This is a quick overview of our self guided Havana walk. It took place over a 5 days and 4 nights. We walked the town from end to end. This post provides logistical details and facts as well as links to a videos. This is a self-guided cultural experience on a shoestring (think tiny budget).
We walked all over Havana and occasionally took the public buses or a shared taxi. The public bus cost 20 cents of a CUP (the local peso).
Difficulty Level:
You will have to make and effort to get some local currency (CUP) since most things you buy will be priced in tourist currency (CUC) and cost more. Having the local currency let us ask for local prices and pay local sometimes. Shared taxis usually cost us 5 CUC to cross the entire city. Mostly we walked.
Havana Background
Havana is Cuba’s capital city (Population: 2.125 million (2015)). Spanish colonial architecture in its 16th-century Old Havana core includes the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, a fort and maritime museum. The National Capitol Building is a 1920s landmark. Also in Old Havana theres the baroque Catedral de San Cristóbal and Plaza Vieja. However, much of Havana is in a state of collapse. The stunning old buildings are in a serious state of disrepair. There are some private ventures that are working on parts of old and central Havana but a walk in any direction will both inspire and sadden you. Such incredible buildings. But sooner or later capitalism will penetrate and the rich will buy these classics out and either renovate them for private rich people or tear them down to build strip malls and hotels. I recommend seeing Havana before those days arrive.
Havana on a budget:
Total Cost Range of this Activity is: $$
Expect to spend the following per day: Room $25 (double occupancy & breakfast included), $5 lunch, $10 dinner, $10 drinks & misc ($50/day). Plus transportation and other package tourist items. This is the minimum and requires some bargaining and discipline.
The 3minuteAdventures Video
Click to watch Video
Travel Log
Cuba – December 14, 2016 – January January 11, 2017 (28 days)
Havana 12/14 – 12/18 – 4 nights
See How to visit Cuba on a Budget for details.
Photos
Photos
Places Visited in Havana
Vedado – Central Havana – Old Havana – Outskirts
Memorial Jose Marti
Plaza de la Revolution
Monument a Jose Miguel Gomez – Cuba’s Second President
Malecón
Parque Mareo
Castillo de Morro
Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana
Plaza 13 de Marzo
Plaza de la Catedral
Casa del Marques de Arcos
Park of the Martyrs of 1971
La Floridita fish restaurant and bar.
La Bodeguita del Medio
Other Blogs with Walking Info
Our Cuba Route
See How to visit Cuba on a Budget for details.
Accommodation
See How to visit Cuba on a Budget for details.
Transportation
See How to visit Cuba on a Budget for details.
On a budget
See How to visit Cuba on a Budget for details.
Communications
See How to visit Cuba on a Budget for details.
Our Adventures
See How to visit Cuba on a Budget for details.