GET TO KNOW HAVANA
Havana at a glance
There are plenty of things to do in Havana, and so much to discover. The largest and most vibrant city in the Caribbean, it has a unique character t...
1FEATUREDGetting around in Havana
There are so many things to do in Havana, and there are several ways to get around in the city. The quickest and most convenient way to get around, is...
2FEATUREDCustoms
Smoking is permitted in public places in Cuba and most people indulge, so get used to the stink of smoke in every bar and restaurant once again.
3FEATUREDJineteros
Cuba has a low crime rate thanks to the high police presence, so the most common trouble encountered by visitors is due to the many jineteros or hustl...
4FEATUREDMoney
One of the most confusing aspects of travel to Cuba is the double economy. Theoretically, tourists use convertibles (CUC) – roughly matched to the dol...
6FEATUREDJosé Martí International Airport
The fact Havana airport has Terminals 1, 2, 3 and then 5 - missing out 4 - is a telling introduction to this oft-illogical country. Terminal 1 handles...
7FEATUREDCentro
Everything located between the baroque beauty of Habana Vieja and the leafy high life of Vedado can be called Centro.
8FEATUREDHabana Vieja
Multi-coloured colonial masterpieces line the cobbled streets, winding towards picture-perfect squares draped in bougainvillea and steeped in history.
9FEATUREDMiramar and the Western Suburbs
The final suburb to be developed before the Revolution, this is where the last of the American dollars were poured, evident in the grandiose white man...
11FEATUREDVedado
With its mainly modern architecture, Vedado may not be as pretty as some areas of the city, but this is the most important barrio for Cubans' everyday...
12FEATUREDBici taxi
Hurtling along the cobbled streets of Havana Vieja, crashing over bumps whilst feeling a little like royalty in your own personal carriage-for-two, bi...
13FEATUREDColectivos
The beat-up old beauties you'll see with a taxi sticker in the window are local collectives - collective taxis - also called máquinas.
14FEATUREDTaxi
Public transport does exist in Havana and the bus system is improving, but it is near indecipherable for foreigners, with the long wait times, cramped...
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