Things to do in Havana, Cuba

HELLO EVERYONE! Yes, I am screaming at the top of my lungs, as I haven't been in this space this year. First things first, how are you all coping with the pandemic? I hope you and your family are safe. It is a tough time for everyone, and I am hoping this passes away sooner than later.

Now on to today's post. Guys, last August I made it to my dream city, Havana! Cuba was a country that had rated high on my travel list for ages, but due to travel restrictions imposed on U.S. residents, I thought a visit there was impossible. This cannot be further from the truth, and I will explain the travel process in another blog post. 

My time in Cuba was spent in 4 different cities, and I will be starting my Cuba travel series with Havana.Enjoy

1. Ride in a classic car --this is a must do

The classic car rides are a fun way to see the city. We opted for a 2 hour ride, and we got to see China Town, Havana Vedado, Revolutionary Square, and John Lennon Park.

2. Visit Plaza de la Revolución

 Revolutionary square is a political symbol in Cuba. It is the spot where many of Fidel Castro's political rallies took place.

3. Visit one of the oldest cathedrals in the Americas, Catedral de la Habana

4. Wander around The Palacio de los Capitanes Generales.

This is a beautiful Cuban baroque architectural style structure in old Havana. It has an amazing courtyard and a few exhibits in the upper rooms.

5. Wander aimlessly around Plaza de Armas 

This is a great spot for people watching and relaxing. You can grab a frozen drink or pop into the little galleries to check out some cool art.

6. Enjoy a stroll along the malecon

It was always such a joy to walk by the malecon and feel the cool breeze from the water

7. Drink a daiquiri or two at Floridita, one of Ernest Hemmingway's favorite bars

I didn't go inside the establishment, but I hear the daiquiris are awesome.

8. Catch the sunrise over the malecon

We stayed across the malecon, and it was always a joy to wake up to the sun rising over the water and watch the locals fish

I made a friend while I strolled along the malecon 

9. Explore Havana Vieja

Although grimy (stray dog poop ), Old Havana, brims over with intriguing architecture. On my last day in Havana,  I wandered about aimlessly, enjoyed conversations with the locals, bought souvenirs. and just generally people watched.

10. Eat, drink, and be merry!

To be honest, I was shocked at how great the food was. Almost every article I came across when planning my trip knocked down the food in Cuba. Boy, was I relieved and pleasantly surprised that my culinary experience was nothing short of amazing. 

Two restaurants I recommend are EL Biky (Central Havana) and Elizade(Old Havana). The former is great for breakfast, while Elizalde has an incredible dinner menu. I had the best ceviche at Elizalde and we even hosted a little bachelorette dinner for my friend here (Pictures in an upcoming post). We ate at each restaurant multiple times, and now I keep in touch with some of the workers, who are now my IG friends.

Avideo to summarize the 4 wonderful nights in Havana

               

The People of Havana

I love Cubans! They are the friendliest people ever! They are genuinely curious about tourists. They are super helpful, and they will insist you take their picture :-)

The Cars of Havana

How beautiful are the cars of Havana! I couldn't get enough of these classic automobiles.

Random sights of Havana

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Guys, how beautiful is Havana! Have you ever been to Cuba? Did you enjoy your time there, or do these pictures make you want to visit once the pandemic has subsided? Please leave your comment below and let me know what you think.