Havana, Cuba

The largest city in Cuba as well as in the Caribbean, Havana is a fascinating and incredible city to explore. Known as La Habana to the locals, this metropolis is home to some 3 million people and is the cultural, economic and political center of the country. What is so unique about Havana is that you can experience the art, the architecture and the history of Cuba during the day and at night the cityscape undergoes a metamorphosis and becomes a hot and steamy tropical paradise where music and salsa can be found everywhere.

In Havana you can find plenty to see and explore. A must visit is the Habana Vieja, a series of colonial complexes in the older part of the city. These plazas are wonderful examples of architecture and are home to many interesting sites. The Habana Vieja is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the Plaza de Armas, the Palacio de los Capitnes Generales is one of Cuba’s most stunning buildings. A magnificent piece of architecture, this building was once the presidential palace, but now houses a museum. Also located here is the Castillo de la Real Fuerza , one of the oldest fortresses in the New World.

The most picturesque plaza in Habana Vieja has to be the Plaza de San Francisco. Located by the sea side this plaza is home to a monastery as the Museo del Ron or the Museum of Rum, which even offers taste tests on its tour.

The Plaza Vieja dates back to the 16th century and is home to a number of interesting sites including the Camara Oscura, which provides 360 degree views of the city from a 35 m tall tower. Here you can find Cuba’s only microbrewery as well as the La Casona Centro de Arte, an excellent colonial art museum.

Also worth seeing is the Museo Casa Natal de Jose Marti and the Capitolio Nacional, which is very similar to the US Capitol Building. Built in 1931 this building houses the third largest giant Buddha statue in the world. The Museo Nacional De Bellas Artes is another excellent museum worth visiting as is the Museo de Revolucion, which is housed in the former Palacio Presidencail.

As your tour of Havana ends your last stop should be Vedado, which is a suburban area and is home to a number of parks. This area offers plenty of greenery and is a great place to relax after a long day of touring. Here you can find the Plaza de Revolucion, the Memorial Jose Marti, the Ministry of the Interior and the Malecon, a 5 mile long seawall built over a century ago.