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The city of Havana

Discover the most exciting sights in Havana

Megan
CUBA TRAVEL SPECIALIST

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Havana, Cuba's radiant capital, is more than just a city - it is a living reflection of Cuba's rich history, culture and joie de vivre. From the charming cobblestone streets of the old town to the modern neighborhoods bursting with creative energy, Havana offers an unparalleled journey through time. Whenever I come to Havana, I am welcomed so warmly that I immediately feel at home.

Highlights

Sights

The old town, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a living museum. Here, colonial architecture, lively squares and historical buildings merge to create a picturesque panorama. Havana Cathedral and the impressive El Morro fortress tell of bygone eras, while the famous Hotel Nacional with its glamorous flair brings the era of the mafia and Hollywood stars back to life. But Havana is not just history - it is also creativity and music. In the streets you can hear the rhythm of salsa and son and in the lively clubs you can experience the passionate dance scene up close. The art scene is thriving in the numerous galleries and studios that showcase the works of talented local artists.

The most important things before your trip

Here you will find everything you need to know before your trip

Do I need a visa to enter Cuba? Which airlines fly to Cuba? When is the best time to travel? We will of course answer all of these questions in detail so that you are well prepared and nothing stands in the way of your trip!

Cities worth seeing

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Discover the natural beauty of Viñales, surrounded by limestone cliffs and tobacco fields. Immerse yourself in the relaxed atmosphere of this charming village and experience authentic Cuban culture.

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Travel through time in Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Experience the colonial heritage, colorful cobblestone streets and warm hospitality of the locals.

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Cienfuegos, the "Pearl of the South", impresses with its French elegance and Caribbean charm. Explore the magnificent boulevards, historic buildings and breathtaking sea views.

Activities in Havana

Havana offers a variety of activities. Stroll through the historic Old Havana and admire the well-preserved colonial buildings. Explore the Vedado district, known for its modern architecture and vibrant street art.

Immerse yourself in the Cuban music scene by experiencing salsa and son rhythms in bars and clubs. Visit the Revolution Square Museum to learn more about Cuba's rich history and enjoy delicious Cuban food in the numerous paladares (private restaurants) and mojitos at the Bodeguita del Medio.

Take a trip to El Morro Fortress for stunning views of Havana Bay. Havana offers an eclectic mix of culture, history and vibrant nightlife to delight any traveler.

Practical information

The best way to fly from Germany is from Munich airport with Eurowings Discover or from Frankfurt with Condor. The destination airports in Cuba are Havana and Varadero. We would be happy to send you an overview of direct flight connections from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. If you want, you can book the flights and your trip directly through us.

Everything you need to know about flights to Cuba can be found here .

When traveling to Cuba, it’s important to plan ahead when it comes to money, as credit card usage is limited. Here’s what you need to know:

Cash:

It is highly recommended to bring enough cash for your entire trip. Euros (EUR), British pounds (GBP), or U.S. dollars (USD) are all accepted for exchange in Cuba. Once you arrive, you can exchange your currency for Cuban pesos (CUP) at the airport, hotels, or official exchange houses (CADECA).
U.S. citizens should be aware that U.S. credit and debit cards are generally not accepted in Cuba due to the ongoing embargo. Therefore, you’ll need to rely almost entirely on cash.
Travelers from the UK, France, and Italy may be able to use their credit cards, but it’s still advisable to bring cash, as ATMs are not always reliable and often have long waiting times.

Credit Cards:

Visa cards tend to work more consistently than Mastercard at ATMs in Cuba. However, even if you bring a Visa card, ATMs can be unpredictable and may not always have cash available.
You can also withdraw money directly from the bank counters by presenting your passport, but be prepared for long queues.
U.S. citizens: Credit cards issued by U.S. banks will not work in Cuba, so bringing sufficient cash is essential.

Important Tips:
Always carry a backup supply of cash to avoid any issues with ATMs or card acceptance.
Exchange rates and availability of ATMs can vary, so be prepared for possible delays in accessing money during your trip.
For travelers from the UK, France, and Italy, we recommend bringing multiple credit cards as a backup, but don’t rely on them as your primary source of funds.
By planning ahead and carrying enough cash, you can avoid any potential hassles during your stay in Cuba.

Driving in Cuba is no problem and very safe. But try to free yourself from the all-too-German driving style, because in Cuban traffic you will find every type of driver, from the Caribbean-relaxed to the temperamental. Road conditions and signage depend entirely on the region, as in all of Latin America. Tourist destinations and main roads are almost comparable to German quality workmanship, although on remote routes “pothole alert” and “no signs” are often the order of the day.

Petrol stations are available nationwide. However, you should of course expect national peculiarities, such as a petrol station that simply hasn’t been supplied or that unfortunately doesn’t have electricity when you visit (important when paying by credit card).

However, due to the various small peculiarities in traffic and, for example, the street lighting, night trips should be avoided so that everyone arrives at their destination safe and sound. Please do not let this text put you off: driving in Cuba is always more than worth it. Exploring uniquely beautiful landscapes on your own or getting to know the country and its people in a completely different way is always best done by car.

Important: There are occasional fuel shortages in Cuba. During such times, we explicitly advise you against using rental cars during our travel consultation, as these shortages can lead to you standing in queues for hours or simply not being able to get any petrol.

Due to the enormous differences in income and purchasing power between tourists and locals, tips are very important. For many people working in tourism, they are the main source of income and often amount to several times the actual salary, which in Cuba, depending on the profession, is between 150 and around 1000 Cuban pesos per month (equivalent to around 6-40 US dollars). We recommend not being too lavish with tips. A factory worker has to work for 24 CUP (= 1 US dollar) for a day. The porter in the hotel earns this amount in 5 minutes thanks to a generous tourist. A little tact is required here.

The hygienic conditions for processing and preparing food in Cuba are generally good, which means that the risk of catching dangerous diseases through food is low. Salads and freshly prepared cold dishes are also generally hygienic. Unlike in other Central American countries, you can buy and consume open lemonade or soft ice cream on the side of the road without having to worry about infection. But here too, anyone who knows that they are sensitive to unfamiliar food should be careful. Even on our group trips, diarrhea occasionally occurs, as can be the case in any southern country. It is better to be cautious than to have a “ruined” vacation. Everyone knows themselves and their body best and knows what they can put it through.

History of Havana

Havana's history dates back to its founding in 1519 by the Spanish conquerors. As an important port in the Caribbean, the city developed rapidly and became a hub for trade between the Old and New Worlds. In the 18th century, Havana experienced a huge economic boom due to the sugar trade, which resulted in magnificent colonial architecture that can be admired in the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the 20th century, Havana became a pawn in geopolitical interests, including the 1959 Cuban Revolution that led to Fidel Castro's rise to power. The city was the scene of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, a frightening confrontation between the United States and the USSR. Today, Havana presents itself as a fascinating mix of colonial history, socialist heritage and vibrant Cuban culture, making it a unique tourist destination.

Question 1
What would you like to experience in Cuba?
What else do you need to know to enter Cuba?

We have gathered all the important information for you!

Find out on these pages about the documents you need to enter Cuba. We have compiled all the important information for you!

Entry into Cuba

The regulations for entering Cuba differ from those of many other countries. It is therefore important that you find out about them in advance and have all the necessary documents with you when you enter the country. Various travel documents, ready for Cuba

Tourist card for Cuba

As with almost all trips, the question of what you need to enter the country will arise at some point during your trip to Cuba. Here you will find a good overview of the entry requirements, as well as visa, travel and safety information for Cuba. A blank tourist card

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Cuba entry: declaration of health status

You don't know how to fill out the necessary health declaration for entry into Cuba or have already tried but failed? Just follow our step-by-step instructions. A Cuba traveller retrieves his suitcase from the roof of the vintage car in Cuba

Our travel suggestions

We are travel specialists for individual trips to Cuba! From vintage car trips, family trips to diving trips, discover our travel suggestions here and ask us about your personal Cuba trip.

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