On a recent trip to Havana, Cuba, I owe my survival to two apps: maps.me and Google translate. Known for its colorful streets, vibrant live music, and vintage american cars, Havana is a unique city unlike any other. What makes the city even more distinct but challenging for international and non-Spanish speaking travelers, is its limited internet access and that majority of locals only speak Spanish.

Imagine trying to navigate Havana for the first time without the guide of a GPS or knowledge of Spanish? It’s not an easy task! Especially when lack of direction and knowledge of local language can lead to travelers' frustration. Since it was my first time visiting and I do not speak Spanish, I equipped myself with the right technical tools. Now, you understand why, Maps.me and Google translate were my go to, right?

APP #1 - MAPS.ME

Maps.me offers an offline map of any country, which is easily accessible by downloading the country’s map in the app (available on iOS or Android). It is helpful for scenarios where Wifi is inaccessible and you are moving around offline. Compared to Google or Apple maps, Maps.me is able to find local addresses that Google or Apple maps “does not recognize” or “is not familiar with”. It also features local restaurants, areas of interests, and crowd sources traveler reviews people leave in the app. Before setting off for Cuba and leaving unlimited internet access, I recommend downloading both the app and the map of the country. Take time to identify locations of interest to you and star them on your map.

APP #2 - Google Translate for Spanish

The second app that was extremely helpful is the offline version of Google Translate for Spanish. Traveling within Cuba without any knowledge of Spanish is feasible but very difficult. I used Google Translate to communicate since I speak ZERO Spanish. I would translate sentences ahead of time and learn them in order to speak with taxi drivers, employees in stores or restaurants, and to ask locals questions. I memorized my destinations, numbers 1-20, and costs to destinations in Spanish, in order to negotiate effectively. Ever tried negotiating costs or trip excursions with a local while using a foreign language? ...You’ve probably noticed that it’s not as effective and that travelers who speak the local language have better luck. Prior to traveling to Cuba, I recommend downloading the app and making the Spanish language available offline.

Now that you know….Go Explore!

As you prepare for a trip to Cuba or another destination, where Wifi isn’t as accessible and you’re unfamiliar with the local language, use Maps.me and Google Translate for guidance. Once you have a sense of direction and a means to communicate, you’re set to navigate and explore any new city!

Other things to keep in mind for Cuba:

Cards do not work: Carry enough cash
Wifi is sparse: do research ahead of time
Download Maps.me, for offline navigation and Google translate, for offline Spanish translations