La Havana Insider Tips

Whether you’re holiday in La Havana to relax on the wonderful beaches or to experience the city life, lowcostholidays.com insider tips will help you come closer to the break you’re looking for.

When is the best time to go?

You can enjoy La Havana’s excellent weather all year round, a pleasant all-year round tropical climate.

What about the beaches and the bars?

The Playas de Este beaches near the city provide golden sands and a gentle sea, popular with the locals, or ‘habaneros’, as well as those on holiday here. You can swim or sunbathe until your heart’s content, and as the atmosphere is a nicely communal one, you can make some new friends from the city.

There’s a multitude of great bars in the city – those like The Havana Bolero or El Floridita, where Hemingway used to come out for the evening.

How’s the shopping?

There’s varied and unique shopping opportunities in La Havana: it’s an international and commercial port. You’d do well to acquire yourself some Havana Club Rum or a Cohiba cigar, something quintessentially Cuban to take home with you.

Where can I dine out?

Dining out in La Havana can be an interesting experience – with meals generally quite cheaply priced. Though it’s a socialist country, and competition between eateries is diminished, there’s no shortage of excellent cuisine. An ordinary meal at a private restaurant in Cuba will cost you about 4-5 Euros and consist of typical Cuban food such as roasted chicken, fish or pork.

Get in with the locals

Can I drink the water?

Bottle water is generally recommended because of unfamiliar bacteria in the tapwater.

What’s the 999 number?

106.

Shall I pack sun-cream/anorak?

The sun can be extremely hot at times and you’d be advised to pack some strong protection.

How do I get around?

The most convenient way of getting around is certainly by taxi – cheap, reliable and easy to flag down.

Do I need to tip?

Tipping is certainly appreciated in La Havana’s bars and restaurants.