Havana, Cuba Destination Guide
Section 1: Intro to the Destination
Havana can be considered the “Great-Uncle” of the Caribbean. The colorful vintage cars and grand colonial buildings position the city to a bygone time, but its youthful spirit is what continues to bring it alive. Most visitors head to Old Havana for its rich heritage and tourist venues, but an exploration of its other neighborhoods will open up a contemporary world of art, culture, and history. Even though the island is only a short distance from the U.S., it feels like worlds away. Havana gives you the opportunity to step out of your world, explore the Cuban culture, and find out the true meaning of why this island is such a gem.
Which of the Following Phrases Best Describes this Destination?
Historic, Energetic Spirit, Colorful
What’s the Destination Known For?
Havana has a history of 300 years of European colonization, which has given the city its baroque and neo-classical architectural character.
Habana Vieja (Old Havana) was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 1980s. Preserving the city’s neglected buildings is a struggle due to limited funds, and the damage endured from Cuba’s hurricane season.
Popular iconic images of the city are old American convertibles, and impromptu Salsa dancing on the street. It all adds to the romance of visiting Havana for its atmosphere of bygone times.
Getting There
HAV José Martí International Airport
located in Boyeros Municipality
Visa: Tourists have to apply in advance for a tourist card which gives them a 30 day tourist visa, and they must show proof of a return flight and booked hotel room. It is possible to extend for another 30 days. US citizens are prohibited from visiting Cuba, unless their travel falls into an authorized category of travel, or they have a travel license from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Bus: Local buses -Viazul Bus- are available at the domestic terminal (Terminal 1), and you can use a shuttle bus to travel between terminals. Make sure to have the right currency for the bus fare.
Car: In busy tourist season it is recommended that you pre-book your rental car. It’s a 30 minute car ride to Havana from this airport. Car rental companies are located at Terminal 3 and can book up very quickly with the limited amount of cars on the island.
Shuttle Bus: This can be pre-arranged from your tour operator.
Taxi: a great option to get from the airport to the city. It should take about 30 minute and the going rate should be 20-25 CUC ($20-$25 USD)
Playa Baracoa Airport
is a domestic airport for travel within the country. It has limited facilities, and you would be advised to arrange your own transport in advance, such as a taxi or shuttle service.
located in Caimito, Artemisa Province
Car: It’s a 40-50 minute car ride to Havana from this airport.
Havana Central Station (Estación Central de Ferrocarriles)
Location 401 Avenida de Bélgica, Havana, Cuba
Local Etiquette
Tipping: 10% service charge for restaurants. Separate tip for wait staff, bartenders, bus drivers, and tour guides.
Greeting: When meeting people for the first time you should shake hands. But if you’re meeting women you already know a kiss on the cheek is okay.
Toasting: Say “salud, por que la belleza sobra” which is a toast to a person’s health, as they are already beautiful.
Words/Phrases to know: Official Language is Spanish
Hello – Hola
Please – Por favor
Thank you – Gracious
Yes – Sí
No – No
Goodbye – Adiós
Do you speak English? – ¿Habla usted Inglés?
I don’t understand – Yo no comprendo
Everything is good! – Todo es bueno
Cheers! – Aclamaciones!
One espresso, please – Un espresso, por favor
What time do you open? – ¿A qué hora abres?
Weather
Temperatures:
Spring:
High: 86F / 30C
Low: 66.2F / 19C
Summer:
High: 89.6F / 32C
Low: 73.4F / 23C
Fall:
High: 87.8F / 31C
Low: 69.8F / 21C
Winter:
High: 78.7F/26C
Low: 64.4F/18C
Elevation: 59 m/195 ft
The best month for swimming is September, the average sea temperature is 84F. The wettest month of the year is October.
The weather is best between March and August with the sunshine lasting between 8 to 6 hours. Fantastic months for warm weather and not so many crowds would include April and May. From June until November there are less tourists so you may enjoy less crowds, but you should be aware that it is also hurricane season.
How to dress: During rainy season (May to October) expect rain, so bring a light waterproof jacket or umbrella. The rest of the year the weather is hot, and the nights are only slightly cooler so pack linen and cotton clothing. The Cubans also don’t care about showing skin.
Getting Around
In-city transportation:
Taxi: Cubataxi is the main taxi company, but there are other ways to travel around the city including a coco taxi, convertible taxis, and horse drawn carriages.
Bus: The Havana Metro Bus is the city bus company, and has 17 lines.
Railway: The Havana Suburban Railway has 8 lines across Havan and the outlying areas. There are three main terminals where you can catch the train. Approximately costs $30 CUC.
Uber/Lyft: There are no international ridesharing apps in Cuba.
Bikes: You can rent bikes to travel around the city, but you need to be aware of the high rate of bike theft and the city on average can be very hot.
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus: The Habana Bus Tour
Price: $10 CUC per person for an all-day ticket
Walking: Havana is a pedestrian friendly city, with several attractions within walking distance of each other.
Section 2: What to See, Do, and Eat
Breakfast
International, Cuban, Vegetarian Friendly, Cafe
$$
Location: Callejón de Espada 2A entre Cuarteles y Compostela
Times: Sunday to Saturday 8:00-23:00
Casual Dress
The cafe has a special menu of the day with a starter, salad, and main for $10 CUC.
Best dish: breakfast items
Cafe, Cuban, Vegetarian Friendly
$
Location: Concordia 57 Between Galiano & Aquila
Times: daily 8:15-18:00 (Sunday 8:15-13:00)
Casual Dress
Think kitsch interiors with the relaxed vibes of a local cafe.
Best dish: Ham and Cheese croissant
Italian, American
$
Location: Calle Teniente Rey # 512 | e/ Monserrate y Bernaza. Habana Vieja
Times: Sunday to Saturday 8:30-24:00
Casual Dress
Expect to spend around $15 CUC for breakfast with coffee and juice.
Best dish: The American-style milkshakes
Brunch
IL Rustico
Italian
$
Location: Calle San Juan de Dios, Entre Calle Habana y Compostela, Numero 53
Casual dress
Think hipster-meets-Italy with its wood-fired ovens and contemporary interiors.
Best dish: pizza of course!
Caribbean, Seafood, Vegetarian Friendly
$$
Location: San Ignacio 214 | Habana Vieja, Havana
Times: Sunday to Saturday 11:00-23:45
Casual Dress
Enjoy great service at this family-friendly restaurant.
Best Dish: Their pina coladas come highly recommended.
Caribbean, Latin, Seafood
$$$
Location: Infanta y San Lazaro | Centro Habana, Havana
Times: Sunday to Saturday 8:00-23:45
Casual dress
You can order a lobster for less than $30 CUC
Best dish: There is a huge menu with plenty of delicious mains such as chicken, spaghetti, and the fish of the day.
Lunch
Cuban, Italian
$$
Location: Merced 69 | e/ San Ignacio y Cuba, Havana 10100, Cuba
Times: Sunday to Saturday 10:00-23:30
Casual dress
This place is considered to be a local gem, and offers delicious contemporary Cuban food at great prices.
Best dish: Mata Jibaro
Mexican, international
$$
Location: Calle Neptuno #919 entre Soledad y Aramburu. | Centro Habana, Havana
Times: Monday 12:15-24:00; Tuesday to Sunday 12:00-24:00
Casual dress
The friendly staff provide great service and a hospitable atmosphere.
Best dishes: Tacos, totopos con guacamole, caldo azteca
Persian, Middle Eastern, Gluten-Free options
$$$
Location: Calle 23 No 669 | Vedado, Havana
Times: Sunday to Saturday 9:30-24:00
Casual dress
Enjoy Middle Eastern flavors in the Caribbean!
Best dish: Grilled Skewers
Dinner
European, French, Vegan Friendly
$$$
Location: Trocadero 55 e Prado y Zulueta, Havana
Casual dress
Times: daily for dinner
The views of Havana from the rooftop are phenomenal - if you plan well you can enjoy an amazing sunset while enjoying your food.
Best dish: Carpaccio
Italian, Seafood, Fine Dining
$$$
Location: Paseo No. 7 Altos | Entre 1ra y 3ra, Havana 10400
Times: Sunday to Saturday 12:00-3:00 am
Casual dress, but avoid flip flops and jeans.
The open kitchen in the restaurant means that you can watch the chefs prepare your food!
Best dish: Octopus carpaccio and ceviche
Cuban, Caribbean
$
Location: 58 San Juan de Dios | e/ Habana y Compostela, Havana
Times: daily 11:00-24:00
Casual dress
Eclectic interiors with cheap Cuban food, and great drinks.
Best dish: Ropa Vieja
Other
Cafe, European, Cuban
$
Location: Amargura #358 | e/ Aguacate y Villegas, La Habana Vieja, Havana, Cuba
Times: Sunday to Saturday 9:00-18:00
Casual dress
Their sourdough bread is baked in-house and is considered to be some of the best in the city.
Best dish: Pancakes
Desserts, Ice Cream
$$
Location: Calle Aguiar 206 | Empedrado y Tejadillo, Havana, Cuba
Times: Monday to Thursday 11:00-22:00; Friday to Sunday 11:00-23:00
Casual dress
Helad’oro is a gelato place with about 14 flavors of ice-cream, which includes strawberry, ginger, and dulce de leche.
Best dish: Mojito flavor ice-cream in a waffle cone.
Bar, Spanish, Caribbean, Tapas
$$
Location: Calle Barcelona | Esquina Amistad, Havana 38400
Times: daily 12:00-24:00
Casual dress
It’s a fun and relaxed atmosphere at this popular Tapas bar, where the food is delicious and the band plays live
Best dish: Bembe Plate
Top things to See and Do
Walk around Old Havana
Old Havana is where the vast majority of Havana’s old colonial buildings can be appreciated while you enjoy a walk. Do take care when walking and watch out for potholes.
Main Attraction: Plaza Vieja with its Cuban and colonial Spanish architecture offers up plenty of cafes and bars for an evening drink.
Walking tour - great way to get information while walking around the city.
Location: La Habana Vieja, Havana
Time: daily 24/7
Price: free
Work began on this 7 kilometer seawall in the early 1900s, with the surrounding buildings constructed to art nouveau and neoclassical styles. Today it is a popular destination for early morning walks and a spot to enjoy the sunrise and sunset.
This urban route is perhaps best enjoyed from a car, so consider hiring a Chevy or Buick taxi and admire the architecture as your driver follows the road.
The opening scenes of the movie “Fast and the Furious 8” was shot on the Malecón. It is also a great location to connect to the public wifi.
Time: daily 24/7
Price: free
Erected in the early 1900s, this building was originally envisaged as bring the new home for the local government offices, but upon works completion it became the Presidential Place.
Main Attraction: It cost 1.5 million pesos to build the venue, with Tiffany’s fitting out its interior with a stunning replica of the Palace of Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors.
Location: Avenida Bélgica, La Habana
Time Open: daily 10:00-17:00
Price: $5 CUC
Across 150 acres of land the Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón was erected in the 1850s. There are hundreds of small mausoleums, tombs, and chapels that
You can purchase a map to find the resting places of well-known local figures that includes writers, scientists, and politicians.
Location: Calle 12, Havana
Time Open: daily 8:00-18:00, last entry 17:00
Price: $5 CUC
José Fuster is a contemporary Cuban artist who spent a decade creating his own homage to Gaudi. The colorful and eclectic exteriors takes this local neighborhood into the realms of public art.
Main Attraction: Look for the elements of Cuba with flags and ‘Viva Cuba’ slogans.
Location: Jaimanitas
Time open: daily 9:30-16:00
Price: free
Around 700 acres of lush forest that is a public park with various activities on offer including boating, mini-golf, children’s playground, and pony rides.
Main Attraction: Isla Josefina is an area within the park where the old ruins of the original landowner (Josefa Quesad) can be found.
Location: 47 #1161 | entre 24 y 26, Playa, Havana
Time Open: daily 24/7
Price: Free
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
Two buildings where you can view exhibitions of either International or Cuban art. If you love art then be sure to save plenty of time for a visit to this venue!
Location: Calle Trocadero, Havana
Time Open: Tuesday to Saturday 9:00-17:00; Sunday 10:00-14:00
Cost: $5 CUC per gallery or $8 CUC for combined entry.
Constructed in the 18th century, this is one of the oldest churches in the country. It was designed by Francesco Borromini, an Italian architect, with baroque and neoclassical elements.
Main Attraction: Pay $1 CUC to climb to the top of the smallest tower.
Location: 156 Empedrado, La Habana
Time Open: Monday to Friday 9:00-16:30; Saturday & Sunday 9:00-24:00
Price: free
Festivals/Parades
This art festival celebrates artists with ‘non-Western’ backgrounds who portray issues from their own regions, and the conflicts and experiences they are dealing with.
This festival takes place every 2 years, and the next edition was scheduled for November 2018, but was delayed due to Hurricane Irma and will now take place April-May 2019.
The 13th edition of the festival will have the theme “The Construction of the Possible”.
Date: takes place every 2 years
Cost: free
Celebrate dance across the city with Havana’s best salsa dance teachers. Over 100 hours of dance lessons will be organized during this international dance festival. There will also be tours, workshops, shows, and beach parties.
Main Attraction: Learn how to dance in a variety of Latin American styles including Cuban Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, and Bachata.
Location: Hotel Meliá Cohiba (main venue)
Dates: April 22nd - 28th, 2019
Cost: 7 day pass tickets can be purchased from the website (with or without accommodation). Early bird tickets offer a small saving.
Nightlife
Cafe with cheap food and drinks.
They are known for their live music sets on Thursdays.
Location: Calle 11 No.905 e/6y8, Havana, Cuba
Time Open: Tuesday to Sunday 17:00-1:00 am
Price: $
El Surtidor Pool Terrace and Bar
Located at Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana
The rooftop terrace at this luxury 5-star hotel has an infinity pool, and some amazing views of Old Havana.
The rooftop bar is an epic spot for relaxed evening drinks while enjoying the city view below
Location: San Rafael Street | Between Monserrate and Zulueta, Havana 10100, Cuba
Time Open: Monday to Sunday 11:00-23:00
Price: $$$
This restaurant is known more for its nightlife than its food. Live DJ.
They have a daily Happy Hour and 2 for 1 on drinks.
Location: Calle 23 y E | Vedado, Havana, Cuba
Time Open: daily 19:00-3:00 am
Price: $$
A must see while in Havana! An art gallery, live performance studio, movie theater, dance club, and bar all wrapped up into one. Located in an old large factory that has been converted into an event space.
The food and drinks are all purchased with a punch card that you pay for on your way out.
Location: Calle 26, La Habana
Time Open: Thursday to Sunday 20:00-3:00 am, Monday to Wednesday: closed
Dress to impress!
Price: $$
Hidden Gems
The home to mid-century American writer Ernest Hemingway from 1939 until 1960
The building has been preserved and remains as it was when Hemingway used to live there with his typewriter and other writing essentials laid out.
Location: San Francisco de Paula
Time Open: Monday to Saturday 10:00-16:00; Sunday 9:00-13:00
Price: $5 CUC
Finca Vigia means the “lookout house”, and was bought by Hemingway for $12,500.
These unique quintet of prisons are based on the panopticon model by 18th century utilitarian Jeremy Bentham. The cells are built around a central viewing platform from where the prisoners could be seen at all times.
Fidel Castro was once incarcerated here. It is now a museum that is open to the public.
Location: Presidio Modelo, Nueva Gerona
Time Open: Tuesday to Saturday 8:30-16:30; Sunday 9:00-13:00
Price: $1 CUC
Cuba was the fifth country in the world to build a railroad, and it was the first Latin American country to do so.
Locomotive 1112 is on show here - it is one of the oldest engines in Cuba and was featured in the move “Jose Marti”.
Location: Avenida de México, on the corner with Arroyo, Vedado, Havana - Cuba
Time Open: daily 9:00-17:00
Price: $2 CUC
