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This year the holidays look very different for a lot of us. Many of us will not be able to celebrate with our families or friends like we typically do. To help bring some holiday cheer to those who cannot celebrate the way they are used to, I’ve found the top 5 spots in Louisville to see Christmas lights for FREE.
For those families whose children are sad because they can’t see their grandparents or friends who have no one to celebrate with but want to feel some holiday cheer, here is a list of places you can see from your car that will help brighten your spirits. Tonight, on Christmas Eve, if you need some Christmas magic to make it through these next few days, look at the lights and remember, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
This list is my gift to all of my followers and a way to say Merry Christmas from me to you.
1. 1249 S Clay St, Louisville, KY 40203
By far, my favorite is Clay St. Christmas. It is created by a local DJ who puts on a fantastic light show with music. It is free to watch, but donations are appreciated. You can donate via Venmo. Christmas Eve & Christmas Day show times are 6 PM-11 PM, Saturday 6 PM- 10 PM, and Sunday 6 PM- 8 PM.
2. Ashfield Lane, Louisville, KY 40220 off of Lowe Road.
There is no specific address for this one because the ENTIRE neighborhood is lit up. Each house is decorated, and three houses stand out. One has it’s one light and music show, and another had a very special guest- SANTA! That’s right, the big man himself made an appearance, and the little girl inside me screamed louder than Will Ferrel in the Elf, “SANTAAAA!” My favorite is the one with the music and light show because I’m a sucker for music, but all of them did an amazing job.
3. 8711 Brittany Drive, Louisville, KY 40220.
A hidden gem in Stoneybrook and a real spectacle. The decorations are in memory of Brian Humpich, who passed away from cancer. They ask for donations to Kids Cancer Alliance (KCA) if you enjoy the lights. Some of the items that you can donate are markers/crayons, coloring books, playing cards, small puzzles, play dough, etc. or you can make a monetary donation to https://www.kidscanceralliance.org/
4. 2804 Cleveland Ave, Louisville, KY 40206.
Like the house off of Brittany Drive, this house is over the top with Christmas decorations. There is no way to miss it while driving down Cleveland. It gives off enough light that I’m pretty sure NASA can see it from space. There is a church parking lot in front of the house where you can park to take a picture.
5. Chestnut Ridge Circle, Louisville, KY 40245 (Lake Forest neighborhood.)
Growing up, Lake Forest was known to have some of the best Christmas lights to see from your car. They even had reindeer at one point. This year Lake Forest isn’t as decorated as years past, but one house specifically decided to show up for the entire neighborhood. When you drive into the Lake Forest neighborhood from the Old Henry exit, you will take the second left, and the house will be on your right. You cannot miss it. Tune in to 92.5 FM to hear the music with the lights show.
An excellent way to avoid the hustle and bustle of city life is by spending time in nature. One of the popular ways to do this in Bali is by visiting a rice paddy. The most popular being Tegallalang in Ubud is the one featured in my photo. If you are interested in a total chill moment, I would suggest visiting a different one. Teglalang is beautiful and is the most popular, and it means that it is packed with tourists. It’s a must-see while in Bali. Now you know where all of the photos of rice paddies on your Instagram feed are coming from.
To book a tour to the rice paddy and other places of interest in Bali check out Adpada Bali Tours by clicking here: https://www.adpadabalitrans.com/
2. Try the world’s most expensive coffee.
I sh*t you not, (pun intended) the world’s most expensive coffee comes from Bali, Indonesia, and more specifically, it comes out of an animal’s feces. That’s right. An animal called a civet eats coffee cherries and digests them, and once they poop them out, they are cleaned and turned into coffee.
I love coffee, and I figure, I’ve tried some weird things in my lifetime, so why not? Kopi Luwak coffee doesn’t taste awful, but I also don’t think it is worth the price that it is sold worldwide, which is about $600 per pound. In other words, I’m not a huge fan.
The other part is that there has been such a high demand for this coffee worldwide that now the animals are put in caged and force-fed coffee cherries to mass-produce the highly sought out coffee. I tried it at a local farm that doesn’t produce on the mass scale and doesn’t force-feed their civets, nor do they partake in things such as animal cruelty. The truth is most people don’t know about the process involved; they hear “World’s Most Expensive coffee” and try it without knowing the backstory.
I’m not blaming anyone. No one randomly googles searches “World’s most expensive coffee” unless they are in the industry or a coffee connoisseur. However, I am a wildlife advocate and want to save our natural resources, so I feel compelled to inform my readers.
One of the popular things to do while in Bali is to visit a monkey forest. The main one on the island is the Ubud Monkey Forest.
Before visiting any Monkey Forest in Bali, you should know a few things;
They are used to tourists, and therefore they will approach you. Do not make a big scene like running, jumping, or screaming. It will scare them and quite possibly make them aggressive towards you.
They will steal your glasses, cell phones, hats, wallets, jewelry, etc. If you don’t want to lose something, put it in your backpack.
Because they are used to tourists, they expect food. Make sure you have plenty of nuts to feed them because they will get aggressive.
Monkeys in the Monkey Forests are known to do things like bite and throw sh*t at people. These things usually happen when tourists have not brought enough food or have started screaming or scaring them.
You are in their habitat. Respect them and do not try to hurt them. Remain calm and remember, it’s their territory, not yours.
My biggest suggestion is to not go to the popular Monkey Forest and go to a small one. Why? The monkeys are not nearly as aggressive, and they don’t focus on tourists. They prefer to keep their distance.I went to the Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest, which is much smaller, and as you can see, one of the monkeys approached me, and it went smoothly.
It’s an exciting experience. The monkeys are not in cages or mistreated by locals, but anytime any animals are involved with tourism, it is best to do your research and know how the animals are being cared for.
4. Visit a Hindu Temple
One thing that is abundant in Bali are Hindu temples. You can find them all over the island and you do not have to go far to find them. The Hindu temples are not only a representation of the Hindu religion which is the most prevalent religion on the island, but it is also a staple part of Balinese culture.
While I traveled around Bali with a new friend that I made who happened to be a local. I asked why I kept seeing people with baskets filled with fruit, flowers, and even money. He explained to me that part of Balinese Hindus traditions is to make a daily offering. If they cannot reach a temple, they will take their offering to one of the many small shrines spread throughout the cities and towns.
My new friend told me that if I wanted to make an offering, I could do so. He went with me to buy what I needed to take it to one of the local temples.
Honestly, it was a unique experience. I guess people will jump and say I tried to recreate an Eat, Pray, Love moment, but I’ve always been spiritual. I like to participate in a country’s culture actively, so for me, it was more about the experience than religion.
5. Visit Nusa Pineda
Nusa Pineda isn’t part of Bali, it is actually a separate island but if you are already in Bali then I highly suggest making the trip to Nusa Pineda. Why? Well, apart from being the second most popular spot for photos for the gram in Indonesia is Nusa Pineda just look at the views.
This small island is a short ferry ride from Bali, and although many tourists visit, it doesn’t feel overcrowded or packed at all. I suggest booking a tour guide or someone to show you around since getting around the island will be tough without a vehicle or motorcycle.
My guide while I was on the island was Tony who can be found on Instagram by clicking https://www.instagram.com/tonygila420/, highly recommend Tony. He is super down to Earth and laid back. He’s also extremely knowledgeable about Nusa Pineda and Indonesia in general.
A fun fact about the island is that Indonesians believe that the island is where evil spirits/black magic resides. Don’t let that scare you, though. Balinese believe that both good and bad must exist to create balance. Indonesian’s aren’t afraid of visiting the island, nor should you be. The island isn’t scary, and you feel like you are in paradise while you are there.
I love small islands because there is an immediate relaxing feeling when you arrive. Less traffic, less noise, fewer worries. I think 2020 has made everyone want to stay on an island for at least a month, and what better location than Nusa Penida?
If Bali wasn’t already on your bucket list then I hope after this list of things to do while in Bali has convinced you to add it. Below are more photos from my trip to Bali that I did not include on Instagram.
Stayed tuned for next weeks post where our virtual journey takes us to Thailand!
The third stop on our virtual tour is in my favorite Australian city, Cairns. Yes, Cairns beats Sydney in my book. I know, call me crazy, but there is a good reason why I fell in love with Cairns immediately. First and foremost, the climate. Cairns has a very tropical climate and anywhere with a tropical setting automatically wins a place in my heart. What can I say? I am a sucker for humidity, rainforests, palm trees, beaches, and the sun roasting my skin. Apart from the climate, Cairns is one of the most inviting places in Australia. What do I mean by inviting? The locals are your classic laidback, surfer, “carpe diem” type of crowd, which makes you feel like anything goes, which for the most part it does. The following are my top three things to do while visiting Cairns.
1. Visit the Great Barrier Reef
First ever Scuba Diving experience in the Great Barrier Reef.
The first item on my to-do list is the most obvious of all. If you travel all the way to Queensland how are you going to skip on seeing the world’s largest reef system? There are many different ways to visit the reef, one of them being scuba diving and snorkeling. My very first scuba diving experience was in the Great Barrier Reef. I am a swimmer and have been snorkeling plenty of times before but I had never truly experienced the beauty below the surface until I went scuba diving. I loved it so much that I became a certified diver and have been on countless scuba excursions since then.
When I went I used the company Tusa Dive for my introductory scuba experience. They provide both scuba and snorkel excursions. If you prefer not to scuba dive but are comfortable with snorkeling and want to get up close and personal with the reef then definitely check them out.
For more information on Tusa Dive company and their pricing check out their website here: https://www.tusadive.com/
2. Visit Cape Tribulation
In the name of transparency, I will admit that I had never heard of Cape Tribulation. When I was planning my trip I did what everyone does- I googled places to see in Cairns. One of the areas that continuously popped up was Cape Tribulation. After looking at photos of Cape Tribulation, I decided I had to see it. Port Douglas is about an hour drive from Cairns and apart from it being a beautiful beach, it is also part of the Great Barrier Reef so for those who do not want to adventure into snorkeling or scuba diving this is another excellent option to see the reef without even getting your feet wet! Why is Cape Tribulation on my list? Port Douglas and 4-mile beach are gorgeous beaches that are surrounded by a beautiful, green, and lush rainforest, which brings me to my third thing to do while in Cairns.
3. Visit the Daintree Rainforest
Daintree Rainforest Lookout.
When looking for ways to visit Cape Tribulation, I came across a tour that takes you to Port Douglas, 4-mile beach, and Daintree Rainforest on the same day. I am so glad that I opted for this tour because I feel like I got my money’s worth times ten. First of all, for those who do not know (like I didn’t), the Daintree Rainforest is the oldest continually surviving rainforest in the world. It may not be the biggest (the Amazon) but it is the oldest. While walking through the rainforest I felt like I was in Jurassic Park. The views felt like they were from another world. I could have spent an entire week in the rainforest alone.
The other reason why I feel like booking this tour was the best is because the tour guide that I had was incredible. Extraordinarily informative but also had a very approachable and laid back personality. Basically, he knew his facts but knew how to laugh when people told jokes. The tour company’s name is Uncle Brian’s, and I will 100% book another tour with them when I return to Cairns.
The Great Barrier Reef, Cape Tribulation, and the Daintree Rainforest are the best things to do while in Cairns and are each something I will recommend to anyone that is planning a visit to Cairns. You seriously cannot go wrong with any of these, and I can almost guarantee that you will wish that you would have spent more time in Cairns after your visit. Please don’t take my word for it though, get out there and explore Cairns for yourself!
Your virtual tour guide,
Janel
Interested in checking out more posts on Australia?
If you have been following my virtual journey on Instagram, you know the second city we visited in Australia is Adelaide. Adelaida is in South Australia, and if you are like me, you probably have never heard of it until now. I’m going to be fully transparent and admit that I had never heard of Adelaide, Australia until one of my close friends moved from the U.S. to Adelaide. I knew nothing about Adelaide except that she lived there.
Since I had a friend living there and I knew that I would be staying with her, I left the planning up to her to show me around her new town. I’m glad I decided to let her take over the planning because she showed me some excellent spots that I highly recommend to anyone visiting Adelaide. The following is my list of recommendations for activities to do while visiting Adelaide.
1. Jacob’s Creek Winery
While in Adelaide, I quickly learned that it is Australia’s wine capital. Immediately, it earned a place in my heart. I love a good glass of vino, what can I say? Knowing my undeniable love for good wine, my friend took me to a popular winery called Jacob’s Creek. Jacob’s Creek is a must-see while in Adelaide. The landscape of the Barossa Wine Valley is stunning, as you can see in the picture, and it makes me wonder why more people don’t mention Adelaide considering just how gorgeous it is. As for the wine, I bought a wine flight because if I’m going to spend the day at a beautiful winery and not try them all, what was the point? I savored each glass to the very last drop and enjoyed the views of the vineyard. If you live in the U.S. and you would like to try Jacob’s Creek before flying to Adelaide, you can buy it here, but I will say that there is something extra special about having a glass of their wine on their gorgeous vineyard. They offer tours around their vineyard, and their tasting room has lovely views of the vineyard.
Time to take a break from city life and bask in nature. It wouldn’t be a trip to Australia if there wasn’t a koala involved. Am I right? Let’s be honest, most of us learned about the animals of Australia thanks to Steve Irwin, and while everyone else can enjoy the array of poisonous snakes, spiders, and great white sharks that are plenty, I prefer the cuter, friendlier furry friends. Gorge’s Wildlife Park allows you to get up close and personal with several of the animals. While visiting, I was able to hold a koala. They smell like eucalyptus and love. Ok, just eucalyptus, but I loved being able to hold one in my own arms. I mean, how often are we able to be so up close and personal with nature?
Apart from koal-ity time, I was able to hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies as well. Kangaroos and wallabies are hopping around everywhere at the park, and some of them even have babies in their pouches. One even held my hand while I fed it. It’s another experience that I highly recommend while in Adelaide or Australia in general. You can feed the kangaroos and watch them play with each other. Make sure that you provide them with the food at the Wildlife Park and not something else.
To find out more information about Gorge’s Wildlife Park and to plan your visit, check out their website here: https://gorgewildlifepark.com.au/
3. Morialta Conservation Park
If you love wildlife and nature and prefer not to visit a wildlife park but see the natural habitat, I highly suggest visiting Morialta Conservation Park. The trails provide Adelaide’s stunning views, including a waterfall, mountainous lookout, and even koalas freely roaming and climbing trees. Being someone who likes to walk at my local park a lot, my mouth dropped when I saw koala’s just hanging out in the trees above me. It was a very unique experience and one that I probably wouldn’t have had if it weren’t for my friend taking me there.
My beautiful friend and I finally reunited.
4. Mount Lofty Summit
If you want some insane views of Adelaide, then head to Mount Lofty Summit. It is found in Cleland Conservation Park, and even though it was cloudy when I visited, the views were still impressive. I’m an outdoor enthusiast, and anything that involves mountains, greenery, and views, I’m there.
The stunning views at Mt. Lofty.
5. The Beach
It wouldn’t be a visit to Australia without visiting the beach, now would it? Adelaide has a gorgeous coastline and a boardwalk in Glenelg, filled with tons of cute shops and places to grab a bite to eat. While I visited, it was too cold for me to go in the water because I was there at the end of their winter. Hence the jacket and jeans at the beach.
I never imagined I would be wearing jeans and a jacket to the beach.
I highly recommend anyone visiting Australia to make the trip to Adelaide because it is a nice and refreshing slowing down of pace from the busier cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. I hope you have enjoyed my top 5 things to do while visiting Adelaide and if you get the chance to go, let me know if you added any of these to your itinerary.
One of the most popular destinations in Panamá is a small mountainous town of Boquete. Located about 7 hours away from Panama City (the capital) and roughly an hour away from Costa Rica, it makes for a perfect escape from city life and an opportunity to reconnect with nature. Some people refer to Boquete as the “Switzerland of Panamá,” and when you look at photos of the landscape, you can tell why people would give it this nickname. It is surrounded by mountains, a river that runs through the main town, and a luscious land that produces some of the world’s best coffee.
Not only is it a popular tourist destination, but it is also a hub for ex-pats. The reason being is that the climate is much more refreshing than the rest of the country. Although it does rain frequently, Boquete has a milder temperature as in 60 – 70 degrees Fahrenheit or about 15-22 degrees Celcius. The climate, in particular, appeals to ex-pats who look to not sweat to death in the tropics and a way to escape the crazy city life in the capital. Boquete is a win-win situation not only for tourists and ex-pats, but it is also an ideal getaway from Panamanians. Boquete is located about 7 hours away from the capital and is easily accessed via car or public transport (bus).
On my recent trip to Panamá, I was able to return to one of my favorite places, Boquete, and take in all of the waterfalls, nature trails, hummingbird and butterfly sightings, and delicious coffee that this beautiful town has to offer. Here are my suggestions on how to get there, where to stay and where to eat while visiting Boquete.
How to get to Boquete
Option #1- Take a bus from the city to David, Chiriquí.
The first option and the most economical is by bus. Buses leave the city from the Albrook Terminal. The regular bus takes around 8 hours because of the many stops it makes on the way, and it costs $15. The express bus leaves at night and arrives at David, the capital of the Chiriquí province, where Boquete is located at around 6 a.m. It takes 6 hours and costs $18. Personally, I prefer the express option. From David, you will have to take another bus to arrive at Boquete. It costs $1.50 and takes about 40 minutes. The schedule changes, so you must check once you arrive at the bus terminal in David.
Option #2- Fly from Panama City (Ciudad de Panamá) to David, Chiriquí.
Air Panama and Copa Airlines provide daily flights from the capital to David. They average around $180 round trip. It is the most expensive option but also the quickest. The flight takes around one hour from Panama City to David and the airport that you will use depends on who you decide to fly with. Copa leaves from Tocumen and Air Panama leaves from Albrook. Once you arrive in David, you will still need to arrange transportation from David to Boquete. A taxi can cost you between $20-$30 to take you directly to Boquete. You can also get a ride to the terminal and then take a bus from David to Boquete.
Option #3- Rent a car and drive to Boquete.
Renting a car in Panamá is similar to renting a car in the U.S. as far as the paperwork and processing. You can find excellent deals are car rentals with some rentals being as cheap as $20 a day. The downside to this option is that it takes around 7 hours to drive from the city to Boquete, this is including stops of gas and restroom breaks. Not only does it consume several hours of your day, but if you have never driven in Latin America or Miami, I wouldn’t suggest Panamá being your first experience. Between the insane traffic in the city, drivers who have absolutely no knowledge of necessary driving skills, and not the best road conditions, driving in Panamá isn’t for everyone. I have driven from the city to all different locations across Panamá, but that’s because I used to live in Mexico, and if I could drive there, then I could pretty much drive anywhere in the world.
Getting around while in Boquete- If you chose the bus option or flying and not renting a vehicle, then there are two options to get around in Boquete, one being taxi and the other walking. There are no Ubers in Boquete, so you can solely rely on taxis, which are pretty inexpensive compared to other parts of the country. I would never suggest using a taxi in the capital, but in Boquete, it is a safe and reliable option.
You can search for flights and rental cars on my favorite travel website Kayak.com. The bus times, availabilities and prices can be found at the Albrook Terminal.
Where to stay
Boquete has many options when it comes to lodging. It provides plenty of options for anyone between the penny-pinching traveler to the billionaire travelers like Beyoncé, who want a full-on luxurious experience. The following are options that go according to different travel budgets.
Option #1- Budget-friendly.
Hotel Central Boquete is an excellent option for anyone looking for a beautiful place to stay, but that doesn’t empty the bank account. The average nightly cost is $48 U.S.D. a night. What’s to love about Hotel Central Boquete? They have their own coffee shop, amazing views of the mountains, and there are hummingbirds continually flying around the back of the hotel. (That wins significant points for me, obviously.) Apart from that, the hotel is clean, decent beds, and it is not too far out of the main town.
Hotel El Oasis. It is centrally located so you can walk from the hotel to anywhere in the main town with no issues. Your view is of the local river that flows through the town and the mountains that surround Boquete. The rooms are comfortable and are your average hotel style setup. The average nightly cost is $85 U.S.D., and the level of comfort and convenience validates the cost.
Bambuda Castle. It wouldn’t be an actual travel blog post if I didn’t provide you with the spot to stay to make your Instagram feed as lit like a Christmas tree, now would it? I have not stayed in Bambuda Castle, but I have visited and what I can say is this, THEY HAVE HOBBIT ROOMS. That’s right—literal mini hobbit castles. You and a friend (or a lover or partner, no judgment) can stay the night and overlook the mountains while you reenact scenes from Lord of the Rings. I know, the influencer in all of us is just dying to stay there. The good news is that it is incredibly affordable. The average nightly cost is $79 U.S.D., which makes your hobbit dreams much more attainable. The downside? It’s pretty far outside of the main town, so if you didn’t bring a vehicle, you would probably end up spending a decent amount on taxis trying to get back and forth.
https://bambuda.net/boquete
Option #4- Luxury over expense.
Valle Escondido. If money isn’t an issue and you’re trying to experience what luxurious locations Boquete has to offer, then look no further than Valle Escondido. Valle Escondido (“Hidden Valley”) is a hidden resort that offers peace, solitude and nothing but the best in accommodations to all of its guests. It averages around $175 per night, and having stayed there myself, I can confirm that it is worth every single penny. It is comfort, beauty, and convenience all in one. Though it is hidden, it isn’t far from the main town, and while staying there, you don’t even feel the need to leave. There are flowers, streams, and cute gardens everywhere—plenty of places to get beautiful pictures, not just of the luscious landscape but also of the gorgeous resort.
Hacienda Los Molinos- This is for the traveler who doesn’t know the word budget, or at least it is the very last of their concerns. Averaging at $275 U.S.D per night, Hacienda Los Molinos is the definition of luxury. You can rent a villa and say “Adios!” to the outside world, well at least until you run into one of the other hotel guests, but for the most part, it is pretty private and also provides are more intimate experience than the rest. It is also the destination of many Panamanian weddings so don’t be surprised if you just so happen to be there the same day as a wedding party.
https://losmolinoshotel.com/
Where to eat
Although Boquete is a tourist hotspot, it is still a pretty small town. With that in mind, the food options are limited, but there are plenty of good restaurants around. In this category, I have decided to select my top restaurants for different meals.
Breakfast- Sugar & Spice
It is one of the healthiest options for breakfast that you will find in Boquete. They offer items such as pancakes, omelets, breakfast burritos, and typical continental breakfast. You may be thinking, “That isn’t healthy.” Compared to the traditional Panamanian breakfast options, which tend to be fried, such as fried sausage, eggs, and hojaldre (fried dough). Not only is it a healthier option, but I have never been disappointed in a meal since I started going there. Their food is fresh, delicious, filling, and their prices are reasonable. My personal favorite thing to eat is their omelet, but there are no wrong choices here.
This isn’t a healthy option, but if you want to try a delicious sandwich and strawberry milkshake, then you cannot skip out on Granito de Oro. It is located outside of the main town, going towards David. You can only reach it by car or taxi, but trust me, the ride is worth it. My favorite sandwich on their menu is their pork sandwich or “emparedado de pierna” even though I don’t eat pork often, there is no denying that this sandwich is beyond excellent. One of the main things that the Chiriquí province is known for, besides coffee, is strawberries. When visiting Boquete, you cannot skip out on trying “fresas con creama” or strawberries with whip cream, but at Granito de Oro, they don’t sell strawberries with cream. Instead, they sell the best strawberry milkshake that you will ever drink in Panamá. It is an obligatory stop anytime that I am in Boquete. Just be prepared to take half of your sandwich home with you because the portions are massive.
Location: Calle 4ta Noroeste, Alto Boquete, Panama
Dinner- Retrogusto
A lovely Italian restaurant that is t is on the fancier and more upscale level of dining in Boquete. Although it is on the pricier side, the food and service validate the price. The prices are also less than the costs of fine dining restaurants. My favorite plate is the gnocchi, but their pizza is fantastic as well. It’s a lovely place to enjoy a nice meal either by yourself or with the company of someone else.
Location: Avenida Central & Calle 1 Norte
https://ilretrogusto.com/
There you have it—my suggestions for transportation, lodging, and food while in Boquete. Be sure to look out for next week’s post when I discuss my favorite things to do in Boquete. Trust me; if you love adventure, then you won’t want to miss out on the next post.
The classic Boquete picture of the river that runs through the town.
Strawberry milkshake from Granito de Oro
Emparedado de pierna from Granito de Oro
Omelet from Sugar & Spice
When the milkshake is so good that you can’t resist a selfie.
Blue morpho butterfly. One of many butterfly species that can be seen in Boquete. This just so happens to be my favorite.
Inside of where the have their annual coffee and flower festival.
Boquete at night.
Views from one of the mountainsides.
The welcome sign before you enter the actual town.
The banks of the river that runs through the town.
The flowers in bloom during their love coffee and flower festival.
Havana seems to be on the tip of every traveler’s tongue these days and with good reason. Havana is a place that ignites warmth within the coldest of hearts as it is one of the sexiest cities you can visit. Havana is intoxicating to the senses. There are gorgeous men and women everywhere, and the rum is some of the strongest your lips will ever touch, and the music in the streets will make you sway your hips even if you have no rhythm.
The other part that appeals to travelers is that many people say going to Cuba is like traveling back into the ’50s. The old cars, dilapidated buildings, and lack of modernization, it’s as if Cuba never caught up with the rest of the world. If you are from the U.S. and you are wondering if traveling to Cuba is still a possibility, the answer is yes. Although travel has been restricted, again, it is still possible. As long as you apply for a visa through one of the visa programs that the U.S. allows, you are still able to travel to Cuba.
If you want to find what all of the hype is about Havana, the best way is to go and check it out for yourself. The following are my tips on what to do if it is your first time in Havana.
1. Walk El Malecon
First and foremost, you didn’t go to Havana if you don’t have a photo sitting on El Malecon. El Malecon is the causeway that separates the city from the sea. When you see pictures of old cars driving against the shoreline, they are driving next to El Malecon. The best time to walk it (in my opinion) is right before sunset. Sunsets in Havana are out of this world and especially at El Malecon because you have the sea and the city as a backdrop.
2. Drink a mojito at La Bodeguita del Medio
Even though this is a tourist trap, it is a must for anyone who is in Habana for the first time. It is the birthplace of the original mojito and has seen a fair share of famous faces since it opened in the 1940s. It is always guaranteed to have a large crowd of tourists, so I suggest going mentally prepared to wait for your mojito. You might as well order two to make dealing with the crowd work it.
3. Visit La Fabrica de Arte Cubano (FAC):
Located in Vedado, La Fabrica de Arte Cubano is a contemporary art collective that allows modern Cuban artists of all types to share a common space which just so happens to be an old oil mill that they converted into their home. You can expect to see all different types of art on display here, between musicians, dancers, painters, photographers, designers, etc. They are only open Thursday until Sunday from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. They are also home to some of the best local concerts you can find. If you are interested in the arts, this is a must-see.
4. Ride in an old convertible
One of the biggest attractions in Cuba is riding around Havana in an old car. Even if you don’t have much background knowledge on automobiles, the old cars that filled the streets of Cuba are amazingly well maintained, considering that most of them are over 60 years old. A popular thing to do in Havana is a ride in a convertible alongside el Malecón as the driver or guide points on different buildings and historic locations in the city. The cost can range anywhere from 40 to 60 CUC.
5. Go to El Cañonazo
Each night at 9 p.m., a cannon is shot off at San Carlos de la Cabana. It is a tradition that goes back to the colonial times, and back then, it indicated the closing of the harbor for the night, today it is done for tradition. The guards wear traditional colonial outfits and fire off the cannon at precisely 9 p.m. The fee to see El Cañonazo is 8 CUC, which equals around 8 USD. If you don’t want to pay the entrance fee, you can also hear El Cañonazo for free if you walk El Malecón at night.
6. Drink a daiquiri at El Floridita
Cocktail connoisseurs know that El Floridita is the birthplace to the daiquiri, the lovely frozen rum drink that is sure to give you two things, brain freeze, and a buzz. It is also one of Ernest Hemmingway’s favorite spots in Havana. He was such a frequent patron that there is a statue of Hemmingway standing at the end of the bar. Just like La Bodeguita del Medio, it is a tourist trap and is almost always crowded, but since it is the birthplace of the daiquiri, it is a must-see.
