Buzz
Central America, the verdant link between North and South America, often overlooked on the map, harbors a diverse tapestry of cultures, ancient ruins, tropical forests, ideal for adventurers and leisure seekers alike.
1. Overview
Havana, the largest city and one of the 14 provinces of Cuba, stands as a hub of cultural, political, and economic activity. Covering an area of 721 km2 with a population of over 2 million people, it lies 144 km south-southwest of Florida (USA), bordered by the province of Havana to the south, east, and west. Cuba's capital, Havana, has been honored as one of the New7Wonders of the World, alongside six other renowned cities: La Paz (Bolivia), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Durban (South Africa), Doha (Qatar), Beirut (Lebanon), and Vigan (Philippines).
2. Preparations
a. Essential documents for visa application:
– Valid passport with at least 6 months validity from the date of departure
– 1 passport-sized photo (4×6), white background, taken within the last 3 months
– Visa application form
– Roundtrip flight ticket (already issued)
– If traveling to Cuba for business purposes, additional documents required:
Letter of invitation from Cuban business partner
Official travel authorization from the company in Vietnam
– For those visiting relatives in Cuba, additional documents needed:
Proof of relationship with the person in Cuba
Invitation letter from the Cuban relative
b. Weather in La Habana
Cuba features a tropical and subtropical climate with cool breezes to regulate temperature and humidity. Havana's weather epitomizes Cuba's climate, with year-round sunshine and warmth except during storms, making it a perennial tourist destination. Temperatures range from 21 to 27 degrees Celsius, ideal for sightseeing and enjoying the city's splendid views.
The peak time to visit La Habana is during the winter months from December to January, as September to October often sees storms, making it advisable to avoid traveling during this period.
3. Transportation to La Habana City
Getting to La Habana
Currently, there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Cuba. Therefore, if you wish to travel to this country, you will need to transit through some European countries such as France, Russia, Germany, Canada, etc. The two most common routes to Cuba for Vietnamese tourists are via Mexico and Canada, where you can consider two transit points. If you are in Ho Chi Minh City, you will need to take Air France to France and then transfer to La Habana.
Getting Around in La Habana
The transportation system in the capital city of La Habana is quite developed, offering various convenient means of travel for exploring the famous sights of this beautiful city. You can opt for buses or three-wheeled taxis, which are safe and reasonably priced. One thing to note when traveling in La Habana is the cost and pros and cons of each mode of transportation. If you want to experience the iconic three-wheeled taxis, expect to pay a bit more, as they are characteristic of La Habana. Alternatively, if you prefer a more budget-friendly option, buses are available, although they may be less convenient for interprovincial travel.
4. Famous Tourist Attractions in Cuba
The Capital City of La Habana
The capital city of La Habana is situated on the western island of Cuba, often hailed as the heart of Cuba. At first glance, Habana may appear to be a vibrant modern city with colorful hues of life, but stepping into Habana reveals its hidden essence as an ancient city with forts, venerable churches, and more.
The City of Trinidad
The city of Trinidad is one of the must-visit destinations in Cuba, captivating nearly every traveler who sets foot on its soil. Trinidad showcases a blend of various architectural styles, particularly from the 19th century, with its cathedrals, churches, streets, and villas.
Malecon Beach
Malecon is a prominent tourist spot in the capital city of Habana, boasting an approximately 8km-long stretch of beach. It serves as the seawall of Habana, built in 1901 to combat coastal erosion and prevent seawater from flooding inland. Initially, the seawall was constructed with small stone blocks, but by 1923, it extended to the mouth of the Almendares River. Here, visitors can pause to admire the serene waters of the river and breathe in the fresh air.
Revolution Square in Habana
Revolution Square in Habana is a historical landmark you shouldn't miss when visiting Cuba. It bears witness to numerous activities of the Cuban Communist Party in the past. The monuments of José Martí and the sculptures of Che Guevara are among the structures you can marvel at in this square.
5. Most Tempting Dishes in La Habana
Paella Habana
A unique dish from Cuba, this meal is heavily infused with turmeric to the extent that the rice takes on the characteristic yellow hue of turmeric. If you're not fond of turmeric, you'll definitely struggle to enjoy this dish. Paella Habana uses slightly sticky rice cooked with clams, mussels, shrimp, turmeric, and more. This dish captivates many diners with its vibrant colors and the distinct flavor of Paella Habana, where the refreshing sweetness of seafood blends with the aroma of fresh turmeric.
Tamales
You might think that Tamales are similar to the ones from Mexico, right?! However, if you've tried them, you'll discover that Tamales in Cuba have a completely different and unique taste. This dish is made from ground corn, cornmeal, shortening, and ground pork. They are then wrapped in corn husks and tightly tied, boiled in salty water. Tamales are one of the rare traditional dishes of the Cuban people.
Ropa Vieja
Ropa Vieja is a dish cooked with shredded beef simmered in criollo tomato sauce until tender. In Spanish, Ropa Vieja means 'old clothes.' This is because the beef, after being cooked tender, is shredded into small pieces resembling old fabric.
Mojito Cocktail
This is a popular beverage of the Cuban people. The Mojito Cocktail is a fusion of rum and lime soda with mint leaves, creating a uniquely refreshing flavor.
Exploring the streets while holding a glass of Mojito Cocktail is truly delightful. Especially when enjoying Cuban cuisine, it's common to accompany it with a glass of Mojito Cocktail for refreshment.
Cuban Black Bean Soup
As mentioned, Cuban black bean soup is a traditional and enticing dish of the Cuban people. The ingredients of this dish include black beans, oregano, and butter, all simmered to perfection on the stove.
Deviled Crabs
This spicy hot crab dish not only delights the people of Cuba but also entices tourists. The ingredients of Deviled Crabs are crab meat, using delicious fresh crabs sautéed with enchilada sauce to make the meat chunks even more irresistible.
Tostones
Tostones are a famous fried plantain dish in Cuba. This particular type of plantain is a common food in Cuba, with high starch content but very little sugar. To make delicious Tostones, the plantains are fried twice. The first time is to cook them from the inside, and the second time is to make the outer layer crispy and golden.
7. Shopping Tips at the End of Your Tour
Renowned as a paradise for beaches but not necessarily for shopping.
In Cuba, two types of currencies are used concurrently. When shopping at local markets for fruits, food, or dining in budget restaurants, people mostly use the Cuban Peso. However, in upscale restaurants, hotels, cafes, souvenir shops, or car rental services, tourists need to use CUC. 1 CUC is approximately equal to 1 USD or 25 Cuban Pesos.
Stores in Cuba are modest in terms of the variety of items. If you want to buy some souvenirs from Cuba, you can purchase statues of the heroic figure Che Guevara or famous glass or ceramic perfume bottles dating back to 1791. Souvenir shops here usually open from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays and from 9 am to 12 pm on Sundays.
Especially, you cannot miss out on Cuban Cigars when in Cuba. The cigars here are of world-class quality. However, to avoid buying fake or counterfeit products, tourists should visit the Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás factory in Habana to purchase cigars, where they also provide branded boxes.
6. Recommended Hotels for Your Trip to La Habana
Évora Olive Hotel
Address: Rua de Eborim, 18, Evora.
Casa Do Vale Hotel
Address: EN 114, Quinta De Vale Vazios, Evora.
Hotel Riviera
Address: Rua 5 de Outubro, 49, Evora.
Evora Hotel
Address: Av. Tulio Espanca Apart. 93, Evora.
Casa Do Alto Da Eira
Address: Albergaria dos Fusos, Cuba, SOUTH.
Vila Gale Evora
Address: Avenida Tulio Espanca, Evora.
8. Other Considerations
What Expenses to Be Mindful of When Traveling to La Habana?
Since Cuba is a quite unique country using two currencies, CUC and CUP, you need to exchange currency before coming here. The exchange rate to Cuban money is equivalent to exchanging to dollars. You should prepare a slightly higher amount of money because prices here are quite expensive.
For your travel, you use CUC, while local people's exchange money is CUP. One CUC equals approximately 1.35 CAD or 1 USD. Note that the exchange rate to Peso Cuba always fluctuates over time, so you need to research beforehand about the conversion rate to prepare the appropriate amount of money.
Notes on Clothing for Your La Habana Trip
One of the key points to consider when exploring La Habana is to bring along the most suitable clothing. Depending on the timing and purpose of your trip, you can choose the most appropriate attire for yourself.
You should wear clothing like jeans, t-shirts for comfort in moving around and participating in outdoor activities, immersing yourself in the festival atmosphere, and enjoying street performances. Remember to avoid clothing with slogans or slogans as they may not be suitable for the culture of this country.
It's advisable to opt for sneakers instead of high heels for convenient movement and to avoid foot pain. Pack mix-and-match outfits to keep your luggage lightweight.
By Thao Nguyen (Wiki Travel)
Posted by: Ha Nguyen Thi Thu
Comprehensive Travel Guide to Central America from A to Z
