Landing in Matanzas, Cuba, I could tell I wasn’t in Kansas (or Toronto) anymore. The lush green scenery sprinkled with multi-colored low-rise buildings was in direct contrast to the modern steel and glass North American landscape I was used to. The airport itself was clean and inviting, with vibrant tropical images but there were no brightly lit duty-free shops or Starbucks. A wave of anxiety came over me.
Sure, the presence of communism was everywhere and the country’s revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro, had just passed away, but my fears were more superficial. I would be spending five days away from my everyday comforts (no salted caramel mocha!) and that was a bit scary.
Arriving at my 5-star Varadero resort, a mimosa eased my nerves. Smiling staff greeted me with a friendly “hola”. I was told the best part of Cuba was the warm people and that’s something I can testify to. In the sunny and hot days to come, my apprehensions about this controversial island would melt away.
Cuba is raw, but genuine.
Instead of hitting me like a tidal wave, as I was fearing, culture shock lapped at my feet. There are no ads on the roadside, where instead people queue to hitchhike with complete confidence. Music and art are a part of everyday life (along with baseball, I’m told). It’s this culture that offers a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else. It’s this authenticity that will make you want to come for the first time and many times after that.
Here’s a snapshot of my Cuban experience and a few must-dos on my return list:
Indulge in Authentic Cuban Food
I was told by several sources that the food in Cuba leaves much to be desired. On my first morning, I took a chance at the resort café where I was expecting water-downed coffee with extra sugar. Instead, a barista named Carlos made me a classic cappuccino. No flavor shot, no cream, no salt topping. It was the best cappuccino I’ve had outside of Rome (sorry Starbucks). The taste was subtle but the coffee was strong. A hand-painted coffee mug painting hung inside to remind visitors that this was no chain café. It was the perfect way to prepare my palate for Cuban cuisine.
Varadero is not short on dining options, and every visitor staying in a luxury resort has to venture out to try at least one. My recommendation is a true Cuban experience that goes beyond your plate at Rancho Gaviota. On a guided Jeep safari tour (or on your own via taxi) you can visit the farm where the restaurant serves a local Cuban lunch featuring excellent vegetarian options like rice and black beans, local citrus fruits, and something I couldn’t get enough of throughout my stay – red guava jelly – a candy-like thick jelly that tastes like dried strawberry jam (my mouth is literally watering thinking about it!)
At night, try Calle 62, a local open-air salsa club, for some tantalizing Cuban cocktails. You can get everything from a pina colada to a lemon daquiri, but the flavors are more intense, with fresh lime, coconut and the stable Cuban rum. My fave was the Coco Loco – a coconut cream and rum mixture that was sweet and refreshing.
Swim With the Tide
The main attraction in Cuba, especially Varadero, is the beach. I’ve been to many beaches worldwide (Bahamas, Italy, Greece) and stand by the claim that Varadero Beach is one of the very best. The clear aqua water and white sand are stunning but what you especially get here are pristine, untouched, waters. There are only a few water sports offered, no souvenir shack, no beach volleyball, nothing to take away from the simple beauty. I got one day of completely calm waters but thoroughly enjoyed the wavy days with no undertow.
There are equally stunning beaches coast to coast from Cayo Coco in the east to Holguin in the south, each with their own landscape. You can arrange snorkeling and boat tours through your resort but there’s nothing that can beat a lazy day on the beach.
Besuchen sie Die Hauptstadt Havanna Und trinken Sie Wie Hemingway
Varadero liegt nur wenige Stunden von der kubanischen Hauptstadt Havanna entfernt. Hier finden Sie die ikonischen historischen Gebäude im alten Havanna und die kopfsteingepflasterten Straßen voller klassischer Autos aus den 1940er und 1950er Jahren. Einige Resorts in Varadero organisieren die Abholung durch einen Oldtimer für eine private Tour durch Havanna. Geschichtsinteressierte werden sich an Museen wie dem Nationalmuseum der Schönen Künste erfreuen, die Ihnen anhand der Kunst einen Einblick in die Geschichte Kubas geben.
Als eingefleischter Käufer empfehle ich die Almacenes de San José, einen Markt unter freiem Himmel, auf dem Sie farbenfrohes Kunsthandwerk wie klassische Holzautos, Muschelschmuck, Bettwäsche und Baumwollkleidung finden. Jeder Artikel ist ein Unikat, nichts stammt aus einer Fabrik und mit dem Geld, das Sie ausgeben, werden lokale Kunsthandwerker unterstützt.
Machen Sie Ihren letzten Halt in einer der Lieblingsbars von Ernest Hemingway, dem El Floridita. Dieser Geburtsort des Daiquiri (der Legende nach hat Hemingway hier 16 auf einen Schlag geschossen!) kann etwas überfüllt sein, aber die Gelegenheit, dort, wo einst der berühmte Autor saß, ein kühles Getränk zu genießen, ist zu befriedigend, um es sich entgehen zu lassen.
Erleben sie ein Kubanisches Musical
Musik ist das Herzstück des kubanischen Lebens. So sehr, dass während der Trauerzeit um Fidel Castro keine Musik erlaubt war. Ich kam in dieser Zeit an und bemerkte sofort, dass die Stadt seltsam still wirkte. Als die Trauerzeit endete, bekam ich ein echtes Gefühl dafür, was Musik für die Kubaner bedeutet. Während des Servierens summen die Kellner Lieder, die Barkeeper singen regelmäßig Balladen und laute Tanzbeats wetteifern mit den brechenden Wellen.
Dieser musikalische Geist spiegelt sich in abendlicher Unterhaltung bei der größten Show der Insel wider – Tropicana. Das Kabarett ist eine Show im Vegas-Stil mit lokalen Klängen und Tänzern. Wenn Sie ein klassisches, sexy Kabarett mögen, werden Sie die Aufführung lieben. Hier gibt es kein Cirque du Soleil-Spektakel, sondern nur Showmädchen in farbenfrohen Kostümen, die ein wenig vom kubanischen Nachtleben der alten Welt zeigen. Trotzdem kann ich einfach nicht genug bekommen.
Whoa, in a 5-star resort? Isn’t that expensive? Wish I have money to travel to Cuba too.
Are you traveling alone? If you are, it’s just normal to be afraid. Traveling to an unfamiliar place is scary, but it’s fun. Knowing that you are on your own, and you need to survive.
Oh, you must visit Cuba. There local food and items are fantastic. It’s cheap as well. Cuban’s barely patronize imported goods, and for cigarette lovers, Cuba made the best cigar ever.
I feel you when I visited Cuba, it breaks my heart knowing that there’s no Starbucks in there.
Loving your snapshots! After reading your article, it makes me want to visit Cuba. I’ll ask my husband if he wants to go there too!
I’ve been to Cuba before, and the place is indeed peaceful. As an American, I’m quite surprised on how Cuban’s live. I will visit Cuba just to have a vacation.
Coffee lover here! I want to try what Carlos’ gave to you. I love cappuccino man!
Omg! I want to go there too. I’ve heard so much about Cuba. I’ll put that on my travel list. Lol
Whoa, I want to visit that place. I heard they also sell good tobaccos there.
I was in Havanna 3 years ago – from the U.S. you have to go with a religious or cultural group in order to bypass travel restrictions – and absolutely loved it. The people, as you say, were warm and friendly and there was little sign that this was a communist country with a history of antagonism toward its American neighbor. The only caveat is that the drug stores and supermarket shelves were often empty and the people have trouble getting medicine outside a hospital visit. Still, education – including college – is free, and the people seemed genuinely content. We “did” the Tropicana and saw the Nacional Hotel where Sinatra and other famous stars used to hang in the pre-Castro days. It’s a fascinating, unique experience – go before travel restrictions are lifted and it turns into another St. Thomas