When to Go
Best Time to Visit
November–April. Dry season with sunny days and warm nights. Skip hurricane season (August–October) and the sweaty summer humidity.
Daily Spend in USD
Budget
Budget
$60/day
Mid-range
$130/day
Luxury
$350/day
Casa particulares (family homestays) $30–60/night; upscale colonial hotels top $250. Bring USD or Euros — cards rarely work.
With Kids
Family Travel
A classic-car tour of the Malecón, an aquarium in the eastern suburbs, and cannon-firing ceremony at El Morro fort at 9 p.m. nightly.
Together
Couples Travel
Rooftop dinner in Old Havana, a Malecón sunset walk with a mojito in hand, live jazz at La Zorra y El Cuervo.
On Your Own
Solo Travel
Havana rewards solo travelers who wander — every doorway spills music. Language: Spanish is essential; English is scarce.
Food
What to Eat
- Ropa vieja. Cuba’s national dish — shredded beef stewed with peppers, tomatoes, and cumin.
- Moros y cristianos. Black beans cooked with rice — the ubiquitous side.
- Lechón asado. Whole-roasted marinated pork — celebration food, often at paladares (private restaurants).
- Tostones. Fried green plantain — the Cuban chip.
- Ropa vieja. The national dish — shredded beef in a rich tomato-pepper stew, served with rice and black beans.
Transportation
Getting Around
Coco taxis (yellow eggs) and classic-car taxis for tourists; local buses are packed and confusing; walk Old Havana.
Bring cash — Cuban card networks rarely accept US or EU cards. ATMs work erratically. Booking taxis via your casa host is safest.
Where to Base Yourself
Neighborhoods
- Habana Vieja (Old Havana). The UNESCO-listed colonial core — plazas, colonnades, live salsa, restored casas.
- Centro Habana. A crumbling, lived-in barrio between the Old Town and Vedado — real Havana at street level.
- Vedado. Mid-century Havana — the Malecón waterfront, hotel Nacional, ice-cream at Coppelia.
- Miramar. Leafy embassy district west of the harbor — quieter, upscale paladares, good sunset drives.
What to Know
Safety
Very safe by Latin American standards — violent crime is rare. Petty scams (fake cigar sellers, taxi overcharges) are the main risk. Solo women reportedly safe day and night in tourist districts.