Moon Havana

I also just got back from Cuba, and I couldn't disagree with Cecil Fox's January 17 review more. Baker is a very good writer who's done extensive research, and the book is pleasurable to read. He makes his love for the place palpable without sparing the reader the frustration a visitor/observer often feels. Other travelers staying where I did ended up borrowing this guidebook for its richness of detail and background that theirs (Lonely Planet) lacked. I liked it so much I'm buying another- I had to leave my copy on the plane as we were without licenses, and afraid of tipping-off US immigration. That said, I wish it were updated a bit. The million bicycles Baker writes about aren't there en masse anymore, and Dulce Maria's was fun but not the throbbing delirium he paints. All in all though, I'll buy it again.

I spent a month in Cuba guided by this book. Not only does it have great information for the essential activities like eating and sleeping, but it has an incredible amount of information about the country. If you find yourself without a book to read while traveling, Chris' guide book is great for educational reading material - packed with historical and cultural reading. At first I scoffed at his tendency to flowery writing - "with water as warm as bedtime milk" but after growing accostomed to his style we began to think of Chris as our travel buddy and the other travel books brought by my travel partners were soon buried deep in backpacks - Chris' book was the only one we needed.

I have been all over Cuba, and Baker was an excellent guide. No other book goes into the detail for off the beaten track travel.

never go to cuba before reading this book.

Havana is a fantastic city with wonderful people living through a very difficult economic period. Existing outside the world of international chains and franchises, travelers cannot rely on the normal signposts, advertisements, and guides to help them find even the most basic services. Christopher Baker's book is a great resrouce to anyone travelling to this incredible place. He packs in not only information on where to stay and eat, but also explains a myriad of subtleties that are not immedately apparant. As a bonus, his book also provides much in the way of background on the history and culture of Havana. If you are considering a trip to Cuba, don't go without this book.