Central Havana is the most densely populated area of the city. Visibly lacking green patches, much as in other Caribbean city centers, the neighborhood is packed with colonial style buildings in varying states of repair, block after block, spreading out across roughly 342 hectares.

More than 150,000 of the city's two million population live in the area. If you know anything about Cubans you know they perpetuate an ancient and Mediterranean zest for life on the street. Starting mid-day, the streets, squeezed between the buildings become vibrant. Cacophony becomes chorus as vendors hawk salted peanuts, fried pork skin and Cuban bisques; smiling and shouting children chase dogs on uneven cobbled roads; street musicians play; young Cuban women giggle; tour guides shout to be heard; and, somehow, romance fills the air.

Central Havana opens a window for time-pressed visitors to get a sense of Cuban life, earthy, jovial, and philosophical. Some of the city's top hotels such as Saratoga and Parque Central are located in this area. So are some of Havana's top attractions, including Chinatown and the Capitolio. Renowned commercial streets such as San Rafael, Neptuno and Avenida de Italian and the leafy boulevard Paseo de Martí are also in this area.



Where to eat: Ivan & Justo, La Guarida, La Terraza, Tien Tan
Where to stay: Hotel Saratoga, Hotel Parque Central
Where to drink: Sia-Kara, Sloppy Joe’s Bar
Where to dance: Casa de la Música, Tropicana