Cuba is an island of real freedom, where all the troubles, unnecessary thoughts, an endless stream of various experiences, you just need to let go and succumb to pleasure, to be completely in the grip of Cuban passions.

If you are planning to go on an unforgettable journey to the country of revolution on your own, without the help of various companies that organize recreation, then this is the right decision that you could make! Many “package” tourists have not figured out all the charm of the unique island. Yes, and where is it, because everything is scheduled – both time and place, and there are so many interesting things that are not included in the excursion program.

Tips for lovers of freedom

It is better to book accommodation through Cuban websites. That will be much cheaper. It's not bad to save money if you prefer hotel accommodation in a casa particular, these are rooms with amenities that local residents officially rent and even pay taxes. They are marked with a special icon.

The most convenient place to stay in Havana is in the old town. It is also better to book all domestic flights in advance, so that later you do not run around the island in search of a place to buy tickets. It is better to change a small amount at the airport exchange office, because the exchange rate will definitely not please you.

You can get from the airport to the desired place by taxi, this pleasure costs 30 cuc or 23 euros.

It is important to remember that Cuba is the only country that uses two currencies. One is cuc – tourist, and the other is peso – local. And often in cafes that are not located in the tourist area, on the menu all prices are indicated in local currency, with the usual dollar sign, and the waiters are deliberately silent about this, and the difference between the total is good, a considerable amount is overpaid. In such cases, if you see high prices on the menu, for example, $ 20 for a dish, then this is a pesso, because in Cuba a whole meal for two with drinks comes out around 30 cuc, with the exception of lobster, it is expensive.

You can move around the city by Coco Taxi. This is a mode of transport that is very similar to an orange and is inexpensive, about 4 euros per trip.

Day 1. Walks in old Havana

Upon arrival in Havana, the capital will greet you with an amazing smell of mango. Surprisingly, because each country smells differently. And this is not the smell of something specific, it is a stream of wind that smells of everything that comes in its path.

The sounds of salsa, cigar smoke, poured rum in glasses, loud screams in Spanish and the chaotic movement of Cuban hands, all this is Havana. The city is saturated with history, incredible buildings, when you look at them, you get the feeling that if you approach and push a little, everything will collapse. Children run around the corner, there is a cart with a bunch of bananas, and next to it there are huge mountains of garbage. But this does not repel everything, on the contrary, it gives more color to everything that happens.

Capitol

Of particular note is the Capitol. Cubans are proud of him, they say that this is an exact copy of the Capitol in Washington, only in a smaller form. There was once a swamp on the site of the government palace, and then it was dried up and a botanical garden was organized, and only then the Capitol itself was built. Nearby, too, there is something to see, no matter the building, then an architectural masterpiece. And so on throughout the capital, in stock, you must definitely have an additional flash drive for storing photos.

Cathedral

The next place where the ringing of bells sounds special is the Cathedral of gray stone with particles of real coral. The building stands out from the general style of the city, but at the same time, it fits so harmoniously that Bolotnaya Square will lose all its charm without this lacy building. The interior is painted by the Italian artist Giuseppe Perovani. If you want to immerse yourself in the times of two hundred years ago, be sure to come to listen to the organ.

Let's turn onto the Empedrado alley

Walking along the old streets of Havana, you can turn onto the Empedrado alley, because, most likely, the time for lunch is close, and a huge flow of emotions has already used up the last reserves of energy. You need to get to the point where a huge number of people with cameras are concentrated, move towards the entrance, you are there. This is one of Ernest Hemingway's favorite places in Havana, where, in his opinion, they served the best Mojito in the whole world.

The interior of the room is discouraging, it is instantly forgotten that the purpose of the arrival is lunch. The walls speak of history in the truest sense of the word, because everything here is written by visitors – the furniture, the walls, and even the ceiling. They cook very tasty, but more expensive than in other places, a meal for two with drinks will cost around 60 euros.

Cemetery of Cementerio de Colon

After a hearty lunch, it's time for mystical and mysterious places. Cementerio de Colon Cemetery, a place where angels dwell, a white marble world of 50 hectares. Nowhere else in Cuba can you find a place more peaceful. Time ceases to exist here. What at first glance seems scary and frightening, in the end brings only a removal from the external turmoil. Silence and tranquility completely envelop from head to toe. The internal infrastructure is surprising, the cemetery has its own streets with names and road signs are everywhere.

Revolution Square José Marti

Not far from Cementerio de Colon, just a 20-minute walk, there is a place that is strict in form and content – the Plaza de la Revolución José Martí. The towering gray concrete tower looks very gloomy, not a single window, just a structure looking up, with large black birds flying around the highest point. In front of the monument there is a spacious square, where revolutionary meetings were once held. In the tower, on the ground floor, there is a museum dedicated to José Martí. Entrance to the site and inside costs about three euros.

You can spend the sun across the ocean, listen to the sound of the waves breaking on the reefs and breathe in the fresh air, by visiting the embankment. Incredibly pleasant place and a wonderful end to the day.

Day 2. Dive into the world of the fortress

The second day promises to be no less unique, so hurry up to hit the road. But first of all, you need to have breakfast, it is best to do it where you live. If in a hotel, then in an adjacent restaurant, if you rent a room, then ask the hosts to cook something in advance or do it yourself. The fact is that all catering establishments in Cuba do not begin their work until noon.

Fortress of La Fuerza

Having had a good meal, you need to start your journey from the fortress of La Fuersa, which can be reached by walking slowly, if the starting point is Old Havana. Locals like to loudly call this place the Castle of Royal Might. In old age he has no equal in any of the two Americas.

The fortress is still surrounded by a moat filled with water. Tour guides talk about an unprecedented number of attacks by pirates, but Havana did not give up without a fight. Inside the castle there is a museum with various models of ships and there is a separate room that contains all the treasures that once lay at the bottom of the strait.

La Cabana complex

After visiting the fortress of La Fuerza, you need to go to explore the rest of the defenses, so stopping the taxi, it's time to drive through the underwater tunnel to the other side of Havana to visit the fortress complex of La Cabaña.

This longest structure is 700 meters long and is 240 years old. Constantly, finding out the age of this or that building in Cuba, you are simply amazed at how it all still stands, and even in such a beautiful form. If you go there in the morning, then the tourists do not yet have time to create a crush, then you can climb higher and sit, thinking about life. A very beautiful view opens up, because the ocean lies behind the defensive walls of La Cabaña.

Fort El Morro

After resting, you can safely go to the lighthouse, moreover, the worker. The view from the very top of the lighthouse, where the signals come from, is simply gorgeous. The mixture of the blue expanse of the ocean, with the orange stone of the roof of the neighboring structure, attracts the eye and the camera lens like a magnet. All this beauty, together with the lighthouse, is called the fortress of El Morro, one of the symbols of Havana.

For 384 years she has been protecting the entrance to the harbor in the most vulnerable part of the bay. Today, in the evenings, scorching cannon shots can be observed as an entertainment for tourists. After walking around the places of defense, you can return back to the old city and enjoy a refreshing Mojito in some bar.

Havana is not shy, she takes and explodes the colors. Just stepping into the street, the road is covered with an incredible amount of flowers and that's all – cars. Everywhere you look – blue, red, yellow, green. Okay, color, but what are these models! Fantasy! A country of real rarities.

Here, not only architecture breathes time and history, but also cars, though the breath is not very fresh. … Because of all these old cars, the air in the city is very unpleasant, everything just smelled of exhaust fumes. I am glad that this does not happen in all areas, but only in places with a large concentration of tourists. After all, it is on them that drivers earn the main money, rolling vacationers in different parts of the city.

Day 3. Exploring distant sights

National Botanical Garden

The last third day should be devoted to leaving Havana and enjoying the surrounding beauties. The first thing worth seeing is the National Botanical Garden. You can get to it, but it's a little problematic, taxi drivers either don't know the way or overcharge too much. But after several attempts, you will certainly find your driver.

The garden is located at a distance of 10 km from the city center, and it spreads over an unprecedented area, as much as 600 hectares. About 4 thousand species of plants are offered for viewing by vacationers. You can walk around the park on foot, or you can pay 2 euros and explore all the zones on a special trailer, which is attached to the tractor.

Perhaps this is the only place in Cuba where, choosing between walking and transport, it is better to choose the latter. The territory is very large, it is simply impossible to get around it, and only one dubious cafe works for the entire botanical garden, which is not a fact that it will be open. And there are no shops to simply buy water. Therefore, do not skimp and buy a ticket for the “tractor truck”.

Japanese garden

The most beautiful place in this park is the Japanese Garden, a truly peaceful state of mind is provided…

It is important to know that it is better not to let the taxi driver go, let him wait until you all look, because it is enough to find transport on the way back, especially if the trip is made in the morning.

The cottage where Ernest Hemingway lived

And now, it's time to visit the cottage where Ernest Hemingway lived. Unfortunately, they are not allowed inside, although, probably, fortunately, tourists would not have left all this in its original form. Within the walls of this house, the English writer created such famous works as For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea. The cottage is surrounded by a beautiful view, you can safely walk and get acquainted with his favorite boat. And yet, there is one amazing place, behind the house, not far from the pool. There are 4 pet graves. It looks very touching.

So three unique days of traveling around the capital of the Island of Freedom have come to an end. And until the last, there is a feeling that a lot of things have been missed, but, unfortunately, the allotted time for everything is simply not enough, no matter how hard you try. And finally, I would like to give advice to those who are planning a further independent trip to Varadero, do not order a car in advance, of course, unless it is Cuba Taxi. It is better to go to the station with your things and immediately negotiate with the driver there.