CUBA FOR FREE
1.La Habana Vieja
Havana’s greatest freebie happens to be a must-see attraction with a handful of colonial plazas and dozens of bustling streets to explore. Don’t miss Catedral de La Habana, the Plaza de Armas with its book market, or Parque Central – the epicenter of social life – surrounded by astonishing buildings.
Catedral de La Habana
2.The Malecón
On any evening, and especially on weekends, Havana’s seafront boulevard becomes an impromptu party scene. Thousands of young Cubans sit on the sea wall to watch the sunset, flirt, listen to music, and share bottles of rum. By day you’ll find skateboarders, in-line skaters, fishermen, musicians, and always romantic couples (for further details see Malecón).
3.Beach Resorts
Not all Cuba’s beaches are free. Those accessed by pedraplén charge a fee for use of the causeway. But other scintillating white sands, such as those of Playas del Este and Varadero, are free, and there’s never a charge for enjoying the warm turquoise seas.
4.Churches
Although most museums have an admission charge, Cuba is replete with ancient churches that are free to enter and enjoy, such as the exquisite Baroque Catedral de La Habana, and the Basílica de Nuestra de Señora de la Caridad del Cobre (for further details see El Cobre), just outside Santiago de Cuba.
5.Casa de la Trovas
Every town has a traditional music house where you can enjoy live music and dance to your heart’s content. Many offer afternoon as well as evening activities, usually free of charge. It’s a great way to strike up friendships with Cubans (for further details see Playas del Este). The best casas are those in Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba (for further details see Drive to Chivirico).
6.Colonial Trinidad
Simply strolling the cobbled streets of this colonial gem will immerse you in a quintessential Cuban experience (for further details see Trinidad). Dozens of private art galleries line the plazas, and the Iglesia Parroquial de la Santísima Trinidad can be enjoyed for free, as can such nearby attractions as the Valle de los Ingenios, with its fascinating ruined sugar mills.
Iznaga Tower, Valle de los Ingenios
7.Plaza de la Revolución
Although there’s a fee for the museum beneath the giant monument to National Hero José Martí, this massive plaza (for further details see Plaza de la Revolución) in the heart of Havana is surrounded by impressive sights, including the giant steel mural of Che Guevara that dominates the Ministerio del Interior. A convertible classic car taxi is the most atmospheric and stylish way to arrive in the plaza, but the Havana BusTour also stops here.
Steel mural in Plaza de la Revolución
8.Free Festivals
Fancy mingling with locals at one of the many annual festivals (for further details see Free Festivals) in Cuba? You can let your hair down in the revelry of Carnaval in Santiago de Cuba; enjoy the thrilling firework spectacle of Remedios’ year-end parranda; or even show solidarity during the Día de los Trabajadores (Day of the Workers).
9.Casas de la Cultura
Meet local artists, musicians, poets, and writers in community centers known as Casas de la Cultura, found all over the country (for further details see Casas de la Cultura). Enjoy cultural activities such as live performances, music shows, art exhibitions, and dance classes – almost everything they put on is free.
10.Bandstands
Most big towns in Cuba have a central square with bandstands, where local bands perform for free, usually on weekend nights. Sit on a bench or grab someone’s hand and join the locals in these wonderful expressions of community spirit.
TOP 10 MONEY-SAVING TIPS
Casa particular interior
1. Havana BusTour takes in most of Havana’s top sights for the price of a single all-day fare. With 41 stops along the route, it really is a complete sightseeing experience.
2. Take advantage of the good-value set cajita lunches that are sold at roadside stalls.
3. Stay at casas particulares, which offer great value and give you insight into how Cuban families live.
4. Join the Cubans in line at Coppelia and pay for your ice cream in pesos, rather than standing in the more expensive CUC$ line. Most large cities have a Coppelia outlet.
5. Buy a ticket for both sections of the Museo de Bellas Artes, as the Cuban and International sections charge more if you pay separately.
6. Rather than taking relatively expensive taxis, travel by public bus or hop into a colectivo taxi for longer journeys within cities.
7. Comb through the book fair at Havana’s Plaza de Armas for rare posters and other unique retro finds.
8. When exchanging foreign currency, avoid using US dollars, which are subject to a 10 percent surcharge.
9. Go gallery-hopping in Trinidad, where dozens of roadside stores sell artwork of surprisingly good quality.
10. Watch for special two-for-one offers on telephone cards for public phones; avoid using expensive hotel phones.
