Home stay accommodation & Havana districts, Cuba

More information about Havana, Cuba

The Capital city

With a population of more than 2 million inhabitants, Havana is the largest city both in Cuba and in the Caribbean. It was founded in 1515 and was named Villa de San Cristóbal de La Habana. Due to its geographical position and the excellent characteristics of its bay, for centuries it was an obliged port of call for Spanish fleets, conquerors, and adventurers. Nowadays, Havana has two main areas: Old Havana, or La Habana Vieja, and Modern Havana, not less attractive and full of life and visitors.

Havana districts

El Vedado

Between Old Havana and the right bank of the city’s major river, El Almendares, is El Vedado district. The enclave, which formerly served as a security perimeter against possible attacks to the city started in 1859 with the section, named El Carmelo, next to the mouth of the river. El Vedado has lush green looks, boulevards with a central pedestrian promenade covered by trees, spacious parks, wide regular streets lined by trees and an eclectic architecture. This populous area actually is socially heterogeneous. There you can find great hotels, nightclubs and cabarets, movie theatres, art galleries, restaurants, museums and shopping malls. In addition, it’s the seat of the bicentennial University of Havana, the famous Malecón, considered the most characteristic image of the city, La Rampa (in 23rd Street), the Square of the Revolution, José Martí’s Monument, and Colón Cemetery among other interesting sights. El Vedado, nowadays considered as downtown Havana, is the main entertainment area of the city.

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Kohly

The Kohly neighbourhood is located in a quiet sector of the city, in a spot blessed by privacy and natural beauty in the centre of Havana. Kohly is close to the residential neighbourhoods of Miramar and El Vedado, so you have an easy access to the major cultural and recreational sites of the city, as well as to Old Havana. It’s the perfect place to stay if you want a central accommodation in a peaceful environment. This privileged location near to the green Havana Forest (El Bosque de La Habana) is advantageous as a unique alternative for people who seek rest and tranquillity, by staying away from the city’s noise and atmosphere, and at the same time, it’s just minutes away from any spot of the city. Havana Forest, by the banks of El Almendares river, is characterized by exuberant vegetation, huge trees full of lianas curtains and a ground covered by grass. It’s considered the green lung of Havana, the Cuban capital city.

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Miramar

The Miramar neighbourhood, stretched along the west coast, is infused with the healthy and salty air of the sea front, it’s just 16 km away from the old city, and aesthetically speaking it’s a different world. The Fifth Avenue leads to the residential area of the neighbourhood, which is the orbit of the entrepreneurial and business world. Settled in the west side of El Almendares river, Miramar is easily reached via two road tunnels and bridges. Enjoyable to the eyes, it’s a relaxing strolling background of broad avenues lined with art nouveau mansions of the beginnings of the 20th Century, graceful fountains, romantic parks, embassies, and boutiques. The Fifth Avenue, created in the 20th Century, is the most beautiful avenue of the country.

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Old Havana

Old Havana has the typical appearance of a Spanish colonial city and a charm only captured while enjoying its coexisting ample contrasts, sounds, and colours. Much of the defensive systems created in the colonial epoch to protect the city from corsairs and pirates attacks are still there. Numerous museums enrich the old city with their distinguishing attributes and historical values. Old Havana, with its fortresses, is the richest colonial set of Latin America and in 1982 was declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site.

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