Eating Like Royalty in Cuba - photo

Cuba is numero uno on my bucket list. Can't wait to go there, but from what I've seen, prices are rather astronomical. And those prices are from Miami, so I would have to include airfare from Chicago. I'm sure fares will come down as the overall excitement of (finally) being able to go there wanes a bit.

Not sure where you're seeing astronomical prices, but if so then you need a new travel agent. Cuba is by far one of the most affordable destinations in the Caribbean. Of course, the trick is not to confuse Cuba with Miami Beach or Ocho Rios. If you WANT it to be expensive then it certainly can be, but if you travel like the Canadians, Latin Americans and Europeans have been doing for decades you'll find wonderful home lodgings with families in what they call "casas particulares" who will take the best care of you throughout the island nation. Here's a decent website with a selection of casas particulares all over the island: http://www.hospedajecubano.com/

Many affordable travel packages will put you in Havana's Hotel Riviera the first night. Meyer Lansky's old place. The place still looks like the 50's, and the ledges around the outside look like they were designed either for hitmen to move around or for a clandestine rendezvous. Right next door is the Meliá Cohiba, an expensive hotel that I found handy for their internet service.

One thing that disappointed me after being accustomed to Mexican fare for the past couple of decades is the food in Cuba. No salsa. No tortillas. Frijoles y arroz are called moros y cristianos. Things like milk, butter, yogurt, and cream are hard-to-find luxuries, though the nicer hotels will have them. Apparently the tourists eat better than the locals, something that will bother you until you find out the hotel workers are adept at stealing food from the hotels. But in the rural areas I really missed having drawn butter with my huge lobsters!

A hidden gem in La Habana is La Guarida where many scenes from the excellent movie "Fresa y Chocolate" were filmed.

Here we are sitting at the same table where King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain enjoyed their meal at La Guarida.