Havana – Highlights & Tips

After three weeks on the road and over 3,200 km on pothole-riddled roads from east to west, we returned relieved to Havana – only a flat tire disturbed the journey, an adventure, wild and rugged. What do you write at the end of a travel blog after such weeks? We had already explored the sights at the start, so we used the last days to chill, bought souvenirs for friends and family, and enjoyed the occasional mojito – a contrast between exhaustion and relaxation.

A Moment of Rebirth

Especially unforgettable was the Monday after nine days of national mourning – when live music played again for the first time, people gathered outside bars, dancing and laughing to salsa, a spectacle of life and joy, raw and moving. The time was special as Fidel’s death left a void – many older people visibly mourned, while the road trip from east to west was a highlight, especially in the rural east with its “authentic” Cuba. The people, except maybe in Havana, were friendly and happy to be photographed, a dance between culture and encounter.

Practical Tips for Cuba

Renting a car pays off if you have time, as does staying in local casas – nicer and cheaper than the overpriced state hotels, booked via Airbnb with a VPN since it’s blocked in Cuba. It’s also useful to have some CUP alongside the tourist currency CUC – either as change from local shops or from exchange offices. The Stefan Loose guidebook was, as usual, recommendable, and the offline maps in the maps.me app surprised us with detailed hiking trails, like to abandoned coffee fincas in Las Terrazas or the nuclear power plant in Cienfuegos.

Camera Gear and Final Thoughts

On frequently asked questions about equipment: I travel with small cameras, no SLRs. Usually I use the Sony A7 series, but just before Cuba I fulfilled a dream with a Leica MD paired with the 35mm Summicron for most blog photos. Without a display it was a challenge – the first weeks I cursed over botched shots in the evenings, but soon I developed a feel for blind shooting, a spectacle of learning and triumph. That’s all the tips I have for now – if you have questions, use my contact form, I’m happy to hear from you!