Since returning home from Cuba, I’ve been asked dozens of questions about traveling here. My fellow Americans are just as intrigued by this forbidden fruit of the Caribbean as I was. Despite our governments best efforts, travel to Cuba can’t be completely reversed and there are still many opportunities for Americans to visit. If you…
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It’s our last full day in Cuba and we’re up bright and early. Today we’re visiting Laguna Guanaroca, about 40 minutes outside Cienfuegos, to see the flamingos that live there. And I for one, can’t wait! We’re attempting to arrive as soon as they open as this is a popular activity and the groups fill…
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Before I tell you about Cienfuegos, I should probably fill you in on how we got here. It’s the latest chapter of “Kelsey and Maggie’s Cuban Transportation Saga”. For many reasons, we didn’t buy our bus ticket from Trinidad to Cienfuegos in advanced. So once again, we find ourselves at the bus station the morning…
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I’m not usually much of a museum person on my travels. If it’s a big one like the Prado in Madrid, then sure, I’ll give it a few hours. But generally they don’t hold much interest for me. However, while reading through my guidebook on Trinidad, I came across the Museo Histórico Municipal. It’s the former…
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As you’ve probably heard me mention before, information on tourist activities in Cuba was really hard to come by before my trip. Especially for anything outside of Havana. The Lonely Planet guidebook has a blurb about hiking to a waterfall in Parque el Cubano, part of Topes de Collantes National Park, but aside from that brief…
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Allow me to introduce you to my favorite city in Cuba – Trinidad. I admit, I’m guilty of thinking of Cuba as only Havana. However, Trinidad is full of colonial charm and is one of the best preserved cities in Cuba. It’s a small town and not heavy on sites, but it’s the perfect place…
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After our crazy morning attempting to get back to Havana, we settle into our new accommodations and head back out in search of dinner. From our previous explorations, Havana Vieja seems to have the most restaurants, so this is the direction we go. On the way, we pass another of Ernest Hemmingway’s former haunts –…
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Remember how I told you about buying bus tickets in Cuba, how we lucked out on our way to Vinales but it wouldn’t always be that way? Well today is the day I find out just how screwy Cuban transportation can be. And this is only the first of three times we deal with this…
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One of the most popular activities in Vinales is to go horseback riding through the national park. Originally I thought this would be an activity that I’d skip in favor of more hiking, but after our morning at Los Aquaticos, I’m ready for something a little easier. Plus we can cover more ground on a…
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Upon our arrival in Vinales, a park ranger stopped by our casa to see if we were interested in booking any guided tours of the park. One I’ve been really keen to do is Los Aquaticos sunrise hike. A few Google searches have shown some incredible images and I’m excited to see it with my…
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If I have one complaint about Cuba (aside from the food…ok two complaints, but that’s it!), it’s that their transportation system is unnecessarily difficult. Everything I read online, and even our host Lindiana said to arrive at the Viazul bus station in Havana an hour before the bus is scheduled to depart. Tickets should still…
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Maggie and I visit Havana three times on this trip and I’m going to wrap up the first part in this post. I have a lot of photos I haven’t yet shared from this amazing city. I’ll start off with our casa paticulare. It’s so warm and inviting, with magnificent views of Havana and the water….
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