Havana, Cuba (Courtney Druen)
Make sure to visit the cafe in the patio for good music & drinks served by Manolo - he’s a gem
- More about your Oliver Guide: Courtney Druen
- Trip type: Adult, City
- Activity level: moderate
- Ideal length of trip: A LONG WEEKEND IN HAVANA
to & from
I went before Cuba opened up to Americans. We took a charter flight from Miami. Take taxis and talk with your drivers.
Where to Stay
Stay in Havana, not outside the city. Expect that your hotel will be different than what you expect. I liked Hotel Seville for its location, staff and wifi. Visit the cafe in the patio for good music & drinks served by Manolo – he’s a gem. Go up to the gallery on the top floor for drinks/bites/cigars & 360 degree views of the city.
Havana, Cuba (Stephanie Plexico)
Go now! Time has stood still and it is magical.
- More about your Oliver Guide: Stephanie Plexico
- Trip type: Adult, City
- Activity level: moderate
- Ideal length of trip: CLEARLY, THERE IS MUCH MORE TO SEE IN CUBA, BUT YOU CAN EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF HAVANA IN THREE DAYS. WOULD ADD A DAY TO SEE THE BEACHES AND HEMINGWAY'S HOME.
to & from
The flight from Florida is an hour and customs is seamless in Havana. I looked into getting a driver to pick us up and there is no need to. You can get a taxi right there and it is about $30 CPU. 30 minute drive to Havana. Change some money at the airport. NO American dollars are allowed and credit cards are not accepted. The visa process is simple. Taxis are easy to find in Havana and it is a great walking city.
Where to Stay
Hotel Saratoga: It is very central and the people that worked there were so nice. We were very pleased. Side note: where Madonna, Beyonce & Jay Z stayed here. Casa Particulars or Home Stays are very popular and affordable. It is a great way to get to know a family and experience authentic Cuban hospitality.
Havana, Cuba (Megan Harvey)
Go see Havana before it changes too much!
- More about your Oliver Guide: Megan Harvey
- Trip type: Family, Beach, City
- Activity level: moderate
- Ideal length of trip: A LONG WEEKEND TO 2 WEEKS. JUST GO SEE HAVANA BEFORE IT CHANGES TOO MUCH!
to & from
We flew via Mexico City on Areo Mexico.
Where to Stay
We rented a great airbnb apartment in Old Havana in Plaza Vjejo. We stayed at a Casa Particular in Vinales.
Havana, Cuba (Erika McGrath)
Keep calm and baila conmigo!
- More about your Oliver Guide: Erika McGrath
- Trip type: Adult, Group getaway, City
- Activity level: moderate
- Ideal length of trip: 7-10 DAYS
to & from
We flew from SFO to Miami, spent the night in Miami and then took a 6am chartered flight to Havana, Cuba. On the ground, we had a tour bus and tour guide.
Our on the ground sponsoring organization was: Altruvistas contact: malia@altruvistas.com. Our guide was Cicely Sanchez. Our local sponsoring organization was Yogaventures, contact: lisa@yogaventures.org
Where to Stay
- We stayed in hotels although some people opt to stay in private homes to help directly support Cubans who are still mostly on fixed low government-mandated salaries.
- Hotel Copacabana in Havana
- Hotel Iberostar (all inclusive) in Varadero