Old Havana (Vieja Habana)

Old Havana harks back to Cuba’s days as a colonial outpost and its subsequent era as a glamorous, sophisticated Caribbean playground. Although some of the crumbling palaces look like they could do with a lick of paint, many of its colonial buildings, majestic boulevards, elegant plazas and side streets have been restored, attracting more and more visitors each year. The Plaza de la Catedral (Cathedral Square), dominated by the towers of the 18th-century Baroque Catedral de San Cristobal de La Habana (St Cristobal Cathedral), perhaps best captures Old Havana’s spirit.

Infotur, 5ta Avenida esq. 112, Miramar, La Habana, Cuba
Tel: (07) 247 036
Website: www.infotur.com

Air: Havana Jose Marti International Airport. Rail: Train: Miramar Station. Road: Bus: Public services. Car: Carreterra Central (across Cuba via Havana); Autopista (from Pinar del Rio or Ciego de Avila to Havana).

Ministerio de Turismo (Ministry of Tourism)
Calle 19, No 710, Entre Paseo y A, Vedado, Havana, Cuba
Tel: (07) 334 319. Fax: (07) 334 086. E-mail: promo@mintur.mit.cma.net
Cuba Tourist Board
154 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8JT, UK
Tel: (020) 7240 6655 or (09001) 600 295 (24-hour brochure request line). Fax: (020) 7836 9265.
E-mail: cubatouristboard.london@virgin.net

Cuba