Cuba - 10 days itinerary after Irma - Suggestions?

Hello!
I am going to Cuba on October 5th and still haven't booked any hotel/casa particular as I was waiting for the news after Irma. It seems Habana will be ok by then but our original plan was to spend 4 days in Havana + a couple of days traveling around/visiting small cities and 3/4 days in Varadero (or other resort area or Cayos). Could you give us suggestions of cities places to go that were not devastated by Irma? We are a couple with no children :)

Cheers,

Mariana

I'd go to Havana and Trinidad and then back to Havana.
Or Havana to Bay of Pigs/ Playa Giron, back to Havana. Never been to Bay of Pigs area, quite fancy it.
10 days isn't a long time and it will take longer to get to places than you might think.

Hi Yinkx, thank you for the tips! At first I thought Trinidad was a bit too far but I think I will follow your advise and go there :) Do you think Santa Clara or Cienfuegos worth the trip as well?

Also, which is the best way to travel around in Cuba?

Also, which is the best way to travel around in Cuba?

Have you looked at a guide book? That certainly would help someone knowing where to begin answering your question.

For newbies, I would recommend the bus. Viazul or Conectando. But if you're confident with that sort of thing (and I think you are
Brazilian and possibly are?? ...instagram.....), you can go via colectivo. Or your casa may help you sort out a taxi - private or shared.
Went through Cienfuegos a couple of times, never stopped there. People who have, seem to like it a lot. It's only an hour from Trinidad, so you could do both. Trinidad is a tourist Mecca, but I like it and so does Mr yinkx, even though he's not an external tourist. Santa Clara - never stopped there either. That end of the island is not my speciality, although - I've stopped in Placetas and Moron for a couple of afternoons and liked them. Mari - are you flying VA from LGW? I'll be on your flight, if so :-p
But yeah - do peruse a guide book and concentrate on occidental as you're only there 10 days.

Some people like Cienfuegos - others don't. Which is probably true of anywhere in Cuba.

Hi guys,

Once again thank you all very much!
Yinkx - Yes, I am Brazilian so indeed more confident "with that sort of thing" haha. My main concerns with travelling were the conditions of the roads after Irma and also the duration of the trip as I don't want to spend a entire day in a bus/car. I say this because in Brazil the trips always take a loooot longer than you plan. So I think we might do Habana - Trinidad - Varadero (only if the access to Varadero is ok - we already have the confirmation that the Hotel we want to go had only a minor damage). Maybe in our way to Trinidad we decide if we want to go to other cities nearby. Is it ok to find accommodation in Trinidad and nearby cities at the day, or do you think it is best to have everything booked in advance?
Btw, I am travelling with Iberia :/

#6 - Indeed. To qualify: I notice Cienfuegos getting more positive mentions on forums, than negative.
#7 - Roads post Irma - yes, bit of a concern for me too. Suppose we'll find out soon enough.

Casas, I reckon you should be able to find a place on the day in those 3 towns - and without too much trekking around, as it's low season.
A lot of the time, the casa owner will offer to call a casa in the next town you're headed to, to arrange accommodation for you.
I would recommend you have at least your first night in Cuba reserved.

Some people like Cienfuegos - others don't. Which is probably true of anywhere in Cuba.

True, and for the same reasons they like / dislike other places. I think there are basically two different types of tourists.

Those who want to visually see the famous sites, monuments, buildings, ride in a pre '59 convertible, drink a mojito, and maybe smoke a Cuban cigar. What seems to be key to them are signage or maps pointing out the famous locations and how many of them there are. These will makeup that group who will think they have done everything there is to do in Cienfuegos in a day, just as they "saw all of Havana" in three days.

Then there are those who want to delve below that top layer and begin to get some idea what the country, Cuban culture and Cuban people are all about. These will love a place like Cienfuegos and can return over and over.

Yinkx and bobmichaels your comments are very much appreciated.

Yinkx - our plan is to have Habana and Varadero booked and then decide the other cities there. Again, my main concern is the condition of the roads. Do you have any recommendation for the casas? Any others you know were not affected by Irma?

Bob - we look more like the second type for sure! I know 10 days will only give us a superficial idea of the culture there so I'll put Cienfuegos in the list :)

Bob - we look more like the second type for sure! I know 10 days will only give us a superficial idea of the culture there so I'll put Cienfuegos in the list :)

If so, be sure to allow enough time in every place you go to get off the popular trail and spend some time walking around local neighborhoods or sitting in a park meeting everyday Cuban people and getting some ideas of their lives.

Too many tourists seem to visit 5 cities, see 173 statues and monuments, visit 5 museums, and eat in 10 tourist restaurants. Yet they never actually meet a real Cuban, see anything of their homes other than quickly from the street, and leave having no idea what Cuban life and culture is all about.

Bob.... Although i agree, I find most of the Cubans that want to meet you, as opposed you want to meet them, are, at the end of the day, going to hustle you, as subtle as it may be.

Not necessarily a bad thing. I've had very interesting conversations in Havana with very well educated and opinionated Cubans, including some official government journalists.... All they wanted was to talk and for me to pay for the beer... In these cases, I came out ahead, imo..

In some cases they spoke perfect English, in other cases we spoke Spanish.

I guess what i am trying to say is, I am not one to suggest meet every Cuban that wants to talk to you.. In most cases, their goal is to squeeze something out of you. They will put up with your questions, explain how tough life is but the goal is to get you to give them something.

Maybe I am jaded.... Spent a lot of time in Cuba.... But I don't give the time of day to a Cuban that approaches me.

With that said... I have a few real friends that have, over the years, not given me reason to doubt them.... Remember i am jaded......lol

I do not recommend.... Mix with the people if you think you're going to meet Cubans that like you for what you are and not what you can bring to them.

You are a yuma... Nothing will ever change that.

Bob.... Although i agree, I find most of the Cubans that want to meet you, as opposed you want to meet them, are, at the end of the day, going to hustle you, as subtle as it may be.
...................
Maybe I am jaded.... Spent a lot of time in Cuba.... But I don't give the time of day to a Cuban that approaches me.
With that said... I have a few real friends that have, over the years, not given me reason to doubt them.... Remember i am jaded......lol
I do not recommend.... Mix with the people if you think you're going to meet Cubans that like you for what you are and not what you can bring to them.
You are a yuma... Nothing will ever change that.

I would agree with you when talking about Cubans one meets on a street with tourists. Except I am talking about people you meet when in their neighborhood. Certainly not the one that approach you. I have had little hassle that way. Now I have no problems with politely just saying "no".

Of course we must always remember that there are the touristic parts of Havana and then there is the rest of the country. Normally as different as night and day.

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