Hang Out In Havana
Ticked off in August 2015
Fifties Chevrolets, crumbling pastel mansions, son music pouring from every doorway and a mojito waiting on the Malecón.
The adventure
Havana feels like a city where time took a different turn. Vintage American cars in candy pinks and turquoises rumble past colonial mansions with peeling paint and wrought-iron balconies, and in Old Havana the cobbled squares are full of street musicians, domino games and the smell of strong coffee and cigars.
As the afternoon cools, everyone heads for the Malecón, the long sea wall where waves burst over the stonework and families, fishermen and couples gather to watch the sunset. Then the night begins: a daiquiri at El Floridita, where Hemingway drank, a salsa club in Vedado, or the cannon fired at nine o'clock from the old fortress across the harbour, a ceremony that has marked the city's evenings for centuries.
Why it’s epic
- Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982, with its four colonial squares.
- Classic car tours in 1950s American convertibles along the Malecón.
- El Cañonazo, the nightly firing of a cannon at La Cabaña fortress at 9pm.
- Live son, salsa and rumba in bars and clubs across the city.
What it is
Havana is known for its colonial old town, classic American cars, live music and the Malecón seafront.
How to do it
Stay in a casa particular in Old Havana or Vedado. Take a classic car tour and catch live music in the evening.
Top tip
Bring cash; foreign cards often don't work in Cuba.
Need to know
- UK visitors need a Cuban tourist card (e-visa) before travelling.
- Visiting Cuba makes you ineligible for the US ESTA, so you would need a full US visa for future trips to the USA.
- Shortages and power cuts are common, so bring cash, any medicines you need and patience.
Plan this trip
- Rough cost
- £750 to £2,000 per person, including flights from the UK
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 days
- Best time to go
- November to April
- Fly into
- HAV airport
Long-haul flights are the main cost, as casas particulares and food are fairly cheap once you're there.
Sample itinerary
- Day 1Fly in and explore Old Havana's plazas
- Day 2A classic car ride along the Malecón and a cigar factory
- Day 3Day trip to the tobacco fields of Viñales
- Day 4The Fábrica de Arte Cubano and live salsa in the evening
Do it yourself
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My experience
Ticked off, but the full story is still to be written up.
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