Travel itinerary Havana, Cuba
Manley BELIZAIRE - October 2023
Manley
Destination : Havana, Cuba Lenght of stay : Oct 2nd - Oct 9th 2023 Hotel : Hotel Palacio De Los Corredores Address : Calle Oficios,154, Plaza de San Francisco, entre Teniente Rey Y Amargura, La Habana, Cuba
Monday October 2nd
Tuesday October 3rd
01 : 00 PM Arrival at José Martí International Airport 03 : 00 PM Check-In Hotel Palacio de los Corredores 06 : 00 PM Walking in Habana Vieja (Old Havana) 07 : 00 PM Dinner at the rooftop restaurant of Hotel Inglaterra with
11 : 00 AM Classic car tour of Havana 12 : 00 PM El Capitolio, Gran Teatro García Lorca, Parque Central and
the view of the sunset
the surrounding places
04 : 00 PM Back to the hotel 07 : 00 PM Dinner at the rooftop restaurant of Hotel Ambos Mundos
with partial view of Old Havana
Wednesday October 4th
Thurdsay October 5th
10 : 00 AM Plaza Vieja, Plaza de Armas and Plaza de la Catedral 01 : 00 PM Museo Maqueta de la Habana 03 : 00 PM Dinner at restaurant Sierra Maestra at Hotel Habana Libre
11 : 00 AM Planetario de La Habana 01 : 00 PM Museo del Ron 03 : 00 PM Exploring Old Havana 06 : 30 PM Walking in El Malecon until the sunset 08 : 00 PM Dinner at Hotel Nacional
and panoramic view of Havana 08 : 00 PM El Morro “Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña 09 : 00 PM El Cañonazo
Friday October 6th
Saturday October 7th
12 : 00 PM Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes 01 : 00 PM El Floridita for their famous daiquiri 03 : 00 PM Explorimg the surroundings of the city 04 : 00 PM Flea Market 05 : 00 PM Back to the hotel 08 : 00 PM Dinner at Restaurante 5 Sentidos
12 : 00 PM Plaza de la Revolución 02 : 00 PM Bosque de la Habana” 05 : 00 PM Back to the city 08 : 00 PM Dinner at the rooftop restaurant of Grand Hotel Manzana 10 : 00 PM Back to the hotel
Sunday October 8th
Monday October 9th
12 : 00 PM Playa del Este 03 : 00 PM Back to the hotel 07 : 00 PM Dinner 09 : 00 PM La Bodeguita del Medio for their famous mojito
10 : 00 AM Check-Out Hotel Palacio de los Corredores
Hotel Palacio de los Corredores
Monday, October 2nd | Page 3
The Palacio De Los Corredores hotel, with a 5-star rating, is located about a 10-minute drive from the University of Havana and is close to Old Havana. With 56 rooms offering views of Plaza de San Francisco. Located in Old Havana, the hotel is within walking distance of the Gran Teatro de La Habana and merely 350 metres away from Bodeguita del Medio. The 5-star Palacio De Los Corredores is placed about 20 km from Jose Marti International airport and a few minutes’ walk from Plaza de Armas and 10 minutes’ drive away from El Malecon. Along with a mini bar and coffee/tea making machines, the hotel also have Wi-Fi and a satellite TV to keep you entertained. Breakfast is served in the restaurant each morning. Palacio De Los Corredores invites guests to the terrace bar to relax with a drink. Serving international, Latin American and Cuban specialities, Cafe El Mercurio is nearly 5 minutes’ walk away.
La Habana Vieja
Monday, October 2nd | Page 4
La Habana Vieja (Old Havana), declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982, is the historic center of the city of Havana. It is formed by a harbor and the official center, the Plaza de Armas. There you will find all kinds of picturesque monuments, fortresses, churches, palaces, etc. It is full of authentic architectural treasures from different periods and offers one of the most comprehensive collections of urban buildings in all America. This area of the city alone is home to more than a thousand buildings of historical importance with various examples of distinguished architecture ranging from Baroque to Art Deco. Unlike typical colonial cities, Havana was developed on not one, but four main plazas: the Plaza de Armas, which was the military and defensive center as it had a fortress and a large courtyard used for military parades; the Plaza de la Catedral, which with its cathedral was used as the religious center; the Plaza Vieja, which was the commercial hub as it housed important markets; and the Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, which was the main point of exportation and importation as it had a port where Spanish ships docked. To get to the city of Havana, the best option is to fly to José Martí International Airport, a few kilometers away from Havana. Walking along streets is one of the best ways to get to know a place, and in the colorful boulevards of Old Havana there is no other way. With the fresh sea breeze in the distance, and the shaded boulevards, the Caribbean sun will not stop you from enjoying the wonderful spots that Havana’s historical center has to offer, to the beat of the Latin rhythms that sound in every corner.
Hotel Inglaterra
Monday, October 2nd | Page 5
Hotel Inglaterra, located in Paseo martí (Martí Promenade), is National Monument since 1981. This hotel opened in 1856, and is the oldest one in Havana. The hotel is located facing Centro Habana Central Park, and its building has some touches of Neoclassical design, quite fashionable at the time, being its interior Moorish. The hotel exhibits a great variety of tallies and shields in all its rooms, from the columns and grills in the lobby, to several sculptures. Some of the shields exhibited belong to Spanish titles of nobility, but other represent historic moments. Politicians like Winston Churchill and artists like the poet Rubén Darío, among many others, have slept in here.
Spacious and quite old-school in decoration, the rooftop terrace comes with a casual and very relaxing vibe. During daytime it works mainly as a sun terrace, with solarium and even a rooftop jacuzzi. When night starts approaching it turns into a bar and grill, offering tasty dishes and nice cocktails, all at very reasonable prices. Add free WiFi, and it is a real bargain. Usually not to crowded, but with a fun and open atmosphere, you should try and time a visit at the Hotel Inglaterra rooftop bar around sunset, which is beautiful from here. Then you can stick around and also be entertained by the nightly live music.
El Capitolio Nacional de Cuba
Tuesday, October 3rd | Page 6
The El Capitolio Nacional (National Capitol of Cuba) is one of the most emblematic buildings in Havana. This majestic construction, located in the Centro Habana, is similar to that in Washington D.C, but a meter higher, a meter wider, and a meter longer, as well as much more rich in detail. It was started to be built by Gerardo Machado in 1926 supported by North America. Formerly, it was used as headquarters of the Cuban Congress, but since 1959 it has hosted the Cuban Academy of Sciences and the Science and Technology National Library.
Gran Teatro García Lorca
Tuesday, October 3rd | Page 7
The Gran Teatro García Lorca (García Lorca Theater) of Havana, center of Ballet and National Opera of Cuba, is located in Centro Habana, in Paseo Martí (Martí Promenade). Nowadays the building is part of a great cultural complex with several rooms, and is one of the most important cultural institutions in latin America. It was erected between 1907 and 1914, surrounding the former Tacón Theater (1838), becoming the oldest functioning theater in the occidental hemisphere. This construction has a flashy Neo-Baroque architecture, adorned with plenty of carvings and sculptures in stone. Its main façade has four sculptures in white marble representing charity, education, music and theater.
Parque Central
Tuesday, October 3rd | Page 8
The Parque Central, Havana is one of the best known and central sites of the city of Havana, Cuba. It is located between Prado, Neptuno, Zulueta and San José streets, and San Rafael Boulevard. Among the buildings surrounding the park are Gran Teatro de La Habana (The Great Theatre of Havana Alicia Alonso), the Hotel Inglaterra (England Hotel), the Hotel Telégrafo, el Hotel Parque Central (Central Park Hotel), la Manzana de Gómez, the Hotel Plaza and Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes The gardens surrounding the statue of Jose Marti by José Vilalta Saavedra have a series of paths that intersect. There are 28 royal palms that signify Martí’s birth date, as well as 8 coffin-shaped stonework, representing medical students shot by the Spanish Government on the Island during the Ten Years’ War November 27, 1871
Hotel Ambos Mundos
Tuesday, October 3rd | Page 9
The Hotel Ambos Mundos is a hotel in Havana, Cuba. Built with a square form with five floors, it has an eclectic set of characteristics of 20th century style architecture. It was built in 1924 on a site that previously had been occupied by an old family house on the corner of Calle Obispo and Mercaderes (Bishop and Merchants Streets) in Old Havana. It is a frequent tourist destination because it was home to the popular writer Ernest Hemingway for seven years in the 1930s. The Ambos Mundos Rooftop Bar is perched on top of the hotel located in a beautiful building from the 1920s, right in the heart of Old Havana. Both green and classic, the rooftop terrace comes with great views over the old city and the historic harbor.
Plaza Vieja
Wednesday, October 4th | Page 10
The Plaza Vieja, designed in 1559, is the most striking plaza in Havana from an architectural point of view. It is located in Old Havana and, in it, the Cuban baroque coexists with the Art Nouveau inspired by the Gaudinian style. However, after a thorough rehabilitation, modernist architecture elements are mixed with the colonial buildings, giving life to a remarkably beautiful plaza. Originally the square was known as Plaza Nueva and was used for military exercises, carnivals, proclamations and whatever the social vicissitudes of the time. Later, it was used as an open-air market known as Reina Cristina. Nowadays, it is dotted with restaurants, cafes, bars and beer gardens, a great place to stop on your way through Old Havana.
Plaza de Armas
Wednesday, October 4th | Page 11
The Plaza de Armas is the oldest square in Old Havana, where colonial Havana was born in the 16th century. At that time it was located between the Castillo de la Real Fuerza (Royal Force Castle) and the Iglesia Parroquial Mayor (Main Parish Church), from which it took its name, Plaza de la Iglesia. Nowadays, it houses the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (Captains Generals’ Palace) because in 1741, the explosion of the Spanish imperial ship “Invincible” destroyed the Main Parish Church. It was not known as the Plaza de Armas until the 16th century, when the colonial governor began to use this location to take over the garrison of the nearby fortress. Due to the proximity of the English pirate Francis Drake to the island, the Cuban troops began their military practices in this square to face a possible assault. The current square, like most of the buildings surrounding it, dates from the late 1700s. The ideal entrance to this square is through the incredible portico built at the junction between Avenida del Puerto and Calle O’Reilly. At the same time, you can admire the coat of arms of the city of Havana placed in front of the beach.
Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana
Wednesday, October 4th | Page 12
The Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana (Cathedral of San Cristóbal in Havana), located in the Plaza de la Catedral in Old Havana, is one of the most important and impressive architectural monuments in Cuba. Designed by the Italian architect Francesco Borromini it is a building of baroque style, dominated by two uneven towers with lateral bell towers and current Tuscan facade. Its construction began in 1748 by the Jesuits. In 1767 they were expelled from the New World, leaving their work at a standstill. Eleven years later, Bishop Felipe José de Tres-palacios y Verdeja, acquired the land projecting in his imagination the construction of the cathedral. Today, it is considered one of the most beautiful and restrained religious buildings of the American Baroque, declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982.
Wednesday, October 4th | Page 13
It is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, whose image is represented on the high altar. Behind it, there are three frescoes by Giuseppe Perovani. There are many works of art in the cathedral. Among them, a precious painting of the pope preparing to give mass, which has been in the temple since the 15th century. The sculpture, gold and silver work and those of the tabernacle were made in Rome by Bianchini under the direction of the famous Spanish sculptor Antonio Solá. The cathedral underwent several renovations directed by the architect Pedro Medina during the 18th century and, in 1755, the chapel was consecrated, a work by the Cuban Lorenzo Camacho, dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto. The church was not converted into a cathedral until 1788. The final layout of the temple consists of three naves with a practically square floor plan and houses a total of eight side chapels differentiated by thick pillars. Its construction was largely based on the use of coral rock from the Gulf of Mexico, which today allows us to see the remains of marine fossils
Museo Maqueta de La Habana
Wednesday, October 4th | Page 14
The Museo Maqueta de La Habana Vieja (Maqueta Museum of Old Havana) (Scale Model Museum) is located in Calle Mercaderes Street, inside the city center of Havana, in Cuba. This museum hosts a 1:500 scale model of Old Havana, one of the most important of these models in all of Cuba, and is considered as a place of great interest, knowledge and entertainment by its inhabitants. It is continuously updated and is rather impressive due to the incredible attention to detail in its works in regards to some of the most important buildings of Old Havana. At the entrance to the museum lies a Cuban flag made of clay. It illuminates the adjacent room in shades of white, blue and red when crossed by sunlight, a work by the Italian artist Stellana Paletti. This is one of Old Havana’s must-visit museums, as it allows you to imagine what the historical center of Havana is like as a whole, and therefore being able to get a better look at it when walking its streets.
Hotel Habana Libre
Wednesday, October 4th | Page 15
The Hotel Habana Libre (Free Havana Hotel), previously known as Hotel Habana Hilton, is a historic construction Modernist in style located in Vedado, and which was taken by Fidel Castro and his revolutionary army in 1959. It was only called Hotel Habana Hilton for 9 months, until the revolutionaries named it Hotel Habana Libre, the name it holds to this day.
The historic relevance of this hotel comes from the time when Fidel Castro settled here during the first months of the Revolution, specifically in a suite on the 24th floor. Nowadays, the hotel contains shops, as well as an interesting photograph collection concerning the period during which the revolutionaries occupied the hotel.
Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña
Wednesday, October 4th | Page 16
Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress is located in a hill in the eastern side of the port of Havana. This vast fortress was erected in the 18th century, between 1763 and 1774, as way of protecting the weakest spot of the city’s defense system.
In 1762, the British took hold of the fortress and bombed the city until it surrendered. Therefore, King Carlos III of Spain ordered the construction of this grand fortress to ward off any more attacks. This impressive fortress kept invaders at bay for centuries. In the 19th century, some Cuban patriots were executed here. It is interesting to know that both Machado and Batista used this fortress as military prison and, after the Revolución, El Che set up his headquarters here. Nowadays, the fortress is restored to welcome tourists and it can take as much as a whole day to visit it all! You will find plenty of bars, restaurants, souvenir stores, and the world’s largest tobacco store here too. The fortress also houses the Museo de Fortificaciones y Armas (Fortress and Weapons Museum) and the Museo de la Comandancia del Che (El Che’s Headquarters Museum). Everyday at 9pm, the cannon is fired in a ceremony where actors dressed in period costumes from the 18th century fire the cannon over Havana’s port, which was the signal, until the year 1850, of the closing of the city’s gates.
Planetario de La Habana
Thursday, October 5th | Page 17
The Planetario de La Habana (Planetarium of Havana) is a must-visit place in Cuba. It was built in 2009 with the help of the Japanese government and is located in Calle Mercaderes, near the Plaza Vieja Square in Havana.
The Planetarium has exhibitions including a scale model of the Solar System inside a huge sphere, a Big Bang simulation, and a theater where it is possible to see more than 6,000 stars. In its interior you can go on a 45 minute imaginary cosmic journey underneath more than 2,500 stars and the main planets in the Solar System. The tour starts with the Big Bang, and extends throughout the 13,700 million year history of the universe, explaining its origins according to different scientific theories. The Planetarium has several telescopes, a projector that can lock onto more than 6,500 stars, a library of astronomy, a theater, interactive games, and a staff made up of physicists and astronomers.
Museo del Ron
Thursday, October 5th | Page 18
The Havana Club Rum Museum (Museo del Ron) is located next to the Colonial Plaza de San Francisco de Asís Square, right in front of Havana harbor. It is not necessary to drink alcohol to enjoy this wonderful museum, because by visiting it you’ll still be able to delve into Cuban culture. This museum offers an interesting guided tour exhibiting the complex
rum-making process in old machines. This tour is available in Spanish, English, French, German and Italian. It explains the entire process, from the manufacturing white oak barrels to the rum’s fermentation and ageing process, as well as a scale-model copy of a sugar mill. Ticket price includes a tasting to finish the tour. The museum also contains a bar and shop, however the experts tend to go to Dos Hermanos Bar, located right by the museum.
El Malecón de La Habana
Thursday, October 5th | Page 19
El Malecón is an attractive maritime promenade approximately eight kilometers long located in Havana. This huge promenade is also one of the most authentic and famous avenues in all of Cuba. This is one of the favorite meeting points for lovers, poets, folk singers, philosophers and fishermen. El Malecón has an especially passionate atmosphere when it is growing dark, as here you’ll be able to experience one of the best sunsets the island has to offer. The Malecón was designed as a small maritime promenade for the middle class in the first decade of the 1900s; but the following decade it was quickly extended towards the east, resulting in an eclectic architecture mixing the Neoclassical with Art Nouveau. From 1950 the highway of El Malecón de La Habana has a total of six lanes, so it is one of Havana’s must-visit places. The Malecón’s architecture is quite outstanding, housing countless old buildings in the midst of being restored.
Hotel Nacional de Cuba
Thursday, October 5th | Page 20
The Hotel Nacional de Cuba (National Hotel of Cuba), built in 1930 in an eclectic Art Decó, Neoclassical and Neocolonial style, has been declared a National Monument due to its artistic and historic value. Nowadays, it is one of the most popular postcard pictures from Havana. It is located in Calle O, cornering Calle 21, in Vedado, Municipio Plaza de la Revolución, Havana. The hotel has also been made part of the Memory of the World Programme by UNESCO, being the first hotel to receive this kind of honor. It has a large list of important clients, from politicians, artists, and scientists, to well-known members of the Italian-american mafia. Some of the most famous are: Edward VIII, Prince of Wales; the writers Ernest Hemingway and Rómulo Gallegos; Nelson Rockefeller; the first person to discover Penicillin, Alexander Fleming; the boxer Rocky Marciano, Frank Sinatra, and movie actors such as Marlon Brando, Ava Gardner, Rita Hayworth, Fred Astaire, or Pedro Vargas. Nowadays, the hotel exhibits on its walls old photographs of some of its guests.
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
Friday, October 6th | Page 21
The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts) is a fascinating art museum located in two buildings next to the famous Martí Promenade, in the center of Havana. Its main goals are to restore, preserve, and promote works belonging to the heritage of Cuba. It has 24 rooms exhibiting ancient art collections, rooms dedicated to masters in every epoch, as well as rooms with temporary exhibitions.
The Fine Arts Palace, known as Universal Art Collection exhibits an international art show from 500 B.C. until nowadays. From this building stand out the great Spanish collection, including a painting by El Greco, Roman mosaics from 2000 years ago, and a painting by Gainsborough. The Asturian Center is focused in Cuban Art. It exhibits a great variety of works in chronological order. These works include the some by artists like Guillermo Collazo, Rafael Blanco, Raúl Martínez, or Wifredo Lam. As a whole they host one of the largest collections of paintings and sculptures in all Latin America. If you don’t have too much time it is recommendable to visit The Asturian Center, hosting the most complete collection of Cuban Art. The museum also has a library specialized in plastic arts. This is one of the best art museums in all the Caribbean. You can spend all day here dealing with all kinds of art, from Cuban pop art to Greek pottery.
El Floridita
Friday, October 6th | Page 22
El Floridita is one of the most famous bars and restaurants in Cuba. It is located on Calle Obispo in Old Havana, in the historical center of the city. It’s a trade that has been working since 1817 and its fame grew rapidly due to frequent visits of the Nobel Prize of Literature, Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway is so linked to the history of the Floridita, that in the bar
there is a picturesque life-size bronze statue in his honor, with which you can have your picture taken as if you were having a drink with the famous writer. Hemingway himself left his famous phrase “Mi mojito en La Bodeguita, mi daiquirí en El Floridita” (“My mojito at La Bodeguita, my daiquiri at El Floridita”) in his own handwriting. The place is a wonderful representation of the fifties, as it maintains the glamour of yesteryear with most of its original furniture in perfect condition. In addition, the walls are decorated with beautiful murals. It has a quiet and cozy atmosphere, which is filled with the best Latin rhythms and Cuba because many groups Havana offer their concerts here.
Restaurante 5 Sentidos
Friday, October 6th | Page 23
At 5 Senses, a fine dining spot in Havana, diners can indulge in gourmet Cuban cuisine that is sure to delight their taste buds. The establishment boasts a chic and modern ambiance that is perfect for a romantic date night or a fancy dinner with friends. The interior design is tasteful and well thought out, with an open kitchen and large windows that allow diners to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the street outside. Prices are reasonable given the quality of the food, with op-
tions for all budgets. Located in Habana Vieja, this eatery is conveniently situated for tourists and locals alike. The menu at 5 Senses offers a variety of dishes to suit all palates, including vegetarian options and gluten-free choices. Some standout dishes include the Blue Fish Tartar, the Slow-Cooked Pork with Tropical Sauce, and the Red Snapper with Spicy Sauce. Cocktails are also a must-try, with the Barlog being a popular choice among patrons. For those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages, the establishment offers a range of soft drinks and juices. Wine lovers will appreciate the selection of Spanish Tempranillo wines on offer. Overall, 5 Senses is a must-visit establishment for anyone looking to experience the best of Cuban cuisine in a stylish and sophisticated setting. With its delicious food, attentive service, and unique atmosphere, it’s no wonder that this place has become a favorite among both locals and tourists.
Plaza de la Revolución
Saturday, October 7th | Page 24
The Plaza de la Revolución Square, located in Vedado, in the municipality of Havana, named in the same way, is one of the largest public squares in the world, at 72,000 square meters, as well as a place of great historic value, as it has been the scene of several of the main events throughout the Cuban Revolution. A million people have gathered here (almost a tenth of Cuban population). Its huge terrace has been used for several Party conferences, and has been witness to several acts of solidarity with brother nations, and to anniversaries of historic events, such as the assault on Cuartel Moncada, and the success of the Revolution. This huge square was made by Frenchman Jean Claude Forestier in the 1920s, and was known as Plaza Cívica Square until 1959. The square was built over a hill in the style of the l’Étoile Square in Paris, with several avenues spreading out towards Almendares river, Vedado, and Fraternidad Park in Central Havana.
Saturday, October 7th | Page 25
Nowadays, it is surrounded by grey buildings and is the Cuban Government headquarters, used as a place to celebrate the important political demonstrations. In the center of the square you’ll find the José Martí Memorial, and right behind it are the Government offices, inside the heavily guarded Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party. The concrete building in the north of the square is the Ministry of the Interior, famous for the huge Mural of Che Guevara on its facade, which is a copy of the picture taken by Alberto Korda in 1960. Just below the picture of Che is the sentence “Ever onward to victory!”. The nearby building is that of telecommunications, and displays the picture of heroic warrior Camilo Cienfuegos. On the east side of the square is the José Martí National Library, which houses an interesting photography exhibition; and on the west side is the Cuban National Theater.
Bosque de la Habana
Saturday, October 7th | Page 26
The Havana Forest (Bosque de La Habana) is located along the course of the Almendares River between the municipalities of Plaza and Playa. At its entrance, where once upon a time there was a stone castle-shaped building, starts a path of odd smells leading into the heart of a jungle where the sun struggles to penetrate through the curtains of green leaves providing beautiful scenery. Frequented by tourists, practitioners of Afro-Cuban religion that leave their offerings along the river of sewage, people with backpacks hoping that some chicken is sacrificed to then negotiate it on the streets of Havana and vultures waiting for their turn amid the garbage and the smell of decay.
Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski
Saturday, October 7th | Page 27
Ideally located in the heart of Old Havana, and surrounded by the main UNESCO World Heritage buildings of this vibrant city, the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski offers you the opportunity to relish in the first luxury hotel in Cuba. Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski comprises 246 luxurious rooms, including 50 suites, where you can lounge after
a
stroll
through
the
fascinating
and
historic
city
of
Havana.
The hotel offers spectacular views over Old Havana from the Panoramic Restaurant and Bar and the Spa on the roof top. The country and city is rich in history, culture and diversity. You can walk directly into Old Havana to discover the city, or take a tour in one of the legendary cars, which await you just in front of our Hotel entrance.
Playas del Este
Sunday, October 8th | Page 28
The Eastern beaches are a series of beaches located just 18 kilometres east of Havana. This area is surrounded by pine trees and starts in the small Cuban resort of Bacuranao, and reaches the town of Guanabo, 27 kilometers away from the capital. This area is composed of seven beaches that could well be considered as a single vast beach. The area, as opposed to Varadero or Cancún, has not been overly developed for real estate, as it would be expected. However, the area is nonetheless a popular touristic destination, since - during the summer - Havana locals gather here to enjoy the splendid days of sun and the beach of turquoise waters and soft white sand. Despite the fact of these beaches being worthy of postcards, and certainly crowded during the summer, the facilities and services in this area are nowhere near those in the resorts in Cayo Coco or Varadero. During the winter, the area is pretty desolate, and even during the peak of summer, it’s likely that most tourists think that the restaurants and hotels do not meet the expected standards for the area. Therefore, this area is perfect for those who hate mainstream tourism. In fact, the Eastern Beaches are the only source of fresh air and atmosphere in Havana. Each of the seven beaches that occupies this 9-kilometer-long area has its particular atmosphere. For instance,Playa Guanabo is full of stores, a lively nightclub, and private homes. Playa Santa María del Mar, for example, features the most resorts for tourists; meanwhile, Jibacoa and Trópico boast amazing coral seabeds and are perfect for diving. The seven beaches, from the closest to Havana, are: Playa Bacuranao Beach, Playa Mégano Beach, Playa Santa María del Mar Beach, Playa Boca Ciega Beach, Playa Guanabo Beach, Playa Jibacoa Beach and Playa Trópico Beach.
La Bodeguita del Medio
Sunday, October 8th | Page 29
La Bodeguita del Medio is one of the most famous restaurants in Havana and also in Cuba. It is a must-see when you visit Old Havana, where famous writers and artists and important politicians have passed through. The journalist Leandro Garcia, after signing the wall of this place, started the tradition that the celebrities who pass through it leave a mark or a memory, either in the form of a photo, an object, or graffiti. You can find historical signatures such as Salvador Allende, Ernest Hemingway, or Pablo Neruda, among many others. This restaurant dates back to 1942, when it was a small shop known as La Bodeguita de Martínez, selling drinks and some sautés. At that time is was already frequented by thinkers who used to go to a nearby printing house before meeting in La Bodeguita. Little by little, La Bodeguita started to host more food and drinks, as well the amount of people who dined there. Even though they don’t know exactly when this started, it began to be known as La Bodeguita del Medio.
Works cited
Cuba Voyage https://www.cubavoyage.org/
The Rooftop Guide https://www.therooftopguide.com/ Havana Times https://havanatimes.org/ Trip Advisor https://www.tripadvisor.com/ Freep!k
https://www.freepik.com/
Wikipedia https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/ Lonely Planet https://www.lonelyplanet.com/ Trip Advisor https://www.tripadvisor.com/ Insight Cuba https://insightcuba.com/ Restaurant Guru https://restaurantguru.com/ Gaviota Hoteles https://www.gaviotahotels.com/
Manley BELIZAIRE Port-au-Prince, Haiti belizairemanley@gmail.com Architecture | Blogging
2023