Welcome to Havana

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine you are there. Waves crashing against a mildewed sea wall; a young couple cavorting in a dark, dilapidated alley; guitars and voices harmonizing over a syncopated drum rhythm; sunlight slanting across rotten peeling paintwork; a handsome youth in a guayabera shirt leaning against a Lada; the smell of diesel fumes and cheap after-shave; tourists with Hemingway beards; Che... Read More

Top experiences in Havana

Amazing hotels and hostels

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Recent articles

First time Cuba: things to know before you go

Rum, revolutionaries and retro cars – Cuba has a back-in-time appeal. Though a trip to Cuba seems undoubtedly romantic and exciting, you'll need to understand how the island works to get the best out of your visit. From visa rules to dual currencies, Cuba can be confusing for first timers. Avoid costly pitfalls and prepare properly with our practical guide.

A pastel house in Trinidad © florentina georgescu photography / Getty Images
Georgina Wilson-Powell
Lonely Planet Writer

The Obamas' visit to Cuba: 10 things they should do

On March 21, 2016, Barack Obama, joined by the First Lady, will become the first US president to visit Cuba since the days of prohibition and Model T Fords. No doubt, his two-day itinerary will be jam-packed and heavily curated, but let’s just imagine he gets a chance to give his Secret Service detail the slip and wander around incognito.

Where could he explore in a country that has long been off-limits to most Americans?
Brendan Sainsbury
Lonely Planet Writer

Getting a taste for Cuba's food and drink revolution

In Cuba, the word ‘revolution’ usually conjures up images of bearded guerrillas puffing on cigars rather than imaginative chefs preparing platters of lobster. Yet, the most revolutionary thing about Cuba in the last four years has been the food.

Following decades of gastronomic austerity, the spark of a full-blown culinary revolution was auspiciously ignited in early 2011 when the Cuban government relaxed laws on private enterprise. At liberty to express their pent-up creativity for the first time since JFK cancelled the US sugar order, Havana’s knife-wielding chefs began crawling enthusiastically out of the woodwork. It was as if a crossbow that had been wound back for fifty years had suddenly been let go.
Brendan Sainsbury
Lonely Planet Writer
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Travel guides

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Havana adventures

$1599 Small group tours

Sailing Cuba

We’ve always found it odd that they call them “all-inclusive resorts,” yet exclude the best parts. Hop over the wall and get to know Cuba like you never have before on this unique eight-day journey through the islands of the Canarreos Archipelago aboard an exclusive catamaran. Snorkel the crystal-clear waters in search of colourful fish, relax on the beach, and dine on some of the best seafood you’ll ever have. Experience all-inclusive, G Adventures-style; we don’t leave anything out.
$1889 Cycling

Cycle Cuba

Leave the resorts of Varadero behind and discover the real Cuba on this eight-day active adventure. Get your blood pumping cycling the hills of the Guaniguanico and El Rosario mountain ranges and marvel at scenic vistas that will take your breath away. Tour a tobacco plantation for a taste of iconic Cuban culture. With its lush scenery, vibrant culture, and incredible beaches, this active cycling adventure will have you exploring a side of this island few get to know.
$3079 Small group tours

Cuba Libre & Sailing

Roaming over its green hills or sailing along its tiny, white-sanded islands, you’ll wonder what took you so long to see "the other Cuba." This unique combo adventure on land and water will take you places most people don’t know even exist. Meander through the lush, laid back communities of Cuba’s "Garden Province" and dive into local culture for a night at a unique homestay. Sail aboard a catamaran to tour (and lay on) the secluded beaches of the thinly populated Canarreos Archipelago islands. Experience life in the sun you’ve always hoped was real.
$1599 Small group tours

Sailing Cuba

We’ve always found it odd that they call them “all-inclusive resorts,” yet exclude the best parts. Hop over the wall and get to know Cuba like you never have before on this unique eight-day journey through the islands of the Canarreos Archipelago aboard an exclusive catamaran. Snorkel the crystal-clear waters in search of colourful fish, relax on the beach, and dine on some of the best seafood you’ll ever have. Experience all-inclusive, G Adventures-style; we don’t leave anything out.
$2199 Nature & wildlife

Cuba Explorer

Explore a side of Cuba that few rarely get to experience on this nine-day adventure. Cruise Havana’s history-infused streets in a classic car and stroll along Trinidad’s cobblestone avenues to the rhythms of music floating from open windows. Tour a tobacco plantation for a taste of iconic Cuban culture and luxuriate in the view of the island’s rolling western hills. Travel by private air-conditioned vehicle is well-paced, so you're refreshed and ready to explore the island’s vibrant culture and tropical airs.
$1889 Cycling

Cycle Cuba

Leave the resorts of Varadero behind and discover the real Cuba on this eight-day active adventure. Get your blood pumping cycling the hills of the Guaniguanico and El Rosario mountain ranges and marvel at scenic vistas that will take your breath away. Tour a tobacco plantation for a taste of iconic Cuban culture. With its lush scenery, vibrant culture, and incredible beaches, this active cycling adventure will have you exploring a side of this island few get to know.
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