Since traveling to Cuba from the USA isn’t as easy as 1,2,3, there is very little information available on what to expect. Here is my list of what I observed:

1. Locals are very friendly. Apparently my husband speaks very very good Spanish (to my surprise!) and was able to have numerous conversations with locals. One assured us that Fidel Castro is dead and another told us their newspaper is full of propaganda.

2. It’s very safe (at least in Havana)! We were out and about until 1am at times and always felt safe. In general, you are left alone, expect for a few people that try to sell you cigars. P.S.: these cigars are fake so just say “thank you” and keep walking. Unlike some places we’ve been to, peddlers aren’t pushy or aggressive. They offer whatever they’re selling but if you aren’t interested, they leave you alone. A few times when peddlers saw we were hesitant, they reassured us “Cuba has no mafia! Very safe!”

3. There is live music everywhere! At all hours of the day! We always tipped the musicians in whatever restaurant we were at, but a tip isn’t expected. It’s just a nice thing to do, considering that the average salary of a Cuban is $25-30/month.

These guys were so good and took a request from us!

4. Download Trip Advisor ahead of time! There is no internet access anywhere, so an app like this can be a life saver. It can help you decide where to eat and what to see-without internet. You can read reviews and get directions. A MUST.

Del Medio is very famous because that is where Hemingway liked to have his mojitos while listening to a live band. It is tiny and crowded, but worth a visit.

5. Old Havana doesn’t have too many “grocery stores”-if you can even call them that. The stores remind me of growing up in the Soviet Union- there are many shelves, but they are usually pretty empty. Rum is always available ($3/bottle), water is not. When you stumble upon a store that sells water, buy a lot because you don’t know when you’ll come across it again.

Almost every “grocery” store has a freezer for ice cream, but they’re always empty! On our last day, we came across a delivery of ice cream and a line formed immediately!

6. Some restaurants have restrooms, and some have paid restrooms. Just have a coin to tip the attendant-once again, I am sure you can get away without the tip, but that’s not very nice.

7. Bring a roll of toilet paper with you! We noticed that airport bathrooms didn’t have any TP, and it’s just good to be prepared.

8. “Fish of the Day”= Red Snapper 99% of the time. I ate Red Snapper at least six times.

9. Bring US Dollars with you. We brought EUROS and Canadian dollars with us as well, but the exchange rates are pretty much the same. It’s a hassle to have to exchange $ in the US for Euros/Canadians-don’t bother. It’s actually easier to exchange US $’s because banks don’t require that you have a passport with you, versus you need one for Canadians and Euros (we don’t like to carry around our passport-it belongs in a safe!). They charge a “fee” for US $’s, but the exchange amounts to be the same as Euros and Canadians.

Brought this from home- best idea ever to beat the heat!

10. It’s easier to find a hamburger than it is to find a Cuban Sandwich! This elusive sandwich appeared on many menus…however wasn’t “available” to order. Hmmm.

11. One of our airbnb’s was fancier than our Brooklyn Apartment…expect great things and book with airbnb! You’ll be greeted by a local who has a wealth of knowledge.

12. No amount of deodorant can save you from the sweat you’ll be drenched in if you visit during the summer. Don’t bother wearing clothes that gets ruined from sweat- dress comfortably, bring the strongest deodorant you can find, and shower often (unless the apartment runs out of water…which happened to us.) I actually do suggest face oil blotting sheets or baby wipes- this can hopefully save you from sweat acne. Oh and no one cares how you’re dressed. We went to a Salsa Club (1830) and thought we’d be underdressed in summer dresses/sandals. Wrong. We were overdressed- girls were in flats/shorts/t-shirts/whatever. No one cares!

These feet took a beating.

13. It was very difficult to find fresh fruits and vegetables- to me this is a nightmare. I was ready to give up a kidney for a fresh garden salad. No joke.

14. If you are prone to bug/mosquito bites- be prepared to be eaten alive. Luckily for me- mosquitos and bugs stay away, but my husband and our friend were covered in itchy bites. Do yourself and your sanity a favor and bring Ben’s Insect Repellent Wipes (Found Here) and anti-itch cream!

This smart pup ran up to us as soon as our food came. He stayed until the table was cleared. See? smart pup.

15. Stay in Old Havana- this way everything is within walking distance. We took a cab to a few places outside of Old Havana, but I can’t imagine staying anywhere else because the action is in Old Havana. Also expect to walk everywhere! This is one of the things I loved-just walking around, finding cafes/restaurants to try, people watching, etc. Yes, you’ll be tired, no, don’t bring heels, yes, you’ll have a great experience!