Last March, we had the chance to visit Havana and its magnificent landscapes to photograph Gibou's summer collection. It was both a change of scenery and a real love at first sight to discover this city, completely frozen in time after having suffered the US embargo from 1962 until the early 2000s.
So, we fell in love with this warm city and its friendly inhabitants and wanted to share this experience with you.
Wi-Fi
Havana is probably one of the few cities in the world where it's still possible to truly disconnect. Disconnect in the literal sense: no internet connection within reach, not even an internet café to take refuge in! Well, in case of emergency or anxiety due to social media withdrawal, it is still possible to get an internet card and go hunting for one of the rare places offering network access (good luck...!).
Food
Here's the million-dollar question! We were warned that eating well in Cuba was a challenge in itself. Indeed, after our first two meals in randomly chosen restaurants, we quickly got tired of the only two dishes offered on the menus: dry chicken with dry rice or dry white fish with dry rice. That's when we realized that opening our travel guide wouldn't be a bad idea, and we finally had some delicious meals. So, if you want to find good restaurants and eat well, it's really worth investing a few dollars in an up-to-date tourist guide. Despite this, you still need to be understanding, as many dishes are often unavailable due to rationing and food restrictions imposed on Cubans, and be very relaxed when it comes to service speed.
Beach
From the city, you can take a bus and have your feet in the sand in about twenty minutes. Our favorite beach was Playa del Este (get off at the Altantico hotel), among other things for its tranquility and the possibility of renting sun loungers.
Our favorites:
- El Cafe for their fresh breakfast, delicious smoothies/coffees, and the cool, relaxed atmosphere.
El Cafe
- Have a beer and a cigar for the more wild ones at Plaza Vieja
- Find a souvenir at the Clandestina shop, which locally produces items featuring Havana (https://www.facebook.com/clandestina99/)
Clandestina (source Tripadvisor)
- Dinner at La Guarida restaurant, one of Havana's top-rated restaurants. You can book before your trip to ensure a table on their terrace, which offers breathtaking views.
La Guarida restaurant (source Tripadvisor)
- Walk along the Malecon Esplanade
- Dinner at Paladar Don Eutimia restaurant in old Havana
- Go for a drink and tapas at El Chanculerro bar
In short, Havana is the ideal city to take your time strolling around, enjoying the warm weather and its unique, colorful architecture.
XX Happy travels everyone!
For more info, here are two blogs to visit ;)
