Whether you’re walking down the sultry streets of Havana or visiting Christopher Columbus’ original landing spot in Baracoa, there are plenty of things to do and see in Cuba. The island nation packs in over 11 million inhabitants, nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a political history so rife with action you can still see the bullet holes in many of the government’s legislative buildings. In addition to the traditional “must-do”‘s that can be found in various guidebooks, here’s a list of “must-don’t”‘s to help make the most of your time in Cuba.

1. Don’t take a cab

Havana, Cuba’s capital city, can be explored largely on foot if you have enough time. But when you need to get somewhere in a hurry (not very Cuban of you, but it happens,) don’t just hail a yellow checkered cab. Taxi prices may seem reasonable when compared to their Manhattan counterparts, but not when compared to the price of a maquina. 

Those old cars in Cuba that everybody’s always talking about? They’re usually maquinas, a form of taxi system meant for residents of Havana. They can be hailed just like cabs, only before you get in you’ve got to let the driver know where you’re going. If he’s headed your way, he’ll give you a lift to anywhere in the city for 10 Cuban pesos, or roughly 50 American cents. A regular cab will likely cost you at least 10 times as much.

2. Don’t point blank ask a stranger about Fidel

That old dinner table etiquette your mom taught you back in fourth grade about avoiding politics among strangers has never been more applicable than in Cuba. Cubans have a colorful and covert system of referring to their revolutionary leaders in public. The girl behind you in Cafe G talking about her papa, the guy across the street stroking his imaginary beard – they’re likely both talking about Fidel. But that doesn’t mean they’re comfortable talking to you about him.

Look at it this way: if you lived in a country where freedom of speech didn’t exist and people have a tendency to go missing for supporting the opposition, you wouldn’t want to criticize the government to a complete stranger either. You’ve got to earn a Cuban’s trust before you’ve earned the right to sit down and talk politics.

3. Don’t go with somebody offering to take you to the Buena Vista Social Club

A brief history lesson: The Buena Vista Social Club was a members-only Club in Havana until the 1990s, when it closed for good. So when some guy approaches you while you’re touring through Habana Vieja and offers to show you the way to the Buena Vista Social Club – this will happen if you spend any more than five minutes walking around the city – you can politely decline on account of the club’s having been closed for over 20 years.

This “don’t” can be paired with a definite “must-do,” though. Do check out the album and documentary film titled Buena Vista Social Club. Both were released after the club’s closing, but represent some of the best music Cuba has to offer, played by some of the best musicians in its history.

4. Don’t walk around with earbuds listening to your iPod

This is really a “don’t” in any new country, but would be a particular shame in Cuba. Cuba is a country renown for its street life, and the sounds that accompany it aren’t to be missed. Whether it’s a sax solo being played down an alleyway, the cheers of a pickup game of baseball in the street, or the porcelain tinkling of dominoes being shuffled on a table, the noise ringing out from Cuban streets creates a unique and whole identifiable soundtrack. Lady Gaga’s new single will be waiting for you when you get home. Pull out the earbuds and pay attention.

5. Don’t come back and talk about old cars and salsa music

As a country in a perpetual state of quarantine, Cuba can indeed feel like a trip back in time. But don’t reduce it to a camp cliche. When your friends ask about your time there, tell them about more than the classic 1950s cars and sexy salsa music. Because Cuba is more than those things. It’s the people driving the cars and dancing or playing the music. Get lost, meet people, pay attention, and come back with a story about Cuba that hasn’t been told before.