Heading to Havana? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip (top hostels below)!
TL;DR
- Perfect for: 3–4 days
- Best for: Culture lovers, extroverts, history buffs, adventure seekers
- Why visit: Unfiltered vintage vibes, safe streets, and dance floors for one
HAVANA AT A GLANCE
- Population: About 2.15 million; biggest city in Cuba
- History: Founded in the 16th century by the Spanish; pivotal colonial and cultural role
- Famous for: Crumbling elegance, vintage cars, cigar smoke, salsa, and that unforgettable Malecón
- Nicknames: “The City of Columns”
- Vibe/safety: Very solo-friendly; safe but expect some catcalling and street hustle
ESSENTIAL INFO
- Currency: Cuban Peso (CUP) – no more dual currency! USD widely accepted but +10% fee
- Language: Cuban Spanish
- Best time to visit: December–April (pleasant, breezy, dry; hurricane season: Sept–Oct)
- From airport:
- Taxi: 20–30 min to city, $25–30 USD (set price!)
- Bus: Locals only (no tourist access)
- Safety: Pickpocket alert in crowds, catcalling common but rarely aggressive. General city is safe for solo travelers.
- Cultural calendar tip: July–August Carnival, or December for Havana Jazz Festival
- What to watch on the plane: “Buena Vista Social Club” (1999)
WHERE TO STAY (FOR SOLO TRAVELERS)
- 🛏️ Best hostel: Hostel Mango Habana Vieja – Chill, sociable, right in Old Havana’s heart, rooftop views, super clean, daily home-cooked breakfast, book ahead!
- Havana for hotels/Airbnb:
- 🏘️ Havana Vieja: Most iconic, walkable, close to all must-sees, unbeatable for solo vibe and safety
- 🧭 Vedado: Young, energetic, modern, less touristy – for indie bars, nightlife, and cinemas; nice break from tourist core
- 💸 (Budget tip) Casa Particulars: Homestays $25–40 USD/night w/ breakfast; supports locals, authentic, best for U.S. travelers
- Tip: Always confirm location within walking distance to Vieja or Vedado for max safety and convenience
TRANSPORT & NAVIGATION
- 🚶♂️ Walkability: Old Havana is made for explorers – lace up and get lost!
- 🚌 Bus: City buses unsuitable for tourists, long lines, locals only
- 🚋 Tram/Metro: None
- 🚖 Taxi: Official yellow cabs only; $25–30 USD from airport; around town, negotiate! Bici-taxis max $2 USD/km, always confirm price per KM before hopping in
- 🚲 Bike: Rentals rare, traffic hectic, Malecón is your best (and safest) ride
TOP 5 THINGS TO DO ALONE
- 🏛️ Capitolio Nacional & Havana Vieja: Soak up history, people-watch, and roam colonial plazas
- 🌿 Sunset stroll down the Malecón: Epic ocean breeze walk; safe and sociable at golden hour
- 🧠 Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes: Killer Cuban art scene + VR Castro speech for solo museum-hoppers
- 🧭 Vedado wandering: Trendy, leafy, and lined with indie bars and local hangouts—see how young Havana rolls
- 🎨 Rooftop cinema club (Cine Solar): Catch an open-air movie, mingle with locals, and enjoy the skyline for free (when on!)
- 🔀 Wildcard: Ferry to Regla/Casablanca – Cross the bay in 10 minutes for haunting views, quiet streets, and a great escape
WHAT TO SKIP
- ❌ Plaza de la Revolución: Huge, hot, underwhelming unless you’re a hardcore history fan
- ❌ State-owned restaurants: Expensive, bland food and slow service—private “paladares” are tastier and friendlier
- ❌ Sloppy Joe’s: Tourist trap for pricey drinks & meh food—go for the photo, not the meal
EATING & DRINKING
- 🧍♂️ Solo-friendly spot: El Dandy – Cozy café in Old Havana, sociable for solo eaters, Cuban-Spanish plates
- 🥃 Quiet pub/bar: La Cocina de Lilliam – Locals’ choice for cocktails; peaceful garden setting
- 🍽️ Try these foods: Ropa Vieja, rice & beans, tostones – best at local paladares (family-run, everywhere in Vieja)
- 💸 Best cheap eats: Street food stalls in Centro – $1–2 for fresh empanadas, fried plantains
- 🥦 Veg/vegan: Cafe Fortuna – Funky décor, best veggie options in town
- 🍸 Cocktails: El Floridita – For Hemingway daiquiris, strong pours, and lively bartenders
HAVANA’S BEST IN 1 DAY – SOLO ITINERARY
- Sunrise: Walk the Malecón with camera and Cuban coffee in hand
- Morning: Explore Old Havana: start at Parque Central, dive into cathedral squares & backstreets
- Lunch: Eat at a paladar near Plaza Vieja (try Ropa Vieja)
- Afternoon: Tour Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes; wander Vedado’s leafy avenues
- Evening: Head to Fábrica de Arte Cubano for art, live music & people-watching
- Dinner: Grab a table at El Dandy, stay for sunset cocktails
- Night: Rooftop cinema if available—or dance your own salsa on the Malecón or at a Vedado club
INTERNET ACCESS HACKS
- WiFi: 1,200+ public hotspots, but patchy
- Best bet: Buy a GigSky eSIM ($49/5GB) or NAUTA card ($1 = 1.5hrs) from ETECSA (expect a long line)
- Top Wi-Fi cafes: El Café (Obispo St), Cafe Fortuna, Librería Alma Mater (24/7 access for the night owls)
LOCAL TIPS & INSIDER WISDOM
- 🎉 Carnival (July–Aug): Street parties, parades, live rumba—wild, colorful, but sweaty and crowded
- 📍 Hidden gem: Ferry to Regla – Haunting cemetery, local saint shrine, barely any tourists
- 📷 Photo spots: Malecón at sunset, Plaza de la Catedral, vintage car rows on Calle Obispo
- 🧠 Etiquette tip: Always agree on price beforehand (taxi, drinks, even water!), and tip in USD when possible
- 🚩 Safety reminder: Havana is very safe—just keep an eye on your stuff, and say “no gracias” to pushy guides
- 👀 One last thing: Say yes to that spontaneous salsa invite—solo is how the locals dance!