We just lately despatched Grace, a contributor to Solo Traveler to take pleasure in Cuba solo. Here, she shares her story.
After spending a number of months enduring the grey skies of Toronto, I made a decision it was time to go south and get some solar in Cuba. I flew on Swoop, an extremely low-cost Canadian airline. It was their inaugural flight to the nation which meant there have been speeches on the airport gate from representatives of the Cuba tourism board and Swoop–they usually gave us vacationers some espresso and croissants as effectively, which was a pleasant perk!
When I arrived in Cuba, I checked into the large new Melia International Hotel in Varadero. This lodge was accomplished in 2019. It has a separate part known as “Level” which is adults-only and good and quiet.
Unlike my final go to to Varadero the place I spent most of my time on the seaside studying a really massive e-book for a college course, this time, I spent a lot of the week occurring little excursions outdoors of the lodge. I attempted driving a speedboat for the primary time with Boat Adventure and managed to not flip the boat over — effectively performed, me! I visited a crocodile sanctuary which was a little bit of a vacationer entice however was nonetheless an attention-grabbing sight. I went on a Jeep Safari across the countryside with Ecotur which was nice because it gave me a significantly better concept of the panorama of Cuba.
On this tour, I additionally went cave swimming at Saturn’s cave and, whereas swimming below the stalactites, I used to be struck with the sudden urge to sing a music from The Little Mermaid. One of the opposite women within the tour group gleefully joined in so I wasn’t alone and we found that sound actually echoes in there!
I joined a tour group with Havanatur for many of my visits and we made a cease in a small metropolis on the way in which to Havana known as Matanzas. While there, we went into the Museo Farmacéutico the place a stunning girl confirmed us across the attractive, mahogany-lined apothecary. She spoke solely Spanish however our information, Enrique translated for us. She advised us that the apothecary was constructed within the early nineteenth century and operated till 1964. The homeowners had made their very own concoctions and the museum remains to be stuffed with the unique equipment and bottles which have been used. The museum is open on weekdays and prices US$2.50 to enter. It’s an amazing place to go to to interrupt up the lengthy journey between Varadero and Havana.
Of course, no journey to Cuba is full with out a go to to the colourful metropolis of Havana. Through the government-run tour group Havanatur, I took the lengthy journey to town and was given a historical past lesson alongside the way in which.
Our information was very educated, though there was positively a bit little bit of propaganda within the historical past he gave. He detailed the indigenous historical past of Cuba, the nation’s Spanish historical past, and we discovered about their nationwide hero, José Martí who fought for Cuba’s independence from Spain and was killed in battle in 1895.
Of course, we additionally discovered about Cuba within the twentieth century, its historical past of corruption, and the Cuban Revolution within the Fifties. When we bought to Havana, we visited the Havana Club Rum Museum and we had time to discover town’s outdated squares and admire its stunning buildings and mid-century vehicles.
After many days exploring outdoors of the lodge, I spent my final day having fun with Cuba solo on the resort. Or, extra particularly, I spent the day mendacity on a seaside chair studying a homicide thriller and ingesting virgin mojitos.
As with many island international locations, the pandemic actually crushed the tourism business so that they’re very desperate to have Canadians return. As a Canadian, I can actually see the attraction; I’ve to confess that there’s something so satisfying about getting on a flight below overcast skies and -4 °C and arriving in a scorching, sunny nation like Cuba. It’s prefer it’s summer time once more! As a consultant from the Cuban vacationer board stated in his speech on the airport gate: “Canadians love Cuba and Cuba loves Canadians!”
Swoop flights from Toronto to Cuba are CAD$159 one-way, so that they’re very low cost, however there are some caveats. They cost for a carry-on or checked bag and the seats are primary with no leisure console. As effectively, foods and drinks is simply obtainable for buy. Basically, deliver water, snacks, and obtain some motion pictures in your telephone and also you’ll be set.
Some fast issues to know earlier than you go that can assist you take pleasure in Cuba solo:
- There are nonetheless many objects which Cubans can’t simply get so when you’ve got additional room in your baggage, it’s all the time good to deliver objects to donate or go away as ideas: pantyhose, nutritional vitamins, guitar strings, toys, artwork provides, and batteries are good choices. Bring them particularly for those who’re occurring an tour into the countryside the place it’s tougher for Cubans to acquire these objects.
- Convertible Cuban pesos have been discontinued in 2019 so when you’ve got some mendacity round, they’ll’t be used wherever. However, you may nonetheless give them as ideas because the locals can convert them.
- You could desire a VPN in your telephone/laptop computer as some web sites and apps are nonetheless inaccessible or will run slowly with out a VPN. Here are a few good choices and extra particulars.
- American and Canadian {dollars} are very welcome as ideas and infrequently preferable.
This journey was sponsored by Swoop. All experiences and impressions are my very own, and Solo Traveler maintains full editorial management over all content material.
Last up to date: twenty sixth January, 2023