The Top 6 Things You Must do in Havana
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June 17, 2019
While I’m definitely no expert when it comes to Havana, I wanted to share my favorite things I did while visiting. There were tons of things I wanted to do and didn’t get to, but these are the top 6 things I did–and recommend you do–in Havana, Cuba.
1. Make your own Perfume at Habana 1791
This was such a cool experience and the perfect souvenir to bring home. As you can imagine, there are tons of different scents to test out and pick from. You can mix as many as you like, or get just one scent. They let you test it on your skin and you can even walk around for the day and come back once you decide. I went with two different perfumes because I couldn’t decide on just one favorite. Also, the bottles you get them in are so cool. Perfect for pretty bathroom or vanity decor!
2. Eat at El Chanchullero
This was by far the best food we had the entire time in Havana. This little restaurant is hidden away deep in the city, but we were able to find it twice. That’s right, we ate there twice in the five days we were in Havana. The restaurant has a slight Hemingway theme, with a little reading nook area and menus served in envelopes, but the food and drinks are anything but gimmicky. The prices are dirt cheap and the portions are huge. Get the ropa vieja de cerdo and thank me later. Yes, the wait for a table might be long, but it’s totally worth it! I still dream about this food more than I care to admit.
3. Walk Around Habana Vieja
Habana Vieja, aka Old Havana, is gorgeous. It’s a touristy area, but something worth seeing while in town. We stayed in Habana Vieja, so we got to know the area well. This is where you will find all the old cars, souvenir shops, and street bands/dancers. The restaurants might be over-priced, but the atmosphere is fun and carefree. Definitely a cool area to explore for a day!
4. Have a Beach Day at Santa Maria del Mar
This local beach is just a short 20 minute drive from Habana Vieja. The streets are lined with vendors selling fresh cooked foods and beer. We went for a day and it was clear that this was the locals beach. Barely anyone spoke any English, but it was really cool to feel so immersed in Cuban culture. Read the full post on it here.
5. Drink Mojitos on a Rooftop
Not sure I really need to explain this one, but you can’t go to Cuba and not have a mojito. Enjoy it on a rooftop and you’re in paradise. Our Airbnb host actually served us mojitos on the terrace as a welcome. It was perfect! Another place we had rooftop mojitos was El Cocinero, but it felt too south beach for my tastes. I heard lots of English and I felt like I was in Miami, not Cuba.
6. Enjoy the Live Music in the Plazas
One of my favorite things about Havana was all the live music you would come across. There are countless latin bands, street dancers, and even a live orchestra in Plaza de Armas. At night, there’s a whole huge performance area in Plaza Vieja at one of the restaurants. After a few drinks, you just might be inspired to get up and join them!
Natali
August 15, 2017 @ 6:32 am
Oh yes!! Havana is my all time top destination and I hope to visit it someday!
I would do all of these 6 things you’ve mentioned, esp. the last two as that’s something what made me
fall in love with Havana at first place, the spontaneity of locals and love for music and dancing.
http://lartoffashion.com
Megan
August 15, 2017 @ 1:39 pm
It’s such an incredible place!! I really hope you get to visit; pictures and words just don’t do it justice! 🙂
kileen
August 15, 2017 @ 8:51 am
ah, Havana is on my travel wishlist for sure! looks like so much fun and i love your swimsuit!
kileen
cute & little
Megan
August 15, 2017 @ 1:40 pm
You definitely have to go! So much fun! Thanks, lady 🙂
Sveva Marcangeli
August 15, 2017 @ 9:34 am
This is such a great guide! I love your photos and the colors are amazing. http://www.svadore.com
Megan
August 15, 2017 @ 1:42 pm
Yay, awesome! Thank you!
emily maric
August 15, 2017 @ 1:01 pm
Wow that photo with the colorful cars is absolutely amazing! Never thought of visiting Havana before, however this post has changed my mind. Thanks for sharing.
xo, Emily
http://bailylamb.com
Megan
August 15, 2017 @ 1:31 pm
Aren’t the cars so cute!? You definitely should check into visiting!! I loved it. Such a cool place!
lauren @ laurenalforddesign.com
August 15, 2017 @ 8:26 pm
love el cocinero! we had amazing frozen mojitos at paladar dona eutimia. I found the cemetery tour in havana to be fascinating – and the tour of the hemingway house was cool too. el floridita (hemingway’s spot) is a must!
Megan
August 15, 2017 @ 9:33 pm
Ooooh, frozen mojitos sound delish!! A cemetery tour would be really cool too! Isn’t Havana amazing!?
Bryanna
August 15, 2017 @ 9:01 pm
I’ve been wanting to go to Havana! I need to go asap, because things are going to be getting shut down. The perfume experience sounds so fun, and the perfect souvenir to remember your trip by. As for mojitos on a rooftop, count me in! It must have been so nice to take a break from the internet and just enjoy your time there. It looks absolutely amazing, and I will be sure to do all of these when I go!
xoxo Bryanna
Megan
August 15, 2017 @ 9:32 pm
I know! I wanted to get there ASAP because of all the uncertainty. It really was such an amazing trip! The internet situation was a little stressful at times solely for the fact that I wanted to be able to keep up with my social media for blogging purposes, but overall it definitely was relaxing to disconnect! Thanks for reading, Bryanna! 🙂
Keyma
August 15, 2017 @ 9:28 pm
These photos are so amazing and instantly take me to a state of wanderlust. Now I for sure need to visit Cuba.
Megan
August 17, 2017 @ 11:55 am
Thank you so much! It was such a pretty place. I really enjoyed my visit!
Azanique
August 15, 2017 @ 10:12 pm
I’ve never been to Havana, but it looks gorgeous! So much fun
– xo, Azanique | http://www.lotsofsass.com
Megan
August 16, 2017 @ 1:43 pm
It is! So beautiful! I really loved it there 🙂
KatWalkSF
August 16, 2017 @ 12:29 am
Girl!!! Take me to Havana now!
-Kat
http://www.katwalksf.com/
Megan
August 16, 2017 @ 1:43 pm
Yeessss, you have to get down there! It is such an amazing place!
Life of a Sister
August 16, 2017 @ 2:23 am
Well…Now I need to go to Havana!! Sounds amazing!
Megan
August 16, 2017 @ 1:42 pm
Girl, it IS! I can’t get over what a great trip it was! So much fun.
Courtney Creer
August 16, 2017 @ 5:09 pm
Great post!! Thanks for sharing!
Megan
August 16, 2017 @ 7:51 pm
Thanks, Courtney!
Ketki Sharangpani
August 16, 2017 @ 6:41 pm
Making my own perfume sounds fun. Also love the colorful cars in Havana, they are so pretty
Megan
August 16, 2017 @ 7:52 pm
Aren’t they!? I loved the cars! And yes, the perfume was definitely an awesome experience. I totally recommend it!
Tessa Elliott
August 16, 2017 @ 7:59 pm
Cuba was been on my bucket list for far too long – and this blog post is fuelling my desire even more! Thanks for the inspiration!
Megan
August 17, 2017 @ 11:50 am
Absolutely!! If you get a chance to go I HIGHLY recommend it!
Fay
August 16, 2017 @ 8:44 pm
Make you own perfume?? That sounds so fun and personalised. Cuba has been on my list for a while, those old fashioned cars just draw me in. Great ideas of things to do in Havana, maybe it’s planning time ;P
Megan
August 17, 2017 @ 11:50 am
It was so fun! Planning time for sure 🙂 Havana is such a great place to visit. I’d recommend the trip to anyone!
Amanda Blizzard
August 17, 2017 @ 3:50 am
I’ve been to Cuba twice… But only on a resort! I’m trying to convince my son to go back next year for a month, but the bad internet has him hesitant haha. Your guide sounds so wonderful though! I LOVE the old town feel, that’s where I would spend most of my time!
Megan
August 17, 2017 @ 11:47 am
Omgggg, you totally have to go back and do more of the “local” lifestyle. It was such an incredible experience! I really felt so safe the whole time I was there.
Ania | Snow to Seas
August 17, 2017 @ 5:46 am
These all sound like such fantastic things to do in Havana! I was sold on the first activity/experience. I have never heard of having the opportunity to make your own perfume, and I would really love to!
Megan
August 17, 2017 @ 11:46 am
Yes! It was so much fun!
Ressa
August 17, 2017 @ 8:23 am
Wow, such a lovely post about Havana! I didn’t even know you could make your own perfume there too! If I ever get the chance to visit Cuba, I will definitely check out the places you mentioned! -@ressamazing
Megan
August 17, 2017 @ 11:45 am
Isn’t that so cool!? I loved doing it! I hope you get a chance to go 🙂
Annette Richmond
August 17, 2017 @ 12:53 pm
I’m having a serious case of FOMO after reading your post! If I wasn’t moving to Thailand in two months, Cuba would be at the top of my list. Thanks for sharing! I will be sure to share with my lucky friends that get to go.
Megan
August 21, 2017 @ 7:45 am
Moving to Thailand?!? Ok well that’s pretty amazing too lol. Best of luck!
Felicia Broccolo
August 17, 2017 @ 9:50 pm
Wow this post made me want to go to Havana soo badly. Your pictures are stunning and it sounds like such an amazing time! Thank you for sharing your list!
Megan
August 21, 2017 @ 7:44 am
It seriously was incredible!! So glad you enjoyed reading about it!
Caitlin | Caitlin Confidential
August 24, 2017 @ 4:47 pm
I am DESPERATE to go here! Looks beautiful! Mojito on the rooftop please X
Megan
August 25, 2017 @ 5:30 pm
Yesss! The best! It was seriously so pretty 😉