Havana is an amazing place that is stuck in the past, but really that makes it all the more enticing for the visitor. With the disgusting sanctions that the US enforced, it hasn’t been able to advance or evolve as a nation or economy. Until recent.
But for the visitor, that makes it all the more appealing, like seeing all the classic 1950s cars. Seriously, they are everywhere. I went a few years ago and things are opening up (to trade), but 70% of the cars on the roads must have been the classic 50s cars.
With all the heavy sanctions enforced they had to maintain the cars, which they did, and keep on doing. Whether they’re taxis or everyday cars, they’re everywhere, and they don’t just add to the charm but initiate it.
All the sanctions have led to an elegant decay of all the wonderful colonial architecture in Havana, too. With a lack of investment the city’s buildings aren’t exactly spick and spam, but again this adds to the buzz of Havana.
The main buildings are nice and spruced, and look all-colonial in their colourful splendor. A walk around the main areas and you feel like you are back in time. It really is a wonderful experience.
At night, because of the lack of electricity and the decay of many of the buildings outside of the tourist areas, it can look a dangerous and even haunted place, but it’s not. In fact, I never felt threatened there once.
The beaches in Havana are about 10km away from the city, and are well worth the short ride, especially in a 1950s classic. They’re not the best beaches in Cuba, but they’re still beautiful stretches of white powdered sandy beaches with beautiful lashing Caribbean sea to swim and have fun in.
There are locals with pop up barbeques who will grill you the most amazing freshly caught fish for a very small fee. They’ll cook it to your liking without even specifying your liking. Trust me, it was the nicest fish I’ve ever had, and I had one every time I took a trip up to the beach.
Any trip to Havana wouldn’t be worthwhile without mentioning El Floridita bar or trying mojitos and Cohiba cigars. So, I recommend doing all three together. Regularly. As often as you can. I don’t smoke, but when in Rome and all that. I do drink, and the mojitos are perfect there, and so is the food.
El Floridita was Ernest Hemingway’s favourite hangout while he was in Havana, it still has all the charm that made it a favourite for the famous author. But you know what? So does Havana. Without sounding stereotypical, it really is a wonderful and charming place.
