Havana Highlights

• Estimate Duration: 3.5 hours
• Pre-tour briefing materials.
• Exclusive-guided programming, including; insider access to Cuba’s famous places and those rarely seen; and private visits and lectures with Cuba’s renowned experts.
• All entrance fees to scheduled activities and events unless otherwise noted.
• Transportation in Cuba & Ground logistics.
• Expert Cuban guide
• Private Cuban driver
• Certification of travel to Cuba under the U.S Department of Treasure general license.

**End-of-tour gratuities for the Cuban guide, driver, and tour leader are left to the guest’s discretion and should be based on your level of satisfaction with the services received.

Ride through Old Havana where you will have the opportunity to learn about some of the most iconic sites and the history of this charming municipality. You will have a chance to see age-old buildings such as the Iglesia de San Francisco de Paula, one of Havana’s most charming churches, fully restored in 2000 and now used as a concert hall. Among the most significant buildings here, you will also see Train Central Station, the main railway terminal in Havana and the largest train station in Cuba, considered a national monument for its architectural and historical values.

At the entrance to Havana harbor stands the Tres Reyes del Morro Castle, built by the Spanish in 1589 and completed in 1640 to protect the city from buccaneers and pirates. In 1762, the castle was captured by the British under Sir George Pocock. Discover the military architecture of Havana from the 16th to 19th century on a visit to this historical fort.

On your way to El Cristo de La Habana you will see another military fortress originally built to block a weakness in the city’s defenses – San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress.

Then witness the majestic representation of El Cristo de La Habana, only four decades old, which forms part of the landscape that characterizes the entrance to the Havana harbor. Standing 65 feet tall, weighing 320 tons, consisting of 67 different pieces, and made of white Carrara marble, the monument was built in Italy by Cuban artist Jilma Madera, and inaugurated on December 25, 1958. History tells that the artist did not use a model as her inspiration but was inspired by what she felt was the definition of masculine beauty. However, legends say that she was inspired by the physique of an old lover.

On your way to the city’s famous Malecón seafront, one of the city’s most important and essential Cuban main roads, you will pass through the Havana Tunnel, which links the historic forts on the eastern shore with the ornate Spanish architecture in Old Havana.

From Old Havana to the distinctive streets of Vedado in a comfortable air-conditioned bus you will get a view of the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, the U.S. Embassy, the University of Havana, the Cristóbal Colón Cemetery and the famous nooks, parks and plazas of this striking city.

Discover historical sites like the Civic Square, which was later renamed Revolution Square in 1959. You will also tour the University of Havana, located in the Vedado district of Havana. This is oldest university in Cuba, founded in 1728 and one of the first to be founded in the Americas.

Our guide and Cuban architecture specialist will demonstrate the transition from colonial to modern times in this panoramic view of the city.

Afterwards, you will continue your tour at Miramar neighborhood. Miramar is one of the main residential areas of the city of Havana, capital of Cuba, in the municipality of Playa. The Cuban upper class lived here before 1959 in sumptuous mansions and houses with swimming pools, large courtyards and other amenities. Being located in front of the coast it made possible the existence of numerous spas, yacht clubs and social clubs of the wealthiest sectors. The stores were the best known in Cuba, such as La Copa, located on the central corner of 1st and 42.

Its busiest and most important street, Fifth Avenue, with the same name as the famous New York street, is considered by many to be the most beautiful street in all of Cuba.

Miramar has several parks with many trees, most with gazebos in the center. The rectangular blocks (100×200 meters) of Miramar were built inspired by those of Manhattan, especially those on Fifth Avenue. Most of the houses are luxurious mansions of eclectic facades, with large gardens and swimming pools.

You will visit Jaimanitas where you will discover Fusterlandia, a seaside town just west of downtown Havana. Fusterlandia is the nickname given to Jaimanitas, in honor of the artist José Fuster, who still lives there. This iconic landmark exists because one day, 30 years ago, Fuster decided to remake his house and turn it into his own piece of art. He adorned his house with brightly colored sculptures and mosaics of mermaids, fish, palm trees, roosters and Santería saints, and added quotes from Alejo Carpentier, Onelio Jorge Cardoso, and Ernest Hemingway. When he was done with his home, he moved onto his neighbors’. More than 80 neighbors have allowed this native artist to use their homes as his canvas.

You will drive by the Green Roof Tiles House, the Trade Center in Miramar and the palm tree-lined Fifth Avenue, considered one of the most beautiful avenues in Havana and initially called Avenida de las Américas; here, you will feel the pulse of the emerging economy. You’ll continue on through the Fifth Avenue Tunnel, which connects Calzada Street, in Vedado, to the Santa Ana River in Santa Fe. The origin of this famous avenue dates back to the early 20th century as a result of the immigration of Havana’s wealthy classes to the west, beyond the opening of the Almendares River.

Note:
This tour involves minimal walking, mostly along pavement. The tour has a few stops around the city but is ideal for guests with limited mobility. Guests are advised to bring their cameras. This tour is OFAC compliant.