Preparing for an upcoming week long trip to Havana, Vinales, and Varadero, Cuba
Preparations for a trip to Cuba are officially underway now that we’ve booked our flight, Airbnb in Havana and an all-inclusive resort in Varadero. We’ll be spending three nights in Havana and two nights in Varadero, with a day trip via cab to Vinales. Before you ask or wonder, yes, it is perfectly safe for Americans to travel even with the travel ban in place. Of course, travelers must meet the requirements, which we have read and dissected multiple times over and over.
Hind has spent HOURS researching AirBnBs and we tag teamed on resorts. Within two weeks of spontaneously saying “let’s go to Cuba!”over a cards game (and wine!), we are now completely booked! So now while she’s fiercely researching historic places with interesting architecture to visit, I’m helping research nightlife, hidden bars so we can support the locals, mingle with the locals, and really learn about life on an island that is cut off from a country as big as the States. I’m also a huge Hemingway fan and found several hidden/local bars with a Hemingway theme, and one that promotes itself as being “non-Hemingway.” El Chanchullero put a fun spin to the non-Hemingway decor. I can’t wait to visit El Chanchullero even though I’m a Hemingway fan. The Culture Trip has a pretty neat list with must-try drinks on their blog. Visiting the Hemingway home is also on the list. With limited days, and four interests to tend to, let’s see what we actually get to accomplish!
In addition to nightlife, Ialways spend a lot of time planning outfits. Probably days, if not weeks! I always pack two outfits per day (daytime and nighttime) plus few extras in case I’m not in the mood to wear the outfit I had selected for that day. In my research, I’m learning that day time is very casual, as the weather is warm. Night time tends to be a bit chilly but not chilly to the point where you would need jackets. During the day, it seems as if women wear dresses (pastels, bright colors, whites) or shorts, and everyone dresses up at night. Pepe has already decided that he is only wearing white for the entire trip. I wish I had that sort of courage! I love my colors way too much to only wear white for an entire week. More power to Pepe!
So, here’s my packing list…
The usual toiletries but also will be packing toilet paper. Yup, you read that right - TP. Although Cuba does have toilet paper, we’re learning through our research that it is scarce in public restrooms, or they charge a fee for the use of toilet paper. We’ll carry some in a zip-lock and throw it in our handbags for when we’re out and about. Better be safe than sorry!
Havana day time:
3 maxi dresses
1 romper
Flats for all that walking we plan on doing
1 dress for the travel from Havana to Varadero - we will be taking a cab to Varadero
Havana night time:
1 black dress
1 red dress
1 white dress
Black heels
Red heels
Varadero - since we’re staying at an all-inclusive resort, Varadero is pretty simple. Bikinis! Two bikinis, maybe three - one as a backup. For night time, I still need to figure out which two dresses are Varadero appropriate.
Important tip: Tourists are automatically charged more for everything in Cuba. I believe it’s about 10% more but we will find out once we actually visit. Credit cards are not accepted almost anywhere. Take enough cash or be prepared to use their ATMs and pay an extra 10% for currency exchange. Paying for cabs, restaurants, souvenirs, etc. is probably easier than trying to find someone who takes credit cards. Take small bills to make paying and tipping easier.
Can’t wait till January when we take off to Cuba! Looking forward to sharing our update on our adventures, and learnings from the locals! And yes, of course, tons of pictures.
