I knew this would be an extensive trek so part of my strategy was to make sure I had quality meals as well as getting adequate rest. I love food!!!!! All types of food!!!! So, while I consume in moderation I try to pay attention to balance. Listed below are some of the foods I had. Keep in mind to accomplish my itinerary which included visiting many people, cities and communities I put in 55 miles of walking, 35 hours on the Viazul bus plus countless hours in a taxi and local bus.
One critical point, my goal was to stay away from tourist areas so that I could stretch my tight budget and use local currency (cuban pesos). This is where the casa particulares shine because you are at someone’s home and their food is comparable to what you would find in a restaurant but at a fraction of the cost. Also, I did a combination of paladars as well as local “street food.”
some of the foods of Cuba
Budweiser – Cucina italiana Il Paradiso – $1
pan Villa Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba
Cuba libre- Hostal K – Havana
Sol – Club Bodega – Trinidad – $1
Chix soup Villa Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba
Roasted pork sandwich – Cienfuegos – 25 cents
Cucina italiana Il Paradiso – $4
Restaurant next door to Viazul bus terminal
Soup Villa Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba
Pork cutlet – Los Amigos paladar $7
Presidente cerveza next door to Viazul bus termina
Traditional dinner – Hostal K – Havana
hamon y cueso with Presidente $3.50
hamon y cueso – Santiago de Cuba $2
hamon y cueso especial bus stop on avenida 23
Las Terrazas – Cienfuegos
Crystal Cueveza $1.10
Arroz Villa Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba
fresh fruit & coffee
Yucca Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba
tamale appetizer – Los Amigos paladar
Menu Restaurant next door to Viazul bus termina
Fresh fruit breakfast – Hostal Katiuska – Trinidad
Fresh fruit – Hostal K – Havana
Las Terrazas – Cienfuegos – $7
Salad Villa Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba
Fresh guava – Hostal Moriama – Cienfuegos
Pork sandwich – Trinidad – 25 cents
Fresh Lobster Villa Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba – $12
Fresh fruit – Hostal Moriama – Cienfuegos – $3
Pio Cua – traditional hamon y cueso sandwich $2.50