From History to Culture: My Unforgettable Experience in Habana, Cuba
My adventure to La Habana started in Varadero, Cuba. We booked a one-day tour through the Get Your Guide website, which included transportation from Varadero to Habana, a local tour guide, and a meal. The whole tour cost us $90 per person.
The bus picked us up very early at our hotel. It took us around 2 hours to get to Habana. During the ride, the tour guide gave us instructions, tips, and interesting information about Cuba's history and politics.
When we arrived in Habana, we had a brief tour of the new Habana from the bus. Unfortunately, we couldn't get out and explore, but we did get to see the beautiful National Capitol of Cuba. After that, we headed to the old Habana, where we had the chance to explore with our tour guide. She took us to the four main famous squares - Old Square, San Francisco de Asis, Arms Square, and the Cathedral Square. They all had incredibly beautiful Spanish colonial architecture.
One thing to keep in mind when visiting Habana is that you'll be approached by vendors constantly. It can be frustrating because they don't give you a chance to just enjoy your time there - they're always trying to sell you something or asking for free stuff. The people in Cuba are really in need and they don't have a lot of essentials. I was asked for my glasses, food, medicine, and other useful items. It was sad to see how desperate they were. So, if you're heading to Havana, be ready for lots of people selling and asking for things. It's something you can't really avoid and may affect your experience.
Havana has its dark side too. As you walk around, you'll see some beautiful sights but also destroyed buildings, trash everywhere, and buildings on the verge of collapse where people still live. It's heartbreaking to see the conditions they're living in. If I had known, I would have brought supplies to help out. If you're planning a visit soon, consider bringing some extra items to donate.
After our tour of Old Havana, we headed to enjoy the lunch that was included in our package. We were taken to the stunning La Divina Pastora Restaurant, where we enjoyed live music, delicious food, and an incredible view.
Once we had finished our meal, we made our way to the Fort of Saint Charles, also known as La Cabaña. This 18th-century fortress complex is the third-largest in the Americas and offers a historical site with a breathtaking view of the water and Havana. We also had the chance to visit a cool cigar factory and shop, where we saw the world's longest cigar and even met the guy who made it.
After our visit to the fort, we returned to Old Havana and were given some free time to explore on our own. However, most of us were feeling pretty tired and uncomfortable with the constant approaches from people, so we decided to head to the famous La Bodeguita del Medio. There, we tried their specialty drinks and enjoyed the best Cuba Libre and Mojito in all of Havana - it was absolutely delicious.
And that's how we wrapped up our incredible experience in this beautiful city.
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