What can I do in eight hours or less?Įxplore further and deeper. For the last hour, hire a chrome-festooned convertible, and head up the tree-lined Prado boulevard, cruise the ocean-splashed seaside esplanade, the Malecón, spin around the 1950s hotels of the Vedado district, and marvel at the city’s vast Revolution Plaza. It’s easy to soak up three hours on foot.
Plaza Vieja, one of the main squares in Havanaįor souvenirs, shop at Calle Obispo’s craft market, between Aguacate and Compostela, the second-hand book and curios market on Calle Baratillo, corner of Jústiz, the Graphic Arts’ Workshop, and Cuba’s first design store, Clandestina. Don’t waste money on the Hotel Nacional’s Parisien Cabaret, opt for the real spectacle at Tropicana. Airbnb Experiences offers something similar for nearly half the price (£39pp), and hosted by a well-known local Cuban entrepreneur.Įxcursions to far-flung places outside of Havana make more sense (such as MSC’s trip to the Las Terrazas eco-community) as transport and organisation in Cuba are often very difficult, more so without language skills. A cocktail class with Azamara clocks up at £72.27 per person. A visit during opening hours will cost a visitor around CUC$20-30 (£15-22) return in a taxi and a CUC$2 (£1.50) entrance fee. Taking in the cultural hotspot Fábrica de Arte Cubano, in a private out-of-hours trip, including a chat with a featured artist, Norweigan charges £90.82 per person. Cruise companies, such as Marella Cruises, are charging a minimum of £22 per person. Classic cars rent at a minimum of CUC$25-30/£19-22 an hour for four passengers. Shore excursions are charged per person and are very overpriced but offer easy options for time-pressed passengers.
The white sands of Playa del Este are just half an hour from HavanaĬuban guides usually charge per tour rather than per person. The LGBT scene is found at Mi Cayito beach, just east of Santa María. Hire a cab, or take the regular return HabanaBusTour from Havana’s central park out to the beaches. Bathrooms are a little tricky it’s best to use one of the local hotels. For day-trippers, the easiest and most beautiful spot to catch the sun is at Santa María del Mar where sun loungers and umbrellas can be hired, and a couple of beach bars and low-key restaurants are on hand. Just half an hour from Old Havana, a ripple of white-sand, azure-sea beaches fan out along the Atlantic coast known collectively as Playas del Este (Eastern beaches). To hail and ride Cuban local peso classic car collective taxis (almendrones) from central park to Havana’s outer districts, and return routes, Spanish is required. Prices are currently all over the place in changing Cuba: Approximate taxi prices from the cruise terminal to central park: CUC$5-7 to Centro Habana CUC$6-10 to el Vedado CUC$10-12 to Miramar CUC$15 or more to the international airport CUC$25 (fixed price) classic cars charge a minimum CUC$25-30 per hour. For longer distances – starting with the cheapest – hail seen-better-days Lada taxis, yellow air-conditioned modern vehicles with seat belts, yellow three-wheeler scooter taxis (negotiate very hard), and gorgeous classic American cars. To cover long distances within Old Havana, bicitaxis (negotiate hard) can be hired. Havana does not offer decent public transport.
Known as the Pearl of the Antilles, Old Havana was a key player in funnelling the wealth of the Indies to the Spanish monarchs in Seville. Historic and hypnotic with candy coloured buildings and musical rhythms, Havana is the capital of the Caribbean’s most alluring island.
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