| La
Habana
Capital
of Habana Province

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Waves attack the
famous boulevard "El
Malecon", and it's a spectacular view.
The Malecon is the place where loving couples walk along
the colorful boulevard arm in arm. La Habana, a city
which makes you want to go back in time to when time
seemed slower and the living was easy... La Habana is
old American cars, cigars, rum, jineteros and la vida
Hanbanera.
Live
music is everywhere, and the Habaneros are performing
in order to earn their daily dosis of convertible
pesos, so that they can buy what they need at the dollar
stores to take care of their families.
It's not
easy to live and survive for an Habanero
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Habana's
Most Important Districts
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| Havana
Vieja |
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This
area has the most colonial buildings and is the most
visited area for tourists who visit Havana but it's
also its most beautiful spot. Foreigners walking through
the streets getting hustled by jineteros, taking pictures
or just having a (Cristal) beer.
Habana's
Vieja is famous for the Catedral de San Cristoal de
la Habana at the Plaza de la Catedral, and for Hemingway's
bar,
"La Bodeguita del Medio", where you can buy
an expensive mojito. |
Havana
Centro |
 |
The
Capitolio marks the beginning of central Havana,
a working class neighborhood, where alot of buildings
are almost in a total state of collapse. On the
other side of the street you will find Real Farica
de Tabacos Partagas, one Cuba's oldest cigar factories.
Centro
Habana Tour Video Download, see half way this
page ... |
|
Havana Vedado |
 |
Vedado,
located along the Caribbean waterfront, was developed
extensively during the decades between 1930 and 1960,
when Havana developed as a major destination for U.S.
tourists.
High-rise
hotels,
casinos, restaurants, and upscale commercial establishments,
many reflecting the then-popular art deco style, mushroomed
in the Vedado district. |
| In
the late 1990s Vedado represented the principal commercial
area of the city, and its environs were home to a variety
of important landmarks including the
Hotel Nacional,
José Martí Stadium, the University of Havana,
the National Theater of Cuba, and the Colón
Cemetery. |
Havana Miramar |
 |
Miramar
lies further west along the coast, and retains its exclusive
feel. Foreign embassies, diplomatic residences, upscale
shops, and tourist facilities for wealthy foreigners
are common in the area. |
|
| La
Habana |
| The
Cuban capital has scores of sites to visit. Old Havana, which
UNESCO has declared to be a part of world heritage, contains
many palaces, public squares, avenues, churches, fortresses
and other forifications (including the largest fortified complex
in the Americas dating from the 16th through 18th centuries.
There are dozens of theaters and movie theaters and several
cigar factories, where you can see how the best cigars in
the world are made-and buy some to take home.
Some
of its nightclubs and cabarets are world renowned: the Tropicana
Nightclub and the Parisien, Habana Cafe, Macumba Habana, La
Zorra y el Cuervo (the Fox and the Crow, for jazz & Cuba-Junky's
favorite!), El Gato Tuerto (The One-Eyed Cat, for soul music)
and Dos Gardenias (Two Gardenias, for Boleros). Its best known
restaurants and bars include La Bodeguita del Medio, the Floridita,
El Aljibe, El Patio and (in Cojimar) La Terraza.
Havana
has around 50 museums (including the Museum of Fine Art, the
Revolution and Decorative Arts; the National Museum of Music;
the Museum of Dance and Rum; Cigar Museum; the Napoleonic,
Colonial and Oricha Museums; the Museum of Antropology; the
Ernest Hemingway Museum; the Jose Marti Monument; Museums
of Natural Sciences, the City, Archeology, and Gold-and Silverwork;
and the Aircraft, Parfume, Pharmaceutical, Sports, Numismatic
and Weapons Museums). It also has 2 zoos, the National Botanical
Garden, Lenin Park (an enormous area that serves as the city's
"lungs"), the National Aquarium and two fairgrounds:
PABEXPO and EXPOCUBA.
Be
sure to visit Revolution Square; the Rampa (the part of 23rd
street that goes from L street down to the sea (Malecon),
which Havana residents consider the heart of the city; the
Malecon Seawall Drive, which hugs the coast;
the town of Cojimar, to the east (it has a long fishing tradition
and was the setting for Hemingway's
The Old Man and the Sea); The residential areas of Miramar
and Vedado; and the Capitol (built in 1929, similar to but
smaller than the Capitol in Washington, DC)
Havana
also has several large monuments and parks; Central Park and
American Fraternity Park (with busts of several North and
South American liberators and a tree planted with soul from
21 American countries).
Other
places of interest include Colon (Columbus) Cemetary,
one of the most artistic ones in the world; the Model of the
City; China town; and the University of Havana (founded in
1728).
Health
centers include the Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital, Camilo Cienfuegos
Center of Pigmentary Retinosis, Placental Histotherapy Center,
International Neurological
Restoration Center, La Padrera Spa, Cira Garcia Central Clinic,
Pedro Kouri Institute of Tropical Medicine, Frank Pais International
Orthopedic Complex and Surgical-Medical Research Center.
For
recreation, there is the Havana Golf Club (9 holes, plus professional
tennis and front-tennis courts) and the Habana Club (water
and other sports, social activities and restaurants).
International
festivals are held in the city every year in the spheres of
films, ballet, the guitar, contemporary music and theater.
There is also a biennial of art and several important congresses
and trade fairs, such as the International Fair of Havana.
Points
of interest in Havana Province include San Antonio de los
Banos-home of the International Film and TV School and of
the Humor Museum (which holds biennials of humor)-and Santa
Maria del Rosario, which has interesting architecture and
excellent medicinal mineral water.
Must
Do!!
| Wild
Bill's Pub Crawl |
|
Wild
Bill's Pub Crawl is a tour along several bars in Habana
Vieja
**
Download
Wild Bill's Pub Crawl through Habana Vieja for your
Ipod Video, and
take it with you to guide you through Habana Vieja.
Check out the video
For
the text version check out the Havana
Nightlife >>
Print
out the Map
>> |
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| Centro
Habana Tour |
|
The
Centro Habana Tour is tailormade by Cuba-Junky.com
It shows you the real part of La Habana.
No
official tour will show you this part of Cuba's
capital city and for Cuba-Junky its THE best part
to wander around besides Habana Vieja of course.
You
can easily print out the tour map and do this
tour by yourself
-
Print out the Google
tour map >>
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| Language
Courses in Habana |

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Something
else is learning Spanish in Havana:
All
the teachers are ‘native speakers’, competent
and very experienced. They give their lessons with lots of
passion and humor. Because of their very practical way of
teaching, it will amaze you how fast you will learn to speak
Spanish. Besides you will learn about the Cuban culture, not
out of a book but from the Cuban teachers themselves. |
| An
enthousiastic Cuban team will do everything to give you a
fantastic stay. Besides they also do organise an alternate
free time program, to be sure you will mingle as much as possible
between the local people and its culture.
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Spanish Lessons>>
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| Salsa
Courses in Habana |
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Who
does not want to learn dancing salsa when in Cuba?
The
international dance school “La Habana Dance Academy”,
located at the most beautiful neighborhood of La Habana "Miramar".
The school is set up in cooperation with the "Cuban Centro
Nacional de la Musica Popular". Today the school is a
very popular dance school with first class teachers and a
growing reputation; National as well international. |
| The
high level of the teachers, their passion and enthusiasm resultate
that the dancing classes are an unforgettable experience for
beginning and advanced students. The dancing school does not
only teach you the right steps, but will also introduce you
the 'Cuban Candela' into the salsa. Right from the beginning
of the lessons you will dance with a Cuban partner, in this
case you will have your own private lessons within a group.
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Slasa Course
>> |
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| UNESCO |
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The
colonial period, lasting nearly 400 years, gave Habana
much of the Spanish colonial architecture that distinguishes
it and led the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
to designate the colonial core of the city, Old Havana,
as a World Heritage Site in 1982.
See the
beautiful buildings of Havana. It's a shame that a lot
of them are in such poor condition. UNESCO is rebuilding
them bit by bit, in much the same way as they they are
doing in Trinidad. |
- More
info: UNESCO's website >>
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Morro
- Cabaña Historical Military Park
Carretera
de la Cabaña
on the far side of the harbor entrance. |
"Whoever
is master of this hill will be master of Havana"
was the assessment made of the location of the Morro
- La Cabaña fortress complex more than 400 years
ago by Antonelli, the engineer who designed the defense
system of Colonial Havana. The English, following Antonelli's
appraisal to the letter, took Morro Castle by storm
in 1762 and proceeded to occupy Havana, and when the
Spanish regained possession of the city they ensured
that would never happen again by building the most powerful
fortress in the Americas.
This
fortress, together with Morro Castle (Castillo de los
Tres Reyes del Morro), make up the Morro - Cabaña
Historical Military Park, the most extensive museum
in the country. Morro Castle is, in ftself, a museum
piece that reveals the solutions of renaissance architecture
applied to military strategy.
The
fortress of San Carlos and San Severino de La Cabaña
holds the most important collection of antique weapons
in the country: a full-scale medieval catapult and battering
ram; double-curved swords of Southeast Asia; the Indian
Katar, a fearsone three-bladed dagger; the venerable
katanas of the samurai; ornate Arabian rifles; and an
entire battery of cannon cast in Seville in the 18th
century.
When
Havana was a walled cfty, every night at 9:00 p.m. La
Cabaña fortress would fire one of fts cannon
to announce the closing of the doors, a tradition preserved
by the people of Havana to this very day. The impressive
view from Morro Castle or La Cabaña takes in
the entire harbor and the skyline of the city.
Open:
Monday to Sunday: 09:00 to 20:00.
Daily: 21:00 Cannon Ceremony
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Botanical
Gardens (Jardín Botánico)
Avenida 5ta y 68
Miramar
La Habana
Tel: +53 7 33 2047 |
Once
you are in the Botanical Gardens, simply breathe in
the beautiful scenery, with all its Caribbean species,
and particularly Cuban ones. Pay special attention to
the Japanese Garden, with its fountains and waterfalls:
a perfect excuse to stop and have a rest. At the end
of the trip there is a visit to Expocuba, followed by
an excellent traditional Cuban lunch at the Don Cuba
restaurant.
Disabled access is available.
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Callejón
de Hamel
San Lazaro # 955
E/ Aramburu y Hospital
Centro Habana |
This
project, dating back to 1990, highlights the prevalence
of African influences on Cuban culture. It was initiated
by the sculptor and painter Salvador Gonzáles
who, together with a group of friends, decided to paint
a mural celebrating Afro-Cuban culture, reclaiming a
public space as a forum for what they see as both a
cultural example of community-based art. A rumba group
gathers at the spot at noon every Sunday at 12:00, and
musicians as important as Clave y Guaguancó and
Los Muñequitos de Matanzas have been known to
attend.
The last Friday of each month is Ballad Night, with
poetry and traditional music. One Saturday per month
is dedicated to children's entertainment, and puppet
shows, comic theatre and clowns abound.
Disabled access is available.
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More about Callejon the Hamel >>
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Capitolio
Nacional
Calle Paseo del Prado
e/Calle Dragones y Calle San Jose
La Habana |
Built
in 1929 as the Senate and House of Representatives (and
said to be a replica of Washington DC's Capitol), this
colossal building is recognizable by its dome which
dominates the city's skyline. Inside stands the largest
indoor bronze statue in the world representing Pallas
Athena. Nowadays, the Museo Nacional de Historia Natural
(the National Museum of Natural History) has its venue
within the building and contains the largest natural
history collection in the country.
Behind
bronze doors whose panels depict scenes from Cuba's
history, lies an enormous gallery called the Hall of
Lost Steps. Under the dome, there is a replica of a
28-carat diamond that marks Havana's centre (for measuring
distances from the capital). There is a lot to see if
you wander around the rest of the building - the semi-circular
chamber where politicians used to sit as well as the
endless marble corridors and Italian Renaissance ceilings.
You can have your picture taken by one of the photographers
outside of the edifice, whose cameras date from the
1920's, or even check your emails back at home at the
Capitol's very own internet cafe.
In
the surrounding areas of the Capitol, there are a few
attractions worth visiting, among them, the Partagás
cigar factory, the Parque Central (Central Park), and
the Teatro Nacional (National Theathre) with its baroque
façade.
Admission:
$3.
Disabled access is available.
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Casa
de Las Américas
Calle 3ra. y G, El Vedado
La Habana
Tel: +53 7 55 2706 al 09, +53 7 33 4554. |
This
Cuban institution for Latin American and Carribean culture
was born with the revolution and has been in existance
for over forty years. Multidisciplinary in nature, its
annual programme includes talks, workshops and prizes
for literature, as well as art, photography, musicology
and print exhibitions.
The
galleries in the main building house one of the finest
collections of Latin American art. There are three separate
exhibition spaces and a specialised library.
Disabled
access is available.
Open: 8am-5pm Mon-Fri
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Castillo
San Salvador de la Punta
Esquina de Prado y Malecón
Habana Vieja
La Habana |
This
small fortress, at the western entry point to the harbour,
played a crucial role in the defence of Havana during
the first centuries of colonisation. Built in the 16th
century, the four-sided construction gives visitors
coming into Old Havana from the port an idea of the
architecture this area of town has in store for them.
The fortress still houses some twenty old guns and other
military antiques.
Disabled access is available
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Calle Empedrado 156
Plaza de la Catedral
La Habana Vieja
Tel: 7/861-7771 |
This
is Old Havana's classic cathedral. The plaza fronting
the cathedral and the church's baroque facade, with
its asymmetrical towers, are the most visited attractions
in Habana Vieja. Inside, the cathedral is simple, almost
to the point of austerity, thanks to a radical 19th-century
neoclassical makeover. Still, the vaulted ceilings,
massive stone pillars, and modest collection of art
and antiquities certainly make it worth a visit. Of
these, the 17th-century wooden sculpture of Saint Christopher
is quite interesting -- note the shortened legs, which
were cut in order to get the piece into place. Despite
the official visiting hours listed below, the church
is frequently closed tight. If you're lucky, you might
be able to attend
Mass here at 8pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday,
or at 10:30am on Sunday
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Cementerio
Cristóbal Colón
Calle 12 esquina Calle 23
Vedado
La Habana
Tel: 7/832-1050 |
This
is one of the most famous cemeteries in Latin America,
known for its beauty and magnificence. The cemetery
was built in 1876 and has nearly a million tombs. Some
of the gravestones are decorated with the works of sculptors
of the calibre of Ramos Blancos, among others. Afrocuban
religious practices have a big influence in Cuban culture,
and this cemetery is no exception, on the contrary,
it is quite common to find rag dolls with colourful
dresses resting by small graves. The dolls are offerings
to the various deities.
Another
interesting fact is the legend of the Milagrosa (the
Miraculous Lady). She was a woman that died giving birth
along with her baby. They were buried in separate graves
and later on, when her grave was opened, they found
the baby in her arms. A lot of devout catholics leave
offerings by her grave.
Disabled access is available.
-
Cementerio
Cristóbal Colón
>>
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Centro
Wifredo Lam
Calle San Ignacio, at the corner of Calle Empedrado
La Habana Vieja
Tel: 7/861-3419 |
This
little museum and gallery is dedicated to the memory
of Cuba's most treasured modern artist. The museum houses
a sizeable collection of Lam's lithographs and acrylic
works, as well as works of art and sculpture from the
artist's personal collection. There's usually an interesting
traveling exhibit in a separate gallery space. If you
want to take a break, there's a simple cafe in a cool
central courtyard
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China
Town (Barrio Chino)
In the area bordered by Calles Dragones
Zanja, Rayo, and San Nicolás
Centro Habana
La Habana |
| Havana
has an active Chinese community and a number of Chinese
restaurants. A lot of Chinese restaurants can be found
in Centro Havana at 10 Cuchillo Street. The strip contains
10 restaurants that serve a full spectrum of Chinese dishes.
The
food in the restaurants in Chinatown is excellent in
both quality and price.These restaurants are private
family owned businesses, unlike most restaurants in
Cuba that are government controlled. This results in
a much greater concern to serve the customer. Meals
are served within minutes of ordering and great attention
is given to the preparation of the food.
You
can enjoy an entire meal (with the exception of the
more exotic dishes), including soup, fried rice, a main
dish and a drink for no more than 4 cuc. Disabled access
is available.
Average cost per person: 5.00 cuc 10
Address: Calle Cuchillo, Centro Habana, La Habana.
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Acuario
Nacional de Cuba:
Ave 3ra. y calle 62, Miramar, Ciudad Habana, Cuba
tel.: (53 7) 23-6401 al 06
Fax.: (53 7) 24-1442
Email.: acuario@unepnet.inf.cu
Website: www.acuarionacional.cu |
Cuba’s
National Aquarium features a unique exhibit in the world,
the Island and the Caribbean’s marine flora and
fauna are preserved thanks to the work of the staff
that has been encouraged with the Colectivo Vanguardia
Nacional acknowledgment during five years.
|
| Cutural
Events |
Casa
de la Cultura de Plaza
Calzada #909 esq. a 8, Vedado
Ciudad de La Habana |
Fundacion
Alejo Carpentier
Empedrado #215
Open Mon. / to Fri.: 8.30am to 4.30pm |
Instituto
Cubano
de Amistad con los Pueblos
Paseo #406 |
Casa
de las Americas
Calle 3 y G |
|
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Convento
de Santa Clara de Asis
Calle Cuba No. 610 e/ Sol y Luz
Habana Vieja
La Habana
Tel: +53 7 61 2877 / 61 5043 / 33 5696 |
One
of the oldest and best of the Spanish colonial monasteries
on the island, this building is now home to the Centro
Nacional de Restauración, Conservación
y Museología or CENCREM (National Centre for
Restoration, Conservation and Museum Studies).
Founded
in 1644 it has, despite its peaceful history, given
rise to many tales and legends of unrequited love and
hidden treasure. No evidence has ever been uncovered
to back up these stories. In 1919 it was sold to the
Cuban government. As well as operating as a museum,
there is a gallery showing contemporary Cuban art.
Admission: $3.00
Disabled
access is available
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El
Cristo de La Habana
Loma de Casablanca
La Habana |
Havana's
statue of Christ blesses the city from the other side
of the bay, much like the famous Cristo del Corcovado
in Rio de Janeiro. Carved from marble by Jilma Madera,
it was erected in 1958 on a platform which makes a wonderful
spot from which to watch the sun go down. You can reach
the statue by road, or via the picturesque boat which
crosses the bay. A 24 hour snack bar operates at the
base.
Disabled access is available.
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Coppelia
Calles 23 and L
Vedado
Habana |
Made
famous in Tomás Gutiérez Alea's
hit film Fresa y chocolate (Strawberries and Chocolate),
this is the main branch of the Cuban national
ice-cream company. At the center of the block-long
complex is a postmodern building of curving concrete
and glass, surrounded by a series of open courtyards
with wrought-iron tables, where customers are
served bowls of the frozen nectar. There are actually
a dozen or so small booths selling cones and bowls
spread around the park.
Still,
Coppelia is yet another glaring case of tourist
apartheid: Cubans form long lines to wait their
turn at a table or stand while tourists, who are
paying in dollars and not pesos, are always taken
to the head of the line, or shown to a separate
dollar stand. There are usually only two or three
flavors available on any given day; if you're
there on a rum raisin day, you're in for a treat. |
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El
Malecón
Even
though it begins in Old Havana, the Malecón
(the pier) is an area that was the face of Havana in
the 50s. Havana was then trying to emulate the great
American capitals. The pier wall is the ideal place
to enjoy the salty sea air, sit down and admire the
sunset. Some of its best spots are the view of El Morro,
the dock where you can go by boat to Casablanca and
the area adjacent to El Vedado.
Disabled access is available. |
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Malecon Page >>
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José
Martí Memorial
41 Paseo Plaza de la Revolución
La Habana
Tel: +53 7 82 0906 |
The
José Martí Memorial
is a museum dedicated to the life of this famous revolutionary
writer and poet. The museum displays many of José
Martí's personal belongings. Entrance fees cost
3 pesos for the first floor for nationals and 5 pesos
for the entire museum. The view of the city from the
top is fantastic. The price for tourists is $2.00 for
the first level and $5.00 for the entire museum. It
is here that Fidel Castro gives his most important speaches.
Disabled access is available.
Open: 9am-4.30pm daily.
|
| La
Muralla de La Habana |
First
section: Calles Égido and Desamparados. Puerta
del Arsenal.
Second section: Garitas del Ángel, opposite the
Museo de la Revolución.
Third section: La Maestranza, Avenida del Puerto. These
walls, finally completed in the 18th century and considered
by many at that time to be a pointless and expensive project,
are an imposing remnant of the city's colonial past.
Originally
intended to afford Havana's citizens protection from
marauding pirates and bandits, they were constructed
with several gates which were closed at night. With
the expansion of the city, however, parts of the walls
were demolished, starting as early as 1603, until only
those sections standing today remained intact.
Address: La Habana Vieja, La Habana.
Disabled access is available.
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Museo
Ernest Hemingway
Finca
la Vigía, San Francisco de Paula, Carretera
Central Km 12.5
Outside Downtown
7/891-0809
Mixed
feelings as to the experience of visiting this
place, since visitors are not allowed into the
former home of the famous writer. Sure you get
a bit of the feel for Hemingway, but you also
end up feeling like a Peeping Tom. Circling
the ground floor you can see the house more
or less as it was when Hemingway was living
and writing here. There's a copious collection
of books, paintings, and stuffed animal heads.
In addition to an old typewriter, artworks by
Picasso, Miró, and Klee are some of the
more prized possessions.
|
There's
a small tower separate from the main house that has
a gift shop and some rooms with rudimentary exhibits,
and you can even climb it for a better view all around.
In the surrounding gardens, you can see Papa's pet cemetery
and the author's dry-docked fishing boat, Pilar
-
Musea in Havana >>
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| Parque
de 21 y K |
This
Vedado public park in central Havana is a traditional
meeting place for the city's lovers. Its pretty shaded
walkways are also frequented by street musicians, artists
and poets who often end up here at the end of a long
night on the town, or in search of inspiration. Tourists
are not immune to its charms either.
Disabled access is available.
Address: 21 y K, El Vedado, La Habana
|
| Parque
La Maestranza |
Calle
Cuarteles
between Calle Tacón and Av. del Puerto
La Habana Vieja
Located
right in Habana Vieja, this 2-block stretch of city
park is dedicated to the little ones. There are pony
rides and a little train ride, as well as jungle gyms
and inflatable rooms for romping around in. There are
usually some clowns or mimes on hand, and balloons,
popcorn, and soft drinks are for sale. This place is
decidedly low-key and low-tech by Western standards,
but the mix of mostly Cuban and some foreign kids never
seem to mind
|
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Parque
Lenin
Lenin Parque where
you can enjoy a relaxing walk, through all the open
green spaces. You can even choose to go horse-riding
if you feel like it.
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More >> |
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Partagas
Cigar Factory
Calle Industria 524
Behind the Capitolio
Centro Habana
7/862-4604 |
Founded
in 1845, this is Cuba's largest and perhaps most renowned
cigar factory, producing around 5 million cigars a year.
The off-yellow and rust-trimmed neoclassical facade
is resplendent in the Havana morning sunlight. (You
can take your best photos of it from the west-side windows
of El Capitolio.) Official tours are only offered at
10am and 2pm daily, although you can sometimes work
your way into one of the many tour groups that come
through all day long. Throughout the day, you can stop
in and buy cigars from their well-stocked shop, La Casa
del Habano.
Alternately,
or in conjunction, you can visit the nearby:
Fábrica de Tabaco H. Upmann
Calle Amistad 407
between Calles Barcelona and Dragones
Tel: 7/862-0081
Or
the Fábrica de Tabaco La Corona
Calle Zulueta 106
between Calles Colón and Refugio
Tel: 7/862-6173
Which are similarly charged with producing some of the
country's finest cigars.
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Photo Gallery H Upmann Cigar Factory >>
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Playas
del Este
This is one of the most popular places in Havana to enjoy
a sunny day on the beach. The best beaches are the ones
at Santa María,
only twenty minutes away from Old Havana. It is well-worth
visiting them, particularly if you are not going to be
on the island for long. They are close enough to go and
come back in the same day. Relax, and enjoy the white
sand. The locals are friendly and there is a range of
small hotels to choose from should you decide to stay
the night. Disabled access is available. Avenida Máximo
Gómez a Vía Blanca, Carretera de Campo Florido,
La Habana. |
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More >>
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Plaza
de Armas
Habana Vieja, La Habana. |
The
Plaza de Armas Park is a large park and centre of local
and tourist activities located in the heart of Old Havana.
There is a beautiful water fountain in the middle of
the square, some benches, trees from different parts
of Cuba, including palm trees and a large variety of
flowers. In the centre there is a statue of the Cuban
patriot hero Cespedes.
The
park is well lit by many gas lamps. In the daytime there
are people selling Spanish books, many of which pertain
to the Cuban revolution of 1959. In the evenings the
park fills with life as many locals and tourists go
to the restaurants and bars that surround the park and
is a nice place to sit and enjoy the evening perhaps
with a bottle of rum. The square is very safe as there
are many police walking around 24 hours a day to provide
assistance.
Disabled access is available.
|
| Replica
of La Habana |
Calle
28 #113 entre 1ra y 3era
Miramar
La Habana
Tel: +53 7 33 2661/ 22 5506
This
small scale replica of Havana is second only to that
of New York. This ambitious project, with its cedar
wood buildings and paper streets represent an area of
144km2. The city was meticulously measured and photographed
block by block by a group of architects, designers and
model makers who didn't miss a tree, lamppost or set
of traffic lights. Admission is 3.00
Disabled access is available.
|
 |
El
Templete
Plaza de Armas
Habana Vieja
La Habana
|
The
people of 19th century Havana, inspired by the concept
of origins and beginnings, erected the Templete, which
is a monument that pays homage to the place where the
foundation of the town of San Cristóbal de la
Habana was celebrated in 1519. The monument consists
of bust of Christopher Colombus and three canvases painted
by Juan Bautista Vermay. It is Neoclassic building,
typical example of colonial architecture.
Close
to the Templete, there is a column which replaces a
silk-cotton tree, under which the first mass and the
first Council of Havana were celebrated.
Disabled access is available.
|
| Zoológico
Nacional |
Carretera
de Capdevila, Km 3 y Boyeros
La Habana
Tel: +53 7 44 7613, 44 7637 / 57 8775
The
National Zoo is situated on the outskirts of Havana
and many of the animals housed here roam freely in areas
which resemble their natural habitats. For safety reasons
visitors are transported through these particular areas
on a small train, which allows close up views of the
daily life of the animal kingdom at large. Traditional
enclosures in the rest of the zoo mean you can wander
at will through the hundreds of species on show here.
Admission: $3.00
Disabled access is available.
|
|
| Banks |
Banco de
Credito y Comercio
Aguiar #310
(close to Obispo)
Habana Vieja
Open Mo/Fri. :8.30am to1.30pm |
Banco Financiero
International
Habana Vieja
Open Mon./Fri:8:30am to 3:00pm |
Banco Financiero International
(Hotel Habana Libre)
Calle 25, Habana Vedado
Open Mon./Fri.: 8:30am to 3:00pm
Exchange:
Open Mon./Sat.: 9:00am to7:00pm
Sun: 9:00am to 2:00pm* |
Banco de Credito y Comercio
Calle 23
E/ P y Malecon, Habana Vedado
Open Mon./Fri.: 8:30am to 3:00pm |
Banco de Credito y Comercio
(Close to Hotel Melia)
Linea #705, Habana Vedado
Open Mon/Fri: 8:30am to 3:00pm |
Banco Metropolitano
ATM
Linea y Calle M, Habana Vedado
Open Mon/Fri: 8:30am to 3:00pm |
Cadeca
(Casas de Cambio) (Convertibles
pesos only) |
Oficios y Lamparilla
Plaza de San Farncisco de Asis
Open Mon/Sat:8:00am to 7:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am to 1:00pm |
Obispo
Open Mon/Sat: 8am to 5:30pm
Sunday: 8:00am to 1:00pm |
Cafetaria Rumbos
(inside)
Open Mon/Sat 9:00am to 7:00pm |
Rayo #261
Open Mon/Sat: 9:00am to 6:00pm
Sunday: 9am to 1pm |
Av Simon Bolivar #109
Open Mon/Sat: 9:00am to 6:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am to1:00pm |
Gloria
Open Mon / Sat: 7:00pm to 5:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am to 1:00pm
Vedado |
Calle L
Open daily:7:00am to 10:00pm |
Calle 19
Ope Mon/Sat: 7:00am to 6:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am to 1:00pm |
Post
Office |
| Oficios #102 |
Capitolio |
| Gran Teatro |
Paseo Marti |
| Central Station |
Ministry of Communication |
Expres
Mail DHL |
Office
Calle 20 |
Main DHL office
Calzada #818 |
Internet |
| Almost every 3 star
hotel and above. |
Medical |
Hospital Nacional Hermanos
Ameijeiras
San Lazaro #701 |
Hotel Capri
(Just consult)
Calle 2 room #402 |
Centro Camilo Cienfuegos
Calle L #151 |
Farmacia La Central,
Neptuno (Open 24 hours a day) |
| Farmacia Vedado,
Calle 13 |
Farmacia Taquecel,
Obispo #155 |
| Farmacia Centro Habana,
San Rafael #108 |
Drogeria Johnson, Obispo #260 |
| Drogeria
Sarra, Brasil #261 |
| Emergencies |
| Casa del Cientifico,
Paseo de Marti #212 |
Policia Nacional Revolucionaria,
Picota |
| Fire, Tel:
81 1115 |
Ambulance,
Tel: 40 5093 |
|