It is difficult to visit the country by omitting Havana. As Disent states, «Cuba es La Habana, y lo demás es paisaje. " (Cuba is Havana, the rest is landscape)… True myth, the Cuban capital indeed maintains its legend. The 1997 Buena Vista Social Club album and the success of Wim Wenders's films further stimulate the imagination around the destination. Shifted and proud, Havana distilling its flavours with generosity. Wandering through its streets, it's a bit of a time between these old American maquinas of the 1950 s (Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick) richly padded, and much more recent French (Peugeot) or Japanese vehicles. Bicycles, coconut taxis and roulettes combine with the excitement of this happy urban mess. A tour in Havana Vieja and you are immersed in the largest colonial architectural ensemble in Latin America, inscribed in UNESCO World heritage and remarkably restored for over twenty years. Its baroque churches, its Spanish plateresques buildings, its palaces, its squares, its Art Nouveau or Art deco buildings are all testimony to a unique heritage. Far from turning into a museum, the historic quarter still vibrates with an authentic social life: you will see the fans of domino playing, set in the shade on a sidewalk, children and teenagers in uniform, en route to school or those families planted with the sacrosanct telenovela (order paper) of the evening, open windows and doors. At the corner of a street, some young people congregate for a part of improvised baseball, again with great reinforcements, comments and laughter. In Centro Habana, the popular district par excellence, the sumptuous and décatis palaces parallel dilapidated buildings on an omnipresent musical background, where the decibels are pushed to a maximum: Very Latin......An open-air theatre, Havana is also looking to the ocean. His Seawall, a very long seaside promenade, stretches his miles to the Florida Straits. Connecting the west and east of the city, this maritime boulevard has naturally imposed itself as one of the cardinal landmarks. Further west, the Vedado and its vast orthogonal avenues, inspired by North American urban routes, reveal a more modern city. Beautiful buildings and buildings, much less aesthetic, alternate without great architectural consistency. But expanding prospects and the many green spaces enhance the sense of openness. Note that, instead of the usual advertising panels, political slogans are an integral part of the decor. The word Revolucion is on the walls, as is the portraits of Che, whose memory is omnipresent throughout the country. Some examples of the language in force:In mid casa, mando yo: At my home, I'm ordering.Patria o muerte: Fatherland or death.In commission barrio, Revolucion: In every neighborhood, the Revolution.Te seré venom: I'll be faithful to you.100% People: 100% Cuban.Starting to meet a city is also to discover a people. Endearing, the Habaneros generally show exemplary dignity and joie de vivre. Don't distract yourself from their familiarity. Here people are tutoient, ages and backgrounds. Masters in the art of engaging conversation, enjoying the shared pleasure of play, dance and music, they enjoy the moment, as much as possible. And seduction, like everywhere else, remains one of the major national affairs. All the tricks are good to capture the eye. When it's dark, when the gentle darkness still softens the contours of the city and the heat is less cumbersome, you only have to enjoy life as it goes. Resolutely colourful, like all the country, Havana is marrying white, black and Metis, which live together in good intelligence on the same territory. In this area, the Revolution results are quite net. The racism that predominated until the 1950 s succeeded in an unprecedented and fruitful social mix, which unfortunately sometimes tinged with prejudices that were firmly rooted in mentalities. Travel to Havana and get lost at random from the streets is also the official postcard tour. There is no misery, as in most of the large South American metropolises, not the shadow of a slum, but the material difficulties are real and the housing problem has been recurrent for decades. With more than 2 million inhabitants, the Habaneros are in fact close. The arrival of tourism in the mid s, and the influx of currencies also generated major changes. Previously reduced inequalities have increased. Tricks, hang, tricks, Cubans show rare Ingenuity to win a few convertible pesos, or simply make ends meet. If Havana remains a safe city, however, there is an increase in flights.

What to visit La Havane?

When to go to La Havane?

When to go to Havana? In July and August, temperatures are hot and humid. Moreover, it is the summer vacations for Cubans and for many tourists. Big crowds therefore on the paradisiacal beaches as well as in Santiago de Cuba and in the capital where the carnival takes place. If you decide to discover the city at this time of the year, you should know that you will not be alone to enjoy the summer effervescence! The best time to go to Havana is from March to June: although hot, the city's temperatures are more pleasant than in summer. In general, avoid the month of October, when the risk of hurricanes is highest. The island is indeed regularly hit by storms at this time. When to go to Havana? The months of December and January, the beginning of the dry season, are also pleasant periods, along with spring.

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Weather at the moment

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Weather all year round

Because of the tropical climate, there are two seasons in Cuba: the dry season, which extends from December to May - Havana's temperatures rise during this period but remain pleasant - and the rainy season, which runs from June to November. During the latter, Havana's weather is characterized by short but intense daily rainfalls, which usually occur in the late afternoon. October is considered the month of the hurricanes, which can be extremely devastating.

Jan.
18° / 26°
Feb.
18° / 26°
Mar.
19° / 27°
Apr.
21° / 29°
May
22° / 30°
June
23° / 31°
Jul.
24° / 32°
Aug.
24° / 32°
Sept.
24° / 31°
Oct.
23° / 29°
Nov.
21° / 27°
Dec.
19° / 26°
Budget

The country lives under a dual currency regime: the Cuban peso (CUP) is the national currency used by locals, and the Cuban convertible peso (CUC) is created for tourists. This is one of the reasons why Havana is not a cheap destination. With an organized tour, you will only have to cover your personal expenses (drinks and souvenirs). On the other hand, the individual traveler will have to put his hand in the wallet regularly. Do not forget the tips.

Procedures

To travel to Havana, two documents will be required: a valid passport and a tourist card (which is valid for an entry visa to Havana and Cuba in general). The latter is issued by the Cuban consular authorities in Paris but can also be obtained directly from Havana airport. Plan 22 €. Approved French tour operators are also allowed to sell it for a few more euros. You will need to present your passport and plane ticket. A certificate must also certify your reservation for the first two nights in a hotel or a particular casa. The tourist card is valid for only one month with the possibility of a 30-day extension on site, subject to authorisation by the Cuban immigration services and after payment of 25 CUC (convertible pesos ).

Health

No particular vaccine is required to travel to Havana, except for the update of the classic vaccines (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis). If you come from a country in Africa or Latin America where yellow fever is present, you may be asked to provide an international medical certificate proving that you have received the yellow fever vaccine within the last ten years. The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended. There is no longer any malaria in Cuba, which does not exempt visitors to Havana from protecting themselves from mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved clothing and applying repellents to exposed skin. As far as drinking water is concerned, it is strongly advised to drink bottled water rather than directly from the tap, at the risk of exposing oneself to some digestive complications.

How to go to La Havane? Our advice & tips

Havana is an eminently touristic city, so the tour operators offering tours there are legion. Generally, the trips to Cuba are designed for groups (small or large) and include flights, accommodation, meals and access to the main tourist sites. Thematic tours are also planned according to the year's calendar: salsa courses, Havana marathon, history and heritage, gastronomy, etc.

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From Europe, a flight to Havana is not cheap, but if you plan well in advance, you can find return tickets for 600 €. For the rest, as for most trips, anticipation will help avoid unnecessary expenses, mainly concerning the reservation of accommodation. Cubans are very welcoming and it is very easy to meet people in Havana.

To get around Havana, the most important means of transportation is the car. Except in the city center, where you can get around very well on foot, you will have recourse to the services of cabs to get from one neighborhood to another: official cab, private cab or clandestine cab. Bicycle cabs are also common in the capital, as well as coco-taxis, motorized tricycles with a yellow hull that looks like a coconut.

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Pictures and images La Havane

Musée de la ville au sein du Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, statue de Christophe Colomb. Irène ALASTRUEY - Author's Image
Après-midi détente face à la mer. Henri Conodul - Iconotec
La ville nouvelle depuis le Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro. Henri Conodul - Iconotec
Eglise de Jesus de Miramar, La Havane. Alxpin - iStockphoto

Discover La Havane

When to travel?

When to go to Havana? In July and August, temperatures are hot and humid. Moreover, it is the summer vacations for Cu...
Read more about it

Weather forecast

Because of the tropical climate, there are two seasons in Cuba: the dry season, which extends from December to May -...
Read more about it

Budget

The country lives under a dual currency regime: the Cuban peso (CUP) is the national currency used by locals,...
Read more about it

Formalities

To travel to Havana, two documents will be required: a valid passport and a tourist card (which is valid for an entry...
Read more about it

Health

No particular vaccine is required to travel to Havana, except for the update of the classic vaccines (diphtheria, tet...
Read more about it

How to travel by yourself?

From Europe, a flight to Havana is not cheap, but if you plan well in advance, you can find return tickets for 600 �...
Read more about it

How to get organized?

Havana is an eminently touristic city, so the tour operators offering tours there are legion. Generally, the trips to...
Read more about it

Getting around

To get around Havana, the most important means of transportation is the car. Except in the city center, where you can...
Read more about it

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