Cuba: An Itinerary
Pistachio walls, Santa Clara breakfast
Havana, Image by Ariil Davydvo
Cuba is the epitome of unique. However, it’s not as off-the-beaten path as you think. For a filling meal of boisterous jazz, tart mojitos, and cruising in that 50s top-down, here’s a week-long itinerary of to-gos throughout the island. With a focus on diverse environments, culture, history, and authenticity, these are the places that I suggest.
Day 1.
Start your trip in the art and history focus point of Santa Clara.
Visit the Che Museum to get on-the-ground perspective of this influential figure-head of the country.
Check into Hotel Santa Clara Libre.
Day 2.
Head to Trinidad from Santa Clara, about 2 hours away for its focus on colonial architecture and charming squares.
Find a casa particular or local B&B homestay easily on one of the thoroughfares.
Head over to Munoz Tapaz for live rooftop music, drinks, and views.
Trek down to Disco Ayala, an underground club in a cave with blasting beats and an impressive demographic whiling the night away in this resounding natural underground.
Day 3.
Spend the day at the glass turquoise waters along Playa Ancon and beachfront food when you’re not indulging in the warm waters.
Day 4.
Make your way to Havana which will take 4 hours.
Check into the Conde Nast-recommended intimate Tribe Caribe or the adored El Encanto de Perseverancia.
Walk the iconic sunlit Malecón that combines the waterway and culture of Havana.
Make your way to the Museum of Chocolate, which is more of a tasting experience than a visual museum.
Rock out to delightful wine pairings, sumptuous seafood, and particularly lobster at Habana 61.
Head to Fabrica de Arte de Cubano a thriving expansive art space with exhibitions and local work, bars, music, and performances.
Day 5.
Start the day immersing in the Museo de la Revolución for a dose of Cuba’s compelling history.
Before the day gets too hot, take your tour of Havana's old city in an old car. A convertible is preferable, and pass by the art deco architecture the city is known for, major landmarks and buildings, turnover cemeteries, the Korean embassy, and see the city overall from one of its unusual elements: the time-encapsulated car.
Note, that these tours can be easily arranged via your homestay or hotel, or found just as easily by direct hire at the central city square.
Before heading back to the hotel stop at the old glamorous Hotel Nacional for fancy mojitos and a beautiful courtyard vibe with surrounding views of Havana.
Enjoy a delightful dinner and ambiance at San Cristóbal with cheeky dessert items too.
Prepare for empowering jazz at Cafe Miglis in a moody ambiance.
Head over to Karachi Club, a local haunt that has a very zesty dance floor.
Day 6.
Take a car to Vinãles Valley and have a local lunch that overlooks the mountains. The ride is under 3 hours away.
Take a horseback ride, visit a cigar farm, and taste some local rum and coffee.
Shop along the Old City and stop at the Museum of Pharmacy Habanera, a small conserved shop of pharmacy.
Have some authentic street food in this area.
Enjoy a fanciful rooftop dinner at the beautiful La Guardia haunt. Reservations are needed here.
Havana cigar box, Image by JV
Vinales Valley coffee and sugar cane
Day 7.
Indulge in a last Cuban coffee and some exotic fruit before departing.
Bid Cuba goodbye for now…!
If you want a more fully fleshed roster of recommendations, sites, and eats, please check my Cuba post here.
