Rosario and I just got back from a trip to Havana, Cuba for a friend's birthday celebration. It was a different experience for sure: from unreliable internet access to having to negotiate with taxi drivers and find our way through the various parts of the historic city.
This trip I decided to leave behind my trusty Canon 5D and rent a Fujifilm XE-3 with a 23mm lens (35mm equivalent considering the crop factor) so I wouldn't throw my back out trying to lug a DSLR around a hot Caribbean island all day. That posed challenges in and of itself and resulted in many images not being quite up to what I hoped.
We began our trip at a casa particular then rode bicycles through the city as the sunset. It was an amazing way to begin the trip and we made some friends as well. I highly recommend going on this bicycle tour your first night in Havana, just to help orient and educate yourself so you realize the impact you're making in the community: Havana Evening Bike Tour
The following day we wandered around Havana and went to the Nécropolis Cristóbal Colón. I know it's morbid to go to cemeteries, but Rosario and I really appreciate the beauty of the statues and the park-like feel many of them have.
Later that evening we went to our friend's birthday dinner at La Guarida, a palace-turned restaurant. The sunset from the rooftop took our breath away.
We took another adventure the next day, focusing on the museums Havana had to offer. The casa Africa and Benito Juarez museums were accessible and educational. It's difficult to believe how empty these two places were, but we're glad we made the walk through Habana Vieja to experience them.
In search of books for one of our favorite little ones, we wandered into a parade with music that could be heard above the crowd noise from blocks away.
Another recommendation I have is Los Nardos across the street from the Cápitolio. It seems like it should be an expensive budget, but their prices for what you receive make it seem like they're giving away food. For example, a paella that can serve four costs CUC 6.50.
Service was slow; we finished our meals after about 45 minutes and asked for the check. The check didn't come back until another 45 minutes had passed. So I'll suggest ordering everything you want and requesting the bill simultaneously if you're in a rush. There's also a bit of wait to get in, so patience and having time is a must here.
Our last big activity (and another recommendation) was attending the Fábrica de Arte. It hosts art galleries, several bars, a restaurant, a film screening area, concert halls, and- as we found out that night- fashion shows. It has a hipster vibe (in a good way), and people of all ages and nationalities were represented.
It's only open in the evenings from Thursday-Sunday, and each day there are different activities. The entry fee is CUC 2 ($2 USD). Next time we're in Havana, we will be going back.
