We booked our tickets in the Saratoga Hotel just around the corner from our Casa on the day (you can book them in any of the big hotels, even if you’re not a guest there), and we got the mid-range 85CUC tickets (about £50). At 9pm all dressed up we jumped in a taxi and 20minutes later we were at the entrance to the world-renowned venue. There was music playing and people milling about admiring the lush greenery surrounding the large entrance building. Us girls were each handed a carnation, while the men got cigars (so unfair!) and took our seats at the table.
Sadly as we were quite late arriving we got the duff seats on the table (definitely arrive early to get the good seats!), but luckily we moved in the middle of the show to the front ones on our level as there was a spare table. We were given a glass of fizz each (most disgusting fizz I’ve ever tasted, no clue where they got it from), and a bottle of Havana Club Rum was placed in front of us along with ‘rola cola’ (Peter Kay reference) aka, Cuban coca-cola to mix with the rum.
Tropicana Club Havana Top Tips
- Get tickets when you get to Havana, they cost more if you pre-order online
- Get the mid-range 85CUC (price as of 2014) tickets
- Make sure you get there early for the best seats
- Don’t have dinner there, it isn’t worth the price
- Get a taxi, they’re super cheap in Cuba and it’s much easier
- Take a camera!
- Dress up, it will probably be one of your only chances to do so whilst in Cuba
Catherine Lux is a veteran travel blogger by night and the Head of Content Marketing at Amazon by day. Originally from Surrey, she spent four years living in Australia (2007-2009, and 2016-2018), and now lives in London. An ex-party girl sometimes prone to relapses, she loves nothing more than sharing her fine dining and luxury travel experiences with her loyal readers.
