Cuba · Americas

Individuelle Reisen nach Havana

Vintage cars, mojitos, and son music on every corner.

Ab €2,200/Person·Beste Reisezeit: November–April·★★★★★ 500+ Reisende vermittelt

Foto von Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz auf Pexels

Was ist eine Individualreise nach Havana?

Havana is best experienced by walking the four colonial plazas at 7 a.m. (before cruise ship tourists arrive), driving the Malecón at sunrise in a 1950s American car, and attending a Friday night rumba or Saturday trova music session. Stay in a casa particular (private home) for the most authentic experience. Allow 3–4 days for Havana, then add Viñales or Trinidad.

Havana is the largest preserved colonial city in the Americas — 900 buildings in Habana Vieja (Old Havana) are under UNESCO protection, their 16th–19th century Spanish Baroque and Neoclassical façades maintained through limited resources and bureaucratic continuity. The best way to experience Habana Vieja is to walk the four main plazas in the early morning: Plaza de la Catedral (7 a.m., light hitting the asymmetric cathedral towers before the day-tripper taxis arrive from the cruise ships), Plaza de Armas (second-hand book market opens 8 a.m.), Plaza Vieja (the most architecturally varied, with buildings from three different centuries), and Plaza San Francisco de Asís (former merchant exchange, now a concert hall open for visits). The entire sequence takes 3 hours walking slowly.

The American cars — 1950s Chevrolets, Fords, Plymouths, and Buicks maintained with Soviet engine parts and ingenuity since the US embargo of 1960 — are not a tourist gimmick but the functional vehicle fleet of a city where new car imports remain severely restricted. The cars on the Malecón (the 8-km seafront boulevard) are the same cars their owners drive to work. A 1957 Chevy taxi tour of Centro Habana and Vedado costs approximately CUC 30–40 for 2 hours; agree the price before getting in. The Malecón itself is best walked at sunrise (6–7 a.m.) when fishermen cast from the seawall and the coral-coloured apartment blocks catch the first light from the east.

Cuban rum culture is specific and differs from the global cocktail menu: the daiquiri was invented at the El Floridita bar (1914, with Ernest Hemingway's name on the bronze stool he occupied, at the corner of Obispo and Monserrate) and the mojito was codified at La Bodeguita del Medio (1942, Hemingway's second claimed haunt, though historians dispute his regular presence there). Both tourist institutions, both worth visiting for the cocktail origin story — but order the same cocktails at the Casa del Ron (a government rum shop on Obispo) or at Sloppy Joe's bar (restored 2013 to 1930s original design) for half the price.

Was ist die beste Reisezeit für Havana?

Unsere empfohlenen Monate sind November–April. Hier ein monatlicher Überblick mit Planungshinweisen.

Jan

Nebensaison — beste Verfügbarkeit und Preis-Leistung.

Feb

Nebensaison; ruhig und oft günstiger.

Mar

Zwischensaison; das Wetter verbessert sich.

Apr

Highlights in Havana

Handverlesene Erlebnisse unserer lokalen Veranstalter. Jede Individualreise beinhaltet eine Auswahl davon — oder etwas noch Besseres.

Erlebnis 1

Vintage car Malecón and Old Havana tour

Walk Plaza de la Catedral at 7 a.m. as the asymmetric coral-stone towers catch the first light — the square is empty except for an old man on a folding chair with a cup of Cuban coffee, and the cruise ship tourists with their matching luggage are still 3 hours away.

Erlebnis 2

Paladar dinner in Vedado

Drive the Malecón at 6 a.m. in a 1957 Chevrolet convertible, the sea spray from the Straits of Florida speckling the windshield, the coral apartment blocks of Centro Habana lit in golden light, fishermen casting from the seawall in silence.

Erlebnis 3

Viñales tobacco farm day trip

Roll tobacco leaves by hand with a Viñales farmer in his curing barn, the mogote limestone tower visible through the open door above the valley where every leaf was grown without chemical input in the same red-clay soil it has always been grown.

Erlebnis 4

Cuban salsa class with live band

Climb the steps to Casa de la Música in Trinidad at 9 p.m. as the tres guitar and bongo begin, and understand son music not as a museum exhibit but as the social structure of an evening — couples dancing in the street because the building is already full.

Erlebnis 5

Fábrica de Arte Cubano night

Walk the Necropolis Cristóbal Colón at 8 a.m. through 56,000 marble tombs — Spanish grandees, republican presidents, revolutionary heroes, and a spontaneous cult around the tomb of a woman who died in 1901 whose grave reportedly causes miracles.

Erlebnis 6

Cojímar and Hemingway's Finca

Sit at the bronze Hemingway stool at El Floridita at noon and order a Papa Doble daiquiri — double rum, half the sugar, invented here in 1914, now the cocktail that two continents drink without knowing its address.

Musterreiserouten

Zwei Ausgangspunkte — Ihre echte Reiseroute ist individuell. Wir bauen darauf auf.

7 Tage Klassiker

1
Tag 1: Four Plazas of Habana Vieja at 7 a.m.
Walk Plaza de la Catedral at 7 a.m. — asymmetric coral-stone towers in the first light, the square completely empty before cruise ship day-trippers arrive at 10 a.m. Continue to Plaza de Armas (book market opens 8 a.m. — second-hand Cuban political books, old postcards, Che Guevara editions at fixed peso prices). Plaza Vieja: its central fountain has been restored; the 19th-century Palacio Cueto on the corner is being renovated into a hotel. Plaza San Francisco de Asís: the Barcardi-owned statue of La Giraldilla (weathervane, the icon of Havana) on the Castillo de la Fuerza tower across the street. El Floridita bar opens at noon; come for the daiquiri and the bronze Hemingway stool.
2
Tag 2: Malecón Sunrise & Centro Habana
Walk the Malecón from the Habana Vieja end at 6 a.m. — fishermen on the seawall, the coral apartment buildings of Centro Habana lit by east-facing sunrise, the Straits of Florida grey-blue before the tourist energy begins. Hire a 1950s American convertible at the Parque Central for a 2-hour Centro Habana and Vedado tour (agree price: CUC 30–40 for the route). Vedado's Necropolis Cristóbal Colón — one of the great cemeteries of the Americas, 56,000 tombs in 57 hectares of Neoclassical marble, open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Afternoon: La Rampa (23rd Street in Vedado) for the Coppelia ice cream parlour (Cuban institution, peso prices in the peso queues, convertible prices in the tourist section).
3
Tag 3: Viñales Valley Day Trip
Bus 2.5 hours west to Viñales — a UNESCO Cultural Landscape of dramatic mogotes (limestone karst towers) rising 300 metres above flat tobacco-growing valleys, the finest karst scenery outside China's Guilin. The Valle de Viñales produces Cuba's finest tobacco; a morning walking tour with a farmer (arrange through your casa particular, approximately CUC 15) shows the curing barns, the seed-sorting, and the hand-rolling technique. A boat tour through the Cueva del Indio — an underground river cave system with Taíno petroglyphs — takes 30 minutes on the water. Return to Havana by 7 p.m.
4
Tag 4: Fábrica de Arte Cubano & Caliope
The Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC) in Vedado is a converted vegetable oil factory turned contemporary arts venue — gallery, live music, cinema, and bar simultaneously. It opens at 8 p.m. and fills progressively until 2 a.m.; the combination of contemporary Cuban visual art (the gallery quality rivals international standards) and live jazz, electronic, and reggaeton in different rooms makes it the most comprehensive snapshot of current Cuban culture. Tickets are CUC 2 at the door. Before FAC: late afternoon at Museo de la Revolución (Fulgencio Batista's former presidential palace, now documenting the 1959 revolution from the Cuban government's perspective — valuable regardless of political viewpoint for the material evidence and photographs).
5
Tag 5: Trinidad — Colonial Town
Bus 5 hours southeast to Trinidad — the most completely preserved Spanish colonial town in the Caribbean, its 18th–19th century mansions built on sugar and slave wealth now UNESCO-listed. The town's tile-and-cobblestone streets are closed to most vehicles; walking is the only option. Plaza Mayor at 7 a.m., Museo Romántico (colonial furniture and porcelain), and a sunset climb to the Ermita de la Popa hillside church for the valley view. The Casa de la Música on the steps hosts live trova and son music every evening from 9 p.m. — the most reliable live traditional Cuban music outside Havana. Overnight in Trinidad.
6
Tag 6: Trinidad — Ancón Beach & Cayo Blanco
Take a taxi 12 km south to Playa Ancón — a Caribbean beach with white sand, palm palms, and turquoise water that contrasts sharply with Trinidad's colonial streets. The Cayo Blanco catamaran day trip from Ancón includes snorkelling in a barrier reef area with sea turtles (seasonal) and a lobster lunch on the cay (CUC 70–80). Return to Trinidad for an afternoon walk through the Valle de los Ingenios — the 70 former sugar mills visible in the valley were once producing 30% of Cuba's sugar; the San Isidro de los Destiladeros ruined mill and its surviving slave bell tower are accessible by horse.
7
Tag 7: Return to Havana & Departure
Return bus from Trinidad to Havana (5 hours). If time allows before flight, spend the final 2 hours at the Mercado de Artesanía on Malecón (8 a.m.–5 p.m.) for Cuban art prints, vintage poster reproductions, Che iconography, and hand-rolled cigars (significantly cheaper than airport). Havana's José Martí International Airport (HAV) is 18 km south of Habana Vieja — allow 1.5 hours for international check-in.

14 Tage Tieftauchen

1
Tag 1: Four Colonial Plazas at 7 a.m.
Cathedral light before cruise ships arrive, book market 8 a.m., Plaza Vieja restored fountain, El Floridita daiquiri noon.
2
Tag 2: Malecón Sunrise & Vedado
6 a.m. fishermen on seawall, 1950s convertible tour Centro Habana, Colón cemetery 56,000 marble tombs.
3
Tag 3: Viñales Valley
Mogote karst towers, tobacco farmer morning walk, Cueva del Indio river cave, hand-rolling demonstration.
4
Tag 4: Fábrica de Arte Cubano
Museum of Revolution afternoon, FAC contemporary gallery and live music 8 p.m.–2 a.m., CUC 2 door charge.
5
Tag 5: Trinidad Arrival
5-hour bus, Plaza Mayor 7 a.m., Museo Romántico, Ermita de la Popa sunset, Casa de la Música live son 9 p.m.
6
Tag 6: Ancón Beach & Valle de los Ingenios
Cayo Blanco catamaran snorkel, lobster lunch on cay, slave bell tower at ruined sugar mill.
7
Tag 7: Trinidad — Topes de Collantes
Mountain reserve 40 minutes north: Caburní waterfall hike through subtropical forest (2 hours), 600 m altitude, Cuban parakeet sightings.
8
Tag 8: Return to Havana
5-hour bus, Habana Vieja afternoon walk on return, sunset Malecón with bottle of Havana Club 7 Year.
9
Tag 9: Cerro & Vedado Architecture
Cerro neighbourhood Neoclassical portico streets (the covered promenades Spanish colonists built against the tropical sun), now in atmospheric decay.
10
Tag 10: Casa de la Trova Session
Traditional trova music session at Casa de la Trova Longina on Obispo (afternoon, free entry for Cubans, small charge for tourists).
11
Tag 11: Santiago de Cuba Flight
Domestic flight to Santiago de Cuba (the cradle of son music): Castillo del Morro, Casa de Diego Velázquez (oldest colonial house in Cuba, 1516).
12
Tag 12: Santiago — Celia Cruz & Son Music
Casa de la Trova Santiago (the original, founded 1968), UNEAC cultural house jam sessions, Cemetery Santa Ifigenia (Fidel Castro and José Martí tombs).
13
Tag 13: Baracoa — First Colonial City
Fly or bus to Baracoa: the first city Columbus founded in Cuba (1511), El Yunque flat-top mountain, cacao-based chocolate production, traditional foods: cucurucho coconut.
14
Tag 14: Havana Return & Departure
Fly back to Havana, final Obispo walk, airport transfer, international departure.

Praktische Informationen

Visum

Tourist card required (~US$50–100)

Währung

Cuban peso (CUP); USD cash

Sprache

Spanish

Zeitzone

CST (UTC-5)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

What currency should I use in Cuba?+

Cuba unified its two-currency system (CUP and CUC) in 2021; the Cuban Peso (CUP) is now the official currency. Euros, US dollars, and Canadian dollars can be exchanged at CADECA exchange bureaux (hotels have them; banks have queues). US dollars carry a 10% exchange penalty — exchange euros or Canadian dollars instead. Credit cards issued by US banks do not work in Cuba; bring sufficient cash for the entire trip. Most tourist services quote prices in USD equivalent even after the currency reform; carry small denominations for street food and local transport.

What is a casa particular and should I stay in one?+

A casa particular is a licensed Cuban private home where spare rooms are rented to travellers — the Cuban equivalent of a B&B. They are cheaper than hotels, provide direct contact with Cuban family life, include home-cooked breakfast (typically eggs, fresh fruit, bread, and Cuban coffee), and the hosts provide the best local restaurant and transport recommendations. Book through Airbnb (legal since 2015) or Viazul-connected booking agents. In Habana Vieja, casas on Cuba Street or Obispo are ideally located; choose one with a rooftop terrace for sunset views.

Is Cuba safe for tourists?+

Cuba has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the Caribbean — the government maintains strict social control and violent crime against tourists is rare. The main tourist risks are petty theft (pickpocketing in crowded areas, especially La Rampa and Habana Vieja) and scams (strangers offering 'great deals' on cigars — these are fakes — or restaurant recommendations that pay commission). Carry a phone copy of your passport photo page; the original passport should be carried but kept in an inner pocket. The internet is limited and expensive (ETECSA cards required for public WiFi in parks).

Can Americans visit Cuba?+

US citizens can legally travel to Cuba under the 'People-to-People' or 'Support for the Cuban People' Treasury OFAC licence categories — these require staying in casas particulares rather than government hotels, eating at paladares (private restaurants) rather than state restaurants, and documenting cultural/educational activities. Booking through US-based Cuba travel specialist agencies handles the compliance documentation. Direct flights operate from Miami, New York, and several other US cities. Carry cash; US credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba.

What is the best live music to experience in Havana?+

For traditional son and trova: Casa de la Trova on Obispo, afternoon sessions (3 p.m. daily); authentic, low tourist price. For jazz: Jazz Café on La Rampa (Vedado), evening sessions from 10 p.m.; free or small cover. For contemporary Cuban art music: Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC), Thursday–Sunday 8 p.m.–2 a.m., CUC 2. For rumba (the most African-influenced genre, used in Santería ceremony): the Conjunto Nacional de Danza Moderna and the Saturday free rumba in the Callejón de Hamel (a street mural installation in Centro Habana) from noon.

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