I typed this up the other night then the site went down. I hope that it's worth the wait.
;D
I was lucky enough to go to Cuba a few years ago.
In La Habana I would recommend that you visit the cigar factory, unfortunately there are no dusky maidens rolling cigars in their firm lithe thighs but it's still fascinating. Particularly as they employ blokes to sit there and sample the cigars for quality. Yep that's right they are paid to smoke cigars.
All around you'll enjoy superb music, there are bands in all the bars. You must try a Mojito (pronounced Mohito), white rum and lemonade over crushed ice and mint.
I really liked all of the 1950s American automobiles, many show their age but some have been lovingly restored. They are used as taxis so you can easily get a ride. Diving down the Malecon (sea front) in an open top Cadillac is just so cool.
Unfortunately due to the country being so poor and the USA blockade the quality of the food isn't particularly good. Just visit a supermarket and you'll realise just so lucky we are. The one we went in seemed to have biscuits and alcohol in abundance. And that was just about it.
There are quite a few Hemmingway related tourist spots including the bar he used to frequent, I would recommend sampling a Daiquiri there.
Another place worth visiting in La Habana is the Rum Distillery.
If you're staying in Varadero in one of the hotel complexes then you'll be well looked after and entertained but those sort of places are a bit sterile for me, I prefer to get out and see the real thing.
There are no real beaches in La Habana so you'll have to travel a bit to find one.
There are a few forts which you can visit, they are well maintained and help to pass a couple of hours.
TipsDon't buy cigars from the locals as the quality can be a bit rough.
Getting money from bureaux de changes can be an absolute pain so draw a fair amount and put it in your safety deposit box.
However, when you go home make sure that you get rid of most (keep some back for refreshments) of your Cuban pesos before you pass through immigration as you cannot change it airside or when you get home.
There are a lot of working girls in La Habana but prostitution is illegal and if the girls get caught they are sent to correctional facilities to teach them the error of their ways.
