Havana holidays

GMT -5 hours

Spanish. English is also spoken.

• Peso. • US dollars and US traveller’s cheques aren’t as widely exchanged as they used to be. • Traveller’s cheques are mostly accepted, but not all hotels exchange them – go to an international bank instead. • There’s a minimum fee of 8% to exchange

Plaza de Armas
Explore this historic square, seeing the baroque Palacio de los Capitanes Generales; the monument to Christopher Columbus; the military fortress Castillo de la Real Fuerza; and the 17th-century Palacio del Segundo Cabo.

Cigar Factories
Discover how Cuba’s famous cigars are made with a tour of a factory.

Plaza de la Revolución
The scene of many political rallies led by the likes of Fidel Castro, this enormous square is fringed by a soaring memorial to national hero José Martí.

Capitolio Nacional
This grand landmark was once home to the seat of Cuban Congress. Take a tour of its lavish chambers.

Old Havana
Dating back to the early 1500s, on the cobbled streets of this historic region you’ll see the ruins of walls built to protect the city from pirates, pretty plazas, colonial buildings and dramatic churches.

February
Havana Jazz Festiva
lThis renowned festival celebrates Latin jazz with performances across the city.

March
Havana Carnival
See colourful parades, taste rum and listen to traditional music at this vibrant festival.

May
Cubadisco
See local artists perform all over Havana during this wonderful celebration of Cuban music.

November
Marabana to Havana International Marathon
Watch as runners streak past – or have a go yourself!

9¾ hours

Shopping, Night life, Culture, History & Tradition

Food
In resort
• Our Havana resorts serve a range of Cuban and international cuisine.

Local dishes
• Tostada is buttered and toasted bread, often dipped in coffee for breakfast.
• The local speciality is pork roasted on a spit and covered in lemon and honey, served with black beans and rice.
• Ropa Vieja is a stew of shredded flank steak in tomato sauce.
• Picadillo is a beef hash with onions, garlic, olives and herbs.
• Moros y Christianos is a dish of black beans and rice flavoured with spices including pepper, cumin and paprika.
• A traditional a stew of chicken, okra and plantains is served with rice.
• Cuban sandwiches are a popular hot snack of Cuban bread with mustard, ham, pork, cheese and pickles.
• Empanada is a chicken or meat turnover, eaten with a side of plantain chips.
• Popular desserts include custard flan and rice pudding.

Drink
• Stick to bottled water.
• Cubans drink a lot of coffee, with milk or in espresso shots. Daiquiris and mojitos are also popular.

Religion
Roman Catholic

Dialling code
+53 7

Summer, Winter

Rum Museum
Learn how Cuban rum is made and taste the famous Havana Club Rum.

Ernest Hemingway Museum
Visit the famous author’s old home, where his typewriter still sits along with his treasured library.

National Museum of Fine Arts
Discover art over the centuries, with Cuban and European art that dates back to the 1600s and ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian pieces.

Napoleon Museum
This remarkable collection of Napoleon Bonaparte’s belongings includes some of his guns and a telescope.

Automobile Museum
Peruse this collection of classic cars, including promenade cars, a funeral carriage and the Cadillac used by Marxist revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevara.

Museum of the Revolution
Housed in the former Presidential Palace, this museum chronicles the Cubans’ struggle for independence, and outside you can see the boat Fidel Castro used to return from exile.

Natural History Museum
Discover an intriguing collection of natural history, including plants and animals and Cuban-Indian archaeology.

National Museum of Decorative Arts
Don’t miss this wonderful collection of 17th- and 18th-century china, paintings and furniture.

Museum of the City of Havana
Explore this historic city’s colourful past.

A discreet tip here and there is welcome!