Street Life in Havana Cuba
Getting a taste of life in the 1960s is easy in Cuba's capital, Havana. It's one of the few cities where modern-day tourists can experience architecture, nightlife--even cars--that haven't changed much since a 1959 revolution froze trade between the United States and Cuba.
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Old Havana
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The city's Old Havana section is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's not uncommon to see classic cars like Studebakers as well as baroque buildings that haven't been replaced by skyscrapers or condos. It's also home to the Ambos Mundos Hotel, where Ernest Hemingway wrote the first chapter of "For Whom the Bell Tolls."
Sights and Sounds
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Just by wandering aimlessly around Havana, travelers can experience the best of local culture. Musicians play the popular folk song "Guantanamera" on street corners and in cafes. Large images of Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara, considered a local hero, adorn many buildings and walls.
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Malecón
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Walking on the Malecón, a promenade that runs along the ocean, is an easy way to see major historical sites such as Morro Castle and the Hotel Nationale, a 1930s Art Deco structure that hosted Winston Churchill and Frank Sinatra. Hundreds of people often gather here for entertainment and political protests. Musicians will play at night as locals join in for an impromptu salsa.
Getting Around
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An inexpensive and leisurely way to soak in the sites is by hiring a bicycle taxi. Travelers sit in a type of rickshaw that's attached to the bicycle.
Currency
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U.S. dollars are widely accepted in Cuba. U.S. credit or debit cards, personal or travelers' checks are restricted, so it's best to bring enough cash for the entire trip. In case of an emergency, money can be transferred from the United States to a Western Union in Havana.
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