Travel experiences

In this blog we discover the colourful city of Havana in Cuba.

Step back in time in Havana

A visit to Cuba is like stepping back in time, and nowhere is this better seen than in its capital, Havana. This beautiful city is a microcosm of everything we love about Cuba, from its eclectic architecture to its big old cars.

Vintage cars are part of everyday life in Havana. An ongoing trade embargo with the USA means you won’t see any American vehicles under 50 years old, so classics such as Buicks, Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles still ply the streets. Often painted in bright garish colours and used as taxis, they have become a symbol of Cuba, turning many of its cities into living vintage car museums.

The city’s architectural styles are similarly colourful, mixing everything from Baroque to Neoclassical. Like its cars, many buildings in Havana are painted in vivid shades, from cobalt blue to sun-bleached yellow, lime green to pastel pink.

Havana also claims to have the largest and most beautiful nightclub in the world, the Tropicana. Located on a six-acre tropical estate, this legendary open-air cabaret show is famous for its world-class dancers, Cuban music and lavish costumes – expect palm trees, Latin salsa and sequins galore!

Discover this vibrant city on our Viva Cuba tour.