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You are here: Home / Lifestyle / 6 Best Things To Spend Money on While Visiting Havana, Cuba

6 Best Things To Spend Money on While Visiting Havana, Cuba

by Tazim Damji

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While many Americans think Cuba is off-limits when it comes to travel plans, that is not necessarily true. Although regulations were most relaxed under the Obama administration, United States citizens may still travel to Cuba if they qualify based on 12 categories. Now, some people wonder if this means that everything they do on their visit must fall under one of the categories. The answer is no.

Keep in mind, the U.S. government wants people to “promote independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba.” According to the law, as long as your “free time or recreation” is not “in excess of that consistent with a full-time schedule” of activities that meet one of the categories, you are free to explore. In other words, the law wants you to support local citizens. To do that, here are six suggestions for spending money while learning about, enjoying, and visiting Havana. 

1. Independent Art

When you are walking around the city and making your way toward the neighbourhood of Vedado, make sure to check out the local art of some of the street vendors that you run into. Remember, two types of official currencies are acceptable in Havana, and sometimes you may encounter opportunities to use both, but more often it will be one or the other depending on the area you are in. Bring a little of both, just in case.

2. Casas Particulares

In Cuba, there are two types of accommodations, hotels and private rooms in residents’ homes that you can rent out. The latter is usually like a bed and breakfast, with some offerings being more formal than others. For example, some come with breakfast, with at others, you might expect to pay or there may be no meals. These are “casas particulares.”

3. Paladares

With accommodations, hotels are primarily state-run, though there are some international chains. Restaurants are set up much the same way, with there being both state-run and independently-run business types. Whenever you see or hear the references about “paladares,” it is referring to the eateries that residents independently own and operate. You can book them on Airbnb or in person.

4. Bar Patios 

While you will not be spending your money on the patios themselves, you can spend money on the drinks that many bars and restaurants serve tasty and inexpensive drinks on super comfortable ones. While you are there, be sure to grab a world-famous mojito or Cuba Libre. To get a taste of what you can expect, try mixing up some delicious recipes at home with your favourite Absolut liquors.

5. Local Experiences

From salsa dancing, touring the city in a classic car and exploring ecological reserves to cooking, history lessons and more, there are countless individual and group opportunities to try different experiences with locals. Though companies like Airbnb and ViaHero, U.S. travellers to Cuba can find many options to truly experience Havana’s culture by paying for a few hours for various activities. 

6. Learning Opportunities

From museums to monuments to old famous hotels and more, when you’re visiting Havana there are so many places that are rich in cultural learning opportunities. In addition to its embrace of visual art, Cuban society also has a deep appreciation for music. As such, there is an abundance of musical fun as well. When you walk along the streets, you will not go far without hearing upbeat melodies moving through the air.

At the end of the day, visiting Havana, Cuba, is the chance of a lifetime that can open your eyes to another culture and teach you about other ways of living. When you fly back to the U.S. on a short 45-minute flight to Ft. Lauderdale, you will be to come home having learned a new perspective. 

Visiting Havana

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Filed Under: Lifestyle

About Tazim Damji

Tazim Damji is a permaculture gardener and certified holistic nutritionist from Vancouver, Canada. She is passionate about photography, vegan food, and gardening. Read more posts by Tazim. Visit her food and adventure blog Celebrate Life's Adventures Connect with Tazim via Twitter or on Facebook .

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Being Tazim Blog Vancouver Canada Lifestyle BlogI'm Tazim, a 40-year-old Vancouverite who is passionate about adventure, learning new things, and making connections. Content on Being Tazim ranges from smart ideas for plant-based cooking and baking to ways to enjoy life's experiences, to inspiration and information on attractions and travel destinations near and far. Read the full story here.

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Hey there! I'm Tazim and I'm a lifestyle, food, and travel writer and photographer. I inspire, motivate, and encourage my audience to explore their immediate surroundings and those further afield. I do this by sharing plant-based food recipes, ways to enhance my readers' homes and lives, and local and other attractions/travel destinations I experience. You can find my stories and adventures on my other blog Celebrate Life's Adventures Read more about me. . .

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