If youre keen on having some beach time then Playa Ancon is only 15 minutes away, and boasts white sands and clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling. 2 p.m.: Take a cab or tuk-tuk from the hotel to the Museo de la Revolution in Old Havana. Start your day with breakfast and coffee at El Caf in Old Havana its hands-down our favorite cafe in the entire city. This is a good place to come to get a sense of Cuban culture as well as to support the locals by buying their wares made from wood, leather, ceramics, and much more. Read More: 24 Hours In Havana, Cuba Colourful streets in Havana, Cuba Cuba Itinerary: 3 Days In Varadero If youre a museum person, or are just looking to get to know a little but more about the history and culture of Cuba, youll love Havana. Alternatively, exploring Cienfuegos and Santa Clara in the interior of the country will be a great experience. However you spend youre two weeks in Cuba, youre in for a big treat as you live your Cuba itinerary. However, if youre looking for a private car, youll be able to find direct options between Varadero to Viales! Hemmingway resided in a room on the 5th floor (which he rented for $1.50/night) and it was here that he began his famous work For Whom The Bell Tolls. This airport is also the main hub of Cuba's national carrier - Cubana de Aviacion. For more information, please read ourdisclosure policy. It is vital that you check you have received the correct documentation before travel to ensure you arent refused entry onto the plane or into Cuba. Take a Revolution Focused Walking Tour of Havana Take a Classic Car Tour of Havana Head to the Hotel Nacional Taste Freedom in Old Havana - Cuba Libre Revolutionary Cuba Day 2 of 7 day Cuba Itinerary: Havana + Bus to Santiago de Cuba Explore the Museum of the Revolution Explore how the Cuban Revolution Affected Food and the Cuisine of Cuba Interestingly, the area is also home to labyrinth cave networks and the Mural de la Prehistoria a detailed mural painted on a rock face. Alternatively, you can pre-book a taxi from the airport so you dont have to worry about the hassle of bartering, and youll just need to look out for a driver holding a placard with your name on it. If you time your visit to Santiago de Cuba for mid-late July, youll experience the biggest and best carnival in Cuba! Feel free to email me with any questions at chrissy@travelpassionate.com, How To Get To And From The Airport In Havana, You must get a visa or tourist card before you arrive, 3 days in Havana: Day One & Day Two Explore Havana Vieja, 11. I remember drinking, dancing and enjoying live music while I was there. If youre looking for an adrenaline fix, head to Jardines de la Reina (a different archipelago off the southwest coast). Bonus you can brush up on your Spanish with the hosts! Sign up for a free tour of Old Havana for an in-depth visit to the best of the city its one of the best ways to get an intro to the city. Theres a whole lot more to Havana than world-class rum and cigars. With a trip longer than two weeks, you can plan to visit both sides of the island. If these options dont sound like something youre interested in, you can always head back to Havana the previous evening and take a bus or taxi from Havana. If youre not into flying, the alternative is to take a bus directly from Havana, which takes around 18 hours its a doozy. Its easiest to visit from Havana, with Viazul bus options or options for private and shared taxis. Make sure to explore the extensive cave systems in Viales youll love this part of your visit! You might not see blue skies every single day, but areas like Vinales and Topes de Collantes are lush when its rainy, plus you could enjoy the carnivals in Santiago de Cuba and Havana too. This restaurant is located along a main street and is an excellent place for people watching. If youre not into tours, its pretty easy to explore the area on your own. Its a must when in Viales, even if youre not a cigar smoker. Like La Recoleta in Buenos Aires and Pere Lachaise in Paris, its filled with incredible statues and ornate mausoleums, which make it like an outdoor gallery. Inside youll find several bars, a restaurant, and a casual snack spot in between exhibits from local artists and performances by local musicians and dancers. One of my favorite options to recommend to travelers is an excursion to the caves that surround Varadero. Just 15-20 minutes from the center of Trinidad, Playa Ancn easily accessible from the city by taxi and bus, making it the ultimate day trip destination, even if you only have a few hours to spend here. This is a chance to sample modern Cuba and its vibrant arts scene and to show off your new dance moves. Check out our guide to travel insurance for Cuba for more details. 5 1 Week in Cuba - Havana and Vinales. Ready for a big dose of holiday inspiration? Consider taking a free walking tour of historic Trinidad despite being free, these tours are incredibly well done, with local guides who really know their stuff. While I prefer the viewpoint from the Cristo de la Havana monument, El Morro has some pretty serious city views of its own. La Guarida is the indisputable favorite among restaurants in Havana, welcoming everyone from President Obama and Usher to Anthony Bourdain and the Kardashians. You can find plenty of guides in Baracoa for a last-minute tour, or book ahead on Civitatis if youre already excited about this adventure. If youre visiting Cuba for the first time, then there are a few things you just have to do. The local guides do a great job and really show their passion for the city. Nowadays, it offers a chance to walk through intact tunnels and learn about Cubas response to the events of 1962. Havana Things to Do in Havana Tours in Havana THE 10 BEST Havana Tours & Excursions Havana Tours Enter dates Filters Tours Traveler favorites All things to do Category types Attractions Tours Day Trips Outdoor Activities Concerts & Shows Food & Drink Shopping Transportation Traveler Resources Tours City Tours Private Tours Cultural Tours There are a few great day trips on offer too, including one from Varadero to Guam which includes a cruise along the Hatiguanico River, a chance to snorkel in the tropical waters at Punta Perdiz, and a trip to a traditional village to learn about indigenous Cubans. The beach in Varadero is public and has plenty of access points, meaning you dont need to stay at a fancy resort in Varadero if youre looking for a great beach experience here. . Drink mojitos and daiquiris in bars once frequented by Ernest Hemingway, take a Havana vintage car tour along the Malecn (the citys seafront promenade) and enjoy a meal in Habana Vieja (the citys old town). If you really want to get the bus but dont want to walk, you could try to bargain with a waiting driver to take you to the bus stop (should be around $1/1 CUC per person). The Russian navy's training class ship Perekop is seen in Havana on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Despite its big-name fans, La Guarida feels cozy and intimate, with this historic building providing a romantic atmosphere its hard not to fall in love with. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Looking for a fun fact about Cuba related to El Yunque? If you stay in Vinales a while, no doubt youll catch one of the areas spectacular sunsets over the limestone mountains. Since the area is a national park, you can also hike through the area on your own. 3 Days in Havana, an Itinerary for First Time Visitors April 2, 2020 by chrysoula The Cuban capital Havana is a melting pot of colonialism and communism, migration and political movements, and music, art, and dance which makes it a city like no other. Plus, this building used to be Cubas presidential palace! Choose the Museo de Bellas Artes Arte Cubano for masterpieces by Cubas most famous artists. Customize 8 days / from 1585 USD Western Skyline Ride Saddle up and enjoy a week-long cycling holiday through Western Cuba. TripSavvy / Lauren Breedlove. A must on your Cuba itinerary is a visit to the islands most famous ice cream parlor Coppelia. 10 days / from 2320 USD. One of my favorite spots in Vedado is Cuba Libro, which is the city only English-language bookstore and one of the best cafes in Havana. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Havana, Cuba CNN . Plaza de la Catedral. Hotel Plaza is another four-star property in Havana with a grand entrance lobby, a sun terrace, and a shared lounge as well as a bar and restaurant that feature regular live music. El Caf offers a great range of coffee, with everything from traditional caf cubano to iced coffee. While many travelers rave about the views over Viales Valley from the pool deck of Hotel Jazmines (one of the most well-known places to stay in Viales), head instead to the small, local restaurant Balcon del Valle. Using a VPN while connecting to the internet is an easy way to keep your personal information safe from hackers and trackers. As part of your Cuba itinerary you could take aday trip from Havana to Vinales, enjoying a spot of horseback riding past tobacco plantations, or spend a day in bustling Trinidad, a Colonial town with cobbled streets and bright coloured houses. The hikes to these waterfalls and their respective swimming holes are relatively easy and mostly shaded, making them a perfect escape from the hot Cuban sun. 10 a.m.: Start your perfect 48 hours in Havana with breakfast, coffee, and fresh juice at Cafe Bohemia in Old Havanas Plaza Vieja. Read More: Varadero to Havana: 5 Easy Travel Options. Heres a basic sketch, though we plunge into the details and logistics below. After wandering the museum for an hour or two, take a stroll down Paseo del Prado. The 20th-century Hotel Ambos Mundos in Old Havana is famous not only for its pristine architecture but also because it was home to American writer Ernest Hemmingway during the 1930s. Overview Things to do When to visit Getting around Map & Neighborhoods Photos Why Go To Havana, Cuba Cuba is full of life, and Havana is its center stage. Youll get a stunning view of Havana illuminated with evening lights. Youll find drinks and dancing, but youll also find beautiful art exhibits, handicrafts from local artists, and some of the most forward-thinking artists and thought leaders in Cuba. Two weeks wont let you see everything in Cuba youll need closer to three weeks to a month for that. This is by no means a lesser choice; the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of natural importance. Walk off breakfast while wandering Vedado and making your way toward Coppelia for an ice cream pit stop. WiFi cards can be purchased at ETECSA stores (youll need your passport and will have to wait in line), from hotels or from ETECSA card salesmen in the street or small kiosks (usually at an inflated price but much quicker). The Cristo de la Habana is just uphill from where the ferry will leave you, but its worth the steps. If you love getting out on the water, Varadero is a great place to visit. The Russian navy's training class ship Perekop is seen in Havana, Cuba on July 11, 2023. If youre heading to Havana, make sure you read my guide to spending24 Hours In Havana, Cuba.