This is no longer a fantasy – going to Havana is now as easy as boarding a non-stop flight. But it was not delayed – this time-capsule of the city did not remain undeveloped for long. Here are the top things to do in Havana, Cuba. Whether you’re looking for 1950s peace or exciting nightlife (or both!), This city has it all.
Havana | Top Things To Do
Walk the Malecón
The best way to get acquainted with a new locale is to see it on foot – and what better way to walk than on Malecón with a picturesque view of the Caribbean on one side and Vintage City on the other? Originally built as a protective wall against the waves, Esplanade now hosts old fishermen and lounging youth alike, all enjoying relaxing tableaux at every hour of the day. Bring a bottle of wine (or local rum!) For a leisurely stroll or people-watching picnic.
Devour Delicious Local Cuisine
From Rosa Visa to Grilled Lobster, you can feast your eyes and your stomach at La Morelja, one of Havana’s most delicious paladars (family-run food establishments). With garden seating on its beautiful terrace, this rustic restaurant offers many courses of local cuisine, all bursting with colorful flavors. Be sure to order your world-class Payana Colada, which is filled with red and white sugared rims and fresh coconut – and top off the meal with homemade cigars.
Discover Modern Art and Music
Havana’s trendy Fabrica de Arte Cubano (aka “FAC”) is almost always a line around the block, but for good reason – the multi-level cultural warehouse is home to spectacular modern art, live music, and video installations, giving visitors Is allowed Are lost in their innumerable winding places. Grab a mojito at one of the stations several times and make your way through beautiful galleries, or dance the night away for a rotating schedule of bands and DJs. Just be sure to arrive early – although late, it is worth the wait.
Dance All Night at Mio y Tuyo
Havana can embarrass New York because the real city never sleeps – especially in Mio y Tuyo, a welcome bar/club where dancing is the # 1 priority. Enjoy delicious rum cocktails while the locals sing to the song after the hit, hour after hour, all happily cutting a rug with no closing time insight. Novice boppers don’t need to be intimidated – the infectious music and hospitable atmosphere create a confident dancer outside of it all.
Hit the Beach
You do not have to venture far to the country to enjoy the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean. A twenty-minute cab ride just out of town, Havana’s Place del Este offers easy access to miles of ocean and sandy beaches for a relaxing day. If necessary, grab a coconut (with or without rum) from casual vendors that go along with the straw hat. Then, after a long day in and out of hot water, take a roadside seafood tour, shake before heading back into town for delicious food.
Visit Hemingway’s Haunt
In the middle of Old Havana is the famous Floridita, a world-famous restaurant and bar that has never changed since it opened in 1817. The all-female acoustic band is accompanied by live music and behind-the-bar dapper diyas pouring high from doctors. You will understand why writers like Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, and Graham Greene have all given frequencies to the local cantina. Then posing with the bronze statue of Papa himself, along with the counter, forever frozen in potentiation. Be sure to try the signature drink (invented in the bar in the 1930s) for tastes that inspired the greatest literature of the Lost Generation.
Explore Time-Stopped Havana Vieja
A walk in this old neighborhood will give you a real feel of how Havana has remained untouched since the 1950s. From the ubiquitous antique cars in their luxurious colors to the grand, abandoned skeletons of the grand hotel, you can walk block after block and just imagine the lush life that once flowed through the city. After the marble buildings are empty, hiding from the old lobbies, you will now find some new food or dance establishments – but from the outside, the scenery is practically unchanged and beautiful as always.
Hear the Stars Sing at Rosalia
The Buena Vista Social Club has supplied Cuba’s informal soundtrack for decades. To listen to their classic tunes to the original “Estrellas” belt, be sure to visit the Sociedad Cultural Rosalia di Castro for the best musical revolutions in the city. Situated atop an ancient, open-air marble stairway, the big-band sound goes through the courtyard and will be on your feet in no time. Enjoy infectious beats and booming brass from over a dozen players – and dip your teeth into the club’s delicious Rosa Visa sandwich while you’re at it.
Visit a Cigar Factory
Since you no longer have to smuggle the country’s signature exports on your return, why not go directly to the source at the production house? Breathe in the rich fragrances of the locally grown national crop, visit the Fabrica de Tabco Partagas to watch the hand-rolled action. Then head to the bottom of the shop for an abundant selection of boxes ready to bring friends and family back home for shopping – that is, if you can stop smoking them all!
Visit the Plaza de Armas
This historical monument was recently renovated by UNESCO, and the result is absolutely gorgeous. With lush green gardens and a peaceful moat, this former military stronghold (and the oldest city square in Havana) is now home to booksellers by day and romantic serenity by night. And with the Museo de la Ciudad close at hand, there is a lot of history to be soaked between architectural and floral beauty.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Havana, Cuba
Q. Is Havana Cuba Safe for Tourists?
A – Generally speaking, Havana is a very safe city.
Q. What is Havana famous for?
A – Being the major port of shipping and capital of Cuba, the sexiest and most musical country, this Spanish architecture upholds the core of colonial rule and Spanish culture. Havana is also known for its carefree life and beaches.
Q. Can US citizens go to Cuba?
A – The Cuban government allows Americans to visit their country. Restrictions on reasons to travel and where you can spend money are all US rules. Therefore, your US passport is valid in Cuba, regardless of US regulations.
Q. Is Havana Cuba Expensive?
A – Havana is the most expensive city in Cuba except for Varadero. It is expensive for the locals as well as the tourists. Although Cuba is a poor country, so if you want to take a cheap vacation you can easily do so by eating and drinking mainly for the locals (easy if you know some Spanish ).
Q. What should I avoid in Cuba?
A – 8 Things You Should Never Do in Cuba
- Don’t talk about politics.
- Don’t stay in the orange casa particulares.
- Don’t work on a tourist visa.
- Don’t take photos of police or soldiers.
- Don’t be shy.
- Don’t get confused by the two currencies.
- Don’t expect to find creature comforts.
- Don’t forget to tip.
Q. Is Cuba safe for a solo female traveler?
A – Delia Harrington shares her tips for dealing with street harassment, nightlife safety, and solo travel advice for women traveling alone in Cuba. Cuba is a safe country with virtually no violent crime, although pickpocketing and petty theft do occur.
Q. What food do they eat in Cuba?
A – Cuban cuisine
- Comida Criolla – roast or fried pork and chicken accompanied by rice, beans, and viandas (root vegetables).
- Ropa vieja – shredded beef (or lamb) served as a kind of stew, prepared over a slow heat with green peppers, tomatoes, onions, and garlic.
- Ajiaco – a rich stew.
- Tasajo – a form of fried dried beef.
Q. What is a person from Havana called?
A – The people of Cuba are called “Cubanos”, but the people of Havana, in particular, are called “Habaneros”. While travelers should not generalize to a group of people, Habaneros are known for being friendly, fun-loving, warm, affectionate, and very loyal to their friends, family, and their communities.
Q. Is Havana a poor city?
A – In 1962, the US imposed a complete embargo on Cuba, which bans all trade between the two countries. Since then, Havana, the capital of Cuba, has been plagued by poverty and inequality.
Q. Why is Cuba so expensive?
A – Since the demand for visiting Cuba exceeds the supply of tourist services, prices have begun to rise. And since Cuba does not have a free market system, it will take some time for additional hotel construction to be approved and built by the government. This is a huge factor in why it costs so much to travel to Cuba.
Q. Are tourists allowed in Cuba?
A – It is perfectly legal for Americans to travel to Cuba, except for obvious tourism purposes. However, you must meet certain requirements. Specifically, you need a Cuba tourist card (a.k.a Cuba Visa), travel insurance, and a self-certification under one of the 12 travel categories of authorized travel to Cuba.
Q. What is the best time to visit Havana Cuba?
A – The best time to visit Cuba is between January and February. The island’s location in the Caribbean gives warm temperatures year-round, with average lows in Havana dropping to 65 degrees. Because of its location, Havana really only has two seasons: wet and dry.
Q. Currency of havana Cuba?
A – The Cuban peso (in Spanish peso cubano, ISO 4217 code: CUP) also known as moneda nacional, is the official currency of Cuba.
Q. Language Spoken in Havana, Cuba?
A – Spanish is the principal language of Cuba. Although there are no local dialects, the island’s diverse ethnic groups have influenced speech patterns.
Q. How is the weather of Havana?
A – In Havana, the summers are hot, oppressive, and overcast and the winters are short, comfortable, humid, windy, and mostly clear. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 64°F to 89°F and is rarely below 55°F or above 91°F.
