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Cuba Travel Guide

 🗝️ Key Facts

🏛️Capital: Habana

💶Currency: Cuban Peso (CUC) (CUP) (MN)

🕙Time Zone: -5 GMT

📞Phone Code: +53

🌐Language: Spanish (Cuban dialect)


✈️Best time to visit: December - April

🍴Eat: Frita (Cuban Hamburger)

🍷Drink: Mojito or Daiquiri cocktails

🗺️Don't miss: A trip to Pinar del Rio

🗺 Menu of Contents: 

🤝 Welcome to Cuba!
1960's Cadillacs and are the star sight in Cuba in addition to sparkling beaches, with great snorkeling opportunities, old colonial cities with rich history and a colorful culture wherever you visit!

Travelling to Cuba is like going back in time. Despite the country lacks the modern cons of Europe or the USA, people on this island are actually quite happy and this is noted on their friendly welcoming to foreigners. Cuba suffers from a lack of infrastructure, and might therefore not provide the most 'comfortable' travel experience. However, those willing to go with the flow will be richly rewarded and come back appreciating the smalls things in life. Tourism now takes big importance on the island, but there are still many restrictions and different ways of living that visitors should note, before coming to Cuba. 

When talking of Cuba, it's inevitable to imagine  faded colonial buildings, 1950s-era American motorcars and salsa dancing to the beats of Afro-Cuban rhythms.

Cuba attracts two kinds of tourists: those drawn by the fascinating revolutionary and isolationist history of the country, which has withstood over 60 years of communist rule, US embargoes, and the sudden withdrawal of Soviet Union-sponsored subsidies in 1991, to emerge with its unique national character very much intact; and those who want a tropical Caribbean getaway on Cuba's magnificent white-sand beaches, complete with some of the best diving and snorkelling sites in the world.

However, Cuba offers much more than romantic getaways and idyllic beaches, from encompassing historical attractions, wonderfully charming small towns, beautiful natural surrounds, cigar factory tours, salsa dancing classes, and more bars and nightclubs than you could imagine!

🛬 Getting there and transportation 

Cuba is on a major transformation as a nation, because of it's political and historic situation, it has been an isolated country for many decades until 2016 when it's former communist president, Fidel Castro, died and left the country in the hands of his brother Raul Castro. Under the new ruling, the country is now opening up and little by little there is modern technology, a better infrastructure and more open press and telecommunications.

In the last few years it has been possible to reach Cuba from many more destinations than ever before , specially from the USA. Reaching Cuba was more associated with a transit in Russia or Spain, which meant very long flights and a costly ticket.


However things are beginning to change now, and more international airlines are now able to fly into Habana, the main airport at the capital.
It is now possible to fly with a mix of both European and American carriers with daily links into the capital. As well you can find links from other Caribbean islands, as well as Mexico or Puerto Rico.


The main airline in Cuba is Cubana de Aviacion, it flies to selected destinations in the Americas as well as direct routes to Madrid (Spain), Moscow, Paris, Rome. Timetables are very irregular though.

❗Attention: The national airline is not renowned for its punctuality record, nor the aircraft are the modern western types used by other major carries. Instead it uses Russian built aircraft, which don't have the highest of safety levels. It's advised to expect delays or cancellations often if you fly with them and be patient, because Cuban people are very laid back and can be slow in processing requests.

However, a lot of leisure traffic arrives to the holiday destination of Varadero. Charter airlines fly from Europe or America to Cuba with package holiday tours which have been fully organised and are a good idea if you travel seeking to relax and stay in modern hotels all inclusive of meals and activities.


For those seeking to explore the more real side of Cuba, transportation within the country is very unreliable, infrequent and sometimes chaotic. There is not a established public transport system within the cities. Therefore taxis are the main form of travelling within the cities unless you drive.
There are busses and trains operating cheap services across the county, however information on times and days of operation is only available in person. Public busses are to be paid in the National Currency (MN), they are very crowded and old fashioned. As for trains, the schedules change without notice and trains often suffer from heavy delays or breakdowns. The problem in Cuba is also the lack of internet, which means everything has to be done in person or over the phone. It makes it therefore a very interesting visit and one to rely asking people for direction, guidance or information when travelling around. It's like being thrown back to the past, making this trip some what of a challenge!


The most reliable transport when travelling around Cuba is to use the Viazul bus company, the busses are punctual and offer comfortable services across the country. They are mostly designed for the tourists. Another bus company is Omnilineas Nacionales. (however they can be used only by locals). 

Classic Cars as Taxis
Habana City Busses
Viazul Busses
🛂 Visas and Arrival Requirements

When visiting Cuba as a tourist, most visitors require a visa to enter the country. The visa is in fact a piece of paper, similar to a landing card which can only be obtained at the embassy or consulate of Cuba before your trip. The cost of this visa is around €25, and you will need the confirmation airline ticket with your full name and the return date, together with your passport. Also, before arriving in Cuba it's recommended to have hotel bookings made, travel insurance and a valid credit card. (This could be asked by immigration upon arrival.)

❗Attention: All travellers must comply with: Passport, Return Ticket and Visa which are all required to enter the country

Cuba Visa Entry Document

The required tourist visa, known as a tourist card, allows the holder to stay in Cuba for 30 days and is valid for a single entry only. Your passport must be valid for the length of your proposed stay, as well as proof of a confirmed return flight and booked accommodation.

Nationals of the following 18 countries do not require a tourist card or a visa to visit Cuba, although the amount of time they can spend varies: Antigua and Barbuda (up to 30 days), Barbados (up to 28 days), Belarus (up to 30 days), Benin (up to 90 days), Bosnia and Herzegovina (up to 90 days), China (up to 90 days), Dominica (up to 28 days), Grenada (up to 60 days), Macedonia (up to 90 days), Malaysia (up to 90 days), Montenegro (up to 90 days), Mongolia (up to 30 days), Namibia (up to 30 days), Saint Kitts and Nevis (up to 30 days), Saint Lucia (up to 30 days), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (up to 60 days), Serbia (up to 90 days) and Singapore (up to 30 days). 


Nationals not referred to in the chart need to have a visa to visit Cuba. 

❗Attention: Nationals of the USA are prohibited from entering Cuba for touristic purposes. That said, it's possible to visit Cuba as an American if you're visiting for one of 12 specified reasons. The permitted reasons are: family visits; official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations; journalistic activity; professional research and professional meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes; exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials; and certain authorised export transactions. 

❗Attention: Check with the embassy before you travel to Cuba for any updates regarding travel restrictions and requirements. This guide is for reference and information only.

⛅️ Climate and Temperature 🌡️

Cuba has a superb climate enjoying hot temperatures all year round. The best time for visiting Cuba is from December to April. When it coincides with the cooler temperatures from the Atlantic and the north. Temperatures are still well above 25°C, although you can find cloudy days as well as light rain which cool down temperatures to a more manageable 20°C. 


From June to September, the heat and humidity are more noticeable and tropical rains may appear during the day.
The hurricane season lasts from September until the end of November, although they are very rare in this part of the Caribbean. 

💱Currency and Money Exchange

Cuba has two national currencies in circulation. The most used is the Peso Convertible, or CUC. It's paired to the dollar, at 1 to 1. (however if you exchange American dollars you are subject to an extra 10% commission). The other currency is the Cuban Peso (MN or CUP) which is 23 pesos to to 1 CUC. 


When you exchange money you will get CUC,  which is widely used for everything. Only remote towns or very local transport will require you to pay in Cuban Peso. Local people get paid in Cuban Peso, but CUC is of higher value, which is why they don't mind being paid in this currency by visitors. However when change is giving back it can be both in CUC or Cuban Peso, so always double check to make sure you have not been scammed. 

✔️Tip: Make sure you take plenty of cash with you and exchange at the airport on arrival. You can only get CUC at the airport when you arrive and not in advance.
Also in the country credit cards are 
not widely accepted. Only good hotels and category restaurants have card readers. Always take extra cash, which then you can re-exchange at the airport if needed. 
When exchanging it's advised to change Euro, Pound, Yen or Canadian Dollar as they will give more value than American dollars. (USD are subject to an extra 10% commission).

📡Getting Internet in Cuba

Due to the political situation, the country is very behind when it comes to infrastructure and telecommunications, specially for internet and Wi-Fi access. However in the last years there are more and more Wifi points across the country. Selected Hotels and a few restaurants offer Wi-Fi now either free or paid per hour. 


The most common way to connect to the internet is to buy a card from ETACSA, the Cuban only telephone company which sells internet cards which you pay for per hour. You can buy them for 1 CUC for one hour. However the queues to get these cards are long, therefore you can also get them at major hotels across the city but for 2 CUC. Make sure you buy new cards, with the scratch side of the reverse of the card intact. When you connect to any ETACSA WIFI point it will ask you to key in your username and password from the card. 


However as the internet is relatively new in Cuba, it will take time for speeds to get as we know it. Therefore this connection is only good for messages, social contacts and info news. No streaming, downloading, videos or music pages will work properly. 
Popular places to connect in Cuba are parks, Hotels, major restaurants and city centre areas with Wi-Fi hotspots enabled.

✔️Tip: The best trick to know if you are in a Wifi area, is to see the crowds of people gathered all looking at their mobiles or tablets with deep interest!

Etacsa Card for Internet Connection
🍴 Food and Drink 🍹

Surprisingly for an island so rich in marine life, fish and seafood rarely top the menu. Cuban cuisine is a mix of Spanish and Afro-Caribbean, heavily reliant on rice, beans, chicken and pork. Depending on the season, fresh vegetables may be hard to come by, as a rule, the hotter the month, the more limited the selection. Furthermore, due to the limitation on food supply by the political situation, there is a lack of available herbs and spices. Instead, food preparation relies heavily on the frying pan and deep fat fryer. Therefore lots of traditional food and favourites by the locals are deep friend and contain a lot of calories! 


Specialities which can be found in Cuba are: Congrís, Black beans and rice, known locally as 'Moors and Christians'. Frita, local version of the American hamburger made with ground beef and chorizo served in small Cuban bread buns topped with onion and julienne potato fries. Pulpeta, meatloaf made with ground beef and ham stewed with hard-boiled eggs. Pan con timba,  bread with guayaba paste and cream cheese. Ropavieja, slow cooked beef simmered in tomato criollo sauce until it can be shredded. Boliche, a beef roast stewed with chorizo sausage and hard-boiled eggs. Mojo, a sauce for roast pork (and other meats) made with oil, garlic, onion, oregano and bitter orange of lime juice. Picadillo, a mix with minced beef, peppers, onions, garlic, cumin, tomato sauce, stock and olives, also with raisins, potatoes and capers. 


When it comes to Cuban cocktails or drinks, the Mojito, Daiquiri, or Cuba Libre and a few others are without doubt one of the things that make the island special. The Mojito is the potent national cocktail made from rum, soda water, crushed mint, lime juice and chopped ice.The Mojito is linked to the famous bar that proudly claims to have created the cocktail, La Bodeguita del Medio, located in the old Habana. Another drink, the Daiquiri, is a blended cocktail of rum, ice, sugar, lime juice and a dash of maraschino. The Daiquiri, has also it's place of birth in Habana, at the Floridita Bar (3 min walk from Central Park). Other drinks include the Guarapo, a sugar cane juice and Cafe Cubano, espresso-style coffee. Another local drink is the Canchanchara, it owes its birth to the Cuban Manigua in the eastern fields of the island.

Cuban Main Course (pork)
Sugar Cane Drink
Chiviricos (fried dough with sugar)
Frita Prepation (little hamburgers)
Two National Cocktails: Mojito and Daiquiri!
Chicken is widely popular in Cuba
📝 Author's Comment  

Cuba is a country of immense contrast, both economically and politically, but one thing is common amongst its people, they know how to enjoy themselves! They might be one of the poorest nations on the planet with an extremely low income, however it's the people who you will remember most from this trip, with their passion for life, their music,dance and kind hearts. 
It's true that there is a lot of poverty and cities seem to be in ruins except from the old city centres. There is little by little an injection of new life as the country opens up to a more cosmopolitan way of life and foreign investment is gathering up. There is change upon the horizon, and it's just a matter of years for this country to take a more modern approach to capitalism. However, safety and partying till late at night is fine and Cuba feels as any other major European city at night. Food and drink can be really cheap if you know where to hang out and don't be fooled by the typical tourists traps where you are sure to leave many tips for everyone! Definitely a very surprising country which teaches you how to enjoy life with the little you have. It's a blast into the past!. You should not wait that long to come to discover it by yourself before it starts changing! 

(once visited)

Habana Tourism Information Guide

Habana remains true to its heart, Old Havana is the best-preserved colonial centre in the Americas, and its people are no exception. They work hard to make the tourists feel welcome. Everything is to make money; dancing on the street, home made food stands and women wearing classic costumes to pose with the tourists in exchange for coin or two!
ℹ️ Introduction 

Habana is among the most interesting, different yet vibrant spots in the Caribbean region. Havana highlights itself with all the art, music, tropical sensuality and bustle as the Capital of Cuba. In the last years, Cuba is going through unprecedented changes. The withdrawal of the late Fidel Castro from politics in 2008, and the arrival of his more open-minded brother Raúl, has seen economic and political reforms that have even resulted in the lifting of some US sanctions. The ground-breaking transformations, known in Spanish as lineamientos, have introduced a bit of modernity into daily life. 


However the city remains true to its heart, its passion permeating its steamy alleys and salt-sprayed sidewalks. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Habana Vieja (Old Havana) as the best-preserved colonial centre in the Americas, and its exquisite architecture is a top attraction for photographers, artists and musicians looking for inspiration. But despite a UNESCO-funded restoration programme, Habana Vieja is falling apart, and you also may encounter the jarring sight of a brightly painted, restored house sitting alongside something crumbling and no longer habitable. Wandering outside the historic core guarantees an eye-opening look at the daily struggle faced by many families. Including insufficient housing, very low salaries, outdated infrastructure, and resource scarcity all continue to plague the country. 


Yet Havana has an undeniable charm and a unique character. People work hard to make the tourists feel welcome, there are infinite possibilities to explore the country with tours and people on the street will offer you any vehicle possible to make some extra money. Everything outside is to make money, the classic cars, the food stores and people on the street offering snacks which they have made at home. Even you will spot classic costumes worn by the women to pose with the tourists in exchange for coin or two! 


Contradictions are high in Cuba in general, but during your visit in Habana you will soon realise it's hard to get away from a positive attitude and the always accompanying rhythm of the street music!

⛅️ Climate and Temperature  🌡️

Havana, like the rest of Cuba enjoys a Caribbean tropical climate. This means that it is warm year-round, but hotter than nearby Florida, for example. Cuba has a couple of main seasons,  the cool, dry season and the wet season. The nicest weather is, naturally, when it is cooler and drier, which is from December to April. Temperatures in this season range from 17°C to 28°C. 

The time to avoid is when it rains most, between May and November. This is when the climate is hotter and more humid, and it also happens to be the hurricane season. Temperatures in the wet season vary drastically, especially when it rains bringing down the temperatures by 10 degrees. However, rains normally fall in the late afternoon and evening. If you don't experience any rain, then the temperatures will rise easily to 33°C, with the peak during July and August.


To avoid the bulk of the crowds, it is best to try and visit Havana in the springtime or late autumn. The spring is still pleasant and also comes with cheaper hotel rooms.

🚇 Transport 

When arriving for the first time in Havana you need to be prepared in advance, expect to feel the calm way of life and how Cuban people take everything relaxed from the moment you arrive to the airport. Expect lengthy waits for immigration and baggage claim if you have come in large planes. 


Getting into the city is only possible by taxi realistically. Yellow taxis are waiting to the left out of the arrivals hall. The normal price is to pay 25-30 CUC to the city centre. It is possible to locate a public bus Number 12 which drives close to the airport but you need to walk around 1.5km to find the bus stop (as you get out the arrivals hall, turn right and follow the main road. You will reach the bus stop, which only the local Cuban people take, the cost is 0.40 CUC. Change is not given). This bus takes you to Parque Curita, its close to the centre and convenient for the Old Habana. However it is not advised to take the busses as they are always overcrowded and have no space for luggage. 

Once in the city, transportation is limited to walking, taxis or renting a bike or car. There is no metro in Habana, and although there are busses and trains. These are not designed for visitors. There are numerous types of taxis, classic American cars, Russian cars, modern yellow taxis, and bike-taxis (like tuk-tuk) plus many private cars can also stop for you if you signal! If you are getting these private cars expect to share your trip with other locals, although prices are cheaper on the other hand. 
When getting taxis in Havana or anywhere in Cuba, be sure to agree the price before the ride. Often you need to haggle as drivers increase prices if they notice you are a tourist. To get an idea of the fare ask any local before getting a taxi.

Bici-Taxi in habana
Inside a classic taxi!
Another way of transportation mostly targeted for the tourists!
🏰 What to see and do ?

A former colonial Spanish city, Habana is the place to meet the culture, history and locals to establish your first impressions of the true Cuba. A city which is so vibrant, full of sound, music, colour, architecture and culture exploding everywhere you go. Watch the never ending flow of classic American 1950s cars everywhere you go by, listen to salsa dance music and enjoy hearty food, all this set in a warm tropical Caribbean climate, making this city a blast into the past. Forget your worries and come to relax, disconnect from the modern world, and enjoy the place where many famous cocktails were invented like the Daikiri or the Mojito! 


  • Museum of the Revolution: This emblematic museum resides in the former Presidential Palace, constructed between 1913 and 1920 and used by a string of Cuban presidents, culminating in Fulgencio Batista.The museum itself descends chronologically from the top floor, focusing primarily on the events leading up to, during, and immediately after the Cuban revolution. It presents a sometimes scruffy but always compelling story told in English and Spanish, and tinted with some propaganda.The palace's sweeping central staircase, guarded by a bust of José Martí, still retains the bullet holes made during an unsuccessful attack on the palace in March 1957 by a revolutionary student group intent on assassinating President Fulgencio Batista.The stairs take you up to the 2nd floor and several important exhibit-free rooms, including the Salón Dorado (decorated in Louis VI style and once used for banquets), the Despacho Presidencial(president's office where Fidel Castro was sworn in in 1959), and the capilla (chapel, with a Tiffany chandelier).
    In front of the building is a fragment of the former city wall, as well as an SAU-100 tank used by Castro during the 1961 Bay of Pigs battle. In the space behind you'll find the Pavillón Granma, containing a replica of the 18m yacht that carried Fidel Castro and 81 other revolutionaries from Tuxpán, Mexico, to Cuba in December 1956. The pavilion is surrounded by other vehicles associated with the revolution, including planes, rockets and an old postal van used as a getaway car during the 1957 attack. The cost is 8 CUC per adult. 
Museum of the Revolution
Pavillón Granma
  • Take the city tour: An excellent way of travelling around Habana without spending a lot is by taking this popular double decker bus tour, similar to those found in other major cities. The price is really good at only 10 CUC per person for one day. The bus with route number T1, takes you to major tourist attractions around the city and the neighbourhoods of West Habana. Places to see are Plaza de la Revolucion, Parque Central, Malecon Avenue, Cementerio, etc. It passes also the major hotels in the city. Operates till 6pm everyday. Another tour bus is available for those wanting to explore East, the T3 route goes also to the fortress across the city as well as to the beautiful beaches on the east side of Habana. The cost is 5 CUC and also operates everyday till 6pm. 
Habana City Tour (T1)
  • Revolution Square (Plaza de la Revolución): This is the centre of Habana in regards to it's political epicentre. Conceived by French urbanist Jean Claude Forestier in the 1920s. Surrounded by gray, utilitarian buildings constructed in the late 1950s, the square today is the base of the Cuban government and a place where large-scale political rallies are held. The square concrete block on the northern side of the plaza is the Ministerio del Interior, well known for its huge mural of Che Guevara (a copy of Alberto Korda's famous 1960 photograph) with the words Hasta la Victoria Siempre (Always Toward Victory). In 2009 a similarly designed image of Cuba's other "war hero", Camilo Cienfuegos, was added on the adjacent telecommunications building. Its wording reads: Vas Bien Fidel (You're going well Fidel).

    Opposite to these buildings you will find a tall tower, this is a monument memorial dedicated to Jose Marti. It's center stage for the Plaza de la Revolución, at 138.5m is Havana's tallest structure. Fronted by an impressive 17m marble statue of a seated Martí in a pensive pose, the memorial houses a museum (the definitive word on Martí in Cuba) and a 129m lookout reached via a small lift (CUC 2) with fantastic city views. To get there take the Tour Bus T1 or go by Taxi. 
Plaza de la Revolución
Memorial to Jose Marti
  • Take a walking tour: Everyday at 9am or 4pm, there is a free walking tour which meets at Parque Central, for 2 hours you are taking care of by local guides who are often students with good local knowledge of the history facts of the city and can give you a more personal and fun way of learning about the city. They take you around the key sights of the city centre, mostly Habana Vieja, (old Habana) and on the way you can find people selling sweet snacks or drinks to keep you entertained! At the end of the tour it's usual to give a tip, as these tour guides often live with the minimum state salary of only 20 CUC per month! (like €17!)(like €17!)
  • Fortaleza Cabaña: Constructed after the capture of Havana by British forces and named San Carlos de la Cabaña in honor of King Carlos III, this 700-meter long fortress is the largest in the Americas. It features the most advanced military defensive concepts of the 18th century. During the wars of independence, this fortress was used as a prison and prisoners faced firing squads in its pits. In the 20th century, it was used as a prison and storage facility, and shortly after the triumph of the 1959 Revolution, Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara established his command headquarters here. In 1992, different museums were opened within the complex after renovation, among them, Museo de Armas (Museum of Arms), Comandacia de ‘Che’ Guevara (Command Headquarters of ‘Che’ Guevara) and a museum depicting the history of the fortress. Additionally, it hosts several cultural events, including the Visual Arts Biennial and Havana’s International Book Fair. Every night at 9 p.m., some soldiers dressed in suits of the era shoot from here the “el cañonazo de las nueve”, (gunshot of the nine). It went off every day to warn of the closing of the doors of the wall that surrounded the city. 
    To get there take the tourist bus (t3) from Parque Central. Cost is 6 CUC per adult.Cost is 6 CUC per adult.
  • Castillo del Morro:  is a picturesque fortress guarding the entrance to Havana bay. The construction of the castle Los Tres Reyes del Morro owed to the step along in Havana of the English pirate Sir Francis Drake. The king of Spain arranged its construction on a big stone which was known by the name of El Morro. The Castillo del Morro is one the symbols of Havana and one of the most visited places by both tourist and locals. It has been photographed and painted by many and has also appeared in several movies. Inside are several exhibitions, but the construction itself is worth a visit. Along with a deep moat and two batteries, additional defence was originally provided by an ocean-side tower, replaced in 1844 by a lighthouse called the Faro del Morro. Now a symbol of Havana, it offers one of the finest views of the city, especially at sunset. The history of the lighthouse and castle is explored in the Sala de Historia, while the Sala de Cristóbal Colón charts the history of Columbus’s journey to the Americas. Another interesting historical feature of the castillo is the prisons, which have holes in the back walls through which prisoners were fed to the sharks. To get there take the tourist bus (t3) from Parque Central. Cost is 6 CUC per adult.Cost is 6 CUC per adult.
Castillo del Morro
Fortaleza Cabaña Canons
Castillo del Morro
  • Malecón: is the avenue that runs along the seawall at the northern shore of Havana, from Old Havana to the Almendares River, it is 7 km long. Its a great place to admire the evening sunset and to eat at a few restaurants at the front line. There area is getting a lot of redevelopment so it will generate a lot of new Hotels, restaurants and places to stay in the near future. Be aware that on rainy days on when the ocean is very choppy, the road can get closed due to the waves coming over the wall and the walkaways are very slippery! 
Malecon Sunset view
  • San Salvador de la Punta Fortress: On the shore opposite to the Castle of El Morro, at the beginning of the curve of El Malecon, rises the fortress of San Salvador de la Punta, of minor architectural dimensions. It was constructed in 1590, and in 1629 the Chapter of Havana decided, to defend better the port, to join her in the night with the El Morro by using a thick chain that prevented the entry of enemy ships.
  • Castillo de la Real Fuerza: The fortress or Castle of the Royal Army is another big monument that closes the Plaza de las Armas. It was the first big fortification of the city, initiated in 1558 on the ruins of an ancient fortress. In the same year, the Crown sent to Cuba the engineer Bartolomé Sanchez, supervised by 14 official and main stonemasons in order to reconstruct the castle, which had been set fire and destroyed by the French corsair Jacques de Sores. Cost is 3 CUC per adult.
San Salvador de la Punta Fortress
Castillo de la Real Fuerza
  • Catedral de San Cristóbal: The most prominent building on the Plaza de la Catedral. The Cathedral was raised on the chapel after 1748 by order of the bishop from Salamanca. It is one of the most beautiful and sober churches of the American baroque.
  • El Capitolio, or National Capitol Building in Havana, was the organisation of government in Cuba until after the Cuban Revolution in 1959, and is now home to the Cuban Academy of Sciences. "El Capitolio" is compared to that of the United States Capitol, but is not a replica of it. Completed in 1929, it was the tallest building in Havana until the 1950s and houses the world's third largest indoor statue.
  • Plaza de Armas, is the main touristic square. The origin of its name is military, since from the end of the 16th century the ceremonies and the military events took place here. The square contains the only street in the world which is still made from wood. It was a gesture of the military officials to change the stone street into wood for more silent nights as the wood is not as noisy when people, cars or horse carts would pass over. 
  • San Francisco de la Habana Basilica: The set of church and convent of San Francisco de Asis, constructed in 1608, and reconstructed in 1739. It's 42 meter-high tower was then the tallest in Havana and the second tallest in Cuba after Trinidad’s Iznaga Tower. It is crowned by a statue of St. Francis of Assisi, whose head was lopped off by a hurricane in 1846. Named by the Pope as a basilica, extended to the south to a Franciscan convent, and was considered Havana’s premier house of worship.
Catedral de San Cristóbal
National Capitol Building
San Francisco de la Habana Basilica
  • Parque Central: Essentially the division of the old city of Habana with the new one, it has the statue of Jose Marti in the middle of the square surrounded by 28 palm trees (as he was born on the 28th), a beautiful park and benches to sit down and hide from the sun. Around it, you will find plenty of taxis, classic cars and bici-taxis (bicycle style taxis), tour information, old photo shooting, tour bus stops and major hotels around the square together with the National Theatre of Habana. You can go into Hotel Inglaterra and sample great views from the roof top which is free to visit, or stay and enjoy some cocktail drinks.
Parque Central
Parque Central
🚬 Viñales, for Cigar Making

For the best experience and knowledge about the making of the cigars, we recommend that you take a tour to Viñales, from Habana. Tours are very comprehensive and cover all parts of the production of the tobacco, together with other activities and sights to keep you entertained. The guides are bilingual, and offer good commentaries and interesting facts along the trip. Tours start from 7am, include a Cuban lunch and bring you back to the city hotels around 19h to 20h in the evening. To book contact the major Hotels in Habana where Tour Agencies are located. Cost per tour is around 70 CUC per person.


Below is more information about the area, tour and the making of the cigars:


Pinar del Rio region is mostly associated with the production of tobacco to make the famous Cuban cigars. It's location is ideally suited for the cultivation and production of the tobacco plant which can grow fertile in the rich grounds of the area. The terrain has the exact humility, precipitation and warm climate to keep the tobacco leaves moist ready for rolling to make the cigars. 


The town of Viñales is the ideal place to start of your trip into the production of cigars. There are abundant local "casas" which can host tourists plus the area is very quaint, being local but full of shops and amenities for tourists to get the most out of their stay. You will find several production factories which you can visit, including the making of Ron and the Tobacco Cigars. (be aware that pictures are not allowed in the rolling cigar factories). The story of the cigars are very much home to Viñales, there is a lot of history and culture related to its origins, with entire families relying on the successful production of cigars and selling it eventually to the government. 


The way the cigars are made and the ingredients used are still a deep protected secret, home to the locals who put it many hours of work a week to make around 100 cigars a day, from each worker. From the moment the seeds a planted to the moment the final cigars are put into their wrappers or boxes there is a process of 539 human actions, all performed by hand, and this tradition is set to continue throughout time to give the Cuban cigars their original best taste, consistency and aroma. 

After the leaves are collected at their best maturity date, which can be 3 times per plant, they are left to dry out in a wooden shed known as "casa del vegurero". After 4 months they are ready to be processed into cigars.


For the traditional Cuban Cigar, known as Cohiba, the best selling brand in Cuba, it's necessary to use 5 leaves. One main leave without it's vein (where most of the nicotine is concentrated), 3 central leaves for the inside of the cigar and a final wrapper leave to finish it off. (Capote leave, Tripas leaves and Capa final leave). To glue the leaves together they use a natural resin which has no taste, aroma or chemicals and makes the cigar 100% natural. 
The consistency and pressure of each cigar is measured, it needs to be around 30 to 40 millibars, otherwise the cigars will be too soft or too hard to smoke. 
The cigars are then packed appropriately depending on size, leave type or other parameters and put into paper wrappers or boxes where they can be preserved fresh up to one year. 

Cigar Factory Visit
Making of the Cigars
Drying of the Tobacco leaves
Tobacco plantations
The leaves are left to dry in these huts.
The tour includes other visits like this mural painting.
🏖️ Varadero

If you're staying in Habana and don't want to spend the excessive prices of the Hotels at the popular resort of Varadero, we recommend to visit the area on a day trip. Varadero has long been associated with honeymoon getaways, romantic holidays and paradise resorts with all inclusive fares in your Hotel. Weather is mostly sunny year round and with kilometres of white soft sand and clear waters it has made this area one of the most sought after for beach lovers. However prices are over the top. 


To get there from Habana take the cheap option, take the Viazul bus service which offers an affordable and quick trip. The trip takes 3 hours going and 2.5 hours coming back. 

It costs 10 CUC each way. It's advised to prearrange in advance your bus tickets as they are very busy and get booked quickly. You will need your passport and pay in cash only. Also when you depart you will need to check-in to get a boarding paper to get on the bus. The departure station is located 15 min from the city centre. A taxi should not cost more than 6-8 CUC. They depart at 8am or 10am from Habana. To return the best one is the last bus at 18h which arrives back in Habana central for 20.30h. 


When in Varadero, the main street is packed with restaurants, local bars, market stands, souvenir and amenity shops. There are also tour info offices , banks, and money exchange bureaus. When getting to the beaches, the best ones are located at the end of Varadero, you can take the tourist bus for 5 CUC (it's a tourist bus but only passes by the Hotels of the area acting like a public transport for tourists to get around). Get off at Princesa del Mar Hotel and walk from there 5 min to the beach. 

Varadero Tourist Bus
Golf Complex and Hotels
Lots of bars and restaurants at the main street
The Marina in Varadero
Varadero Bus Station
Varadero Beach
🌃 Nightlife

Nightlife in Havana is full of Latin rhythms, close dancing, timbal drum beats and a whole lot of energy. Live music is a highly popular pastime in Havana, and visitors can enjoy the unique experience of partying it up to local jazz, samba, and salsa in clubs and bars, though there are also some more conventional discos with DJs in control.

Head to La Bodeguita del Medio in Old Havana, which is very touristy, but a great place to get warmed up to the local flavour before hitting nearby clubs where local musicians jam 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; while the Havana Café in the Hotel Melía Cohiba in Paseo is a stylish place to spend your cash. Clubs don't get busy until after 10pm, and often stay open all night long.

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 two of Havana's top live jazz venues.

Havana also has a thriving arts community, with internationally-renowned 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, every Saturday afternoon, is the Sábado de la Rumba at El Gran Palenque, which is a charismatic mix of secular and Afro-Cuban religious dancing and drumming.

❗Attention: Staying out at night in Habana is safe as long as you stay in the old city and popular tourist areas, like "El Malecon". Locals are generally friendly and welcoming, but crime rates in Havana have grown in recent years. Travellers should exercise caution getting around at night and be alert for possible scams and locals coming up offering drugs or sexual services.

When out at night, try the most typical national Cocktails: Mojito and Daiquiri.
🛍️  Shopping

As strict government control over economic activity eases, the Cuban capital sees a timid rise of private businesses producing and selling their own goods. Havana shopping is pretty poor, but it is the best in the entire island. The shops are very controlled by the state so there is hardly any international brands and also there is not much in the way of unique Cuban items, apart from the cigars, rum and the odd handcrafted items found in markets.

🛌 Accommodation

Habana is not cheap when it comes to sleeping. Hotels are overpriced, even the quality and services are nothing compared to Europe or other capitalist countries. However there are cheaper ways of staying if you're on a budget. There are "casas", which are private houses which offer rooms to rent for short periods of stay. They are ideal for private accommodation, they offer a more local experience where you can meet families and have a more hands on approach to your stay. They are located all over Cuba, and can be booked online before you arrive or in person. You can identify them by the blue coloured anchor shape sign. You will also see some places which have a red anchor shape. These are intended only for locals whilst the blue ones are for foreigners and locals alike. Prices in the casas can be around €25/30 per night for private rooms with bathroom. 
If you are looking for Hotels, then expect to pay around €50/60 per night


Also it's possible to check Airbnb, which also offers private accommodation, though there are limitations because of the lack of internet in Cuba. 

A Cuban Casa (local accommodation)
Blue and Red Anchor sign, for different accommodation types
⏳ How long to stay?

Habana is a city with a lot to offer to the visitor. Both scenery and places to visit, historical, cultural and social, where to relax and enjoy some music.Taking day trips out of the city is also a good idea, as a way to see more and leave luggage in Habana. Seeing the city either by yourself or by tour, you should need at least 3 nights to feel you have seen the most important sights. However taking day trips out , swimming in the ocean and some late nights out, you might want to consider staying up to a week in the city and taking tours and day trips around.

Habana Photo Slide 📷