The Cuba Connection [Cont.]
La Habana
Exploring Havana can be as remarkable and memorable as crushing the hardest route. Havana sits in northern Cuba
next to the Straits of Florida. Situated around a narrow bay that bleeds into the city's heart, Havana has undergone
many radical changes in its 500-year existence. Founded as a springboard for Spain's conquest of the New World,
Havana played host and harbor to many treasure-laden
galleons as they made their way back to the Old World.
Over the years the city has changed from a formidable
Spanish fort, beset by pirates and privateers alike; a
trading post for slaves, sugar, and tobacco; a laissez-faire
business paradise; and a revolutionary's dreamland. The
iterations of such a city have been vast and earth
shattering. Whether by the torch of a French corsair or
the whim of a dictator, its face has been swept clean and
reborn countless times over. The city's own architecture
speaks to this perfectly. French art deco and Baroque
Photo by Adam Ermatinger
stylizations opposed against Soviet-era utilitarianism. Old colonial plantations and mansions against a backdrop of
buildings that could have been transplanted straight from Rome or Venice. Some have faded from years of neglect,
their faces cracked and weather worn. Others have been reborn, revitalized by new government programs aimed at
preserving the city's historical landmarks.
When staying in Havana, keep in mind that
the city is divided into three distinct districts,
each offering its own unique experience. La
Habana Viejo - old Havana - is what you have
probably seen on television. It is filled with old
colonial forts and palaces, reminiscent of a
time when Havana was the most well fortified
city in the Caribbean. It is brimming with old
markets, beautiful courtyards, and Baroque
cathedrals. Havana Centro blends elements of
Rome and Paris, and was the site of the city's
sugar boom in the 19th century. This district
The beaches of Cuba, Photo by Rick Krause
once curtailed itself to the rich, and is still
home to elegant hotels and well manicured parks. The third district, Vedado, is resplendent of the 1950's, paying
homage to Frank Sinatra and the mobsters he supposedly entertained. High-rise hotels, casinos and showrooms,
modern mansions for the American playboys, all built with one idea in mind: that money is king. If you are looking for a
more resort feel, you can stay at the beach resorts at Varadero, about two hours west of Havana. Here, all the Western
amenities are available with poolside bars, restaurants, and sprawling sandy beaches.
Each area offers it own experience, and all are accessible by bus or taxi no matter where you plan on staying. Hotels
tend to run around $100 to $200 a night, but can fluctuate depending on the season and when you check in. Also,
consider staying in a casa particular, which are homes rented out by families that include meals, laundry, and hot
showers. They are more basic but tend to give a better feeling of what it is really like to live in Cuba. Most cost
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