Cuba Travel
Since I will be going in the (somewhat) near future, does anyone know anything about Cuba or what it's like traveling there? How is the food, culture, language variations, etc.?
3 Answers
I visited many years ago and went with a small tour group. I chose November as end of hurricane season and not too hot, but we were the last flight in before the hurricane hit - Hurricane Michelle 2001. Havana was a bit grey and windy. We stayed in our hotel for 3 days with them gradually running out of food but with an endless supply of rum. Our itinerary altered because of damage to the west coast where we had been due to visit the Bay of Pigs and the tobacco plantations etc. However, I hope to go back and see that side of the island. We went to Santa Clar and saw the museum to che. We went to some beautiful beaches [change of itinerary] near Trinidad. The first hotel we stayed in on leaving Havana had dolphins in their swimming pool because a wild life area had been flooded. We stayed in Trinidad a small traditional town - tourists like it. As with all areas the music is so upbeat and the dancing is rhythmic - men and women look as though they have liquid hips. In many of the places we stayed the guide organised for us to eat in peoples homes casas particulares - they are like the pop up restaurants and supper clubs we now have in the UK and I assume in the States. Many of the government restaurants were dull - but I went 13 years ago I am sure a lot has changed. We continued East past Guantanamo bay - not as well known then as it is now and to Santiago a vibrant city on the coast with a brilliant casa de trova = where music is played. We then spent a few days in the sleepy town of Baracoa. The highlight was getting a taxi to a beach where we had a massage and after a swim were provided with china and freshly caught lobster and other fish. We then got a plane back towards Havana. The second time Havana too was vibrant and I realised my initial impression of greyness was the wind and rain of the hurricane and people boarding up windows. We also went into the mountains at Sierra Madre where Fidel had a camp. Another time we went to a ration shop. I don't know what you need to know - obviously I did not travel independently. It was a wonderful experience although travel is not always easy. The people I met were great though back then many very well educated people were working in tourism where they got dollars - there has been a change on the currency since then. I enjoyed a visit to the modern art gallery in Havana but most of the time it was walking around an amazing place with excellent music. Being used to Spanish from Spain some of the Spanish was difficult to follow.
Further to my answer I have just read a lovely article about Trinidad here:
It is a beautiful small town.
So far as the brilliant music is concerned,I answered a thread about music, and my second answer has links to Cuban music
Wow, I am incredibly jealous of you! It is a dream of mine to visit Cuba. I have never been there and yet through music and film, I have become passionate about its vibrant and flavorful culture.
I know travel to Cuba is quite strict and laid out. Do you have an itinerary that you have to follow?
Anyway, to answer your question, I would suggest that you familiar yourself with the way of speaking there. Spanish in Cuba, and Caribbean Spanish altogether, is notably different than other Spanish. For example, any "s" at the end of a syllable is aspirated. Escuela becomes ecuela. Not only that, -ado is pronounced more like -ao or how ow is heard in English. Pescado? Nope, it's pecao. You don't necessarily have to change the way you speak Spanish, but taking note of these differences will surely help you to understand better.
Here are some helpful links to learn more about their way of speaking:
Since I haven't traveled there, I unfortunately do not know what other advice I can give! However, as someone who greatly appreciates the Cuban culture, here are some songs to get you excited for the travel! Feel the Cuban soul:
Enjoy your travel! Also, there are many cool documentaries about Cuba out there! Watching one could help.
