48 Hours In Havana

For many visitors to Havana, the city may seem frozen in time, but if you look beyond the fading facades of its elegant past, the Cuban capital is changing rapidly as a young generation of Habaneros pulls it toward the future.

- Mark Stachiew

Everywhere you turn, colonialera buildings that had fallen into disrepair are being transformed into hotels, restaurants, and galleries as the Caribbean nation uses tourism to transform its economy in the post-Castro era.

Havana’s residents have always found ways to enjoy life despite their hardships, so the optimistic energy and can-do spirit that pervades it during the city’s transformation will only add to a visitor’s experience. To help you tap into that energy, here are five ways to enjoy your time on shore in Havana.

For Culture Vultures

Havana is a mecca for music lovers and you’ll hear musicians just about every place that people gather, whether that's along the Malecón or in the city’s numerous bars and restaurants, but one experience that stands out above them all is a night at the Tropicana. This Havana institution in the suburban neighbourhood of Marianao has been wowing guests with its outdoor music and dance cabaret since 1939. Expect lots of sequins and feathers as the performers put on an energetic show that never fails to captivate the audience.