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Top 5 Things To Do in Cuba By Heidi Siefkas

Only 90 miles from Key West and an easy flight or cruise from Miami, the once forbidden island of Cuba awaits you with its mojitos and cigars. However, with five+ years of travel to Cuba, I know that Cuba is so much more than just Hemingway’s haunts, rum, and cigars. Let me share the top five things to do in Cuba.

Classic Convertible Car Ride
From the minute you get off the plane or cruise ship in Cuba, you become a classic car paparazzi. Believe me, Cuba is a rolling museum of pristine classic 1950’s American cars in all colors. Perhaps one of the models was your first car or your parents owned one, but regardless nothing makes you feel more like a kid again that taking a convertible car ride in Cuba. Always agree to a price for your ride. If you don’t have a destination in mind, but would like a recorrido (tour/spin of the city), expect roughly 35-40 CUC (approximately $40-$50)

Get Your Music On
Cuban musicians are world-renowned for their dynamic sounds, complex rhythms, and bands that typically have as many musicians as a football team. Going to Cuba and not experiencing music would be a sin. Do yourself and those that travel with you a favor. Go to at least one show. When in Havana, the two most popular are the Tropicana cabaret or one of the Buena Vista Social Club performances. However, if you are looking for great Cuban jazz without the whole production, lights, dancers, and costumes head to La Zorra y El Cuervo or the Jazz Café. Outside of Havana, you will also find music everywhere. Almost all towns have a Casa de la Música (Music House), which has live music and DJs most nights.

Walk on the Malecón
Although most cities in Cuba have a promenade, main square, or seawall that serves as a meeting place for friends, families, and lovers, the crème de la crème is in Havana. The Malecón, the ocean boulevard or seawall, is an eight-kilometer pedestrian path, which is nicknamed the world’s largest sofa. In the morning, you will find Habaneros fishing, running, or even waiting for rides to school or work on the Malecón. After five p.m., groups of friends, families, musicians, and lovers meet to sing, dance, drink and enjoy the moment. You must take a walk along the Malecón. It is very safe. Although Cubans are very friendly and may interact with you along the walk, violent crime is almost non-existent. However, be careful with your purse or wallet like you would in London or New York. I would suggest wearing comfortable walking shoes and bringing some small coins and bills of 1, 2, 3 CUC ($1.15-$3.45) with you to buy mani (peanuts) or other sweets.

Explore the Artistic Hotbed of the Caribbean
Whether its dance, music, paintings, writing, or sculpture, art is found around every corner in Cuba. It is as if creativity and ingenuity are part of the Cuban DNA. Across the country, you will find private art galleries, arts and craft markets, as well as artistic community projects. Some of my favorites in Havana are Fusterlandia, a mosaic neighborhood done in a Cuban Gaudi style, and Muraleando, a community project showcasing murals, sculptures made from repurposed items like washing machines, bath tubs, typewriters, and more. Fairly recently opened, the Fábrica de Arte Cubano (Cuban Art Factory or FAC) is a revamped warehouse turned entertainment and multi-media art gallery.

Eat at Paladares
In order to get to know any culture, you must experience its cuisine. Traditional Cuban food such as roasted pork, moros (beans and rice), yucca, squash, and malanga (taro) as well as global fusion dishes can be found in Cuba’s paladares (private restaurants). Started in the 90’s, these private restaurants began as small cafes from a family’s home. Perhaps it was an outdoor patio or an extension of the living room. However, now with increasing tourism and popularity, many paladares have grown from extensions of one’s private home to different locations with multiple levels. Although prices vary depending on the location as well as your tastes, I would gauge about 15-25 CUC per person for dinner (approximately $17-29). Tipping is appropriate at restaurants and bars. It is customary to leave 10% of the bill.

After nearly thirty trips to Cuba, the culture continues to fascinate me. NOW is the time to discover Cuba and its riches for yourself. If you are interested in more info before you go, check out my book, Cubicle to Cuba, and my blog http://www.heidisiefkas.com/blog/.