Havana
Cuba
- Safety rating
- 7/10
- Best time to visit
- November to April for dry season — comfortable temperatures and low humidity. Carnival celebrations in July and August are vibrant. Avoid September–October peak hurricane risk.
- Population
- 2.1M
Overview
Havana is one of the world's most cinematic cities — the malecon seafront at sunset, a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air rolling past crumbling baroque palaces, the waft of cigar smoke from the Partagás factory, Buena Vista Social Club playing in a dimly lit club in Habana Vieja. A city preserved in amber by history, warming in its contradictions, and unforgettably atmospheric.
Top attractions
Habana Vieja (Old Havana), El Malecón, Museum of the Revolution, Plaza de la Revolución, Partagás Cigar Factory, Callejón de Hamel, Fusterlandia mosaic art, Trinidad (day trip), Viñales (day trip), classic car tour
Getting around
Vintage taxi cars (agreed price in advance), rickshaws (bicitaxis) for short hops, and walking in Habana Vieja. Tourist buses (Habana Bus Tour) hit the main sights. Horse-drawn carriages in La Habana Vieja. Renting a classic car is an experience.