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Voykit pocket guide · Cuba

Havana

La Habana

Havana is a cash-and-slack city: do the old squares and the Capitolio in the morning, keep a cool midday, carry enough cash for the whole stay, and treat power cuts and fuel shortages as part of the plan.

Havana's sights are close together and easy to walk by day, but the trip runs on cash, patience and a host who books your rides. The trips that go wrong arrive late with no booked car, rely on a card that does not work, or pack a day too tightly for a city where buses and taxis stop when fuel or power runs short. Four clusters cover a first visit: Habana Vieja, the Prado and Capitolio, the Malecón and La Punta, and Vedado.

Habana ViejaPrado and CapitolioMalecón and La PuntaVedadoHabana Vieja casa par…Vedado casa or hotel1 kmpins: sleep areas · dots: places
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Cuba
Local name
La Habana
Best months
Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · Dec
Time zone
America/Havana
Stay
2 days: Habana Vieja and the Prado/Capitolio, Vedado in the evening

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
CUP
Money
Do not plan on ATMs: bring the full trip budget in cash in small, clean notes and split it between two places on you.
Daily spend
Budget CUP 10,000–18,000 excl. bed · Mid CUP 18,000–35,000 excl. bed · High CUP 35,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
ETECSA is the only operator; tourist SIMs and eSIMs are sold with passport at the airport and ETECSA offices (check eSIM).
Emergency
Police 106 · Ambulance 104 · Fire 105 · Asistur (tourist assistance) Check
Plugs
Types A, B, C, L · 110 V and 220 V · 60 Hz · Casas often have both; check before plugging in.
Tipping
Restaurants: 10% in cash.; Casa hosts, drivers, musicians: US$1–5.
Water
Do not drink tap water; bottled water can be scarce, so bring a filter bottle or tablets.
Toilets
Often without seats or paper; carry tissue and small coins for attendants.

Get in

By air

José Martí International Airport (HAV)
HAV to Habana Vieja: one pre-booked car through your casa host, 30–60 minutes for about 20 km — the risk is not the ride but landing after dark with no car and no way to pay.

Get around

Walk inside a cluster; a taxi or shared car (colectivo) between clusters, agreed before you get in.

Passes
No pass. Fix the fare and the currency before you ride; fares change with fuel supply.
Late at night
No metro; buses are crowded and unreliable. Have your casa host or a driver you trust book the airport and any late ride.

See and do

  1. 01El Capitolio

    The domed former parliament: worth 45 minutes inside if it is open to visitors that day; check access first.

  2. 02Havana CathedralCatedral de La Habana

    The baroque cathedral on Plaza de la Catedral: 15 minutes inside and a coffee on the square; mornings are quietest.

  3. 03Hotel Nacional de Cuba

    The 1930s hotel on a sea-front rise: walk the garden and lobby for an hour at sunset; no booking needed for the grounds if access is open.

  4. 04Museo de la Revolución

    The former presidential palace, now a museum of the 20th-century revolution: 60–90 minutes, indoors; go in the afternoon heat.

Hours and prices are desk estimates (checked 2026-09); anything marked (check) is not confirmed. Coordinates open in any map app.

Eat

Coppelia ice-cream park
The state ice-cream park in Vedado: go on a weekday afternoon and expect a queue; a cheap stop, but stock and hours vary.
El Chanchullero
A busy small paladar on a Habana Vieja street with shared plates: go before 19:00 or expect a wait; bring cash.

Sleep

Habana Vieja casa particular
First-timers: a licensed casa in the old city puts every sight on foot; ask your host to meet you and book the airport car both ways.
Vedado casa or hotel
Quieter nights, wider streets and bigger buildings; a car ride from the old squares, so pick it for evenings out and easier taxi drop-offs.

Language

Cuban Spanish is fast, drops final consonants and is full of slang. English is spoken in casas and tourist businesses, rarely elsewhere. Afro-Cuban religion adds Yoruba words.

  • 'Asere' is a friendly 'mate'; 'la cola' is the queue; 'no hay' (there isn't any) is what you will hear most in shops.

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Handshake, or a cheek kiss among acquaintances; avoid: Rushing straight to business
  • Casas: Respect the family's routine and water use; avoid: Leaving air conditioning on in blackouts or low supply
  • Shortages: Share useful supplies if asked; avoid: Handing out gifts in the street
  • Politics: Let hosts lead; avoid: Pushing people to criticise the government

Red lines

  • Do not photograph police, military or government buildings.
  • Ask before photographing people; some will expect a tip.
  • Avoid political discussions with strangers.

Scams (Cuba page)

  • Street money changers: Use CADECA or your casa; street deals bring fake notes and legal trouble.
  • 'Jineteros' steering you to a casa or cigar deal: Book casas yourself; they pay commission to touts.
  • Fake cigars: Buy from state shops with receipts; export limits apply (check).
  • Salsa or festival 'invitation' ending in a large bar bill: Decline; pay only for your own drinks.
  • Unofficial e-visa sellers: Buy from the embassy, your airline or a known agent.

One and two days

1 day

The first day of the timed plan.

Day 1 — Habana Vieja plazas, a 13:00 lunch table

  1. 08:30Havana Cathedral
  2. El Chanchullero (optional)
  3. 13:00Lunch table 13:00 (Habana Vieja)
  4. Casa or a shaded café 13:30–16:30; the Malecón at sunset.

2 days

The first two days of the timed plan.

Day 1 — Habana Vieja plazas, a 13:00 lunch table

  1. 08:30Havana Cathedral
  2. El Chanchullero (optional)
  3. 13:00Lunch table 13:00 (Habana Vieja)
  4. Casa or a shaded café 13:30–16:30; the Malecón at sunset.

Day 2 — The Capitolio and the revolution museum

  1. 09:00El Capitolio
  2. Museo de la Revolución
  3. Evening: walk the Malecón toward La Punta, taxi home.

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

HavanaLa Habana

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

Take me to

  • Catedral de La HabanaHavana Cathedral

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/havana). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.