Havana

 

If you’re heading to Havana make sure you read my previous post about things to do before you travel. We booked an Airbnb that had stunning views of the city.

Carmen was an amazing host and she also helped with transportation and recommendations on sights to see. For $6 a day she also provided us with this delicious breakfast spread.

The area that we stayed in is called Vedado. Its a quieter area and not quite as bustling as Old Havana. Vedado has its own charm with restaurants, parks and the Malecon just a short walk away. If you want to be closer to the night life I would recommend staying in Old Havana.

Top Spots to Visit

Fabrica de Arte

This was one of my favorite places in Havana. It’s basically an art gallery and night club in one. As soon as you walk in you will be immersed in an artistic experience surrounded by paintings, sculptures, and light displays all while listening to club music at the bar. As you wander through the building you will find that each room offers something different. One room had a video montage playing in the background while most people were dancing, a second room had a theatre performance while a third had live music. There is also outdoor seating available on the roof and an area dedicated for food. There is pretty much something for everyone here.

Melia Las Americas Resort

The second day that we were there we hired a driver to take us to Varadero which is approximately a two-hour drive from Havana. One of the interesting things you can do is buy a day pass at the resorts that line the white sandy beaches here. We chose the Melia Las Americas resort from the recommendation of a friend. 

Hotel Nacional

This hotel has housed many famous guests including Frank Sinatra, Walt Disney, Ernest Hemingway and even the Backstreet Boys. There is a small museum here that covers the Cuban missile crisis. The museum is located underground in a series of tunnels that were used to spy on the United States.

Malecon

The Malecon is an avenue lined by a large seawall that stretches for 5 miles along the coast of Havana. It is the perfect place to go for a sunset stroll.

Floriditia

If you’re into literature and daiquiris don’t forget to visit Ernest Hemingway’s favorite hangout.

Museo de la Revolution

The Cubans are very proud of their revolution and this museum lays out the history of that time period.

Old Havana

Old Havana is where most of the restaurants and nightlife are located.

Beware of taxi drivers trying to scam you into paying more money than you should. They see you as a tourist and will charge ridiculously high prices. A Taxi from the airport to Vedado should cost you 30 CUC. A taxi from Vedado to Old Havana should be around 8-10 CUC. Make sure you agree on a price before accepting a ride.

I also strongly recommend that you get the Lonely Planet- Cuba book. WiFi is not available everywhere and the book really helps with ideas on where to go and how to get there.