Havana, Cuba — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Havana
With a rich and fascinating history, Havana's sightseeing is centered around its varied architecture, with everything from museums and churches to colonial forts and elaborate city squares. With friendly and colorful people juxtaposed by elegantly dilapidated buildings and occasionally derelict streets, there's nothing quite like Havana.
Just breathing in the scents and watching the vintage cars roll down the streets makes for a great day of sightseeing, but head into the historic old town, La Habana Vieja, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore the magnificent colonial architecture. Take in the sights and sounds as you stroll down the Calle Obispo as this pedestrian boulevard takes you through the streets, past the Parque Central and to some of the more hidden away gems of the La Habana Vieja. You can get the best view of Havana from the Camera Obscura, which provides a 360-degree look from atop the Plaza Vieja.
Havana is special for visitors simply because there are none of the tacky tourist developments that have overrun other destinations. That said, you'll find plenty of places claiming to be significant to Ernest Hemingway, but few are. You can visit the Ernest Hemingway Museum on the outskirts of town, set in his old residence.
Visit the cigar factories and rum distilleries to sample some of these world famous exports, visit the Plaza de la Revolución where political figures such as Fidel Castro have addressed the crowds and peruse the Museo de la Revolución - a must for all history buffs. And after a long day of sightseeing in the city, head to the nearby beaches, most of which are located no more than 20 minutes away to soak up some Caribbean sun and sip on a rum cocktail.
Shopping in Havana
Havana may not be known for its shopping, but it's a good place to check out the local wares and enjoy the shopping geared at tourists - a sad reality of the country's capitalist stance as most Cubans can't afford the luxurious products on sale, though some locals can be found strolling through the streets and malls, browsing, shopping and mingling with international visitors.
The biggest market in Havana is open daily on Calle Tacón in La Habana Vieja, with local arts and crafts, t-shirts, and other popular souvenirs. Or you can head to the ultra-modern Tiendas Carlos Tercero on the Avenida Salvador Allende where everything from clothes and shoes to electrical and sporting goods can be found while for local fashion and designer goods, La Maison in Miramar is the place to go.
Old Havana is a great place to browse too as the area is becoming increasingly popular with small boutiques and specialist shops lining the streets and while you're there, head to the local craft market behind the Plaza de la Catedral where stalls selling Cuban paintings, sculptures, wooden statues and embroidery abound and haggling is welcome.
Cuba's most famous export is undoubtedly its cigars. Regarded as among the best in the world, 'cubans' make great gifts from Havana for smokers. Cigars should only be bought at La Casa del Habano shops, as the black and grey-market cigars available on the street are often low-quality substitutes. Authentic boxes of cigars are sealed with 'Hecho en Cuba' (made in Cuba) branded at the bottom of the box.
Another well-known product of Cuba is its music, with salsa, folk, jazz, and reggaeton being popular. As with cigars, it is advised to buy cds from official state-run stores, as albums bought from the black or grey market are often low-quality bootlegs.
Visitors will notice that Che Guevara's likeness adorns just about everything from t-shirts and bags to mugs and coasters. Ron Caney or Havana Club rum makes a great Havana souvenir, or Cuban coffee. Men may like to pick up a colorful guayabera, an embroidered tropical shirt. Most shops in general open from 10am to 6pm and 10am to 1pm on Sundays.
Havana Nightlife
The nightlife scene in Havana pulses with Latin rhythms, sultry dancing, Timbal drum beats and a whole lot of energy. Live music is a focus and a highly popular pastime in Havana, and visitors can enjoy the unique experience of partying it up to local jazz, samba, and salsa, while clubs, bars and discos abound too.
In general Cubans love to look chic and stylish so don't be afraid to bring out your party outfit when hitting the streets for a night on the town. Head to La Bodeguita del Medio in Old Havana, which is very touristy, but a great place to get warmed up to the local flavor before hitting nearby clubs like Bar Montserrate where a local quintet jams the night away and the rum keeps flowing. El Chévere, in Parque Almendares, is a gigantic open-air disco that keeps the music pumping all night long with pop, hip-hop and salsa beats, the Habana Café in the Hotel Melía Cohiba in Paseo is the place to be seen, and the rooftop bar at the Hotel Ambos Mundos is super trendy. Clubs don't get busy until after 10pm, and often stay open all night long.
Those looking for a quieter, more intimate setting should head to Calle 21 in La Roca where good whiskey, cigars and good conversation can be shared. For live music, venues like La Tropical in Playa feature live bands, while Jazz Café and Jazz Club La Zorra y el Cuervo in Vedado are Havana's top live jazz venues.
Havana also has a thriving arts community, with internationally-renown groups like the Cuban National Ballet performing in the Gran Teatro de La Habana, or the national symphony orchestra in the Teatro Amadeo Roldán. A weekly highlight is the Sábado de la Rumba at El Gran Palenque, which is a charismatic mix of secular and Afro-Cuban religious dancing and drumming.
Attractions for Kids
There are many fun places for children in Havana, both educational and recreational. The Acuario Nacional has dolphin and seal shows, while the Camara Obscura will give them a great look at the city through its telescopic lens. The Isla del Coco amusement park is the largest in Havana, located in Playa.
There are a few parks in Old Havana with play areas for children. Some have entry fees, but these are usually in Cuban Pesos and amount to a few cents. Lenin Park is enormous, and has everything from swimming pools and horseback riding to a zoo and an amusement park. Parque La Maestranza in Old Havana is less extensive, but has play areas, pony rides and a train ride. In Old Town you'll also find a bowling alley and arcade, along with La Colmenita children's theater and the Cinecito, which plays only child-friendly movies.
