lahabana. com magazine lahabana magazine SUMMER A LO CUBANO AUG INCLUDING GUIDE TO THE BEST PLACES TO EAT, DRINK, DANCE AND STAY IN HAVANAAUG 2016 1 lahabana. com magazine LA HABANA.COM is an independent platform, which seeks to HAVANA GUIDE showcase the best in Cuba arts & culture, life-style, sport, travel and much more... The ultimate guide to Havana with detailed reviews of where to We seek to explore Cuba through the eyes of the best writers, eat, drink, dance, shop, visit and play. Unique insights to the photographers and filmmakers, both Cuban and international, who place that a gregarious, passionate and proud people call home. live work, travel and play in Cuba. Beautiful pictures, great videos, opinionated reviews, insightful articles and inside tips. HAVANA LISTINGS MAY 2016 3 lahabana. com magazine EDITORIAL ¡Qué calor! Boy, it’s hot! That’s what you hear the most on the street these days in performances of 12 principal dancers from Havana…and all across Cuba. Because August sees the thermometer rise and the ballet companies from the United States, pace of life slow down. Long hot summer days full of humidity fill the month, and Russia, Great Britain, Germany and Italy. you always hope for an afternoon shower that refreshes a little…just a little. You can’t hide from the heat so embrace it and enjoy what the city has in store for you There’s a wide selection of kids’ activities this these days. month, from the circus, to variety shows, to musicals, to puppet shows at theaters, the And what better way than to go to the beach. So in this issue we pack our swimsuits Zoo, the Trompoloco Big Tent, the Aquarium and take you to Juliet Barclay’s pick of the best beach in Cuba: the idyllic Playa and even the Coppelia Ice Cream Parlor. Pilar on Cayo Guillermo. Although you don’t have to go so far to find crystal-clear Our thanks to Jauretsi for her input on how waters and fine golden sand. Several articles dwell on how Havana residents to make the most of your holiday in Cuba spend their holidays at the beaches on the city’s northern coast, the Playas del and how to live like a local on your vacation Este. And not only by the sea, but close to rivers, camp sites or visiting relatives to Cuba. in the provinces. And to top the summer day, take a stroll However, if you’re looking for other things besides swimming and tanning, the down the Malecón in the evening, when the capital has great things to do in the summer. Music-wise, the Hip-hop Festival temperature is milder and the sea breeze takes place from August 25 to 28, the Rap Festival from August 13 to 18, and Verano refreshes everyone who sits on Havana’s in Jibacoa, Cuba’s top electronic music festival, from August 5 to 7. The Jibacoa most famous lounge. Read about it in the festival combines beach and music, so it’s great for killing two birds with one article We’ll Always Have the Malecón. stone. And for a folkloric taste of Cuba, the Timbalaye Rumba Festival (August 26- Havana in the summer—and in any other 30 in Havana & Matanzas) will open at the Regla district across the bay with the season—is fascinating. So take advantage of performances of several folkloric dance and music groups. it, appreciate it, love it. If you like ballet, this month offers a special treat: Ballet Royalty (August 20 at the Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso) an exceptional opportunity to enjoy the Abrazos! The LaHabana.com Team AUG 2016 CONTENTS AUG 2016 lahabana. com magazine 50 Summer on the Litoral SUMMER Norte Northern Shore Visiting Family A 54 and Friends in the LO CUBANO Summer 10 Pitfalls to Avoid (or “Save Your Cuban Holiday”) 08 We’ll Always Have the 56 Malecón Cuba on vacation 14 Daring to Dream the 60 Olympics Live Like a Cuban 17 63 Surviving Dominoes Summer days! 22 HAVANA LISTINGS As sure as the day is long 25 VISUAL ARTS Cuba’s best beach PHOTOGRAPHY 29 DANCE MUSIC Summertime the Cuban way 32 THEATRE FOR KIDS Summer in Havana 36 EVENTS Beach Party 39 HAVANA GUIDE FEATURES Verano in Old Havana RESTAURANTS 42 BARS & CLUBS LIVE MUSIC The Delightful Rivers of Cuba 46 HOTELS PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION AUG 2016 lahabana. com magazine 10 PITFALLS TO AVOID (or “Save Your Cuban Holiday”) By Jauretsi This may seem like a scary essay on bad things in Cuba, but I assure you, it is every bit just as positive. You see, any one of these challenges can arise during a stay, but with a little foresight and smart packing, you can evade the bad stuff like Neo dodged the Agents in Matrix. Every country has its own version of things to watch out for. In Havana, at least, there is no need to double check your shoes for hidden scorpions nestled in your socks like Costa Rica; however, if you travel deep into the countryside in eastern Cuba, you may have several creepy crawlies to protect against. So here it is, we present you with the good, the bad, and the ugly. Cuba is not one of those places with a drugstore around the corner, nor is there is Best Buy nearby for techy needs. Heed the following, and be a hero on your Cuban holiday. AUG 2016 8 lahabana. com magazine SUNSTROKE You would think most people know this by now, but there’s always a few cocky travelers who wish to challenge the sun. This summer, temperatures are easily reaching up to 90 °F 32 °C (and more), so pack those SPF’s in your beach bag. Waterproof is even better. If you do happen to fall asleep in the sun, or carelessly got get caught up drinking daiquiris outdoors unbeknownst to your sunburn, fear not, a few home remedies by a local Cuban can make all the difference. First off, Vinegar is a healer to dab on a sunburn. An aloe plant is master remedy for sunburns, and can sometimes be found where vegetables are sold. To avoid the whole mess on long walks, hold up an umbrella while walking the hot streets of Havana. It is good to know that parasol culture is still alive in Cuba. Another common Cuban accessory is the hand held fan, à la Karl Lagerfeld. The classic shop to purchase one is named La Casa del Abanico en la Habana 1 Vieja (Obrapía 109, e/ Mercaderes y Oficios). 2. MOSQUITOS This is the Caribbean. Rains can make for a humid day, and worse yet, a fertile breeding ground for pesky mosquitos. The past few years has seen a rise in Dengue fever in Cuba, so make it a priority to pack mosquito spray for your next trip. Dengue can be areal vacation killers as well as giant health risk. Symptoms can begin 3 to 14 days after infection. If you prefer to avoid toxic deet chemicals found in over-the-counter producers (such as OFF), consider using Dr. Scholls Big Spray, which contains natural oils. We’ve road tested it, and it works. Smart for children too. If you’ve already been bitten and need to heal, try some toothpaste on the affected area. If you can get to a local farmers market, try applying one of the following: chopped onions, aloe vera, raw honey, or lime/lemons to the skin. In addition to mosquito spray, if your vacation includes a trip to the rural forests of Viñales, you may want to pack a little citronella candle to guard your room through the night. AUG 2016 9 lahabana. com magazine ASTHMA If you’re the type to suffer acute asthma, Havana streets can sometimes trigger some wheeziness due to the car exhaust of some vintage vehicles. Cuba does not have the standard emission testing of United States for vehicles, so expect a few cars to spit out black smoke. There is also no smoking laws inside clubs, so expect some smoky nightclubs (Hello Gato Tuerto). It’s nothing a rescue inhaler cannot fix. The other precaution to be mindful of is which “casa particular” you are renting from. Please ask to see photos of the rooms in advance. Luckily, Airbnb provides the luxury of scooping out the home before confirming. Some rooms (very rare, though) have no windows, which can collect a musty smell. Others can have mold building in the walls (note: some hotels can also have mold build-up too). If you detect this early, ask for another room. If you are stuck for the night, take a walk outside, visit the pool or backyard for fresh air. In dire cases, the foreigner’s hospital, Cira García, is located near in the Playa district. Your flight ticket comes with automatic insurance, and the clinic will be able to provide you with a quick nebulizer to get back on your feet. The second home enemy is dust mites, which might be found in old mattresses. Many Cubans do not replace mattresses every six years as recommended by allergy experts. If you are sensitive to dust mites, bring an allergy bed cover for mattress and pillows (easy to pack). Bad sleep equals a groggy traveler. This can save your holiday slumber and keep you focused, alert, and ready to build fun memories to last a lifetime. 3 DIARRHEA This curse is the most dreaded sentence for any holiday—be it Cuba or India.