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Travel Guide » Americas » Havana
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Havana
(Cuba)


Crumbling, withered, exotic and alive; Havana is a living microcosm of the country at large.

There is nowhere in the world like Havana. From the resplendent Spanish colonial architecture of the Old Town, to the spectacular dilapidation of Havana Centro, a city of stalwart survivors and masterful musicians rocks indefatigably to the syncopated beat of the rumba.


Bereft of the consumer-driven trappings of other less colourful metropolises, Havana remains characterful, safe, and packed with a plethora of interesting museums. For history buffs there's the living breathing essence of UNESCO-sponsered Havana Vieja; for beach bums there's the sun-splashed tranquility of Playas del Este.

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Getting There
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To Do & See
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Entertainment & Night Life
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At a Glance
Getting Around:

Getting around greater Havana by train is definitely the way to go. The Estanción Cristina, located a few kilometers southwest of central Havana, handles all train traffic within the metropolitan area.

Guaguas (city buses) are sometimes called aspirinas, indicating that their rare appearances relieve the pain of long waits in lengthy lines. Shortages of fuel and spare parts have taken many buses out of service and are largely to blame for the delays.

Metered tourist taxis are readily available at all of the upscale hotels, with the air-con Nissan taxis charging higher tariffs than the non air-con Ladas.

Weather:

Havana, like the rest of Cuba, has two kinds of weather: hot and really, really hot. In July and August most of Havana goes on vacation to escape the sultry heat, which is bolstered by the humidity. The rainy season runs from May to October, overlapping with the hurricane season, which is generally from June to November. Havana can very occasionally be affected by cold winds from the North American interior, causing a day or two of temperatures below the 10°C (50°F) mark. Bring warmer clothes for the evenings if you are visiting at this time of year - it's colder than you think.

Dial in code(s):
City code:7
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