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Things To Do In Langkawi Malaysia On A Budget

Things To Do In Langkawi Malaysia On A Budget

by | Sep 29, 2018 | Travel

Things To Do In Langkawi Malaysia On A Budget
When I decided to visit the island of Langkawi Malaysia, I started doing my research trying to figure out if there were actually things there that I wanted to do and see. I was surprised to find that most of the things listed to do on the island were extremely touristy, not to mention way out of my budget. The activities I found included jet skiing, parasailing the cable car and other obscenely overpriced activities that weren’t worth it to me since they weren’t much different than the activities offered in my home town.
If you have the money to splurge on things like this than by all means go for it, but these activities don’t work if your trying to experience Langkawi on a budget. Luckily when I arrived, I met a local that was staying in my hostel. He took to being our tour guide as he led some friends and I to some amazingly beautiful places that did not break the budget! In fact most of it was completely free!

Over the few days of my stay we went to 3 waterfalls and 3 beaches, all with unique characteristics and totally worth the trip. If your looking for fun and beautiful ways to spend your time while in Langkawi, be sure to check out these spots!

Waterfall Demurun

This was the biggest of the three waterfalls we visited and definitely one of the most spectacular. We rented scooters and drove ourselves to each location but you can also pay a taxi to take you. If you have a group of people the taxi would probably be more cost effective, but as a solo traveler, (if you’re able to drive a scooter) it’s the way to go! Once we arrived at the entrance, it was just a short hike up some makeshift stairs to get to the main pool.

The hike takes you along the river offering beautiful scenery with multiple layers of the waterfall, which makes for some really cool photo opportunities! Once you’re at the top you can swim in the pool, jump from the rocks and stick your head under the thundering pressure of the falls. It can be refreshing on a hot day but is also beautiful to look at.

Skull beach

After the waterfall we went to a beach with the sole purpose of swimming in some saltwater. The water was a beautiful Blue green and there were some cool rocks with some sea life lurking about off to the side. It was a quiet beach with just a few people scattered about which made it feel like our own private paradise.

Beringin Waterfall

 The second waterfall we visited was slightly less impressive as a major fall than the first one but it still had its qualities. This one involved another short hike up along the river that offered some great views, as well as some stopping off points that would be great for a picnic. Once at the top, we had to hike down the rocks to get to the actual pool, which was mostly a sandy bottom. The fall is a massive amount of water pouring over the rock, which made a fun challenge to swim up under it. My favorite part however, was the little side stream feeding into the main pool. It made for a great photo spot and was also very relaxing to just sit in and watch the others.

7 Wells Waterfall

 This was by far the most famous of the three falls we visited, apparent by the infrastructure around it, such as public restrooms and well built stairs. You do have to pay for parking, but it was only one or two MYR which is petty change and totally worth it. The hike up for this one is slightly more challenging, as it is a lot more stairs. To get to the very top it takes about 15 minutes to walk up all the steps, but you can also stop off to the other areas that are marked along the trail. I opted to go strait to the top in order to try and beat the rain, which, unfortunately I failed at and ended up having to wait it out anyway.

Once the rain stopped, I ventured out to the different pools. The top is just that, the very top of the waterfall where it pools up in different spots as it slides towards its inevitable fall from the cliff. There is also a part where you can slide down from one pool to another. However, use caution with this as it tosses you at the bottom from the pressure and could be easy to hit your head on the rocks. The best pool is the one overlooking the valley below as well as the rest of the falls. It truly is nature’s infinity pool. Be aware of the danger of this pool however, and do not go in when it is raining, because you never know when a wall of water could come from above and knock you from the cliff!

Tanjung rhu (Sunset Beach)

 After visiting one of the falls during the day, be sure to check out this beach for the best sunset. The cliffs on the horizon line make for a great addition to the colors and the sea. If your here during low tide, there is a sandbar that becomes exposed from the shore and seemingly runs all the way to the cliff. It gives the illusion of walking on water or a bridge from the shore to the cliff. I’ve never seen anything quite like it and I live by the sea, so it was quite a sight!

Kok Beach

If you want some picture perfect palm trees head over to this beach. It is also a pretty calm beach and if you cross a little sand river to the right you’ll come across a picturesque palm tree forest. We didn’t get to spend too much time at this beach, as it was more of just a stop off. I meant to come back, but unfortunately, I never got the chance.

 

Whether you prefer jet skiing and parasailing or exploring natural wonders, you should check out Langkawi, Malaysia. It is a little known treasure when it comes to the popular travel destinations in SE Asia, but is worth the visit!

When I decided to visit the island of Langkawi Malaysia, I started doing my research trying to figure out if there were actually things there that I wanted to do and see. I was surprised to find that most of the things listed to do on the island were extremely touristy, not to mention way out of my budget. The activities I found included jet skiing, parasailing the cable car and other obscenely overpriced activities that weren’t worth it.
Don’t get me wrong, if that’s your style then by all means, go for it. But since a lot of these activities are the things tourists do back in my hometown, I wasn’t interested. Luckily when I arrived, I met a local that was staying in my hostel. He took to being our tour guide as he led some friends and I to some amazingly beautiful places that did not break the budget! In fact most of it was completely free!

Over the few days of my stay we went to 3 waterfalls and 3 beaches, all with unique characteristics and totally worth the trip. If your looking for fun and beautiful ways to spend your time while in Langkawi, be sure to check out these spots!

Waterfall Demurun

This was the biggest of the three waterfalls we visited and definitely one of the most spectacular. We rented scooters and drove ourselves to each location but you can also pay a taxi to take you. If you have a group of people the taxi would probably be more cost effective, but as a solo traveler, (if you’re able to drive a scooter) it’s the way to go! Once we arrived at the entrance, it was just a short hike up some makeshift stairs to get to the main pool.

The hike takes you along the river offering beautiful scenery with multiple layers of the waterfall, which makes for some really cool photo opportunities! Once you’re at the top you can swim in the pool, jump from the rocks and stick your head under the thundering pressure of the falls. It can be refreshing on a hot day but is also beautiful to look at.

Skull beach

After the waterfall we went to a beach with the sole purpose of swimming in some saltwater. The water was a beautiful Blue green and there were some cool rocks with some sea life lurking about off to the side. It was a quiet beach with just a few people scattered about which made it feel like our own private paradise.

Beringin Waterfall

 The second waterfall we visited was slightly less impressive as a major fall than the first one but it still had its qualities. This one involved another short hike up along the river that offered some great views, as well as some stopping off points that would be great for a picnic. Once at the top, we had to hike down the rocks to get to the actual pool, which was mostly a sandy bottom. The fall is a massive amount of water pouring over the rock, which made a fun challenge to swim up under it. My favorite part however, was the little side stream feeding into the main pool. It made for a great photo spot and was also very relaxing to just sit in and watch the others.

7 Wells Waterfall

 This was by far the most famous of the three falls we visited, apparent by the infrastructure around it, such as public restrooms and well built stairs. You do have to pay for parking, but it was only one or two MYR which is petty change and totally worth it. The hike up for this one is slightly more challenging, as it is a lot more stairs. To get to the very top it takes about 15 minutes to walk up all the steps, but you can also stop off to the other areas that are marked along the trail. I opted to go strait to the top in order to try and beat the rain, which, unfortunately I failed at and ended up having to wait it out anyway.

Once the rain stopped, I ventured out to the different pools. The top is just that, the very top of the waterfall where it pools up in different spots as it slides towards its inevitable fall from the cliff. There is also a part where you can slide down from one pool to another. However, use caution with this as it tosses you at the bottom from the pressure and could be easy to hit your head on the rocks. The best pool is the one overlooking the valley below as well as the rest of the falls. It truly is nature’s infinity pool. Be aware of the danger of this pool however, and do not go in when it is raining, because you never know when a wall of water could come from above and knock you from the cliff!

Tanjung rhu (Sunset Beach)

 After visiting one of the falls during the day, be sure to check out this beach for the best sunset. The cliffs on the horizon line make for a great addition to the colors and the sea. If your here during low tide, there is a sandbar that becomes exposed from the shore and seemingly runs all the way to the cliff. It gives the illusion of walking on water or a bridge from the shore to the cliff. I’ve never seen anything quite like it and I live by the sea, so it was quite a sight!

Kok Beach

If you want some picture perfect palm trees head over to this beach. It is also a pretty calm beach and if you cross a little sand river to the right you’ll come across a picturesque palm tree forest. We didn’t get to spend too much time at this beach, as it was more of just a stop off. I meant to come back, but unfortunately, I never got the chance.

Whether you prefer jet skiing and parasailing or exploring natural wonders, you should check out Langkawi, Malaysia. It is a little known treasure when it comes to the popular travel destinations in SE Asia, but is worth the visit!

My First Workaway Experience in Kuala Lumpur

My First Workaway Experience in Kuala Lumpur

by | Sep 20, 2018 | Lifestyle, Travel

My First Workaway Experience in Kuala Lumpur
As a budget traveler I am always looking for ways to save money. One of the ways I have decided to do so is by volunteering. Using platforms such as Workaway, Worldpackers and Helpx, I can work in exchange for a place to stay and sometimes some food. I am happy to say I have just completed my first Workaway experience in Kuala Lumpur, and it was definitely worth it.

Let me just say one thing first, I never planned on going to Malaysia, I am also not the biggest city girl. So the decision to spend 2 weeks in Kuala Lumpur made me a little apprehensive at first. However, I’m glad I did it. I searched for a while to find right place to volunteer using all three of the platforms above, finally settling on a guesthouse called “Birdnest Collective” in Kuala Lumpur. It wasn’t my first choice, but decided it was best in order to have a new debit card shipped to me, since my ditzy self left both of them in the ATMs in Bali… but that’s besides the point. Fate brought me to The Birdnest, but I quickly fell in love with the entire experience and was happy to stay.

When I first arrived I met Willie, the owner of the guesthouse. He is from Malaysia and was very welcoming, making me feel right at home. He explained the type of work I would be doing, and the ways the place was operated while giving me a tour. He showed me to my room, which was a shared dorm with 4 other girls who were also volunteering. The room was small with bunk beds crammed in but this didn’t bother me, as I was mostly working or on the beautiful rooftop. This is by far the best part about the place. It is a rooftop garden complete with iguanas named Bella and Silly. There are plenty of places to lounge and read a book, hang out with friends or get some work done.    
The next day was my first day working. We had a schedule that was broken into three shifts. We each worked one of the three shifts, 5 days a week with two days off to do whatever we pleased. During every shift I was responsible for check-ins and checkouts. The morning shift entailed making breakfast for the guests and afterwards cleaning the rooms of the people who had checked out. This was the busiest shift, as I would be working the entire time, but it went by fast.  
The mid shift was usually the slowest as I would do the laundry and sometimes be tasked with cleaning while I waited in between loads. My favorite and most worked shift however, was the night shift because I got to socialize. My main task was making sure I took care of the guests if they wanted a beer or a soft drink. While I was there, I picked up the skill of playing the ukulele, so most of my nights were spent playing for the guests and Willie, who loved to hear me play.

The shifts were 5 hours each, sometimes getting done a little early on the morning shift if all the work was done. In my free time I was allowed to do whatever I wanted. 

Some of the other volunteers would go out and explore, but I enjoyed working on my laptop in local coffee shops or on the rooftop. Sometimes I’d go to this fancy rooftop pool with other volunteers, once I even went to the lap pool to swim laps. However, being the only girl made me a subject of attention and in return made me feel slightly uncomfortable, so I didn’t end up going back. There were also HUGE malls in KL that we’re fun to go browse mainly just for books, which was something else I rediscovered. My love of books, I read about 5 in my short time there.  
Everything I did was more just for day-to-day pleasure and productivity. I acted more like someone that lived in KL than someone there to travel it, and this was exactly what I had wanted to experience. I came to travel to see places through the eyes of someone who lived there not those of someone passing through. Doing a work exchange definitely allowed me to do that, without me even realizing it.
 

As always, what made the experience the most worthwhile, were the people I met. Not just Willie and the guests but also the other volunteers. They became my day-to-day life. It was like having live in co-workers. They were my roommates and my colleagues and my friends, all in one! We’d go get cheese naan together, work and drink coffee at a local coffee shop, or peruse the isles of books. I also got slightly attached to Jack the fat cat, or Jackie for short. I don’t even like cats, but I was slightly sentimental when it came time to leave the little cropped tailed, fatty behind.  

Overall, my Workaway experience was an extremely positive one and I will definitely do it again. I also recommend it to anyone that is looking to experience a city or place in a slower more authentic way, while also saving some money! And if you ever find yourself in Kuala Lumpur, have yourself a good stay at Birdnest Collective and tell Willie I say hi!
As a budget traveler I am always looking for ways to save money. One of the ways I have decided to do so is by volunteering. Using platforms such as Workaway, Worldpackers and Helpx, I can work in exchange for a place to stay and sometimes some food. I am happy to say I have just completed my first Workaway experience in Kuala Lumpur, and it was definitely worth it.

Let me just say one thing first, I never planned on going to Malaysia, I am also not the biggest city girl. So the decision to spend 2 weeks in Kuala Lumpur made me a little apprehensive at first. However, I’m glad I did it. I searched for a while to find right place to volunteer using all three of the platforms above, finally settling on a guesthouse called “Birdnest Collective” in Kuala Lumpur. It wasn’t my first choice, but decided it was best in order to have a new debit card shipped to me, since my ditzy self left both of them in the ATMs in Bali… but that’s besides the point. Fate brought me to The Birdnest, but I quickly fell in love with the entire experience and was happy to stay.

When I first arrived I met Willie, the owner of the guesthouse. He is from Malaysia and was very welcoming, making me feel right at home. He explained the type of work I would be doing, and the ways the place was operated while giving me a tour. He showed me to my room, which was a shared dorm with 4 other girls who were also volunteering. The room was small with bunk beds crammed in but this didn’t bother me, as I was mostly working or on the beautiful rooftop. This is by far the best part about the place. It is a rooftop garden complete with iguanas named Bella and Silly. There are plenty of places to lounge and read a book, hang out with friends or get some work done.    
The next day was my first day working. We had a schedule that was broken into three shifts. We each worked one of the three shifts, 5 days a week with two days off to do whatever we pleased. During every shift I was responsible for check-ins and checkouts. The morning shift entailed making breakfast for the guests and afterwards cleaning the rooms of the people who had checked out. This was the busiest shift, as I would be working the entire time, but it went by fast.  
The mid shift was usually the slowest as I would do the laundry and sometimes be tasked with cleaning while I waited in between loads. My favorite and most worked shift however, was the night shift because I got to socialize. My main task was making sure I took care of the guests if they wanted a beer or a soft drink. While I was there, I picked up the skill of playing the ukulele, so most of my nights were spent playing for the guests and Willie, who loved to hear me play.
The shifts were 5 hours each, sometimes getting done a little early on the morning shift if all the work was done. In my free time I was allowed to do whatever I wanted. 
Some of the other volunteers would go out and explore, but I enjoyed working on my laptop in local coffee shops or on the rooftop. Sometimes I’d go to this fancy rooftop pool with other volunteers, once I even went to the lap pool to swim laps. However, being the only girl made me a subject of attention and in return made me feel slightly uncomfortable, so I didn’t end up going back. There were also HUGE malls in KL that we’re fun to go browse mainly just for books, which was something else I rediscovered. My love of books, I read about 5 in my short time there.  
Everything I did was more just for day-to-day pleasure and productivity. I acted more like someone that lived in KL than someone there to travel it, and this was exactly what I had wanted to experience. I came to travel to see places through the eyes of someone who lived there not those of someone passing through. Doing a work exchange definitely allowed me to do that, without me even realizing it.
 

As always, what made the experience the most worthwhile, were the people I met. Not just Willie and the guests but also the other volunteers. They became my day-to-day life. It was like having live in co-workers. They were my roommates and my colleagues and my friends, all in one! We’d go get cheese naan together, work and drink coffee at a local coffee shop, or peruse the isles of books. I also got slightly attached to Jack the fat cat, or Jackie for short. I don’t even like cats, but I was slightly sentimental when it came time to leave the little cropped tailed, fatty behind.  

Overall, my Workaway experience was an extremely positive one and I will definitely do it again. I also recommend it to anyone that is looking to experience a city or place in a slower more authentic way, while also saving some money! And if you ever find yourself in Kuala Lumpur, have yourself a good stay at Birdnest Collective and tell Willie I say hi!

5 Things That Surprised Me When I Visited Singapore

5 Things That Surprised Me When I Visited Singapore

by | Sep 11, 2018 | Travel

5 Things That Surprised Me When I Visited Singapore
1) The Subway is super easy and takes you pretty much everywhere you need to go.

When I used to think of subways, my mind always went to NYC. I had never been, and had always dreamed of riding the subway in NYC. It’s funny then, how I ended up riding my first subway in Washington DC and then went on to ride many other subway systems before actually boarding an NYC subway. By then I had learned that NYC is actually one of the worst metro systems based on cleanliness and it’s actual facilities. Still, it takes you all over the city at an affordable rate.

I had just finally experienced my first time on an NYC subway before coming to Singapore. So it was quite a shock to see the difference. It was by far the cleanest subway I have ever been in. It felt like a shopping mall. There were glass doors that closed when the subway wasn’t there so you couldn’t fall or drop something onto the tracks below, and it was all air-conditioned. Not to mention it smelled clean, nothing like the grimy metro stations of NYC.

It was extremely easy to buy a pass to wherever you wanted in the city. You could do by a trip-by-trip basis just based on where you were going. They even provide a map if you’re unsure exactly the station. You just pic your end destination, and whether you want one way or round trip then insert your cash and you were good to go! 

If you already have a card you place your card on the little platform provided and it refills it with the amount needed for your trip. It was perfect for just traveling to a few destinations in one day instead of buying a big pass. It was pretty cheap as well, only costing S$1.50-S$3 per trip.

In contribution to the cleanliness to the subways, there is absolutely no food or drink aloud on the subway itself, and if you’re caught with anything you can be fined up to S$500! Along with this the trains are extremely quiet. No yelling or excessive conversation or even screaming kids, just commuters going from one place to the next quietly, cleanly and efficiently. Singapore by far has the best metro system I have experienced so far.

2) If you want to go up to the top of the Marina Sands Resort you can get a “Free Drink”

The only thing I really knew about Singapore before visiting was that it was the location of the Marina Bay Sands Resort and The Super Tree forest. A few years back, I had seen a video when the resort opened showing off its top floor that was shaped like a boat with its giant infinity pool overlooking the bay and the city. When I saw this video I didn’t even know where Singapore was located, nor did I ever imagine I’d visit. So when I realized I was going to be in the city I knew I had to take a trip up to the top of this building.

I had looked online at the prices to enter the top floor prior to my arrival, and found that I could go to the observation deck for S$23, about $16USD. I was disappointed to learn that the pool was for hotel guests only but I still decided it was worth it for some cool city shots. What surprised me when I got there was that I could pay the S$23 to go to the observation deck, or I could pay S$20 to go to the bars and get a S$20 voucher for a drink while I was there. I asked the lady if the views were different and she said they were pretty much the same, so I decided a drink was definitely the way to go.

Sure enough at the top if you go to the left side bar the view is exactly the same as the observation deck and you get to see the pool! The drinks averaged S$25 after tax. So over all you spend S$2 more than you would to go to the observation deck and you get a free drink! Definitely the way to go in my opinion! Enjoy the sunset while drinking a top-notch cocktail at a fancy resort in a fancy city; it really doesn’t get much better than that!

3) Everything is in English

Singapore is quite the melting pot, with people from all over the world coming to work and live there, so it makes sense that everything would be in English.  

 

Even still, it surprised me that even the streets were named as if they were streets in the states, with names such as Wild Oak St, etc. It makes it much easier to get around and almost feels like home. (If home is an English speaking country)
4) There is a lightshow by the Marina Sands Resort every night.

Once the sun had set, I headed downstairs to the bay to take pictures of the skyline on the water. I noticed all of the people sitting looking out towards the water and asked someone what was going on. They explained that they were waiting for the lightshow. This excited me, talk about the right place at the right time! It happens every night at 8pm, 9pm and I think 10pm and it is totally worth it, since it’s free!

5) Directly after the lightshow you can catch the Super tree light show across the street.

I had one last mission on my mind once the lightshow had concluded, and that was to photograph the super trees at night when they are all lit up. As I was heading over I noticed that apparently everyone had the same Idea as me, because the entire crowd from the light show wandered back across the street to the gardens. I found a perfect spot and set up my camera, right when I started shooting the lights changed and an announcement sounded, welcoming me to the super tree light show. I seriously couldn’t believe that I had just happened to walk into this twice in a row! The show was spectacular and made the pictures even more incredible than I could have imagined. I could not believe my luck. Sometimes it’s fun not doing your research when going to a new place because the exhilaration of simply stumbling upon amazing things is totally worth it!

1) The Subway is super easy and takes you pretty much everywhere you need to go.

When I used to think of subways, my mind always went to NYC. I had never been, and had always dreamed of riding the subway in NYC. It’s funny then, how I ended up riding my first subway in Washington DC and then went on to ride many other subway systems before actually boarding an NYC subway. By then I had learned that NYC is actually one of the worst metro systems based on cleanliness and it’s actual facilities. Still, it takes you all over the city at an affordable rate.

I had just finally experienced my first time on an NYC subway before coming to Singapore. So it was quite a shock to see the difference. It was by far the cleanest subway I have ever been in. It felt like a shopping mall. There were glass doors that closed when the subway wasn’t there so you couldn’t fall or drop something onto the tracks below, and it was all air-conditioned. Not to mention it smelled clean, nothing like the grimy metro stations of NYC.

It was extremely easy to buy a pass to wherever you wanted in the city. You could do by a trip-by-trip basis just based on where you were going. They even provide a map if you’re unsure exactly the station. You just pic your end destination, and whether you want one way or round trip then insert your cash and you were good to go! 

If you already have a card you place your card on the little platform provided and it refills it with the amount needed for your trip. It was perfect for just traveling to a few destinations in one day instead of buying a big pass. It was pretty cheap as well, only costing S$1.50-S$3 per trip.

In contribution to the cleanliness to the subways, there is absolutely no food or drink aloud on the subway itself, and if you’re caught with anything you can be fined up to S$500! Along with this the trains are extremely quiet. No yelling or excessive conversation or even screaming kids, just commuters going from one place to the next quietly, cleanly and efficiently. Singapore by far has the best metro system I have experienced so far.

2) If you want to go up to the top of the Marina Sands Resort you can get a “Free Drink”

The only thing I really knew about Singapore before visiting was that it was the location of the Marina Bay Sands Resort and The Super Tree forest. A few years back, I had seen a video when the resort opened showing off its top floor that was shaped like a boat with its giant infinity pool overlooking the bay and the city. When I saw this video I didn’t even know where Singapore was located, nor did I ever imagine I’d visit. So when I realized I was going to be in the city I knew I had to take a trip up to the top of this building.

I had looked online at the prices to enter the top floor prior to my arrival, and found that I could go to the observation deck for S$23, about $16USD. I was disappointed to learn that the pool was for hotel guests only but I still decided it was worth it for some cool city shots. What surprised me when I got there was that I could pay the S$23 to go to the observation deck, or I could pay S$20 to go to the bars and get a S$20 voucher for a drink while I was there. I asked the lady if the views were different and she said they were pretty much the same, so I decided a drink was definitely the way to go.

Sure enough at the top if you go to the left side bar the view is exactly the same as the observation deck and you get to see the pool! The drinks averaged S$25 after tax. So over all you spend S$2 more than you would to go to the observation deck and you get a free drink! Definitely the way to go in my opinion! Enjoy the sunset while drinking a top-notch cocktail at a fancy resort in a fancy city; it really doesn’t get much better than that!

3) Everything is in English

Singapore is quite the melting pot, with people from all over the world coming to work and live there, so it makes sense that everything would be in English.  Even still, it surprised me that even the streets were named as if they were streets in the states, with names such as Wild Oak St, etc. It makes it much easier to get around and almost feels like home. (If home is an English speaking country)

 

4) There is a lightshow by the Marina Sands Resort every night.

Once the sun had set, I headed downstairs to the bay to take pictures of the skyline on the water. I noticed all of the people sitting looking out towards the water and asked someone what was going on. They explained that they were waiting for the lightshow. This excited me, talk about the right place at the right time! It happens every night at 8pm, 9pm and I think 10pm and it is totally worth it, since it’s free!

5) Directly after the lightshow you can catch the Super tree light show across the street.

I had one last mission on my mind once the lightshow had concluded, and that was to photograph the super trees at night when they are all lit up. As I was heading over I noticed that apparently everyone had the same Idea as me, because the entire crowd from the light show wandered back across the street to the gardens. I found a perfect spot and set up my camera, right when I started shooting the lights changed and an announcement sounded, welcoming me to the super tree light show. I seriously couldn’t believe that I had just happened to walk into this twice in a row! The show was spectacular and made the pictures even more incredible than I could have imagined. I could not believe my luck. Sometimes it’s fun not doing your research when going to a new place because the exhilaration of simply stumbling upon amazing things is totally worth it!

How to Travel Cuba

How to Travel Cuba

by | Apr 23, 2018 | Travel

How to Travel Cuba
So, it’s finally possible to buy direct tickets to Cuba from the U.S. However, your coming to realize it’s not as easy as other countries since it is so new to tourism. Cuba is an amazing country and is definitely worth checking out, however, it is also not for the faint of heart. If you are used to luxury hotels with room service, A/C, and free WIFI this may not be the place for you. On the flip side, if you love adventure and getting off the beaten path then this is absolutely a trip to add to your bucket list!

First things first, getting into the country. Even though the restrictions have been lifted and you can buy direct tickets from the US to Cuba, it is not fully open for a tourism visa. There are 12 different categories that you must fit into in order to legally travel there, these categories are:

  1. Family visits
  2. Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
  3. Journalistic activity
  4. Professional research and professional meetings
  5. Educational activities
  6. Religious activities
  7. Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions
  8. Support for the Cuban people
  9. Humanitarian projects
  10. Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
  11. Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials
  12. Certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing regulations and guidelines.

Don’t let this scare you though, because it is easier now than ever to fit into any of these categories! Previously, you had to apply with proof before your trip in order to be approved for a visa. Now, all you have to do is state your reason at the airport and pay the entry and exit fees. These fees are even sometimes covered by your airline, as they are with Jet Blue. In my experience I said I was a journalist. Another popular category for tourists is education activities. If you are going on any tours or learning anything on your trip, it counts as education. That’s what is so great about the new rules it is easy for anyone to find a category that will apply to you. Now that we know how to get into the country, it’s time for the fun stuff, what to do once your there!

Where to go

Havana

For an authentic Cuban experience, take a few days to stay in this unique city. Check out the nightlife, where you can find little “hole in the wall” in a narrow alley with the best mojitos and music to dance in the street. You can spend your day getting lost wandering the streets of old Havana or you can opt to take a ride in one of the many classic cars. This city is full of culture but is also struck with poverty so be prepared for the culture shock that is Cuba when you land!

            

Trinidad

I highly recommend branching out and exploring other cities. If you’re looking for a step back in time, head down to Trinidad. It’s cobble stone streets, and bright colors will draw you in. The history and character will fascinate you by day and the drinks and dancing in the square will entertain you at night.

Viñales

If you’re looking for an escape into the rural part of Cuba, Vinales is the place for you. Set in the mountains surrounded by the rain forest, this is where the large majority of Cuban cigars and coffee come from. You can enjoy a horse back ride through the rainforest, check out the local plantations, maybe smoke a cigar, explore the depths of a cave and swim in a lake at sunset. Or for a more relaxed itinerary you can take a day trip to the beautiful beach of Cayo Jutia. For nightlife experience make sure you check out Casa de la Musica for the best salsa dancing experience!

         

Varadero

If you are looking for the traditional Cuban beach vacation the Varadero peninsula is where you want to go. Lined with pretty much all of the hotels in Cuba and jam-packed with restaurants and tour opportunities, this is called the Cancun of Cuba.  With crystal clear blue waters and miles of beaches that wont disappoint. Most of the people you will meet are fellow tourists and travelers and it is easy to get around.

Getting Around

If you’re trying to save a couple bucks I highly recommend taking a Viazul bus to your different locations. It’s slow going but will save you a good chunk of change especially if you’re a solo traveler. You can book tickets at the bus station the day of or a few days before you plan to leave. It also possible to book ahead of time online at the official Viazul website.

If the tough of 6-8 hour bus rides across the Cuban terrain makes your stomach churn, you may want to consider a private taxi. This is still feasible when you have a few people to split the cost with. The taxis are usually the classic cars, which are also a fun experience. Unfortunately most of the time they don’t have A/C or shocks so it can be quite a hot and bumpy ride, but it’s all about the experience right? However, you cannot book a taxi online before your trip. This is fine for the more spontaneous traveler who doesn’t have a strict itinerary in place. Simply go to the bus station the day of or the day before and there will be locals standing around literally begging you to let them take you to your next destination. Don’t forget to haggle a little to get the best price!

Try to avoid traveling anything like this unless you want to experience something similar to the turbulence of a rocket launch!

Where to stay

Most of Cuba is not equipped for normal tourism, meaning that there are very few major hotels to stay at and the few that do exist are extremely overpriced. Your best bet is homestays, or as it is called in Cuba, casa particulares. They are extremely easy to find and to book before your trip. They are also the best way to get to know some of the locals and to get the full Cuban experience. I used Airbnb for the convenience of reading reviews and booking. If you’ve never used Airbnb before, click this link to sign up for free and receive a $40 bonus just for signing up!

You can also use sights such as CasaHavanaParticular.com, Hostelsclub.com, Hostelworld.com, and even Tripadvisor.com.

I am all for spontaneous, however, I highly recommend booking accommodation before you fly out because Wifi hotspots are not as easy as they are in most other countries today.

How to Use wifi in Cuba

Unlike most of the rest of the world you can’t find a coffee shop down the street with free wifi. Chances are, wherever you do end up staying most likely will not have access to wifi either. The service is extremely limited and the most common way to use the wifi in Cuba is by purchasing a wifi card. You can purchase them at travel kiosks, which will sometimes also have access to the Internet via their own computers. However, most are literally just kiosks with a window. Once you get a card you will have to find a hotspot. These are relatively easy to find as you wander the city because you will come across an area where everyone will just be standing around on laptops or phones. It’s actually an interesting site to see. Once you are there you can use the code on your hotspot card to log in. 

During my stay in Cuba, I was the most disconnected from the world than I had ever been before since it was so much harder for Internet access. It was definitely a relief in some ways and a struggle in others. Just be aware and try to plan accordingly knowing you can’t just pop online and make reservations on a whim.

One last thing you must know before you go is that the people are absolutely wonderful. Don’t shy away from experiencing Cuba with the locals, it is one of the best parts of the country and it is so easy to do! Staying in homestays is a great way to interact with the locals; howbeit, it is also easy to meet people everywhere you go. Most will be more than willing to strike up a conversation with you, and it is a great way to really learn about such an interesting culture. However, you will want to brush up on your Spanish because barely anyone speaks English.

There you have it, the basics on getting around and making the most out of your trip to Cuba. There are many other amazing places to visit in Cuba, however these were my favorites and I chose to feature them here. To learn more about the different destinations in Cuba check out The Lonely Planet, or Forbes guidebooks and websites. If you were on the fence about visiting, I hope this helped swing you in the direction of visiting the beautiful country. It really is a once in a lifetime experience and it will not be this way for very much longer!  For a real life example of a trip to Cuba check out my post about my trip here!

It’s a big world out there and YOU are here to explore it, so what are you waiting for?!

 

Cuba: A Colorful Journey into the Past

Cuba: A Colorful Journey into the Past

by | Jun 20, 2017 | Travel

Cuba: A Colorful Journey into the Past
As the first day of any journey, it starts with an early morning, a lot of sitting, and a whole lot of nothing. But once you’ve reached your destination your struck with that sense of newness. You can’t stress the things you don’t understand or that are out of your control. You simply have to take it all in and enjoy it. Which is exactly what we did on our first day.

As we walked to find a place to print tickets, (which we never did end up being able to do) we stumbled on a Chinese cemetery. We asked the cemetery guards if we could look around and they took us on the grand tour! This included taking us into the ancient tombs and showing us the piles of bones! One even kept picking up femur bones from various diseased and holding it like a baseball bat and saying “baseball!” With a huge grin. I’m not going to lie I had a slight fear of the ancient Chinese putting a curse on us after this, but it was still a very neat and an unexpected adventure!

“BASEBOL!”

The second day we spent in Cuba, we journeyed down to Trinidad, which was a four hour drive, However this beat the bus which would have taken six! At one point our car broke down and the driver got out of the car and said “no problemo” popped the hood and then screwed the gas pedal back in! 

Once we arrived in Trinidad we decided to explore the town. We walked the cobblestone streets of this insanely preserved colonial town. We walked…

and walked…

They hang their meet in windows all day in the heat!

and walked!

Until we couldn’t walk anymore. On our way back to our casa we saw how the town comes alive in the evening. Neighbors sit out on their front steps and talk while the kids play in the streets.

We had dinner at our casa and then went out again to see if we could find some good drinks and dancing! We found good drinks (mojitos and piña coladas for $1.50) but sadly could not find the dancing. Instead we stumbled upon a show that consisted of flashy clothing, very little on the girls side, and honestly not so good of dancing!

Going into day three we were ready for a real adventure and set out to cubano falls. We hiked for about 40 minutes until we came to something I did not expect! The fall was nothing super spectacular as it was simply a decent stream of water falling down a big rock. But what surrounded it was magnificent. There were caves that you could literally swim right into. I climbed a rock and jumped off into the chilly but refreshing water and we swam into these huge caves that were on either side of the fall. There were even bats on the ceiling! I am so glad we decided to go there instead of el Nicho falls, not only was it easier but it was something I had never seen or even imagined to see and experience!

Once we finished our adventure it was time to endure the six hour bus ride back to Havana. The ride wouldn’t have been so bad if the a/c hadn’t been broken! Instead I sweat my little booty off the whole way! It wasn’t all bad though, I did get to sit next to a local from Havana named  Dariel and we talked about local and American culture. It was nice getting to talk about Cuba with someone who lived there and could speak enough English to communicate!

On our fourth day we woke up in Havana in one of the most beautiful and extraordinary homes yet. Luckily our host spoke a little bit of English and she gave us the grand tour! Their were 3 different sets of stairs leading to different areas of the house. Including 3 kitchens at least, many bedrooms, bathrooms and sitting areas. Along with a beautiful courtyard full of plants including orchids and succulents. The casa owners were architects and so was the father of the wan. He designed and built the house over many years and their family of 14 lives there until recently. Now it is just the husband and wife and they rent out the rooms.

Our casa owners posing on the terrace after the tour.

Where we ate breakfast. The contrast between the antiques and the random modern touches such as the exercise ball and radio is exactly what all of Cuba is like. Old with hints of modern times.

The most beautiful bathroom and bathtub I’ve ever seen.

Upon arriving in viñales we noticed how almost every house was a place for visitors like us to stay and they all looked relatively the same. Our casa owner Juan picked us up from the bus stop and walked us back to his place, where we were greeted by his lovely wife. After getting settled a man that spoke very good English came to our house and offered a horse tour of the valley, we excitedly agreed and spent the afternoon riding to different attractions through the valley.

We visited a tobacco farm first where we watched a man roll a cigar and then got to smoke one!

Me smoking my first cigar!

After the tobacco farm we came to a coffee growing farm and tried some delicious rum.

The next stop was my favorite because we got to hike down in a cave all through the dark passage ways with flashlights!

Our last stop was a lake where we got to swim and even met some other travelers around my age from the states and from France. We all agreed to meet up to go salsa dancing later at Casa de la musíca.

After our swim we watched the sun set into the mountains and rode our horses back. This was the best part of the ride because my mom and I took off galloping!

After a delicious dinner that our casa owners cooked for us, I walked to city center with Juan to meet up with my friends. I found casa de la musica but never found my friends. Instead I met a face teacher originally from Kenya and we spent the night dancing under the stars.

The next morning we woke up and were off to the beach. What was supposed to be an hour ride through the mountains north turned into a 2 and a half hour journey in a “collective taxi” which was really just a truck from the 60s with a canvas roof and seats bolted in. The road was full of pot holes and the truck had no shocks so we drove 5 miles an hour bumping the entire way! These are the moments that most people don’t tell about their travels but they are there on every trip!

The collective taxi from hell!

Once we arrived at the beach the ride seemed worth it. The beach was nothing much but the water was Crystal clear and the prettiest blue I have ever seen. We walked down the beach for a while until we found some shade amongst the incredible drift wood. The best part of the day was when we walked all the way down the beach through a drift wood Forrest that we named dead Forrest until we reached a beautiful cove. It’s hard to believe but the water was even prettier and clearer here, like a swimming pool you could see strait to the bottom!

The incredible blue water. I must say I was kicking myself in the butt for not bringing my camera along!

After our beach adventure we went for dinner and some salsa dancing. Despite what my mom said about not dancing she ended up on the dance floor with one of the locals twirling her around. She even enjoyed it, that is, until the guy tried to make out with her!

The Salsa instructor from Kenya!

The next morning we got up at the crack of dawn to catch our bus to Havana and then another to Mantansas/ Varadero.

The beautiful sunrise from the rooftop of our casa.

During our stop in Havana I decided to take some pictures at a local market. At first I felt very nervous and out of place as the little tourist and her camera in the market, but then a bunch of the sellers started asking me to take there picture and we were laughing as they pined for the attention of my camera!

The last guy that called to me as I was leaving “Hey, what about me!”

Once we arrived to Mantansas we had to take a cab out to Varadero, we soon found out the one we took wasn’t a certified taxi and he had to pay the guard off at the check point to get on to the peninsula!

Our taxi driver paying off the guard.

After checking into our new casa we took a walk up the beach and then cut across to the street for some refreshments. We ended up at a famous restaurant that Earnest Hemmingway frequented back in the day. There were pictures of him on the wall and graffiti all over. We enjoyed some traditional cuban music, the local beer, Crystal, and a delicious olive snack.

For dinner we went to a rooftop restaurant in the site of our casa and had a wonderful seafood in tomato sauce dish. We also met some travelers from Canada that we ended up going out with after for some drinks. We took the horse drawn carriage to the most renowned tourist bar called The Beetles, which had a cover band who played only American classics from the 70s, 80s and some modern Red Hot Chile Peppers.

That nigh my curse hit me as I woke up multiple times throughout the night to run to the bathroom. Apparently all the seafood wasn’t so good after all! I spent my last full day in Cuba with Food Poisoning mostly sleeping, except for when my mom dragged me out to go eat or walk some shops. I mostly slept or sat in the corner of wherever we were. It all worked out however, because our beach day wasn’t much of a day for the beach as it was. Huge storms rolled in all day drenching the peninsula.

I look a lot better than I felt in this picture!

The contrast between the bright blue gulf and the intensely dark storm was magnificent!

Luckily our last day we got to squeeze a little extra exploration time by taking a taxi back to Havana instead of the bus. We walked the crowded streets of old Havana for the better part of two hours till it was time to catch our plane back to the states.

The taxi we took back to Havana, a 1957 Belair.

The Streets of Old Havana!

Overall I must say my experience in Cuba was very interesting! I loved how I felt transported to another time period all together. One thing I feel I search for when I travel is that feeling of visiting a far off and long ago place and that isn’t as common in the new world. This is why Cuba was so wonderful! I am so glad I got to go before things start to change and I cannot wait to go back in 15 or so years and see just how different, or the same, it becomes! So long for now Cuba!