A Trip to Cuba

Before you go to Cuba, you must realize that it's an island not only frozen in time for over 65 years, but because of the 1958 US embargo, there has been a severe shortage of products and materials in Cuba. But Cubans are an incredibly resilient, educated and resourceful people. Cubans have made due with what they have and what little they can get for many decades. This forced resilience has forged Cubans into some of the most unique, fun, friendly, generous and hospitable people I've ever met.

Under difficult conditions, Cuba still has one of the top (free) education systems in the world - all the way up to graduate school. You won't believe how educated, artistic, and open minded Cubans are. Many Cubans speak several languages or hold several degrees. Cuba also has one of the best nationalized healthcare systems in the world, including health, dental and eye coverage. Next, every Cuban is guaranteed a home they own. There are no homeless in Cuba. Finally, every Cuban gets a food card they use to buy food and supplies at small neighborhood markets. Add to this the fact that there has not been large business type "competition" in Cuba since the revolution, and you begin to understand why Cubans are the most unique people in the world. I think this has allowed Cubans to maintain a level of kindness and comradery unseen anywhere else. Cubans care about each other, as well as their guests, in no way I've ever experienced. All this has also made Cuba an extremely safe island, with virtually no crime - especially toward tourists. It takes this understanding to have the right first impression of Cuba when you arrive. You will quickly fall in love with Cuba and its people. 

Cuba really is like no other place in the world. 

After landing in Havana, our trusted Cuba Team will meet you at the airport and take you to your beautiful hotel. It's during this drive that you must remember that Cuba has had a crimpling shortage of products like paint, cement, steel, asphalt, gas, and auto parts for decades. When you arrive at your hotel, you will love how it has all the charm and accommodations you're used to in any top tier hotel around the world. Soon, you'll also notice a level of friendliness and hospitality that is leaps and bounds better than in any other country. Cuban generosity and comradery is almost surreal and truly hard to believe. 

After you check-in and get settled, you can relax at your hotel patio for a fresh fruit drink or cocktail. Cuban drinks are delicious. I always start with a Peña, a refreshing fresh pineapple drink. I personally don't drink much alcohol, but if you do, I suggest some Cuban rum (the best in the world) or a mixed rum cocktail. Interestingly, in Cuba, they call rum, "ron" - pronounced rrown. If you like cigars, this is a great time to light up your first Cuban cigar and wind down from your flight. Most hotels, bars and restaurants offer top Cuban cigars for incredible prices. You can usually also buy extra cigars to enjoy during your trip. We have an incredible Team of 7 experts in Cuba that will help you with all your needs during your entire stay.

After you've relaxed at your hotel, you can walk or taxi to a nearby private restaurant for lunch. This first meal is one of my favorite experiences in Cuba. Local restaurants are beautiful, and the food in Cuba is amazing, especially the seafood. You sit down, relax, order coffee or drinks, food, and maybe light another cigar. In Cuba, cigars are called puros or tabaco. As a cigar smoker, one of my favorite things is how most restaurants bring a humidor to your table as soon as you sit down. You open the humidor and find it filled with a variety of the best cigars in the world - at amazing prices. To smoke a Cuban cigar in the homeland, the Mecca, of cigars is an experience of a lifetime. If you are bothered by cigar smoke, there are also a lot of amazing non-smoking options available in Cuba. 

Your first dinner in Cuba should be at an oceanfront restaurant. Great food, drinks and cigars can be enjoyed at sunset, against an ocean breeze and the sound of waves, at a most scenic patio. After dinner, you can relax back at your air conditioned hotel room, or like me, enjoy more cigars on the front porch or rooftop patio of your hotel. I love my evening cigars at the hotel front porch because the staff usually come and sit with you for great conversations and eventual friendships. What is absolutely fascinating about Cuba is that you can quickly become close friends with half your hotel staff, and maybe even your taxi driver. Cuban hotels have 24 hour staff assistance and food/drink service, so I sometimes enjoy my front porch cigars till 2am. 

Your second day in Cuba starts your private tours and excursions. Cuba tours are not only great fun, but quite educational too. Your first morning, you can have a nice breakfast on your hotel patio with an amazing cafe con leche, or Cuban cappuccino or espresso. Cuban coffee is world renowned and if you like cream and sugar in your coffee like me, you will not believe how delicious their natural creamer and sugar are. I usually have breakfast on the hotel patio so I can enjoy an early morning cigar while I eat. Then your amazing tours begin.

Your second dinner in Cuba should be relaxing after your fun filled day. I suggest a restaurant in Old Havana. You can get there early, walk around Old Havana to build up an appetite, then have another superb meal (and cigars). Old Havana was built by the Spanish conquistadors, so it has a great Euro-Cuban feel to it. The restaurants are top notch with sublime food. Many restaurants also have live Cuban music.

For the remainder of your trip, your Piña Tours itinerary will make your trip one of the best vacations you've ever had. The tours and excursions we plan with you will take you to amazing places in Cuba. I've listed some of these tours in our survey below so you can get a feel for what you can expect.

Click the link here for our short survey to get your free Cuban vacation itinerary and ESTIMATE. 👈

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SOME PICTURES FROM CUBA

https://photos.app.goo.gl/H3XQQcUrTmsGTjsM7 👈 📸 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/EaRwPxDJ1xAGwUKN8 👈 📸 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Sx83RU8Do5gmEarKA 👈 📸