Havana, Cuba--the city you don't want to sleep on...

"Havana, ooh na-na (ay)"
About 10 years ago, I was working for a large financial institution in Charlotte, NC, in the compliance department. One of my job responsibilities was to monitor debit card activity (related to Office of Foreign Assets and Control, or "OFAC") if the customer flew to a sanctioned country. I remember monitoring this one particular customer's debit card activity who flew to Havana, Cuba. Back then, if a person flew to Cuba, their debit card/credit card would be blocked until they came back! For various reasons, of course...and one of them was trade restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba.  I always said if I ever got the opportunity to travel there legally, I was going!

Overlooking Havana, Cuba

Chillin' in a rented condo, downtown Havana

Cuba, what's good?!
For the last year or so, I kept hearing that there were restrictions on traveling to Cuba...that you couldn't go. Some of the craziest things people have told me are "Nah-uh, I wouldn't go to Cuba....they might not let you back in (the States)!" or "It's too much going on right now, you should stay your ass in the States!" HA! First of all, I'm going to do just the opposite! LOL. There are ways to go to Cuba, you just have to do your due diligence. There are twelve travel authorizations you can choose from when flying to Cuba. One of them is "Support for the Cuban people." You can do that by supporting their restaurants, going on a tour, staying in the natives' homes (i.e., renting out a condo through Airbnb, etc). That is the category I chose when I booked my flight. And if you go, make sure you keep a documented itinerary just in case U.S. Customs start to interrogate you (which they probably won't)! Click here to view the frequently asked questions on traveling to Cuba and pay particular attention to number 5 on the list! Also, you have to purchase a Visa prior to arriving in Cuba. You can either purchase it at the airport, or at the time you purchase your ticket (depending on the airline you're flying with). The cost was $100...not too bad.


Money, Money, Money!
If you want to exchange currency prior to arriving in Cuba, you have to exchange it to Euros first, then exchange currency from Euros to CUCs (Cuban money). The United States doesn't take their money! AND-- Cuba doesn't accept debit cards/credit cards...you MUST have cash. You better bring enough! Ain't no Western Unions down there! (HA!). Also, when you get ready to travel back home, make sure you spend ALL the Cuban money you have, or exchange it back to Euros before you leave Cuba (then you can exchange Euros back to U.S. dollars once you get back to the States). If you don't, you're stuck with the money until you go back!




We ain't makin' no noise...just chillin' in the hood in Havana:)

Touchdown in Cuba

Taking a taxi ride back to our condo in downtown Havana. Excuse the hair! HA!

When we touched down in Cuba, it looked exactly how it looked in the magazines and on TV! The one thing I was fascinated with was the old cars! They drive those "1950's" cars-- pink, aqua blue, and white in color! We actually rode in a convertible taxi back to our condo in one of them...pretty cool! From what I've seen, there's not a lot of gentrification in Cuba...yet.
The buildings are run down and a lot are abandoned, but the city has an overabundance of culture and authenticity! It is very safe in Havana--the crime rate is extremely low. We felt safe walking the streets at night, and the Cuban people were very friendly and welcoming.

Get your grub on!!

We went to this restaurant called Atelier. It was highly recommended and Michelle Obama had visited there during her stay in Cuba. The food was delish...and cheap!! Of course, I'm vegan, so I only had steamed veggies and rice...oh yeah, and a Margarita too! BUT- nonetheless, very good! I was surprised that the restaurants down there had a lot of vegetarian options on the menu! Bring A LOT of snacks though...you must bring snacks...if you don't eat after 8pm, you're shit outta luck! HA!! I couldn't find a bag of potato chips the entire time I was there! Lol

Atelier Restaurant, Havana Cuba

Our tour guide, Adriana, explaining each authentic Cuban dish we were about to grub on!

Our tour guide, Adriana, speaking on Afro Cuban music and culture

Afro Cuban girl dancing

Internet Access
I have Verizon Wireless, and they didn't have an international plan via cell phone service for Cuba. So if you use your phone, your bill will be high!  And wifi is scarce, my G! You have to purchase "wifi cards" for 1 CUC (their money) and walk to a nearby café to use the card. That's if they offer wifi at that particular establishment. Your best bet is to go to a nearby hotel to use the internet. Most of the hotels have a wifi network. But you still need to purchase a wifi card to do that!



Off guard pic, walking through the streets of Havana...

Cuban Cigars on Deck
Yes! We went to the market to shop for oil paintings, souvenirs, and of course, Cuban cigars! There were so many brands to choose from, but I purchased the Cohibas'! If you ain't going to Cuba anytime soon, you can purchase those Cohiba cigars here.

Cohiba Cuban Cigars

Global Entry should be your new Bestie

If you travel internationally often like I do, I'd strongly suggest signing up for Global Entry! It includes TSA pre-check and is good for 5 years. That means when you go through security check at the airport, you go through an expedited line (TSA pre-check), you don't have to take your shoes off, you don't have to take your laptop out of your bag, none of that "aggy" shit!😂 And when you come back into the country (Global Entry), you scan your passport, answer a few questions, and go through another expedited line through U.S. Customs! My first port of entry coming back from Cuba was Miami, and folks who did not have Global Entry had to stay in the U.S. Customs line for over an hour. I went straight through!  It took me all of 5 minutes. It costs $100 to get and TRUST ME, it's well worth it...Sign up for Global Entry here.


Like I said, the media hypes up the negative things about Cuba. I say go see for yourself! There's a lot of cool things I didn't get a chance to talk about in this post. So, if you have any questions, shoot me an email at theveganworldtraveler@gmail.com. I will try to get an answer for ya! Well, that's Treena V. signin' off! Y'all be easy! I'll holla!


-The Vegan World Traveler