City: Cuba
Top Things to do in Cuba
Countries
Things to do in Cuba, Cuba: The Best Neighborhoods
Coordinates: 22°00′N 80°00′W / 22.000°N 80.000°W / 22.000; -80.000
Restaurants in Cuba
1. Las Mansiones de Miramar
2. Christopher Columbus Cemetery (Cemetario de Colon)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,069 reviews
Reviewed By WideWorldJourneys - Quebec City, Canada
My partner and I were fortunate enough that chose a day to visit when the weather was hot but not blistering. I would recommend to go either early in the morning/day or at time where the temperatures are not too high due to the fact there are not many shaded areas. We spent most of the day walking around this large a 136-acre cemetery, which really feels like an open-air museum that showcases Cuban history and architecture. We purchased a map at the cemetery entrance, which was at very little cost and really helped in finding our way around. We returned the map afterwards. I'm not sure if that was the policy but we figured we didn't need a souvenir and it would save on costs for them. From what I've heard there are guides present that you can request to give you a guided tour, if that's something you prefer. What I enjoyed most was the ambiance. Though I stood in Latin America's largest graveyard and the world's second largest, there was nothing eerie or somber about it. You can randomly choose to walk in any direction and find yourself among crypts, mausoleums, chapels vaults, and sculptures - over 500 mausoleums and 56 thousand tombs to be exact! The one sculpture that really caught my attention was the Firefighters Monument. with commemorates the 25 firefighters who lost their lives during a fire in 1890. The Colón Cemetery, named in honor of Christopher Columbus, was designed by Spanish architect Calixto de Loira during the 1870's. He is also the first person to be interred here, sadly before he could finish the project. Among the other restin here: famous artists, politicians, revolutionaries, musicians. You will not be disappointed if you allow some time to casually stroll around and experience this resting place of many important Cubans. I would visit it again in the future without a doubt! Upon leaving I commented to my partner how it would be difficult for another cemetery to impress me as much as this one. The bar was high. I have not yet visited many around the world yet but must say that anyone visiting Havana MUST take the time to visit this important historical and cultural 'landmark'. Though I am a travel professional I have no association with this location. What I've shared here is my personal observations and opinions.
3. Central Havana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 597 reviews
Reviewed By VernonW143 - Cape Town, South Africa
………What an incredible immaculate-lii well-manicured and maintained area of Havana. Parque Central is right in the middle of this area and in this square or park is a large pure-white statue of Jose Marti right in the centre surrounded by palm-trees paved pathways going in different directions with spotless-lii clean flowerbeds that are in full bloom. This is about the most impressive area in central Havana where the vibe is always electric filled with tourist and locals alike. The locals gather here especial-lii the young-men to have live-lii get-to-gather and have a rip roaring time bickering about the American football and basketball matches which some of them have seen. And the tourist come because it is here in this area where the open-top buses “TurBus” starting point is that provides tours of Havana and also take passengers to the eastern beaches ‘Playa del Este” but the most important fact is that it is here where the famous Cuban “Old-Cars” rides are to be found. You can choose whatever colour or type of car you want to tour or just have a ride in, there are even vintage models to choose from and even the horse-drawn carriages are right here. This area is also home to a few of the top posh and grandiose hotels such as the Gran Manzana hotel with a beautiful shopping-mall housed in its building called “Malecon” which has some very elegant merchandising shops in it. Hotel Parque Central with its multi-basement shopping-mall and many love-lii cafés are to be found here. The impressive Gran Teatro de La Habana-“Alicia Alonso” stand here most majestical-lii and just down the same road is the new-lii renovated “El Capitolio” the national government official offices. We came here every day to experience Cuba and the Cuban people in its finest for in one of the side roads was the big Habana Club “Casa Del Ron y Tabaco” where we bought our genuine Cuban cigars and walked over to the park and set down on the love-lii cement park-benches and enjoyed smoking them right in the public's-eye. A “Must” visit area of Havana, Cuba……..
4. Iglesias de San Francisco de Paula
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Coryy20 - Port of Spain, Caribbean
This church is located on the opposite side of the San Jose Market.. I think that's the name...the yellow building where the bus hop on hop off bus starts its journey. The church is definitely beautiful and a cant be missed as it stands almost in the middle of the of a bend in the street.
5. Fusterlandia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,194 reviews
Reviewed By lisahQ9672VA
Artist Jose Fuster has created a magical, colourful, dream-like house covered entirely with his ceramic and tile art and magnificent architecture and includes some of the surrounding streets and entrances to the neighborhood homes. Cuba and its people are reflected in all of his works. I felt as if I was transported into a different realm and I felt a sense of joy and happiness. Fuster is an exceptional artist and dreamer and his work is truly exceptional. Whether or not you are a lover of the fine arts - Fusterlandia is not to be missed.
6. Paseo Bayames
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By DirkD1
"Paseo", or "Boulevar" is the colloquial name for Calle General Gacia, part of which is a pedestrian mall that extends eastward from Parque Cespedes for about 10 blocks. These days, there are an increasing number of stores that actually have items worth buying. There are two "Bazaaar" (flea market stores) on the south side that are worth checking out, where they sell everything from sandals to electric cable to wire a house. Unlike in the larger cities, such as La Habana and Santiago de Cuba, the local Cubans generally do not take too much of an interest in tourists and they leave you alone. They are took busy going about their daily lives.
7. Poblado de Cocodrilo
8. Punta Gorda
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 672 reviews
Reviewed By bf1337
Great way to spend your time without spending a lot of money. Take a pleasant lazy stroll past all of the gorgeous Gallic palaces to the peninsula. "La Punta" the park at the tip of the peninsula is a great place to grab a dink and enjoy the water, also open very late.
9. Vedado
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 845 reviews
Reviewed By Fergs85 - Thornton-Le-Dale, United Kingdom
We stayed in an excellent property in Vedado, Paseo 409, and would highly recommend this district if you are staying in Havana for a few days. Although it is a little way out of the historic centre this need not be a problem as it is easy to get a taxi, and even though there were six of us we could still all pile into a classic car for the ride home. Just negotiate a fair price before setting off – usually around 15 CUCs. Vedado is a once beautiful residential area, with plenty of restored villas and a fair few that are in need of a little work to make them habitable once more – but this is part of the charm of Vedado. It features occasionally in Graham Greene’s “Our Man In Havana” if you want to get some added flavour. There are plenty of good restaurants and bars in this area, and also some characterful local cafes. It’s possible to walk over to Revolution Square in one direction and across to the Hotel Nacional via the famous ice cream shop, Coppelia’s, in another. One nearby point of particular interest is John Lennon Square. It’s fairly easy to navigate around Vedado once you get used to the grid system and the street numbering system.
10. Miramar
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 456 reviews
Reviewed By 8Peter - West Vancouver, Canada
5th Avenue (sic) is the main "Boulevard" running through it, lined with most major embassies. An enclave for Diplomats driving their high-end cars with the "D" license plates.
