La Habana Unveiled: An Authentic Journey Through Cuba’s Timeless Capital

La Habana Unveiled: An Authentic Journey Through Cuba’s Timeless Capital

Valentina Vanegas
La Habana, or Havana, is a city that exists in a world of contrasts. The streets of this vibrant capital pulse with the rhythm of salsa, the hum of classic cars, and the energy of a people who find joy in the simplest moments despite enduring decades of political and economic struggles. Cuba’s current situation means that visitors will encounter a mix of beauty and hardship: a charming colonial city where Wi-Fi is scarce, power outages can occur, and shortages of basic goods are part of daily life. Yet, this is precisely what makes Havana special. It’s a place where the warmth of its people, their resilience, and their zest for life shine through even in the face of adversity. To truly experience La Habana is to embrace its imperfections, savor its raw, unfiltered charm, and connect with its deep-rooted history. In this guide you'll find: 🤯 15+ locals-only recommendations, including viewpoints, beaches and MORE 🗺️ An interactive map so you can see which places are nearby 👀 Tips and tricks that will be useful and 100% needed if it’s your first time visiting This guide also includes 5 food recommendations, as restaurants can change from month to month so you can obtain it by sending me a private message through instagram.
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Welcome to one of the cities I call my home. To be honest, I didn´t love the city at first sight, like many others do, but I learned to love it. Now I definitely love it even more every time I visit. 

Hotels

For a more authentic experience, consider staying in a casa particular. These privately-owned bed and breakfasts give you a chance to connect with locals and enjoy home-cooked Cuban meals. Look for options in Habana Vieja or Vedado for convenience and charm. (If you need help finding one, send me a DM and I will help you!

Known for its rooftop pool and luxurious amenities, Hotel Saratoga offers a blend of neoclassical architecture and modern comforts. It’s centrally located, making it easy to explore Old Havana.

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Access all the local insights and recommendations from @travelswval when you purchase this guide.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Valentina Vanegas
🌍I’m a Madrid-based travel enthusiast. After living in Madrid, Virginia, Vienna and Buenos Aires I am ready to share with you everything I’ve learned. ⏳My guides focus mostly on short 24-48 hours trips and how to get the most out of your quick getaways in every city. ❤️ I’m a good fit for people who are solo traveling or with their soulmate, who like to explore the most in a short period of time and who like visiting all the picture perfect places and trying good restaurants without paying excesive money. ❌ I’m not a good fit for people that like relaxing vacations or who are traveling with their family :( ❓Ask me anything you want to know about my trips and tips! 📍Currently: Madrid, Spain 🌍 Visited 20+ countries ☕️ Coffee lover 📸 Married to a photographer, so I live the “capture the perfect pic” life
What's included
Digital Map
Fully interactive, digital map for finding places nearby
16 places
16 hand-picked places with notes from the creator
2 links
2 links from the creator to go even deeper with more info
DESTINATION(S) COVERED
La Habana, Cuba
Cuba
FOCUSES AND THEMES
Car-free
Couples
Art
Foodie
History
Outdoors
People & Culture
Photography
Slow Travel
BEST TIME OF YEAR
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Format
Itinerary
Itineraries typically include day-by-day plans, with food, lodging and activity recommendations for each day.
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