Cuba, a trip to the past: The trendiest places to visit the island
Whether we want to admit it or not, whenever we travel to a place and even more if it's a place we've never been to, one of the activities to do that comes to mind is to take pictures in the most beautiful places, and why not? trendy of our getaway.
If we choose the American continent to enjoy our trip, then we will have to think that if there is a paradisiacal place, that is the Caribbean, and if we also want to go to an island, then Cuba should be our choice.
Famous for its history, its still colonial aesthetics and its beautiful vintage cars, traveling to Cuba is going back to the past, a past with wonderful aesthetics that 'takes the breath away' and leaves all the tourists who travel year after year speechless to the cradle of the mambo or the chachachá.
Its culture, rich gastronomy and unbeatable climate are some of the reasons why so many people feel attracted to this place. However, with the advent of Instagram and the desire to take the best photo, this Caribbean island has also become one of the most 'instagrammable' places in the world, a luxury that it shares with other large cities such as Paris or New York.
For this reason, in this article we want to tell you which are the most trendy places to visit on the island and where we are sure you will be able to take wonderful photos for your feed from Instagram. Read on if you're planning your next getaway to this island destination.
First stop: Havana
If you find yourself organizing this trip, the first thing we recommend that you do is visit the capital of the island. This city full of color and joy will make you fall in love.
Hamel Alley
If you visit Havana, one of the fundamental places to visit is Hamel alley, the center of Cuban culture, where in addition to enjoying music without rest, you can also admire its walls full of drawings and abstract works by the muralist Salvador González Escalona.
Old Havana
It is the epicenter of this capital and one of the places that attracts the most attention from visitors. Colonial in style and still plagued by the famous Cadillacs and Chevrolets, visiting Old Havana is like going back in history, a city where the 50s seem to have never ended, and which leaves postcards as interesting as they are curiously aesthetic and full of colours, which they star in the photos that tourists take to keep them as an eternal memory, and to be honest, also as an Instagram post.
El Floridita and La Bodeguita del Medio
If you are interested in continuing to soak up Cuban culture while visiting emblematic and very photogenic spots, then El Floridita and La Bodeguita del Medio are a mandatory stop. If you visit La Bodeguita del Medio you can taste its typically Creole dishes, and this tavern founded in 1942 has very Cuban dishes such as sleeping black beans, fried pork masses or casserole chicken.
After tasting all these delicacies of Cuban gastronomy, you can end the night at El Floridita, whose aesthetic evokes the English regency, known as Regency and drink one (or several) of its famous daiquiris. This place, like La Bodeguita del Medio, are famous for all the famous people who have visited them and who have left a record of it on their walls such as Briggitte Bardot, Julio Cortázar, but above all Ernest Hemingway, who in his works names The Floridita repeatedly.
Hotel Big Apple Kepinski
This place is undoubtedly one of the best if you want to experience the luxury of the hotel, but also to admire the city from this very modern terrace whose infinity pool takes center stage, with the permission of course from the Capitol and the Central Park, which loom in the distance, leaving an incredible impression of the Caribbean city.
The Malecon
Staying to watch the sunset and not wanting to leave is one of the feelings that is repeated the most times in all those who visit the Malecón. And it is that although this time of day is to be admired anywhere in the world, doing it from here is something much more special. The background music, fishermen and Cubans singing, dancing, celebrating birthdays, dating or telling stories about the past history of the country are the perfect setting to watch a sunset that leaves you speechless while teaching you the true culture of this unique island.
In addition, before evening falls, this site is ideal for taking videos and photos to upload to your stories on Instagram and thus show off this magical moment.
In case you want to escape the city…
Although Havana is the most identifying place in Cuba, the truth is that there are many more places to visit in this Caribbean destination.
150 km from Havana is Varadero, a beach tourist spot par excellence. Its paradisiacal beaches stretch along 22 km of coastline where enjoying its crystal clear turquoise waters is not an option, but an obligation. This place is undoubtedly the ideal place to become your spot to take those photos in a bikini and with a mojito in hand that you are looking forward to.
We could not forget another of the great emblematic sites of Cuba: Viñales.
Two hours from the capital is Viñales, one of the most charming towns you can visit. This town is undoubtedly one of the most rural and at the same time authentic destinations on the island, among its many activities to do, horseback riding, visiting the Monte de la Prehistoria and taking a boat to go to Cayo Jutías are among the essentials.
Cuba is one of the most authentic destinations, with history and a tradition that lasts over time. A beach destination, but also a city destination is what awaits you when you arrive on this island where its inhabitants will welcome you with open arms.
Frequently asked questions about Cuba
What is the typical Cuban food?
Some of the most traditional dishes of Cuban cuisine are black beans with rice, fried pork masses, Ropavieja and Picadillo a la Criolla.
Which are the most emblematic places in Havana?
The capital of Cuba is full of sites with history. One of the most emblematic buildings is the Capitol, as well as bars like El Floridita or La Bodeguita del Medio, famous for having been the meeting point for many famous people such as Ernest Hemingway.
What is El Malecón?
The Malecón is a place located in Havana that includes six lanes of the city and whose distinguishing feature is a huge wall that faces the sea and serves as a meeting point for Cubans who want to fish, dance, listen to music and sing among other activities.