Solo travel to Havana Cuba 🇨🇺 & Varadero on a budget

📍 #havana & Varadero, #cuba 🇨🇺
Note
As a Canadian, I normally would not need a visa to enter the country of Cuba, however, flying with a connecting flight through the USA means I had to pay an entry fee. This was purchased for $100 at the gate, by an AA agent.
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While being in #colombia , I decided to take an exploration trip to CUBA!! The price of the flight was perfect, and I never miss an opportunity to see a new country. Keep in mind, this trip was not a regular vacation, it was about meeting new people, learning about the country, and enjoying the local people.
As a budget traveller, I only travelled with a carry-on luggage, which made it that much easier to take cheaper modes of transportation. I decided to take tuktuks and bike rides while in Havana, Moto-lemons while in Varadero, and take buses through the country, instead of flying.
When it came to getting to and from the airport, I was able to find other solo travellers to split the costs of taxis with! This is the best part about travelling!!
Keep in mind, during the time of my visit, Havana had just been hit by a hurricane and they were recovering from that, and experiencing constant/random power cuts throughout the day.
Finding a SIM card was a huge challenge I faced in the city, as well as fresh fruit. Most menus were also scare and some of the most elite restaurants in town had scare menus due to missing ingredients.
Nevertheless, I had an amazing time, and the people of Cuba have proven to be some of the nicest, most welcoming people I’ve ever met.
Coming from Colombia, I must say, it was a breath of fresh air being able to walk around without being on high alert. It felt great!
Here’s how the next 10 days went:
Day 1: Settled in to the Casa Particular, then walked along San Martin & San Jose, making friends and people watching.
Day 2: Walking tour of Old Habana, then drinks at Hotel Inglaterra Rooftop.
Day 3: Solo explore & happy hour bar hopping.
Day 4: Brunch date at Al Pirata with the English girl I met at the airport & Bus to Havana beach.
Day 5: Met with friends changed airbnbs, dinner at Sky Green and sunset at Paseo del Prado rooftop.
Day 6: Spent one night in New Havana, dinner at California Cafe, and pre-purchased bus tickets for the next morning.
Day 7: Viazul bus to Varadero, beach, dinner at a Salsa restaurant and club hopping in club boulevard.
Day 8: Breakfast at Snackbar Vernissage, dinner at Don Alex, drinks at La Caleta, beach until sunset.
Day 9: Explore new beaches. Last night in Varadero, dinner and drinks at 43.5 cafe & restaurant.
Day 10: Bus back to Havana
Day 11: Explore other parts of Havana, sunset on Paseo del Prado rooftop, happy hour at Mi Casa Restaurant.
Day 12: Taxi to airport, flight to Medellin Colombia
If you want more details about the places I ate at, please check out my 🇨🇺 highlight reel on INSTAGRAM:
@AUDACIOUSDEESHA
Also check me out on TIKTOK:
@AUDACIOUSDEESHA
Thank you for watching! ♥️

[@kafiya_may]

Ayyyy what a fun adventure!

[@AudaciouslyMe]

SUCH an adventure !! It was cool getting to see Cuba as a country and not just from the grounds of a resort !!

[@notapuss]

Why so long from Habana to varadero is 2hr and the bus you riding is not a chicken bus

[@AudaciouslyMe]

Im not sure, I think it made 2 stops in cities along the way! I wish it was 2 hours !!

[@notapuss]

That's not a vacation that's work .trying to find someone to split the cost . No towels, bus broke down ,finding people to split .I rather go on vacation spot where I know I won't have headaches or reaching

[@AudaciouslyMe]

Hey, I am actually a traveller, not a vacationer! I am in a different country every month of the year, and I dont seek the easy route, I seek exploration! I really appreciate you watching and commenting. it means alot to me !!