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Slow the Hands of Time in Old Havana
Published by Melaina Gasbarrino, Writer
Country: Cuba 
The Experience
A city founded in 1519 has much history, life and unique explorations awaiting your arrival. Step into Old Havana and experience an elegant town that used to be a crossing point between the New and Old World for the treasure laden Spanish Galleons. With its rich history, Old Havana creates wonder in the minds of those that walk through the uneven streets. Built in neoclassical style, through the years Old Havana has gone through much disarrangement, but continually caters to the tourist who is looking for a relaxing laidback vacation.
To step into Old Havana you may want a little bit of background information about the city to familiarize yourself with its many years of greatness. The city was based around the port back in the 17th century and to this day still is. Many moons ago the city was destroyed by a fire and after this the city rebuilt itself through walls of protection. To this day the city stands tall through all its trials and tribulations and is now deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
And now to the good stuff, all the sights and sounds of Old Havana that await you the second you step off the plane. First things first, you of course have to walk through The Malecon. The Malecon is Old Havana’s approximately 7km promenade. This promenade is unique in its own right as when you walk along it you will catch the wondrous sights and sounds of the sea and take in the majestic beauty of the buildings found in Old Havana.
Catch the sunset here as the buildings light up and truly show off their beauty. Walk through The Plaza de Armas, known as the tourist square, Central Park or Plaza Viega, all showcase various monuments to showcase the history of Cuba. If you are in the mood for theatre then head on over to The Gran Teatro de la Habana (The Greater Theater of Havana) to enjoy a night of taking in the wonders of the Cuban theater. As it is the biggest theater in Cuba it sure should be a ‘must’ on your to do list.
If you enjoy history and beauty ensure you visit La Cabana fortress where soldiers dressed in suits shoot gunshots every night at 9pm. The Museum of the Revolution and San Salvador de la Punta Fortress, an architecturally sound building built in 1590 should be at the top of your list as well.
The Catedral de San Cristobal and San Francisco de la Habana Basilica showcase Cuba’s beauty as you walk through each of these churches. Each unique in their own right and created ever so long ago are truly sights to see.
Love rum? Well then one of your stops must be at the Barcardi Building. Built way back in 1930 and is regarded as one of the best art deco buildings in all of Latin America.
Old Havana is rich in culture, beauty and architecture. This city awaits your arrival with around 3,000 buildings that surround its narrow streets, now all you have to do is book your travels to this perfect spot.
To step into Old Havana you may want a little bit of background information about the city to familiarize yourself with its many years of greatness. The city was based around the port back in the 17th century and to this day still is. Many moons ago the city was destroyed by a fire and after this the city rebuilt itself through walls of protection. To this day the city stands tall through all its trials and tribulations and is now deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
And now to the good stuff, all the sights and sounds of Old Havana that await you the second you step off the plane. First things first, you of course have to walk through The Malecon. The Malecon is Old Havana’s approximately 7km promenade. This promenade is unique in its own right as when you walk along it you will catch the wondrous sights and sounds of the sea and take in the majestic beauty of the buildings found in Old Havana.
Catch the sunset here as the buildings light up and truly show off their beauty. Walk through The Plaza de Armas, known as the tourist square, Central Park or Plaza Viega, all showcase various monuments to showcase the history of Cuba. If you are in the mood for theatre then head on over to The Gran Teatro de la Habana (The Greater Theater of Havana) to enjoy a night of taking in the wonders of the Cuban theater. As it is the biggest theater in Cuba it sure should be a ‘must’ on your to do list.
If you enjoy history and beauty ensure you visit La Cabana fortress where soldiers dressed in suits shoot gunshots every night at 9pm. The Museum of the Revolution and San Salvador de la Punta Fortress, an architecturally sound building built in 1590 should be at the top of your list as well.
The Catedral de San Cristobal and San Francisco de la Habana Basilica showcase Cuba’s beauty as you walk through each of these churches. Each unique in their own right and created ever so long ago are truly sights to see.
Love rum? Well then one of your stops must be at the Barcardi Building. Built way back in 1930 and is regarded as one of the best art deco buildings in all of Latin America.
Old Havana is rich in culture, beauty and architecture. This city awaits your arrival with around 3,000 buildings that surround its narrow streets, now all you have to do is book your travels to this perfect spot.
When to Go to Havana Cuba
Your bags are all packed and you are all set to depart for your trip, one thing you should consider before booking your trip is hurricane season. Hurricane season in Cuba lasts from June to mid November, thus the best time of year to visit Old Havana is during the wonderful sunny months of March to May.
During these months temperatures rise to 26 to 30C, the perfect temperature for you to take a dip in the sea and enjoy the soft white sand. High season in Old Havana is December and March so keep watch for an increase in prices during this time. The weather is mostly beautiful all year round so my suggestion to you is book early if you know exactly when you want to travel to Old Havana!
Want to take in some Cuban art while in Old Havana, then ensure you are there from April 13th to 17th when the International Dance Festival takes place. This festival showcases local artists as they showcase their devotion to art and their culture.
From December 15th to 18th check out The Havana International Jazz Festival. Be swooped into days of jam-packed streets while all strum away to the sounds of music.
In January the Casa de las Americas is held. This is festival showcases the literary productions within Latin America and is held in Havana. Rich in culture Old Havana or cities near continually have festivals throughout the year so check out which festivals intrigue you and then book your vacation to Old Havana based around that!
During these months temperatures rise to 26 to 30C, the perfect temperature for you to take a dip in the sea and enjoy the soft white sand. High season in Old Havana is December and March so keep watch for an increase in prices during this time. The weather is mostly beautiful all year round so my suggestion to you is book early if you know exactly when you want to travel to Old Havana!
Want to take in some Cuban art while in Old Havana, then ensure you are there from April 13th to 17th when the International Dance Festival takes place. This festival showcases local artists as they showcase their devotion to art and their culture.
From December 15th to 18th check out The Havana International Jazz Festival. Be swooped into days of jam-packed streets while all strum away to the sounds of music.
In January the Casa de las Americas is held. This is festival showcases the literary productions within Latin America and is held in Havana. Rich in culture Old Havana or cities near continually have festivals throughout the year so check out which festivals intrigue you and then book your vacation to Old Havana based around that!
Odds n' Ends
When traveling to Cuba there are no vaccinations or immunizations that are needed, but some things that you should note prior to departing to this beautiful country. First things first, it is advised to stick to bottled water (or for the environmentally friendly people out there stick to any drink that is bottled). Also avoid fresh vegetables as there is a good chance they are washed in tap water.
When traveling to Cuba you must have proof of medical insurance. If you don't have this they you will have to buy medical insurance at the airport for a small fee.
You will also need a Cuban tourist card issued by your tour operator and a valid passport.
And now onto the fun stuff, what to pack! It is essential that you pack light, loose coloured cotton clothing as the warm air will be too hot to take if you have dark clothing on. It's highly recommended to bring a good pair of walking shoes as the uneven streets may give you soar feet by the end of your vacation if you don't bring a good pair of shoes! Ensure you pack whatever toiletries you will need for the duration of your vacation to Old Havana as pharmacies are scarce. Bring a beach towel and a cute bikini to bask in the sun all day long, and also bring a wash-cloth as your hotel may not provide you with these necessities. Most importantly just enjoy your vacation to Old Havana!
When traveling to Cuba you must have proof of medical insurance. If you don't have this they you will have to buy medical insurance at the airport for a small fee.
You will also need a Cuban tourist card issued by your tour operator and a valid passport.
And now onto the fun stuff, what to pack! It is essential that you pack light, loose coloured cotton clothing as the warm air will be too hot to take if you have dark clothing on. It's highly recommended to bring a good pair of walking shoes as the uneven streets may give you soar feet by the end of your vacation if you don't bring a good pair of shoes! Ensure you pack whatever toiletries you will need for the duration of your vacation to Old Havana as pharmacies are scarce. Bring a beach towel and a cute bikini to bask in the sun all day long, and also bring a wash-cloth as your hotel may not provide you with these necessities. Most importantly just enjoy your vacation to Old Havana!
Places to Eat
- La Bodeguita del Medio Restaurant
- La Bodeguita del Medio opened in 1997 and is the perfect spot to enjoy a cigar, cocktail and of course local Cuban cuisine. A favourite among the locals this restaurant creates a friendly, laid-back where you take in the tropical atmosphere while diving into Cuban specialities and fresh seafood the restaurant has to offer.
- Los Doce Apostoles
- Enjoy typical Cuban food at Los Doce Apostoles and be sure to stay after dinner as the restaurant turns into one enjoyable night. The restaurant itself has a beautiful view as it is located at the base of Morro Castle, just behind a battery of 12 cannons. Eat inside or out and enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes Cuba has to offer here.
- El Floridita Restaurant
- El Floridita is a restaurant that is a must to venture to while in Old Havana. All food is cooked to perfection and the wonderful atmosphere makes you want to come back for more and more! Sit back and relax and take in the beauty of Cuba here.
Recommended Places to Stay
- The Saratoga Hotel
- Havana's Hotel Saratoga holds an eclectic style that awaits you and your fellow travelers. At The Saratoga Hotel you will be at ease when you step through the doors as the hotel boasts a daily standard of excellence. With 96 rooms and plenty of amenities you will throughly enjoy your vacation to Old Havana.
- Hotel Mercure Sevilla Havane
- With 178 rooms the Hotel Mercure Sevilla Havane is set in the heart of Old Havana historic sight. This hotel creates a perfect atmosphere to rest your head on your pillow at night as the hotel is around all the sights and sounds that Old Havana has to offer.
- Hotel Conde De Villanueva
- A four star hotel, Hotel Conde De Villanueva allows guests to take in the beauty of its 18th century mansion with all the rustic, unique charm the hotel has to offer. This hotel is the perfect spot to enjoy some rest and relaxation. For the cigar lovers that stay at Hotel Conde De Villanueva the hotel boasts the most respected cigar shop in town. Las Casa del Habano may be rented out to private guests to allow clients to enjoy their own personal reserve.
Additional Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
Villa Los Pinos, one of the Gran Caribe Premium Hotel group offers a warm environment and excellent services confirming its unquestionable quality characteristic of this ... 0 miles away
$3017 CUP+
Discovering colonial Havana is an additional pleasure for the guests of the Hotel Inglaterra, the oldest hotel in Cuba, which soon will celebrate its 130th ... 0 miles away
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