When to go and for how long? Havana

 

Havana is inherently romantic. Just as the city inspired the great Earnest Hemingway to write American classics, it too inspires visitors to feel creative, to dance along to Latin rhythms, to photograph vintage cars and majestic architecture, and to befriend locals in conversation and dining in their paladares, or private home restaurants. In Havana, wander the city in search of social gatherings and people-watch in the bustling plazas. Appreciate the simplicity of a mojito made with local rum. Shop for cigars to bring back as a memento. And spend the evening at a cabaret club to experience the late-night energy. Havana’s biggest draw is its authenticity. Learn more with our Havana, Cuba travel guide, and come and experience it for yourself on a Havana vacation.

 

Who Should Go and How to go

Havana resonates with history and culture enthusiasts who want a real feel of Cuba and to experience the city locked in time. It is popular with business and leisure travellers and appeals to couples, singles, and groups. Havana is a place for music and dance, where jazz, salsa, and mambo fill the streets, and nightclubs, theatre, and ballet are enjoyed in the evenings. In Havana, you’ll also find some markets and local stores selling crafts, cigars, and rum. If you’re a fan of Hemingway, you can visit his Ambos Mundos Hotel room to tour where he wrote the novel, For Whom the Bell Tolls and explore the city’s literary history.

 

 

Old Havana, Habana Vieja

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to neoclassical and baroque buildings and monuments. Wander through the cobblestone streets, stopping to admire the architectural gems and people watch with the locals. In Plaza de la Catedreal you’ll discover the namesake, elegant Cathedral completed in 1787, Catedral de San Cristobal, with its adorning bell towers and columns. In Havana’s oldest square, Plaza de Armas, you’ll find a hub of cafes and restaurants, Palacio de los Capitanes, the Castillo de la Real Fuerza fort on the harbour, and the Museo de la Ciudad (City Museum) showcasing Havana’s interesting history and objects from the revolution. Steps away from the Museo de la Ciudad is Castillo de la Real Fuerza with its deep moat, drawbridge, and thick walls.

 

Vedado

This famous square is home to the Jose Marti Memorial and small museums and government buildings that surround the perimeter. The Museo de la Revolucionwas built in the 20th century and was a former presidential palace. Inside you’ll find exhibits ranging from Cuba’s pre-Columbian culture to the present-day socialist regime in addition to life-size wax figures of Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos.

 

Miramar

This residential area is known for its upscale hotels, restaurants and mansions with an Art-Deco style.

 

 

When to go and for how long?

Short stays of 2-3 days are popular for visits to Havana, while other people like to enjoy a whole week, split between lounging by the hotel pool and walking the city streets. Day trips from Varadero are also available. Winter sees average high temperatures of 26C and lows of 19C. In the summertime, highs average 31C and lows are 24C.

 

 

Travel Style

Havana vacations can be three or four night getaways on their own, similar to a North American city getaway, though most people choose to visit Havana after having settling on Cuba.  Havana vacation packages range from 3-7 days and include flights and hotel stays – but some people choose to arrange their Havana flights and hotels separately.

Most people pair a short Havana vacation with a beach vacation in Varadero for a weeklong Varadero-Havana vacation package split. For a customized itinerary such as a Havana-Varadero combo vacation or self-drive tour of Cuba, consult with your travel agent.

 

 

Getting There

Jose Marti International Airport is located 15 km southwest of Havana. Travellers can also arrive into the Varadero airport and take the 2-hour drive to Havana. Non-stop flights are available from Toronto and connecting flights are available from other main Canadian gateways.

 

Getting Around

 

The drive from the airport to downtown Havana is 30 minutes. A taxi from the airport to downtown costs about 25-30 CUC. Car rental agencies are also available at the airport, priced from 50-125 CUC per day.  Once you arrive into the city, taxis are the best way to get around. Public buses are available but they are usually crowded and not on a strict schedule. Payment is required in the local currency (Cuban national pesos – CUP), instead of CUC, making it difficult for travellers.

Language: The local language is Spanish, though English is spoken by most people in the tourism industry

Currency: The local currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP), but the common currency among tourists is the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC).

Electricity: The majority is 110-volt, though you may find 220-volt in some places