I have been to Cuba MANY times.

- Take a lot of single $1, there is an underground Cuba where you can buy anything or get into anywhere for a few $1 pieces. And you have to pay everybody for anything they do for you. But, worth it. IF YOU TIP IN ADVANCE., they will know you are not European, and you will go VERY far. Word gets around quick as who tips and who does not.

- Avoid the temptation of buying chips. I mean it. There no good chips anymore, the "better ones" mostly come from collectors in the USA who sell them to the sellers in Cuba to sell to the tourist. If you look like you do not know about chips, they will fill you up with junk and fake. If you act like you know chips, they will hit you with real chips but more expensive than in the USA. Lots of Capris, etc.

- The old mob casinos are mostly close to each other in downtown. Ask the clerk to give you a map, if they do not have it, which is the norm, ask them to draw in a piece of paper where they are. Many have different names now.

Food- Still The Floridita is the best. Remains Cuba's main Restaurant and dinner school and everything is good, have to go.
As Charles said, Tropicana is still the "only" show in town, the fountain they purchased from the "Casino Nacional" still stood there last time I went. But,,the glamour is gone.

I have been to all areas including the closed libraries with Documente from pre-Castro, which I needed for my books and which are closed to the public. Cost me $20.00 for the guard in charge and a lot of white hairs. Was able to get to most prohibited places looking for documents and information. Very successful, but, I knew people I spent a lot of $$ paying guards etc to get into the prohibited places. And was caught and got out very very lucky in the Santiago Library for black. Although blacks were not allowed. Recommend not wondering into places the Cuban say do not go!! No side adventures.

BEST TIP: Many "taxi" drivers are professionals who make, like everybody else, $20-$25/month and have to moon light. Ask the hotel guys if they know any good taxi driver who knows history and where things are, that you want to "rent" for 1/2 a day. They will show you everything you can imagine- My first 2 times I had a History professor, retired, who was my taxi driver. Paid for 1/2 day and then rented the rest of the day, did not want to let him go. If you can find a good driver, it will be worth your entire trip.
I may still have a map with a lot of writing on it. If I find it, I will let you borrow it.

Call me or email me with any questions you want.

Good luck and have fun, BTW, the beaches are beautiful, BUT, If you have traveled to the Caribbean, specially to the East of the Dominican Republic, like Bavaro, Punta Cana, etc, the myth of Cuban having the best beaches in the Caribbean will promptly be revealed!!