Marina K. Villatoro - Havana, Cuba Travel Guide

Time is so pre cious. Especially when it comes to planning yourfamily vacation. So why waste it on looking through hundreds ofwebsites (most of them outdated) and reading through 300 pageguidebooks that barely touch upon REAL family travel and kidfriendly places? With our family's hours of researching andpersonally experiencing each location, hotel and tour I hope thisbook will help you with your trip and give you more time to do whatyou really love - being with your kids and getting them excited forthe new adventure!

Each hotel and tour has been tested andapproved by my family. We love the local and most authenticexperiences from boutique, locally owned hotels to the mosttypical, and educational tours!

The guide specifically stays away fromrestaurant recommendations because traveling with kids takes on awhole different feel and many kids are either picky eaters or don'tlike to sit through a fancy dinner.

What the guide (and I) do recommend andhighly promote is eating (or at least trying) local cuisines. Theguide helps you navigate through the most common cuisines of eachcountry and region. And most importantly to get the kids excitedabout experiencing new foods!

Now it's time to have some SERIOUS fun!

This information was accurate when it waspublished, but can change without notice. Please confirm all ratesand details directly with the companies in question before planningyour trip.

There is no other place in the world likeCuba.

You feel the true revolutionary spirit inCubans.

Cubans love kids - yet they only have one perfamily.

Cuba has practically no crime.

To really enjoy Cuba you need to know the historyof it to understand the miracle of this nation.

. Cuba has the lowest HIV cases in all of Latin America lessthan 3000 cases per year.

. Cubans have the highest life expectancy in Latin Americaand North America.

. No Cuban will ever worry about schooling, food orhealth.

. Cuba has the highest doctor-to-population ratio in theworld.

Cuba is the birth place of Bacardi Rum, although Bacardimoved to Puerto Rico after Castros takeover.

Map ofHavana

What can I say -Cuba has got to be one of the most interesting places we'vevisited. The fact that there are absolutely no advertisements orbillboards polluting your vision is amazing. There are no realcommercial centers or the latest must have's in technology orfashion. Internet is highly regulated and will take you over 30minutes to read 5 emails.

There are people living everywhere and willbe so happy to chat up with you about anything and everything. Ifyou are lost and ask someone for directions they will gladly takeyou there.

There is no shortage of time and you realizewhat life would be like if you didn't worry about where your nextmeal would come from or the education your child will be getting ormost importantly about your health. It is readily available toeveryone, is free, and considered some of the best in all of LatinAmerica.

But that's not really anything new. Whatwe found to be the most impressionable of all are the people of Cuba. At first glancethey appear standoffish almost to the point where they can't reallybe bothered. But within a very short period of time you will seethat they will bend over backwards to help you out with whateveryou need. They are fun loving, intelligent, sensual and always witha smile.

However, with the US dollar and Euro enteringthe picture the number of hustlers is on the rise and you will getasked plenty (at the most opportune and inopportune moments) for'presents' such as money. Or a better way of saying it - begging.This is a new phenomena and will take you by surprise.

Havana was once the most important port on theSpanish colonies.

Havana was originally established in 1514 onCuba's southern coast, it was moved to where it is today and thenbecame the third largest city of the colonial cities.

Havana was declared the capital of Cuba in1607.

The Island of Cuba was also a popular spot forpirates due to its rich trading business during the Spanishdomination.

During the time the U.S. controlled Cuba it becamea lucrative gambling capital, therefore it became a populardestination for people like Al Capone.

Today Havana is the largest city in theCaribbean.

It is said that the Cuban culture is one of themost eclectic and unique in Latin America.

Havana is known for its old buildings, salsadancing, drummers, rum, cigars, murals of the revolution andvintage cars.

Havana has 15 districts and over five millionpeople living here.

There are two forms of currency used inCuba:

CUC - the convertible peso which is what touristsuse and are mainly charged with.

Moneda Nacional - the Cuban Peso which is what theCubans have.

I definitely recommend getting $50 worth ofMoneda Nacional. Once you get adjusted to Havana you will find lotsof restaurants, street vendors and collective taxis that work withthe national Peso and you will save yourself a bundle. You canexchange money all over the city in CADECA's.

The internet is monitored and censored. Butthat's not all - be prepared for extremely slow service - 30minutes for 5 emails is fast.

International AirportTa x

When leaving the country you need to pay tothe departing tax which is $25 CUC.

Note: Kids under 2 are free.

You can'tcome to Cuba without knowing the basic history of what makes thisnation so unique and one of a kind:

January 1, 1959 - Was the official day of the end- yet beginning - of Fidel's revolution and takeover of Cuba andBatista's end of reign.

1960 - Cuba calls itself a communist nation as it alignsitself and accepts backing from USSR in return for keeping Russia'smissile's on the island.

1960 - The Cuban Embargo set into motion.

1961 - Bay of Pigs and a failed US take over.

1962 - End of the Cuban Missile crisis as USSR removesall its missiles from Cuba.