Best of Season 3 and my travel to Cuba
Hello, my name is Mario and I have captured in “Best of Season 3“ my travel to Cuba. This was a difficult, yet interesting year for the entire population in the world due to Covid19. My travel opportunities were very limited due to the pandemic, but nonetheless I managed to visit one of my childhood dream destinations before the world came to a halt.
Cuba is a unique country with an abundance of natural and cultural beauty. Despite the country’s economic situation, Mojito cocktails and the Tango can be enjoyed in almost every corner of the country.
I began my journey in the small town of Cienfuegos. This was the least touristy town that I visited on my journey and a perfect place to experience true Cuban culture. A short drive away from the centre of town is Laguna de Guanaroca, home of over 2000 pink flamingos.
Transportation in Cuba can be a little tricky. Within towns, one can easily get around in an old 1960s classic taxi. There is certainly no shortage of taxis, as nearly every car on the streets is one.
However, travelling between towns can be a little more challenging if not planned properly. There is one tourist bus company in the entire country with daily trips between towns. The bus company is named Viazul and you can check their schedules here: https://www.viazul.com/. The buses are quite good, they have aircon and they stick to their time schedules most of the time. I would suggest checking the bus schedule prior to your trip, as there may be only one trip to, and from some towns.
If you are feeling really adventurous, you can be just like a local and travel between towns in a ‘Camion’. These are trucks transformed with seats. This is a much cheaper option, yet a lot more unreliable if you are trying to stick to a time schedule. A third possible option to travel between towns is a shared ride. This is a common way among tourists in Cuba, and whether you are travelling solo or with a partner, there is absolutely no shame in asking other travellers to share the taxi if they are headed to the same place that you are going to. Most taxi drivers in Cuba offer this service and are willing to negotiate a fair price. This is not only the fastest way to get around but also a great way to meet other travellers.
My next destination was Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988, my birthyear.
A few kilometres from the center of Trinidad is ‘Parque Natural El Cubano’
The hike is about 6km, with your main target point being Javira Waterfall
My next destination was Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988, my birthyear. Although the center of town is popular among tourists, one can escape the rush and experience the true local culture in the less touristy part of town. Cobblestone streets, houses in pastel colors and ‘casas de musica’ on almost every corner creates a unique atmosphere.
A few kilometers from the center of Trinidad is ‘Parque Natural El Cubano’, a highly recommended hike. The hike is about 6km, with your main target point being Javira Waterfall, where one can go for a swim to cool off. The difficulty level of the hike is easy, with paths showing you the way, trees providing you with some shade, and a small rope bridge to take you across the river. When you head back, you can stop over at ‘Ranchon’ for some refreshments, in a most traditional atmosphere.
Within a short distance from Trinidad, there are many interesting places worth seeing such as Playa Ancon, and the tiny fishing village of La Boca. An excellent way to explore those is by bicycle. The terrain is mostly flat, and bicycles are available to rent throughout the town, just make sure that your bike is technically okay.
My next destination was Cayo Santa Maria, a Caribbean island paradise north of the main island. The place lacks local tradition but does offer incredible views and a perfect setting to relax and recharge your internal batteries.
As I begin to make my way to Havana, I make a three-day pitstop at Varadero, possibly the most touristy town of my journey. There are several interesting places to see here, including Cueva de Ambrosio and La Marina, as well as a number of must-see places nearby, namely – Coral Beach, Cueva de Saturno and Rio Canimar Parc.
Next, I arrive in the Cuban capital, Havana. First stop, La Bodeguita del Medio, the birthplace of the Mojito. Havana – a place of culture, tradition, song and dance. Neoclassic and Baroque architecture, and streets filled with old classic cars, take you on a journey back in time. Life on Malecon never stops, and the waves never stop hitting the shores.
2h 30min west of Havana is the cigar capital of the world, Vinales. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and producer of 80% of the world’s cigar tobacco. Here each seed is hand-planted, and every cigar is hand-rolled. This is the home of the Cuban cigar. The Vinales Valley offers tremendous beauty and eternal landscapes, a must-see.
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