Key West To Cuba

Info About Cuba Charters

   Directly across the Straits of Florida from Key West lies the island of Cuba. Only 90 miles away, yet a million miles from any country you’ve ever visited. Call Key West Charter Boat or fill out a quote form. We’ll introduce you to several travel options for journeying Cuba, from single-day round trips to excursions lasting a week or longer. Or if you prefer, fill out a quote form. Either way, Charter Boat to Cuba is an experience you don’t want to miss.

State-of-the-art power yachts from Key West to Cuba allow you to spend a day wandering through plazas of Havana and be back in the United States by nightfall. For a more leisurely voyage, employ the professional services of a certified captain and sail to Cuba on a 65-foot catamaran, making stops at Matanzas, Santiago de Cuba, Cienfuegos and other culturally rich ports around the island.

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Walking Tour of Old Havana

   Old Havana on foot is a time machine, every stone that completes the streets reveals a part of the city’s fascinating history. Start at the oldest square in Havana, the Plaza  de Armas, where you can feel the history in every stone. The tour then proceeds to Plaza Vieja, another lively square that is famous for music and colorful buildings.

There is no way you can visit Old Havana without visiting El Floridita, the birth place of the Daiquiri. Also other famous bars like La Bodeguita del Medio which was Hemingway’s favourite  joint. Utilizing local tour guides and drivers to conduct the tours is helpful in enhancing the tour experience and at the same time, helps the community through their tips.

Local Cuisine and Restaurants

   Cubans love their food and eating is a big part of the culture  which is why food is one of the best ways to experience Havana. Eating at privately owned restaurants, such as Paladar, helps the local population and is a popular place amongst visitors. These eateries serve typical Cuban fare, for example, ropa vieja, a shredded beef preparation that is common in Cuban cuisine.

Lunch during the excursion is usually inclusive of food from a locally owned Cuban restaurant which makes the experience even more local. The street foods such as tostones which are fried  plantains served with different sauces are a mouth-watering reminder of the vibrant food culture in Havana.

Local Markets and Vendors

   A trip to Havana is not complete without a visit to the local markets.  One of the best markets in Havana is Mercado de San José where one can mingle with the locals and buy handcrafts. These markets are well stocked with various items that are hand crafted special souvenirs such as jewelry, textiles and art.   Buying the products from the artisans helps in preserving the traditional arts and crafts that supports Cuba’s creative industry.

Ernest Hemingways Secret Retreat

   Hemingway journeyed to Cuba for several reasons, not least of which was the world-class fishing. The warm waters of the Gulf Stream flow the entire length of the island’s north side, attracting spectacular Sailfish, Black Fin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and a diverse assortment of other sport fish.

Key West Charter Boat can put you in the fighting chair of a sport fishing yacht trolling Cuban waters in a matter of a few hours. Surprisingly, Key West to Cuba distance is substantially shorter than Miami’s proximity to the Bahamas. Journey to the southern coast of this internationally acclaimed fishing destination and you’ll be in the Caribbean Sea, where the daily catch could easily include mammoth Tiger and Hammerhead sharks.

Cuban Culture

   No Key West to Cuba trip would be complete without spending at least a day in Havana. Once a playground for the rich and famous, Hollywood starlets and business tycoons were found here nightly, gambling in casinos and taking in a show at the world-famous Tropicana Nightclub. Havana in the 1950s was an “anything goes” town of fame and occasional infamy. Today the high life has disappeared, old-world charm lingers.

Stroll the streets of Old Havana and you’ll feel a mixture of cultural influences that are uniquely Cuban, from the conservative architecture of a Spanish cathedral to plazas lined with brightly colored building facades. Stop along the way and sample some of the city’s famous street food, including Tostones—deep-fried plantains served with a variety of dipping sauces.

Any walk through Old Havana is sure to pass under clotheslines strung between apartment buildings and have an encounter with at least one vintage 1950s-era Ford or Chevy automobile, still in operational condition and often used as taxis.

Planning Your Trip

There are a few things that one needs to make sure of when planning a trip to Havana.

• Having a passport
• Having a Visa
• Declare an OFAC list item (i.e Support for the Cuban People )
• Do not spend money at Cuban government owned businesses
• Keep receipts for proof to US customs
• Proof of Insurance
• Know location of US embassy and phone number
• Inform family and friends of where you will be staying
• Cuba compatible cell phone
• Bring Plenty of Cash US Dollars or Cuban Pesos
• Check the weather
• Bring Purified Water Bottle
• Bring sunscreen
• Bring Mosquito repellent
• Bring rain poncho or umbrella
• Bring Toilet Paper

Document checks at the air and seaports are standard for U.S. citizens going to Cuba.  Upon return to the United States expect customs to conduct a larger than normal interview and inspection in regards to your trip to Cuba.

Safety concerns and the weather are among the most important factors to consider when planning your trip to Cuba.  If staying overnight please locate a non government, privately owned boutique hotel that has reputable reviews.  This not only keeps you in compliance with US laws and regulations but also helps the local economy of the Cuban people.

For passengers on the day trip flight please remember to meet your driver by 4:00 PM to secure your ride to the airport for your 5:00 PM departure.