Havana's Classic Cars: A City Frozen in Time

The Cars

The famous American cars — Chevrolets, Buicks, Dodges and Fords from the 1950s — are called almendrones and serve as shared taxis along fixed routes, or as private hire tourist vehicles. They are not museum pieces; they are working transport. The engines are typically Soviet-era diesel replacements; the bodies are maintained through genuine ingenuity. A private car from the airport to Habana Vieja costs around CUC 25-30.

Habana Vieja

Old Havana is a UNESCO World Heritage site of Spanish colonial architecture in various states of magnificence and decay. The Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de Armas and Plaza Vieja form the historic heart. El Floridita (daiquiri) and La Bodeguita del Medio (mojito) are touristy but historically significant — Hemingway drank in both.

The Malecón at Dusk

The eight-kilometre seafront promenade is Havana's living room — fishermen, lovers, hustlers, musicians and ordinary habaneros share the seawall as the sun sets over the Straits of Florida. Walking it at dusk is essential.

Music

Live son cubano and salsa operates in venues throughout Habana Vieja. La Fábrica de Arte Cubano in Vedado is the most interesting contemporary venue — a converted cooking oil factory with multiple performance spaces. Casa de la Música (Miramar branch) has the best live son on Friday nights.

Practical Notes

Cuba operates a complex dual-currency system; use informal exchange and negotiate in advance. Reliable internet is limited.