Havana

Greatest Cocktail

It really is a toss-up in between 3 of Cuba’s well-known rum concoctions: the Cuba Libre, the daiquiri and the mojito.

The Cuba Libre is fundamentally rum and cola and is rumored to have been created by U.S. Soldiers in the course of the war of independence in 1898. Note that, although Coca-Cola products are not common in Cuba, there is a local “Kola” that is offered both in standard and diet program versions.

The eaiquiri is a frozen drink that’s created with rum, lime, sugar and maraschino cherries. It was invented by miners in the Cuban port town of Daiquiri.

The Mojito combines rum with sugar, muddled lime and mint and is served more than ice with sparkling water.

The most well-liked local beers are the fairly light Cristal and the stronger Bucanero.

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Very best Souvenir

The most common souvenirs are rum and cigars, as properly as arts and crafts. The most widely accessible rum is Havana Club, which comes in a number of varieties. It is suggested that cigars be purchased in reputable shops, as several street vendors try to sell knock-off, low-top quality or fake cigars.

Wood carvings, papier mache, musical instruments, things created from shells, paintings and other arts and crafts are offered at a quantity of street markets and shops.

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Language

Spanish is the official language, despite the fact that several in the tourist industry speak some English.

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Currency &amp Ideal Way to Get Cash

Two currencies circulate in Cuba.

The peso nacional, or peso Cubano (CUP), is used by locals and is virtually worthless to vacationers (except for use in public phones, regional buses and some cinemas).

The peso convertible (CUC) is currency employed by vacationers, and you can acquire just about every thing with it. It is pegged to the U.S. dollar, but note when you exchange it at the official exchange bureau, Cadeca, they will take a ten % commission. U.S. dollars are the only currency topic to the commission, and so you are greater off bringing euros, British pounds or Canadian dollars.

Credit cards and traveler’s checks issued by U.S. banks are not accepted in Cuba, and other credit cards incur transaction fees of in between 7 and 11 %. Some establishments will accept Canadian dollars or euros.

Cash can be exchanged at official Casa de Cambio (CADECA) locations all through the city and at the airport. Check out www.xe.com for present exchange rates.

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Exactly where You happen to be Docked

Cruise ships dock at Terminal Sierra Maestra.

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Hanging About

Since Terminal Sierra Maestra is so centrally situated (opposite the old town), there is no reason to hang around the facility. There is a tiny souvenir shop on the first floor promoting Cuban music CDs and postcards if you require to grab something ahead of your ship leaves.

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Acquiring About

On Foot: 1 of the initial things that vacationers will notice is the lack of traffic there are couple of cars on the road. Plus, there are several pedestrian zones: La Plaza Vieja, La Calle Obispo and La Plaza de Armas, amongst other folks. In addition, the four-mile seafront Malecon and the central marble promenade of Calle de Prado will entice and delight walkers.

Note that many of the streets in Havana are cobblestoned and/or lack conveniences for wheelchairs and scooters.

By Taxi: Official taxis are metered and widely available at a number of taxi stands all through the city. Official taxi solutions function newer cars with official taxi logos on the side, uniformed drivers and, typically, air-conditioning. An hourly cost of about 10 to 15 CUC can be negotiated with drivers. In addition (and a lot a lot more exciting), you can hail one of the vintage vehicles, which in recent years have grow to be official taxis. The price is the identical, and if you can place up with the split leather seats and heat, they are a significantly far more fascinating way to see the city.

Quite a few unofficial taxis are not metered or insured. Be sure to negotiate a value in advance.

By CocoTaxi: These vibrant yellow, 3-wheeled, open-air autos carry two passengers and the driver. They are a exciting alternative for quick trips, but they aren’t metered, so be positive to establish a price tag in advance.

By Horse-Drawn Carriage: They offer you sightseeing tours of La Habana Vieja. They can be a bit pricey, but they offer you a memorable narrated tour of the old city.

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Watch Out For

Havana is a peaceful and protected city. That becoming said, take precautions against pickpockets and petty crimes: Do not put on lots of jewelry avoid handling money in plain view preserve valuables safe or, greater however, on the ship.

There are no beggars as such, but you may possibly encounter hassles from so-referred to as jiniteros, who are young guys who will stick to vacationers and offer them something from taxis to girls (depending on your inclination). The ideal guidance is a firm no, and they will move away to hassle somebody else.

In many plaza and tourist areas, males and ladies dress in nearby costumes and ask for alter in exchange for having their images taken. In addition, be cautious of those attempting to sell cigars and rum on the streets. Usually, the products are fake or of an inferior quality.

In addition, due to the fact of restrictions on locals altering currency, be wary of these asking to exchange income. The currency they try to exchange with you may possibly be counterfeit.

Prostitution is rampant in Havana and totally in your face, but it is illegal. And, be warned that the government is not tolerant of any drugs, so buying even a tiny bit of marijuana can lead to important difficulty with the law.

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Do not Miss

Havana’s Plazas. Among those on the must-pay a visit to list is Plaza de Armas in Old Havana, which is chock-full of excitement, musicians, booksellers and arts and crafts vendors. Touts, beggars and much more collect in this atmospheric and shady plaza, which is flanked by historic buildings and museums. Plaza Vieja, also in the old city, was laid out in 1559 and served as the primary square of Havana until the 19th century. It now houses restored examples of architecture that span the centuries, as well as many cafes and bars that supply Cuban music — like Cafe Taberna, a favored spot of the renowned Cuban musician Benny A lot more, recognized as “the barbarian of rhythm.”

The Malecon. On stormy days, the seas crash over the walls of the wide breakwater that lines this 4-mile, winding promenade. It attracts a hodge-podge of people: households, couples, fishermen, tourists, those out for a stroll and far more. Architecturally, the wide boulevard is lined with many desirable and crucial buildings, several of which are now faded from the sun and sea air.

La Habana Vieja. In this old Havana neighborhood, you can go to Palacio del los Capitanes Generales, a classic example of the city’s baroque architecture. Formerly the residence of the Spanish colonial rulers, captain generals, and briefly the presidential palace, today it homes the Museo de la Ciudad and features a extensive history of Havana. (Plaza de Armas, calle Tacon e/ O’Reilly y Obispo open 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday).

Other neighborhood attractions contain the Catedral de San Cristobal. Havana’s Baroque primary cathedral towers over the Plaza de la Catedral and its 17th- and 18th-century colonial buildings. (Calle Emperador 156 open ten:30 a.m. to three p.m. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to two p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sunday)

La Calle Obispo. This pedestrianized street, even though crowded, narrow, bustling and quite touristy, will give you the greatest sense of old Havana and its architectural designs. At one end is the classically colonial Plaza de Armas. At the other are buildings from the a lot more contemporary Art Nouveau period. The restored buildings incorporate hotels, shops, cafes and Farmacia Taquechel, a pharmacy that sells cosmetics and all-natural and homeopathic treatments. Its picturesque shelves are lined with an impressive collection of antique Italian and Majolica ceramic pharmaceutical jars. Also on Calle Obispo is the lively and restored Hotel Ambos Mundos, which is popular for its literary previous. Ernest Hemingway began writing “For Whom the Bell Tolls” in space 511.

Hemingway, who produced Cuba his house for a time, has produced mystique around numerous island bars. At one particular finish of La Calle Obispo is El Floridita (Avenida de Belgica esq. Obispo 557 open 11 a.m. to midnight), 1 of his legendary haunts he developed very the taste for daiquiris there, and there is an oft-photographed statue of the American author at 1 end of the bar. (El Floridita claims to have perfected the recipe and calls itself the “cradle of the daiquiri.”)

Near the cathedral in Old Havana, La Bodeguita del Medio (Calle Empedrado 207 open 11 a.m. to midnight day-to-day), yet another Hemingway haunt, is regarded as a temple to the mojito and is possibly Havana’s most popular restaurant. Its walls are covered with photographs, graffiti, drawings and people’s signatures (you can add yours if you locate space). It’s generally crowded and touristy, but it is great enjoyable and definitely worth a check out.

Central Havana. Pay a visit to Museo de la Revolucion, which is devoted to the revolution and is housed in the former presidential palace. This neo-classical building was built in 1920 and was decorated by New York’s Tiffany &amp Co. It served as the home for 25 presidents,– so it is no accident that Castro chose it to home the museum of his revolution. Check out the Salon de Espejos (Hall of Mirrors), which was meant to resemble the room of the identical name at the Palace of Versailles. (Calle Refugio 1, e Avenida de las Misones y Zulueta open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day)

The national fine arts museum, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is contained in two buildings. One particular is dedicated to Cuban art (colonial, academic and 20th-century art), and the other, two blocks away in the Palacio del Centro Austuriano, focuses on international art, specially European painting and sculpture, as well as ancient art. There is a five CUC charge for entry for visitors 14 and older. (San Rafael, e/ Zulueta y Monserrate and Calle Trocadero, e/ Zulueta y Monserrate open 9 a.m. to five p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and ten a.m. to two p.m. Sunday)

Take a stroll down Paseo del Prado, the quintessential Havana boulevard, with its gracious central promenade created of marble. Initially laid out in 1772, the street remains popular for locals, especially in the evening. Marble benches, wrought-iron street lamps and eight bronze lions line the avenue. Some of the buildings along the avenue have been restored and painted bright, pastel colors. Usually, there are street musicians along the central walkway.

Parque Central, the heart of the city center, has a tiny statue at its center to the revolutionary martyr, Jose Marti. It is lined with palm trees and gives a welcome relief from the chaos all around. This region is lined with monumental 19th- and 20th-century buildings, including the Hotel Inglaterra, Havana’s oldest hotel and a classic spot to have a drink on the terrace and watch the globe go by.

The nearby Centro Gallego began life as a social club for Galicians (Spaniards from the far northwest portion of the nation, several of whom, like the Irish, emigrated to foreign shores) and was built round the current Gran Teatro de la Habana.

Diagonally opposite from one corner of the square is Cuba’s Capitol creating El Capitolio, which was inspired by the U.S. Capitol Creating in Washington D.C. (and in fact slightly bigger). It was when the seat of the Cuban Congress, and in 2013 Raul Castro announced that it would return there (the developing is nonetheless being restored). It at the moment houses the Cuban Academy of Sciences and the National Library of Science and Technology. (Paseo de Marti esq. a San Jose open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day)

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Been There, Completed That

Vedado is a prestigious neighborhood where wide boulevards, gardens and grand residences grace the tree-lined streets. After residence to single families, these dwellings now property a number of residents on different floors and supply a fascinating glimpse into how the elite of the city when lived.

Several of the mansions have been restored and are used as embassies and offices for foreign corporations. This is also the property to the University of Havana, the huge Necropolis de Colon (the city’s most impressive cemetery) and many crucial museums, which includes the Museo Napoleonico. This museum boasts the largest collection of Napoleonic artifacts outside of France, gathered collectively by Cuban sugar baron Julio Lobo. (Calle San Miguel, esq. a Ronda open 9 a.m. to four:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday)

Also in El Vedado, the vast expanse of the Plaza de la Revolucion has been the heart of the Cuban government and politics since 1959. Fidel Castro renamed the square, formerly recognized as the Plaza Civica, and it has been the website of a lot of essential events, ranging from Castro’s famously long speeches to a mass given by Pope John Paul II in 1998. But it really is probably most renowned for a sculpture of the iconic photograph of Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara, with the words “Hasta la Victoria, Siempre” (till victory, usually) on 1 side of the Ministry of the Interior creating.

On the outskirts of Havana is Finca Vigia, Ernest Hemingway’s farm. He bought the residence in 1940 and lived there, off and on, whilst in Cuba. The house was created into a museum in 1962 and remains, essentially, as Hemingway left it. It characteristics his 9,000-book library, hunting trophies, images, artwork and even his fishing boat, the Pilar. The Finca Vigia Foundation in the United States is working to preserve this historic house, and its efforts have led to rare U.S.-Cuban co-operation, including the digitalization of Hemingway’s private documents. (Calle Vigia y Stheinhard, San Francisco de Paula open 10 a.m. to five p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday)

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Beaches

Havana’s beaches start just 11 miles from the city center — but these are no nasty city beaches — Las Playas del Este (the eastern beaches), about 20 minutes by car outdoors of Havana, are a series of exquisite white sand beaches fringed by aquamarine seas and small towns that stretch for nearly 30 miles.

Greatest for Relaxing: Locals flock to Playa Guanabo, which can be particularly crowded on weekends. This is the a lot more authentic Cuban finish of the strip, which has thus far escaped improvement.

Very best for Active Varieties: The most well-known beach for tourists is Playa Santa Maria del Mar, with its pine- and palm-lined beaches, hotels, restaurants and water sports.

Ideal for Little ones: From Havana, Bacuranao is the initial beach you arrive at and is a quiet loved ones-friendly spot.

Greatest for Resort-Lovers: Varadero, Cuba’s renowned beach resort, lies about two hours from the city and sits on a 12-mile-lengthy peninsula jutting deep into the Straits of Florida. It boasts an airport which caters for direct flights, mostly catering to international package holidaymakers who in no way leave this stretch. It’s about two hours from port, and it is ideal visited on an organized tour.

Lunching

Till pretty lately, consuming in Havana could be a bit of a challenge, because of the lack of high quality and inconsistency of ingredients. Most restaurants had been state run (and had been generally fairly awful both in terms of food and service). The couple of privately run restaurants (recognized as paladars) have been topic to a slew of red tape that created them almost as poor as the state-run ones.

All this changed in January 2011, when President Raul Castro’s new privatization laws allowed paladars to seat up to 50 men and women (previously it was 12), and, much more crucially, serve entrees beyond the standard Cuban food of roast pork, black beans, rice and plantains.

Right now, there are paladars popping up all more than the city providing cuisine and service to match any restaurant in the Caribbean. The older ones are typically quirky in terms of hours and service (they are usually loved ones run, with older members cooking and waiting tables). The post-2011 paladars are modern day, hip and funky.

The most popular paladar in Havana, La Guarida, was featured in the well-liked Cuban film “Fresa y Chocolate,” and significantly of its reputation rests on this. Half the enjoyable is getting there: It have to be reached via three flights up a poorly lit, steep staircase in a creating that anywhere else in the globe would have been condemned by now. Signature dishes consist of ahi with sugar cane glaze, mutton braised in papaya juice, seafood risotto and far more. (Concordia 418 e/ Gervasio y Escobar open noon to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to midnight everyday)

A few blocks from the cruise terminal, just off the Malecon, is El Templete, one of the oldest restaurants in the city. This eatery delivers fine views over the bay. It’s identified for the freshest seafood and shellfish in the city and gives an impressive array of appetizers, as effectively as a wide assortment of major dishes, but it really is not cheap. (Avenida del Puerto, no. 12-14, esq. Narcisco Lopez open noon to ten:30 p.m.)

But the best restaurant in Havana (according to users of TripAdvisor) is Dona Eutimia, a paladar that serves up reasonably priced, generously portioned conventional Cuban dishes, with wonderful service (and extremely attractive staff) in a prime spot opposite the Cathedral. (Callejon del Chorro, Plaza de la Catedral)

If you fancy venturing further afield to the Vedado region, then you will be spoiled for selection when it comes to locations to consume. One of the standouts is Waoo, which delivers fresh, simple food from just two CUCs, including empanadas as properly as larger dishes. The venue is beautiful: a wooden property with shuttered windows and a large L-shaped bar. It’s positioned appropriate in the heart of hip, taking place Vedado. (Calle L, no. 414, cnr. Calle 25 open noon to midnight)

Common bars in Old Havana, such as El Floridita, are usually overpriced supplying relatively average meals and mediocre service, with entrees that variety from 35-45 CUC. The a lot more moderately priced La Bodeguita del Medio also serves easy meals.

Staying in Touch

Good luck! U.S.-based cellphones do not work in Cuba, and there are no Internet cafes. Your ideal (and only) bet is to go to the lobby of a big hotel and ask for a Wi-Fi voucher or to use the computer in the lobby. It charges about four.50 CUC/hour, but be warned: connections are slow.

For U.K. travelers, cellphones operate — U.K. networks like O2 and Vodafone provide roaming solutions in Cuba. Even so, be prepared to pay at least 1.50 pounds per minute to obtain or make calls. Verify with your network provider for information ahead of you travel for precise charges.

Shore Excursions

Very best for Hemingway Fans: Ernest Hemingway is as closely connected with Havana as he is with Crucial West he frequented the bars in Havana and owned a small farm just outside the city. Tours incorporate a visit to the farm — San Francisco de Paula — which involves his fishing boat, followed by a go to to the Hemingway Museum. Tours are often rounded off with a drink in Bodeguita del Medio or El Floridita, two of his favourite drinking spots.

Very best for Luxury-Lovers: All the cruise lines offer a trip to a cigar factory, followed by a check out to the Havana Club Area Museum exactly where you can buy the most famous brand on the island.

Very best for Nightlife: The most well-known of all Havana nightspots is The Tropicana, established in 1939 on a site just outdoors the city. It gives a cabaret show with showgirls, nearly exclusively aimed at foreign tour groups, Tuesday to Sunday in the open-air region.

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