A Quick Guide To Havana

Visiting Havana, or La Habana as it is called locally, is like stepping back in time to when life was slower and you communicated face to face without glancing at a mobile device ever so often. This city of 2 million inhabitants, the largest in the Caribbean, boasts of plenty things to see and do.

Behind the picturesque crumbling colonial façades are boutique hotels, cocktail bars and galleries that can rival the best in NYC and London. I spent four days here but it didn’t even feel like I scratched the surface but here are some of the things we particularly enjoyed doing:

Nightlife:

La Cecilia. An outdoor live music venue that has the biggest names in Cubaton on its stage regularly. Was recommended by someone I met while waiting for my luggage at the airport.

Sia Kara Café. A lively hip bar with the really good food and cheap cocktails.

Tropicana. One of the most famous cabarets in the world.

Where To Eat:

San Cristobal. This restaurant was on our list before Obama went there. The food was good and the service was excellent. After our meal, they have us two shots of rum and cigars, for free.

La Guarida. To be honest we had the most disappointing meal here. However, the entrance to the restaurant is one of the most photographed spots in Havana. Khloe got roasted for the photo she took here recently.

Paladar Dona Carmela. Another recommendation by a local and the food turned out good.

What To Drink & Where:

Daiquiri, like Hemingway, in El Floridita. This is the birthplace of Daiquiri.

Mojito in Hotel Nacional de Cuba. Excellent mojito while enjoying the views over Havana.

Bilongo in El Barracon de Hamel on a Sunday afternoon.

What To See & Do:

Dance to Afro-Cuban rumba at Callejon de Hamel, Sundays at noon.

Coast along the atmospheric Malecon, the meeting place for lovers, musicians, fishermen and Habaneras, in a classic 50s car at sunset (or by foot at night) and take in the dilapidated yet beautiful colonial buildings in Havana.