Guidebook for La Habana
Food Scene
Ernest Hemmingway’s favourite watering hole is half a block
west of the Cathedral. There is a bar at the front with quite
a good restaurant at the back. The house drink is the mojito.
Adorning the walls is an impressive collection of photos of fa- mous visitors
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La Bodeguita Del Medio
EmpedradoErnest Hemmingway’s favourite watering hole is half a block
west of the Cathedral. There is a bar at the front with quite
a good restaurant at the back. The house drink is the mojito.
Adorning the walls is an impressive collection of photos of fa- mous visitors
Drinks & Nightlife
This restaurant and bar was made famous by Ernest Hemming- way who frequented here to consume his beloved Daiquiries.
The cocktail is served in dozens of varieties for $6. The novel- ist’s seat is preserved as a shrine (a chain prevents anyone from
sitting on it).
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El Floridita Bar
ObispoThis restaurant and bar was made famous by Ernest Hemming- way who frequented here to consume his beloved Daiquiries.
The cocktail is served in dozens of varieties for $6. The novel- ist’s seat is preserved as a shrine (a chain prevents anyone from
sitting on it).
Calle O, e/17 y 19, Vedado. A cramped and
moody 1950’s style nightclub that hosts live music (filin, trova,
bolero) nightly. Music from 11pm to 3am. $5.
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El Gato Tuerto
Calle O, e/17 y 19, Vedado. A cramped and
moody 1950’s style nightclub that hosts live music (filin, trova,
bolero) nightly. Music from 11pm to 3am. $5.
there are two of these - one in Central Ha- bana on Galiano street (officially called Avenida Italia), and one
further afield in Miramar. Both offer the same thing - big bands
playing the latest salsa. 11pm to 2am, $10-$25 depending on the
band. Afternoon sessions are a little cheaper (5 to 9pm) with low- er profile bands, and attract more Cuban punters.
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Casa de la Musica de Centro
there are two of these - one in Central Ha- bana on Galiano street (officially called Avenida Italia), and one
further afield in Miramar. Both offer the same thing - big bands
playing the latest salsa. 11pm to 2am, $10-$25 depending on the
band. Afternoon sessions are a little cheaper (5 to 9pm) with low- er profile bands, and attract more Cuban punters.
Sightseeing
The Rum museum occupies the former harbour front colonial
mansion of the Count de la Mortera. It provides an introduction
to the mystery and manufacture of Cuban rum. Mon to Fri 9am
to 5pm, Sat 9am to 4pm, Sun 10am to 4pm, $12 including guide
and drink. Also hosts a Buena Vista style show Sun, Mon, Thurs
nights at 9:15pm, $30, includes a couple of drinks and a cigar.
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Museo del Ron Havana Club
The Rum museum occupies the former harbour front colonial
mansion of the Count de la Mortera. It provides an introduction
to the mystery and manufacture of Cuban rum. Mon to Fri 9am
to 5pm, Sat 9am to 4pm, Sun 10am to 4pm, $12 including guide
and drink. Also hosts a Buena Vista style show Sun, Mon, Thurs
nights at 9:15pm, $30, includes a couple of drinks and a cigar.
This is an alley where local artist Salvador Gonzalez has adorned
walls with evocative murals in blazing colours inspired by Sante- ria. The alley features a Santeria shrine, eclectic art galleries, and
fantastical totemic sculptures. On Sundays (12noon to 3pm) he
hosts Afro-Cuban rumbas (be aware of pickpockets!).
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Callejon de hamel
Callejon de HamelThis is an alley where local artist Salvador Gonzalez has adorned
walls with evocative murals in blazing colours inspired by Sante- ria. The alley features a Santeria shrine, eclectic art galleries, and
fantastical totemic sculptures. On Sundays (12noon to 3pm) he
hosts Afro-Cuban rumbas (be aware of pickpockets!).
El Morro-La Cabaña Historical Military Park
Looming over Habana Vieja, on the north side of the harbour
channel, is the rugged cliff face of the Cabaña, dominated by
two great fortresses. Together the castles comprise the largest
and most powerful defensive complex built by the Spanish in the Americas. To get there from Habana you need to go through the
harbour tunnel (no pedestrians allowed).
Castillo de Los Tres Reyes del Morro (El Morro), the handsome castle built into the rocky palisades of Punta Barlovento, crowning
a rise that drops straight to the sea at the entrance to Havana’s nar- row harbour channel. 8am to 8pm daily, $3, guide $1.
Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña (La Cabaña)
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La Cabaña
El Morro-La Cabaña Historical Military Park
Looming over Habana Vieja, on the north side of the harbour
channel, is the rugged cliff face of the Cabaña, dominated by
two great fortresses. Together the castles comprise the largest
and most powerful defensive complex built by the Spanish in the Americas. To get there from Habana you need to go through the
harbour tunnel (no pedestrians allowed).
Castillo de Los Tres Reyes del Morro (El Morro), the handsome castle built into the rocky palisades of Punta Barlovento, crowning
a rise that drops straight to the sea at the entrance to Havana’s nar- row harbour channel. 8am to 8pm daily, $3, guide $1.
Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña (La Cabaña)
This old commercial square originally hosted a covered market.
It is surrounded by mansions and apartment blocks from where,
in colonial times, residents looked down on processions, execu- tions, bullfights, and fiestas. On the northeast corner in the tallest
building in the square is a building housing the Camara Oscura - an optical reflection camera that revolves through 360 degrees
and projects a real-time picture of Havana at 30 times magnifica- tion onto a two meter-wide parabola in a darkened room. 9am to
5pm daily, $2.
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Gamla stan
San IgnacioThis old commercial square originally hosted a covered market.
It is surrounded by mansions and apartment blocks from where,
in colonial times, residents looked down on processions, execu- tions, bullfights, and fiestas. On the northeast corner in the tallest
building in the square is a building housing the Camara Oscura - an optical reflection camera that revolves through 360 degrees
and projects a real-time picture of Havana at 30 times magnifica- tion onto a two meter-wide parabola in a darkened room. 9am to
5pm daily, $2.
Entertainment & Activities
The most lavish show in town is found in
the Hotel Nacional and starts at 10pm. Its nowhere as big as the
Tropicana but it has plenty of feathers and flesh, and in a spec- tacular theatre. $35.
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Cabaret Parisien
Calle OThe most lavish show in town is found in
the Hotel Nacional and starts at 10pm. Its nowhere as big as the
Tropicana but it has plenty of feathers and flesh, and in a spec- tacular theatre. $35.