Cuba had been on my bucket list for the longest time. I first got to learn about it in history class when I was 15, about the whole communist era and the Cuban missile crisis. Since I did not need a visa, (Singapore has the strongest passport right?) I visited it during October 2022 when I had some free time during my Cornell MBA in New York City.
Is Havana worth going?
Havana, and Cuba in general, will teleport you back into the 1950’s. You will have limited internet, simple but delicious food, no convenience stores, no Netflix. Havana has some well-developed areas because it is the capital city after all. If you are looking for an experience that cannot be found elsewhere, definitely go. However it was not exactly comfortable, there were a lot of people trying to scam me, and streets could be dirty as there were a lot of wild cats/dogs that pooped on the streets.
But I 100% recommend it, because for me, this is a place I could not have experienced anywhere else.
Food
Cuban congri and basic meat
Cuban food is simple, you get meat, congri (Cuban rice and beans) and some salad. I think it is simple but delicious because of the lack of ingredients so food is prepared in the most simplest way. There aren’t fast food or convenience stores, but only restaurants or home cooks. Restaurants are more expensive but prices are shown properly on menus.
Home cooks mean you literally go to someone’s home and they cook for you, is common for locals/ tourist who speak Spanish, but the prices could be ridiculously high to scam you. I fell for it once (paid $10 for a meal) because I wanted to try something that was not a restaurant, and decided it was not worth it.
Cuban Ice cream and Tacos
Cuban ice cream is popular, and simple flavours (chocolate/vanilla). I believe Cuban have a special connection to ice cream, it even has its own ice cream industry. Loved it.
There’s also Cuban tacos, which reflects the diverse culinary influences in Cuban cuisine, showcasing Spanish, African, and Caribbean elements. This is exactly Cuban culture, caught in the middle of all the surrounding countries.
Cuba Libre
Alcohol in Cuba was affordable ($1-$2) each at a bar. The Cuba Libre is a classic cocktail that blends rum, cola, and lime juice, embodying the spirit of modern Cuba. Its name, translating to ‘Free Cuba,’ reflects the drink’s historical roots in the early 20th century when Cubans celebrated their independence from Spanish rule.
The funny thing was that I wanted to use wifi, and usually, bars have wifi, so I had to buy something in order to stay there. So always, I would go for a cocktail when I need to surf the internet.
Accommodation
There are 2 main types of accommodations, proper big hotels or hotels ran by locals, kind of like a home stay. Big hotels in the old town area charged a lot (close to Vegas prices in USA), if you stay with a local, prices can be much cheaper. There is also Airbnb options, which is really just home stays.
I stayed at Blanc Blue 1924 Boutique Hotel, which is more like a local-ran home stay and these locals had to register with the government to operate accommodations for foreigners. I loved my stay because there was amazing breakfast included, I could change USD for Cuban currency with the host, and I could also pay for the host to make me dinner. The host was very nice and helpful.
The room has air-con, the place has wifi, and you get breakfast on the rooftop. The location is very good, walkable to the main old town area, and just right beside the famous walkway beside the sea. If I ever go back I will stay here again.
The hotel provided breakfast, I loved the coffee and fruit juice. Cuba has lots of tropical fruits.
Also, I paid for this dinner at the home stay, it is a lot of simple no-frills food, mainly carbs. I had a good time eating this while watching some Spanish show on the TV.
Wifi/ Transportation/ Language/ Safety/ Money
So I believe you can get some SIM cards for access wifi, but I have heard mix-reviews of these SIM cards, and the host even offered to sell me some SIM cards, but I did not bother with it.
There are buses and taxis around the Havana airport. Taxis are the famous looking Cuban taxis (really old from the 1950’s), you can get one from the airport or from the old town. You can’t really see those taxis from the photo above but taking the taxi is a tourist experience by itself. Airport to old town is $20 in USD or Euros, both currency accepted. I basically walked everywhere besides going to/from the airport or to Trinidad (another city in Cuba). Uber/ Lyft don’t exist there.
Spanish is the main language, although in Havana, a lot of people speak English too, even at random cafes I visited. There were many tourists in Havana from Europe/ Asia, so communication was not a problem, it felt safe too.
However I felt that a lot of people were hustling to scam me. They pretended to be friendly with me asking like where I am from but just to lure me to an establishment (cafe/restaurant) so that I could be charged the tourist price. Also streets were pretty damn dark and shady at night, but when the locals see that you are a foreigner they generally leave you alone. So I felt pretty safe, but was not happy with all the scam attempts.
For example many tried to sell me Cuban cigars (you cannot bring them back to USA) that I wasn’t sure if they were real. I purchased this Romeo y Julieta brand from this local in his house because I was like “Why not lol”. I don’t smoke and I couldn’t tell if it was the real deal, so I shared it with the guard of my accommodation (yes they hire guards).
It was a funny moment, me a Singaporean-Chinese and a Spanish speaking Cuban smoking Cuban cigars in Havana Cuba. And yes the guard said it tasted real.
Anyway, my advice is that if any local is overly friendly with you for no reason, they are trying to scam you. That made my experience a lot worse.
Lastly, you need to change money with a local. Your host/ hotel probably has dedicated service for that, and my host gave me a fair price. Also, you can see the roads, and Cuban cars in the photo above I took from the airport to the homestay.
Lastly just some very cool photos of the roads near the Old Havana (Old town) area. Something about the buildings just teleports me back to the 1950’s. I like the vibes.
Places I went to
Malecón de La Habana
The Malecón de La Habana, commonly known as the Malecón, is a prominent seaside promenade stretching approximately 8.5 kilometers along Havana’s coast. It is known for its ocean views, colonial-era buildings, vibrant street life, and beautiful sunsets. It’s also a social hub where people gather to fish, play music, or simply enjoy the sea breeze.
My accommodation was 1 minute walk away from this, so I spent a lot of time just walking around as you can reach the old town area for the touristy stuff or the more developed residential areas via the Malecón.
I managed to snap 2 award-winning worthy photos of the Malecón on a rainy day here with my trust worthy Google Pixel. When it rains it does get a little tricky to move around as you cannot find umbrellas for sale easily. I brought my own umbrella to Cuba.
Havana Chinatown
As explained in my other posts, I have the urge to visit overseas Chinatowns because I am a Singaporean-Chinese. I want to see how the Chinese people migrated to different parts of the world and get some good Chinese food.
So Havana Chinatown (Barrio Chino de La Habana) was a pleasant surprise. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Chinese immigrants in Cuba. Established in the mid-19th century, this neighborhood has weathered political and social changes, yet it continues to be a focal point of Chinese-Cuban culture.
I did not see as many Chinese as I was expecting, as the Chinese Cuban population had drastically reduced after the Cuban Revolution (1959). But I did manage to find Chinese small businesses and restaurants.
The Chinese translation of menu item is a little off I would say and it was not as Chinese as I assumed. But still, it was a truly unique experience.
Old Havana (Habana Vieja)
Old Havana, known as Habana Vieja in Spanish, represents the historic heart of Cuba’s capital. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982, this district boasts a rich tapestry of architecture, culture, and history that spans over five centuries.
This is where most of the touristy things are located in Havana. First of all you get to see the Havana Capitol Building. This is one of Havana’s most famous buildings, resembling the U.S. Capitol but with distinct Cuban and neoclassical influences.
All within walking distance is the Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso, one of the most stunning and historically significant theaters in Cuba and Latin America. Also the Havana Cathedral, officially known as Cathedral de la Virgen María de la Concepción Inmaculada de La Habana, is one of the most iconic landmarks in Old Havana.
Also in the area is Paseo del Prado one of Havana’s most famous and scenic boulevards, blending Spanish colonial charm with European elegance. It’s a tree-lined promenade filled with history, architecture, and local culture. There were lots of street stalls (some scammers too), I returned to this area at night and there were lots of young locals just hanging out here. I think like everywhere else, young people need a place to party and just, entertain themselves.
Museum of the City of Havana (Museo de la Ciudad de La Habana) is the other one of the most historically significant buildings in Havana. It was once the residence of Spanish colonial governors and now serves as the Museum of the City of Havana, showcasing the city’s rich past. I simply felt this building was photogenic.
There’s lots of cafe and restaurants in the area, I stopped for some ice cream in the day (where there were lots of tourists too).
At night I went to Jama Japanese Cuban fusion restaurant. By now you should known from my other posts I am a huge sushi guy, but it was funny that when I was there, half of the fish were out of stock, only red snapper was left. I liked the ambience and the drink menu here too.
So I ended up just ordering the red snapper and a Piña colada and some fruity cocktail. I liked the drinks nevertheless, the sushi was however a little disappointing if you compare it to Japanese sushi.
Universidad de La Habana (University of Havana)
The Universidad de La Habana (University of Havana) established in 1728, stands as Cuba’s oldest higher education institution. Located in the capital city of Havana, it has played a pivotal role in the country’s cultural, political, and social evolution.
I was studying in New York City before making this trip, and let me tell you this reminded me of Columbia University. They have the same Alma Mater statue and building architecture style haha. However I did not see any students when I was there, I think it may be closed to tourists.
I did however, see many young people near the campus in their sporty attire (tennis) etc. This area is further away from Old Town Havana area and I walked for 30-45 minutes to reach here. The vibe in this area was very different, it feels like a modern, academical area with highly educated people round.
Plaza de la Revolución, Havana
Plaza de la Revolución, located in Havana, Cuba, stands as one of the largest urban squares globally, encompassing approximately 70,000 square meters. This iconic site has been the backdrop for significant historical events, particularly during Fidel Castro’s leadership.
This famous tourist site was where Fidel Castro and other Cuban leaders gave speeches to massive crowds. In this area you can find 2 landmarks
Che Guevara Mural is one of the most famous landmarks in Havana. It is a giant steel-outline portrait of Ernesto “Che” Guevara (based on the famous “Guerrillero Heroico” photo taken by Alberto Korda in 1960), displayed on the Ministry of the Interior (Ministerio del Interior) building in Plaza de la Revolución.
José Martí Memorial is a towering gray marble monument in Plaza de la Revolución, dedicated to José Martí, one of Cuba’s most important historical figures. It stands as a symbol of Cuban independence and patriotism. You can see the typical Cuban car in my photo (I think this is another submission worthy of awards in my Cuba trip).
Coming to these historical sites make me reflect a lot on the history of the world. I mean Cuba is clearly not in a good place economically, but the history/wars/fights it went through meant something in that period of time. Was it good or was it bad? We can only ponder about that decades later.
Special Shoutout
It was incredibly difficult to find quick food, and my host recommended this restaurant Michifu which was 5 minutes walk away. I like the quirky ambience and the food. The vibe here was very liberal (pretty sure some of the staffs here were LGB). Food in general is good, but it was also kind of the only option near me as I was not living in the Old Havana area where lots of restaurants are located.
Did I say quirky? Check it out when you are in Havana!
Thoughts
Like this box used for payment in Michifu (ya I literally put the cash into this box to pay), it hit me at an interesting moment that I, and you, only live once. So keep calm and visit Cuba, it is a different experience you will remember for life.
