Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta guide. Mostrar todas las entradas
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta guide. Mostrar todas las entradas

domingo, 26 de octubre de 2025

Cuba is different and in this case not for good

 Cuba and the Challenge of Reviving Its Tourism Under Unequal Conditions

On the Caribbean tourism map, Cuba holds a place as unique as it is complex. It is not just an island of beaches, music, and memory; it is a nation facing a web of economic and political obstacles that go far beyond the pandemic. Anyone who looks closely will see that Cuba’s struggle is not only to attract visitors but to survive within a global system that blocks even its own attempts at recovery.

The main barrier is the U.S. economic embargo, which not only restricts travel by American citizens—one of the nearest and most lucrative markets in the hemisphere—but also sanctions airlines, cruise companies, and financial platforms that do business with the island. The pressure extends to third countries: European, Canadian, and Latin American firms often withdraw from investing out of fear of retaliation. It’s an invisible but suffocating wall that translates into fewer flights, fewer options, less revenue, and fewer opportunities for millions of Cubans.

Added to this are banking and technological limitations that, in the 21st century, feel almost anachronistic: travelers can’t use their international credit cards, book through global platforms, or easily access digital services. The result is a tourism sector competing with nearby destinations—like the Dominican Republic or Mexico—in a race where one runner’s legs are tied.

The effects are evident on the ground: aging infrastructure, difficulties in renewing hotels and services, and an increasing dependence on distant and volatile markets such as Europe or Russia. And yet, against all odds, Cuban tourism continues to breathe—not by miracle, but by resilience.

Because what sustains Cuba is not financial credit or access to global capital, but the creative strength of its people, its living culture, its sense of hospitality, and an authenticity no prefabricated resort can imitate.


More Than a Destination: A Shared Cause

Many travelers who choose Cuba do so not only for its natural beauty or the warmth of its people, but out of a deep sympathy for a nation that has given so much to the world—culturally, scientifically, and humanly. In these difficult times, every visitor, every curious gaze, every night spent in a local guesthouse or hotel is an act of solidarity and recognition.

Because beyond all obstacles, Cuba preserves its culture, its people, and its light. And sometimes, that’s all a dream needs to survive: a grain of sand, a presence, a choice not to look away.



Cuba es diferente, y en este caso lamentablemente

 Cuba y el reto de renacer su turismo bajo condiciones desiguales

En el mapa turístico del Caribe, Cuba ocupa un lugar tan singular como complejo. No es solo una isla de playas, música y memoria: es un país que enfrenta un entramado de obstáculos económicos y políticos que van mucho más allá de la pandemia. Quien observe con atención descubrirá que su desafío no es únicamente atraer viajeros, sino sobrevivir dentro de un sistema global que le cierra las puertas incluso a sus propios esfuerzos de recuperación.

El principal muro es el bloqueo económico de Estados Unidos, que no solo restringe el viaje de sus ciudadanos —uno de los mercados más cercanos y lucrativos del hemisferio—, sino que sanciona a empresas, aerolíneas, cruceros y plataformas financieras que intenten operar con la isla. La presión llega incluso a terceros países: compañías europeas, canadienses o latinoamericanas desisten de invertir por miedo a represalias. Es un cerco invisible pero asfixiante, que se traduce en menos vuelos, menos opciones, menos divisas y menos oportunidades para millones de cubanos.

A esto se suman limitaciones bancarias y tecnológicas que en pleno siglo XXI parecen anacrónicas: los viajeros no pueden usar sus tarjetas internacionales, reservar desde plataformas globales ni acceder fácilmente a servicios digitales. El resultado es un turismo que debe competir con destinos vecinos —como República Dominicana o México— en una carrera donde uno de los participantes corre con las piernas atadas.

El impacto se siente también en el terreno: infraestructuras envejecidas, dificultades para renovar hoteles y servicios, y una dependencia cada vez mayor de mercados distantes y volátiles, como el europeo o el ruso. Y aun así, contra toda lógica, el turismo cubano sigue respirando. No por milagro, sino por resiliencia.

Porque lo que sostiene a Cuba no son los créditos ni los circuitos financieros: es la capacidad creativa de su pueblo, su cultura viva, su sentido de hospitalidad y la autenticidad que ningún resort prefabricado puede imitar.


Más que un destino: una causa compartida

Cuando muchos viajeros eligen Cuba, lo hacen movidos no solo por la belleza de su naturaleza o la calidez de su gente, sino por una simpatía profunda hacia una nación que ha aportado tanto al mundo en lo cultural, lo científico y lo humano. En tiempos difíciles, cada visitante, cada mirada curiosa, cada noche en una casa particular o un hotel local, es un acto de solidaridad y reconocimiento.

Porque más allá de los obstáculos, Cuba conserva su cultura, su gente y su luz. Y a veces, para sostener un sueño, basta con eso: con un grano de arena, con una presencia, con no mirar hacia otro lado.




La Habana . Hotel Inglaterra

Un Viaje al Corazón de la Historia Cubana: El Hotel en Activo Más Antiguo de la Isla

Hotel Inglaterra: Donde la Historia de Cuba Aún Respira

Frente al Parque Central y sobre el elegante Paseo del Prado se alza una joya que ha visto pasar tres siglos de historia: el Hotel Inglaterra, el alojamiento en activo más antiguo de Cuba y hoy Monumento Nacional.

Más que un hotel, es un viaje al corazón mismo de La Habana.


Fundado el 23 de diciembre de 1875 por el arquitecto Juan de Villamil, el Inglaterra nació de la unión del mítico café El Louvre y el Hotel Americana. Desde entonces, su fachada majestuosa y su atmósfera señorial han sido testigos de la evolución de la ciudad.


Remodelado a lo largo de los años, el hotel conserva su estilo neoclásico y su decoración sevillana original, con rejas y azulejos de 1875 que parecen susurrar historias a quienes los contemplan. Cada rincón destila autenticidad: desde las losas del portal hasta las mesas del restaurante, decoradas por artistas cubanos.

Donde la Memoria Vive

Quedarse en el Hotel Inglaterra es dormir dentro de un relato vivo. Aquí descansaron héroes como Antonio Maceo y José Martí, así como figuras universales: Rubén Darío, Sarah Bernhardt, Luis Mazzantini, Capablanca o el esgrimista Ramón Fonst.

Cada habitación y cada balcón guardan una anécdota, un eco del pasado que aún vibra entre sus paredes.



Gastronomía, Cultura y Punto de Partida para Descubrir La Habana

Su cocina, reconocida por su variedad y sabor auténtico, invita a disfrutar sin prisa, mientras desde la terraza se observa el bullicio del Prado y el ir y venir de autos antiguos.

Y lo mejor: desde este hotel legendario puedes iniciar un tour inolvidable por la ciudad, acompañado por un guía local apasionado por la historia y los secretos de La Habana. Un recorrido hecho a medida, que conecta el pasado y el presente con la calidez de quien conoce cada esquina como si fuera su casa.

En diciembre de 2025, el Hotel Inglaterra celebrará su 150 aniversario, reafirmando su título como símbolo de elegancia, memoria y cubanía. Hospedarse aquí es más que una experiencia: es formar parte de la historia de Cuba.

Humberto. Tours en la Habana. Historia, Arte, Sociedad. WhatsApp+5352646921  




martes, 21 de octubre de 2025

Havana, an invitation




✨ Discover Havana: The Radiant Soul of the Caribbean ✨

Once called “the Paris and New York of the tropics”, 1950s Havana dazzled the world with its glamorous bars, luxurious hotels, and daring architecture — all in the heart of the Caribbean.

What remains of that golden era? After half a century of silence, the city is reinventing itself — transforming nostalgia into art, and decay into character. Havana isn’t just adapting… it’s evolving.

Join Havana Connaisseur for a journey through the city’s vibrant contrasts: faded grandeur and tropical joy, melancholy and music, history and hedonism — all blending into the unmistakable Caribbean way of life.

From Plaza de Armas and La Catedral de San Cristóbal, to the buzzing Museo de la Revolución, every corner tells a story. Yet the true magic lies in the streets — in the laughter, the rhythm, and the pulse of daily life.

👣 Put on your walking shoes and feel Havana with us — not as a tourist, but as a connoisseur of its soul.



Instagram: humberto_habana

Humberto, Guide & Teacher in Havana Whatsapp +5352646921 

lunes, 25 de agosto de 2025

Why I dont make Tours in Havana for everyone

 


Being an independent guide in Cuba is no child’s play. Here it’s not just about pointing out streets, squares, and cathedrals; it’s about opening a door to the living memory of a country—its scars and its daily resilience—outside any preconceived script. And that, though some may not understand it, is not for everyone.





There are tourists who believe the city exists to serve them their whims on a silver platter: those who arrive asking about girls instead of what is truly valuable, those who want cheap bars instead of learning the story of a century-old rum, those who chase cardboard-cutout selfies and have no interest in the truth of a city that breathes between ruins and grandeur. Those, though I may need them, I often don’t accept. They are not clients, they are problems, trying to use a local just to extract information.

I want to work with another kind of traveler—the one who comes with respect and hunger to learn, not with those who confuse Cuba with a tropical theme park. My tours are for those who dare to look beyond the tourist scenery and who care about how people really live, about the history hidden in every peeling balcony, about the work of a forgotten painter or poet, about the music that beats in a courtyard.

It’s not about nationality or money. It’s about attitude. Here, the visitor is not buying a tour; they earn the privilege of entering, with a local guide, the most intimate folds of a unique and complex city.

Havana is too vast, too contradictory, too beautiful and painful to waste on tourists who only come to collect excesses. I compete with the big companies that sell bland “packages.” They may have the power, but my struggle is different: choosing carefully to whom I open the doors of this city I love.

And if you’ve read this far, with the curiosity and respect that brought you—or will bring you—to Cuba, then this tour truly is for you. For those who seek answers where others see only questions, for those who know that history does not live in museums but in the streets, and for those who discover in the architecture, the art, and the people of this island a different mirror—rebellious and luminous. To those, I gladly open my doors.


Humberto – Tours in Havana
History | Art | Society
📱 WhatsApp: +5352646921
📸 Instagram: humberto_habana


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jueves, 21 de agosto de 2025

HAVANA, A BIG MISTAKE: NOT HIRING A PRIVATE TOUR

  

The Mistake of Not Hiring a Local Guide in Cuba

Havana is a whirlwind of history, art, and life—a place that demands to be deciphered. And yet, with an arrogance as naïve as it is devastating, many tourists boast of exploring it on their own, map in hand—or worse, clutching a second-hand guidebook. It is a fatal mistake. There is no other word for it. It is a blatant disregard for the reality of the city and for the opportunities being squandered.

Cuba is not a country to be read about—it is a country to be lived, to be felt. Travel books lie by omission. They reduce a nation with a vast, complex history to a handful of monuments and attractions. They show a polished surface but refuse to dive into the soul of the city. Reality—always richer, always more colorful—hides in the cracks between their pages.

The gravest mistake is to trust the first stranger who approaches with a smile offering to “help.” Tourism in Cuba, as everywhere else, has attracted an army of opportunists, and many of them are nothing more than vultures of ignorance. They have no real knowledge. Their only aim is to drag you into a tourist trap, a restaurant for their commission, or a souvenir shop for a quick cut. They reduce the experience to a mere transaction, a robbery of your wallet, leaving the visitor with a cheap, watered-down version of what could have been.

But the worst crime of all is bias. Some approach you with a political agenda, with a tired, hate-filled narrative, selling you the image of a country that doesn’t exist. They feed you a Cuba in black and white, a caricature that bears no resemblance to reality. They ignore the complexity, the resilience of its people, the art that blossoms in the most unexpected corners. They steal from you the chance to see life in shades, to understand a society that—despite its contradictions and struggles—beats with a force no pamphlet can capture.


A Guide Is a Bridge, Not a Map

Hiring a true Cuban city guide is not a luxury. It is an investment—for your awareness and for your wallet. It ensures your money goes into the hands of an expert who has dedicated their life to understanding the history, the art, and the society of their country.

A real guide is the bridge between what you see and what you understand. They will show you places not found on the map, tell you stories absent from books, and introduce you to people you’ll never meet in hotels. A professional guide will steer you away from the opportunists’ traps and, most importantly, give you the tools to form your own opinion—an informed, nuanced, prejudice-free opinion.

So, when you come to Cuba, don’t be just another tourist. Don’t settle for the superficial. Don’t let them steal the experience from you. Invest in a guide and discover reality. It is tougher, yes—but infinitely more beautiful, more alive, and more authentic than any fantasy they could try to sell you.

Humberto. Art, Society, History. WhatsApp +5352646921

📸 Instagram: @humberto_habana




domingo, 11 de mayo de 2025

DETROIT'S FINEST STILL ROLLING / VINTAGE CAR TOURS

 Time Travel on Wheels: Why 50,000 1950s Classics Are Still Roaming Cuba's Streets


Beyond Nostalgia: Cuba's Classic Cars – A Rolling Masterpiece Transporting You to the Heart of the 50s


Havana: The Only Open-Air Museum Where 1950s Cadillacs and Chevrolets Star in an Unforgettable Show


Can you imagine the state that your current car will be in 2061, much less whether it will still be driveable? It is estimated that there are at least 50,000 museum pieces still rolling around Cuba's streets, often in use as taxis. Set against the beautiful and crumbling facades of Old Havana, the effect of these chromebedecked classics is to transport the onlooker back to the 1950s and gives one the sensation of having walked onto a film set.

For car enthusiasts, the best background against which to photograph these machines, other than the classic Malecón shot, is the Capitolio Building, which was point zero for measuring distances by road from Havana.

Throughout the course of the 1950's, tail fins of Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet and Dodge grew and grew as if infused with a desire to sit resplendent on a jet fighter rather than drive to the nearest convenience store. By 1958-9, they had collapsed altogether into huge eyebrows in what now seems like canny stylistic preparation for the swinging 60's.



Whilst Chevrolets outsold other models, including the enormous Cadillac, in pre-Revolutionary Cuba the latter have actually lasted better and are probably more common today. In the 1950's, Cuba was in fact the top world export market for Cadillacs, with one of the highest ownership ratios per head anywhere in the world. Given the general Mafia involvement in the island and corrupt nature of Batista's political apparatus, this is perhaps unsurprising.

A marketing mistake that could perhaps have foretold some of today's woes was the Ford Edsel which, while conceived in the 1954 boom, was only launched in 1957 by which time America was in the midst of a recession. The Edsel was designed as a new mid-price brand, which would enable Ford better to compete with General Motors. Unfortunately for Ford the public did not want, or was not ready for, another relatively expensive car, especially one of dubious style and substance. Sales only just breached 100,000 (the annual target) in the entire life of the car before the line was dropped with Ford suffering a serious US$ 250 million loss onthe project.

The unique radiator design, (called the" horse-collar" at the time) is pure Freud on steroids, perhaps appropriately so since there are a number of these beauties now in use as wedding cars in Havana.

In the early 1990's, in the midst of the special period, some of these cars were taken out of Cuba and have reportedly been sold, once restored, for astronomical prices. Due to regulatory changes, the export of these cars is now impossible, and the cars themselves seem determined never to give up roaring majestically through Havana's streets.

HUMBERTO LINARES

INSTAGRAM: humberto_habana

Whatssap & Telegram: +53 5264692

email: cubamigos@yahoo.es , cubangel@gmail.com

CUBA, error imperdonable de visitar HABANA sin un guía
https://cubatravelhelp.blogspot.com/

EL MEDICO DE NAPOLEON EN CUBA
https://cubatravelhelp.blogspot.com/

LORCA EN LA HABANA. Sorpresas con un guía local.
https://cubatravelhelp.blogspot.com/

Hemingway en Cuba: la isla que escribió su leyenda
https://cubatravelhelp.blogspot.com/

Vedado Area in Havana, a secret
https://cubatravelhelp.blogspot.com/2025/07/vedado-in-havana-secret.html

Havana Awaits You! Discover the Vibrant Heart of Cuba
https://cubatravelhelp.blogspot.com/2025/06/havana-awaits-you-discover-vibrant.html

CUBAMIGOS: A DIFFERENT WAY OF HAVING VACATION, MAKING FRIENDS
https://cubatravelhelp.blogspot.com/2025/03/cubamigos-different-way-of-having.html

CUBAMIGOS, UNA FORMA DIFERENTE DE VACACIONAR
https://cubatravelhelp.blogspot.com/2024/10/cubamigos-uba-forma-diferente-de.html

Mansion Habana / Mansion Havana
https://cubatravelhelp.blogspot.com/2016/05/mansion-habana-mansion-havana.html

CUBA BEFORE INTERNET 

https://iamcuban.blogspot.com/2022/02/internet-short-wave.html

COLONIAL HOUSE FOR RENT IN HAVANA

https://cubatravelhelp.blogspot.com/2016/05/colonial-vedado-en-cuba-holiday-rental.html

CUBA VACATION IN A DIFFERENT WAY

https://cubatravelhelp.blogspot.com/2016/08/cuba-vacations-in-different-way.html

HAVANA LOCAL GUIDE

https://cubatravelhelp.blogspot.com/2016/10/i-guide.html

jueves, 6 de marzo de 2025

My City Tours. HUmberto in Havana

Havana's Whispering Streets: Uncover the City's Soul Beyond the Postcard with an Unbiased Local Guide


Beyond the Surface: Experience the True Havana, Where Every Cobblestone and Corner Tells a Story Only a Local Can Share


Unlock Havana's Magic: Join a Journey Through History, Culture, and Authentic Cuban Reality with an Expert Eye

Breathe in the magic of a city that gently awakens under the first rays of sunlight. The cobblestone streets, bathed in a soft, golden light, seem to whisper tales of yesteryear. Among the narrow, character-filled buildings, History seeps through.

This corner feels like it’s been plucked from a romantic dream, where every step is an invitation to uncover secrets hidden between shadows and light.

Join me on a journey through streets like these, where every corner has a story to tell. Together, we’ll explore the essence of the city, capturing moments that will be etched in your memory forever. Are you ready to live this unique experience?

When giving a city tour in Havana I am providing an unbiased explanation that can be a great experience and a great opportunity for a better understanding of the Cuban reality and its contributions at all levels. Here are some things you can have during  city tour:

    A research of the history and culture of Cuba and a better  understanding of  them, providing valuable context for giving an unbiased city tour. This could include suggestions of books, films, pieces of art, documentaries, etc/

  It is important to avoid making assumptions or generalizations about Cuba and its people. Instead I always focus on providing factual information and letting visitors form their own opinions.

    When talking about controversial topics, such as politics or social issues, it is important for me to provide a variety of perspectives. This could include sharing different viewpoints from locals to experts, and visitors.

  When giving a city tour in Cuba, it is important to be respectful and sensitive to the country's history and culture. For those like myself who really love Cuba we usually avoid making negative comments  and be mindful for the visitors's side of the impact that their words may have on others.

Finally , receiving a good city tour in Cuba can be a rewarding experience that allows visitors to gain a better understanding of the country and its contributions. By providing factual information and a variety of perspectives, visitors can form their own opinions and gain a more nuanced understanding of the Cuban reality.

Booking and questions:

HUmberto. Local Guide and teacher in Havana.

Information and booking: whatssap +5352646921

photos on instagram: humberto_habana



jueves, 20 de febrero de 2025

CUBA, best season for visiting







The best time to visit Cuba is during the dry season, which typically spans from late November until mid-April. During this period, you can enjoy pleasant temperatures ranging between 26°C and 30°C with minimal rainfall of approximately 45–80 millimeters.

Cuba is charming all year round, but during winter months, the Caribbean climate is ideal, featuring sunshine, warm temperatures, and fewer storms. So, if you're planning a trip to this beautiful island, be prepared to savor its charm under the sun! ☀️🌴Humberto Guía & Master in Havana
WhatsApp: +5352646921Instagram: humberto_habana


lunes, 27 de enero de 2025

APARTMENT IN OLD HAVANA. CUBA 60

Old Havana Dream: Live the Magic in a Bay-View Apartment Steps from Every Iconic Sight


Your Authentic Havana Escape: Comfort, History, and Breathtaking Views Await in the Heart of the Old City


Wake Up to History: Experience Unforgettable Old Havana from a Seaview Apartment with All the Comforts





Live an unforgettable experience in the heart of magical Old Havana. 


This lovely and comfortable apartment enjoys a privileged location steps away from the entrance to the Bay and main attractions, restaurants, museums, dance halls. 

From its ample windows, delight in the wonderful views and enjoy the natural Caribbean sea breeze. 

Each of the rooms has air conditioning and a private bathroom for your maximum comfort. And to make your stay truly enjoyable, we offer daily cleaning while you go out to discover the corners of this fascinating city, as well as high quality linens.

 Don't miss the opportunity to stay in an excellent apartment in Old Havana.

 Contact us and make your vacation in HAVANA an unforgettable experience

INFORMATION & bookings: WhatsApp +5352646921


INSTAGRAM: CUBAMIGOS

MORE:
APARTMENT GOOD SAMARIAN:


jueves, 3 de octubre de 2024

SPARTA & CUBA

 “Sparta & Cuba: Two Small Nations, One Enduring Spirit”

“Across Centuries, a Shared Strength: The Spartan and Cuban Models of Resilience”


Both Sparta and Cuba have demonstrated a remarkable capacity for resilience and perseverance in the face of significant challenges and pressure from larger powers. There are some characteristics that help to understand what many try not to see.

Sparta was known for its highly militarized society. The Spartans were famous for their endurance and willingness to sacrifice for their city-state. Life in Sparta was austere and focused on self-sufficiency. The Spartans valued simplicity and physical and mental strength.

Cuba has faced decades of economic embargo and political pressure, especially from the United States. Despite this, it has maintained its sovereignty and developed internationally recognized health and education systems. Like the Spartans, Cubans have shown a strong spirit of sacrifice and resilience. The Cuban Revolution is an example of how a relatively small group was able to challenge and overthrow a regime supported by a foreign power. Life in Cuba has required a great deal of creativity and self-sufficiency due to economic and all kinds of limitations. Cubans have learned to do a lot with little, developing ingenious solutions to overcome daily difficulties.

Similarities: Both Sparta and Cuba have resisted the influence and pressure of larger powers, maintaining their identity and autonomy. Both societies value personal sacrifice for the common good and have demonstrated remarkable bravery in times of crisis. Austerity and self-sufficiency are shared characteristics, with a focus on inner strength and the ability to overcome adversity with limited resources.

Key Differences:

While Sparta focused on military training and warfare, Cuba has placed a strong emphasis on education and public health. The Cuban Revolution led to a series of social reforms that prioritized civil welfare over military.

Sparta existed in a context of constantly warring Greek city-states, while Cuba has navigated the complexities of modern global politics, especially during the Cold War, and today resisting even the classification as a state that promotes or supports terrorism, with all that this implies.

Legacy and Culture:

The legacy of Sparta lies in its culture of discipline and sacrifice, which has been immortalized in literature and film. The phrase “Return with your shield or on it” remains a symbol of bravery and loyalty. The legacy of Cuba is reflected in its cultural resilience and its ability to maintain its identity despite external pressures. Cuban music, art, and literature are recognized worldwide and celebrate the resilience and creativity of the Cuban people. Both societies, although separated by millennia and very different contexts, share an admirable capacity for resilience and a strong sense of identity. Sparta and Cuba have shown that determination and sacrifice can enable a small nation to resist the influence of greater powers and maintain its autonomy and culture.

HUMBERTO. GUIDE AND TEACHER IN HAVANA

WHATSAPP +5352646921

instagram: humberto_habana

HABANA ESTARTA 1 : http://habana-havana.blogspot.com/2015/11/habana-esparta.html

EMIGRAR: https://habana-havana.blogspot.com/2024/01/emigrar.html

viernes, 23 de agosto de 2024

CUBA BEACH EXPERIENCES

Wake Up to Waves: The Magic of Renting a Beach House in Cuba

Escape the Crowds, Find Your Peace: Cuba’s Hidden Beach House Gems

Feel at Home in Paradise: Your Private Cuban Beach Retreat Awaits



The Advantages of Renting Beach Houses in Cuba: A Paradise of Comfort and Peace

Cuba, with its white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, is a dream destination for any sun and sea lover. If you're planning a vacation in this beautiful country, especially near Havana, renting a beach house can offer you a unique and enriching experience. Here are the advantages of choosing a beach house instead of a hotel.

Personalized Comfort

Renting a beach house gives you the comfort of a home away from home. You can enjoy spacious and private areas, with all the facilities you need for a comfortable stay. From fully equipped kitchens to terraces with sea views, rental houses offer flexibility that hotels can't match. Additionally, you can organize your day at your own pace, without the time restrictions of hotels.



Peace and Tranquility

One of the biggest advantages of renting a beach house is the peace and tranquility it offers. Away from the hustle and bustle of large hotels, you can relax in a serene environment, hearing only the sound of the waves. Beaches near Havana, such as Santa María del Mar and Guanabo, are perfect for enjoying moments of calm and reflection. This relaxed atmosphere is ideal for disconnecting from daily stress and recharging your energy.



White Sand Beaches

Cuba's white sand beaches are world-famous, and renting a beach house allows you to enjoy them to the fullest. Imagine waking up every morning to the view of the Caribbean Sea and having direct access to the beach. You can spend the day sunbathing, swimming in crystal-clear waters, or exploring marine life with snorkeling. This privileged access to the beach is one of the greatest advantages of renting a house instead of staying in a hotel.

Safety in Cuba

Cuba is known for being a safe destination without violence, making it an ideal option for a peaceful vacation. Renting a beach house allows you to enjoy this safety in a private and controlled environment. Many rental houses have additional security measures, such as guards and alarm systems, to ensure your peace of mind throughout your stay.



Conclusion

Renting a beach house in Cuba, especially near Havana, offers an incomparable vacation experience. The personalized comfort, peace and tranquility, direct access to white sand beaches, and the safety of the destination make this option a perfect choice for those seeking a relaxing and memorable vacation. So the next time you plan a trip to Cuba, consider renting a beach house and enjoy everything this Caribbean paradise has to offer.

BRIZAS DEL MAR. HAVANA


More artícles:


HUMBERTO. GUIDE & TEACHER IN HAVANA. ARTS, HISTORY. SOCIETY

WHATSSAP +5352646921

domingo, 16 de junio de 2024

48 HORAS EN LA HABANA



Nadie podría haber inventado La Habana. Es la contradicción hecha ciudad, es una belleza dilapidada, una apuesta audaz, el equivalente a encogerse de hombros y decir “al menos lo intentamos”. La capital cubana es demasiado complicada, exageradamente decadente y extremadamente fascinante como para que haya sido a propósito. La Habana no se planea, se aprovecha; no se cuestiona, se agradece.

 

La Habana no se comprende en un día… Pero 48 horas son un buen comienzo para empezar a caer bajo su hechizo. Déjate seducir. 

SÁBADO

09H00. Amanece con el batiburrillo incesante de La Habana Vieja: este es el centro turístico y vital de La Habana, el comienzo y final de todo viaje a la capital cubana (en parte porque es posible que te hospedes aquí). 

Deja el mapa en la habitación y que sea el azar el que te guíe por las calles despellejadas, pero electrizantes, e inunde tus sentidos: el olor a cigarro habano acecha en cada esquina, el olor del mar Caribe que se esconde cerca, el sonido de la música en vivo que empapa la ciudad desde horas tempranas de la mañana. 

La Habana Vieja es el espíritu cubano encapsulado, la forma ideal de prepararte para la aventura que serán los dos días siguientes.

 

11H30. Sigue caminando hacia La Habana Central, donde puedes darte unos minutos admirando el Capitolio Nacional antes de dirigirte hacia el Parque Central por el Paseo de José Martí. 

Después de un café rápido en el Café Louvre del legendario 
Hotel Inglaterra, es momento de escoger museo. ¿Bellas Artes, ala cubana? ¿Bellas Artes, ala internacional? ¿Museo de la Revolución? 

Si prefieres las artes escénicas, la Escuela Nacional de Ballet también está aquí cerca. Con un poco de suerte, llegarás a tiempo para pillar una representación (o al menos las entradas para la función de esa noche). Sino puedes intentar colarte y espiar un ensayo: merece la pena.

 

13H00. Cuando el hambre ya apremie, no lo dudes y lánzate a por un festín tradicional cubano en uno de los paladares (comedores típicos)
Después de comer, aprovecha y échale un ojo a las exposiciones del 
Taller Experimental de Gráfica, donde puedes ver a artistas contemporáneos en acción e, incluso, ejercer de mecenas comprando arte cubano original.

 

 

18H00. Aprovecha la tarde para replicar los pasos de uno de los hijos adoptivos más admirados de La Habana. El escritor estadounidense Ernest Hemingway fue un enamorado confeso de Cuba en general y de su capital en particular, llegando a hacer de La Habana su hogar y su espacio sagrado. 

La Habana Vieja fue su barrio preferido, donde vivió durante una temporada en el 
Hotel Ambos Mundos. En la habitación 511 fue donde se le ocurrió el argumento de Por quién doblan las campanas y se rumorea que los huéspedes que se alojan en el hotel sueñan con personajes de Hemingway. 

Con lo que ganó por la novela el escritor construyó la Finca la Vigía, que convirtió en su dirección permanente en La Habana. Hoy en día la Finca está abierta al público y se puede visitar, pero al estar a 15 kilómetros al sur de la ciudad, mejor nos la apuntamos como (una) razón para volver.

 

20H00. Termina tu primer día en La Habana como Hemingway solía hacerlo: en el bar-restaurante El Floridita, el afamado lugar de nacimiento del daiquiri. Tómate uno (o varios, el Papa Hemingway es un clásico), y acompáñalo de unos camarones enchilados. Ya es oficial: bienvenido a La Habana.

 

DOMINGO

09H00. En tu segunda jornada habanera, súbete en un cocotaxi y dirígete al Vedado. Si Habana Vieja es el lado poético de la capital cubana, el Vedado es su cara revolucionaria.

Empieza el recorrido en la Plaza de la Revolución, escenario impasible de muchos de los discursos de Fidel Castro. Aquí te recibirá la mirada atenta del Che Guevara y de Camilo Cienfuegos, compañeros inseparables de Fidel, inmortalizados en dos esculturas de hierro que cubren las fachadas de los Ministerios del Interior y de Comunicaciones. También aquí puedes visitar el Monumento a José Martí y coger fuerzas para la caminata que te espera.

 

11H00. Desde la plaza, empieza a caminar hacia cualquiera de los putos cardinales, aunque yo aconsejo la Avenida Paseo o ir hcia la Avenida de Carlos III, para un paseo arbolado por el barrio. El Vedado es un barrio residencial como muchos otros, sí, pero con la diferencia de que está en Cuba, y en él se reúnen las dificultades y la resistencia que hacen único a este país. 

13H30. . Regresa sobre tus pasos hacia la calle 23, donde hay una buena selección de paladares y restaurantes para acogerte con los brazos abiertos. El 
Paladar Mesón Sancho Panza es una buena opción para un buen plato de ropa vieja y una TuKola. Si buscas algo diferente, dirígete a Topoly, el primer restaurante iraní de La Habana te ofrece brochetas de cordero y baba ganoush.

 

15H30. Y después de comer, el postre: la heladería Coppelia es uno de los rincones más dulces de La Habana y bien merece la (posiblemente) larga espera para hacerse con una copa de los sabores del día. Si la cola te desanima, no desesperes: aquí comenzó la historia de amor de Fresa y Chocolate… Nunca se sabe.

17H00. Sal de vuelta a la Avenida 23 y déjate guiar por el brillo del Caribe: al final de la calle está el mar  y, junto a él, el Malecón. Recorrer este paseo marítimo de ocho kilómetros es actividad obligada en La Habana y una experiencia que no te puedes perder. 

El Malecón es punto de encuentro de músicos, amantes, pescadores, filósofos y artistas de la melancolía que miran más allá del mar Caribe hacia Florida, que se esconde tras el horizonte. El Malecón es una obra costumbrista real, un “cabaré de pobres” en el que ver y una oportunidad única para contemplar la vida cubana desarrollarse ante tus ojos en el teatro al aire libre más auténtico de la isla.
 

19H00. El Malecón se termina justo en el embarcadero, donde podrás tomar un ferry hacia tu próximo destino: la otra orilla. Al otro lado de la bahía está el Parque Histórico Militar Morro-Cabaña, que, además de ofrecer unas vistas panorámicas inmejorables de La Habana, oculta el Castillo de los Tres Magos Reyes del Morro y la Fortaleza de San Carlos en La Cabaña, en un mausoleo de tiempos inmemoriales de batallas por la soberanía de la isla entre España e Inglaterra.

Merece la pena dedicar un par de horas a este extremo de La Habana, sobre todo porque cada día a las 21H00 se celebra la ceremonia del cañonazo, en la que actores vestidos con el antiguo uniforme militar recrean el disparo de un cañón sobre el puerto. 



 

22H30. Despídete de La Habana como la saludaste: con buen ambiente y una generosa copa de ron Havana. La Bodeguita del Medio te recibirá con una sonrisa y un buen mojito. ¿Buscas algo más alternativo y menos transitado? El Chanchullero en la calle Brasil, se enorgullece de que “aquí jamás estuvo Hemingway” en las camisetas de los camareros, y es uno de los locales más frecuentados por los vecinos. Únete para una cerveza Bucanero, y déjate convencer para volver… si es que no lo estabas ya. La Habana es así: te cala la piel, y ya no te deja ir.

GUIA LOCAL EN LA HABANA

HUMBERTO

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HAVANA LOCAL GUIDE

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HAVANA INDEPENDENT APARTMENT FOR RENT

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