What to drink
Guarapo - Made from the juice pressed from whole stalks of sugar cane Pru - Found in the west, and is a non-alcoholic concoction made from various root vegetables and herbs left to ferment, Rum - The favourite hometown brand is Havana Club, made in a variety of different types Cuba libre – You must try it in its country of origin Mojito - Another national favourite and Ernest Hemingway’s drink of choice, made with rum, lemon juice, sugar, soda and mint leaves Aguardiente - The local firewater made from cane sugar Local beers - Mayabe and Hatuey are the best

Highlights
HAVANA
Havana is the largest city in the Caribbean and offers a wealth of activities. Arriving early for your A visit to Havana is almost like stepping into a time machine and journeying back to the 1950s. Old American automobiles from that period crowd the streets and little modernization has altered the Spanish architecture. It’s little wonder why Ernest Hemmingway fell in love with this capital and called it home for more than 20 years.

Old Havana
Walking Tour - Old Havana is the cultural centre of the city.
Plaza de la Catedral - Around this plaza you will see several famous buildings. First among these is the Catedral de San Cristobal de La Habana which was built around 1748 by Jesuits. Next is Centro Wilfredo Lam, which is home to Cuba’s leading modern painters. Palacio del Marques de Arcos is Cuba’s old post office, and Museo de Arte Colonial displays decorative arts and furniture. Finally, at the Taller Experimental de Grafica you can see original prints being made, except for Mondays and Fridays when the entire plaza becomes an open-air market.

Plaza de Armas - the centre of power in Cuba is found one block south of the Plaza de la Catedral on San Ignacio where an excellent book market takes shape on weekends. Around the Plaza de Armas you can visit the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (west side) which is probably the most impressive building in Cuba, and dates back to 1776.

On the northeast side, the Castillo Real de las Fuerza, built in 1558, is the oldest colonial fortress in the Americas, and is home to the Museo de las Ceramica Artistica Cubana.

Just off the Plaza de Armas is the Museo del Automovil which displays classic automobiles.
Museo de la Revolucion - sits opposite the Corona Cigar factory at Refugio No 1 and depicts an accurate account of the Cuban revolution. In front of the building, you can see a SAU-100 tank used by Castro during the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion.

La Bodeguita del Medio - at Empedrado No. 207, this bar is a must visit. It was the favourite haunt of Ernest Hemingway. Other notables have visited such as Castro and Salvador Allende to name but a few, and many have left their autographs on the walls.

Casa de la Obra Pia at Obrapia No 158 - An example of 17th century aristocratic life
Museo - Casa Natal de Jose Marti - on Leonor Perez No. 314, this is the birthplace of Jose Marti, Cuban hero of independence. You can see photos, books, manuscripts and other mementos of his life
Iglesia Paroquial del Espiritu Santo – At the corner of Cuba and Acosta is Havana’s oldest surviving church.

Museo Nacional de la Musica - At Capdevila No. 1, this museum houses a collection of Cuban instruments. You can purchase recordings of Cuban music at the gift shop

Central Havana
Parque de la Fraternidad - this park was created back in 1892 when it became a Spanish military parade ground. Around it, you will find the Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagas at Industria No. 520, Havana’s oldest cigar factory. When in Havana, you must take a cigar tour. Also see the Capitolio Nacional, Cuba’s answer to the White House, and the Gran Teatro de La Habana which is the oldest operating theatre in the Western Hemisphere

Parque Central - This has become the meeting point between old and new Havana. At its centre is a marble monument to Jose Marti. Be sure to visit one of Havana’s most elegant hotels bordering the park, the Inglaterra. Many foreign dignitaries and visiting movie stars have spent time here
Hotel Sevilla - One block north of the Paseo de Marti, this is another notable hotel where Cuba’s own Mary Pickford cocktail was invented. It is composed of rum, pineapple juice and grenadine
Plaza de la Revolucion – This enormous square has come to symbolize the Cuban Revolution, due to the massive political rallies held here in the 1960’s, and Fidel Castro still sometimes delivers speeches to hundreds of thousands of spectators. There is a large statue and memorial to Jose Marti, an early revolutionary hero, as well as a building size reproduction of the face of Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, overlooking the square.

Vedado
Hotel Nacional at Calles 21 and O – A colonial hotel that played a significant part in US-Cuban history. This hotel is definitely worth a visit.
Plaza Ignaacio Agramonte - The University square where you can visit the Museo de Ciencias Naturales, Cuba’s oldest museum and Museo Antropologico Montane, which displays pre-Colombian Indian artifacts.

Cristóbal Colón - Cuba’s most important cemetery. While you may think that a cemetery is the last place you want to visit on a holiday, it is a significant part of Cuban history. Many pivotal moments in the country’s history took place between these tombs.
Malecón - Also called the Avenida de Antonio Maceo - Was constructed in 1902 after Cuban Independence, and follows the oceanfront. Many monuments and upscale hotels line the Malecón, so it’s definitely worth a stroll.
Outside of Havana
Marina Hemingway - at Avenida 5 and Calle 248, offers scuba diving and deep-sea fishing
La Tropicana - probably the most famous of cabarets in all of Cuba, La Tropicana is located on Calle 72 No. 4504 at Avenida 43 in Marianao (closed Mondays). Admission including one drink is about 55USD depending on your table, but it is well worth it. You should book in advance (tel 33-0110) to ensure seating.

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