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
Presidente cerveza next door to Viazul bus termina
Pork cutlet – Los Amigos paladar $7
Yucca Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba
hamon y cueso with Presidente $3.50
Traditional dinner – Hostal K – Havana
Sol – Club Bodega – Trinidad – $1
Roasted pork sandwich – Cienfuegos – 25 cents
Fresh fruit – Hostal K – Havana
Salad Villa Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba
Espresso Nacional Hotel of Cuba
Soup Villa Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba
Fresh fruit – Hostal Moriama – Cienfuegos – $3
congri – $1
Fresh guava – Hostal Moriama – Cienfuegos
Menu Restaurant next door to Viazul bus termina
Budweiser – Cucina italiana Il Paradiso – $1
Arroz Villa Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba
Cuba libre- Hostal K – Havana
fresh fruit & coffee
Fresh fruit breakfast – Hostal Katiuska – Trinidad
Pork sandwich – Trinidad – 25 cents
pan Villa Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba
Pio Cua – traditional hamon y cueso sandwich $2.50
Espresso – Hostal Moriama – Cienfuegos
Dinner – Trinidad – $7
Malt – Club Bodega – Trinidad – $1
tamale appetizer – Los Amigos paladar
Cucina italiana Il Paradiso – $4
hamon y cueso – Santiago de Cuba $2
Las Terrazas – Cienfuegos
Restaurant next door to Viazul bus terminal
hamon y cueso especial bus stop on avenida 23
Fresh Lobster Villa Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba – $12
Las Terrazas – Cienfuegos – $7
Crystal Cueveza $1.10
Chix soup Villa Maria de Carmen – Santiago de Cuba