My First Trip To Cuba and Why I Fell In Love

I recently returned from my first trip to Cuba.  I’ll start by saying, “I fell in love with Cuba”.  I’ve been home for one month now and all I can think about is how I want to go back.  Not only do I want to explore more of the places we visited but I want to spend time in other towns and areas as well.  My man, Dan and I traveled with some of our best friends and we wouldn’t have had it any other way.  For my first trip to Cuba I felt it eased the confusion of what to do and where to go to have friends along.  My friend, Jenny and I discussed many times while planning our trip how it seemed odd that we’re both well traveled, yet Cuba seemed daunting.

It didn’t help that a couple of weeks before we were to leave for Cuba our government imposed some travel restrictions.   If you want to mess with me – mess with my travel plans. Honestly, “don’t mess with my travel plans!”. Luckily we were scheduled to fly directly into Havana from Atlanta. Only cruise ships, private aircraft and private watercraft were affected by these restrictions. There seemed to be quite a bit of confusion about which category U.S. citizens could choose for travel to Cuba. There is a category called “support of the Cuban people” and that was exactly why we were going. Fortunately it was also the category I had chosen when booking our flights.

I arrived at Jose Marti International Airport determined to feel at ease and embrace this different culture and country.  Getting through customs and security was a breeze, finding our driver also easy.  We had our casa particular host arrange for a driver to pick us up and transport us to her casa.  The views above are from our home away from home on Compostela in Havana Vieja.  We were greeted by a lovely lady who took our passports and checked us into our “condo”.  The heat in Cuba in July is hotter than hell and we were all already feeling it.  The condo encompassed 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living room, kitchen, front balcony, and a large patio off the kitchen with a dining table and an area to relax in gliders and comfy chairs.  Sleeping comfortably was not a problem as both bedrooms were air-conditioned .

For our first afternoon and evening in Havana we booked a tour called “Havana’s Best Rooftops Views in a Convertible Car + Drinks”.

This tour was booked via AirBnB before we left for Cuba.  Our tour guide was Robin who has a big personality, is intense and eager to share about his country with his guests.  His English is perfect, he has a good sense of humor and he has scads of stories to tell. I highly recommend this tour if you entertain the idea of riding in vintage convertibles, viewing the city from all the best rooftops and enjoying cool and refreshing cocktails overlooking Havana.

I actually ended up needing to take some nasty antibiotics while we were in Cuba and alcohol was forbidden, unless I wanted to get really sick – so I spent my entire vacation sober as can be and loved every minute of it anyway.  Cubans make the best lemonade – actually limeade, fresh and delicious.  I did enjoy a few virgin cocktails while Dan and our friends tasted rum, mojitos, daiquiris and pina coladas.  With the amazing views from Havana’s rooftops and good company who needs booze?

You can see the enthusiasm on our tour guide, Robin’s face in the photo below as he described starting his tour business in Havana.  It seems he is now quite successful  with this tour service yet wonders what change may come to Cuba.  Don’t we all?

At the advice of our friends son and his wife we made a reservation at La Guarida for dinner on our first evening in Havana.  La Guarida, Havana’s most celebrated paladare is a step back in time.  Climbing the aging staircase gives a peek into some private homes of Havana as the bottom 2 floors of the building are residences. Rounding the corner at the top of the stairs we were met with a colorful, warmly lit room and escorted to our table.  The food was good – not fabulous but good.  Service on the other hand is excellent.  It was worth it to the four of us to have the experience of La Guarida and you should too. La Guarida’s lofty reputation was first fashioned in the 1990’s when it was used as a location for the Oscar-nominated film Fresa y Chocolate.  Don’t miss this legendary, private restaurant that requires reservations.

By this time we were all feeling comfortable in our surroundings.  People are in the streets, sitting on their stoops, children bouncing a ball or playing hop scotch, elder men smoking cigars, women chatting, young people listening to music from a boom box, even after dark the streets are vibrant and colorful or quiet and peaceful – not intimidating or scary.

We arranged for the driver who carried us from the Kempinski roof top – the last on our convertible and cocktail tour  – to La Guarida to pick us up after dinner.  He was right on time and whisked us right to our condo on Compostela, where an after dinner cigar and sip of rum was in order.  As the sun set on our first night in Cuba I could already feel the warmth and sincerity of the Cuban people.  The city may be crumbling in places, rundown, peeling paint, broken windows, dilapidated buildings, yet the spirit of the people shines through.  A friendly “hola” is never met with a grumble or disdain but always a smile and a greeting.  I am in love – with Cuba and her people.

There are so many experiences I want to share with you that I’ve realized the story of my first trip to Cuba will result in several posts.  I hope you will follow along and put Cuba on your bucket list!  You too, may fall in love!