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Before you read this post, I find it necessary to first say to you, my audience, that I write this piece without the intent of offending anyone. I do not write this post to speak on the black experience in the U.S. or to take anything away from my loved ones who live it every day. I write this piece from the depths of my heart and soul and as a way to share my beliefs and express my love for all of humanity.
These past few weeks, while living in the United States, have been filled with sadness, fear, turmoil, and, unfortunately, lots of hatred. I cannot speak for the black community because I am, in fact, not black. I do not pretend for one second to say that I understand the black experience, especially not the black experience in the United States of America, because I have never lived it. What I have lived is a life filled with friends and family from all different walks of life. People who do not share the same color skin, nor the same religion, nor the same sexual preference as I, but we share one thing in common, and it is the most important of all. We share an undeniable love for one another.
This love is the same love that I was taught to show to others. It is a love for humanity and the souls that lay within the physical bodies of each person. As a way of teaching me this love, my parents made sure that I understood that we are all equals. The famous “never judge a book by its cover” was something always said in my house. My parents always said that you should determine who a person is solely based on their heart. It is something I’ve used throughout my life to decide who I allow to remain in my life and who I let go.
One day, when I was around five years old, I came home and asked my biological father why my best friend was black, and I was white. My father gave me what I believe is the best explanation anyone could give a young child, and this is what I plan to repeat to my future children. My father said, “You know how there are rainbows in the sky, and they are all different colors? Well, God made us all different colors so that there would be a rainbow on Earth like there is in the sky.” That was all my father had to say to me to understand that we may all look different, but we are created the same. To this day, this simple explanation forms part of my core beliefs.
As most people know, I am a traveler. I have traveled 6 of 7 continents, and I have had experiences outside of the typical human experience of staying in one country for the majority of their life. I recognize that this is a privilege. I am beyond blessed to have had the ability to travel and experience other cultures with my own eyes, ears, and heart. Travel has opened the doors for me to meet new people and listen to and learn from human experiences that are not my own. It has also allowed me to view my culture from other viewpoints and be a spectator standing on the outside looking in.
What I have been able to see while on the outside is a country that says it prides itself on being a melting pot, but it insists on creating a divide within the pot. This divide is amplified through politics, race, religion, sexual preference, profession, and gender. The main idea that divides us is the idea that we cannot be different and love each other at the same time. My friends and I prove that differences of opinion, race, gender, religion, and sexual preference do not make us hate one another. It’s the opposite. It makes us love each other. I love my friends for being different than me. I value the voices of my friends who have lived a human experience that is unlike mine. I listen to their stories, and I learn from them. I may not know what it is like to “walk a mile” in their shoes, but I try my best to listen, educate myself, and comprehend the emotion behind their human experience.
Through my friends, I have heard stories of what it is like to be black in the U.S., what it is like to be an immigrant in the U.S., what it is is like to be a Muslim in the U.S., what it is like to be gay in the U.S., and the list goes on. I do not pretend to understand their experience fully because I cannot fully understand an experience that is not my own. Still, I acknowledge it, I respect it and push myself to learn from it, and most importantly, I empathize with it. To me, Black Lives Matter is much more than just a hashtag; it’s a reality that many of my friends live.
The recent events that have taken place in this country have broken my heart. I have physically felt my heartbreaking. My heart breaks for my black friends who continually feel the need to defend their worth. My heart breaks for the mothers who have lost their sons and daughters to racism and injustice in this country. My heart breaks for the peaceful protesters who have been given a bad name by people who have a different personal agenda. My heart breaks for police officers who signed up to do a job that they believed would create a better society. My heart breaks for humanity.
It breaks my heart and infuriates me that I am the third generation in my family to protest for black rights because things have not changed since my grandmother marched for Civil Rights or since my mother, along with her family, protested against segregation. I am appalled and dismayed that it is 2020, and my friends are not treated as my equal. Not only are they not treated as equals by a specific group of people, but the system still treats them as less than. This is the case for all minorities in America. Yet, in this current moment, the focus is on black people in America and the fact that after hundreds of years of black people fighting to be seen as equal, the system continues to fail them. We, as a society, have failed them. I do not believe that what is happening in the United States right now is Black v.s. White, nor is it People v.s. Police, it is THE PEOPLE v.s. THE CORRUPT SYSTEM.
I believe that we live in a society ruled by a system that would like to see us divided, but the one thing that will always unite us is love. I refuse to allow what is happening in this country to fill my heart with hate. I refuse to allow the anger that I feel to become fuel for hatred. I refuse to create more of a division within society. I have always stood for and will continue to stand for human rights. I choose to lead by example and demonstrate through my actions that I stand for all of my friends, not just some. I will stand up for you and speak up for your rights when your voice fails you. I do not care about your race, religion, sexual preference, gender, profession, or political affiliation. I have a voice, and I refuse to stand by in silence while I watch my friends suffer. I believe what we see happening in the United States of America right now will have a ripple effect across the world. Racism exists not only in this country but globally, and I genuinely believe that this is the match that will light all of the others. It will spark much-needed conversations within countries, communities, and families. It will force the people who have created and enforce the system to listen. It will create change.
As a humanitarian, I wholeheartedly believe that we should be the change that we want to see in the world. The change that I want to see in the world is one in which we all agree that not only are we created as equals, but that we should be treated as equals. This change will happen if we allow ourselves to listen to the struggles of others and empathize with it. The change will come when we allow that empathy to fill our hearts with love and spread that love to one another. Love one another for our similarities and our differences. The key ingredient to make our rainbow on Earth just as beautiful as the one in the sky is love. Feel it, be it, spread it.
My sister is turning 30 years old tomorrow. This birthday is going to be like any other because, for the first time in 30 years, I won’t be able to wish her a happy birthday in person, nor will I be able to hug her. Something so simple as a hug has now turned into life or death. It has also become a simple reminder of not taking anything for granted. Realizing that I’m unable to hug my sister on her birthday breaks my heart. Still, it has also made me realize how meaningful my relationship with her is.
My sister and I are 20 months apart, her being the younger one. Growing up, we fought like cats and dogs over toys, clothes, and even friends. She was the annoying little sister, and I was the mean big sister. But no matter how much we fought, we would always make up and be friends at the end of the day. After all, we were partners in crime. The only person I could count on to partake in any kind of crazy plot that I came up with and also the only one who would have my back no matter what.
Over the years, our sisterly bond dynamic has shifted and changed. We are no longer convincing each other to climb on the roof of the house or chasing each other around, ready to strangle each other. Instead, we are each other’s friend that we call when we need someone to listen to us vent, to cry, or to laugh. Don’t get me wrong, our relationship is far from perfect. We still get mad at each other, hang up on each other, and have arguments, but now it’s over real-life situations. Well, sometimes it’s about clothes too, because some things never change. My sister is my best friend and my best enemy. We can talk about everything and fight over anything. Although I won’t be able to give her a hug on her birthday, I can do what I do best and write about how much she means to me and why I love her. The following is my birthday letter to my sister, Diora.
Happy birthday to the person who never ceases to amaze me. The girl who always seems to have life figured out. Your caring heart and desire to help others are an inspiration for all of us around you. Big sisters are supposed to be the ones who lead the path and light the way, but instead, I’ve admired you as you have created your own. Over the years, you’ve become the example that I wish to follow. You are compassionate, loving, determined, and ambitious. It is your drive to excel in whatever you do that will always lead you down the path to your dreams. Although you are an independent, hard-working, driven woman, you have a sense of humor like no other. That childish side that likes to laugh and joke around, it’s that spark of crazy that you only share with those closest to you, and it brightens up our days. If there is one word that I could use to describe how I feel about you besides love, it would be pride. I’m so proud of the woman that you have become. You never cease to amaze me. Not being able to spend your birthday together has only made me realize how blessed I am to have you as a sister, travel partner, and best friend. I love you more than words will ever be able to express, and I hope you have a fantastic birthday.
Quarantine has taken control of most people’s lives by now, which has brought up many ideas on what each of us should be doing to remain productive. One of the things that most people are doing during these times is watching to see what others do via social media. Being on social media during these times has us not only peaking into someone else’s world, but it is also forcing us to take a look inside our own. Watching other people live their best quarantine lives, create fantastic art, or always talk about how they’ve had a productive day can be quite exhausting, and it can also force us to judge ourselves for not doing the same. Don’t get me wrong, I applaud anyone who is taking this time to be productive, but for some of us, we need this moment to rest and reset. We need time to face our inner demons and work on our souls because being “busy” was keeping us from doing the actual work required.
In today’s society, the idea of being productive reinforces a constant need to be busy. The busier we are, the more successful we will be, at least that’s what the world makes us believe. Trust me, even I am guilty of thinking that the more a body is in motion, the more it gets accomplished, but what staying in place has taught me is that being busy isn’t always best.
When we first started to quarantine, my mind was all over the place, and all I kept thinking was, “How am I going to survive without a job?” “What am I going to do with my time?” “How am I going to stay busy and be productive?” “How can I make sure I stay healthy and that my mom stays healthy?” It was a nonstop reel of worry and fear. I went from having a good chunk of my life “figured out” to not having a clue what I am going to do, and this ignited an unexpected dark spiral downwards. While I was freaking out on the inside, I tried to keep my composure on the outside until finally, I broke down.
My breakdown was triggered by doing what once was a simple thing. I went to buy groceries for my mom and me and just the anxiety of finding everything we needed, and not knowing what we would do if I couldn’t find certain things was nerve-racking. Once I got everything into the car, I sat there and just cried. I never imagined seeing myself in a position where I didn’t have a solution or a way to get myself out of a problem, and here I was, no solution or quick fix in sight. I felt desperate, distressed, and pathetic. Crying in my car was the breaking point that I needed. It forced me to let go. The tears streaming down my face were the physical release of all of the stress and fear that had built up in my body and my mind.
It was after my meltdown that I decided that I would not let this situation get the best of me in any way, not physically, emotionally, or mentally. I decided that I wasn’t going to feed into the fear of the unknown, and instead, I was going to embrace the gift that the universe was handing me; time. Time to learn how to rest, to focus on what I genuinely want, and to reset my life.
Having time to relax and to go inside my own thoughts and desires has not only revealed new things about myself that were waiting to be discovered and uncovered, but it also made me question why do I have this constant need to be doing something. The truth is, just like the majority of humans, there are things that I’d prefer not to think about; therefore, I find a way to occupy my mind. This doesn’t just subdue the thoughts, but it also clutters the brain. Now that I’m at home with ample time to think, it has allowed me to see the ways that I try to avoid certain emotions and thoughts throughout the day, and it’s forced me to actually sit with them and confront them.
For some people, the thought of having to face our own thoughts may provoke fear or anxiety, and it’s understandable, but I do believe that this time has been gifted to use to do just that. Although, I find it wonderful that some people are still able to be extremely productive during these times, honestly, kudos to them. But to anyone who is struggling with adapting to these new times and finding themselves not being as “productive” as before, it’s okay. If you struggle to accomplish what were once routine tasks, don’t beat yourself up over it. Allow yourself this time to rest and search within. Ask yourself if these tasks genuinely make you feel fulfilled, or were they just filling time? By forcing us to put our lives on pause, the universe has now opened the door to discover our own truths, passions, and desires. Let this be the moment that you unearth what it is that makes you joyful.
Although the concept of resting and resetting was previously foreign to me, I’m taking advantage of this abundance of time and dedicating it to learning how to not be busy all the time. While others are busy working on their side hustle, inventing the next best thing, making extravagant meals from scratch, or reading a year’s worth of books, I’m working on resting and resetting. I’m living in the present and not worrying over what the future may bring. I’m allowing myself to rest, to feel, and to work through my emotions, and to simply be. And this, for now, is more than enough.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, everyone is facing challenging times ahead. People, like myself, have lost their jobs, and the future is uncertain. One question that I have gotten since mass hysteria hit has been, “As a traveler, how does this make you feel?”
Honestly, as a traveler, this is probably my worst nightmare come true. Having to stay put in one place for an extended period has never been a department that I excel in. I’m always on the go. Even when I’m not traveling, I find a way to be doing something. It can be work or leisure, but it’s hard to stay in my house for longer than a day. My closest friends even say that my Instagram stories exhaust them because I’m always doing something.
When news of the COVID-19 first came out, I was traveling in Panamá. I, just like many other travelers, brushed it off as not a big deal. The world, in general, seemed not to pay it much attention and brushed it off as just a simple cold. I didn’t want to alarm myself over something that appeared to be contained to only Asia while I was, in fact, in Central America far, far away from the epicenter of the madness. Thinking back on this rationalization, it was pretty ignorant to assume that in today’s day and times where travel is so easy that the virus wouldn’t spread quickly. Jump to today, March 26th, and the virus has spread across the entire globe.
Luckily, I was already back at my home before all hell broke loose. As a traveler, I would typically be all in for being stranded somewhere and just taking it day by day and figuring it out. Right now, if I were to be stranded somewhere, not knowing if my family is safe, I would probably lose my mind. My adventurous side has currently taken a back seat, and my family, my health, and their health has taken priority over everything. I’m concerned with the survival of the ones I love during all of this. I’m praying for everyone around the world. The ones who are suffering because of the virus, whether they have it themselves or have lost a loved one from it.
Although my focus has shifted, this doesn’t mean that I have totally forgotten about travel; it has actually made me appreciate more. I have been looking back on photos and video clips of places I’ve seen around the world. Now, more than ever, I realize how privileged I am. I have been able to see many parts of the world and soak in cultural experiences that not many people can say that they have had. I have been watching GoPro videos of my last sunset on the beach in Panamá, looking at pictures with friends around the old part of the city, and other photos and videos I took while I was there. These fleeting moments have now become cherished memories.
Once the quarantine is over, and we are allowed to freely move about the world, I plan on creating more memories and traveling to more exotic locations. If this quarantine has reiterated anything for me, it’s that when this life is over, I will be taking nothing with me. The only thing we will take with us is the memories that we make. What stays embedded in my brain during this chaos are the images of beautiful sunsets, gazing at the stars with my mom during summer, dancing with friends, walking on beautiful islands, listening to a stranger’s story, and sharing a coffee with a new friend. These are the moments that are engraved in my mind. The moments that I value and cherish now more than ever are the ones that seemed so simple at the time that they were happening.
I can’t speak for every traveler around the world because we are all different, and we are all dealing with this pandemic in distinct ways, but for now, I plan to continue to live in the moment. Worry less about the future and focus on the now. This doesn’t mean that I won’t continue to dream about foreign places and possible trips. Right now, dreams of freedom and unfamiliar places are the glue that is keeping me together at times. Until the last day of this arrives, I’ll continue to live through my photos and videos and vicariously through other travelers’ videos and pictures of places I’ve not yet been to. This also may be the spark that will light the fire for others to want to venture out and see the world. I choose to remain hopeful that this will trigger a positive shift in our mindsets and light a fire in our hearts to continue to explore the world. In the meantime, I’ll let my wings rest like the rest of the world.
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.
One of the most challenging parts of trip planning is figuring out where to stay and also what to eat. I mean, everyone needs a good meal and place to lay their head down at night. Am I right? This list is to help take some of the headaches out of organizing your trip to Havana. I’ve created a list of places to dine, the best way to find accommodation, your not so average souvenir shop and a tip on Cuban currency because it can be confusing for anyone who goes to Cuba for the first time. There are tons of restaurants and bars to check out in Havana, but these are my top choices from my most recent trip. As they say in Cuba, ¡Salud! (Cheers!)
Where to eat
Breakfast
El Dandy: A cute
hipster café that has big portions, reasonable prices and serves up great café
con leche.
Location: Teniente Rey, La Habana
Lunch/Dinner:
Azucar Bar &
Lounge: A great place to try the “famous” Cuban sandwich. Their sandwiches
are big and worth the price. It has a very chill vibe and is a great spot for a
coffee or a cocktail. The terrace provides great views and an awesome spot to
take a photo of Plaza Vieja. It is
located on the second floor above Café Escorial.
Location: Mercaderes 315 Teniente Rey & Vieja., Muralla, La Habana, Cuba
Antojos:
Traditional Cuban food that stands out above the rest. By far the best meal that I had in Habana
this time was at Antojos. It was so good that when I go back to Havana, it is
the first place I’m going for a meal. I suggest getting their ropa vieja. It is
a traditional Cuban dish and their take on it is nothing less than delicious.
Their portions are large and their prices are extremely reasonable.
Located: Callejón Espada e Cuarteles y Chacon in Habana
Vieja.
Rooftop
Restaurant/Bar:
Jesús María 20: Thanks to my friend and best guide of Cuba, Marissa, for introducing me to this amazing rooftop spot in Habana Vieja. The restaurant has a first floor and two rooftop terraces, the first being the main terrace. It has a very hidden vibe about it, but it is well known amongst locals. The graffiti that decorates the main walls of the terrace give it the cool, hipster vibe that most people seem to go for these days. Besides the great aesthetic and delicious cocktails, the food is really good. I tried their fish fillet and sweet potato puree and was impressed. My friend had their ropa vieja and said it was wonderful.
Location: Jesús María, La Habana
El Malecón 663: My friend and I just so happened to come across this spot while walking El Malecón at night. It a boutique hotel and restaurant that has a rooftop bar that provides a gorgeous view of El Malecón. The inside is filled with artwork and has a very eclectic vibe. It’s a great place to have a late-night drink or a day time sangria to cool down from walking El Malecón.
Location: 663 Malecon, La Habana, Cuba
Coffee:
Cuba is known for its strong coffee so fair warning. If you have never had Cuban coffee before, stick with one and done otherwise you will be awake all night and probably attached to the toilet for a good amount of time. Yes, it is that strong. If you don’t believe me, well, you’ve been warned.
Café El Escorial: A traditional style café that offers tons of a vast variety of coffee drinks all the way from classics like café con leche, cortaditos, to modern-day frappes.
Where to shop:
Clandestina: They
are Cuba’s first independent fashion brand. It is a great spot to find a cute
shirt or bag and the best part is that you are supporting local entrepreneurs
and it isn’t your typical souvenir.
Location: 403 Villegas, La Habana
Obispo: This isn’t a specific place, but Obispo is one of the main streets in Old Havana and it is filled with shops. It is one of the busiest streets in Habana Vieja and if you visit El Floridita for a daiquiri, then you are already standing on the corner of Obispo. If you continue walking down Obispo you will see open artist markets and shops with plenty of souvenirs.
Where to stay: Skip overpriced
hotels and stay at a “casa particular” (Airbnb) in Vedado.
Most people want to stay in Habana Vieja because it is located near all of the tourist locations, but Habana Vieja at night is a ghost town. The best area to stay in Havana is Vedado. During the day it is a calm, pretty neighborhood and at night it has the best bars and clubs. On this trip, I stayed in Vedado at a super cute Airbnb. The only downside to Airbnb’s and hotels in Cuba is that the Wi-Fi is hardly ever free, the signal is awful, and in most places you have to buy internet cards if you want to use it. Airbnb’s charge 2 CUCs (2 USD) for a card, but you can buy cards at ETECSA (Cuba’s internet provider) for 1 CUC (1 USD) per card and use them at the Airbnb.
Currency: Cuba has two types of currency. CUC Cuban Convertible Peso and Cuban Pesos. 1 CUC is about 25 Cuban pesos. Most places accept CUC as a form of payment, especially from tourists. When you arrive to Cuba exchange your dollars for CUCs because there are very few places that accept U.S. dollars. The current exchange rate for dollars to CUC on the street is 1 USD for 1 CUC. Find someone who will exchange your dollars for you at this rate. You can ask the person running your Airbnb to help exchange your currency for you and they will find you the best price they can. If you exchange your money at a money exchange place they will charge you a ridiculous fee.
Although these tips are meant to help anyone traveling to Havana out, I also suggest roaming the streets and checking out any place that looks interesting to you. Some of the best experiences that I’ve had while traveling is walking into a place that looks like a hole-in-the-wall and discovering that it’s actually a hidden gem. If it looks interesting, there is a 100% chance that it is. Check it out!
