Havana
A time-capsule city where 1950s convertibles cruise crumbling colonial boulevards, salsa spills from every doorway, and the Malecon holds the soul of an island.
1 day in Havana
Only got 24 hours? Here's how to experience the best of Havana in a single action-packed day.
Old Havana, Malecon Sunset & Live Salsa
Habana Vieja — Colonial Plazas & Architecture
Start in Habana Vieja (Old Havana), a UNESCO World Heritage Site that feels frozen in time. Begin at Plaza de la Catedral — the Baroque cathedral dominates a cobblestone square lined with 18th-century palaces and restaurants. Walk to Plaza de Armas, the oldest square, where second-hand book vendors sell revolutionary-era posters and vintage books. Continue through Calle Obispo, the main pedestrian artery — crumbling colonial facades tower above, and every doorway reveals a barber shop, bodega, or domino game. Stop at El Floridita bar for a daiquiri ($7 USD) where Hemingway famously drank.
Classic Car Ride & Vedado Neighbourhood
Negotiate a classic car tour (CUP6,000–12,000 or $25–50 USD for 1–2 hours) in a 1950s American convertible — Chevys, Buicks, and Fords in candy colours cruise the Malecon seafront boulevard. Most drivers will take you through Vedado, Havana's art deco neighbourhood with the Plaza de la Revolucion (Che Guevara's famous mural), the John Lennon statue in a small park, and the Hotel Nacional — a grand 1930s hotel with mob history and ocean terrace. For lunch, find a paladar (private restaurant) in Vedado — La Guarida (Cuba's most famous, mains $8–15 USD) occupies a crumbling mansion with rooftop views.
Malecon Sunset & Fabrica de Arte Cubano
Walk the Malecon at sunset — Havana's 8-kilometre seafront promenade where the entire city comes to socialise. Locals sit on the sea wall with rum, guitars, and conversation as waves crash below and the sun drops behind the Hotel Nacional. It's the most cinematic moment in Cuba. For dinner, try paladar Dona Eutimia near Plaza de la Catedral (mains $6–12 USD) — their ropa vieja (shredded beef in tomato sauce) is legendary. Then head to Fabrica de Arte Cubano ($2 USD entry, opens 8pm Thursday–Sunday), a converted cooking oil factory that's now Havana's best cultural venue — live bands, DJs, art galleries, and bars across multiple floors.
3 days in Havana
A carefully curated route mixing iconic landmarks, hidden gems, street food, culture, and adventure — designed for younger travelers.
Old Havana — Colonial History, Plazas & Street Life
Habana Vieja Walking Tour
Begin in Habana Vieja, Havana's UNESCO-listed colonial core. Start at Plaza de la Catedral at 8am before tour groups arrive — the 18th-century Baroque cathedral faces a square of restored palaces with wrought-iron balconies. Walk through Plaza de Armas where book vendors sell revolution-era posters and vintage novels. Continue down Calle Obispo, the pedestrian spine of Old Havana — every crumbling doorway reveals a barbershop, bodega, or family living room. Breakfast at Cafe El Escorial on Plaza Vieja (cortadito coffee CUP300, toast and eggs CUP600) — one of the best plaza-facing spots in the old city.
Hemingway Trail & Capitol Building
Visit El Floridita bar (daiquiri $7 USD), where Ernest Hemingway drank daily — his bronze statue still occupies the corner barstool. Walk to La Bodeguita del Medio (mojito $5 USD), the birthplace of the mojito according to legend, with walls covered in signatures and graffiti. The Capitol Building (El Capitolio, CUP3,000 entry) is a stunning neoclassical dome modelled on Washington's Capitol — recently restored, its marble floors and 60-metre rotunda are spectacular. For lunch, eat at a local peso restaurant (comedor) if you can find one — rice, beans, and pork for CUP100–200. Otherwise, paladar San Cristobal (mains $8–14 USD) serves excellent creole cuisine.
Malecon Sunset & Live Music
Walk the Malecon at golden hour — Havana's 8km seafront wall transforms into the city's living room at sunset. Families, couples, musicians, and fishermen line the wall as waves crash and the sky turns orange behind the Hotel Nacional. Bring a bottle of Havana Club rum (CUP1,500 from a shop) and join in — this is Cuba at its most authentic. Dinner at Dona Eutimia (mains $6–12 USD) near Plaza de la Catedral — their ropa vieja and tostones (fried plantains) are among the best in Havana. Then find live son cubano music at any bar in the old town — cover charges are rare.
Classic Cars, Revolution History & Vedado
Museum of the Revolution & Classic Car Cruise
Start at the Museum of the Revolution (Museo de la Revolucion, CUP4,000) in the former Presidential Palace. Three floors trace Cuba's history from Spanish colonialism through the revolution — Fidel's bloodstained uniform, Che's beret, and the actual Granma yacht that carried 82 revolutionaries from Mexico in 1956 (displayed in a glass case outside). The propaganda is fascinating regardless of your politics. After the museum, negotiate a classic car tour — CUP8,000–12,000 for 1.5 hours in a 1950s convertible Chevrolet or Buick cruising the Malecon, through Vedado, past the Plaza de la Revolucion.
Vedado & Plaza de la Revolucion
Drive or bus to Vedado, Havana's art deco and mid-century neighbourhood. The Plaza de la Revolucion is dominated by the Ministry of the Interior building bearing Che Guevara's iconic outline sculpture — one of the most photographed images in Latin America. The Jose Marti Memorial tower (CUP2,000, elevator to the top) offers 360-degree city views. Walk to the Hotel Nacional — a 1930s grande dame hotel with Mafia-era history, beautiful gardens, and an ocean-facing terrace bar (cocktails $5–8 USD). Lunch at Vedado paladar Cafe Laurent (mains $8–12 USD) on a hidden penthouse with city views.
Fabrica de Arte Cubano & Salsa Night
Thursday through Sunday, Fabrica de Arte Cubano (FAC) opens at 8pm — entry is $2 USD. This converted oil factory is Havana's cultural epicentre — live bands play Cuban jazz and timba on one floor, DJs spin electronic music on another, art galleries and film screenings occupy the upper levels, and bars serve mojitos and Cuba Libres ($3–5 USD). On other nights, head to Casa de la Musica in Miramar or Centro Habana for live salsa — the energy when a full son cubano orchestra plays is electric. Or take a salsa class at La Casa del Son ($10 USD for 1 hour) before hitting the dance floor.
Local Life, Art & Afro-Cuban Culture
Callejon de Hamel & Centro Habana
Walk to Callejon de Hamel in Centro Habana, a narrow alley transformed into an Afro-Cuban art installation — murals, sculptures made from bathtubs and machine parts, and shrines to Santeria orishas (deities) cover every surface. On Sundays at noon, a live rumba performance fills the alley with drumming, dancing, and call-and-response singing — this is the heart of Afro-Cuban culture and utterly electrifying. Browse the surrounding Centro Habana streets — this is real Havana, unrenovated and raw, where laundry hangs between balconies and domino games happen on every corner. Breakfast at a ventanita (street window) — cafe con leche and a ham croqueta for CUP100–200.
Fusterlandia & Jaimanitas
Take a taxi colectivo (shared taxi, CUP200 per person) or Grab-style taxi ($10–15 USD) to Jaimanitas, a fishing village on Havana's western edge. Here, artist Jose Fuster has spent decades covering his home and the entire neighbourhood in colourful mosaic tiles — inspired by Gaudi and Cuban folk art. The result, Fusterlandia, is a surreal open-air gallery stretching several blocks — bus stops, park benches, neighbouring houses, and fences all glitter with mosaic art. Entry to the main house and gallery is free (donations welcomed). Buy original signed Fuster tiles ($20–50 USD) directly. Lunch at a nearby paladar in Miramar — seafood paella for $10–12 USD.
Casa Particular Dinner & Farewell Malecon
Ask your casa particular hosts to cook dinner — most offer meals for $8–12 USD per person and it's the best way to eat in Cuba. A typical home-cooked feast includes congri (rice and black beans), lechon asado (roasted pork), maduros (sweet plantains), avocado salad, and fresh tropical juice. The conversation over dinner — about daily life, the economy, family — is often the most memorable part of a Cuba trip. After dinner, walk the Malecon one final time. Bring rum. Share it with strangers. Listen to someone play guitar. Havana at night, with the salt air and crumbling grandeur, is unlike anywhere else on earth.
Budget tips
Casa particular stays
Private homestays (casa particulares) cost $15–35 USD/night and include breakfast. They're better value than hotels, more authentic, and hosts provide invaluable local knowledge. Book on Airbnb or at casaparticular.com.
Eat at paladares
Paladares (private restaurants) serve meals for $5–15 USD — far better than state-run restaurants. Ask your casa host for recommendations. Home-cooked casa meals ($8–12 USD) are often the best food in Cuba.
Cuban pesos vs USD
Pay in CUP (Cuban pesos) whenever possible — you'll get local prices. Tourist attractions and some restaurants quote in USD. Exchange EUR or USD at official CADECA offices for the best rates.
Colectivo taxis
Shared taxis (almendrones/colectivos) run fixed routes for CUP50–200 per person — ancient American cars packed with locals. They're an experience in themselves and 10x cheaper than tourist taxis.
Bring everything you need
Cuba has chronic shortages. Bring sunscreen, medication, toiletries, snacks, and a power bank. These items are either unavailable or hugely expensive locally. Also bring cash — ATMs are unreliable.
Free cultural events
Live music in bars, Callejon de Hamel rumba on Sundays, and street performances are free. Fabrica de Arte Cubano is only $2 USD. The Malecon — Havana's greatest attraction — costs nothing.
Budget breakdown
Daily costs per person in USD. Havana operates on a dual economy — tourist prices are higher than local, but casa particulares and paladares keep costs manageable.
| 🎒 Budget | ✨ Mid-Range | 💎 Splurge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation Casa particular → boutique casa → luxury hotel | $15–25 | $40–80 | $150+ |
| Food Street food & peso meals → paladares → fine dining | $10–20 | $25–45 | $70+ |
| Transport Colectivo taxis → regular taxi → classic car tour | $2–5 | $10–20 | $40+ |
| Activities Free sites & music → museums & tours → private excursions | $5–10 | $15–30 | $60+ |
| Drinks Street rum & local bars → cocktail bars → hotel terraces | $3–6 | $8–15 | $25+ |
| Daily Total Budget traveller → comfortable → luxury | $35–66 | $98–190 | $345+ |
Practical info
Getting Around
- Colectivo taxis (shared old American cars) run fixed routes for CUP50–200 per person — wave one down going your direction. They're an authentic Cuban experience
- Yellow coco-taxis (egg-shaped three-wheelers) are fun for short trips — CUP1,000–3,000 per ride. Negotiate before boarding
- Havana is very walkable — Old Havana to Vedado is a 45-minute walk along the Malecon. For longer distances, negotiate with private taxi drivers in classic cars
Connectivity
- Cuba has limited internet. Buy an ETECSA card (CUP1,500/hour) or a Nauta account to use WiFi hotspots in parks and hotels. Connection is slow but functional
- WiFi hotspots exist in main plazas, Parque Central, and most hotel lobbies. Look for crowds staring at phones — that's the hotspot
- eSIMs and foreign SIMs generally don't work in Cuba. Download offline maps, translation apps, and entertainment before arrival. Consider a portable WiFi device rental
Money
- Bring clean EUR or USD cash — ATMs are unreliable and often empty. US credit cards do NOT work in Cuba due to the embargo. European cards sometimes work at major hotels
- Exchange at official CADECA offices or banks. The informal exchange rate can be significantly higher but carries legal risks. Always count your money carefully
- Cuba has a dual economy — tourists pay USD-equivalent prices for hotels, attractions, and some restaurants. Learning to pay in CUP at local spots saves enormously
Visa & Entry
- A tourist card (tarjeta de turista) is required — $50–100 USD depending on your airline. Some airlines sell them onboard, others require advance purchase from the embassy
- US citizens must travel under one of 12 authorized categories (most common: Support for the Cuban People). Keep receipts of casa particular stays and paladar meals as documentation
- Travel insurance is mandatory for Cuba — you may be asked to show proof at immigration. Some airlines include it; otherwise buy a policy covering Cuba specifically
Health & Safety
- Cuba is very safe — violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. Petty scams exist: inflated prices, jineteros (hustlers) offering "help" — politely decline and walk on
- Tap water is not safe to drink. Bottled water can be scarce — buy when you see it and carry a water bottle. Your casa particular will usually provide filtered water
- Cuba has excellent doctors but limited medical supplies. Bring all necessary medications. International clinics (Clinica Internacional) exist in Havana for tourist emergencies
Packing Tips
- Bring everything you'll need — sunscreen, toiletries, medications, snacks, and a power bank. Cuba has chronic shortages and tourist-grade supplies are scarce or expensive
- Pack light cotton clothing for humidity, a rain jacket for afternoon showers, and one smart outfit for paladares. Comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets
- Bring small gifts for casa particular hosts — toiletries, cosmetics, pens, aspirin, and children's items are deeply appreciated and help build genuine connections
Cultural tips
Cuba is unlike anywhere else — isolated, proud, musical, and deeply human. Understanding its unique culture and practical realities makes the difference between frustration and the trip of a lifetime.
Music & Dance
Music is Cuba's lifeblood — son, salsa, rumba, and reggaeton fill every street. Don't be shy about dancing. Cubans are patient teachers and love when visitors try. Even basic salsa steps earn smiles and encouragement.
Jinetero Culture
Jineteros (hustlers) will approach tourists offering taxis, restaurants, or cigars. Most are harmless but persistent. A firm "no gracias" works. Some are genuinely helpful — use judgment. Never buy cigars on the street (usually fake).
Casa Particular Life
Staying in casas is the best way to experience Cuba. Hosts are proud of their homes and cooking. Show appreciation, tip fairly ($2–3 per day), and engage in conversation. Many hosts become lifelong friends to returning travellers.
Patience Required
Cuba runs on its own timeline. Internet is slow, queues are long, plans change, and shortages are constant. Embrace the pace. Frustration achieves nothing — flexibility and humour are your best tools for enjoying Cuba.
Cigar Etiquette
Buy cigars only from official La Casa del Habano shops or licensed vendors (look for the hologram seal). Street sellers almost always sell fakes. A box of Cohiba Robustos costs $150–250 USD officially. Never smoke indoors without asking.
Photography Respect
Cubans are generally photogenic and willing to pose, but always ask first — "Puedo tomar una foto?" Many elderly musicians and performers expect a small tip (CUP200–500) for photos. Never photograph military personnel or installations.
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