When
it comes to tourist attractions,
in the capital city of Cuba, the historical section of old Havana
is a must for those interested visitors arriving to the island.
Declared by UNESCO World Heritage in 1982, this part of the city
allows an approach to the history of a time that becomes present
through architecture.
Buildings like El Templete (little temple) built in 1827 recall
every November 16th the first cabildo (chapter) of San Cristóbal
de La Habana.
Other places of interest coincide in this area: the Plaza de Armas
(arms square), the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (captain general's
palace), the Castillo de la Real Fuerza (royal force castle), 1577-
which tower serves as pedestal for La Giraldilla, symbol of the
city- and the Palacio del Segundo Cabo (deputy governor palace).
Other
plazas located in the same area are highly attractive due to their
mere presence: the Plaza de la Catedral (cathedral square), surrounded
by opulent mansions; the recently restored Plaza Vieja (old plaza),
where the house of the Counts of San Juan de Jaruco stands out;
and the Plaza de San Francisco de Asís (plaza of St. Francis
of Assisi), named after the adjacent church and convent.
From the studio-galleries, the work of singular Cuban and Latin-American
artists welcomes the visitor, who remains amazed at the colorfulness
of an art reflecting the complex tropical nature and the skillfulness
of modern and post-modern art cultivators. Taking a look at the
commercial or business world can
be very useful and functional: the Palacio de las Convenciones,
or convention palace, and the exposition hall Pabexpo represent
this facet of Cuban capital city.
Havana's seawall avenue, known as "malecón", constitutes
a key piece in attaining a fluent circulation in the city. Along
it, one can enjoy the joyfulness of the people during the carnival
season or contemplate the fury of the sea during the winter, when
it jumps over the seawall with unsuspected strength.
At the beginnings of the 20th century the people in Havana used
to enjoy
the attractive public services along the seawall, but the tradition
did not survive due to the fact that the speed of the cars and hygienic
measures impeded their use. Nevertheless, the malecón continues
to be a point of gathering for teenagers and young people.
Along its 5 km of extension, the city shows to the visitor with
its buildings, statues, monuments, as well as hotels like Riviera,
Hotel Nacional, and Cohiba. It is a preferred place for the Havana
inhabitants that, trying to get away from the hot weather, sit along
the seawall to enjoy the breeze blowing from the sea. Havana's malecón
will always be a joyful and charming place waiting for the tourists
to come.
The Hemingway marina constitutes an appropriate place for snorkeling,
diving, deep-sea fishing or taking part in a seafari to the coral
reef.
A coast strip of more than 15 km of
fine white sands and blue, transparent waters extends from Bacuranao
to Guanabo, the nautical circuit known as East Havana Beaches in
which Santa María del Mar stands out being one of the most
visited owing to its natural wonders.
There are also a great deal of restaurants, where good taste and
typical food work side by side to satisfy the clients. Well-known
places like La Bodeguita del Medio, Floridita, El Aljibe, La Cecilia,
and others captivate the visitors and make sure they will return.
Last, though surely not least, we have left some space for the entertainment
the tourist can encounter in the worldwide famous Tropicana cabaret,
the Habana Café, the Jazz Café, and a wide network
of night clubs that allow you to savor the taste of Cuban music.
in the capital city of Cuba, the historical section of old Havana
is a must for those interested visitors arriving to the island.
Declared by UNESCO World Heritage in 1982, this part of the city
allows an approach to the history of a time that becomes present
through architecture.
Other
plazas located in the same area are highly attractive due to their
mere presence: the Plaza de la Catedral (cathedral square), surrounded
by opulent mansions; the recently restored Plaza Vieja (old plaza),
where the house of the Counts of San Juan de Jaruco stands out;
and the Plaza de San Francisco de Asís (plaza of St. Francis
of Assisi), named after the adjacent church and convent. 
can
be very useful and functional: the Palacio de las Convenciones,
or convention palace, and the exposition hall Pabexpo represent
this facet of Cuban capital city. 
enjoy
the attractive public services along the seawall, but the tradition
did not survive due to the fact that the speed of the cars and hygienic
measures impeded their use. Nevertheless, the malecón continues
to be a point of gathering for teenagers and young people.
of
fine white sands and blue, transparent waters extends from Bacuranao
to Guanabo, the nautical circuit known as East Havana Beaches in
which Santa María del Mar stands out being one of the most
visited owing to its natural wonders.
