havana cuba travel blog

We’re José and Carley Rojas Avila, a Havana native and a serial expat turned travel writer. We love Cuba, and use our insider knowledge to help fellow travelers just like you discover all Cuba has to offer .

We’re here to help you have the Cuba trip of your dreams, so you can cross Cuba off your bucket list.

Meet José + Carley Rojas Avila

José is a havana native and carley is a serial expat. we’re here to help you have the cuba trip of your dreams, so you can cross cuba off your bucket list..

Old Havana: A Local’s Guide to Habana Vieja [in 2024]

Old Havana is one of the BEST spots in Cuba. Written by a local, our ultimate Old Havana Cuba guide shows how to explore this neighborhood.

11+ Best Day Trips From Varadero: Varadero Excursions Guide [2024]

Looking for easy day trips from Varadero for more than just the beach? These Varadero excursions will be the most memorable part of your stay!

Where To Stay in Varadero | A Local’s Guide [2024]

Looking for where to stay in Varadero? These are the best neighborhoods in Varadero, plus the best all inclusives and casa particular guest houses.

10 Best Casas Particulares in Varadero: A Local’s Guide [2024]

Looking for the best places to stay in Varadero? These 10 local picks for the best casas particulares in Varadero are the best guesthouses in town.

10 Best Varadero All Inclusive Resorts [2024 Guide]

The resorts in Varadero are some of the best in Cuba. These are the best Varadero all inclusive resorts, from family friendly to adult only options.

Havana to Viñales Day Trip: A Local’s Guide [2024]

There’s nothing better than a Havana to Viñales day trip! Our ultimate guide shares all the local recommendations + tips to help you make it happen.

Havana to Varadero: 5 (Easy) Travel Options [2024]

Traveling from Havana to Varadero? Here’s how to get from Havana to Varadero for a Havana to Varadero day trip and for longer stays, too!

Where To Stay in Cienfuegos, Cuba | Accommodation Guide [2024]

Traveling to Cienfuegos? Find where to stay in Cienfuegos in this ultimate guide, including the best hotels in Cienfuegos and cutest guesthouses.

Cuba Travel Blogs

These are all of my cuba travel blogs.

From exploring the old-time charm of Havana, to relaxing on some of the country’s most stunning beaches, find out the best places to travel to in Cuba here, in my Cuba travel blogs.

Happy exploring!

The Best Cuba Itinerary – Sightseeing, Activities And More

From visiting the colourful capital of Havana, to relaxing on Varadero’s pristine beaches, and exploring quirky Trinidad, this Cuba itinerary is the perfect introduction to the country. 

The perfect 24 hours in havana, cuba – your one day havana itinerary.

From visiting Plaza Vieja to sipping on a mojito at La Bodeguita Del Medio, and enjoying the vintage cars and colourful buildings, here’s how to spend the perfect 24 hours in Havana, Cuba.

“You have to go to Cuba NOW before it’s too late!”

They were the words that rung out as I waited outside Havana airport in the pouring rain, unable to find a taxi, after spending two hours in the immigration queue.

“ This better be worth it,” I thought.

I don’t know how many people had suggested Cuba when I was planning my travels last year. There was a lot of talk about the country going through a period of change. Many said that the old charm was gradually disappearing. As I returned to the UK after my trip, I was met by the news of developments in the relationship between United States and Cuba. It seemed my timing was just right.

When I visited Havana, first impressions were of a strange but beautiful city. Over the next 4 days, it really grew on me. So, if you’re planning a trip, (and remember “you have to go now before it’s too late”) here is my guide to the perfect 24 hours in Havana, Cuba – a crazy, magical city on the brink of so much change. 

THE PERFECT 24 HOURS IN HAVANA, CUBA – WHAT TO DO IN ONE DAY IN HAVANA 

10am: After breakfast, take a walk along the Malecon – the esplanade along the seafront. The views of the city are beautiful, particularly when combined with an endless stream of vintage cars passing by the ramshackle multi-coloured buildings along the water.

3 Amazing Ways To Meet Solo Travellers When You’re Away

Wondering how to meet solo travellers when you’re away? You’ll never get lonely with my tried and tested ways to meet people while exploring the world!

I’m a huge fan of jetting off on holiday with my best friends, but there are certain times when the travel experience is heightened by travelling solo. When you only have yourself to think about, you can create a trip that’s totally suited to you.

Plus, without anyone to hide behind, you tend to make more friends, take a leap out of your comfort zone, and relish the adventure! Hey, I never would have gone volcano boarding in Nicaragua or hang-glided in Rio if I had some of my scaredy-cat friends there to chicken out with!

It’s fair to say solo travel has a bit of a stigma. Not only is it a daunting prospect for the one doing it… it’s also the kind of thing your mum will have a big opinion about! Will you be safe? What crazy things are you planning to do? And after days of fun… what happens when you get lonely?

REVIEW: Barcelo Solymar, Cuba – AKA ‘Fawlty Towers’

My stay at the Barcelo Solymar in Varadero, Cuba was a real ‘Fawlty Towers’ experience. Find out why in my review of the hotel, restaurants and facilities.

“The best resort in Varadero, Cuba”… Unfortunately wasn’t where I stayed last week. Instead, I booked into the budget equivalent of Fawlty Towers. With a Trip Advisor rating of 3.5 out if 5 I wasn’t expecting pure luxury. Reviewers had complained about the food, service and state of accommodation. Needless to say, my expectations were relatively low, particularly when paying £50 a night for my own room and all-inclusive board. It was one of the only affordable options after spending months travelling around Central America.

20 things you should know before traveling to Havana, Cuba

Jan 7, 2024 • 10 min read

Make the most out of your time in Havana with this guide to planning, etiquette and safety © JulieanneBirch / Getty Images

For all its tropical charms, Havana isn’t the world’s most straightforward city for travelers.

A unique economic situation, top-heavy state bureaucracy and decades of isolation from its neighbor to the north (the USA) can place obstacles in the way of even simple activities.

But while travel in the Cuban capital can pitch you the occasional curveball, it’s rarely onerous and never dull. Ensure your trip to Havana goes smoothly with our top 20 things to know before you go.

1. Bring proof of insurance

Despite Cuba's extensive state healthcare system, visitors are required to have medical insurance to enter Cuba, and you’ll need to bring a digital or printed proof of your policy. Random checks are conducted at the airport; if you arrive without insurance, you’ll be asked to buy a Cuban policy at the airport.

2. Fill in an online immigration form in advance

With Cuba being one of the world's last Communist states, there's a bit of red tape to navigate . An online form called D’Viajeros containing immigration and health information must be completed by all travelers. You can digitally fill out the form up to 72 hours before you arrive in Cuba, so make this part of your pre-check-in preparations.

3. Different rules apply for US citizens

As a result of the strained political relationship between Cuba and the US, different rules apply for Americans traveling to Cuba. To visit, you'll have to apply for a travel license in one of 12 special categories.

There's no category for vacation, but visitors can often gain entry under the rather opaque “support for the Cuban people” category. Check out our detailed guide to the rules for US travelers .

4. Double-check you have a tourist card

To enter Cuba, all visitors need to present a completed Tourist Card. This travel document is usually available through your airline and is included in the price of many plane tickets, but check with your airline to make sure.

If your airline doesn't provide you with a Tourist Card, you can purchase one through a Cuban travel agency; costs range from US$50 to US$85. Twenty African and Asian countries require a formal visa to enter Cuba, so check the rules for your home country with your local Cuban representative before booking your tickets.

5. It's better to book accommodations in advance

Booking your accommodations before you arrive will not only guarantee you have a place to stay, it will also allow you to pay in advance and travel with less cash – a welcome situation considering the complicated rules for payments in Cuba.

Book a hotel through a reputable agency – Canada-based A Nash Travel has some excellent deals. If you’d prefer to stay in a casa particular (private homestay), use Lonely Planet’s listings to connect with owners directly via email or WhatsApp, or check out the options on Airbnb .

6. Wise up on the new money situation

The rules for making payments in Cuba have always been confusing, even to Cubans, and things have recently become even more confusing.

The country abolished the convertible Cuban peso (CUC) in January 2021 and took the US dollar out of circulation in June 2021, leading to massive inflation and the emergence of a rampant black market. The knock-on effect is a bewildering dual economy.

The official currency of Cuba is the Cuban peso (CUP), but foreign currencies are also widely accepted, especially by private businesses who need hard cash to buy non-rationed goods in special shops that allow purchases using Moneda Libremente Convertible (MLC) – basically, freely convertible currency.

State-run enterprises and banks use official exchange rates, but the superior services offered by private businesses generally reflect the more favorable black market exchange rates.

When buying something from a private business – be it a restaurant, casa particular or taxi service – it’s usually best to pay in a foreign currency. Always ask upfront what currencies are accepted and the exchange rate used for published peso prices.

The euro is the most interchangeable currency and the one preferred by Cubans. You can also use and exchange Canadian dollars and pounds sterling, but avoid US dollars.

When you first arrive, the best policy is to keep most of your money in a foreign currency and only change small amounts into pesos for incidental costs such as museum entry fees, concert tickets and tips. There are also plenty of things you can see and do for free  in Havana.     

7. Pack the right clothes to fit with your plans 

The general dress code in Cuba is pretty casual. Jeans and a T-shirt or button-up shirt are standard attire for guys and girls, though some Cuban women wear colorful rumba dresses for special occasions.

The only real dress code is in cinemas, theaters, nightclubs and upscale restaurants, where male patrons are required to wear long trousers and shirts with sleeves or half-sleeves.

8. Learn Havana's colloquial greetings

Like most big cities, Havana has a rich seam of urban slang. The classic Habanero greeting between friends is qué bola, asere? – which means something akin to “how’s it going, man?” or “what’s up, buddy?”

The word asere is derived from a Nigerian Igbo salutation originally used by the Afro-Cuban Abakuá brotherhood.

The greeting caught on and has now become a form of address peculiar to Havana; don’t use it in Santiago de Cuba where they use the word compay instead. 

9. Consider investing in some quality earplugs

With Havana's crowded houses, narrow streets and penchant for loud live music, this can be one noisy city – and the noise from the street and neighboring rooms and buildings can easily spill into the confines of your room.

If you have sensitive hearing, bring some earplugs or plan on staying in a quieter part of Havana. The suburban (eastern) half of Vedado and the diplomatic district of Miramar are less frenetic neighborhoods, with a few small hotels and plenty of casas particulares  but, crucially, few nightspots.

10. The streets often have two names

Some of Havana’s streets go by two names: a contemporary one that is noted on maps and marked on street signs and a pre-revolutionary one that is still used widely by locals. This can be confusing if you set out on foot to explore Havana's diverse neighborhoods , especially when locals start giving out directions or addresses using the old nomenclature.

Some streets are always referred to by their old names – for example, Paseo de Martí, Havana’s main tree-lined avenue, is invariably called El Prado.

Similarly, Havana’s most famous road, the Avenida de Maceo, is universally known as the Malecón, while the main shopping thoroughfare in Centro Habana (Avenida de Italia) is cherished by all as Galiano.

11. Learn the unusual rules for waiting in Cuban lines

Cubans have to endure a lot of long waits in boring lines, so they’ve invented a way of queueing that doesn’t involve physically standing in line. In a Cuban line, you simply roll up at the bakery/clinic/visa office and yell out quien es último? – meaning “who’s last?” – to the assembled crowd.

All being well, someone in a quarter-mile vicinity will answer your polite inquiry with the word yo (me) and that person will be your yardstick. As long as they’re still around, feel free to go for a walk, sit in the lotus position or buy an ice cream. When they get called up, be on your toes – you’re next!

12. Ask questions more than once

Thanks to Cuba's top-heavy bureaucracy, answers to simple requests aren’t always straightforward and the information you receive may not even be correct, even from official sources. Probe politely and ask at least five different people before you make important decisions.

Can you pay for that taxi in euros? Has that casa particular you stayed in last year really closed forever? The truth is often somewhere in between the first and last answer you'll get.

13. Work out how to differentiate between state-run and private businesses

It’s not always easy for first-time visitors to tell the difference between state-run and private businesses in Cuba – both types have their pros and cons, but by going private, you’ll be putting money directly into the pockets of the Cuban people, and private businesses often offer better standards.

As far as restaurants go, if the food is good and the service friendly and engaging, you’re probably eating in a private dining spot.

When it comes to shops and galleries, places selling official merchandise such as cigars and rum are usually state-run, while more esoteric businesses selling art, secondhand books and unique crafts are generally private.

14. Keep valuables hidden to avoid attracting pickpockets

Havana is a safe city and mostly bereft of violent crime. Pickpocketing is more common but not rampant, and it’s mostly avoidable if you take a few basic precautions.

Wear a money belt, use safe boxes in hotel rooms and don’t flash your cash in public. Walking around with your wallet on display in your back trouser pockets is also a no-no.

15. Don’t change money in the street

Cuba’s widespread black market offers all sorts of options when it comes to changing money, but don’t be talked into exchanging your foreign notes with unlicensed traders on the street. You run the risk of receiving estafas (forged notes) and other kinds of swindles.

16. Bring your own medicines

On one level, Cuba has a good health system – Cuban medics invented and quickly distributed three different COVID-19 vaccines – but it is perennially short of imported pharmaceuticals. Bring all the medications you think you’ll need, including prescription medicines and pharmacy essentials such as ibuprofen and paracetamol.

If you’d like to donate some medicines to the people of Cuba, it is currently possible to bring in 10kg (22lb) of medical supplies tax-free, but you'll need to pack them in a separate bag.

Rather than giving out stuff out willy nilly, it’s better to leave your donations with a trusted Cuban contact to distribute (if you’re staying at a casa particular , ask the owner).

17. Avoid sketchy cigars and other scams

Scams perpetrated by jineteros (hustlers) are commonplace and are generally preceded by friendly chitchat followed by elaborate stories about super-cheap cigars or expert guiding services. While jineteros can be persistent, they are rarely threatening; a polite but firm no gracias usually does the trick of dissuading them.

As a general rule, cigars sold on the streets are usually factory cast-offs or counterfeits of real brands. If you want the real thing, buy your cigars in state-run shops such as the Casa del Habano chain.

Guides can be hit or miss, and those who over-enthusiastically try to talk you into using their services often fall into the latter camp. The best policy is to get in touch with the reputable folks at Free Walking Tour Havana .

18. Beware of sidewalk obstacles

Havana’s sidewalks are filled with hidden – and not so hidden – obstacles. Fruit carts, uneven paving stones, dog droppings and uncovered manholes are just some of the hazards that could ruin your idyllic evening stroll. If you tend to walk around daydreaming or staring at your phone back home, pay extra attention in Havana.

19. Pack toilet paper

The pandemic made the provision of hand sanitizer more common, but the same can’t be said for toilet paper. Public toilets rarely provide supplies so carry your own roll or gravitate to four- or five-star hotels if you’re caught short in the city.

20. Don’t drink the water

Havana's tap water probably won’t kill you, but it can easily give you a little queasiness or an upset stomach.

Bottled water is easy to find and cheap, but to cut down on your plastic use, consider buying a travel water bottle with a built-in filter before you travel and refill it at your accommodations (unfortunately, there aren’t any public water fountains around the city).

This article was first published Apr 8, 2019 and updated Jan 7, 2024.

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Havana Cuba Travel Guide: +50 Best Things to do in 2023

By: Author MC Miller

Posted on Last updated: January 31, 2023

Categories Best Things to Do , City Guides , Cuba , Travel Blog Post

Ahh, Havana Cuba – the communist city frozen in time.

People say ‘visit Havana before its too late!’ and now I know what they mean. Cuba is probably the closest you’ll get to traveling back in time.

It certainly is a place to visit ‘before its too late’ and the 1950 movie ambience is gone forever. Imagine Spanish architecture (crumbling), vintage American 1950s cars, delicious mojitos and salsa… that’s Havana Cuba.   

A few years ago, when we were doing a cruise to the Dominican Republic , Cuba had just been reopened for American tourism and people were dying to get in.

It was very expensive back then ($5,000 for a cruise to Cuba vs the $299 on a cruise to the DR). Despite the fact we too were dying to go, we simply couldn’t justify the expense to Cuba.

Luckily, it is still not too late to visit and there are now many cheap flights from international terminals including Miami and Cancun. The time has never been better to visit this incredible country!

We traveled from Cancun to Cuba which only set us back around 100 USD a ticket – bar-gain !

For a relatively small island country, we were amazed by how many amazing things there to do in Havana from meandering through the picturesque streets, going for a ride in a classic car, visiting the countryside to dancing the night away in one of Hemingway’s many drinking holes.

This guide contains affiliate links. If you find some of the information helpful, we would appreciate you using the links to book hotels, cars and attractions. There is no extra cost to you but we get paid a small commission.

50 Best Things To Do In Havana Cuba (2022)

After 5 years of full time travel, there are not many cities in the world anymore that blow our mind upon entering. 

Well, Havana absolutely blew our mind. 

For this reason, we wanted to put together a guide of the best things to do in Havana to inspire you to visit and to help plan your next trip! There are so many things we learnt in during our trip to Havana, it really is a very interesting place both visually and politically.

Let’s start with visually. If you love photography, you will simply adore Havana.

There is something interesting happening on virtually every street corner – from middle age ladies sipping tea outside a crumbling mansion to kids playing soccer on the bustling streets – there is seriously never a dull moment in Cuba.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Havana is perfect. Remember, you have just time traveled to the 1950s. Internet was not invented in the 1950s.

So, if you are a budding digital nomad or have come to spend countless hours on your computer – TURN BACK NOW!!! Don’t say we never do anything for you 😉

If, however, you have come to disconnect for a while from the modern world and want a break from endless work emails in a “world that is filled with imagination”, as Willy Wonka said, you will love Cuba. So keep reading for the 50 best things to do in Havana Cuba – a city unlike any other.

Don’t pack your bags to Cuba without first reading our Cuba Packing List .

Visit the Old Town of Havana

The Old Town of Havana is hard to miss and will probably be the first thing you do when getting into the city of Havana. 

One of the best ways to explore the Old Town of Havana and to learn a lot about it is to do a tour with a local .

The Old Town of Havana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site so it is definitely the #1 thing to do in Havana.

If you only do 1 thing in Cuba, don’t miss this!

If you are coming from a cruise ship, they dock right in the Old Town of Havana. Yes, if you don’t choose to fly into Havana coming by cruise is also a great way to visit for a day, although we would highly recommend spending at least a few days in Havana if you have the time.

The most beautiful and unmissable area of the Old Town of Havana is the area of Havana Vieja , a picturesque part of the city with cobblestone streets, colonial buildings and quaint alleyways.

This part of the city first took root in 1519 and drew the rich and famous to the area including the likes of famous writer Hemingway to Cuba in the 1940s.

Since Communists took hold after the Second World War, many of the wealthy fled north to the United States abandoning their extravagant homes and leaving these mini-mansions to fall into ruin.

Today, the Old Town of Havana is a mixture of restored homes and un-renovated former mansions, half crumbling to the ground.

As little has been done to the area since the Cuban Revolution and the US stopped trade to the area, the city is frozen in time with hotels left in almost the exact state they would have been in the 1950s, old vintage cars filling the streets and of course no modern conveniences like McDonalds, Starbucks and very little wifi.

You could seriously spend hours meandering the streets of Havana Vieja and never get bored. If you are looking for a souvenir from Cuba, this is a great  place to go as there is a souvenir shop on the corner of virtually every street.

In the middle of Havana Vieja you will find Parque Central where you can get a vintage car tour or a horse and cart draw tour of the city.

Note: The Old Town of Havana is very safe and you will have no problem wandering the streets as a solo female traveler. However, you will be stopped continuously as you walk the streets with someone trying to sell you something. Don’t be alarmed, they are mostly harmless.

Explore Plaza Vieja

Within Havana Vieja is a awesome 16th century plaza in Havana known as Plaza Vieja.

It is one of the prettiest squares in the city with a fountain which is surrounding by colourful houses – a truley picturesque square that it not to be missed in the Old Town of Havana.

Plaza De San Francicso

It is amazing how many beautiful squares and churches there are to discover in downtown Havana.

The Plaza De San Francicso features a beautiful 18th century basilica church , the old Havana stock exchange and a statue of José María López Lledín, also known as The Gentleman From Paris.

Admire El Morro Castle

Across the bay from Havana Vieja, you will notice a rather impressive fort and lighthouse known as El Morro Castle or “Castillo del Morro”.

It was built as a fortress in 1589 to protect Havana Bay from pirates. The fortress – thought to be invincible – was captured by the British in 1762. 

Inside is a museum where you can learn all the history of Cuba. There is also a small shop where you can purchase cigars and coffee.

It costs $8  CUC   per   person for entry and will cost you around $10 CUC for a taxi from the city centre to get there.  As it is located across the bay, you take an underground tunnel to access it.

Note: taxis all require negotiation in Cuba so never accept the first price they propose or you will likely be ripped off!

Go for a Ride in a Vintage Car

One of the things I was most excited to do when visiting Cuba was to go for a ride in a vintage car. I mean, it is not every day that you get to ride around, wind flying through your hair with no seatbelts, feeling like Marilyn Monroe.

If you want to go for a ride in a vintage car in Havana there are three main ways to do it.

Go for a mini Havana Tour

If you want to go for a ride in a shiny pink (or whatever color takes your fancy really) 1950s American convertible, you will need to go on a 1 or 2 hour tour of the city, where the guide will show you the highlights of Havana.

This is really fun and a great opportunity to take gorgeous photos. If you wish to do this, you will need to put on your best bartering shoes.

The ‘official price’ for a 1 hour tour is 80 CUC. The driver will show you a piece of paper showing you this and immediately follow it up with “But I will do a better price for you!!”. Usually, at this point they will come down to 40 – 50 CUC.

You can negotiate further from there. We snagged a 1 hour tour for 30 CUC which IMO is a bit of a bargain. See how well your bartering goes and let us know in the comments below if you get a better rate than us (I will low key be hella jealous).

The great part about doing one of these, aside from the fabulous photo opportunities, is the opportunity to speak to a local about their life in Cuba.

We learnt some very interesting things about Cuba through talking to locals in these vintage cars.

For example, if you think Cuba is out of communism, think again. If you own a business in Cuba, you have to pay a *very* hefty ‘tax’. 

As an example, when Communism came into Cuba, owners of the tobacco fields were required to sign over 90% of the profits to the government or lose the right to their farms altogether.

Of course Communism has some benefits such as free education, free or almost free housing and very good medical facilities (surprisingly, Cuba has some of the best medical facilities in the world!). From what we learnt these benefits come with a price tag however.

For example, sure, you can receive free university in Cuba but it requires you to give back 3 years to the government after your degree on minimum wage.

Oh, and the vintage taxis you see? They are also owned by the government.

I still don’t fully understand the ins and outs of living in communism but taking a tour with the locals definitely gave me a better understanding of a very complicated system.

Go for a ride in a collectivo taxi

The vintage cars which are not convertibles and usually look a little older and a little less shiny (but still very cool and fun nonetheless!!) for a lot less than the Havana tours offered in the very well maintained shiny convertible cars.

These often aren’t government owned cars and are privately passed down generations. Due to the import ban from the US, new cars have only just started to make their way into Cuba. This is largely the reason why people say ‘the time to visit Cuba is now’ before the ambience is spoiled by new and modern importations to Cuba.

Like most things in Havana, you will need to negotiate for a fair price. To give you an idea of price, we got from the city to the Cuban Art Factory (15 minutes drive away) for 8 CUC with a little negotiating. We got a ride to the airport for 20 CUC.

They are called collectivo taxis as often they are shared with other passengers. As we were 4, this never happened to us.

We also took a day trip out to the country town of Vinales in a vintage taxi for 130 CUC (the driver drove us to all the sites and waited for us for the entire day).

Buy a Tour before you go

If you don’t want to have the hassle of bartering with the locals and want to guarantee you get an English speaking Cuban guide, we would advise booking a vintage car tour in advance before you arrive in Cuba.

It is necessary to pre-plan a lot of your activities in Cuba before you go as there is very little wifi so pre organising your activities in advance will be an absolute godsend.

We would recommend this highly rated car tour:

• 2 Hour Classic Havana Car Tour

We would recommend bringing with you a copy of the Lonely Guide to Cuba with you to Cuba unless you are very organised and manage to plan every restaurant and activity in advance.

Be Amazed at the Tropicana Show

One of the most famous and iconic things to do in Havana is to visit the world famous Tropicana cabaret show.

A tropical version of the Moulin Rouge in Paris, the show is full of dancing with feathers, flitter and glamour galore.

The Tropicana show was one of the favourite activities of Havana’s wealthy in the 1940s who were dazzled by the enchanted Cuban nights where a unreal world of exotic splendor came alive in a exuberant garden

The show will possibly one of the more expensive activities you do in Havana, as the tickets cost $80+ a person for show only with dinner and a show costing $100 + a person for the evening. If you like all things razzle dazzle, it is an unmissable attraction in Havana.

Source: Flickr

Or See a more Alternative Dinner + Show

If you want to see an alternative show, we would recommend the Buena Vista Social Club . It is a similar to the Tropicana show but only costs 30 CUC without dinner. 

The Hotel Nacional also offers a smaller Tropicana type show performed in a old theatre outside of the Hotel. A great option especially if you decide to stay at the Hotel.

Go for a stroll along the Malecon

One of the most popular things to do for locals in Havana is to take a sunset walk along the Malecon, a stone wall that places the city of Havana on one side and the ocean on the other.

The Malecon covers 5 miles from the city centre of Havana to the area of Miramar.

If you have seen a picture of Havana it is likely to be of the Malecon, one of the most photographed areas of the city.

On a windy day, you will have to dash and duck along the boardwalk to avoid getting absolutely soaked by a massive wave, but it is all part of the fun!

Along the Malecon, you will get a great view of Castillo del Morro so if you don’t plan on going over to the fort, the Malecon is a great place to spot it in the distance.

You can also admire some of Havana’s best architecture from the Malecon including the most famous hotel in Havana, Hotel Nacional.

Watch the world roll by at Hotel Nacional

If you prefer a slower pace to life, stop by Hotel Nacional the most famous hotel in Havana for a mojito overlooking the Havana seaside and Malecon.

We were seriously impressed with how beautiful Hotel Nacional was. Built in the 1930s and forever stuck in time, this hotel has some serious glam (it also has live peacocks freely walking around the premises) .

If you can afford to stay here for a few nights we would highly recommend it.

If you do you will be joining the list of some very famous guests including Frank Sinatra and Winston Churchill. You can even stayed in the exact rooms they stayed in!

Even if you choose not to stay at the hotel, it is still worthwhile to make a stop here and enjoy a drink with a fabulous view of Havana.

Hotel Nacional is also home to one of the best cigar shops in the city known as La Casa del Habano so it is a good opportunity to pick up a cigar or two.

Explore the Cuban Missile Crisis Tunnels

While you are at Hotel Nacional, go for a walk in the lawn overlooking the Malecon and you will find the Cuban Missile Crisis Tunnels and Cannons.

These tunnels and cannons were set up to defend Cuba from the United States during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Luckily, nothing eventuated but it is still very interesting to see the tunnels and missiles that were set up and aimed at the US in anticipation of a war.

These tunnels provide a better insight into the past tension between the 2 nations and the US trade embargo against Cuba .

Inside the tunnels there are posters with information about the Cuban Missile Crisis and if you are particularly interested you can even take a guided tour through the tunnels. Just go to the tunnels and wait, tours go every 10-20 minutes.

Drink at Hemingways Favourite Spots

Like Key West , Havana was one of Hemingways favourite places. He even had a home just outside Havana which you can visit!

If you are particularly interested in Hemingway, we would suggest taking a guided tour following the footsteps of Hemingway .

Or, you can go on a self guided drinking tour of some of his favourite bars and restaurants, detailed below:

El Floridita – Hemingways Daiquiri Spot

El Floridita is perhaps the most famous of Hemingways watering holes in Havana located in Havana Vieja.

Due to how often he frequented the bar, there is now a statue of him permanently sitting at the bat at El Floridita.

Hemingway is said to have liked the Daiquiri the best here, he claims it is the “best Daiquiri in the world” in fact so be like Hemingway and enjoy a daiquiri at El Floridita.

During the day there is no cover to enter although each drink is a little on the expensive side for Havana and will set you back around 6 CUC. Hey, no-one said Hemingway was cheap!

Dos Hermanos

We passed this bar by chance and decided to go in knowing it was another favourite spot of Hemingways.

If you would like a cheaper, less touristic Hemingway bar, this would be our pick as prices were very reasonable with each cocktail only costing around 4 CUC. We did notice the waiter try to overcharge the people sitting behind us at the bar so closely watch your bill!

When we visited there was also live music playing which was a really neat touch.

La Bodeguita – Hemingways Mojito Spot

Just off one of the most stunning squares in Havana, Plaza del a Cathedral, you will find another of Hemingways favourite watering holes, La Bodeguita.

It is said that this is Hemingways favourite mojito spot in the city. There is often live music here too. It gets very crowded due to its prime location in the city.

Sloppy Joes

We went to Sloppy Joes for dinner and drinks one evening and subsequently found out that it is another of Hemingway’s favourite spots!

The food and drink were okay but the decor and ambience inside were pretty special.

If you go, we would recommend trying the signature Sloppy Joe burger, it is the best thing on the menu without doubt.

Visit Hemingways House – Finca Vigia

If you are obsessed with all things Hemingway, in addition to visiting all his favourite drinking spots, you can visit the house he lived in, just outside of Havana.

In this house, he wrote some of his best known novels including the Old Man and the Sea.

As it is located outside the downtown area, you will need a taxi or tour if you would like to visit.

Visit the  Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

If you love art, don’t miss a visit to the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes while in Havana.

The art collection it holds is very interesting as many pieces of art on exhibit at the museum date back to 500 AC.

Visit a Picturesque Beach Near Havana

As we just came from Cancun in Mexico , we were a little ‘beached out’ so we preferred to spend our time in the city and in the countryside.

If you do want to visit a gorgeous beach however, there are some great ones just near Havana Cuba.

The closest beach to Havana is Santa María del Mar, only a 30 minute car ride away. 

The downside to this beach is that being the closest beach to Havana it is the most crowded. The upside is that it is by far the most affordable to access.

There are 2 options to access Santa María del Mar. The first is a taxi which costs around 20 CUC each way (barter!). The second option is to take the public bus which costs only 5 CUC a ticket roundtrip.

If you want to take the public bus option, the Blue T3 Transtur air conditioned bus departs every 40 minutes from Parque Central.

At the beach, there are numerous places to eat and drink and beach chairs and umbrellas cost around 2 CUC.

Another popular beach near Havana is Playa Este. You can negotiate a ride or book a pre-organised tour to this beach.

Admire El Capitolio

In my opinion, the most beautiful and impressive building in Havana is the large Capitol building in the city centre known as El Capitolio.

It looks remarkably like US Capitol in Washington DC because the building was based on it. Despite its impressive size, our taxi driver in Havana told us the building only took 10 years to build back in the 1920s.

If you like great photos of your travels, this is one of our favourite spots in the city for photography.

You can also get a 45 minute tour inside the building for 10 CUC which can be purchased at the kiosk on the left side of the grand staircase.

See Havana’s Chinatown

I don’t exactly know why but I didn’t quite expect Cuba to have a Chinatown.

The architecture juxtaposes the rest of Havana and its interesting to see.

If you are feeling like a Chinese meal or are just curious to see keep walking onward down Dragones from the El Capitolio building.

Take a stroll with the locals at Paseo Del Prado

During late afternoons and evenings in Havana we often were found meandering along the Paseo Del Prado, looking for a taxi.

This walk which stretches from the Malecon to Parque Central was particularly interesting to see as it is a local hotspot where locals can be found relaxing, playing soccer or listening to some reggae music.

Listen to Live Music or Go Salsa Dancing

One of the parts we liked most about Havana was the fact that live music was played in almost every bar we visited in the city.

If you prefer piano, visit Hotel Plaza for a drink which has IMO the best wifi in the city at their piano bar. When the pianist was playing one evening, a guest staying at the hotel joined him to sing some opera. She must have been a professional opera singer as she was seriously impressive.

If you would like to try your hand at Salsa, the Cuban Art Factory offers Salsa lessons nightly. It is only 2 CUC to enter the Cuban Art Factory which we would recommend visiting even if you don’t enjoy salsa.

Another good option is Casa de la Musica in Miramar, a very local joint where you can go to dance salsa with the locals.

Note: If you do see locals playing music at one of the bars in Cuba, they are doing so for a tip or to sell their CDs so don’t be surprised if they bring their tip hat around after the performance.

Learn Spanish at the Havana University

If you are staying in Havana for a little longer, you can get some very affordable Spanish lessons

It costs 100 CUC for a week (half day classes) for Spanish classes or 300 CUC for a month. A Canadian lady we met in Havana highly recommended it.

If you have less than a week, the locals were more than willing to speak Spanish with you as mostly their English is quite poor.

It is advisable to have a few basic Spanish phrases up your sleeve before visiting Havana so you can at least get by while you are there.

See the Cannons Fire at 9pm

Each night in Havana since the 18 th century, a cannon is fired from Morro Cabana at 9pm sharp.

Seeing the cannons fire is one of the best free things to do in Havana. If you want to see the full spectacle, get there early as there is a little presentation beforehand with artillery cadets and a drumroll

You always know it is 9pm in the city of Havana as you can hear the cannons go off just about anywhere you are in the city.

Visit Havana’s Christ The Redeemer

Interestingly, and rather unexpectedly to us, Havana has its own Christ the Redeemer constructed of  Italian marble sitting on the hillside overlooking the city.

We did not visit the monument but we saw the 20 meters (66 ft) high statue overlooking the city from Havana Old Town.

If you would like to visit the statue can be visited by tax or ferry only 1 CUC pp. We read the ferry driver does not offer change so make sure you have the correct money with you.

See the Headquarters of Che Guevera

If you visit Christ the Redeemer, we would recommend also checking out the headquarters of Che Guevera which is now a dedicated musuem of the life and history of Che with many of his personal photos and possessions.

It costs 6 CUC to enter the musuem and learn more about the life of the iconic freedom leader.

Go for a trip to Vinales

If you want to see the beautiful Cuban countryside while in Havana, we would suggest a day trip out to the stunning countryside of Vinales, a 2-3 hour drive outside of Havana.

Vinales is probably the most popular day trip from Havana due to the amazing countryside filled with tobacco fields and caves.

Why is it called Vinales? Well, it first started as a winery area however, it did not produce great tasting wine. Subsequently, tobacco started being produced in the area which is still the main crop grown in the area today.

One of the best things to do in Vinales is to visit a tobacco farm where you can see the tobacco crop and receive a demonstration as to how to roll a cigar.

If you would like to purchase cigars while in Cuba, this is the best place and cheapest place to purchase  good quality cigars in Cuba (4 CUC). We would highly advise against buying cigars from street vendors while in Havana as the cigars are often poor quality.

It is far better to go out to a tobacco farm in Vinales or purchase cigars from one of the official cigar shops in town (our recommendation below)

Aside from tobacco fields in Vinales, there is a lot of other interesting things to do in the quaint countryside town including going for a horse ride and exploring caves where slaves hid from the Spanish in fear of their lives.

As there is quite a lot of great things to do in Vinales, if you have the time, it is advisable to spend a few nights there to soak up the countryside air and get a great feel for the place.

If you choose to spend a few nights in Vinales, it is possible to get a public bus, otherwise, it is best to take a 1 day tour of the town.

If you don’t want the hassle of haggling for a fair price, we would recommend booking this day tour to Vinales in advance. 

Otherwise, see our guide of how to travel from Havana to Vinales DIY style.

Visit a Cigar Factory in Havana –  Partagrás

If you are not making a day trip to Vinales, we would suggest visiting the best cigar shop in downtown Havana known as Partagrás.

Seeing how a cigar is made is a really interesting process and Partagrás, one of the oldest cigar factories in Havans, is one of the few places in Havana city that you can see it.

If you want to buy cigars we would highly recommend purchasing them within this store and not with the street merchants claiming to have the same products outside. These most likely are cheap knock offs and nowhere near the same calibre of cigar.

Take a trip to El Bosque De La Habana

If you don’t want to spend the time to get out to Vinales but want to feel the fresh smell of the countryside rushing through your lungs, we would recommend a trip to Havana’s Green Forest, El Bosque De La Habana.

As it is only a 20-30 minute car ride outside of downtown Havana, it is possible to get a vintage car ride there. If you choose to take the longer vintage car Havana tour (2 hour) it is likely that they will pass through the El Bosque De La Habana.

The Green Forest of Havana is home to some stunning 300 year old banyan trees and the Almendares River.

Visit a Craft Market to Buy Interesting Souvenirs

In downtown Havana you will find many craft markets to find interesting souvenirs to take home with you.

There are a tonne of souvenir shops in downtown Havana but the best deals tend to be found at the markets.

We bought a few little souvenirs at bargain prices in the markets in Havana. Like most things in Cuba, be aware that you will likely have to negotiate to get a fair price.

We also enjoyed looking through a book market in downtown Havana. Most of the books are in Spanish however, they had a lot of interesting vintage posters, photographs and jewellery for sale too!

Eat Locally at a Paladar

In addition to the government run restaurants, the government of Cuba has allowed residents to run local restaurants out of their homes.

In these restaurants, known as Paladars, you can find some of the very best food in Cuba.

Paladars in Cuba often serve the Cuban specialty dish of Ropa Vieja which includes a tomato stew base with shredded beef, vegetables and rice with beans.

It is no secret that restaurants in Havana can be a little hit and miss so it is important to research the best restaurants in town in advance.

Some of the best paladars in Havana include Paladar Doña Eutimia and Paladar Café Laurent.

Paladars can range from very cheap to very exclusive places to eat depending on where you choose to go.

Stay at a Casa Particular

In a similar fashion to Paladars, the Cuban government have let local residents open their homes to visitors.

Basically, there are two choices of accommodation in Cuba. To stay at a government run hotel or in a Casa particular (local house).

Casa particular often include or for a small extra optional fee (around 5 CUC pp) a deliciously local cooked meal in the morning for breakfast.

Casa particulars can be basic or a more luxury experience, depending on the current State of the renovation of the home.

Despite most Cubans being relatively poor, accommodation in Cuba is not cheap as there are hefty taxes that residents are required to pay to the government to run their business (hello Communism!)

Expect to pay 50 – 100 CUC per night for a private, renovated Casa particular close to the Old town of Havana.

One thing we will note is that staying in a Casa particular did not prove to be the same private experience as elsewhere in the world, despite the fact we rented our own apartment.

Our host let herself in numerous times during our stay without warning which we weren’t particularly happy about as we didn’t have the forewarning to close our suitcases.

If you are worried about privacy, we would suggest booking a hotel instead or at least have the forewarning we didn’t to shut your suitcase while you go out for the day.

The other thing to note about Casa Particulars is that 1. Water may turn off randomly without notice and 2. There probably won’t be wifi.

We stayed at 2 Casa Particulars during our time in Havana and water turned off at some point during both stays. This is not the hosts fault per say but just a quirk of traveling to Cuba.

The other thing is wifi. Some Casa Particulars do state that they include wifi but in reality it will be slower than dial up speed. The only way to get decent wifi, short of being getting an expensive 4G sim card for your mobile, is to buy a wifi card and to use it at one of the hotels in Havana.

IMO, it is not worthwhile to pay more for a Casa Particular with wifi as the service will be virtually non existent. Don’t fall for it!

The clean and comfortable Casa Particular we stayed in

Get a great view of Havana

There are a few great places in Havana to get a fabulous panoramic view of the city.

One of the best places to get a view of the city is from the Gomez Vila building in the Old Town of Havana. It only costs a few CUC to access the panoramic view of Havana from the roof of the building.

Another great option is Hotel Ambos Mundos. The hotel itself is really cool and worth a visit. To access the rooftop and receive a epic view of Havana city right over the bay to Morro Cabaña you to use a vintage 1950s elevator with an operator, as would have been seen in the old days.

Hotel Ambos Mundos is free to access but you are required to buy a reasonably priced drink at the rooftop bar. We hoped to get wifi here being a hotel in Havana central but had no luck.

Hotel Kempinski is another great spot to snag an awesome view of Havana including the Capitol Building. What makes this hotel special is the fact that in addition to the lovely view it boasts a gorgeous infinity rooftop pool.

View from Hotel Ambos Mundos

Take a trip to the Fishing Village of Jaimanitas

If you have a little more time in Havana, you could always make a trip out to the Fishing Village of Jaimanitas, only a 25 minute car ride away.

What makes this village special is the mosaic artwork by artist Jose Fuster in the village known as Fusterlandia .

What is cool is that in somewhat similar fashion to Guatape in Colombia , the artwork is weaved into the neighbourhood. Interestingly, the homeowners of the village have allowed Fuster decorate their homes into amazing pieces of art.

Admire the Mansions of Vedado

We were staying in Vedado in a casa particular so each day as we left our apartment we got to see the incredible Mansions of Vedado.

Even if you are not staying in the area, we would highly recommend a trip out to Vedado to admire the huge, luxury albeit now run down mansions in the area. The area of Vedado really highlights how wealthy Havana once was. The architecture of the buildings is simply amazing.

Since the revolution, when the wealthy of the US fled Cuba, these mansions were left abandoned and are now somewhat rundown. These days multiple families live in the insane Mansions of Vedado.

A taxi driver told us that while he is one of the few Cubans who owns a property in Cuba (his Grandmother worked long and hard for the government and was gifted a property). Most Cubans do not own property and live, based on Communism, rent or virtually rent free. He informed us that it costs around 2 CUC a month for rent in Havana if you don’t own a house.

While you are checking out the mansions of Vedado make a stop at Cafeteria Pilon for some seriously delicious Guava Milkshakes.

Cafeteria Pilon

Visit a Jazz Club

If you like jazz, you will love Havana’s jazz club scene.

While you are in Vedado, why not stop in at one of the best jazz clubs in Havana La Zorra y el Cuerro.

Entry is 10 CUC. Outside you can find various snacks to buy including popcorn and sandwiches.

See Cuban Fashion at La Maison

If you are staying in the Vedado area and are interested in fashion, you might also like to visit one of the nightly fashion shows at La Maison.

Visit the Fabrica De Arte Cubano

One of our favourite things to do in Havana, and a hidden gem IMO, was our night time visit to the Fabrica De Arte Cubano.

It has been rated as one of the 100 greatest places of 2019by Time Magazine and we can understand why – this place seriously has pizzazz.

As the Fabrica De Arte Cubano only opens from 8pm at night (Thurs – Sun) we almost missed visiting this attraction after being totally exhausted sightseeing at the end of each day but are really glad we dragged ourselves out, half dead in the evening.

Fabrica De Arte Cubano was founded by famous Cuban musician X-Alfonso in an old warehouse converted into a maze of art, music, performances and salsa.

There are numerous bars throughout the facility and 1 restaurant (meals cost around 15 CUC). Don’t leave without trying one of the delicious frozen mojitos, they only cost 2.50 CUC and are the best mojito I tried in Cuba.

It costs 2 CUC no matter the day of week you visit. If you pay any more than this, it is possibly a scam, as written on the door.

You will have to put your bartering shoes on after leaving Fabrica De Arte Cubano as taxi drivers outside the facility will try to charge you a pretty penny to get home late at night.

We managed to negotiate 8 CUC to our casa particular just outside Havana downtown.

Marvel at the Plaza De La Revolucion

One of the most iconic places in Havana and one of the best things to do is to visit the Plaza De La Revolucion.

You will feel absolutely tiny in one of the largest public squares in the world where Fidel Castro made many of his famous speeches.

Here you will find government buildings including the iconic building artwork of revolution hero, Che Guevara.

The Plaza De La Revolucion is not within walking distance of the old town of Havana so you will need transportation to get there.

We visited during our vintage car tour. Alternatively, you can get there in a normal taxi or on the hop on, hop off bus in Havana as detailed below.

Admire La Cathedral De San Cristobal

On our very last morning in Havana we walked into the Plaza La Cathedral De San Cristobal and could not believe we almost missed this stunning gem while in Havana!

This plaza and cathedral is one of the best preserved spots in Havana, you will feel as if you are walking around somewhere in Europe within this square.

In the square you will find interesting things to discover including the Museo de Arte Colonial.

Go for a ride on a pedicab or a cocotaxi

One of the quirky and fun things about Havana is the ability to take such a wide array of different transportation in the city.

Two of the popular cheaper options than a taxi to get around are a pedidab (a bike with two seats mounted to the back) and a cocotaxi, a modified scooter which can fit 3 passengers.

Jump on the Hop on Hop Off Bus

The Hop on Hop Off Bus is one of the most affordable ways to see all the best things to do in Havana.

We read online that it costs only 5 CUC a ticket. Sadly, this is incorrect information and the current ticket pricing of the bus is now 10 CUC a ticket.

If you are not planning to take a vintage car tour, the Hop on Hop Off Bus is a good alternative as it takes you to all the best spots in the city including further our attractions such as the Plaza De La Revolucion where you will need a taxi or tour to access.

Get Instagram Photos at La Guarida Restaurant

If you are interested in visiting an absolutely stunning, albeit a little pricey, instagrammable restaurant in Havana, don’t miss La Guarida Restaurant.

The best place to get your insta pics in on the beautiful grand staircase of the building.

Revolution Museum

If you are interested in the Cuban Revolution, be sure to stop by the Revolution Museum while in Havana.

The museum is one of the many interesting things to do within the downtown Havana area.

One of the parts that interested us the most was the tanks and military equipment used during the revolution.

Inside is also an interesting place to visit. Bullet holes from the attempted assassination of President Fulgencio Batista can still be seen in the central staircase of the building.

Visit the Gran Teatro de La Habana

Another of the most beautiful buildings in Havana and one not to be missed on a trip is the Gran Teatro de La Habana which dates back to 1838. 

It is particularly beautiful inside so if you have the time, we would recommend getting a tour of the inside of the building.

Try Some Unique Cuban Food & Drink

One of the best things to do in Havana is to try some of the very unique and unusual food there is on offer:

Cuban Pizza

One of the most unique things to eat in Havana is the Cuba pizza. On virtually every street corner in Havana you will see a little shop selling Cuban Pizza. 

Cuban Pizza is really cheap and normally charged in CUP (local currency) however, in the Old Town of Havana they will also accept CUC.

The trick is knowing where to find the good stuff as a lot of the street pizza is pretty average. Some of the best Cuban pizza joints include La Mimosa and Pizzas Pachy in Havana.

Cuban Sandwich

One of the things we were most excited to eat in Cuba was the Cuban Sandwich.

Well, it turns out that Cuban Sandwich are not really Cuban after-all and something that originated in Miami.

Nethertheless, we managed to eat a few particularly delicious Cuban Sandwiches while in Havana. The Plaza Hotel serves a yummy ham & cheese toasted sandwich (5 CUC) and El Cafe (our favourite cafe in Havana) also does a great toasted sandwich (4-5 CUC).

We also tried the Sloppy Joe Sandwich at Sloppy Joe, a favourite spot of Hemingway which were also pretty tasty.

Although tempting we would advise against eating the street sandwiches while in Havana (only 1 CUC) as at one point we got a little sick and think the street sandwich is the culprit.

Try Guarapo

One of the most famous drinks of Cuba is the Guarapo – a freshly squeezed pure sugarcane juice. You can often see locals making the juice by hand using a giant squeezer.

It is interesting to try, especially if you have sweet tooth like me. Order 1 between 2 to test if you like it. It can get rather sickening after a while.

Try  Ropa Vieja

One, if not the most traditional dish in Cuba is Ropa Vieja  – a tomato stew base with shredded beef, vegetables and rice with beans.

Rancho Luna is known as the best spot in the city for some particularly delicious Ropa Vieja.

Drink Rum Out of a Box

While looking for milk in Havana, I discovered rum in a box (which looks just like a little bottle of milk). By the way, milk is virtually non existent in Havana – we ended buying some powdered milk for our tea and coffee.

Rum out of a box is one of the locals favourite drinks. You can often see them drinking the little rum in a box as they watch the sunset by the Malecon.

Guava Milkshakes

Guava is one of the best locally produced fruit in Cuba. It is the best Guava I have ever tasted in my life.

A specialty in Cuba is guava milkshakes. They are in virtually every cafe in Havana. Our favourite cafe is El Cafe. They have the most delicious guava milkshakes for 2.5 CUC, ever better with oatmilk (4 CUC).

How to Get to Cuba?

It has never been a better time to reach Cuba as they have now opened their doors to foreign tourism.

If you are planning a trip to Mexico, Cuba is a fabulous next stop on your itinerary as tourist visas are a lot cheaper than from the US and can be obtained for $25 a person from the check in counter as you go to check in for your flight. Soo easy!

Nowadays, there are many cheap airlines that travel to and from Cuba. We travelled from Cancun to Cuba using Interjet. We travelled out of Cuba using Copa Airlines.

We were able to get in and out of Cuba for around $100 USD + bags each way.

Other airlines that fly to Cuba from the United States are American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Jet Blue and South West to name a few. The most affordable place in the US to access Cuba is from Miami due to its close proximity to the island.

Best Time of Year to Visit Cuba?

If you like warm and sunny weather, it is always a good time to visit Cuba as it is a destination that it is warm and sunny year round.

As it is a hot destination, we prefer to visit in the winter months (Nov – Feb) as the climate is more gentle and yet you can still comfortably relax at the beach. At this time of year, you are at less risk of getting absolutely fried to a crisp in the hot sun.

We visited Havana in February and it was an ideal time of year to visit if you are spoiled for choice as when to travel.

If you want more detailed information, see our month by month guide for the best time to travel to Cuba .

How to Get Around Cuba? (Once You Arrive)

It is very easy to get around Cuba in local buses or taxis once you arrive on the ground in Cuba.

Taxis in Cuba include normal modern cars as well as vintage cars. Bartering is a way of life in Cuba and we would suggest bartering for all your taxi fares while in the country.

It costs between 20-40 CUC for a taxi from Havana Airport to the downtown area of Havana. We paid 30 CUC for a maxi taxi for 4 people to Havana downtown and 20 CUC for a regular taxi for 2 people from Havana downtown to the airport.

If you want a stress free entry to Cuba, you can book an airport transfer in advance .

We would recommend booking any special tours that spark your interest in advance of arriving in the country due to the low connectivity of internet on the ground.

Tours we would recommend:

• A tour with a local in Havana
• Havana by E-Bike
• A  day tour to Vinales 
• The Tropicana Show
• A small group walking tour of the Old Town

Where to Stay in Havana?

If you are looking for the most traditional way to experience Havana, we would suggest staying at a Casa Particular in Cuba. You can easily book one of these on airbnb.

As mentioned above, if you are in dire need of wifi 24/7 and the modern conveniences of a hotel with no water shortages (no promises though, after all, it is Cuba), we would recommend staying in one of the hotels in Cuba, which have wifi in the hotel lobbys.

Must Read: Best Places to Stay in Havana (and hotels with wifi which actually works)

If you are going to do the hotel option in Havana, we would suggest staying in at least a mid range hotel in the city as the budget hotel options tended to be a little on the shabby and rundown side.

You can search all hotels in Havana Cuba during your dates here :

Here are some hotels we frequented for wifi in Havana and would recommend investigating for a comfortable hotel stay in Havana.

• Mid Range : Hotel Plaza – A beautiful, mid range, 1950s style hotel in the Old Town of Havana with a lot of character. The hotel includes a grand lobby, piano bar and restaurant. We frequented this hotel daily during our time in Havana for wifi.
• Luxury: Hotel Sevilla . A stunning hotel right in the centre of Old Havana.
• Luxury: Hotel Nacionale – If you have a larger budget or are visiting Havana for a honeymoon or special occasion we would highly recommend staying at the gorgeous Hotel Nacionale

Wifi in Havana?

Cuba is an absolutely amazing country, BUT, I’ll be honest, if you are a budding digital nomad who needs wifi 24/4, you might want to forget Cuba – the wifi is woeful and can really only be accessed within major hotels in the city WITH a wifi card you pay for (2 CUC per hour). 

We knew about the wifi situation before entering Cuba and decided to visit anyway for a disconnected holiday in somewhere truly special.

Although having limited wifi pained us as travel bloggers, I’m glad we made the decision to visit Cuba as it is up there in the top 10 countries we have visited. 

Even if you don’t plan to stay in one of Havana’s fancy 1950s-era hotels, you can use our guide to where to stay in Havana to find hotels near you with wifi in the lobby. 

How Many Days Should I Spend in Havana Cuba?

Havana Cuba is not a particularly large city but as you can see with this article there are still lots of awesome things to do.

How many days you wish to stay in Havana really depends on how many things on the above list you care to tick off.

Cruise ships pull into the city for 1 day and it would be enough to get a good feel for the Old Town of Havana which is very walkable.

We stayed 5 nights in Havana and were very happy with the amount of time we had. We would have been happy to stay a little longer and really soak up the atmosphere but we were also getting sick of having no wifi.

Currency in Cuba

Cuba has a weird currency situation.

Cuba has 2 currencies, the Pesos CUP (which the locals get paid in) and the CUP (the tourist currency). 25 CUP = 1 CUP.

CUP is mainly useful for buying street food and small purchases. It will probably be difficult to get your hands on some CUP while in Cuba and from our experience you really don’t need to. The CUC was sufficient for all our travel needs in Cuba (except at the airport – I will get to that next).

CUC is closely tied to the USD. Roughly 1 CUC – 1 USD however, when we visited we got a slightly worse exchange rate (go figure!)

We read that you needed to bring cash with you however, this is not exactly true (although always a good precaution to take). Upon arriving in Cuba you can get out CUC at the international airport. We also read that you get a better exchange for Euros and Pounds than USD in Cuba however, we did not find this to be the case.

Note : For whatever weird reason, CUC was not accepted at the International Airport in Cuba so get rid of any CUC you have before the airport. Only USD, CUP and some other major international currencies are accepted at the international airport in Cuba.

What to Bring to Cuba? Cuba Travel Essentials

• BRING: Travel Insurance. Upon entering Cuba, my Dad was asked to show proof of insurance. I didn’t know this before visiting but the immigration officer informed us that you would be denied access to Cuba without proof of insurance.
• BRING: Travel Information. As there is little wifi in Cuba, it is advisable to bring with you notes or a guidebook of all the awesome things there are to do. We would recommend bringing with you a copy of the Lonely Guide to Cuba with you to Cuba unless you are very organised and manage to plan every restaurant and activity in advance. 
• DON’T BRING: Your drone. Sadly, drones are not allowed in Cuba at this stage. If you bring your drone into Cuba, it will be temporarily held at the airport. You will also be required to pay a fine to get it back. 

We hope you have a great time in Havana. It really is a special place. If you have any questions about Havana drop us a comment, we are always happy to help.

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MC Miller is a travel blogger and writer who has travelled America extensively and abroad to over 80 countries. He founded Couple Travel The World in 2017. Since then, he has spent over 6 years on the road as a full time travel couple. When he not traveling he likes to spend quality time with his partner Bett, planning our their next date or romantic getaway!

16 BEST Things to do in Havana, Cuba [Travel Experts Blog]

Cuba is one of the most unique, interesting and challenging countries I have traveled solo to. Even with so many super interesting things to do in Havana, I was struggling to figure out basics like – language, directions, internet, food.. the list goes on.

That being said, the lack of internet and language barriers in Cuba allowed me to explore the country at a slow and easy pace.

Going to bed without a phone, waking up without a screen in my face, figuring out how to get to places without GPS and relying solely on the feeble public wifi or wifi cards in hotels for my work/ research.

Using internet for just 30 mins a day was a blessing in disguise. I wasn’t living in one of the fancy hotels but a local homestay, which is why there was no luxury of wifi in the hotel lobby.

With classic cars all around, people walking on the streets actually smiling at you (vs buried in their phones), felt like I was back in the 80’s.

Cuba fascinated me !

With my lack of pre-planning and research, I simply landed in Cuba with zero intel and no idea what to expect and I returned feeling refreshed and surprised that a country like this still exists in our modern world.

Luckily, I with a sweet girl from Guatemala via Couchsurfing (my fave solo travel app) whose Spanish was bang on. This ensured we both “Tackled” Cuba together.

However, with lack of internet, even the time we planned to meet etc had to be set in stone and stuck to.  Which was fun – going back to being a teen without a phone, yes, why not. We were up for the challenge!

16 Best Things to do in Havana Cuba

When you think of Havana you think of salsa, cigars, cabaret, classic ca r s and of course “Che” Guevara 🙂

Havana is all of that – and much more. Here I have collated a list from my own personal experience plus notes from other travel experts and curated this epic list of “ Top things to do in Havana, Cub a ” in this Havana travel blog.

Smoke a Cuban Cigar

When in Cuba.. smoking a lovely hand rolled Cuban cigar is an absolute must. Infact, I got several packs back home as gifts .

If you buy these cigars from the factory in Vinales, they are much cheaper (Though not branded) than the ones you find in luxury hotels in Havana.

In Vinales, we even got a complete tutorial on rolling and smoking a Cigar 🙂

Watch the Cabaret at Tropicana

Booking a cabaret was one of the fanciest things we tried in Havana. Even though tickets start at $100, this was the best time we had in Havana.

It gave us a chance to dress up and witness a beautiful night of colors, music, drinking and grandeur.

Most shows are at dinner time, so its good to watch on a full stomach. Try to get your cabaret show with an all-inclusive meal. We booked the one at Tropicana as we heard its the best – I have to say we were impressed.

Surely this is one of the best things to do in Havana at night.

Walk along the Malecon

Stretched across 8 km along the Havana seafront, the Malecon is a popular hangout spot for tourists and locals alike.

It attracts fishermen and bystanders, runners and first timers to its banks.

Ride a Classic Car

This is one of the most popular things to do in Havana – hands down. All tourists love to ride in one of these jazzy classic cars with open tops.

With wind in your hair and a chauffer to drive you around this lovely town, there’s no reason why not to try a vintage car tour, whilst here.

From Cadillac’s to Buick’s, you can pretty much take your pick!

Take a HoHo Bus Tour

The best way to both commute and sightsee is taking a Hop on hop off bus in Havana.

They depart every 20-30 mins from Parque Central and cost just around $10. You can then explore at your own pace, getting off places where you would like to spend more time.

It can easily take an entire day and at an easy pace and will give you a good insight of Havana for 10 bucks!

Free Walking tour of Old Town Havana

Yes that’s right – Havana has tons of “free” tours. One of the best free things to do in Havana is taking the old town tour.

Even though these tours are free, it is advised to give some tip to the tour leader.

The tour we undertook was fun and interesting. We walked across all the cool spots – like Hemingways haunts in Havana, local markets, gawked at old town architecture, and wrapped it up by eating at a rooftop restaurant.

Live in a Casa Particular

You absolutely MUST stay in a Casa particular for an authentic Cuban experience.

Skip the hotels, even though those are the only places you can be assured of getting wifi. However, you can chalk out few days of digital detox and book a cute casa particular.

You get to live with a local family which is an incredible experience.

Cubans are very warm and welcoming. Living in a casa particular helps the local economy and I would rather support them then tha big hotel chains.

Please know that you are staying in a simply local house with basic amenities so please don’t expect anything more and you will be thrilled.

Take Pictures around Plaza de la Revolucion

Plaza de la Revolucion aka Revolution square is one of the top spots in Havana for taking those Insta worthy photos.

This iconic plaza is among the world’s largest and definitely worth a visit. This will be one of the stops on your HoHo bus tour.

Take a Day Trip to Vinales

Vinales is absolutely stunning and it was a great decision to take a day trip there from Havana.

I loved how green, pretty and refreshing Vinales is. You can visit the Cigar making factory where you can learn how to roll Cigars and buy some at more affordable rates. You can even buy amazing coffee / coffee beans here.

Mural de la Prehistoria is another epic point of interest in Vinales with a large open air mural on huge rocks. This is a sight to see and the artwork is stunning. Plus there are valleys, caves, villages – all making your day trip to Vinales worth every penny.

Things to do in Havana (From Other Travel Experts)

Since one person can only see and explore as much – I decided to add some flavor to this piece by inviting fellow travel bloggers to share their favorite things to do in Havana.

With so many activities in Havana Cuba to try, first time traveler can be spoilt for choices. So I went ahead and asked these 7 travel enthusiasts “ What to do in Havana Cuba ” and they came up with some interesting ideas.

Watch the Ballet at Cuban National Ballet

– By Suzanne from SuzanneWandersDelhi

Most people think of salsa and rumba when it comes to Cuban dance.  But did you know Cuba is home to one of the best ballet companies in the world, the Cuban National Ballet ?

Not only that, but the Gran Teatro where the ballet company performs is a destination in itself, on many Havana tour itineraries.  It’s a beautiful, neo-baroque, white confection and one of the most luxurious theatres in Latin America.

The ballet school and company was started by Alicia Alonso in 1959 when Fidel Castro endowed the school with annual funding.  He wanted to ensure ballet would be accessible to everyone.   Alonso was a powerhouse, directing the company and breaking many ageism stereotypes by performing well into her 70s.

Enjoying the ballet with a mostly Cuban audience in such a gorgeous venue was one of my favourite experiences in Havana.  It felt like an authentic evening out and much more budget friendly than the tourist targeted evening shows.

Some things to remember:

– Tickets can be purchase at the theater directly (you will pay more going through a third party)

– There is a dress code – no flip flops or shorts

– Photography is prohibited during performances but we did take pictures before and after

– Give yourself extra time to tour the theatre – it’s beautiful

Explore the Best Rooftop Bars in Havana

– By Agnes from The Van Escape

Havana offers amazing activities. So, after an exciting day of attractions such as a vintage car ride, smoking a Cuban cigar, walking the Malecon, or taking a salsa class, you may feel a little exhausted. Especially since the sun is blazing all day long.

One of the best ideas for a relaxing evening is to explore  the best rooftop bars in Havana and enjoy cocktails and views of the city. The choice of places where you can enjoy excellent cocktails while admiring the sunset over Havana is quite large.

Several hotels have rooftop bars that are not only open to hotel guests. Without spending a fortune on a night in a hotel, you can visit four- and five-star hotels with rooftop bars.

One of the best views has the modern hotel SO Paseo del Prado La Habana, with an amazing 360-degree rooftop terrace. The view of the sea and the Malecon is breathtaking.

If you’d rather admire the sunset over Old Havana, choose the Iberostar Parque Central. The most famous Hotel Nacional de Cuba is also worth a visit, as it has a rooftop bar and a beautiful garden terrace.

Enjoy Cuban Street Music

– By Beck from  Meet Me In Departures

When you think of Cuba, I’m sure one of the things that pop to mind are people smoking Cuban cigars whilst sitting in a bar listening to live music! Both are synonymous with the country, so much so that just wandering the streets it’s not uncommon to see groups of musicians.

You may find just a lone guitar player, serenading passers-by, or a whole group playing cheerful songs. Because of the colonial past, Cuban music is a rich myriad of the Spanish guitar twinned with African percussion.

It’s difficult to stand still and passively listen to the music, as the energetic rhythms play. You’ll frequently see locals dancing, children right through to elderly people, the rhythm is in their blood and they all move so effortlessly, somehow not tripping over on the cobbled streets.

Music players pop up all over the place and begin busking. Although you don’t buy a ticket to listen, it’s customary to tip them. Some even have a CD (not sure who uses CDs now) for sale!

The best way to encounter street musicians is by walking through the streets of Havana, in particular the old town, before too long you will probably come across them.

Visit La Guarida Restaurant

– By Nicola from Polka Dot Passport

An institution of Havana, this is one of the city’s most famous and most loved restaurants. A visit to La Guarida is about more than just the food- the restaurant itself is an experience.

As you enter the unassuming entrance and take the first set of stairs, you enter into a chandelier-clad ballroom that you picture being the height of grandeur in its hey-day.

Ascend the sweeping staircase and you arrive at the restaurant- to one side, a festoon-lit terrace area and to the other, an eclectic indoor space, walls laden with photos and memorabilia of the restaurants previous owners.

On the menu, you’ll find refined takes on Cuban dishes. Appetizers are mostly light and fresh, with the likes of beef carpaccio, melon gazpacho or tuna tartare making a feature.

Mains are protein-centred with an extensive choice of sides. Think confit suckling pig, roast chicken in honey sauce or the fish of the day. The wine list is impressive, but of course in true Havana style, the cocktail menu is the star of the show.

Eat Ice Cream at Coppelia, the “Cathedral” of Ice Cream

– By Adam McConnaughhay from  CartagenaExplorer.com  

Located in the Vedado area of central Havana not far from the Hotel Nacional is one of the more unique things to do in Havana and a good chance to rub shoulders with locals.

Coppelia was built in 1966, not long after the Cuban Revolution and has an interesting modernist architecture. It is made up of an entire city block and is one of the largest ice cream parlors in the world.

According to legend, Fidel Castro himself helped plan the building and hoped it could produce better tasting and more varieties of flavors than American ice cream shops.

Celía Sanchez, one of Castro’s long time close colleagues named the place after her favorite ballet.

You will most likely encounter a long line outside to get in. Once inside the massive park, you’ll find stands serving up the ice cream and seating in the shade of trees scattered around. You can also head to the central area where there is some limited indoor seating.

The ice cream is quite good and quite cheap since it is meant to be affordable for the average Cuban. Bring along some pesos nacionales with you.

There is often only a limited number of flavors available daily, but usually there will be at least a few choices. Eating ice cream here is definitely one of the more unique and fun things to do in Havana!

Visit Fábrica de Arte Cubano

– By Carley from Home to Havana

A Havana nightlife and cultural hotspot that you can’t miss, Fábrica de Arte Cubano is a must on any Havana itinerary. A visit isn’t just one of the best  things to do in Cuba , it’s one of the best things to do anywhere! Time Magazine selected it for its illustrious 2019 list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places.

This former cooking oil factory turned mixed-use arts and cultural space has revolutionized Havana’s nightlife and art scene since it jumped on the scene just a few years ago. The building is divided into several “naves,” offering unique areas to explore as you spend an evening here.

Spread among the space are rotating fine arts and photography exhibits, pop-up shops, five unique bars, a small restaurant, and several performance halls.

Open from Thursday to Sunday from around 9PM until the wee hours of the morning, Fábrica de Arte Cubano offers a rotating lineup of DJs, musicians, short plays, fashion shows, exhibits, talks, and more.

Recognizable faces can always be spotted in the crowds, and everyone from Michelle Obama and Questlove to Anthony Bourdain has visited this unique destination. You don’t want to miss it!

Take La Lanchita de Regla

If you’re looking to travel from  Old Havana  across the Havana harbor to visit such famous sites as El Morro or El Cristo de la Habana, you don’t have to take a taxi or bus through the tunnel under the harbor. Take La Lanchita de Regla instead!

For years the small ferry known as the “Lanchita de Regla” has taken visitors across the harbor to two important spots in Havana: the neighborhood of Regla, and to just below the Cristo de la Habana statue of Christ that towers over the harbor. It’s a great way to see the city from the water, while traveling comfortably and affordably to your next destination.

Be careful when traveling! While colloquially known as “La Lanchita de Regla,” most tourists use it to travel across the harbor to “Casablanca.” At the station in Old Havana, you’ll find lines for passengers heading to both destinations. The “Regla” line heads to “Regla,” and the “Casablanca” line heads to the Christ statue.

Walk from the ferry arrival point up the hill to the statue for stunning views over Havana. In fact, this is one of the best spots in the city to enjoy a sunset!

Pro tip –  Always, always carry your travel insurance. I use the annual multi-trip insurance by Heymondo which is just perfect for my nomadic needs. I don’t have to buy or renew before every trip and its valid worldwide, plus it covers Covid 19 too. Click here to buy this annual worldwide insurance for 5% off as a WanderWithJo reader. You can also get this 5% discount on single trip or long stay policies here .

These were our favorite things to do in Havana, Cuba – which are yours? Share in comments below.

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