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Cuba is sort of a second paused in time. It’s the place basic American vehicles line the streets, the place flavors of mojito slings and smokey cigars fill the bars, and the place salsa music will be heard from taverns all through the evening.
Whereas 4 days won’t look like a very long time, this can be a good period of time to uncover the highlights of Cuba.
That will help you take advantage of your time in Cuba, we’ve ready this 4 day Cuba itinerary, so you may expertise the center of the nation in a brief period of time…
At A Look: 4 Day Cuba Itinerary
For those who’re brief on time and undecided methods to spend 4 days in Cuba, here’s a fast overview of our steered 4 day itinerary:
The easiest way to get round is to rent a automobile and drive, or by taking buses referred to as Collectivos.
You too can get evening buses, which can prevent on lodging. For evening buses, search for Viazul buses.
Day One: Havana, Cuba
Under is how we might spend the day in Havana, Cuba. That is the primary day of your Cuba itinerary, however don’t fear, there can be loads of time to discover Havana over the course of those 4 days.
Cease 1: Revolution Sq.
The sq. is notable as being the place many political rallies happen in Cuba.
You’ll see the well-known faces of Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos – necessary figures through the Revolution.
We loved the view from an enormous obelisk with Jose Marti overlooking the sq.. I didn’t know a factor about Jose Marti, however the Cubans adore him.
He’s a author, poet, journalist and essayist however he additionally lead the primary Cuban Revolution and it’s stated that Castro bought his inspiration for his Revolution from Jose Marti.
Cease 2: Previous Havana Strolling Tour
It is a FREE strolling tour placed on by college college students and is a good way to get to know the town.
Havana is laid out by 5 major squares and so they stroll you round to every of them and provide you with a VERY in depth historical past (from their perspective) about Cuba and the Cuban Individuals.
The squares; Plaza de Armas, Plaza del Cristo, and Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de San Francisco, and Plaza Vieja, home greater than 900 historic buildings with many alternative kinds.
Not solely do you get to study in regards to the historical past, however you may see what makes Havana distinctive. See the classic vehicles lining the streets and admire the colonial structure from the squares.
Convey money to tip your information for all of their laborious work!
Cease 3: Revolution Museum
I extremely advocate you take a look at the Revolution Museum. It’s about $8 CUC for the entry charge. You’ll study in regards to the Revolution from the Cuban perspective.
Cease 4: Nationwide Museum of Tremendous Arts
It’s fairly a big museum with a lot of lovely art work so I believe you want about 3 hours to discover each ground. We solely had one hour and it wasn’t sufficient. The Museum of Tremendous Arts reveals Cuban artwork collections from the colonial occasions as much as up to date generations.
Cease 5: Playas des Este
Playas des Este is the closest seashore to Havana and its merely gorgeous. This white sand seashore is only a stone’s throw from Havana, and boasts pristine shores and azure waters.
This coastal paradise gives a refreshing escape from the town’s hustle and bustle, the place you may both loosen up and sunbathe or partake in water sports activities.
The laid-back environment and swaying palm timber simply ooze leisure.
If you wish to go a bit additional, the seashore at Varadero can also be gorgeous, however lots additional away.
You’ll be able to catch a bus close to Central Park, or get a taxi to take you.
Day 2: Day Journey to Viñales on a Cuban Basic Automotive Tour
We took a basic automobile tour to Vinales, a city on the western facet of Cuba which has these lovely steep-sided limestone hills, referred to as mogotes.
This tour will choose you up in an outdated basic automobile of your alternative (we selected a convertible Bonneville) and can drive you about 2.5 hours to Vinales.
On the way in which we stopped at a standard Cuban Espresso Stand after which went to a farm the place they confirmed us how they made Cohiba Cigars.
To place it into perspective, Cigars there have been about $10 USD for one. For those who have been to purchase that very same cigar right here could be $20 USD. So that you save about 50%.
HOT TIP! The easiest way to inform in case your cigar is genuine and actually made from pure tobacco leaves the ash can be white when it burns.
Then we went as much as the attractive resort to snap a photograph of Vinales itself. You too can go horseback using by the tobacco plantation, which is a good way to expertise this gorgeous panorama.
Because it was fairly busy, somewhat than happening a Cave tour (which is typical with these excursions), they took us to this superb lake close by (a spot that jogged my memory of a summer season camp).
We rented canoes and paddled round and went swimming within the freshwater lake – a giant reduction from the warmth!
Day 3-4: Go to Trinidad
Situated south of Havana is the charming city of Trinidad, referred to as the gateway to Gran Parque Pure Topes de Collantes, a nature reserve in cuba recognized for its waterfalls and mountaineering trails.
Cease 1: Climb the Bell Tower
The Bell Tower is the right first cease in Trinidad because it gives a wide ranging vantage level to see the town from.
As you ascending the slim staircase of this historic construction, you’ll quickly be met by the panoramic spectacle of terracotta rooftops, verdant landscapes, and the azure Caribbean Sea past.
The bell tower was as soon as the previous convent of San Francisco de Asís, however has been a museum since 1986 and is understood for its lovely pastel yellow design.
Cease 2: Playa Ancon
Because it’s a 4 hour drive from Havana to Trinidad, you’re going to reach within the afternoon and doubtless simply need to loosen up.
I like to recommend you go to the seashore, Playa Ancon, and benefit from the crystal clear Caribbean waters.
Playa Ancon is a pristine jewel alongside Cuba’s southern coast and boasts powdery white sand and thriving coral reefs that are perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving fans to discover.
You’ll want to catch the solar set right here, because the solar dips beneath the horizon, the seashore comes alive with a magical show of reds, oranges and yellows.
Cease 3: Plaza Mayor
Within the night, stroll over to Plaza Mayor. This UNESCO World Heritage Website is a fascinating mosaic of Spanish colonial structure, adorning the center of Trinidad with its ornate buildings and timeless appeal.
Within the day time, the plaza’s vibrant ambiance is created by a mixture of locals and vacationers who converge amidst the city’s iconic landmarks, and at evening, the sq. comes alive with the sounds of music from the encircling bars.
If you wish to expertise a bustling nightlife in Trinidad, that is the place to go.
Day 4: Hike to Vegas Grande Waterfall
Spend the fourth day exploring El Cubano Pure Park, situated on the border of Gran Parque Pure Topes de Collantes.
This lovely rainforest is the place you can find the Vegas Grande Waterfall, a wonderful nature spot for swimming in.
The roughly 1-mile hike by lush jungle terrain results in the awe-inspiring sight of the second-highest waterfall in Cuba, standing at an imposing 800 meters above sea stage.
Whereas the trek presents some demanding segments, the fascinating serenade of the falls and the refreshing plunge into the pristine pool make each step worthwhile.
You’ll want to take your time and luxuriate in a swim within the refreshing swimming pools. There are numerous trails within the park, so we advocate spending a day right here to actually soak within the nature.
If You Have Extra Time
For those who can lengthen your journey, it’s price contemplating spending time in Santa Clara.
Since you solely have 4 days, it received’t be doable to go inside this 4 day itinerary of Cuba, however could also be one thing you need to add to your bucket record for a later date.
Santa Clara
Santa Clara gives a novel mix of historic significance and up to date vibrancy past its affiliation with Che Guevara.
It’s the place you’ll discover the enduring Che Guevara Mausoleum and Monument in addition to picturesque colonial buildings and peaceable out of doors parks.
Town’s vibrant central sq., Parque Vidal, serves as a hub for social life, whereas its younger and cutting-edge neighborhood carry the town to life.
Sit again and loosen up within the charming cafes or exploring historic landmarks, while absorbing the small-town appeal. If I had an additional day in Cuba, I’d plain spend it right here.
Meals and Nightlife in Havana
It’s best to solely pay about $3-$5 for a mojito. Something extra and you’re in a really costly place that’s catering for you, the vacationer.
Foremost programs for meals was about $7 for a major meal, however you could possibly pay as much as $22 when you have been getting Lobster (and that’s costly there).
Listed below are a number of of my favourite locations that we visited.
Resort Ambos Mundos
Come as much as Resort Ambos Mundos for sundown and luxuriate in a Pina Colada whereas overlooking all of outdated Havana. They may carry it to you in a recent pineapple and can pour the well-known Havana Membership Rum in there!
This resort was a favourite of Ernest Hemingway (he spent numerous time in Cuba and Key West) and there’s truly a small museum devoted to him within the resort.
Apparently the lobster is definitely fairly good in Cuba and it is usually no the place close to the value of lobster in Maine.
ChaChaCha Restaurant
In case you are searching for a pleasant place to eat after you tour the Revolution Museum, ChaChaCha is an efficient possibility. The meals and environment have been nice (attempt the pasta!).
Lamparilla 361
It is a enjoyable cantina off the crushed monitor, really useful to us by our native Cuban tour information.
Paladars
A paladar is a small family-run restaurant in a Cuban residence so it’s one of the best ways to style conventional Cuban meals. You’ll see Paladars in all places.
They at all times have a superb value and also you get 4 programs and a drink.
Salsa Membership 1830
Come out to the very best salsa membership in Havana. Get these hips shifting and check out salsa dancing, or get pleasure from a Havana Membership and sit back on the patio below the celebs.
There was a $5 CUC cowl charge after we went.
Attending to Cuba
We traveled on Frontier Airways leaving from Miami, Florida. Most nationalities want a visa to enter Cuba.
For Individuals, it’s essential receive a Pink Visa. Remainder of the World might have a Inexperienced Visa. Test which visa applies to you earlier than you journey.
We bought our Cuban visa one month earlier than touring for $109 for two enterprise day approval. Each web site I learn made it sound like YOU MUST get the visa earlier than you journey, however in actuality, after we bought to the check-in counter, the airways have been promoting them for $100.
For those who plan prematurely, you may get one for $89 but it surely takes 7 enterprise days.
On the aircraft, they offer you a vacationer card to fill out which explains your motive for touring.
We arrived at José Martí worldwide Airport (HAV), bought off the aircraft and entered Cuba with out a hitch. I don’t know if immigration even checked out our vacationer playing cards.
What To Pack For Touring to Cuba
Pack mild when visiting Cuba. There isn’t a motive to pack your excessive heels or favourite silk high. Critically you’d simply be flaunting it round.
I discover it’s finest to mix in and develop into part of the tradition.
I like to recommend mild and comfy clothes, strolling footwear and a hat. (A hat is a should have if touring in summer season!)
Be certain that to carry the necessities – toothpaste, deodorant, toothbrush, sunscreen, and so on. You received’t be capable of purchase them there as they don’t have comfort shops.
Try these posts that can assist you discover the very best baggage or suitcase for you:
Cuban Foreign money
U.S. credit score and debit playing cards DON’T work in Cuba, so when you’re American, you will have to carry sufficient money in your journey.
We took about $800 USD money for two individuals for 4 days. We didn’t trade all of it although – I simply needed to verify I had sufficient money, simply in case.
In Cuba they used to have 2 currencies; The CUC (Cuban Convertible) and the CUP (Cuban Peso). Now they solely use Cuban Peso (CUP) so just remember to usually are not given CUC as change as that is now nugatory.
Above is an image of the 2 currencies.
You will have to trade your money, and there’s a 10% tax to trade USD + a 3% trade charge. So for $100 USD you’ll get about $87 price of CUP.
You’ll be able to trade it at a financial institution together with your passport, however you too can trade American {dollars} with some resorts.
$90 price of CUP is some huge cash there, however as with every place you journey, there are vacationer traps and folks will attempt to rip you off, so do be sure you verify the evaluations of the trade locations you go to.
Non-Individuals can use credit score and debit playing cards, no drawback.
Greatest Time To Go to Cuba
The perfect time to go to Cuba is from December to April, significantly in March and April when the climate is heat and sunny with out the humidity or storms of summer season. These months even have the least probability of rain.
These months have common sunshine and fewer crowds in comparison with the upcoming months of early summer season.
Last Ideas
Cuba has not been a simple nation to go to for a few years. It went from being some of the vibrant get together locations for rich Individuals within the 1920’s to a spot the place Communist rule has led to a long time of disagreements between America and Cuba.
This disagreement made it laborious for Individuals to journey to Cuba due to a industrial, financial and monetary embargo that was positioned within the 1950’s.
In 2016, President Obama began what seemed to be a gradual unwinding of the embargo, however this appears to be altering below the brand new American Presidency.
Now it’s a lot simpler for Individuals and different nationalities to go to Cuba and I extremely advocate you leap on an opportunity to see this superb nation whilst you can.
Extra Cuba Journey Ideas
Want extra inspiration in your journey to Cuba? Listed below are another useful guides…
Standard Havana Excursions
Wish to journey to Cuba however don’t need to go alone?
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Have you ever been to Cuba? What are a few of your favorite issues to do and locations to go to? Tell us within the feedback.
Supply: Breaking Travel News