Plan a CruiseYour cruise ship will dock at the Sierra Maestra Terminal, conveniently located in Habana Vieja (Old Havana), right next to the historic Plaza de San Francisco. Havana is renowned for its well-preserved colonial architecture, with Old Havana boasting an unparalleled collection of historic structures, cobbled plazas, castles, cathedrals, and classical mansions from Spain's golden age. Many of these buildings now house museums, hotels, and restaurants.
Beyond the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Havana, you can explore the 20th-century district of Vedado, known for its hotels and nightclubs retaining a 1950s ambiance, alongside elegant century-old mansions. The Plaza de la Revolución is home to government buildings. Further afield, attractions like the Museo de Hemingway and the beautiful Playas del Este beaches offer different experiences. Be aware that many attractions charge a fee for photography (CUC$2 to CUC$5) and video (up to CUC$25). Havana also offers abundant opportunities to enjoy live music.
Getting Around from the Port
Havana's Old Town is largely flat and very safe, making it an excellent city to explore on foot directly from the port. The Sierra Maestra Terminal places you immediately amidst key attractions.
While the local bus system is generally not recommended for tourists, bike-taxis are a better alternative for shorter distances. Taxis are plentiful and relatively inexpensive for getting around the city. Renting a car is not advised due to poorly marked streets and confusing navigation.
For locations outside walking distance:
- The Botanical Garden: Located on the outskirts of the city, this extensive 600-hectare park is about 25 minutes from Havana by car. Many hotel tour desks can arrange transport.
- Major tour agencies offer city tours ranging from 4 to 8 hours, costing CUC$15 to CUC$50 per person.
Attractions and Activities
With 8-10 hours in port, focus on Old Havana and a few key attractions further afield:
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Explore Old Havana (Walkable):
- Plaza de San Francisco: Right outside the terminal, featuring historic architecture.
- Castillo de la Real Fuerza: A muscular 16th-century fort housing a shipwreck and treasure museum, located near the harbor.
- Havana Club Rum Museum: Learn about Cuba's famous rum.
- Almacén de la Madera: A new European-style beer hall, conveniently located next to the Almacénes de San José souvenir market.
- Plaza de Armas: Browse the second-hand book market.
- Historic Streets and Plazas: Wander through the cobbled streets, admire the cathedrals and classical mansions, and soak in the atmosphere.
- Live Music: Numerous venues offer live Cuban music throughout the day.
- Photography/Video Fees: Remember many sites charge CUC$2-CUC$5 for photos and up to CUC$25 for video.
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Discover Beyond Old Havana (Requires Taxi/Bike-Taxi):
- Vedado District: Experience the 1950s ambiance in this 20th-century enclave, known for its hotels, nightclubs, and elegant mansions.
- Plaza de la Revolución: See the iconic government buildings and monuments.
- Museo de Hemingway: Visit the former home of Ernest Hemingway, Finca Vigía (located outside the immediate city center).
- The Botanical Garden: A 600-hectare park featuring greenhouses with cacti and tropical plants, a vast palm garden, and a Japanese Garden with a vegetarian restaurant. It's about a 25-minute drive from the city.
- Playas del Este: If time permits and you desire beach relaxation, head to these "glorious beaches" located east of Havana.
Shopping
The Almacénes de San José, a vast souvenir market, is conveniently located near the port, next to the Almacén de la Madera beer hall. For second-hand books, visit the market at Plaza de Armas. Cuba's main exports for tourists are rum, cigars, and coffee, widely available. For authentic merchandise, always purchase from official government-owned stores at the stated price. Havana also hosts an annual cigar festival in February.
Food & Drink: Cuban cuisine, particularly in government-owned establishments, is often described as bland. For a more authentic and flavorful experience, seek out paladares (locally owned restaurants in private homes). The Almacén de la Madera offers a new European-style beer hall experience near the port. The Japanese Garden within the Botanical Garden also features a vegetarian restaurant.
Safety
Havana is generally considered a very safe city for tourists. However, it's important to be aware of common scams:
- Cigar Scams: Be wary of street touts offering "discount" cigars of dubious authenticity. Always buy genuine cigars from official stores.
- "Friendly" Locals: Some locals may invite tourists to bars or restaurants, leading to highly inflated bills (two to three times the normal price), with the "friend" splitting the proceeds with the establishment. Politely decline such invitations.
- Currency Manipulation: Watch out for short-changing in bars or taxis, or being given national pesos (CUP) instead of convertible pesos (CUC) in your change.
- Internet Use: When accessing the internet at government communication centers (ETECSA), be aware that your online activities might be monitored.
Currency and Language
The primary currency for tourists in Cuba is the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC), used for hotels, official taxis, museum entries, meals, cigars, and rum. Currency exchange (Euro is widely accepted, US$ is not) can be done at exchange houses called cadecas (casa de cambio), found in many hotels and cities. ATMs are rare, and credit cards are not widely accepted, so carrying cash (CUC) is essential. The internet desk at Havana port charges 21 pence for one hour of access (valid for 24 hours), payable by credit card.
The official language is Spanish.