The beauty of the streets of Cuba, dominated by brilliant color, old cars, and the fascinating spirit of the Caribbean capital – Havana.
Welcome to kamranology! If you are in the search for an energetic travel destination that represents vitality and an authenticity that gleams from the deep rich histories and various thrilling expeditions, then Havana Cuba should be on the hit list. Distinguished by beautiful colonial houses, aviational cars, and a wealth of traditions, Havana is an unordinary destination. In this blog post you will find out why you should visit Havana, the sights and attractions to do, the delicious food, culture and interesting activities, the adventurous side, and the practical budget itinerary for 7 days. What is more, you are about to experience the enchantments of Havana.
Why Travel to Havana?
Rich History and Culture: Today Havana reflects the history of Cuba and America: Spanish colonial, African, and a rich American influence.
Vibrant Music and Dance Scene: Indeed it has a rich heritage of music and dance: salsa and rumba were born in Havana.
Stunning Architecture: Havana, with baroque cathedrals and art deco buildings is visibly rich in history and stirs up the Cubans’ creative spirit.
Warm and Welcoming People: The people of the country maintaining their tradition of friendliness are ready to share their stories and traditions, so traveling becomes even cooler.
Delicious Cuisine: The Cuban food is varied and tasty, people will be able to taste many Cuban recipes that are mouth-watering.
What to Explore: This post will explore the most visited places in Havana.
- Old Havana (Habana Vieja)
Description: Old Havana, declared by UNESCO as an asset of world cultural and architectural heritage, is full of beauty – from spectacular architecture to lovely little squares and beautiful streets.
What to Do: Wander around the old cobblestone streets, take a look at the Plaza de Armas and breathe in the beauty of The Cathedral of Havana.
- Malecón
Description: Most popular place of a sea board, promenade the Malecón is another place where one can enjoy a walk or take a look at the beautiful sunset.
What to Do: Get a glimpse into the local life, watch the waves on the Arran deck, and take impressive photos of the coast on the seawall.
- Plaza de la Revolución, orahuilcos
Description: Historic location in Cuba, Revolution Square can be seen with José Martí Memorial and images of revolutionary leaders.
What to Do: Visit the narrow uneven stone paved alley of the square, explain the importance of the square and take photos of the famous Che Guevara sculpt that is painted on the wall.
- El Capitolio
Description: A large structure resembling the United States Capitol to which it is said to be based, El Capitolio was the home of the Cuban government and is home to the Cuban Academy of Sciences today.
What to Do: Visit the college with an organized tour as you appreciate its architectural design and history.
- National Museum of Fine Arts
Description: This museum contains fine art from the colonial era, right up through modern art works of Cuban artists.
What to Do: Footage focuses on wandering through the museum’s classical and contemporaneous galleries to demonstrate the development of Cuban art.
Some Foods to Delight on in Havana
Ropa Vieja: One of the most traditional Cuban meals that include as its main ingredient shredded meat cooked in sauce prepared of tomatoes.
Vaca Frita: Grilled beef with a marinade accompanied by lime; rice and deep-fried banana chips are normal side dishes.
Moros y Cristianos: A historic Cuban dish, which is Black Beans and Rice, which is a combination of African and Spanish ingredients.
Tostones: Fried green plantain chips; a snack/ appetizer, endorsed often with garlic sauce.
Flan: Locals’ and visitor’s favorite – a delicious, creamy caramel custard dessert.
The Cultural Activities to Do in Havana
Live Music and Dance: Taste the music from a cuban club La Zorra y el Cuervo for jazz or Casa de la Musica for salsa.
Cigar Factory Tour: Go to a cigar factory to get informed about the old technique of cigars’ production and about creating premium cigars.
Classic Car Tour: Here is your chance to tour the city in a classic American car, such a car is conventional in Cuba, especially in Havana.
Street Art Tours: Check out the colorful walls at areas such as Callejón De Hamel where you will find the murals alongside the artists working on them.
Attend a Cabaret Show: Visit fabulous Tropicana show presenting Cuban music, dances and various performances based on the spirit of Cabaret.
Cuban Adventure in Havana
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling: Take the time to see the colorful corals and the marine life of Cuba by snorkeling or diving on nearby underwater attractions.
Hiking in Viñales: A glorious day trip would be to the Viñales Valley – breathtaking scenery and tobacco fields – and to go hiking or horse riding.
Biking Tours: A cycle rental to be able to experience the city in a more adequate manner, visiting corner that are often missed and areas that are not usually frequented.
Explore Cueva del Indio: Go to this beautiful cave in Viñales and take a boat ride through the one with the river under the ground.
Horseback Riding: Take a trail ride through the countryside of Cuba and get up close to the tobacco plantations.
Ideal seven days budget trip plan to Havana
Day 1: Arrival in Havana
Activity: You should immediately get to José Martí International Airport, if you have not arrived already, and then get to the hotel. The tour begins with the introduction of the city by taking a walk in one of the districts, for example Old Havana.
Day 2: Old Havana Exploration
Activity: Old Havana is among the most famous tourist attractions; therefore you should set aside the whole day and tour the place. Go to popular places such as the Cathedral of Havana, the Arms Square, and the Capitol in Havana. Go and eat in a restaurant for dinner.
Day 3: Malecón & Revolution Square
Activity: Stroll the Malecón in the morning then go to Revolution Square. In the evening take your beer to a live music joint.
Day 4: Cultural Immersion
Activity: Maybe visit a cigar factory in the morning or join a guided tour and spend the afternoon in Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. You can as well take your dinner at a Cuban restaurant since there are many restaurants that offer Cuban food around.
Day 5: Day Trip to Viñales
Activity: Viñales Valley presents beautiful nature views to fit hiking, horse riding, or getting acquainted with the tobacco plantations during a one-day trip.
Day 6: Classic Cars and Street Art
Activity: Take an old car tour of the city in the morning and take a street art tour in the afternoon. Shopping malls, especially local markets should be visited in the evening.
Day 7: Departure
Activity: Save your last day for some final touring or shopping then prepare for your flight and head to the airport to catch your home bound flight.
Discover the Magic of Havana
Havana can be a city which makes you want to walk along its streets and taste its exotic air, unique traditions and delicious cuisine. Even from its colonial structures and vibrant night life to the hospitable people you will undoubtedly have a wonderful time in Havana. Are you prepared for this ever so exciting and exciting journey? You can see below some relevant affiliate links to get the best accommodations, tours and experiences to have an amazing vacation and please come back to Kamranology for more travel insights and recommendations! Happy travels!
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My Unforgettable Experience in Havana: Cuba’s Best Cultural, Adventure, and Thrill Activities
Havana, Cuba has been on my wish list for as long as I can remember and as soon as I arrived, the city swept me off my feet. The moment that I set foot in Old Havana I was entirely enchanted with this historical part of the Cuban capital. Not only the location and the noises and the bright lights surprised me but the history and the friendly people made this a great memory. If you are planning your holiday, the following Havana Cuba travel guide will give you an overview of the best that you should not miss.
There are a few basic steps to take when planning for your visit; timing is key to plan for your trip. That means that the best time to visit Havana Cuba is between November and April, when the weather is good for sightseeing. There are colorful exteriors without the scorching heat of summer, without cases of heavy downpour in Havant. But there is beauty in every season, and the touring opportunities are exactly the same: there is a beautiful beach in summer and snowy and jolly holidays in winter.
Some of the activities I did as soon as humanly possible included learning more about Havana and the place’s tourist destination. It was like visiting a different time altogether when I was visiting Old Havana. The stone paved roads, the European influenced buildings, and the beautiful painting of the buildings where incredible to watch. I had the time of my life simply roam around some of the finest places in Havana Cuba such as the Capitolio and the Plaza de la Catedral alone since they are full of rich history and rich ambiance. This is not a complete city tour if you won’t visit the famous items such as the sea wall which is locally known as El Malecón; featuring views of the sea and the beautiful city skyline. It has become one of the big attractions for many people who visit Havana.
Adrenaline junkies who travel to Havana can choose numerous attractions that can both deliver excitement and blend with creativity. I didn’t think I would be so bored when here for art and music, but there are many things to do in Havana Cuba fun for the adventurous. Everything in this place seems like an adventure from going for a ride in a classic car to drives in a convertible along the coastline. This was an opportunity to book an adventure trip in Havana and be taken through some other side trips that involved hiking to the green areas around the city and visiting waterfalls.
Yes Havana is also much more than merely walking down its past, it is also about walking into its future. Street art was among the fascinating activities that I did in Havana; it was street art tours in Cuba street. When wandering through the streets of Callejón de Hamel I walked into the surreal and artsy world of the spoken histories of Cuban people. It is something that gives you an eye opener about the artistic view of the country in question. But even if you are an environmentally conscious tourist, you’ll be fascinated to know that Havana also boasts of eco-travel in Havana Cuba where you can visit some of its natural resources while at the same getting to support conservation of these resources within the country.
Night Havana is the Havana that really knows how to live after the last rays of sun go down. Some of the tips on Havana nights found in this guide were useful while planning for the evenings. From sensual salsa dancing in the night clubs to a solitary glass of refreshment on a rooftop Havana has all types of nightlife. It was great at La Bodeguita del Medio. I really enjoyed a congenial atmosphere and a feeling of tropical heartbeat during the live show.
But don’t be mistaken Havana is not a city of just nightlife and clubs and dancing. But if you are looking for some calm luxury then luxury travel in Havana is present in the form of quality hotels, fine dining restaurants and luxury tours. After having a detailed look at the socio-cultural features, I decided to pamper my soul by booking a unique Cuban style art hotel in the middle of the city with all modern amenities keeping intact the Cuban spirit.
If you are alone , sometimes solo traveling to Havana is a good place to do the solo traveling. Auckland is a safe and approachable city, people are happy to talk and tell/offer advice. Most of my time was spent interacting with people and felt at home with strangers we meet on the roads as well as the locals. The locals are friendly and will provide you with a wealth of information, and despite the country being associated with cheap Cuban cigars which are a big no-no to most backpackers, there is no shortage of practical things to do and see that won’t cost a fortune such as generic guesthouses and street food. You should take a tour of Cuban restaurants menu which includes Ropa Vieja and Tostones and so on, the Cuban food is sumptuous.
Havana also has great trails for hikes! There are some of the incredible hiking trails around Havana, I later realized some of these spots are located around the booming city including the Viñales Valley. Despite beautiful views of green tobacco groves and towering cliffs, this is perfect for hiking, but few visitors get to see it.
However, I did not read or watch Havana as information, but I felt it – and that feeling remains with me after the movie is over. From its laid-back kind of vibe to its delicious food, vibrant arts scene to interesting culture, nightlife to daring adrenaline rush activities, Havana caters to all. To make the most of your travel, adhere to the following Havana Cuba travel guide which will keep you in touch with the pulse of this amazing city. Don’t think of it as cities usually do not just limit themselves to the showplaces during the visit but take full advantage of every second you will spend in Havana.