🇨🇺 Havana

Our Take

Best for: History buffs, culture seekers, and adventurous solo travelers who want the most unique destination in the Western Hemisphere

Havana is unlike anywhere else — that's both the draw and the challenge. Old Havana (Habana Vieja) is a UNESCO World Heritage maze of crumbling colonial palaces, 1950s American cars doubling as taxis, and live son cubano music pouring from every other doorway. The Malecón seawall at sunset, with locals drinking rum and playing guitars, is one of the great free experiences in the Americas. The food situation has improved from its Soviet-era lows but remains Cuba's weakest point — paladares (private restaurants) are the move, not state-run places. A decent paladar meal runs 400-800 CUP ($3-7). The dual currency system is gone but cash is still king — bring euros or USD to exchange, as ATMs are unreliable and US credit cards don't work. Internet is limited to Wi-Fi hotspots (buy ETECSA cards). This is a destination for people who want to be genuinely somewhere different, not a polished resort experience.

“A time capsule, a music box, and a history lesson rolled into one — frustrating, fascinating, and completely unforgettable.”