I was sitting yesterday at noon thinking the best way to cheer up my afternoon and suddenly a colleague of mine offered me visiting Finca Vigía, former residence in Havana of the worldwide famous writer Ernest Hemingway. The day absolutely changed, 25 minutes away from downtown and sightseeing San …

Did you know that on November 16 of this year Havana turns 500 years old? Half a millennium of history that obviously we cannot tell you in an entry in our blog but, how about we give you an express summary so you don´t miss the most important details of the history of the city? Well, it all …

There are many people in love with Havana around the world; the reason is clear, we´re talking about a lovely city full of history and mysteries. A part of Havana was named Old Havana ending the 19th century, its streets are cobbled and through the year, even the shortest alleys got a name. So …

Today we want to lead you through the world of smells and give you a ride to Fragancias 1791 or as we Cuban know it “The House of Perfumes”. The place was built in 2000 in the same street that in older time the hawkers sold their famous eau de cologne. The perfumery in its museum function has …

There´s nothing more attractive than a love story that was so amazing that have been immortalized through the years and became part of the architecture of a whole country. On today´s blog, I tell you about the history of La Giraldilla, one of the most representative symbols of Havana, a statue …

  On December 31, Cuba welcomes everyone to celebrate New Year´s Eve and the triumph of the Cuban Revolution so you´d probably hear the National Anthem once the clock reaches midnight. If you are coming to the island and you, don´t certainly know what to do here´re some guidance tips you may find …

Why people all over the world come to visit Havana? Wooden paving stones, houses centuries old, living statues scarring people walking by, and lately dogs with ID. Yes, that´s right, dogs with ID. The fact Cuba doesn´t have an Animal Protection Law hasn´t stopped the Office of the City …

I guess you´ve been waiting for more of “Asere que bola” and here in Knowing Cuba we love to satisfy customers. Last time we learned that not having the oven for pastries actually meant we are not in the mood but we are so in the mood to this, so here we go, ten new phrases to help you …

Welcome once again to our must-do list of happenings every month. June is Cuba’s most musical month of the year, so if you´re visiting us in the next 30 days, you may want to assist the clubs and events around the capital. The temperatures start arising so you´d better pack some shirts and shorts, …

Think it would be interesting for you to know though Pina Colada has become part of our cocktail making heritage isn´t really an authentic Cuban drink, in fact, the cocktail was born in Puerto Rico in the latest 70s. Some say that the first traces of the cocktail date from the Pirates era in the …

Like usual, our team handpicks the must-do list of happenings every month. May is Cuba’s rainiest month of the year, and if you’re planning to visit at this time, we encourage you to partake in the local tradition of bathing in the first downpour of May to cast away the bad luck and bring in good …

Every month our team handpicks the best Cuban events and happenings for you. As temperatures finally start to rise, April is finally the time to go to the beach, start exploring nature and spend more time outdoors. Here’s our April must do´s:   Traditional Music from the 50s Show  Nights …

The Knowing Cuba team knows what’s being cooked in Cuba behind the scenes. Here’s our top events pick for the month of March: Fiesta del Tambor: An annual party of percussion, drums, rhythms and music that gather musicians and percussionist from all over the world. Expect to see popular …

Travelling with children can be challenging, so we understand you might be concerned about what activities will keep your kids entertained in Cuba. The good news is Cuba is a great destination for families. It’s extremely safe, and there are enough once-in-a-lifetime family experiences that will …

Even Spanish speakers have a hard time understanding “Cuban.” That’s because we have a talent for making up idioms that reflect our sense of humor. If you’re traveling to Cuba soon, pay attention to this list of words so you don’t feel lost: 1. When you’re having a conversation, or in a math …

At KnowingCuba we always stay on top of local events and happenings. Here are our top picks for the month of February: International Book Fair: Both for bookworms and for those interested in discovering new aspects of Cuban culture. You will find books by Cuban authors as well as from …

Gosh, is amazing the way time flies, one second we´re making plans for a whole year and the other one we are celebrating Christmas and New Year´s Eve. Ops, perhaps you´re visiting us next holidays and you´re probably wondering what should you do on this amazing night waiting for a better year …

1-Who needs a visa? Everyone travelling to Cuba needs a tourist visa. American Citizens are not allowed to travel as tourists and must only travel under one of the 12 categories of authorized travel by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). If you’re an …

If you´re thinking of visiting our Cuba and you heard a lot about our charms, but don’t know where to start, here is a list of the top 10 most amazing things to do. We promise you’ll thank us later:  1-    Beach Day: You´ll probably fall in love with our island if you visit one of our …

The so-called “Cuban style” is the original way of dancing salsa. It is, unlike the styles that have arisen in recent years, the one that takes the most elements and steps from previous existing dances:: son montuno, urban son, guaracha, mambo, making it the most complex Cuban dance hall, and the …

Cuba’s fauna has an absolutely amazing variety, a result of a pleasant climate and a rich biodiversity, in addition to the abundance of habitats that make up the island. These are the 3 most typical Cuban animals you want to see on your trip: El Majá de Santa María the endemic boa of …

Cubans know how to celebrate, and there’s no party without music, dance, rum, and lots of food. Here are some of our holiday traditions not to miss:    Christmas Eve Christmas is all about family and close friends, but dinner is the most important part of the night, and there’s no Christmas …

Cuba, the sleeping alligator, as we call it, it´s surrounded by 5.700km of coast, and scuba diving in our shores will take your breath away.  The tropical weather and an average temperature of 26°c allow diving all year round, with only having to use a light lycra on summer, and 3mm wetsuits on …

You’ll find traditional dance and live music clubs all over Havana, but if the underground scene is more of your thing, we suggest that you check out the Fábrica de Arte Cubano, known as FAC. It's become the place where Habaneros seeking to escape the mainstream gather for alternative …

Cuba has become one of the most sought-after fishing destinations due to its perfect Caribbean location. The International Needle Fishing Tournament Ernest Hemingway is celebrated every year in Cuba is one of the oldest fishing tournaments in the world, and one fishing aficionados can’t miss.  …

When it comes to art, we Cubans are artists by nature! Our Spanish and African heritage made us reflective and appreciative of the arts in its many formats. From traditional institutions to private art galleries, you can get lost in works that show our perceptions and responses to the world …

Pizza is one of the most loved foods around the world, and Cuba isn’t an exception. We adopted this Italian dish earlier on, and added our flavors to it.  Here are 5 best pizzerias in Havana:  5 Esquinas Trattoria: Set at the center of daily Cuban life, making it perfect for …

Only 18km east from Havana, you’ll find more than 20km of beautiful beaches visited regularly by habaneros and travelers who venture to this region to experience and swim in on the richest shores in the Caribbean:  the beaches of eastern Havana. Santa María del Mar  Havana's most …

Did you know that until the half the XIX century our ice cream used to come from England or the United States in bars wrapped in sawdust?  The "Café de Paris", the "Café de las Armas" and the "Café de los Catalanes" were the first local establishments to serve "ice cream" soft drinks. Very …

Cuba has a long tradition of baking and sugar confections due to its Spanish heritage and its large production of sugar cane, honey, and tropical fruits, giving origin to a variety of sweets and desserts found in homes and bakeries across the country.  Cuban’s “sweet tooth” is part of our …

Salsa was born in the 70's and can be considered as the culmination of the Cuban music evolution. The combination of elements of other Cuban rhythms such as danzon, son, chachacha, mambo, conga, the incorporation of new musical instruments such as piano, trumpet or saxophone, and the development of …

Rum is Cuban’s favorite drink, but we also love a cold beer, especially on hot days at the beach or sitting on the Malecon. Besides trying our local beers Cristal and Bucanero, there are two breweries in Havana that are an obligatory stop for both beer and architecture lovers. We guarantee you’ll …

Cuba has a rich jazz heritage and was selected as the host city of the 2017 World Jazz Day celebrated April 30, a celebration that culminated with performances by Herbie Hancock and Chucho Valdéz.   In addition, Afro-Cuban jazz, a subgenre of jazz, emerged in the 1940s and was integrated …

Trinidad is located in the central region of Cuba, in the southern Sancti Spíritus province. Here are the best things to see and do during your visit:    La Plaza Mayor of Trinidad: Considered the heart of the Historic Center of Trinidad. It is bordered by Real del Jigüe, Cristo and Desengaño …

Cuba is the country of music, sun, beaches, friendly people and the best cigars in the world, but it is also famous for its gastronomy, the result of Spanish, Caribbean and African influences,  The favorite cocktail of millions prepared with white rum, sugar, lime, mint, carbonated water and other …