GETTING TO HAVANA CUBA
Yes, you can still travel to Cuba as an American. The changes made by President Trump pertains to traveling under the People to People category and traveling by cruise ship (This is why it’s important to read articles in full and do your own research). Read the guide below as it should assist you in building your trip.
Cuban Cigars:
Do not buy cigars on the street or at markets because they usually are not authentic. Instead, purchase your cigars in cigar shops or from farmers.
Sights to see in Cuba:
The sights below are all a must see to understand more of Cuba’s rich history and culture. They are pretty much open during normal business hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and range from 1 CUC to 5 CUC for entry. I recommend booking a guided walking tour through Airbnb Experiences as an introduction to Cuba.
Cathedral de San Cristobal
Museo de la Ciudad
Plaza Vieja
Castillo de la Real Fuerza
Plaza de San Francisco
El Capitolio
Museo de la Revolution
El Morro Castle
Plaza de Cathedral
Christo de la Habana
Cathedral de la Habana
Safety:
Cuba is extremely safe so there is no need to worry about crime. Cubans respect their country, each other and their authorities so there is an extremely low crime rate. We ventured out at all hours of the night and day and never felt unsafe. Cubans love to party and socialize so the locals were out until the wee hours of the morning as well. They are extremely friendly people and we felt a sense of security and comfort around them.
We met a local named Fidel right outside of our casa, he became our friend and looked out for us the entire trip. He gave us bread from the bakery across the street and made us feel right at home.
WIFI/Phone Service:
There is no phone service or internet from your American phone in Cuba. In order to access WIFI you would need to purchase ETECSA WIFI cards and use the internet in local parks, restaurants, and your accommodation if offered. WIFI card prices are $1 CUC for a 1 hour WIFI card and $5 CUC for 5 hours WIFI card. Make sure to logoff the internet the formal way or you risk having the time on your WIFI card running down without you using it.
You also will not have access to certain apps while you’re there. With that being said, download any offline apps that will be beneficial to you. I downloaded the map.me offline map which was beneficial to us. The people that I usually speak to when I am home were on the trip with me so I wasn’t pressed to call anyone. I used WhatsApp to communicate and make a quick call when I was able to.
