Havana

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For other places with the same name, see Havana (disambiguation).

Havana City (Spanish Ciudad de la Habana) is the capital city of Cuba, and one of the fourteen provinces of the Republic of Cuba.

The Catedral de San Cristobal, Havana Vieja (Old Havana).

Parque Central from Hotel Inglaterra, Havana Vieja (Old Havana).

[edit] Understand

In the 1950s before the Communist revolution, Havana was one of the vacation hot-spots of the Caribbean, and since Cuba reopened to tourism in the 1990s, it has become a popular destination once again (albeit with much fewer U.S. citizens, due to travel restrictions by Washington. However, there will be lots of tourists at any time of year, so expect huge crowds and long lines in places.

Havana is quite the tourist trap. There will be plenty of people trying to over-charge you for various items. Don't expect people to speak English, even hotel staff or airport officials.

El Habanero [1] and Tribuna de la Habana [2] are the local periodicals.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Jose Marti International Airport (IATA: HAV) has three separate terminals. Terminal 1 is for internal (domestic) flights, Terminal 2 is mainly for charter flights from the USA and Terminal 3 is used for all other international flights.

Customs officials can be very strict, and will probably snoop out any suspicious electronics or other items. Customs officials and immigration officials also work very slowly and inefficiently, so expect a very long wait when entering the country.

[edit] By train

The main train line in the country runs between Havana and Santiago de Cuba via Matanzas, Santa Clara and Camagüey. There is one overnight train daily on this route. This service is the Tren Francés on alternate days, which is more reliable and comfortable than other Cuban trains. Three overnight local trains operating every second day run east on the main line, branching off to Manzanillo, Morón and Sancti Spiritus. There is also a local daytime train to Matanzas, Santa Clara and Camagüey every second day.

Other routes to/from Havana include a very slow daytime local train to Cienfuegos that runs every second day, a faster late-evening train to Matanzas and Cienfuegos that returns overnight (also every second day), and an overnight local train to Pinar del Rio that returns during the day (also every second day). Trains to Guantanamo and Holguin have been suspended due to poor track conditions and replaced by buses. The Hershey electric trains between Havana and Matanzas are very dilapidated and are not recommended except for the most die-hard train enthusiasts.

[edit] By car

[edit] By bus

Viazul [3] operates an inter-city coach service from most major destinations including Camagüey, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santa Clara, Santiago de Cuba, Trinidad, Varadero and Viñales. The service is comfortable, with frequent rest stops (and a few on-board snacks) and usually runs on time.

[edit] By boat

Due to political circumstances, it is difficult to enter Cuba by sea. Visiting mariners need to make arrangements in advance of entering port to avoid difficulties. Also, most ports are closed to unauthorised visitors.

[edit] Get around

coco taxi, Coco taxis are cheap transport.

[edit] By taxi

As a tourist the most convenient way of getting around Havana is by taxi. Some of the taxis are old American Chevys and the like from the 1950's, others are (somewhat) newer Russian Ladas, whilst most tourist taxis are modern Peugeots, Skodas and even Mercedes.

It is illegal for tourists to ride in anything other than the official government taxis. However, its is often easier to wave down one of the old Chevys or Ladas. When riding in an illegal taxi, negotiate the fare ahead of time. The fare in illegal taxis will be no cheaper than the official taxi fare. Around the city, taking illegal taxis should be no problem. However, taking an illegal taxi to or from the airport may attract the attention of the police.

Taxi collectivos are the old, beaten-up yank-tanks with a taxi sign on the roof or in the front window. Tourists are not supposed to take them, but you will rarely run into problems and they are a fun and cheap alternative to the state-run taxis. They have set fares and run set routes, so you may need some assistance when taking them the first few times. Fares vary from 10 CUP for a short (5 km) run during the day to 20 CUP for a longer run or at night. The drivers are generally honest regarding the fares, but it is best not to appear oblivious by asking how much at the end of the trip. Always watch what the other passengers give and if in doubt give 10 CUP, and if he asks for another 10 then hand it over. There can be a long wait trying to get a taxi collectivo as they are very popular with Cubans and often full, but the experience and savings make it worthwhile.

The cheapest taxi company in Havana by far is Panataxi. These are usually yellow or white Ladas with a red sign (recently they have also added yellow Peugeots) and are worth waiting for to save a few dollars. Panataxi will take you to the airport on the meter, if you ask, for around 12 CUC from Central Havana.

Coco Taxis, yellow three wheel motorbikes, are a cheap way of getting around central Havana.

[edit] By bus

El Camello, an unusual local bus in Havana.

For the real Havana experience try El Camello, a split-level bus pulled by a semi-truck, and resembling a 2 humped camel (thus the name). For just a few pesos you can take part in the experiment: how many Cubans fit in a Camello. The answer is somewhere around 300 liters. A common joke is that the camellos are like the Saturday night movie - full of violence, sex, and bad language. Remember to bring Peso change as the conductor probably won't be prepared to break a note, and hold on to your wallet.

Other local buses can also get crowded, but in the suburbs are a practical means of transport for visitors.

[edit] By Car

Hiring a car is a great experience as the road signs are not particularly good but the hitchhikers are.

[edit] By foot

Walking around Habana is by far the best way to see and experience the city, get a decent map of the city and explore.

[edit] See

• Museum of the Revolution and the Capital building.

• Visit a cigar factory - there is one just behind the Capital Building (cost CUC 10 for a half hour guided tour, no photography allowed, no free walking in the factory).

• Havana Club rum factory

• Walks along the Prado street in the evening

• Walks along El Malecon.

• Enjoy the faded glory of La Habana Vieja (the old town)

• Plaza de la Revolucion, the huge square dominated by a statue and monument to Jose Marti and the iconic image of Che Guevara adorning the Ministry of the Interior. Arrive either early or late as it is often swamped by tourists and gets very hot during the day.

• John Lennon Park in Vedado, featuring the only statue to a western musician in Havana. Notable for having his glasses regularily stolen and replaced.

• The US Special Interests building in Vedado, just off the Malecon. In the absence of a United States embassy in Cuba this heavily fortified and guarded building is where Cuban citizens go to apply for US Visas. It is also the focus for regularily staged protests and is famous for the anti-American billboards displayed opposite.

• Hotel Habana Libre in Vedado housed Castro's soldiers for several days after they took Havana. It has an excellent selection of photos in the lobby along with one of the only 24 hour fast food restaurants in the city.

• The Catedral de San Cristobal in Havana, old town, fortress and many other places.

[edit] Do

the Malecón, a great place for a stroll.

• Walks along the Malecón, the sea wall that runs along the Havana coastline. On weekends this is where the locals come to party, so bring a bottle and join in.

• Latin American New Cinema Festival, [4] is a popular event held every other December, screening international films and drawing around 500,000 people.

• Tropicana Show a cabaret show that costs 90 CUC. It is a must see show while you are in Havana.

• Take a tour in an old car. For around 20 to 30 CUC an hour for up to four people, be driven around Havana in style. Choose a car you like near the Hotel Inglaterra or outside the Museum of the Revolution.

[edit] Live Music

Nearly every restaurant in town has a decent house band playing old favorites.

• Hotel Nacional often hosts big name talent such as Omara Portuondo.

• La Zorra y el Cuervo, La Rampa, (near the Hotel Habana Libre). A tiny little club below street level, they often host funky and amazing jazz musicians - come here for something a little different.

• Casa de la Musica is the place to be if you like do dance Salsa.

[edit] Learn

• The University of Havana, [5]. Offers intensive Spanish courses from 1 week/20 hours (100 CUC) to 4 weeks/80 hours (360 CUC). Contact Professor Judith Portal Jportalm@flex.uh.cu.

[edit] Work

[edit] Buy

Havana is a surprisingly expensive city to stay in; if you stay in hotels and eat in restaurants it can work out every bit as expensive as London or Paris. The problem is that Cuba has a dual economy; if you could live on pesos it would be incredibly cheap. Sadly, as a tourist this is virtually impossible. Most peso hotels won't take foreigners or, if they do you have to pay in CUC. If you are on any kind of a budget it is advised to stay in casas particulares; it is much cheaper, often more comfortable and the food (a recurring theme in Cuba) is almost invariably better.

ATMs are not too hard to find in downtown Havana, but bear in mind that American credit- and debitcards can not be used in Havana. Also, the ATMs do not accept MasterCard/Maestro but are marked to accept Visa.

You can withdraw money from your MasterCard-creditcard in a couple of exchange offices. There is one in the basement of the Hotel Nacional, but expect quite steep service fees.

Exchanging US dollars in a CADECA (Casa de cambio) will incur a 10% penality.

[edit] Eat

Whilst Convertible Peso restaurants can be quite expensive at the top end for rather mediocre food some such as the Café de Oriente have splendid ambiance. The average government run restaurants are about $20 for two and hence cannot be compared in any way to London or Paris.

• Copellia Ice Cream parlour, opposite the Habana Libre is practically a Cuban institution with people waiting up to an hour to get a seat. Prices are in Peso's and CUC (obviously the queues being for the peso area!).

[edit] Budget

Peso stalls are all over the city, particulary on Prado Marti.

With Cuban national pesos, you can get ice cream for only 1 peso ($0.04 USD). You can also get a filling bocadito (small ham sandwiches) for only 20 pesos ($0.80 USD).

Particularly, the Terminal de Omnibus, by the Plaza de la Revolucion, has a very good peso cafe with offerings as fried chicken for only 25 pesos ($1.00 USD).

[edit] Mid-range

Keeping your eyes open you can find complete menus (starter or salad, soup, main dish, dessert and a national beverage) for 6-10 CUC. In the Vieja there are such restaurants in the smaller, not very crowded streets.

[edit] Splurge

[edit] Drink

• La Bodeguita del Medio is the bar in which to sample a Mojito. The former hang-out of Ernest Hemingway, it is best sampled in the evening once the tourist crowds from Varadero have headed back out of the city.

• You can have a great time just outside of the Hotel Inglaterra near the Capitólio Building, drinking good daiquiri's and mojito's at an affordable price (2 CUC in September 2005).

• El Floridita’, a restaurant-bar located on Obispo Street. You should try a daiquirí or the ‘Hemingway Special’.

Gay Travelers: The gay and lesbian community in Cuba is very underground. There are no openly gay clubs, bars or cafes. A noteable exception is the Bim-Bom ice cream parlour at the corner of Calle Infanta and Malecon, which attracts a wide variety of locals on weekends.

[edit] Sleep

There are 3 main areas that travelers generally stay in: Old Havana is the liveliest (some would say hectic and dirty), Central Havana is slightly quieter and parts can be a bit seedy, and Vedado is the quietest with more greenery, and is the place to find the large hotels and nicer casas particulares.

Hotels vary. Don't be surprised if you have no hot water and bad TV-reception in a hotel that still goes to the effort of having an in-hotel doctor and hosting extravagant shows of syncronized swimming in the hotel pool.

[edit] Budget

• Casa Ines Calle Segunda #559, (between Ayesteran y Ayuntamiento) Plaza de la Revolucion, 53-7-8700237. [6], [7].

• Casa de Jesus y Saida Valdez Calle 24 #262, Apt #5, (between 17 y 19) Vedado, 53-7-830-7279.

• Casa Cary Virtudes #511 (Top Floor, Between Lealtad y Preseverancia) +53-7-863-1802 [8].

• Casa Particular Havana, 28 Street #270, Apt F, (between 23 and 21), Vedado, 53-7-830-8007 [9], [10].

• La Casa de Ana, havana, 17 St #1422, apartment 1 - Between 26 & 28 st -. +53-7-833-5128 [11], [12].

[edit] Mid-range

• Casa de Sergio and Miriam, Luz 109, (in the center of Old Havana), + 00 537 860 8192, [13].

• Hotel Inglaterra, Paseo del Prado, Old Havana, [14]. A popular hotel with a restaurant for those wanting to stay closer to the action yet still in the comforts of a hotel. Rooms from $80.

• Hotel Telegrafo, Prado y Neptuno, Old Havana. A popular hotel just around the corner from Parque Central, right next to Inglaterra. Renovated in 2004, and now really nice inside - a welcome haven of peace away from Vieja. Hide toothbrushes as the cleaning staff tend to use them! Rooms $80-120, cheaper if you book ahead with Opodo.

[edit] Splurge

• Tryp Habana Libre Hotel, La Rampa, (just off the Malecón in Vedado), [15]. A Havana landmark in a good location, it's popular with tourists and journalists, has a good 24 hour cafe on site, and a business center with decent internet connections.

• Hotel Nacional, Calle 21 y O, Vedado, (53-7) 836 3564, [16]. Overlooking the ocean on the Malecón, this place is legendary. Some stay here and rarely leave the hotel, enjoying the nice restaurant, frequent live perfomances by renowned Cuban musicians, and enjoying the views while sipping Mojitos. But did you come to see Havana, or hang out in a hotel? Maybe some of both is called for. The Hotel also has an excellent, if expensive business centre featuring CNN, Internet access and a bar. Rooms from $120.

• The Hotel Saratoga, corner of Prado and Dragones, Old Havana, (53-7) 868 1000, [17]. Opened in November 2005, it is regarded by many as the highest quality hotel in Cuba.

[edit] Contact

The city code for Havana is 7. Prefix with 0 or 01 when calling from within Cuba.

Internet cafes can be found at ETESCA (the state telephone company) offices, in Hotel Havana Libre, Hotel Inglatera (cheapest but slowest), Hotel Nacional and at the Capitolio.

[edit] Stay safe

Popular tourist places (Habana Vieja, El Malecón etc.) are watched by policemen, so you don't have to be afraid of being attacked. Be wary of hustlers (jinteros/as) offering to show you a place to eat or offering a tour of the city as you'll be stuck paying hefty prices to cover their commission.

[edit] Cope

[edit] Embassies and High Commissions

• British Embassy, +53 (0) 7 204 1771.

• Canadian Embassy, +53 (0) 7 204 2516.

• South African Embassy, +53 (0) 7 204 9671.

• U.S. Interests Section, +53 (0) 7 33 3551.

[edit] Get out

• Varadero
• Pinar del Rio
• Isla de la Juventud
• Trinidad

WikiPedia:Havana

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