La Habana. Feb '26: Live from the Malecón, Not the Headlines.

[LaoFan]

Alright ladies n' gents, I've arrived boots in the trenches.

Cuba is definitely struggling. That’s obvious. But it’s not Mad Max. It’s not famine. It’s not chaos in the streets. There's countries all over the world in much worse shape than Cuba. Many that I have been to that I would still consider safe to travel.

I left with 2 fat suitcases...milk.. coffee...vitamins.. medicines...bluetooth speakers (you can't take music away from a Cuban), gum, candy, lotion, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Every time I took a bike last year, the dude would ask if he could have my hat. Brought 20 extras so I can keep mine on my own head.

THIS COUNTRY IS SAFE. The people are complaining (obviously) but in general... they seem happier than my average Canadian fellow.

Planes are landing and leaving everyday.

The people are nice.
The people are resilient.
The people are hungry…but not starving (for the most part). I've seen people eating food off the ground (although to be fair...I see that in Toronto and Guangzhou too).
They’re surviving.

There are a lot of 'hey amigo! where you from? You like the Blue Jays? Baseball!?'... but this was also here last year. I know what it is every time, but I always continue chatting with them for 30 minutes because it's genuinely good conversation. But I know the punchline is coming... my baby needs milk. I'll always give them $5. Consider it a tour guide expense. They almost always say.. that's it? And I pretend to snatch back the $5 before everyone's laughing.

There's zero panic energy. There seems to be a renewed optimism in the air that something might change. Nobody likes the guy at the top. That is universal.

Malecon has late night conversations.

Parque Central has cigar debates and classic cars still everywhere (maybe 10-20% less?).

LCdH's are all normal. Much better selection than last year, although my Chinese brothers are scooping it all up quickly.

GAS

The main tangible difference? Gas is up ~50%.

For me that means my $20 Airport --> Hotel trip was $30 + a 5er tip.

Not hurting my life, but when you have local income that means you're definitely avoiding driving more.

$8 a liter.

I actually find taxis more accessible this year, but that's cause I have La Nave, travelling like a local makes things easier. They'll all happily accept the dollar.

TIP YOUR DRIVERS.

RESTAURANTS

I actually think the restaurants have been better this year. More options on menus. Maybe it was because expected crowds from the festival didn't show up. Maybe it's because the fedora mojito first time gang isn't here picking random spots. A lot more lifers who know where to go.

One restaurant had a 2-hour power outage. The table had smoked 3 cigars each without eating. People were getting whoozy. But it was a blast. Everyone (including the staff) cheered when the lights came back on. They cranked the music and started bringing out the food parade style. 

This sums Cuba up to me pretty perfectly: "Just because it's not perfect, doesn't mean it shouldn't be fun."

Not a lot of people were going out at night when I got here. But it was 'freezing'. 10C ain't gonna stop many Canadians...sounds like perfect golf weather to me, but the Cubans were shivering. Last night it was hot again and Fabrica was PACKED last night.

El Bleco is packed every night.

TIP YOUR WAITERS.

HOTEL

I'm staying at the Gran Hotel Bristol. They bumped me up to the king suite for cheap. Great hotel. Awesome pool. Decent food. The electricity went out today for about 3 minutes...I assume before generator kicked in. The staff service has been incredible. 5 stars. I have to pay for water if I drink more than a bottle a day...I probably don't, but they ask me, and I ain't saying anything.

TIP THE STAFF.

Overall:

Important caveat: I'm in Havana. I'm in Old Havana. I'm a yuma with money to spend to solve any problems I may face. I realize that outside Havana things can be worse. Cuba is struggling. There is no doubt about that. But it's not collapsing overnight. At least from what I'm seeing. Things are not getting worse day by day of me being here.

I'll keep posting and will start sharing pics as well.

The main joke I hear everyday is when will we hear the thupthupthupthupthupthupthup of a helicopter. 

If you want to see all the pics, I'm posting stories here all day, IG: @ringgauge_

If you come here, spend/share money with the people directly. A few dollars can change people's days. Even weeks if it's a big tip.

[yuppie]

Nice update, have fun and be safe out there!

[ha_banos]

I posted in another thread the Kirby centric view of Havana. In other feeds I see crumbling, rubbish infested streets. I'm seeing Hector Luis posting fun visitors to the plantation. I'm seeing people burning whatever they can to cook wherever they can get. Take care. As usual, the truth is somewhere in between.

[bmac]

Thanks so much for the write up.I’d be concerned about food safety with the power going out, but that’s just me. Other than that, I’m jelly.

[Duder]

Outstanding! Nothing like a boots on the ground report from a BOTL. Thank you so much! Adding you on insta now. 

[Chibearsv]

Thanks Josh. Real unsanitized perspective including your personal caveats is appreciated. Cheers brother!

[BigGuns]

Keep it coming, Josh. Thanks for the update, and feel free to post a pic or two for those of us not so active on da gram…cheers.

[LaoFan]

Less traffic, but cars everywhere.

Partagas LCdH. I think the best selection of both boxes and singles on this trip. La China rolling on the side. Lisette at the bar is hilarious.

1st cigar on the ground. Medio Siglo.

Phenomenal custom lancero gifted from Rene @ Partagas.

Dilapidated sunsets in Havana.

Rooftop pool from Gran Hotel Bristol.

Genios from El Bleco. Awesome pizza/cocktails.

Underrated beer. 3 for 2$ cheap rooftop in centro.

Habana Libre. Was my favourite shop last year. Not so much this year.

Piramides Extra @ park in Vedado.

1st box purchase.

As I hope I've made clear...it ain't all butterflies and roses. There's a real struggle here. One, that there has been for what I imagine has been a very longtime. But it's safe. The people are warm. The food is good...albeit sweet as hell for my liking (although not much beats a Cubano sandwich w/ mustard and pickles). Doesn't hurt that Havana might be the only place I've been in the world that you can smoke more freely than Guangzhou. 🤣

MSM makes it sound like it's crumbling into the Caribbean any minute. Sounds like an age old story to me. Hmmm....

Wish nothing but peace and freedom for these beautiful people whom I now call my friends and family.

[LaoFan]

What should I pay for this?

 

[Puros Y Vino]

Very HTF. Not the greatest condition but I'd go up to $50-75USD. I collect empty vintage boxes. We're very fortunate so many have survived for decades so if you see a marquee one like this, take a chance. Those vintage bands pictured to the left are worth considering too.

[JohnnyO]

Josh great write-up and pics. Keep it coming. I told you it was business as usual. John

[Duxnutz]

Show us a picture of the HAT.

[LaoFan]

13 hours ago, Duxnutz said:

Show us a picture of the HAT.

hatS* - this spot in the hotel seemed like a good spot to line 'em up 🤣

[Marco_011t556]

Chasing the post, all good brother? @LaoFan

[ha_banos]

Still there Josh? Apparently a big blackout including Havana; from PdR to Camaguey. What happens? Party goes on? Hope all is well brother.

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/03/04/two-thirds-of-cuba-including-havana-hit-by-blackout_6751106_4.html

[LaoFan]

Just left yesterday.

Outside Old Havana most people have only hours of electricity a day. Often my friends wouldn't reply to messages for a day or so because they can't get signal. It ain't pretty, but they make it work. Felt more connected to locals on this trip. Was awesome being able to spend so much time with them and get to know their friends/families/lifestyles more.

My flight got cancelled on the way out by a day and am now stuck in Istanbul for a day. Despite all my worries of getting stuck in Havana, I hadn't imagined there would be other reasons that grounded planes for me.

Tons more updates to follow once I'm back in China, but couldn't bring myself to spending half my days in Havana uploading pictures. Each picture takes 10 minutes and then I would no doubt get distracted.

Upmann 2 on the IGA lounge terrace.

[Fuzz AI]

On 3/1/2026 at 1:51 PM, LaoFan said:

There are a lot of 'hey amigo! where you from? You like the Blue Jays? Baseball!?'...

How strange. I just got, "Hey! Jackie Chan!", when I was in Havana. 

On 3/3/2026 at 3:28 PM, LaoFan said:

hatS* - this spot in the hotel seemed like a good spot to line 'em up 🤣

According to Hamlet, there is only one hat...

[JohnnyO]

Josh...you jumped out of one war zone just to get into another. John