6 Silver Linings to the “Downfalls” of Cuba
For a majority of people, Cuba is a relatively new location for vacation. There are plenty of things which can come as a culture shock. It is vastly different than most vacation destinations, but in some of the best ways. Cuba is a place that easily grows on you, and before you leave, you may find yourself rooted in all that Cuba has to offer.
1. Little to no WiFi
For many people today, having no WiFi or access to internet seems unimaginable. The reason I normally go on vacation is to get away from stress and people; really just taking advantage of the chance to breathe. Having no internet could be exactly what is needed! You could always pay for an internet card and sit at a WiFi park to try to check your email & upload a picture to the ‘gram, or you can wait until you are back home… It is a nice change because without this distraction, you realize how much free time you have and can take in the atmosphere and culture. Depending on how large your phone plays a part in your life, it’s a small way to appreciate where you are and to take a step back from emails/social media.
2. Finding accommodations can be difficult
It can become difficult trying to find accommodations online prior to traveling. There are, of course, hotels in the more populated regions, but they can cost an arm and a leg. It is much easier and cost-effective to stay in casas. These are rooms or apartments that can be rented daily. AirBnB has quite a few options, or if you wait until last minute to find a place to stay, they can be purchased through people in town. Although this may come across dodgy, many people will be waiting at bus stops or simply ask you where you are staying, and most of these people will have a place to stay. It’s also just another way to get to interact with more people and learn where some of the hidden gems are nearby!
3. Money exchange is a hurdle
No matter where you are traveling from, money exchange locations are few and far between. Surprisingly, despite trying to “shop around” for the best rates, the best rate was found at the Habana airport (José Martí International Airport). The line is long, but the lines in the towns and downtown are even longer.
For Americans, there is one more step to take. Our credit cards work in some areas, but it is not accepted in most places (restaurants, shops) and ATMs are hard to come by. The best idea would of course be to bring cash. I calculated what I was thinking it would cost per day and just pulled that amount out with a little extra cushion. You then have to exchange this at a bank (I went through Chase) in order to receive a different currency. Canadian dollars or Euros work best for this. Then, once you are in Cuba, exchange as noted above.
In turn, the lack of cash on hand makes you a bit more money conscious. The nice thing is that a dollar goes a long way in Cuba and you become more mindful.
4. Disconnection with outside news
The newspapers on Cuba seem to be a bit selective on what is shown and can be outdated. Pair this with the very few television channels and lack of internet, and you easily become disconnected with world news. Usually, this lack of knowledge can cause me to become anxious or cause some serious FOMO. This fear quickly changed when I realized the benefits. I no longer had to keep tabs on what the president was doing daily and I could indulge more in walking around and finding good food. To an extent, ignorance can be bliss.
5. Older technology
This topic really is something to be emphasized, because in today’s society, people seemingly cannot live without being connected or always being distracted/entertained. It does not matter the age, I normally cannot walk down the street in my daily life without seeing people looking down at their phones and toddlers holding iPads. In Cuba, it is truly a breath of fresh air seeing people wanting to have conversations with you, singing together, or just dancing. It brings a new sense of freedom when you realize what you really could be doing and the types of connections that we miss out on when we are so enveloped in our gadgets.
6. Public transportation can be limited
If you are on a budget and taxis are not the most cost efficient mode of transportation, it can quickly become challenging to find ways to get around. Ideally, the best way to get around would be to take a bus, but there are only a couple actual bus companies which run on very specific schedules. If you can plan ahead, you can book these for getting to other towns. Otherwise, there are shared taxis called collectivos or you can try to hitchhike. The benefit to this is that you become more assured of your traveling and forces you to plan for the whole day. It really eliminates the chance of you going back to your room in the middle of the day where you suddenly feel like napping or watching a movie- I’m not judging though!
