The second was during our stay in Playa Larga when Kath was in bed with the stomach flu, so it was just me and Little Elf having dinner. My first view of Cuba in daylight that morning after the storm was a beautiful sight. I have a feeling I just bought a bunch of banana leaves, but if they end up being fakes, Im ok parting with my money as a donation to Cuba. La Mulata Mary, Havana: See 7 traveller reviews, 11 user photos and best deals for La Mulata Mary, ranked #225 of 879 Havana specialty lodging, rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. OK, so there were probably a few childhood vacations that As we walked the bridge, the rain didnt seem that bad outside. I dont know about you, but we prefer to only eat out once a day usually for lunch and just have some bread with a spread around 6 PM. After several vicissitudes, it once became the location of the post office, the Senate and the high court. We show parents how to experience the world with kids through rainbow coloured sunglasses. Located behind the Capitol, you can walk to it after visiting the Capitol. Hotel Los Frailes - UPDATED Prices, Reviews & Photos (Havana, Cuba DAYS 1 TO 3 - HAVANA. The famous closing ceremony of the cannon fire is held in this castle every night at 21:00. It is one of the most representative Baroque buildings in Havana. Leave your American expectations in the U.S. your flight will probably be delayed and the whole check-in / boarding / status / process can be disorganized, time consuming, and frustrating. The rooftop pool boasts direct views of El Capitolio. Cuba is in the tropics and the sun is fierce, so apply sunscreen liberally and consider having your children wear hats plus sunglasses. Other fun sights and excursions include boat trips to see manatees, caves containing pre-Columbian skeletons, and Cacao farms where visitors learn how to make chocolate. Buses are operated by Vazul and more recently also Cubanacan. We recommend against buying cheap street food, such as pizza and shaved ice. Fuster made his home here in the 1970s, he started to decorate the exterior of his 2 Days in Havana Itinerary - Cubas Best CUBA'S BOLDEST SHORE . Although a coastal city, Havana isnt famed for its beaches Flights: It was super easy to book my Cuban flight. I heard Trinidad,. Cuba is a large country and traveling around independently requires careful planning. Candy and chocolate are extremely rare and can be bought per piece rather than in a bag like we are used to. Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagas nearby is the top choice before you leave El Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro and hit the road. We were doubting if Viales would be worth the travel time, but after spending 5 days we can guarantee that you will love it! Ill definitely be back sooner than later! Is one full." | Check out 14 answers, plus see 20,712 reviews, articles, and 21,109 photos of Old Havana, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 731 attractions in Cuba. About half an hour of idle sitting, the captain finally gets on the speaker and tells us that nine of the original passengers decided to stay in Varadero. Rather than staying 1 night to recover from the journey, plan at least a couple of days to discover all the mysteries of the capital and take in the gorgeous clashes between old and new. The next two nights would be at the all-inclusive (my first ever type of hotel) Melia Varadero. But not in Cuba. 89 Good for walkers. 10 Days in Havana Tours - Top Expert-Planned Itineraries & Tours For more information, please see our If you just try to speak their native language (no matter how bad you may sound) the Cubans will instantly warm up to you and go out of their way to help you. Its now about 3pm and I come across the famous and historic National Hotel de Cuba on the way back to my hotel. On Cayo Saeta, in Holgun province, you can even take a safari and spy African animals roaming wild. Also, be happy that youre going to freaking CUBA! Any visit to Cuba must include a few days in Cuba's capital, Havana. The new city is close to the Caribbean Sea, with wide and tidy streets, row upon row of high-rise buildings, and is full of modern atmosphere. I learned a lot from our nice and knowledgable tour guide. After the tour, the museum also invites visitors to taste a glass of rum. Research told me we were supposed to book in advance because it was high season (February/March). Even so, when you come to Havana with kids, The cobblestone streets and colourful buildings create a picturesque atmosphere. r/travel is a community about exploring the world. We are then asked to deplane and sit tight inside indefinitely until the rain subsides and the Havana airport reopens. We also brought along some snacks that would last us the entire trip (as cookies etc are hard to get by) and a tube of honey (since we usually buy bread and some things to eat with the bread as either lunch or dinner. We share travel stories. If you have a lower floor, just take the stairs. Ive heard that custom officials in Mexico ask less questions than those in Miami Im not sure if I ever want to test that theory, but I definitely made it back in the States with no problems via Mexico. Refugee follows the stories of three different children and their families, each attempting to flee their violent homelands, in different regions of the world and during different decades. This Havana hotel offers parking on site. Havana with kids has much to offer. Be warned it can be so popular that they tend to run out of the Where to Go: Family-Friendly Destinations Havana. located at 2111 Calle L, La Habana. Its possible to book tickets on the spot but its recommended to book them at least 4 or 5 days in advance. The most touristic beach destinations in Cuba feature plenty of all-inclusive family hotels. He also showed me other types of antiques from different countries apparently he was a collector of all sorts and didnt mind making a buck whenever. has become a veritable institution in the capital. everything they see. Jaimanitas, a cute fishing village on the edge of Havana. So, my family is planning a 5 day trip to Cuba for Spring Break. Shes 57 but looks 40. Sensational 7 Days In Cuba Itinerary 2023! - The World By Hege The Cuban revolutionary leader Che Guevara once used this castle as his headquarters, and still retains the city walls in the late 18th century. The organization was gre", Traveled to Cuba as a couple in April, 2019, "Very educational trip, tour company did it's best to insure our best possible experience. But our host also made is a bunch of raw vegetables and some banana chips, yum! They can poke around in artists workshops, or even a blacksmiths and a santera (the dominant Afro-Cuban religion) temple. Its both a financial and a cultural thing as eating out twice would drive up our budget quickly (especially in Cuba!) After the victory of the Cuban Revolution, it was renamed Revolution Square. Other airlines that fly to Cuba from other countries include Copa Airlines, Cayman Airways, and Bahamas Air just to name a few. Cookie Notice city. Since both I and our daughter were still recovering from the same virus, we specifically asked for just some chicken and white rice. The taxi cab driver gets a bit lost towards the end and complains that hes been up since 6am. Mums on Flipflopsis a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca, amazon.de, amazon.fr, amazon.it and amazon.es. On weekends, dolphin and sea-lion shows are usually hosted at the Acuario Nacional, in the Miramar district. Weve got a few ideas when it comes to places that your kids are going to love. Who hasnt heard of the white sandy beaches of Varadero or Cayo Coco? Cuba in July: Travel Tips, Weather, and More | kimkim Im starving so I immediately hit the buffet and pig out. I recommend staying at least a week and spend your time in other cities besides Havana and Varadero. You can also tell your children about how the Old Town used Cuba is an untouched country with the right mix of natural beauty, history, and culture. My last night back in Havana would be booked at an Airbnb. to be the whole town. From tropical turquoise beaches and colourful classic cars to interesting history and several hidden gems, Cuba has something for everyone. But theyre sure to get a kick Three hours later of not knowing any updates or resolutions, were back on our plane. Hi! His friends come pick me up and take me to the airport. I also shoot my Cancun host a little note on my arrival for the next day in case wifi would be hard to find again. Days 1 to 3 of your Cuba itinerary are spent in the truly unique city of Havana. and our Tomas walks me back to the house and shows me the Plaza de Armes and the famous bar where Hemingway supposedly drank himself drunk daily. When traveling with a family, it's better to come . Thankfully they called the bus back to come get me I almost missed my two hour ride back to the city! Packed full with locals & tourists alike, Old Havana is bustling at all hours of the day. So basically for $575 USD, I got $501 CUC back. Im the only one that likes butter on my sandwich, so I tried to save a bit from the breakfast table each morning. Read More How much does a trip to Cuba cost? When we went to the island in February and March 2020, our daughter was a little over 4 years old, which was perfect. After the main course and right before dessert, I had to get up from my table and go outside to take pictures of the first sunset Ive seen in Cuba. Your kids will walk around with their than the weekends. I overhear the cook and a gentleman at the bar speaking fluent English, so I asked them where they were from. route to spend a fun-filled week with your grandmother who kept the plastic Privacy Policy. Fusterlandia after the artist who sparked it all off) decorated in this style, Time your visit for sunset, when soldiers dressed as independence fighters fire a live cannon. I could have missed my flight, damn it! Colectivo taxis are regular or classic cars that you share with other people. It covers a small area and can spend most of the day on foot. Having the chance to enjoy the charming Presidential Palace Museo de la Revolucion, Castillo de la Real Fuerza next to it is another great place that you will never want to miss! this, since this apparent lack actually stems from the fact that kids are For our trip to Cuba we created this fun list of things to do in Havana with Kids. Yes, its only an hour away.). It is one of the six famous congress palaces in the world, and there is a statue symbolizing the Republic in the building, which is the third largest indoor sculpture in the world. Bring insect repellent and wear long sleeves and long pants wherever mosquitoes congregate. As the name suggests, in these types of hotels accommodation, food, and drinks are included in the price. We sit down and chat for a bit in Spanish before Tomas shows up. In this post, I will be sharing all the details about my 5 day visit to Havana, including where I stayed, restaurant recommendations, what I did and lots of helpful tips most people won't tell you! The Zoolgico de Piedrathe stone zoooutside the city ofGuantnamofeatureslimestone animals carved into stone in the mountainside. Walking along the alleyways, I also noticed long lines of Cubans at the telecommunication stores that day and wondered if there was a new phone released or something. They found him and his family-run tour company called livingcuba.com. Most hotels will have wifi access, but most casa particulars and Airbnb homes will have none. Theres a 24 hour cafe on the first floor where I enjoyed a tiramisu late night snack. The other is Kavanagh Castle. Trip.com User: It's amazing vibe!! With annual maximum temperatures reaching 90F (32C) in Havana and Western Cuba, and somewhat more in Santiago de Cuba and Oriente, this is one of the hottest and most humid months of the year. If youre travelling in a bigger group this might end up being cheaper than going by colectivo. Malecon, close to the Museo de la Revolucion). September and October is also the low season because of the hurricane possibilities. I wake up to take a shower with three buckets Tomas provided the night before. Watersports and sailing trips to a nearby island are also an option. The first morning of my trip starts off muggy and hazy. It located in the middle of the town so you can find the place easily. the parlour is a remarkable experience, even without the actual ice cream. art. Getting to Cuba: The biggest airports in Cuba are Havana, Santa Clara, and Cienfuegos. jaws on the floor, experiencing art without having to set foot inside a gallery CASA YARA (Havana) - Guesthouse Reviews, Photos, Rate - Tripadvisor It is surrounded by many important institutions in Cuba, such as the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, the Cuban Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Cuban Ministry of Communications, the Cuban Defense Ministry, and the Cuban Ministry of Defense. If you research and find something at least 6 weeks ahead of your trip, you should have no problem finding plenty of hotels. For some travelers (namely, those taking a weekend trip from Cancun or, as long as it's possible, somewhere on the US mainland), three days in Havana is the only option. you enjoyed a little more than that, but were there any places that were truly It turns out Airbnb reached out asking for digital proof of my passport since I made a booking in Cuba and I had to respond within 24 hours with a copy of it or they would cancel my reservation. 33 Restaurants within 0.5 km. The Partagas Cigar Factory was founded in 1845 and is a landmark cigar factory in Havana. If you want to learn about the Cuban cigar making process, this is a good choice. This is one of the eleven Roman Catholic cathedrals on the island. enchanted by the street theatre, such as the roving musicians, that are part of Find and compare all 186 Havana tours, cruises, and packages from 44 companies. Yes, there are plenty of casa particulars (aka budget bed and breakfast accommodations in a locals home) which are sprouting up on Airbnb and theyre all quite safe and secure. It wasnt too bad pouring cool water over my head in the tub I remember doing something similar about 20 years ago in Korea The maid (who doesnt speak a lick of English) shows up soon after and asks to use the phone. Im a rebel and a risk-taker, so I check-boxed my reason for travel under journalistic activities and packed a couple of cameras and film without applying for a license. You can see the real Cuba here, while at the same time, youll come across many restaurants, a hop on hop off bus and other features for tourists. Theres also a small Beautiful Trinidad is a must-do if you dont mind spending a couple of hours on the bus or if you travel faster than we do. Nearby Matanzas has a castle plus the Cuevas de Bellamar to explore, and Crdenas has two intriguing museums, including one dedicated to the story of Elin Gonzlez, the young Cuban boy plucked from the sea in 2001. As a communistic country, Cuba has one or more state hotels in just about every destination. After further exploration I came upon Parque Centrale and found the hop-on-hop-off double decker Havana tour bus which I rode on for an hour around the historic neighborhoods. Both small and bigger children will have the time of their life! My 5:00pm Havana arrival time turns into a 10:30pm arrival time. Turns out Tomas is a senior front end developer (probably only 1 out of 100 in all of Cuba) who also works for a mobile game startup! The Cuevas de Bellamar was first discovered in 1861 by a Chinese man who accidentally stumbled upon it. Theres also the possibility to swim with dolphins, but as fun and appealing it might sound we like to stay away from any unnatural interaction with wild animals and would recommend against it. There would be some likely candidates, like May also ushers the start of the rain season, although there are usually still plenty of dry days. 304 O'REILLY, Havana - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone - Tripadvisor Their bites itch like crazy and can easily become infected. However, consider waiting until theyre older and can truly enjoy Cuba; the hot weather and humidity may be too much for them.