"The Magic City Of Havana" a Havana Travel Page by Alicja1

There is nowhere in the world like Havana. From the resplendent Spanish colonial architecture of the Old Town, to the spectacular dilapidation of Havana Centro, a city of stalwart survivors and masterful musicians rocks indefatigably to the syncopated beat of the rumba.

We did our trip to Havana without any travel agency help and it was a main poin of our vacation. After three hours in Viazul bus, our new friend Sergio took us to casa particular, where we spent a night.

Havana is divided for three parts: Havana Vieja, Centro Habana and Prado and Vedado and Plaza. I

f you strong and adventurous forget about taxis. Just walk! We have done more than 60 km walking in two days and it was fantastic.

First two hours were i would say: culture shock... People hussle us, asking for money and clothes.. Buildings, well... look like after a war...Its unbelivable how people live here and ashamed at the same time that they let these fantastic architecture to be destroyed. I was close to give up, but...

Very quicly we have learnt how to move around and how to behave. Lots of police and army make us feel safe. We ask for directions only uniformed people and we found them very friendly.

Its always usefull to speak little bit of Spanish, because sometimes the language barrier creates funny situations ( My fiancee misunderstood a waiter who wanted to change his shirts for my fiancee's brasil t shirt, because it was not allowed to go inside restaurant wearing informal clothes. It was only a joke ,but my man undestood that we cant be served because he is wearing Brasil t shirt)

Havana is like a dream town. There are no words to describe the atmosphere ofthis city: music, people, buildings and Malecon sun set....
I hope i will be back there soon...

First day, starting at 11am we spent in Havana Vieja and Centro Habana. Walking from Paseo de Marti we visited: Capitolio, Hotel Inglaterra, Real Fabrica de Tabacos(10 peso ticket), Gran Teatro, Museo de la Revolucion, we walked around Parque de la Fraternidad and all around Parque Central. We didnt miss ChinaTown ( with no Chinese), than took a turn to Havana Vieja, on Obispo Str.

In Havana Vieja we have seen:Plaza de Armas with Castillo de Real Fuerza, El Template and Palacio de los Generales and market with second hand books. Then we pass local art market where we bought a beautiful drawing for 13 peso.

Then we stopped for quick hot dog and cold beer.
then Plaze de la Catedral with Catedral de San Cristobal and all surrouded buildings,

It was already late so we walk to Malecon to see absolutely fantastic sunset. On Malecon we met some fisherman who were very friendly.

First two hours in Havana were hard, people bothered us too much even that we dont really look like tourist. Thats a main pain of Cuba, begging..But thats other subject... When we get out from Havana Central and Havana Vieja people changed either. We had no hussle at all.

Next day we started very early, walking to the end of Malecon we took a turn to famous Calle 23 and did a walk through Vedado. Nearby is La Rampa( first rising strech of Calle 23) Then we stopped for famous ice creams Coppelia and some pictures withthe statue of Don Quixote (1980).
Then we took a turn to Avenida de Los Presidentes with 20th century French style buidings and we took our way to Plaze Revolucion. Its a long walk but dont miss it. Memorial Jose Marti and Mnisterio del Interior are the most important points in Havana to see.
Then on the way to Via Azul bus station we visited Havana's Monumental Columbus Cementary- Necropolis Colon and we walk ( well that was a loooong way) to Viazul bus station to catch our bus back to Varadero at 6 pm. Thats just a quick description of our walk, there were many other interesting places we have seen... including small local streets