10 Tips for Jamaicans Traveling to Cuba
NOSTALGIC. COLOURFUL. PARADISE.
Cuba was one of the very first countries on my list. As a photographer, I saw Cuba as the perfect place to photograph. Colonial architecture, vintage cars, colourful Havana, beautiful people all made a perfect combination for great photos.
Cuba is located in the northern Caribbean where the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean meet. It is east of the Yucatán Peninsula (Mexico), south of both the U.S. state of Florida and the Bahamas, west of Haiti and north of both Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Havana is the largest city and capital in Cuba; other major cities in Cuba includes Santiago de Cuba and Camagüey.
I want to share some tips to help you plan your trip to this beautiful island! Lets go!
FIGURE OUT YOUR ITINERARY
This can be the must frustrating part of your trip, if you are not sure. Do your research on:
Which cities would you like to visit? There are a few cities in Cuba such as Havana, Trinidad, Cienfugues and Santiago de Cuba. Havana - the capital of Cuba, is lively and vibrant. There, you will see a lot of historic sites, you can visit museums, old cathedral churches, or cigar factories. Trinidad on the other hand, is a smaller town and is laid back on the countryside. If you are looking for a rich colonial history, visit Cienfugues - it is known as the coffee city of Cuba. Santiago de Cuba the second largest city in Cuba, a bit less like Havana;
Are you looking for an adventure or a historic visit? So for me, I love history and photography, so choose to visit this historic places like Parque Histórico Morro y Cabaña, Havana - Built by the Spanish beginning in 1589 to protect against pirates, or the Pig of bays (a landmark for the Cuban Revolution); There I was able to capture so really good shots. If you are adventurous, there are several beaches you can visit, go on hiking tours, or even surf the coastline. You can find out more here - 8 Adventurous Things to Do in Cuba
Research your transportation, will you be taking the bus or Private car. You might consider staying in old Havana to avoid incurring taxi fees.
Explore your flight options. There are direct flights from Kingston to Havana using Aerogaviota. Its a small Cuban airline based in Havana, Cuba. The cost is budget friendly.
Caribbean Airlines: Recently announced that they have direct flights from Kingston to Havana as well, but they only fly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Copa Airlines: Flies from Kingston and stops in Panama before arriving at Havana. Cost can run between 890 - 750 USD
Cayman Airlines: Flies from Kingston to Cayman then Havana. However they only fly on Fridays Saturdays and Sundays Cost can run between 800 USD.
STAY AT A CASA OR AN AIRBNB: "Casa" is refereed to a private room in a family home which usually provides a breakfast, it is cheaper than staying at an Airbnb. Staying at a casa or an airbnb is a great way of meeting locals, they can recommend great places to eat or visit. Try Booking.com and Airbnb they will provide you with a lot of good accommodations, just ensure you pay close attention to reviews and use googlemaps to see where it is located. I usually try and stay in close proximity to city where I do not have to rely on transportation to get around, but note staying closer to the city can be pricey. I avoid hotels in Cuba as they can be really expensive and over rated, they are very old with few amenities and don't usually serve the best foods.
Once you have figured out those general points you are ready for your trip to Cuba.
2. YOU WILL NEED A TRAVEL VISA AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
Yes this is true! Don’t skip this part. A tourist visa is easily obtained from the Embassy of Cuba in Jamaica 44 Trafalgar Rd, Kingston, Jamaica 1 (876) 978-0930. The fee is roughly JMD 3,000.
As for travel visas, its is very are important trip as unavoidable situations can happen and you will need to be protected. I used JMMB Insurance as my broker, it can run you about 90USD per trip. It covers you if your baggage(s) are lost, hospital fees, delay flights, etc.
3. TRAVEL WITH A LOCAL GUIDE
I was recommended to a local guide in Cuba, he knew all the best spots to see, to eat and hang out. It actually made a difference. I saved a lot of money and avoided being scammed. Try airbnb experiences, its a lot cheaper and you will get the best experience.
4. PURCHASE CUBAN CIGAR
My favourite is Monte Carlo. It was John F Kennedy’s favourite cigar. Get some as nice gifts for family and friends. I got mine at a discounted cost from the cigar factory in Vinales. You have different grades of cigar. Choose based on what you can manage, and remember when smoking do not inhale through your lungs!
5. BUY PAINTINGS AND ARTWORK
You can visit the craft market in Cuba, you can bargain prices as well. I got really nice artwork. Ensure that you get a receipt just in case you get stopped by customs.
6. TOUR HAVANA IN CONVERTIBLE CAR
Old Classic convertible cars.
This was a great way to see Havana, and a great photo opt. Costs around 30 USD.
7. WATCH A TROPICANA CABARET
I unfortunately, did not get a change to see this, but I have heard great reviews on these kind of shows. Make sure your reserve you space early, you can book via https://www.hotelnacionaldecuba.com/en/packages-and-offers. The show starts at 9:30 p.m.
8. VISIT OUTSIDE OF HAVANA
Take a day trip to Viñales a small town located in Western Cuba, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Viñales is known for its agricultural area, where crops of fruit, vegetables, coffee and especially tobacco are grown by traditional methods. There is a lovely beach resort area called Varadero, known for its white sands and crystal blue waters. Take a trip to Trinidad, Cuba and Santiago de Cuba
Viñales a small town located in Western Cuba.
9. TRY THE CUBAN LIBRE
This is like a rum and coke with lime. It has a really sweet taste. Super good!
Avoid drinking the water from the pipe.
Please do not drink the water from the pipe not even to brush your teeth as you may get sick. Stick to bottled water. Water costs about 1.50 USD
10. The local currency is Cuban Convertible Currency (CUC) and Cuban peso (CUP).
You can get this changed at the airport and bank. You can either carry euros or usd to change. There are ATMs to withdraw cash but please be aware of the conversion rates and fees.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Cuba is a beautiful place stuck in time. It is one of the safest place I have visited so far. The people are warm and friendly and there is lots to see. Cuba is not for everyone, it’s not the most modern country with all the fancy amenities and fast wifi, so go with that in mind.
Learn a lot about the history of Cuba, enjoy the food, music and people and you cant go wrong.