Most travelers going to Havana usually only plan staying for a couple of days before heading to the provinces. I recommend 5 days at least to see everything this city has to offer. There is the belief that there is not much to do in Havana. Well, not true, there is plenty to see and do if you know where to go.
I was very fortunate on my first night in Havana to have met a Cuban at a Club that actually was a tour guide on the side, he was able to show me the real Havana inside out. Hands down the best way to see Havana is by walking. Personally I think that a private tour with a local is better than taking a tour offered by companies at a hotel. You can manage your own time and customize it to your own likes. It is difficult to do so when you are part of a larger group. Also a personalized tour with a local will be less expensive, you will see less touristic sides of the city. In addition, you will learn about the reality and state of the country, not only what the government wants you to see. This country is very much controlled by the government and Cubans are very careful and mindful of what they talk about.
Lets get started!
Five days in Havana.
Day 1- Soak the sun to disconnect and relax.
You don’t need to go to famous Varadero (2 ½ hours away) to be at a fabulous beach. Playa Mar Azul (Blue Sea Beach) is a 30 minute bus ride from Parque Central (Central Park). There you can catch an official bus for tourist that costs $5 CUC for round trip (cost may vary some depending of the season). There are also regular buses that Cubans and tourist who are looking to save money take that is only $0.25 CUC one way. This bus will take you a little longer to get there, has more stops.
At the beach you can rent lounge chairs, umbrellas, drink coconut water or any kind of tropical drinks. If you are in need of a massage you probably will be able to have one there as well. The last bus usually departs at 6pm, or you can take a taxi. There are plenty of taxis that will take a bunch of people at once for only $2 CUC or a private/official taxi that may ask for $15- $20 CUC or so.
Later in the evening, if you are not feeling the jet lag you may want to take a taxi to Morro Cabaña (Fortress) where at 9pm sharp daily the cannon goes off with a very traditional colonial ceremony. It is worth going. You can either do it on day one of your trip or plan it for another day. You will have a nice view of Havana at nighttime from across the water.
Day 2– Take a walking tour of Old Havana.
You should do this during the day as well as night time. The city looks completely different.
During the day very busy do to tourism and Cubans going about their normal life. You can go to la Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de Armas, Convento de San Francisco de Asis, Museo del Ron and La Fabrica del Tabaco. Also a must do is to go to La Floridita, have a Daiquiri, they are famous for it. Go to La Bodeguita del Medio where Ernest Hemingway was a regular and met Fidel Castro in person for the first time.
At nighttime, Old Havana is much quieter but with very nice spots to have drink, dine, have coffee or listen to music. To name a few places worth going to: Los Dos Hermanos for drinks (across from the ferry terminal), if you like dancing to salsa music Hotel Florida is a good option, El Chanchullero a tapas/snack bar and you will find many more as you stroll the streets.
Day 3– Explore
After breakfast at La Francesa (located next to the Inglaterra hotel) you can head to La Plaza de la Revolución.
If you have the money and want to experience riding a classic America car across the street you will see plenty of cars to choose from. Once at the Plaza, if you are interested in history you can go into El Memorial Jose Marti, a national hero, Fidel Castro followed his ideas. From there if you are interested in Hemingway’s life style you can visit his home in San Miguel del Padron a 20 minute car ride.
At night some great places to listen to live music are Casa de la Musica en Miramar, Casa de la Musica en la Havana, Terrace of the Inglaterra Hotel. If you like Jazz music great places are La Zorra y el Cuervo and El Jazz Café, both in the Vedado neighborhood. Another typical show takes place at the Tropicana Club, world-known cabaret and club founded in 1939 or the Cabaret Parisien at Hotel Nacional.
Day 4- Walk around the city.
Continue exploring, I encourage you to go into a local grocery store to see what it looks like. Very limit variety and supplies. Stop by a Bodega, that is where Cuban’s have the basics rationalized supplies that the government gives them monthly such as rice, sugar, beans, oil, salt and coffee. Don’t miss going to a Panaderia (bakery) and buy fresh bread, it is yummy!
If you are in Havana on a Sunday you should stop by el Callejon de Hamel where you can enjoy typical afro-cuban music as well as local art. Best time to be there is around noon. Also on Sundays at 10:30 am la Catedral de la Habana has mass. Regardless of your religion it is a cultural experience that you may want to try. This is one of the eleven Roman Catholic cathedrals on the island.
Nighttime in Havana can be pretty fun, you can bar hop if that is your thing or go to clubs/lounges. A couple of places that are trending in the Vedado area are La Fabrica de Arte, super cool place to go and Sarao. La Fabrica de Arte used to be an actual factory. Nowthere is art displayed throughout the place, with music and lounge areas. Sarao is a smaller place, good music of all kind with live band playing part of the night.
Day 5- Shopping day!
Being the last day is the perfect time to buy some souvenirs to take home. The place to go is close to the harbor, la Feria de San Jose, that is a huge indoor market where locals sell all kinds of items at a good price. If you are interested in art, you will find local artists displaying their own as well as clothing, jewelry, leather items, typical Cuban hats, etc.
If you are looking to buy Cuban Cigars you may want to ask around as Cubans who work at the cigar factory sell these half price at their own homes.
In the afternoon to wind down go to El Hotel Nacional to have a drink at their beautiful terrace with a great view of El Malecon. This place is full of history founded in 1930, considered a symbol of Cuban identity. Before heading to dinner take a walk down the Malecon to observed what Cubans do in the evening. They gather here with friends to talk and enjoy music, this is quite a site and is free!
If you hire a local to tour you around please be kind. If you stop to have a drink or eat something invite them, this will not break your bank but they will really appreciate your gesture!
Hope that by reading this you have decided to start planning your trip to Cuba, you will love it. I would like to hear from you if you have any comments, suggestions or if you have any questions. For more on Cuba please read my other posts at Theworldmyvillage.com or follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.