Havana oh na na!
We arrived in Havana excited to see what adventures the famed city had in store for us. We had done our travel research, watched the historical documentaries, read the novels based in Havana. And still, Havana surprised us. She is unlike any city we've been to before. Havana has a pulse. Somehow she is both alive and thriving while simultaneously crumbling and gasping for air. She is both beautiful and decrepit with dusty, narrow alleyways and contrasting gorgeous, sprawling squares. It's a photographer's paradise. The fascinating details are everywhere you look. In the revolution murals, on balconies crowded with flowers and laundry, in the lineup of people waiting for their loaf of bread. In the smiles of the locals, despite the lineup for bread. Whatever your expectations, Havana does not disappoint.
The photogenic streets of old Havana
Although there are plenty of actual sights to see in Havana that you can read about in the Lonely Planet guidebook, our favourite activity was wandering around the Old Town with no particular destination, taking pictures of all the impeccably clean classic cars, gleaming in front of decaying buildings, bright despite the peeling paint. The art that is everywhere! We loved walking along the Malecon at sunset, creating our own ‘Mojito Crawl’ down Teniente Rey during happy hour and taking the ferry across the port for spectacular views over the City.
Our Airbnb ‘Casa Coabana’ was perfect. Decorated in a hip Havana style with a narrow balcony over the busy street and the best 5CUC breakfast in all of Cuba. Our host spoke excellent English and the location on the edge of the old town was just right.
We were lucky enough to be in Havana for National Holiday honouring Jose Marti. To celebrate children dress as their favourite character from Marti’s stories. After breakfast our Airbnb host directed us out onto the balcony where we could see carriages full of characters dressed in turn-of-the-century garb headed out to start the day. It is experiences like this that I love most about travel. Unexpected glimpses into a different world than your own.
Havana is busy, hot, dirty, fascinating, sometimes a little sad, and sometimes a lot smelly. There's so much to take in! When you get overwhelmed, and sweaty and even just a little cranky, grab a mojito and a window seat and let Havana come to you. Who knows? It just may end up being your favourite Havana moment.
Hot Havana Tips:
Where to stay: Casa Coabana (airbnb)
Happy hour mojitos: 1.50- 2 CUC in various bars along Teniente Rey
Where to find classic cars: everywhere
Food is not super cheap in Havana. Try Sandwichería La Bien Paga for cheap eats
El Patchanka for live music (it even starts before 10pm!)
Take the ferry across the port and hike up towards the forts for great views of the city. You can continue on to the forts. They’re interesting to look at from the outside, even if you don't go in (we didn't)
