Havana holidays
Havana holidays at a glance
Havana is unlike anywhere else in the Caribbean, a city that still feels caught in a 1950s time warp: crumbling baroque façades, one-gear bikes and gleaming American classics rattling down streets lined with restored colonial buildings and squares. Havana architecture sits alongside art deco landmarks and elegant boulevards, with everyday life unfolding against a backdrop of remarkable history.
The city rewards slow exploration. Wander through historic plazas, duck into hidden courtyards, browse local markets and soak up one of the world’s most distinctive urban atmospheres. Around every corner you’ll find reminders of Cuba’s rich past, from colonial-era buildings to revolutionary landmarks, alongside newer signs of change: smart hotels, fresh restaurants and locals more involved in the modern economy than a decade ago.
Beyond the architecture, Havana’s appeal lies in its culture. Music, art and conversation are woven into daily life, and this is one destination where our Havana travel guide advice always comes down to the same thing: just shut your eyes and listen to the music.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Havana
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
A city of architecture, fascinating history and extraordinary character, Havana remains one of Latin America’s most compelling urban destinations.
When to visit Havana
Havana can be visited throughout the year, with the city offering cultural experiences regardless of season.
This is the high season for visitors, with sunny, mostly dry weather and more comfortable levels of humidity. Visit in December to enjoy Havana’s unrivalled International Jazz Festival, with friendly workshops and scintillating performances. 1st May is Labour Day, marked by a national holiday with parades and political rallies in the streets.
June marks the beginning of the rainy season, with wet weather, hotter temperatures and higher humidity. The glittering parades, swaying music and exuberant dancing of Havana’s Carnival kick off between July – August, the exact dates changing each year. There may be hurricanes or storms between August and November.
Top Things to do in Havana
Havana offers a rich variety of experiences, from historical exploration and cultural immersion to food, music and architecture.
Go for a meal at a paladar, a small family-run restaurant.
Freewheel around the Cuban capital by bike, stopping to visit key sights and attractions.
Be transported back to a different era at a live performance in at atmospheric Old Havana haunt.
Enjoy a night on the town with the locals at a lively Havana dance hall.
See how two staples of Cuban life are produced at cigar and rum factories in downtown Havana.
Pick up some fancy footwork with a private salsa lesson at a historic ballroom.
Accommodation in Havana
Accommodation ranges from elegant heritage hotels and boutique properties to characterful casas particulares that provide an authentic insight into Cuban life. Many visitors choose to stay in or near Old Havana, allowing easy access to the city’s major attractions and cultural experiences.
Iberostar Parque Central is well located right on the main square of old Havana with an open-air pool, two restaurants and two bars.
Splendid old hotel with an illustrious past, with fairly simple rooms but an atmospheric lobby area and large outdoor pool.
Historic, well-run hotel in a lively central location, with stylish rooms and a central courtyard retaining original brickwork and arches.
Madero Bed and Breakfast is a smart guesthouse in the historic centre of Havana.
Ideally located hotel in an 18th century building overlooking a beautiful Old Havana square.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Holidays to Havana
Group Havana Tours
Our group tours follow expertly designed, well-planned routes with an experienced local guide throughout. Prefer to keep it to your own party? Book the same trips privately for four or more.
Parakeet: Cuba Beyond the beach
Places visited: Havana · Viñales and the Sierra de los Organos · Cienfuegos, Santa Clara and Bay of Pigs · Trinidad and the Escambray Mountains
12 days from £2,872
Tailor-Made Havana Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Self-drive Cuba: Explore the east
Places visited: Havana · Cienfuegos, Santa Clara and Bay of Pigs · Trinidad and the Escambray Mountains · Santiago de Cuba
13 days from £2,280
Signature Cuba: The best of the highlights
Places visited: Havana · Viñales and the Sierra de los Organos · Las Terrazas · Trinidad and the Escambray Mountains · Caribbean cayes and coast · Cienfuegos, Santa Clara and Bay of Pigs
14 days from £2,300
Signature Cuba: The complete Cuba
Places visited: Havana · Las Terrazas · Trinidad and the Escambray Mountains · Viñales and the Sierra de los Organos · Cienfuegos, Santa Clara and Bay of Pigs · Santiago de Cuba · Southest Cuba
18 days from £3,010
Value Cuba: Cuba at a glance
Places visited: Havana · Trinidad and the Escambray Mountains · Viñales and the Sierra de los Organos · Caribbean cayes and coast
11 days from £1,450
FAQs about visiting Havana
Havana is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When's the best time to visit Havana?
The high season for visitors is Dec – Apr when the weather is usually sunny, mostly dry and not too humid, though there can be cool days. Hurricane and tropical storms are possible Aug – Nov.
- What's the official language in Havana?
Spanish.
- What's the time difference between Havana and UK?
GMT -5 hours; usually there is daylight saving in the summer but it is a moveable feast.
- What are the festivals, sport and cultural events in Havana?
Carnival: Havana’s carnival moves around date-wise ear upon year, but is always accompanied by parades, music, drumming and dancing.
International Jazz Festival: Havana, Dec. Workshops and concerts. One of the world’s best.
There are many other cultural festivals in Havana most months throughout the year: dance, ballet, theatre, cinema, fishing and sailing.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.