I’m looking for advice for a stay in Santiago de Cuba in January. I’m primarily interested in casas particulares, and would appreciate suggestions of what parts of Santiago might be best to look in. We’d prefer an area which is reasonably quiet but has stores, food, etc. and is not remote from “tourist attractions,” if all those can fit into one bucket!
Thanks for any suggestions…
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I’m not familiar with Santiago de Cuba.
Casa particulares will provide you with meals and drinks. Stores and Restaurants are hard to find and most food is still rationed to the Cubans. Cuban water is safe for the locals but carries a high mineral content, which may cause gastro problems. Bottled “Montero” water is available and low cost. Quite nice too. Santiago de Cuba is not on the tourist lists for us Brits. Most Cuban food uses – Rice -Beans – Eggs – Chicken – Pork (No Beef) – Fish -Cheese – Breads – and a variety of sauces. Beer and Rum is excellent and the Coke / Fanta are from Mexico. The availability of food and stores selling anything useful will be quite a culture shock. When Mr and Mrs Tourist enter a store they may be asked to leave their bags and rucksack at the door.