Havana Vieja (old Havana)

This area has the most colonial buildings and is the most visited area for tourists who visit Havana but it's also its most beautiful spot. Foreigners walking through the streets getting hustled by jineteros, taking pictures or just having a (Cristal) beer.

Habana's Vieja is famous for the Catedral de San Cristoal de la Habana at the Plaza de la Catedral, and for Hemingway's bar, "La Bodeguita del Medio", where you can buy an expensive mojito.

To Do in Old Havana, Habana Vieja

Havana Centro

The Capitolio marks the beginning of central Havana, a working class neighborhood, where alot of buildings are almost in a total state of collapse. On the other side of the street you will find Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagas, one Cuba's oldest cigar factories. Centro Havana is the place to capture the real life in Cuba's capital. Don't miss it and bring your camera, but don't get robbed ;)

To Do in Centro Havana

Havana Vedado

Located along the waterfront, was developed during the decades between 1930 and 1960, when Havana developed as a major destination for U.S. tourists. High-rise hotels, restaurants, and upscale commercial establishments, many reflecting the then-popular art deco style, mushroomed in the Vedado district.
In the late 1990s Vedado represented the principal commercial area of the city, and its environs were home to a variety of important landmarks including the Hotel Nacional, the University of Havana, and the Colón Cemetery.

To Do in Havana Vedado

Havana Miramar

Miramar lies further west along the coast, and retains its exclusive feel. Foreign embassies, diplomatic residences, upscale shops, and tourist facilities for wealthy foreigners are common in the area. But also old beautiful colonial but almost colapsing houses.

To Do Havana Miramar

Reviews by travelers Havana

Send us your review and tips about Havana

Date: August 2 2009
Author: Andrea Ruesga
Country: Canada/Mexico

My friend and I were sitting around the diningroom table a couple of weeks ago at our condo in Puerto Vallarta bored senseless and itching for adventure,so we decided to get on the net and start scouting out a get-away.  We only had a few days off so it had to be fun, fast and furious.  We looked at various destinations and found a great price on a flight to Havana.  Vamanos!! 

Within what seemed like a flash, we were in an ancient taxi late at night and heading towards our hotel in Vieja Habana, The Hotel Florida.  As we passed through the impressive lobby we saw the Hotel's small salsa club just jammin' with dancers, music and mojitos! "Let's check it out! " I said, with the anticipation of someone about to emerge from a long cucooning of inactivity.  We had no longer installed ourselves at our table and ordered our first Mojito when we got pulled onto the swirling floor by the friendly locals.  Even though we were definitely neophyte salsa dancers, we were soon caught up in the swing of things. Literally.  Bienvenidos a Cuba!

The following days were packed with sensory delights: Flowering Tabachine trees, minty Mojitos and delectable daiquiris at The Floridita. A morning foray to Hemingway's Finca followed by a trip to the beach, fresh seafood, Cuban "Son" in the form of the sweetest redition of "Chan, Chan" and great looking people with ready smiles.  Paradise! 

The nights were filled with dancing at "La Casa De La Musica" wherewe were never without a fabulous dancing partner and a sense of total abandon. Heady stuff, to say the least!  A short CoCo-taxi ride back to the hotel and a sense that life was really being lived.

To say we fell in love with Cuba would be putting it mildly.  We are already planning our next trip for November and taking salsa dancing lessons in preparation for return.  Hasta Pronto!

Date: 28-01-2009 
Author: Rochelle
Country: England

Cuba is an amazing country and Havana is an amazing city. Everyone was extremely friendly and very inviting. I met a lady who took me into her home and treated me like one of the family. Although i was staying in a hotel, i stayed with her for a couple days and they treated me very well. I also met some other girls who also took me into their home, making sure that i was always fed and that i was well entertained!!! When i had the chance to spend the day to myself, i explored the many streets of Havana and spent time writing down by the Malecon!!! All in all, my holiday was one of the best I’ve EVER had and the first holiday that I’ve been on by myself with no one to greet me at the airport!!! AMAZING!!!!!

Date: 25-01-2009
Author: george bradley
Country: london england

i spent an amazing 2 weeks last summer in Havana. It is truly a unique and amazing place.
Friendly people, gorgeous weather and great bars to drink many mojitos!
i can't wait until my next trip.

Date: 13-12-2008
Author: brian
Country: malta

this summer 08 i ve spent the best 22 days of my whole life sincerely going through the roads of places like Havana vieja , Varadero, Santa Clara and Trinidad made my holiday the best place of which i ve been till now. People are very nice especially the ones I’ve slept with in the casas and the people I’ve ate within the paladar. Miss those days in Cuba the salsa dancing and all the things that make Cuba so special

Date: 08-09-2008
Author: Julie
Country: Canada

I Loved Havana when i was there. Everyone was soooooo nice and i can’t wait to go back. In march i will be back :) looking at this website is making my eyes tear up.
Defiantly a good site!

Date: 06-08-2008
Author: Mimi
Country: Thailand

I spent 6 days in this beautiful city that seems to be frozen in time for the past few decades...vintage cars, baroque style buildings, grand casas and palacios, beautiful courtyards. This was my first visit to Havana, which was declared as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. This city is probably the only place on Earth with the highest concentration of functional old American cars. And probably the only busy city in the world without any major worldwide chain stores and restaurants.