havana Capitol is an iconic building in central Havana, Cuba. Built in the 1920s in a neoclassical style, it once served as the seat of the Cuban Parliament.

The Capitol is known for its impressive dome, almost as high as that of the Capitol in Washington, DC, and also for its large statue of El Cacique Hatuey, an indigenous leader who fought against the Spanish conquerors.

Today the building houses the National Scientific Museum, the Cuban National Archives and the Library of the National Assembly of Cuba. The Havana Capitol is also a popular spot for tourists who want to experience Havana's history and architecture.

Obispo Street, Old Havana (Altstadt)

Calle Obispo is one of the most popular streets in Old Havana.

The charming, colorful buildings, historical monuments and abundance of shops, restaurants and bars give Calle Obispo its unique atmosphere. Here you can experience authentic Cuban culture and experience the beauty of Old Havana up close.

Recommendations: old pharmacies "Taqueeche" and "Johnson".

Museum of the Revolution (Museo de la Revolucion)

Address: Refugio Street 1, between Monserrate and Zulueta, Av. Bélgica, La Habana 10600, Kuba

Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 9:30-16:00

The Museum of the Revolution in Havana, Cuba is housed in a former palace of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. The museum tells the story of the Cuban Revolution that led to the victory of the rebels led by Fidel Castro in 1959.

In the museum there are many interesting exhibits presenting the history of the Cuban Revolution and the subsequent transformation of the country. Visitors can marvel at weapons, photos, documents and vehicles from this period.

Varadero is a popular Cuban beach vacation destination on the narrow Hicacos Peninsula. On the 20 km long Atlantic coast there are various hotel and spa complexes for all-inclusive holidaymakers and a golf course.

If you are on the way to Varadero, you have to pass a control. Locals have often told us that the Varadero Peninsula is not accessible to them, except for those who reside there.

Directions Havana to Varadero

We booked the round trip to Varadero through Gaviota at Hotel Manzana. The taxi picked us up from the Hotel "Melia Habana" in Miramar.

The shared taxis and buses only run in the morning between 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. depending on the provider and cost $25 per person. The journey takes 2:30 hours.

If you are not flexible in terms of time, you can book a private taxi for a total of around $90.

However, if you are flexible in terms of time and want to travel cheaply, you can take the VIAZUL coach. You can buy tickets online or at the bus station, but these are often fully booked the day before departure.

The wrong time was written on our ticket for the return trip, which meant we missed our bus back to Havana. We therefore had to book a taxi for $90 through our casa.

We had to go to two different vendor locations multiple times as the refund could only be done through the EC machine we paid with. However, on the days we stopped by, the EC machine was being loaned out at other locations. This resulted in being sent away twice and the third time having to go to a different location where the needed device was finally available. The situation was very complicated and unusual. EC devices are a rarity in Cuba.

Daisy´s Hostel

Location: The accommodation was in a central yet quiet location.

Costs: around €40 per night

Value for money: good

Pros: The accommodation was excellent value for money and the hosts were very friendly and helpful.

In addition, the accommodation was in a great location and you could easily reach everything on foot. The breakfast was also cheap and tasty.

Cons: nothing

Conclusion: We can warmly recommend Daisy's Hostel.

Excursion to the island of Cayo Blanco

If you are looking for a day trip from Varadero, I can recommend a visit to the island of Cayo Blanco. Known for its white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, the island is about 30 kilometers south of Varadero.

There are many companies that offer boat tours to the island, which usually include lunch and snorkeling.

There is also a small market on Cayo Blanco where you can buy souvenirs or enjoy a refreshing drink.

Cave of Saturn (Cenote)

Opening hours: Tue – Sun 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Mon 8 a.m. – 5.15 p.m

sunset at the beach

How about a romantic and relaxing evening at the beach? Pack a soft beach blanket, some tasty snacks and drinks, and head to the beach. There you can choose a cozy spot, spread out the blanket and enjoy the view of the sea while the sun slowly sets.

You might be lucky and even see a stunning palette of colors in the sky as the sun slowly sets. Enjoy the quiet and peaceful ambiance on the beach, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It's a perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy the moment.

Varadero Street Market

Here you will find a great selection of souvenirs that you can take home or give away. At the souvenir markets you will find a wide range of products, from t-shirts and bowls to artwork and musical instruments. It's definitely worth poking around a bit and grabbing a few souvenirs. However, the products in each souvenir market are identical.

Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 8am-6pm

Address:17 1st Avenue, Varadero, Cuba

The market

Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 8am-6pm

Address: 5P2V C4W, Avenida 1ra, Varadero

Artistic Ceramic Workshop

Here you have the opportunity to take part in ceramic courses or to purchase ceramic goods.

Address: Av 1, Varadero

Hundred fires

Cienfuegos is a charming bayside town on Cuba's southern coast, known for its impressive colonial-era architectural masterpieces. The city was founded in the 19th century by French immigrants who have given the place its distinctive French flair. The buildings in the old town are kept in the typical colonial architecture and give the city a historical charm. Particularly worth seeing are the main square, the Teatro Tomás Terry and the Palacio de Valle, a magnificent palace that lies directly on the water and impresses with its magnificent view. Cienfuegos is also an important port for merchant ships and the city is known for its fishing and cigar production.

Thomas Terry Theater

Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 9am-6pm

The Teatro Tomás Terry is a beautiful theater in the city of Cienfuegos, Cuba, built in the 1880s. It is one of the most important buildings in the city and a symbol of the region's cultural importance. The theater was built by Venezuelan entrepreneur Tomás Terry, who had made a fortune in Cuba. It is in neoclassical style and has an impressive facade decorated with columns and ornaments. The interior of the theater is equally impressive and includes an amphitheater with seating for over 900 people and magnificent ceiling paintings and sculptures. In the past, the Teatro Tomás Terry has hosted many famous people, including Enrico Caruso and Anna Pavlova. Today it is an important venue for concerts, theater performances and other cultural events.

Trinidad is a charming city in central Cuba known for its well-preserved colonial old town and quaint cobbled streets. Founded by Spanish conquerors in the 16th century, the city is one of the best preserved colonial cities in all of Latin America. The old town of Trinidad is of historical importance and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There are many magnificent colonial buildings here, including the Palacio Brunet, an imposing neoclassical building. Another highlight is the Plaza Mayor, which is surrounded by colorful houses and buildings and offers stunning views of the city and surrounding valley. The area around Trinidad is also extremely attractive, with beautiful beaches and green hills that invite you to hike and explore. All these characteristics make Trinidad a popular travel destination in Cuba.

At the starting point of the hiking tour there was a stall where you could buy various snacks such as bananas, nut bars and other delicacies. This was a convenient way to fuel up for the upcoming hike and to buy provisions for the journey.

"The deer"

At this point we stopped for about an hour to cool off. The water was quite cold and getting into the water was slippery and rocky so I definitely recommend bathing shoes. But it was a refreshing cool down after hiking.

Next to the swimming area there were benches and a small wooden hut where you could buy something to drink. It was really nice to rest here and enjoy nature.

Lucilo & Nirma Airbnb

Location: The accommodation is both quiet and centrally located.

Cost: 30€   7$ per person for breakfast.

Value for money: good

Pros: The property is in a convenient location and the local hosts were very friendly. The breakfast was delicious and the decor modern and nicely designed. The ambiance of the property was very relaxing.

Cons: Poor communication with host via Airbnb. We had agreed in advance that we could pay for breakfast via Airbnb or PayPal. However, this was not accepted upon check out and we paid $2 more per person than the other 6 guests at the same time who had the same breakfast. In addition, the host had given us a different amount for breakfast in advance via Airbnb. Unfortunately, the host did not react constructively to our neutral rating. Unfortunately, the host did not react constructively to our justified neutral rating.

Info: In the accommodation you have the possibility to book different tours from Vinales.

Conclusion: Although we believe that this accommodation deserves a second chance, we have to refrain from recommending it due to the non-constructive behavior of the host after our stay. We previously had a neutral opinion of the property, but were put off after the host asked us to remove our neutral review.

Setting Sun Airbnb

Location: The Airbnb is both quiet and central with a perfect view of nature.

Cost: 29€ per night

Value for money: good

Pros: The property is in an excellent location and the hosts are extremely friendly and personable. Breakfast and dinner were delicious and there was a wonderful view from the rooftop terrace overlooking the Mogotes.

Cons: nothing

Info: Breakfast was $5 per person and included omelet, bread, spreads, pancake type, vegetables, fruit, coffee, juice and a sandwich. Dinner was vegetarian for us every night and varied. The dishes included pumpkin soup, vegetables, beans, lentils, cassava and much more. Dinner price was $10 per person.

In this accommodation you have the opportunity to book various tours, such as a tour to the tobacco plantation or to Caya Jutas and many other interesting destinations.

Conclusion: We can really recommend this accommodation from the heart and would definitely choose it again on our next trip.

After touring the impressive tobacco plantation, our attentive guide continued to lead us on a scenic path along fields and through the breathtaking Cuban nature.

Our guide explained the local flora and fauna in detail along the way and shared his knowledge of Cuban culture and history with us.

During our hike, the path led us up the mountain until we finally reached the cave. This cave serves as a shelter in case of disasters and has a seating area, which can be seen on the left and right of the picture. In addition, there is a population in the cave of bats.

Indian Cave

The Cueva del Indio is a 300 meter long cave in the Viñales Valley. Visitors can ride an underground river and admire the impressive landscape of stalactites and stalagmites. The cave has a long history and was used by indigenous people and later as a hideout for rebels during the 1959 revolution. Today the cave is a popular tourist attraction and offers a unique way to experience one of Cuba's most fascinating natural wonders.

Hours of Operation: 9am-5pm

Unfortunately we didn't make it anymore.

Viewing platform

Address: H7WG GFV, Vinales, Kuba

There are several ways to get there, such as hiking, along the fields, through the scrub, along the road, or taking a taxi. With the help of the Komoot app, we chose a hiking route that we unfortunately cannot share with you.

This viewpoint is definitely worth a visit!

Unfortunately, we did not receive enough information before our trip to Cuba, neither from the website of the Federal Foreign Office, the language school nor from other travel blogs. If we had known more beforehand, we would have been better prepared and started the journey with different expectations.

We came to the conclusion that in the current economic crisis it is not necessarily advisable to travel to Cuba as there are more shortages of food and drinking water than before. Since the currency reform on January 1st, 2021 and the abolition of the CUC, many things have become more expensive for the locals in Cuba. Previously, locals paid with the CUP and tourists with the CUC.

Many children and parents are begging in the streets and there are people who touch and harass you.

Taxi drivers need special permission to take tourists, and the government wants to keep locals away from tourists. Many beautiful places are inaccessible to non-locals, and there are passport controls on the streets.

Basic foods are rationed and households are given a booklet detailing the amount of each food item their household is entitled to.

We only stayed in Airbnbs during our trip in Cuba, so we didn't have access to basic necessities like flour, eggs and more. We noticed that the milk looked and tasted different, and our host told us that milk is a rarity in Cuba. Milk powder is mixed with water and used. We often waited a long time in front of supermarkets and candy stores, about 30-45 minutes on average. Drinking water is also rare in supermarkets, and locals boil tap water. However, this smelled so unpleasant that we decided against it and only wanted to drink it in an emergency.

We wanted to learn a lot about the history of Cuba in museums on site, but we didn't get any smarter than before. We previously had more information from documentaries we watched in Germany prior to our trip. After our visit to the "Museum and Monument, Memorial Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara" some fellow travelers from our group asked our guide questions. She only replied: "I'm not allowed to speak about politics. In Cuba, people don't talk about politics." We knew beforehand that many political issues are not talked about in Cuba, but it was different to experience it on the ground.

If the economic situation and thus the life of the locals would improve, Cuba would have a lot of potential as a holiday destination. However, if you're an adventure seeker and you're comfortable with not everything going as planned or feasible on your trip, Cuba is for you. Because after my detailed blog you are perfectly prepared! Please take a look at my check list.