Old Havana
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Havana ( / həˈvænə /; Spanish: La Habana [la aˈβana] ⓘ; Lucumi: Ilú Pupu Ilé) [5] is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of the La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center. [6] . It is the most populous city, the largest by area, and the second largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean region.
- (+53) 07
- Cuba
- 59 m (195 ft)
- Latin America and the Caribbean
- Bring Proof of Insurance
- Fill in An Online Immigration Form in Advance
- Different Rules Apply For Us Citizens
- Double-Check You Have A Tourist Card
- It's Better to Book Accommodations in Advance
- Wise Up on The New Money Situation
- Pack The Right Clothes to Fit with Your Plans
- Learn Havana's Colloquial Greetings
- Consider Investing in Some Quality Earplugs
- The Streets Often Have Two Names
Despite Cuba's extensive state healthcare system, visitors are required to have medical insurance to enter Cuba, and you’ll need to bring a digital or printed proof of your policy. Random checks are conducted at the airport; if you arrive without insurance, you’ll be asked to buy a Cuban policy at the airport.
With Cuba being one of the world's last Communist states, there's a bit of red tape to navigate. An online form called D’Viajeroscontaining immigration and health information must be completed by all travelers. You can digitally fill out the form up to 72 hours before you arrive in Cuba, so make this part of your pre-check-in preparations.
As a result of the strained political relationship between Cuba and the US, different rules apply for Americans traveling to Cuba. To visit, you'll have to apply for a travel licensein one of 12 special categories. There's no category for vacation, but visitors can often gain entry under the rather opaque “support for the Cuban people” category. Ch...
To enter Cuba, all visitors need to present a completed Tourist Card. This travel document is usually available through your airline and is included in the price of many plane tickets, but check with your airline to make sure. If your airline doesn't provide you with a Tourist Card, you can purchase one through a Cuban travel agency; costs range fr...
Booking your accommodations before you arrive will not only guarantee you have a place to stay, it will also allow you to pay in advance and travel with less cash – a welcome situation considering the complicated rules for payments in Cuba. Book a hotel through a reputable agency – Canada-based A Nash Travel has some excellent deals. If you’d prefe...
The rules for making payments in Cuba have always been confusing, even to Cubans, and things have recently become even more confusing. The country abolished the convertible Cuban peso (CUC) in January 2021 and took the US dollar out of circulation in June 2021, leading to massive inflation and the emergence of a rampant black market. The knock-on e...
The general dress code in Cuba is pretty casual. Jeans and a T-shirt or button-up shirt are standard attire for guys and girls, though some Cuban women wear colorful rumba dresses for special occasions. The only real dress code is in cinemas, theaters, nightclubs and upscale restaurants, where male patrons are required to wear long trousers and shi...
Like most big cities, Havana has a rich seam of urban slang. The classic Habanero greeting between friends is qué bola, asere?– which means something akin to “how’s it going, man?” or “what’s up, buddy?” The word asereis derived from a Nigerian Igbo salutation originally used by the Afro-Cuban Abakuá brotherhood. The greeting caught on and has now ...
With Havana's crowded houses, narrow streets and penchant for loud live music, this can be one noisy city – and the noise from the street and neighboring rooms and buildings can easily spill into the confines of your room. If you have sensitive hearing, bring some earplugs or plan on staying in a quieter part of Havana. The suburban (eastern) half ...
Some of Havana’s streets go by two names: a contemporary one that is noted on maps and marked on street signs and a pre-revolutionary one that is still used widely by locals. This can be confusing if you set out on foot to explore Havana's diverse neighborhoods, especially when locals start giving out directions or addresses using the old nomenclat...
- Join a free walking tour of Old Havana. There are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and then there’s Habana Vieja, a beguiling amalgamation of gorgeous architecture and gritty street life, which was named one of 25 World Heritage sites with best practices in conservation.
- Relax with locals on the Malecón sea wall in the evenings. If you want to see Havana in all its glory, take a walk along the ocean-front Malecón – all 7km (4.3 miles) of it – stretching from the jaws of the harbor to the mouth of the Río Almendares.
- See street art in Fusterlandia. The pinnacle of Havana’s alfresco art scene and a community project extraordinaire, Fusterlandia was the dream of Havana-based artist José Fuster that grew over two decades into a spectacular art district.
- Enjoy the infectious energy of Havana's streets. Havana exudes an infectious energy. Walk its streets and soak up the atmosphere: you'll likely be sidestepping games of soccer, dodging swerving bici-taxis, peering into cavernous buildings, and listening to residents having lively conversations that could involve anything from "Dime hermano" (how’s it going, bro?)
- Explore Old Havana. A visit to Old Havana is a must for any traveler visiting Havana; it’s easily one of the best things to do in Havana. This historic area of the city is an incredible mix of architectural styles, museums, plazas, cafes, bars, and restaurants.
- Walk on the Malecón. Havana’s Malecón oceanfront promenade is a vital part of the city, and strolling along the sidewalk by the ocean (ideally at sunset) is a great way to take in the city.
- Visit La Fábrica de Arte Cubano. You can’t come to Havana without visiting Fábrica de Arte Cubano. In just a decade since its founding, this mixed-use arts space has become world-famous, hosting everyone from Questlove and CimaFunk to Michelle Obama and Anthony Bourdain.
- Take in the View at Cristo de La Habana. Located directly across the harbor from Old Havana, you’ll notice a prominent statue of Christ with his arms outstretched towards the city – this is the famous Cristo de la Habana statue.
5 days ago · Havana, city, capital, major port, and leading commercial center of Cuba. It is located on La Habana (Havana) Bay on the island’s north coast. It is the largest city in the Caribbean region and has one of the great treasuries of historic colonial preserves in the Western Hemisphere.
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Discover Havana's attractions, culture, history and cuisine with Lonely Planet's expert tips and recommendations. Explore the city's iconic landmarks, such as the Malecón, the Capitolio, the Necrópolis Cristóbal Colón and more.
Jan 27, 2024 · Learn everything you need to know about visiting Havana, Cuba, from the best things to do, where to stay, when to go, and how to get there. Whether you're looking for history, culture, cuisine, or nightlife, Havana has something for everyone.
