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
hamon y cueso with Presidente $3.50
Arroz Villa Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba
Presidente cerveza next door to Viazul bus termina
Las Terrazas – Cienfuegos – $7
tamale appetizer – Los Amigos paladar
Budweiser – Cucina italiana Il Paradiso – $1
Salad Villa Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba
Fresh fruit breakfast – Hostal Katiuska – Trinidad
Crystal Cueveza $1.10
Restaurant next door to Viazul bus terminal
Dinner – Trinidad – $7
Cucina italiana Il Paradiso – $4
Pio Cua – traditional hamon y cueso sandwich $2.50
Malt – Club Bodega – Trinidad – $1
Fresh guava – Hostal Moriama – Cienfuegos
Cuba libre- Hostal K – Havana
Espresso – Hostal Moriama – Cienfuegos
pan Villa Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba
Espresso Nacional Hotel of Cuba
Yucca Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba
congri – $1
Menu Restaurant next door to Viazul bus termina
Roasted pork sandwich – Cienfuegos – 25 cents
Soup Villa Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba
fresh fruit & coffee
Chix soup Villa Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba
Las Terrazas – Cienfuegos
Traditional dinner – Hostal K – Havana
Pork cutlet – Los Amigos paladar $7
hamon y cueso – Santiago de Cuba $2
Fresh Lobster Villa Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba – $12