I (unfortunately) only visited Havana once, but that does not stop me from having nothing but great memories of the city, and of the vibrant country of Cuba as a whole. I went there with my brother and my mother in 2006, and we enjoyed walking around the colourful streets of Havana as well as relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Varadero. What saddens me is that I lost all but one picture of my stay there, and that the only photo I have left is of extremely poor quality. I had a disposable camera at the time, and once when I was at the beach, it fell out of my bag and some sand got inside, which ruined almost all of the photographic film. I am saddened that I do not have great photos to share with you, but I do have beautiful memories, and these are worth a lot more than any image. If you are interested in visiting Havana, here is my very modest guide of what to do and see in this lively city.
WHERE TO STAY
You can either stay in Havana itself or on a nearby beach resort (ideally located on the North-East part of the main Island, where the capital is). My family and I were based in Varadero, where there is an international airport, and I believe that it was a 2-hour drive to Havana, so we obviously did not visit the city everyday. As for Havana itself, the best neighborhoods to stay and sleep are probably the Valedo district and the Vieja district, both near the city center. These are the places where there are many hotels, inns, restaurants, bars, cafes… Everything you need to feel comfortable, really, and all at a walking distance from every single basic necessity.
WHAT TO EAT/DRINK
If you know a few things about Cuba, then you are probably aware that they produce A LOT of rum! I would therefore suggest to any alcohol-drinker to taste the delicious Cuban rum, whether you drink it straight, on the rocks or in a cocktail, your taste buds will surely be satisfied. I personally would recommend sipping on a good mojito or a more traditional Cuba Libre while sitting under the hot Havana sun. As for food, Cubans are famous for their delicious seafood (especially shrimps, oh my!), empanadas, corn on the cob, tamales, grilled fish and different-flavoured rice. I think it is better to eat in true small local places rather than touristic restaurants; the price is lower and the taste is way more authentic. Don’t be afraid to find a place to eat in a small street even if some Cubans might look at you suspiciously (what are they doing here?) instead of a restaurant located on one of the main plazas.
WHAT TO DO/SEE
The absolute must-see is the old town. The architecture, the atmosphere, the colours, the art, the music, the monuments, the cocktails and the big cigars are there in abundance! If you love history and want to know more about Havana, that is most certainly the place to see. Simply by walking in those lively streets, you can sense the vibrancy of the capital and understand all of the eras the city has lived through. Cubans are so warm and welcoming too. In addition to the beauty and history surrounding you in Old Havana, you will most certainly find a little cafe or a charming restaurant to rest that will make you fall in love with the city even more.
If you want to have fun and party, the places are unlimited! There are salsa players on the streets and there are plenty of clubs and bars to go to – some more touristy than others. I can’t give you the exact names since I was there in 2006, but there were a thousand of bars around. Plus, like I mentioned earlier, since it is a very touristic city, there are places fit to everyone’s taste, whether it be a cigar room, a cool lounge or a salsa dance nightclub.
Another thing I absolutely loved to do in Havana was walking on the Malecon, a long esplanade along the coast. That place is definitely worth it, and the sound of the waves is more than relaxing. When you’re there you can get some fresh air, breathe through the soft sea wind, and admire the stunning view of both Havana and the bluer-than-blue water. It must be really romantic to walk there at night too. (I didn’t since it was a family vacation so I would not know if it is safe at night, but during the day it certainly was.)
Otherwise, the big artists’ market is visually splendid. Budget-wise, it is quite expensive, but just going to admire and explore it is worth the detour. I particularly liked every single one of the paintings that I saw. They were so colourful; I would have loved to hang them all around my house. They sell a lot of unique jewelry as well, which is always a great gift to offer to a loved one in addition to it being a beautiful souvenir. If you are more into monuments, then you should check out the Capitolio, the many cathedrals, and the Gran Teatro.
My personal favourites were going to the Havana Club Museum of Rum where you get to experience the whole rum-making process (there’s even a tasting at the end of the tour!), and seeing the gigantic Che Guevara mural in the Revolution Square. There is also a Che museum, but I did not get the chance to visit it; it probably is worth the detour though, since Guevara was such an important historical figure of the Cuban revolution.
Whether you visit Havana for a day, a week, or even a month, you will find something that suits your needs since the city is so eclectic. If you are staying in a beach resort, ask the front desk if there are any tours offered to visit the city; you’ll get a guide who will tell you all about Cuba’s capital and answer your questions, plus you’ll have a safe mode of transportation to go to the city. If you don’t like group tours, then it may be easier to find a hotel in Havana itself, that way you will have more mobility, and will be able to walk to everywhere you want to go! Whatever you decide, you will have a blast in Cuba; it truly is a unique place to visit and enjoy!
Bittersweet Travel Memories 