This Side of Havana Cuba Can't be Missed!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
- I take you with me through some of the touristy parts of Havana Cuba.
Beginner ebook city guides:
Havana, Cuba - www.amazon.com/dp/B0B86NCXHR
Buenos Aires, Argentina - www.amazon.com/dp/B0B11T7LMH
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - www.amazon.com/dp/B09WQDQJ5C
Panama City, Panama - www.amazon.com/dp/B09SQCM9ZX
Guadalajara, Mexico - www.amazon.com/dp/B09NH5221M
Medellin, Colombia - www.amazon.com/dp/B09CLRMNF1
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - www.amazon.com/dp/B09CCRFBVZ
Lima, Peru - www.amazon.com/dp/B09C55BH2M
Guayaquil, Ecuador - www.amazon.com/dp/B09HPG7PZ2
AIRBNB - Never used Airbnb? Apply through this link and you get a $40 credit towards a home-booking and I get a commission so we both win.
www.airbnb.com/c/sylvestern15...
SUPPORT - You can donate through Paypal:
www.paypal.me/slyslife
I appreciate it.
I've been to Cuba 5 times and loved every minute. Some of the friendliest people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.
My first trip to Havana was January 2000 and I only went because my American wife "forbid" me to go. I was on a plane to Havana 3 days later. I was blown away with the city and was walking 12 to 14 hours a day.....and dropped 7 pounds in that week. I also wore though a brand new pair of shoes so bad that they were duct taped to my feet to hold them on. I saw first hand the conditions in the medical system and for me it was an epiphany. I came home and immediately started gathering up reading glasses and braces. I went back two months later...and again three months after that....and have never stopped. 60 + trips later and I have no intention of stopping. I have helped pack over 90 ocean containers of medical equipment bound for Cuba and will continue until I am no longer able to.
Be careful my friend. This country gets into your blood. Life there right now is harder than it has been since "Special Period" and there is lots of blame to spread around on both sides.
Enjoy. The best food it found at "paladars" (private restaurants) and cheap too. I always ask some older retired person on the street where the best food is. Once he (or she) shows me, I always invite them in to share a meal with me....at my expense of course. I have never spent more than $12 for two meals with beers yet. I have also met some incredible people with amazing life stories.
Safe Travels
Where are you come from my friend ?
@@iluminacionverdadera2.026 Canada.
@@randyrainbow6692 cool bro
Awesome! I would like more information from you.
@@christiancummings5058 I’m not sure what kind of information you would like. I could make a quick list of the stuff most needed and appreciated if that is a help for you. Quick list …… ibuprofen, women’s walking shoes, cough medicine, large size bras, hemorrhoid medication, READING GLASSES, sharp kitchen knives, collapsable walking canes, can openers that WORK, toothpaste, blood pressure machines, any kind of braces ( elbow, knee, wrist etc..)
That is just a start. The easy answer is that they need EVERYTHING , but some stuff is more important than others.
If you go down….ask them to show you how they clean the rice they are given at the government stores. Nobody here would believe me until I took a video to show them. 60+ trips and the country and people still amazes me.
Those gringo prices are no joke.
🤣🤣
No lie
Bro that's more expensive than Germany. I was shocked
@@fourtywater77 .. 👈🤥 Dog meat 🧟♂️🦠🍖🔴🐶 ua-cam.com/video/-IqGLsy3VgY/v-deo.html . Same thing. Over a frigging 5 minute burger or chicken etc. Hypocrite. That’s why I’m vegan ✅❤️💪😬. That is heart-attack😮/😵🦠🍖🥩🥓🍗🍳🍔🌭🍕🍣🍤🔴... NO fibre !!! Stays in your body and rots away !!!! Plants and fruits and nuts and berries and oats and lentils and beans and sweet potato 🍠.... have loads of fibre. I don’t stink anymore, clean and fresh. My boots and socks and shoes and armpits were so clean, I don’t need deodorant anymore because I’m clean and fresh !!! Ape family Herbivore, which is humans !!! 51% death rate if you eat animals in chicken and fish et cetera. Vegans have 4% cancer and that’s it. And gorillas they never ever eat animals and they are huge and they have 1% cancer, in the wild 😜
My joke, if I could go back and ask Fidel, just 1 question......
"Why couldn't the revolution include paint!"
I love havana cuba🇨🇺❤🇨🇺 l coming back nex weekend. Thank you for the video.
Good look platter...more veggies for me. Enjoy your videos, traveling to some of your previous destinations are definitely on my list.
I visited havana in octobre 2017 went to some of the same places, I loved it
You eat like a rich tourist. Jeje. That lobster is a month's wages (for a doctor). Go ahead bro.
Hey Carlton from Va.
I was tripping out on how expensive it was. I thought food would be way cheaper then that. I’m glad it was extremely high end and not the normal prices.
Great job, I subscribed to your channel since I first saw your video ( arriving to san pedro sula, Honduras) I'm from the Caribbean coast of Honduras, Puerto cortes ( 30 minutes from San pedro sula) my family from West End , Roatan.
Open and honest video of life in Cuba. Thanks Sly.
Watching your cuba vids for my coming trip
You should visit the African Museum located in Downtown Havana. Also you should have a pint of white cuban rum while walking the Malecon. Also you should visit the great jazz club in Havana Cuba. It is located in the basement.
Hey Sly, if you have time eastern beaches that cost 1 cup to go on the bus to Guanabo are beautiful. There are several beaches, Guanabo beach, Blue Sea, Santa Maria, etc. Also, at the malecon "esquina 23 con malecon, and in the alameda de paula is where the young people meet to dance at night. I don't know if they are open but there are many places to dance and party as well like tropical, 1830, and upstairs in hotel Inglaterra. Also, Viñales which is about 2 hours away and costs about 50 USD to go in car is very beautiful and has tobacco plantations and they also harvest honey. They also have a cave there with "cenotes" and the tour is pretty cool. Varadero is super nice as well and has beautiful beaches.
There are several dance schools where I would take a salsa class or two to get to know the locals and get information on where are the best places to go. Cuba is a beautiful country and is SO rich in culture. Hope you enjoy it there!
Hey, any information on how to get to the bus heading to eastern beaches? Where is the station? Do they accept cash?
@@faezehpazoki2626 Sorry for the delayed response. Take bus "A-400" that you can catch in the Ferro Carril at the train station in old Havana. They do take cash.
A 2 hour bus ride to the tourist beach, Varadero used to cost $10 one way, pre Covid.
i just ran into your channel. i subscribed => anyways im Puerto Rican so Cuba almost same BUT i hear you will find some of the best old time cars there in the world, watching your videos and see them parked on the side of the roads especially some impalas.. good luck on your journey we'll be watching
Sly, there is a family restaurant one block over from there. That place is great. I can’t remember the name, but it’s on the corner near where the little birdie told you to go.
Wait, I’m confused. You paid $37 before tip on that little breakfast? Isn’t that insane, also by American standards?
One usd or euro equals to 100 peso street value
I’m confused by his math. That meal should have been $10 tops. Why is saying $37?
@@Mark-zm5mj dog meat 🧟♂️🦠🍖🔴🐶 ua-cam.com/video/-IqGLsy3VgY/v-deo.html . Same thing. Over a frigging 5 minute burger or chicken etc. Hypocrite. That’s why I’m vegan ✅❤️💪😬. That is heart-attack😮/😵🦠🍖🥩🥓🍗🍳🍔🌭🍕🍣🍤🔴... NO fibre !!! Stays in your body and rots away !!!! Plants and fruits and nuts and berries and oats and lentils and beans and sweet potato 🍠.... have loads of fibre. I don’t stink anymore, clean and fresh. My boots and socks and shoes and armpits were so clean, I don’t need deodorant anymore because I’m clean and fresh !!! Ape family Herbivore, which is humans !!! 51% death rate if you eat animals in chicken and fish et cetera. Vegans have 4% cancer and that’s it. And gorillas they never ever eat animals and they are huge and they have 1% cancer, in the wild 😜
@@Mark-zm5mj if you see a price for a meal of say 370.00 that's in Cuban pesos or $37.00 US
The prices in pesos seem to be better in Centro Habana than in Miramar. When I go, I do not go to Centro Havana or rarely go there. Everything seem to be cheaper though in pesos. Beers normally like 270 or 300 pesos in Miramar. In Playa you can find a few spots for 180 pesos or 200 pesos but that would be like a bavaria beer or hollandale. The menu prices look better in Centro Havana though. It look dead there during the day though except for those tourists in the bar. Centro Havana use to be crowded with people years ago. There is a spot there call Chinatown to get food etc.
Glad you found out your way!
There arent that many french tourists from France, but rather french canadians, so some cubans started practicing both english and french
Nice video. Cuban food looks delicious.
Er no it's not!
Amazing Stuff!!!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Comentario por Carmencita: Se está desmoronando pedazo a pedazo. La Habana era una ciudad preciosa!!
Que pena. 🤔
I was there in that pub. Great memories.
El Floridita is one of those must go bars. After all, it was one of Hemmingway's regular spots. La Bodeguita is another great bar in Havana, famous for its mojitos.
The bar Hemingway used to hang out at! Was there a few years ago and you used be able to smoke big cigars inside, that was wonderful in a world where u cant! Cuba is so chilled..."Cuba time" is actually a thing! Now I see everything is OK there im going to back soon! Anyone want join me??
Great Video! Greetings from Germany!
So in latin america when they say creole,(criollo) it means the endemic in other words Cuban food , since you are in Cuba,. I know some people might think it''s refering to new Orleans.
You can go to Vedado if you want to see a more modern, less destroyed part of the city.
Man your videos, you get the real streets real content and man check out the beaches!!
Great trip! As For Me Been on The Island over 20 times; Married a Woman from Bayamo, Provincial Capitol of Granma Province. That Part is where I usually go since we have a Farm and 2 houses With Wife, Marisleydis. Check out Bayamo By Via Azul Bus Line and at the Foot of Sierra Maestre Mountain Range. National Hymn of Country> La Bayamesa, What Else! side Note Bacardi is not sold in that Country; I don't drink anymore but Believe Havana Club is State owned. The Bacardi Family have their Mausoleum in Santiago De Cuba; They fled Island years ago!
nice video sly. if you get a chance check out la bodequita bar and i believe on sunday the have dancers on callejon du hamel. i would love to see those places again. thanks
This must be a tourist spot I was in Cuba in 2017 for 30 days and I rented an apartment in a Cuban's family home. I ate where the local Cuban people ate I could buy Cuban coffee for about 2 cents American money, I took public transportation for another 2 cents and I never paid more than 5 dollars for a full meal.
Let me just give you one of the beautiful moments I had in Cuba. I was walking around my neighborhood in Cuba and I saw these guys out on the front porch of their house cutting hair. I stopped and said could I get a hair cut and they said sure no problem. OK I got a great hair cut for about a dollar. Then I went and bought some Havana Club rum and some cold beer and we sat around listening to music laughing and talking and they treated me like family I felt like I was back in a barbershop back in the hood but it was outdoors and when they saw me in the neighborhood any time they treated me like family my that was totally awesome. Cuba 🇨🇺 was beautiful.
@@markrush2319 Where are do you come from my friend ?
Gréât your histori
Im cuban and there we are like this With other ,we like to smile and share
I was born in Chicago Illinois but I have been an independent international traveler for over 40 years. I lived in Buenos Aires Argentina for nearly 10 years.
Well, well that was then, this is today! Prices have gone through the roof, crap beer Hollandaise, Holland and Windmill brands, all imported "fake" beer are about all that's sold, the beer of Cuba, was never Cristal or Bucanero, but Presidente from the DR, which is no longer imported or sold in Cuba .
@@dirkvanerp7332 please tell me one country in the world that is not suffering from inflation but I dont know the situation in Cuba because I have not been there in 5 years. But here in the United States homelessness has risen gas prices have also tripled rents are thru the roof people are choosing if they can pay rent buy food or buy their medicine and the United States is supposed to be one of the riches countries in the world. The middle class the working poor and the poor are suffering all over the world 🌎 not just in Cuba.
Bacardi is not sell in Cuba. But Havana Club is just as good. It actually has the same formula and is made in the same barrels than Bacardi used to be made back then.
I see Hemmingway is still hanging out at La Floridita, lol.
Hey can you talk about exchanging currency and getting the best rate
What was the reason that you listed on the notice at the airport to gain entrance to Cuba?
I'm confused on how the food prices are so high yet the average wage is $50/month. How can a restaurant even stay solvent if they need to charge 1 week's salary for a meal? Are they giving you the foreigner price menu? Somethings not adding up
They starve the local people and leave the food for the tourist. They can pay.
Those restaurants are in the tourist area so their customers are all foreigners who can pay. And the dollar exchange rate set by the government is ridiculously inflated, that's why the black market exchange rates exist
Profesionales eran around $32 . Like odontologists, engineers , etc. There are some youtubers that show how much is their salaries. It’s a shame
I'm Cuban, so let me try to explain.
Almost no one lives on their wage if they work in state jobs, which are the majority of jobs, but from money sent by family or If you work in private sector you can make from $200 to $1000 at the higher end, and of course business owners can make much more, depending on the business. It's worth noting that $50 is not an accurate measure of the avg income, since that only takes into account jobs in the state sector. But around 15% of the population work in private sector which pays much more. This is a polemic issue because inequality has increased tremendously and this is not supposed to happen in a communist society.
But for the vast majority, they have to wait lines for days to be able to buy small amounts of subsidized food and other stuff.
Food prices are on average similar to prices in the US or other countries. The big difference is in Cuba is that rent is very low, you can rent a decent apartment for $100/month. It's also normal to live with your parents and even cousins in the same house. Electricity and other utilities except internet are relatively cheap as they are subsidized.
So, groceries and clothes make the majority of your spend, and that's why you rarely see people well dressed in the streets. A lot of people don't starve because the receive money from family abroad or make lines for days to buy the bare minimum to feed themselves and family.
@@atscub good explanation and insight, thanks
I hope you catch some footage of the salsa dancing scene!
Hey can you share how you travelled to Cuba. What airline or where did you depart and how did you book your accommodation?
I haven't been there in 3 years and it was easy to convert dollars unofficially but I was wondering if most restaurants and clubs take dollars straight up now
I want to go there
Can you rent a scooter there and if so from where and how much and what do you need to rent?
Mojito without leaves of mint is not mojito.In Spanish is called “ yerba buena” .
cual camera tienes para grabar los videos?
You don't ask for Bacardi in Cuba. Havana Club is the Rum.
In my favorite country despite the government
Most Cubans I've known except myself, prefer Scotch Whiskey, especially Chivas Regal and Pinch, it was the same with my dad and his friends
On Dominoes nights my dad's house, Chivas & Beer and the Cuban beer of choice is probably still the same, Cerveza Crystal.
Lol, I think Bacardi now a days is a bad word in Cuba for the government and its sympathizers, like Celia Cruz's name.
Presidente, you are right it's not a Rum it is an excellent beer, my favorite too, it's brewed in the Dominican Republic. Unless it's a specialty drink at the Floridita.
On the menu it called the Floridita "La Cuna del Daiquirí" in English "The crib of the Daiquiri
Good videos men gotta see the next one
If you can please make a video on how you got into cuba
Excellent suggestion!
AKA future wife 😂 nice vid man, thanks
Havana Is old Town..but nice 😍😍👍👍
Let’s go 🇨🇺… QUE BOLA
No drive by shootings in Cuba. Fui alla dos veces.
Did you go to Slopppy’s Joe? Another Hemingway favorite bar.
So you finally felt the heat and humidity in Havana. Cartagena humidity. Hot as F
On the street, you get 100 CUP for one Euro. At least that's what it was last month. That menu is giving you only about 50 CUP per Euro, which is a rip-off. Pay in CUP. It looks like the price for the daiquiris has gone up at El Floridita. In mid June, they were 180 CUP, now 230 in July! Still cheap at the black market rate, but still an increase of 27% over last month!
37 dollars for that lunch? you got robbed cuz
Presidente Dominican beer is sold in Cuba, their local production is not enough to supply the demand.
Who cares! This is not about dominican and how you are gods gift to the world! This ia about cuba! Presidente taste like a watered down heineken ! No thanks
@@peanutbutter3063 Cubans do, they need it and this is about Cuba.
If you know Cuba, you know it's no longer being imported, replaced with Hollandia, Windmill and Holland brands, real crap, special brewed for the Cuban Government, to mett their contract price....
FYI, anyone who says, Presidente, is not about Cuba, don't know Cuba! It WAS the beer of choice among Cubans, OVER CRISTAL!!! 8 to 1, and it's a better beer too! What I used to drink in Cuba, along with the Cubans!
Lagarto, if you can find it, is a good beer, new brand in Cuba!
@@dirkvanerp7332 who gives a shit
Do you think women in cuba, puerto rico and dominican republic are very similar?
Yes they do. Puerto Rico and Cuba where colonized by the Spaniards from the island of Santo Domingo, where the Taino, Spanish and African first came together. But 200 years later the French came in to our island and made a big mistake called Haiti. Santo Domingo was founded in 1496, San Juan in 1521 and Havana in 1519.
NO!
How to DM you?
Surely that's a special gringo price. If not then the food is quite expensive. I mean is everything generally this expensive in Cuba?
Cuba never was cheap, sure as hell ain't today, Cubans pay up 15 to 20 a pound for freezer burned, low quality chicken legs! Plus, plus stand in line 16 hours to get it!
Damn! Food not Cheap there! OMG
Beautiful ladies in Cuba.
Check out Cañonazo restaurant.. Thank me later
Remember friend the US didn’t free Cuba. They botched it. Something that they had been fighting for 20 years was hindered when the US invaded Cuba. That is why la Revolución is so important. It freed Cuba even if it had communism as its engine.
It did not, stop spewing nonsense. The stupid revolution made things worse. Learn facts before you actually start talking garbage.
@@reddemon6668 Go to school and get a clue. An oligarchy with a government controlled from DC isn’t what the Cuban people wanted. They wanted control over their country. If you don’t do the research don’t try to downplay people who spent half their life understanding things you will never will.
omg whats your accent ?american?
Sly make a fucking Instagram so we can message you.
Love going to Cuba great people,but the food is not good. Drinks are good. Have fun.
Damn, dogs, what happen? I hope you got the numbers, lol
Bacardi is inferior to every rum they sell in Cuba.
Seen plenty of beautiful ladies 😍
You should go to LA BODEGUITA DEL MEDIO wow thank you for show the world the nowdays of my beloved Cuba #SOSCUBA
Cuba esta muriendo!!! Cuba its dying 💔😭
Sly you’ve been to a lot of places I wouldn’t mind visiting, but No Disrespect, besides for the food at some spots I’ve seen online, I have no interest in visiting Cuba, No Shade…Cuba
My friend, if you want to see how the military dictatorship live go to Siboney and Reparto Atabey. Forget about the fancy very old Cuba.
Get a Banana daiquiri!! Thank me later.
Bro Sly
Cuba looks like a movie set.. are you sure you're not in Hollywood?
My brother , the cuban black women are beautiful !!!!!!
Legend says that pretty black cuban girl with the dress told him to F OFF :):0:):):) IF he tried to cross the line .
Cuba had a lot of cheap prostitutes
so strange to see ladas other than russia.
I don’t know how long you will be there but if you need help while you are there and maybe a guide message men back I can give you a number it will make you life and stay easier. I have spent so much time on these streets.
If ever or when ever Cuba changes it political status it will become the most popular destination. I always notice the locals are pretty robust despite scarcity.
In the U.S. robust locals diet is...99% perservatives and sugar/salt canned products in supermarkets.If that's the capital imagine the rural areas, country side. Cuba not for the typical traveler or tourist...indeed for the atypical one.
Cuba is not going to change its political status as you call it. The U.S needs to change theirs. Cuba was making great social strides until the fall of the Soviet Union and the American Embargo which is indecent, inhumane and obscene. Materialism is not gurantee of happiness as witness in America. Did you know that half of the Hospital Beds in the U.S are mental patients. I bet you did not know. Why do you think that is. Cuba has a robust educational and Health system. Their Health system is one of the best in the world and even people in the U.s have to admit that. Now I ask you what is the most important thing in the world for an individual. His health of course. Althought Cuban people in general do not have much. you do find people sleeping on the streets like in the U.S the richest country in the world.
@@thenubianspeaks4329 If "its" political status changes which ever way it happens, be it U.S. be it Cuba regardless if and when that happens things will change for the better. U.S. may not be perfect, but it has way many more opportunties for those who work hard at it. Yes many issues there, some choose certain lives styles, I have witness immigrants who do not speak English, have no formal education doing better than Americans sleeping under a bridge. Many times it about choices.Other times its about," life's a be a bitch" then you die.
Now, I take it you don't live in the U.S. since its sooo bad there.😑
LMAO i thought you said "Very generous with their porn! but you said "pouring". Seriously thanks for the laugh
Every video I see on Cuba has lots of puddles and fallen buildings.
It's a beautiful city. The shortages of food and internet would be my only issue.
The 90 % of havanans have families in the United States .
you cant be calling people shy when you yourself dont in front of camera ..like come on
Damn homegirl In the pink was fine Bonita
U been to almost every Latin country ; so far which one has the thickest women?
Lmao, sorry man I need to know.
I like the brown women .
camarera flaca😍
The original name for the building now named Gran Teatro de La Habana was "El Centro Gallego" in English "The Galician Center' I believe it's the architecture of a Belgian named Paul Belau (name might be misspelled)
The Capitol Building although somewhat smaller and if not for the size, it's supposed to be an exact replica of the Capitol Building in DC
When I lived there in the early stages of the so called revolution, you didn't see the delapidated buildings and sections of Habana now looking like ruins. Now they just patch and paint for looks. These Communist pigs have ruined the entire island, and please if they told you it's the blockade. There is no blockade it's an embargo which only serves as an excuse for the Socialist regime to finger point and blame someone else for its own failures.
Be real. You fr think an embargo on a ISLAND country by the worlds wealthiest country wouldn't affect its economy at all? Stop consuming propaganda.
@@cam_i_corn2994 I am real. The only countries in the world NOT trading with Cuba are the US and Israel.
Cuba should be as it was before the Communist idiots took over in 1959.
1. At one time Cuba exported about 25% of the worlds sugar, before the communists. Cuba had so much sugar that Hershey even opened a meal in the province of matanzas and built a town around the mill for the workers. Today Cubans are substituting sugar with honey.
2. Cuba's tourism's rivaled the rest of the Caribbean and Florida today the government of Cuba takes away food from the people to give to the tourists.
3. Cuba's tobacco industry was #1 in the world
4. Cuba has one of the richest nickel deposits in the world, not being tapped today.
5. Cuba is also rich enough in cocoa and coffee to export the product.
6. When the Communist nationalized all of the industries in Cuba and took the businesses away from the people Shell oil pulled out and with them they took the plans of their studies to take oil in Cuba Cuba is also rich in oil.
The only thing those idiots those communists, socialists or whatever the hell you want to call them have to do so that the US lifts the so-called embargo, is respect human rights and have open elections.
The mere fact that socialists claim that the embargo is what is hurting the Cuban economy to the point of becoming a third world country, is like saying the Socialists who claim to be the solution of the world's problems the Marxist Utopia, cannot live without capitalism.
The embargo is just an excuse the Cuban government uses to justify it's own failures.
The embargo is bull shit. Socialism is a failure and it sucks the life out of a country, literally.
@@cam_i_corn2994 Let me ask you, what do you know about Marxism and where did you learn of it?
viva USA
I have been going to Cuba for decades, lots of mis information here. The Bacardi Family fled Cuba, there is no Bacardi Rum (the brand) sold in Cuba, fact no Cuban has heard of it! Funny how this guy was blocks away from the edificio Barcadi (Barcadi Building) but never shows it! Magnificent art deco masterpiece!
Havana Club tres anos, (3 year rum) is the bomb, if they are not making your Mojito with this, you are being cheated! That said, it is all but impossible to get a proper Mojito in Havana today, has been for some time!
There are far better restaurants, and far better bars, I never go to El Floridita, (tourist trap rip off( I do go to La Bougeta de Medio, on occasion. Block up the street from El Floridita is bar Monsuratt, far better open air, real Cuban bar! Used to have your choice of chicken, beef or pork 3 or 4 course dinners for about 3 bucks!
I walk 12 to 16 hours a day, while in LA Habana, and know every single square inch of Havana Vieja, Centro and beyond, have walked ares tourists have never been. Flor de Loto in Chinatown, is probable the most popular restaurant in Havana, with locals.
Prices have gone insane, shortages have always been a problem in Cuba and transport, BUT NOTHING LIKE TODAY! If it were not for being able to sell the USD (Dollar) ON THE STREET @ 120 TO 1, NO ONE could afford it! The gov just announced it will buy USD @ 120......
I have spent thousands of hours in Cuban homes, apartments, know every aspect of Cuban life there.
When Obama opened Cuba, it was sad to see it overrun overnight, with liberals and their kids, Cuba AIN'T no place for kids, not Disney Land!
Scams abound in Cuba, and the green tourist is merely cannon fodder! Never, ever talk to anyone on the street who starts off (in English) where you from my friend, it will quickly turn ugly!
Fortunately, the American interest quickly dropped off.
Cuba needs to pull it's head outta it's arce, and cater to the tourist, the government does not, and could care less what you think!
There is NO BOTTLED WATER, much less cold "sold everywhere" ice in your drink is the rarest community in Cuba, unlike here, where it is a cheap filler. Not 2 years ago a 5th of Havana Club 3 year was $2.45!
You will be damn lucky to find a bottle today, at $30!
There are great museums, and history, Havana is one of the oldest, certainly largest and most wealthy city in the Americas, and was for hundreds of years, just celebrated a few years back 500 years, once a walled city, few remnants of the original city walls remain today.
The "Cannonazo" which for hundreds of years marked the closing of the city gates at 9 pm, still exists, and it's great to hear the blast every single night, while in residence there.
It is like walking in any Ghetto in America. 🤷🏼♂️
But its safer you won't get shot and robbed in Cuba lol
First impressions are that Havana is mostly shabby, run down buildings with poorly dressed locals passing the days doing nothing. The streets are virtually empty, stores have nothing to sell, prices in restaurants & stores are in hard currency(€) & in inflated Cuban peso! So the prices for tourists are inflated for everything! Your room was pretty shabby & low rent. So, I can think of at least 10 islands in the Caribbean that offer a better tourist experience than Cuba & cheaper!
If you want a tropical beach Caribbean vacay, Cuba has that! Varedero, all the cayes, CAYO COCO etc, but never go to Cuba expecting or comparing food and services to anywhere else, as you note, you will be terrible disappointed, the value per $, ain't there, never was!
Cuba is Cuba, the commies could care less what you think, really!
It's a take it or leave it proposition!