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Krity S

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Krity S x Iceland 2018_59.jpg

Iceland Diaries

January 27, 2019

Iceland had been on my bucket list of places to visit for years! I heard so many amazing things from friends, family, and blogs and the photos were always so unreal. I had to see it for myself. So in September, I bit the bullet and bought tickets to finally go to Iceland with my girlfriends. Best decision ever!

I spent 5 days and 4 nights in Iceland this December and brought in the New year in Reykjavik. Honestly, I wish I could’ve spent a full week there because there is so much to see! If you have the time, I recommend driving the whole Ring Road and spending at least a week there.

My few days in Iceland were jammed pack and so fun! See below on the areas I went to (Golden Circle and South Iceland) and tips I have.

View of Iceland from a Plane

Arriving in Iceland

Driving/ Renting vs. Tours

We opted to rent a car and drive ourselves which I think was the best decision at the end. I will say, it was NOT easy. We went in December and the weather was not great. Lots of snow, heavy winds, icy roads, and rain. The driving conditions were rough and at times we only drove 20 mph. Another thing to remember is that you will be driving a lot! I mean 5-10 hours a day depending what you want to accomplish. It is not an easy task but the scenery you see will make up for it. On the plus side, there are lot of signs and directions from Google maps are very easy to follow. The roads are also maintained very well- not as many pot holes as I was expecting. Renting a car cost us about $500 a day with insurance and gas (filled up two full tanks of gas). Overall, a car was the cheaper and more efficient thing to do. It was also nice to be able to create our own route and get out as we pleased. This allowed us to feed wild horses in the middle of the fields (I honestly don’t even know where we were ahah).

Tip: get insurance! Our car got damaged by a person’s door flying into our rear-view mirror due to the heavy winds. Do not risk it!

Tip: get gas when you see a gas station! You may not see another gas station for another 90 miles. Remember gas is also quite expensive in Iceland.

Tours are a great way to go if you have a really large party and do not want to take the chances of driving. However, they also take a lot more planning. The tours in Iceland are fairly reasonable ($50-$150). I recommend doing the tour in the day as you will see so much more. When it gets dark, you cannot see the beautiful mountains that you may see just driving on the highways.

Tip: Most tours leave from the city center so I highly recommend staying in Reykjavik.

Tip: Book at least a month in advance!

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Day Trip 1: Southern Iceland

Stop 1: Vik

Stop 2: Reynisfjara Beach - black sand beaches

Stop 3: Dyrhólaey- my personal favorite

Stop 4: Solheimajokull- Glacier

Stop 5: Skógafoss- Waterfall

Stop 6: Seljalandsfoss- Waterfall (did not picture)

Iceland may look small on a map but there is so much to see and covering all that ground takes a long time. I knew I had to see southern Iceland before going while doing my research. It was STUNNING!! I highly recommend discovering this part of Iceland! I saw parts of nature that I didn’t even know existed (mind was blown)! The stops listed above is a great way to see parts of south Iceland if you are driving.

We started out driving out to the furthest point and working our way back to Reykjavik. A bonus of driving to the furthest point first is seeing signs for other points on this itinerary along the way and getting a sneak peak of what you will be seeing.

Vik

This is a charming little town in the southern part of Iceland. Being right by the coast, you see nothing but dark blue water for miles on end. It is also quite windy here so make sure you don’t get blown away. 

Reynisfjara Beach

Before visiting Iceland, I didn’t even know that black sand beaches existed. I’m used to the typical brown or white sand beaches. Well the sand along the southern coast of Iceland really is black! The beaches are beautiful and so unique! My favorite part of Reynisfjara Beach was the beautiful mountain with the rectangular jagged edge cliffs. It was so interesting to see a different kind of rock formation.

Tip: wear waterproof layers here

Tip: do not get too close to the water because the waves can get pretty crazy in a matter of seconds. There have been a few deaths here so be careful. Do not face away from the water when taking pictures-that’s how people have gotten swept away.

See my Iceland Google maps with all the location pins HERE

Reynisfjara Beach December
Reynisfjara Beach black sand beaches in Iceland
Chruch by Reynisfjara Beach black sand beaches in Iceland
Reynisfjara Beach black sand beaches in Iceland cliff
Reynisfjara Beach black sand beaches in Iceland
Reynisfjara Beach black sand beaches in Iceland cliffs
Reynisfjara Beach black sand beaches in Iceland
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Dyrhólaey

This was my favorite stop of the first day trip! The view was so incredibly beautiful! My favorite part about this viewing point was that you can see the ocean, mountains, valleys, and little lakes at the top.

You do have to drive up a pretty steep curvy hill to get to see this view. It was a bit scary to get up and down the hill but it was worth it!

See my Iceland Google maps with all the location pins HERE

Dyrhólaey Iceland View
Dyrhólaey Iceland View Ocean
Dyrhólaey Iceland View Ocean
Dyrhólaey Iceland View of the Arc
Dyrhólaey Iceland View
Dyrhólaey Iceland View

Solheimajokull

Talk about seeing all kinds of natural forms right? In one day (following this itinerary) we saw a beach, mountains, glaciers, and a waterfall! Iceland probably has all 7 world wonders right in the southern part of Iceland! 

I honestly did not know what to expect when arriving at this location. As we walked along the trial, I began to see small forms of bright teal ice. All of a sudden around a corner, the massive glacier stunned us! It was amazing!! 

Tip: if you are interested, you can go glacier climbing! If I had more time, I would’ve totally tried this! 

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Glacier in Iceland

Skógafoss

One of the famous waterfalls in Iceland is not to be missed! This waterfall is quite grand. Iceland is known for all of their amazing waterfalls so make sure to check out at least one or two. You will also see a ton of mini waterfalls along the drive to Vik. 

Tip: wear waterproof clothing. Chances of getting wet are quite high. 

See my Iceland Google maps with all the location pins HERE

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Day Trip 2: The Golden Circle

Stop 1: Kerid Crater

Stop 2: Gullfoss Falls- Waterfall

Stop 3: Haukadalur- Geysir

Stop 4: Bruarfoss- Waterfall (did not picture)

Stop 5: Thingvellir National Park

Kerid Crater

We were so lucky with the weather on day 2! We stopped at the Keri’s Crater around 11am and got so unbelievably lucky to be woken up to the most gorgeous sunrise. It was nothing but cotton candy pink and purple skies for miles on end. This crater is a very interesting landmark. It was my first time seeing anything like this too.

See my Iceland Google maps with all the location pins HERE

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Gullfoss Falls

Another famous waterfall in Iceland and this one I not to be missed! This waterfall was definitely the biggest one that we saw! You can go on a trail to the bottom as well but in December it was too icy and closed off.

This spot has a really nice cafe so it is a good stop to plan around lunch.

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Haukadalur- Geysir

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Iceland Geysir

This was another natural landmark that I was seeing for the first time. The eruptions were so big which I was surprised by. The first time the geysir erupted, I actually got scared. The eruptions happen quite frequently so the chances of you seeing one is highly likely.

Note that the water smells like rotten eggs but it was still really cool to see this landmark!

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Thingvellir National Park

We were so blessed to see an incredible sunset at the Natural Park. The colors of the sky were so beautiful next to the outlines of the mountains and trees. You can end up spending hours at this park going on different trails. We opted to go for a little bit and just take in the scenery instead. In December, the trails were pretty icy so be mindful of this.

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Day Trip 3: Locations close to Keflavik Airport

Stop 1: Hafnarberg - Sea-cliffs

Stop 2: Valahnúkamöl- Sea cliffs

Stop 3: Blue Lagoon

For the last leg of the trip, we decided to stay by the airport since the blue lagoon is right by it. Iceland is filled with so many amazing natural areas that we found a few stops to checkout before heading back to the US. Right along the water, there were beautiful cliffs surrounded by gushing waves. The water along the coast were wild! There is a very high chance you will get wet. Still worth checking out the views though. This part of Iceland was also very quite and didn’t have any tourists.

See my Iceland Google maps with all the location pins HERE

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The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon was one thing that I just had to do when visiting Iceland! It looked exactly like it did in all the pictures I saw online too! The water was incredibly blue, it felt nice and warm, and the views from the lagoon were stunning! However, it was really cold getting in and out of the lagoon (I ran as fast as I could getting in and out). We got the basic package which included a drink and mud masks. I recommend this package because it gave the full blue lagoon experience without breaking the bank. You won’t want to spend more than 2 hours at the lagoon because your head/ top half will get cold and you’ll begin to prune. Another thing to remember is to heavily condition your hair before entering the lagoon- leave the conditioner in your hair too! Even though I conditioned my hair, it was still very dry/ straw like after the lagoon. It took about two washes to get it feeling back to normal.

Ending note- you have to visit the lagoon as it is definitely an experience you will never forget!

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Things I Did Not Know But Wish I Had:

The water in Iceland does not smell the best. It smells like rotten eggs (not exaggerating). We stayed in an Air BnB and it was pretty gross. The water was perfectly clean, just did not smell the best. However, when we stayed at a hotel, it did not smell as bad. Not sure why, but just be prepared.

There are a lot of roundabouts! I guess it keeps drivers in check from not going too fast. Started to get a bit annoying but keep your eyes peeled. They also have a yellow light which comes on before the green light to get you prepared to go.

During the winter, there are only about 4-5 hours of daylight. This meant we had to get a very early start to each day! Photos were great to take during the daylight but as it got darker, photos were harder to take. I didn’t realize how dark it was going to be- even during the daylight hours, because it was cloudy, things seemed quite dark!

Food is quite expensive but relative to New York prices. Be prepared to spend an average of $15 for lunch and $25 for dinner.

Be prepared to experience all different kinds of weather and for the weather to change in a matter of minutes. The weather would change of heavy winds to rain to sleet in span of 5 minutes. Crazy!

Also, be prepared to get soaked! If it calls for rain and you are visiting waterfalls, wear all of your waterproof gear. My waterproof parka got soaked through (don’t know how) but be ready to get wet. It was worth it though.

In Europe Tags iceland, mountain, lagoon, black sand beach, beach, ocean, hiking, things to do, food, sunset, what to wear, tips, travel tips, nature, horses, waterfall, glacier, Reykjavik
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Cuba- Central Havana- Paseo del Prado

CUBA

May 30, 2017

How do I enter Cuba if I am an United States Citizen?

To travel to Cuba, a US citizen, one must select a reason from the twelve options below:

1. Family visits

2. Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations

3. Journalistic activity

4. Professional research and professional meetings

5. Educational activities

6. Religious activities

7. Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions

8. Support for the Cuban people

9. Humanitarian projects

10. Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes

11. Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials

12. Certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing regulations and guidelines.

I traveled to Cuba through JetBlue on a direct flight from JFK Airport in NYC to Havana, Cuba. While purchasing my ticket through JetBlue, one of the steps were to fill out an affidavit selecting my reason to travel to Cuba.  I chose journalism as my reason for blogging purposes. I was very nervous and skeptical about getting a visa by choosing journalism but it worked out. We arrived at JFK three hours before our flight (I think 2-3 hours is a decent amount of time). JetBlue has a check-in area just for flights to Cuba at JFK. We approached the kiosk where a JetBlue representative took my passport and checked me into my flight. I got my visa ($50 through JetBlue at the counter) and got it notarized at the same time. No questions were asked and it only took 10-15 minutes! I was incredibly surprised by how easy the whole process was. With JetBlue, you cannot purchase your Cuban visa ahead of time, only at the airport. I have heard of being able to purchase the visa ahead of time with other flight carriers. JetBlue made the trip very simple and I recommend flying through them (this is not a sponsored post, I just had a great experience with them).

Havana- Cuban Flag

When is the best time to travel to Cuba?

I cannot guarantee when the best time to travel to Cuba is, but I can speck from my experiences. I traveled to Cuba during the second week of May (seven days). I thought traveling to Cuba in May was great because the weather was nice, it wasn't over crowded with tourists, and the flights were on the cheaper side. The weather was perfect, high eighties and nineties fahrenheit, and it only rained one day. It was a little humid, but not to the point where it felt uncomfortable (my hair was manageable). My non-stop flight roundtrip from JFK to HAV was only $285! In all three cities I went to (Havana, Bay of Pigs area, and Trinidad), the streets were calm and I had no trouble getting into museums, restaurants, etc. 

Cuba- Havana- Playa Ancon

Where should I go in Cuba? What should I do in Cuba?

We went to Cuba for seven days in the following order: Havana (2 nights)-> Bay of Pigs/ Playa Giron (1 night)-> Trinidad (3 nights)->Havana (1 night)

Havana

While visiting Cuba, you must spend a couple of days in the city of Havana! The city is filled with color, culture, history, and bustling nightlife. We spent two and a half days and felt that it was enough to see all the main sights. There are tons of things to do in Havana! You can spend the whole day just roaming the streets and getting lost in the colorful architecture. That’s exactly what we did! I recommend the following:

1. Visit Museo de La Revolution. Learn about the history and culture of Cuba for only 8 CUC

2. Be amazed by the beauty of the Capital building and walk along Paseo del Prado where you can find an array of colorful vintage cars!

3. Ride in a vintage car- for 25-40 CUC (depending on your bargaining skills) you can ride in a vintage car of your choice/ color and get an hour long tour in Havana. It was worth every penny and the photos are priceless! I only had 15 CUC by the end of my trip so hustled my way to getting a tour with the money I had left. The Cuban people are incredibly sweet and just want to give tourists the best experience. Tip- bat your eyelashes and smile :)

4. Take a pit stop at the Jose Marti Memorial and learn about Cuban history.

5. Walk along the Malecon! The sights are absolutely stunning and so peaceful! Admire the views of the blue waters and Morro castle. Make sure to catch the sunset!

6. Walk around old Havana from Museo de Revolucion, to the Plaza de Armas, then Plaza de la Catedral, next Plaza de la San Francisco, and end in Plaza Vieja for a nice cold beer from La Factoria.

7. Take a pit stop at the Jose Marti Memorial and learn about Cuban history.

8. EAT!!! Cuban food was delicious! Scroll down for all my favorite places.

In Havana, we arranged a taxi to take us to Bay of Pigs/ Playa Giron for 70 CUC. Next stop...Bay of Pigs/ Playa Giron

View fullsize Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro
Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro
View fullsize Havana, Cuba
Havana, Cuba
View fullsize Palacio del Segundo Cabo
Palacio del Segundo Cabo
View fullsize Plaza 13 de Marzo- Havana, Cuba
Plaza 13 de Marzo- Havana, Cuba
View fullsize Plazuela de Santo Ángel
Plazuela de Santo Ángel
View fullsize Plazuela de Santo Ángel
Plazuela de Santo Ángel
View fullsize The Cathedral of San Cristóbal de la Habanal
The Cathedral of San Cristóbal de la Habanal
View fullsize El Patio En La Habana Vieja
El Patio En La Habana Vieja
View fullsize Casa de Lombillo
Casa de Lombillo
View fullsize Statue of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes
Statue of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes
View fullsize Plaza San Francisco de Asís
Plaza San Francisco de Asís
View fullsize Plaza San Francisco de Asís
Plaza San Francisco de Asís
View fullsize Architecture in Old Havana
Architecture in Old Havana
View fullsize Plaza Vieja- Havana, Cuba
Plaza Vieja- Havana, Cuba
View fullsize El Capitolio- Havana, Cuba
El Capitolio- Havana, Cuba
View fullsize Hotel Inglaterra- Havana, Cuba
Hotel Inglaterra- Havana, Cuba
View fullsize Cuba- Havana- Sunset along the Malecon
Cuba- Havana- Sunset along the Malecon
View fullsize Casa de Lombillo
Casa de Lombillo
Museo De La Revolución, La Habana, Cuba- Havana
Museo De La Revolución, La Habana, Cuba- Havana
Museo De La Revolución, La Habana, Cuba- Havana
Museo De La Revolución, La Habana, Cuba- Havana

Museo De La Revolución, La Habana, Cuba- Havana

Museo De La Revolución, La Habana, Cuba- Havana

Museo De La Revolución, La Habana, Cuba- Havana

Museo De La Revolución, La Habana, Cuba- Havana
Museo De La Revolución, La Habana, Cuba- Havana
Cuba- Havana- Ride in a vintage convertible

Cuba- Havana- Ride in a vintage convertible

Cuba- Havana- Ride in a vintage convertible

Cuba- Havana- Ride in a vintage convertible

Riding in a n old classic pink Ford convertible along the Malecon in Havana, Cuba 

Cuba- Havana- Vintage Chevy Lime Green Convertible

Cuba- Havana- Vintage Chevy Lime Green Convertible

Cuba- Havana- Colorful vintage cars in the streets

Cuba- Havana- Colorful vintage cars in the streets

Cuba- Havana- Ride in a vintage convertible

Cuba- Havana- Ride in a vintage convertible

Cuba- Havana- José Martí Memorial

Bay of Pigs- Playa Giron

We went to Bay of Pigs for one reason- scuba diving! It was worth the trip and I will never forget the time in this little city!

We arrived in the late afternoon and it was too late to go scuba diving. Instead  we went over to Coco beach. It was walking distance from the house we stayed at. Coco beach is very secluded and private. The beach is a bit more rocky but the sunset was gorgeous! We swam, drank rum on the beach, watched the sunset, and made friends with locals 

The next day, the bus picked us up to head over to scuba dive. It costs 35 CUC for beginner diving which consists of a 15 minute lesson and hour long dive in the Caribbean sea. It took roughly an hour to get gear and sign waiver. There was someone who spoke English pretty fluently to help me with my lesson. I was surprised about how easy it actually was. We went about 20- 30 feet under. The reefs and wildlife were incredible. One of the coolest things I have ever done!! This area is known for some of the best diving and is why we chose to go. 

We took a Viazul bus from Playa Giron to Trinidad for 14 CUC a person. The trip was about 3 hours long and the bus was really comfortable! I tried to buy tickets online but the website did not work. It was very easy to purchase tickets on the spot!

View fullsize The best rum!
The best rum!
View fullsize Sunsets on Coco Beach
Sunsets on Coco Beach
View fullsize Coco Beach
Coco Beach
Cuba- Playa Giron- Scuba Diving
Cuba- Playa Giron- Scuba Diving

Trinidad

The colorful city was absolutely beautiful!! Everywhere you look, there was color!! The streets were like rainbows.

1. Take a walking tour through the city to see all the main sights and see where the locals live. We took the tour recommended by Lonely Planet

2. Have a drink while sitting on the steps by the plaza and people watch

3. Rent bikes for 5 CUC from the casa. We rode bikes for about 10 miles to Playa Ancon. I do not recommend doing this if you are traveling to Cuba in May or if it is above  90 degrees Fahrenheit. I definitely learned the hard way. I felt like I just rode a marathon by the time I got to the beach. Another option is taking a classic taxi car for 8 CUC. 

Playa Ancon was absolutely beautiful and everything I had hoped for. White sand beaches with clear blue water. The beach went on for miles and we hung out all day till right before sunset. We drank from the bar, had lunch at the Ancon Grill, and drank fresh coconut water out of ginormous coconuts. I couldn't have asked for more. We decided to ride our bikes back and were dead by the time we got back to our casa. 

After Trinidad, we had to go back to Havana because our flight was departing from there. We originally planned to take a bus but we got a persoanl taxi for the same amount so we went with the taxi. Our host helped us arrange the taxi. The cost was 25 CUC per person and the car ride was roughly 4 hours.

Plaza Mayor, Trinidad, Cuba

Plaza Mayor, Trinidad, Cuba

Cuba- Trinidad- Colorful streets of Trinidad

Cuba- Trinidad- Colorful streets of Trinidad

Cuba- Trinidad- Plaza de Armas

Cuba- Trinidad- Plaza de Armas

Cuba- Trinidad- Park -------------

Cuba- Trinidad- Park -------------

Cuba- Trinidad

Cuba- Trinidad

Plaza Mayor, Trinidad, Cuba

Plaza Mayor, Trinidad, Cuba

Cuba- Trinidad

Cuba- Trinidad

Cuba- Trinidad- Local streets

Cuba- Trinidad- Local streets

Cuba- Trinidad- Playa Ancon
Cuba- Trinidad- Playa Ancon
Cuba- Trinidad- Playa Ancon- Fresh coconuts for 3 CUC

Cuba- Trinidad- Playa Ancon- Fresh coconuts for 3 CUC

Cuba- Trinidad- Playa Ancon

Cuba- Trinidad- Playa Ancon

Cuba- Trinidad- Playa Ancon
Cuba- Trinidad- Playa Ancon
Cuba- Trinidad- Playa Ancon

Where should I stay in Cuba? 

Most of the time when I travel, I stay at hotels. I did a lot of research before I went to Cuba and after reading a ton of articles, the overall consensus was to stay in an Air BnB. I loved my experiences at the three places I stayed in during my trip to Cuba. The local hosts were absolutely amazing and so willing to help with everything from arranging taxis, preparing food, and giving us tips on where to go. For seven nights, the total came out to $260! 

In Havana I stayed with Elizabeth. The views from her rooftop were great! This apartment was very close to the capital and walking distance to old Havana. If you are looking to be closer to most of the sights, stay in old Havana. I walked past several hotels in Havana and they all looked stunning and incredibly luxurious. 

In Bay of Pigs/ Playa Giron, I stayed at Tony's. I had the best experience here as the hosts helped arrange everything from our scuba diving excursion, taxi, and bus to Trinidad. Tony's wife, Mary, was an amazing cook!! I had some of the best lobster, shrimp, and chicken here!!

In Trinidad, I stayed at Felix's. This was the perfect location! It was very close to the bus stop and main plaza. There was a great restaurant right across the street too! Felix and his wife were absolutely amazing hosts and cannot thank them enough for all their help!  

Cuba- Havana- Balcony view from Air BnB

Cuba- Havana- Balcony view from Air BnB

Cuba- Air BnB- Play Giron

Cuba- Air BnB- Play Giron

Where should I eat in Cuba/ How is the food?

Food in Havana

The food in Cuba was amazing!! Before I went to Cuba, I heard/ read that the food wasn't that good. But after experiencing it for myself, I have to completely disagree with that!

We went to a famous place, La Guaridia, one night for dinner. We made reservations a week in advance which I highly recommend doing- expect a response within 48-72 hours. This restaurant is located in a residential neighborhood. On the way to the place, we thought we were going the wrong way because it was dark and quiet. The restaurants was super cool! The building is worn down and several levels. I will be honest and say the food was not as good as I was expecting. We had the lobster and chicken. But I will say, it is still worth going for the ambiance and experience. For four drinks, one appetizer, two main courses, the bill came out to about 75 CUC. Tip- request to sit on the roof. The views were cool!

Have a mojito, or two, at El Patio En La Habana Vieja while people watching. The food here is not known to be great but the drinks were great!! It was about 2 CUC per drink.

Try a real Cuban sandwich from Sandwicheria La Bien Paga. The sandwich is only 2 CUC!!! Yup, you read that right. It was delicious!!!!!

In between exploring, try the ropa vieja and a couple drinks at Mama Ines. It was the best ropa vieja I had, ever! The drinks were strong and made perfectly!! This hidden gem is tucked away in a little street and is perfect to try out before heading over to Plaza de San Francisco. 

The beast meal I had in Havana was at Los Nardos. This restaurant had a line every time I walked by. We waited about 30 minutes and it was totally worth it! It was and amazing meal with a romantic ambiance. A really cute man was also playing the piano. I felt like I was Belle from Beauty and the Beast- then the theme song started playing. Try their famous soup, fresh fish of the day, and lobster!

Make sure you head over to Chinatown while you're in Havana! Yup, that's right. We at an amazing Chinese Cuban lunch at Tein Tan. We had beers, beef on hot iron plate and friend rice. YUM!! 

View fullsize El Patio En La Habana Vieja
El Patio En La Habana Vieja
View fullsize Sandwicheria La Bien Paga
Sandwicheria La Bien Paga
View fullsize Mama Ines- Daiquiri and Ron Collins
Mama Ines- Daiquiri and Ron Collins
View fullsize La Floridita
La Floridita
View fullsize Los Nardos
Los Nardos
View fullsize Los Nardos- Full Fish
Los Nardos- Full Fish

Food in Trinidad, Cuba

The food in Trinidad was amazing!!! I ate for dirt cheap and the portions were huge!!

We had breakfast at our casa every morning for 5 CUC which consisted of fresh pressed juices, coffee, bread, eggs, and fresh fruits.

One night, we had dinner at La Ceiba which was amazing! It was right across the casa we were staying at. Ceiba means big tree. The restaurant was built up in several levels around this gorgeous tree. I highly recommend trying this place out for dinner one night. We tried the lamb rope vieja and roasted honey chicken. It was served with a fresh fruit salad as well as a vegetable salad. Both dishes were delicious and the portions were very large! The bill came out to about 34 CUC for three cocktails, and two dinner entrees. 

Other nights, we walked down Calle Gutiérrez, which is a main street filled with restaurants. Most of the places on this strip looked amazing and plates never went over 25 CUC. We had dinner at Restaurante Punta Brava that was mind blowing! The portions were big enough to feed an army (image below) and the whole meal came out to roughly 18 CUC. We had lamb special, pork chops, and traditional rice and beans (two different ways). We also wrote our names on the wall with crayons!

 At Playa Ancon, there are bars on the beach where drinks are roughly 4 CUC. There are also fresh coconuts for 3 CUC!! They were huge and so refreshing! There is also a restaurant, Ancon Grill, where they serve hot food and cold beverages. The food was not the best but plate were roughly 5-12 CUC.

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CUBA_May 2017_87.jpg

What should I pack to go to Cuba?

As far as packing goes, I recommend taking tropical prints, flowy dresses and skirts, shorts, cotton/ linen shirts, and tons of bathing suits (so many great unlined bikinis here)! Stay tuned for all my vacation looks!

Shop this two-piece bikini that is only $12 HERE

Shop this gorgeous palm leaf printed one-piece for $15 HERE

Pink Hat from Zara

Pink Dress from Aidan Mattox- shop the look HERE

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Do American/ US credit/ debit cards work in Cuba?

If you use Chase Bank, your cards will not work in Cuba. The atms will not give cash and cards are not accepted in any hotels or restaurants. I recommend taking US dollars and converting cash in Cuba. The currency exchange rate is the same throughout the whole country- it is about 10% conversion fee.

Cuc vs. Cup- almost everything we paid for was in CUC. The locals automatically converted CUP for us. You shouldn't worry about getting ripped off as the Cuban people were some of the nicest and honest people. 

1 Cuc= $1

What do I do if I run out of money in Cuba?

If you run into this problem of running our of money in Cuba, don't worry, there is a solution. One way to get cash is through Western Union. Someone in the US needs to directly transfer money to a local Cuban citizen. You could ask your host family to help you by being the middle man. You will need the local Cuban citizens full name and possibly ID number. Your family/ friend in the US needs to go to the local Western Union and transfer money to their account. Western Union will provide a ten digit code for the transaction. This number is needed to be given when picking up the money at the Western Union in Cuba. This process could take up to a few hours.

CUBA_May 2017_2.jpg

TIPS!

Bank- take cash, even some extra cash just in case. Cuba was incredibly safe. I took by passport and cash everywhere I went. I wore by crossbody bag and never felt unsafe the whole time. I honestly felt safer in Cuba than I did in Paris

Save some money at the end of your trip to buy rum at the duty free shops to take home with you!

Medication- take allergy medication- the dust made me quite sensitive. 

Water and fruits and vegetables- we drank out of bottled water and all restaurants and casa. I brushed my teeth with tap water and had no issues. I even drank tap water and had no difficulties. Cuban food always consisted of a vegetable salad- cucumber, tomato, and cabbage. I ate everything (even with the skin) and my stomach was fine. 

Average Cost of Things:

Taxi to and from the airport in Havana= $30 total for car- not per person

Bus prices=$14-25 per person

Taxi from Trinidad to Havana =$25 per person. Same price as vizual bus but you get the whole car to yourself. The taxi should also pick you up and drop you off from your hostal. Door to door service

Average cocktail price= $3

Average beer = $2

Average water price =$1-3 depending on size

Average food cost = sandwiches $2-$7, full plates $6-25

Casa breakfast =$5

Casa dinner/lunch= $9-12

XOXO!

Till the next adventure....

 

 

In Caribbean Tags travel, cuba, caribbean, beach, color, eat, things to do, money, food
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xoxo,

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