Old School Cool: Enjoying Authentic Havana on a Budget
Old School Cool: Enjoying Authentic Havana on a Budget - Explore the Vibrant Streets of Habana Vieja
No trip to Havana is complete without exploring Habana Vieja, the city's charming historic district. Cobblestone streets lined with colorful colonial buildings transport visitors back in time to when Havana was one of the Caribbean's grandest cities.
Wandering aimlessly through the lively streets is one of the best ways to experience this UNESCO World Heritage site. Stop frequently to admire the stunning architecture, snap photos of vintage cars, and pop into quirky shops and galleries. Some of the top attractions include Plaza Vieja, a lively central square surrounded by pastel buildings housing restaurants, shops, and museums. Plaza de la Catedral is another picturesque square anchored by the impressive Catedral de San Cristóbal de la Habana.
For a dose of Cuban culture, head to Plaza de Armas to browse books at a secondhand book market and watch locals play chess and dominos. And don't miss Calle Obispo, a lively pedestrian street lined with restaurants, bars, and artisan shops selling handmade souvenirs.
Getting lost in the winding streets is half the fun, but be sure to grab a map to avoid missing top sites like Castillo de la Real Fuerza, an imposing 16th-century fortress, and the ornate Palace of the Captains General. Peek inside winding alleys to discover hidden architectural gems.
To soak up the rhythm of daily Cuban life, simply park yourself on a shady bench in one of the lively squares. Watch schoolchildren in crisp uniforms chat animatedly on their way home from school and listen to melodic Cuban music spilling from open doorways. The streets here hum with an infectious energy unique to this time capsule of a neighborhood.
While Habana Vieja exudes faded colonial charm, it's also a living, breathing community. Chat with friendly locals and you'll soon see their immense pride in their city. Don't be surprised if an abuela invites you into her home for coffee or a local recommends their favorite paladar.
What else is in this post?
- Old School Cool: Enjoying Authentic Havana on a Budget - Explore the Vibrant Streets of Habana Vieja
- Old School Cool: Enjoying Authentic Havana on a Budget - Indulge in Traditional Cuban Cuisine on the Cheap
- Old School Cool: Enjoying Authentic Havana on a Budget - Experience La Bodeguita del Medio, Hemingway's Favorite Mojito Bar
Old School Cool: Enjoying Authentic Havana on a Budget - Indulge in Traditional Cuban Cuisine on the Cheap
No trip to Cuba is complete without indulging in the island's incredible cuisine. While Havana has seen an influx of upscale international restaurants in recent years, nothing beats the authentic flavor of traditional Cuban food. Luckily, you can still eat like a local in Havana without breaking the bank.
Start your day like a Habanero with a strong, sweet café cubano. This thick espresso is served nearly everywhere, from hole-in-the-wall coffee windows to posh hotel restaurants. Sip the small cup slowly to truly savor the complex flavor. For an authentic Cuban breakfast, try the egg sandwich known as a sandwich mixto. Fried eggs, ham, and cheese on fluffy Cuban bread make a perfect on-the-go meal.
Street food is another delicious way to eat local on a budget. Vendors sell frituras like chicharrones (fried pork belly) and masas de puerco (fried dough with pork) for just a few CUCs. Be adventurous and try cocada, a coconut sweet meat fritter, or mariquitas, savory plantain chips. And don't leave the island without trying a Cuban sandwich or pan con bistec, thin steak with fried onion on bread.
While Havana's upscale paladares feature nouvelle Cuban cuisine at tourist prices, locals flock to humble family-run restaurants known as paladares económicas. Here you can feast on traditional Cuban fare like ropa vieja (shredded beef), moros y cristianos (rice and black beans), and tostones (fried plantains) for a fraction of the cost. Try local favorites like La Guarida and Doña Eutimia.
An atmospheric option for enjoying Cuban cuisine is to book a meal through Havana's community tourism network. Eat homecooked classics like tamales or ropa vieja in a Cuban home. This unique culinary and cultural experience connects you with locals and their families over a shared meal.
Don't leave the island without trying Cuba's famous mojitos and daiquiris. While hotel bars charge a premium, you can sip the real thing at local watering holes. Head to ramshackle bars in residential neighborhoods to try legitimate Havana Club rum cocktails at just a few CUCs a glass. Or enjoy a mojito at Bodeguita del Medio, Hemingway's go-to spot, for the ultimate Cuban bar experience on a budget.
Old School Cool: Enjoying Authentic Havana on a Budget - Experience La Bodeguita del Medio, Hemingway's Favorite Mojito Bar
No trip to Havana is complete without a visit to La Bodeguita del Medio, the legendary watering hole where Ernest Hemingway himself would sit and sip mojitos during his stays in Cuba. Even today, La Bodeguita remains a top destination for mojito lovers visiting the time capsule that is Havana.
Stepping into the cramped, graffiti-covered interior of La Bodeguita transports you back to Old Havana's bohemian days. While hordes of tourists now flock here, a palpable sense of history still permeates the space. Take a moment to soak up the atmosphere — handwritten notes lining the walls, dusty bottles of rum, the buzz of conversation as bartenders shake up Cuba's iconic cocktail.
Then belly up to the bar for La Bodeguita's famous mojito, made just the way Papa Hemingway preferred. The crisp, minty cocktail is refreshing nirvana in the Cuban heat. Sip slowly and taste the flavors — the lime juice, sugar cane syrup, sparkling soda water. Grab a seat at one of the shared tables to strike up a conversation with fellow mojito lovers from around the globe.
For the true Hemingway experience, order a mojito in the morning — after all, legend has it the writer began drinking as early as 10am when staying in Havana. While quite unconventional, an early mojito at La Bodeguita allows you to follow in the footsteps of an American literary giant in the very place he sat decades ago, cold cocktail in hand.
In the evenings, La Bodeguita becomes even livelier, packed shoulder to shoulder with a mix of locals, tourists, and international celebrities. Revel in the buzzing energy of the crowd, the smell of fresh mint and lime, the sound of ice clinking in cocktail shakers while smiling servers weave through the masses. Grab a spot at the tiny bar to chat with the skilled bartenders shaking up mojito after mojito, their hands a blur.