Monumento a Jose Marti | Monument to Jose Marti. 41 Paseo, Plaza de la Revolucion, La Habana, 10600 Cuba. Tel: +53 7 820906 This is a fascinating museum and memorial dedicated to the life and work of a renowned revolutionary, writer and poet. The collection consists of many of Marti's personal belongings, along with documents pertaining to the island's revolution. There is a recommendable view from the top floor, which also happens to be the highest point in the city. In fact, it is in front of this very plaza that Fidel Castro gives his most important annual speeches the Plaza of the Revolution. La Catedral de La Habana | Cathedral of Havana. Empedrado 156, La Habana Vieja, La Habana, 10600 Cuba. Tel: +53 7 617771 A fine example of 18th century ecclesiastic architecture, the facade is full of columns, niches and other baroque embellishments, in contrast to the asymmetry of the spires. Close to the sea and dominating one of the main squares within the old city walls, it was once inhabited by Jesuit priests until they were evicted, the building then to be consecrated as Havana Cathedral in 1789. On the inside there are copies of paintings by Rubens and Murillo on the altars, and at the top end of the choir section one can see part of frescoes by Italian artist Giuseppe Perovanni. Some of Columbus' remains were kept here between 1796 and 1898, and there still is a finely crafted sculpture of Saint Christopher, Patron Saint of Havana, which dates from 1632 and was made by Martin Andujar in Seville, Spain. Admission is free. El Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro | Castle of the Three Kings of Morro. Carretera de La Cabana, Habana del Este, La Habana, 19120 Cuba. Tel: +53 7 637063 The Spanish raised this fort next to the harbor entrance between 1589 and 1630, with the objective of warding off attacks by pirates and enemy fleets. It has since become one of Havana's most iconic monuments. In 1762, when the British invaded the city, the castle was defended to every last man, for Luis Velasco, who was in command of the besieged garrison, preferred to die rather than surrender. However, local inhabitants are particularly fond of the place thanks to its lighthouse, an addition that was built around 1845. Parque Central | Central Park Boulevard, La Habana Vieja, La Habana, 10100 Cuba. Framed by majestic-looking early 19th century buildings, this park (also known as Parque Jose Marti) dates back to 1903. It is a large park surrounded by some of Old Havana's finest restaurants and hotels, including the hotels Sevilla, Plaza and Inglaterra. There are many exotic trees and royal palms in a well-landscaped garden environment. Well lit and quite safe, many people come to sit and relax with friends, while enjoying a drink and listening to the music that drifts over from the local clubs and nearby theatre. Admission is free. Parque Lenin | Lenin Park. Avenida 5ta y 68, Miramar, La Habana, 11300 Cuba. Tel: +53 7 332047 The tour to this park takes the best part of a day. Most people come to walk around the green areas, with the added possibility to go horse-riding. At the park's entrance there is a monumental statue to Russian revolutionary leader Vladimir Ilich Ulyanov, otherwise known as Lenin; within the park itself there are places to hold a picnic, along with a zoo and aquarium. The tour ends with a visit to the ExpoCuba exhibition centre, followed by a traditional Cuban lunch at the Don Cuba restaurant. Call for pricing. Museo Nacional Palacio de Bellas Artes | National Museum Palace of Fine Arts. Trocadero entre Zulueta y Monserrate, La Habana Vieja, La Habana, 10600 Cuba. Tel: +53 7 620140 Visitors to this museum will be able to enjoy one of the largest collections of visual arts in Cuba. Highlights among the exhibition rooms include the Cuban painting and engraving section, displaying works dating from the 16th to the 20th century. Another section is dedicated to European art, with original pieces by such masters as Rubens, Murillo and Goya, to name but a few. One of the most significant collections of Egyptian, Greek and Roman art in Latin America is also housed here. The building itself has been completely renovated and transformed, both within and without. The display rooms were re-opened to the public to coincide with Havana's Biennial Celebration. Lanchitas de Regla y Casablanca | Small Boats of Regla and Casablanca. Muelle de la calle Luz y Avenida del Puerto, La Habana Vieja, La Habana, 10100 Cuba. These popular little boats, which run back and forth from Havana to Regla and Casablanca, have replaced the paddle steamers that were introduced at the beginning of the twentieth century. Today, they are a quaint form of transport, a bit like floating buses if you were, transporting local residents from one sector to the other, along with their bicycles and all sorts of curious belongings. Parroquia de Nuestra Senora de La Caridad | Parish of Our Lady of Charity. Salud y Manrique, Centro Habana, La Habana, 10600 Cuba. Tel: +53 7 610945 Located in the Chinatown district of Havana, this 18th century construction with a Romanesque facade, has two side naves and a bell tower. The French painter Camilo Cuyas made a copy of the Birth of Christ by Mengs specially for the church; and Juan Bautista Vermay first director of the Cuban Academy of Painting copied a fresco of St. John the Baptist by Rafael for the baptistery, also adding the Virgin of Guadeloupe. In 1927 the church was given its present status and one of the altars was dedicated to the Patron Saint of Cuba, the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, whose saint's day is celebrated on September 8th: on this same date, celebrations are also held for the Afro-Cuban deity Ochun. Galeria Mariano | Mariano Gallery. Calle 15 Nº 607 entre B y C, Vedado, La Habana, 10400 Cuba. Tel: +53 7 552702 Housed within one of the eclectic little mansion houses dotted around the old Vedado district, this gallery offers an impressive collection of Caribbean and Latin American handicrafts, which invoke the inheritance left by the region's indigenous peoples, and the cultural influence of both Europe and Africa. Exhibits such as the trees of life, black clay pieces from Quinchamali, and decorated and embroidered dolls from Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations, have been collected by the Casa de las Americas since the early sixties, and are exhibited in such a way, so as to underline the cultural significance of each object, and the original setting for which they were intended. Those who wish to purchase replicas of these pieces, should pay a visit to the gallery's shops. Museo de Musica | Museum of Music. 1 Capdevilla, La Habana Vieja, La Habana, 10600 Cuba. Tel: +53 7 619846 For those interested in Afro-Cuban musical traditions and rhythms, this museum offers a display of various typical Cuban musical instruments, some of which date back to the early nineteenth century. Moreover, there is also a large collection of traditional and modern instruments from both Cuba and elsewhere, including woodwind, horn, string and percussion instruments. These last include tribal drums used in religious ceremonies. Convento de Santa Clara de Asis | Convent of Saint Clara of Assisi. Calle Cuba Nº 610 entre Sol y Luz, La Habana Vieja, La Habana, 10100 Cuba. Tel: +53 7 612877 One of the oldest, largest and most characteristic of the Spanish colonial monasteries on the island, this building is now home to the Centro Nacional de Restauracion, Conservacion y Museologia or CENCREM (National Center for Restoration, Conservation and Museum Studies). Founded in 1644 it has, despite its peaceful demeanor, given rise to many tales and legends of clandestine love affairs, punished transgressors and hidden treasure. When the building was sold to the Cuban government in 1919, no evidence was ever unearthed to back up these rumors. Las Manos | The Hands Gallery. 411 Obispo, La Habana Vieja, La Habana, 10600 Cuba. The Manos (Hands) Art Gallery sells a varie...

Peso Cubano Convertible. As of November 8, 2004 the US dollar, the common currency of exchange for tourists in Cuba, is no longer legal tender. Cubans continue to be allowed to hold dollars, but transactions in shops, restaurants, will have to be in peso convertible (CUC). This will leave Cuba with two currencies, two peso circulating: the peso nacional that is the currency in which Cuban citizens are paid and in which they do most of their purchases (except for those goods that are only available in the divisas shops) and the peso convertible (also referred to as chavito). On April 9, 2005 the peso convertible has in turn been revaluated with 8% versus all currencies. The currency was revaluated again by 3% in May 2006. This is reflected in the exchange rates listed on this page. This peso convertible has by now replaced the dollar as currency in the so called dollar shops or tiendas in divisa. Restaurants, taxis, hotels,... which previously denominated their prices in dollars now charge peso convertible and this is now the tourist currency. Any payments you make with credit cards will also be in peso convertible for which you will be charged your local currency equivalent of the current value of the CUC when you receive your credit card bill. The special 10% tax imposed on any transaction exchanging dollars to peso convertible remains in place. This means that the exchange value (as listed in the banks) of the US dollar is effectively reduced by and additional 10% for both tourists and Cubans. The calculator below gives some indicative (daily adapted) exchange rates: Currency conversion powered by. These are pure exchange rates without the effect of the 10% exchange tax on the dollar. Exchange rates for notes may be less favorable due to bank commissions. Links to Cuban bank pages with exchange rates: exchange rates for notes (infrequently updated). Page created 22/10/2006

Parque Historico Militar Morro-Cabana. It constitutes a historical and military park, formed by the fortresses of El Morro and La Cabana. Together they make the largest museum in the country. It displays two thematic halls. The first provides the visitor with information on the history of shipping in the Havana Harbor, while the other treasures the most important collection of antique weapons in Cuba. Address: Carretera de La Cabana, Eastern Havana. Museum of Decorative Arts. With an excellent taste, the Museum of Decorative Arts exhibits in its spacious rooms valuable works of European and Oriental art dating back to the 18 th to 20 th centuries. Among its collections, you will find very carefully preserved furniture, ceramics, porcelains, paintings, and sculptures as well as works of applied arts. Address: Calle 17 # 502, esquina a E, Vedado. National Museum Castillo de la Real Fuerza. This museum is housed by the oldest military fortress in the Americas, which construction dates back to 1577. This fortress used to be the residence of the Spanish colonial governors. The so-called homage tower serves as pedestal for the worldwide known statue of La Giraldilla, symbol of the Cuban capital. The museum exhibits works of renowned Cuban artists such as Amelia Pelaez, Wilfredo Lam, and Rene Portocarrero, among others. Address: Calle OReilly and Avenida del Puerto, Old Havana. The museum of the city has permanent exhibition halls with collections of arts and history of the colonial times and of the beginnings of the 20th century. It is located in the ancient Captain Generals Palace, seat of the Spanish governments in the island from 1781 to 1899 and of the presidency of the republic from 1902 to 1920. Address: Calle Tacon # 1 between Obispo and OReilly, Old Havana. National Fine Art Museum. The National Fine Arts Museum was created in 1913 and in 1955 it was moved to the building that currently houses the collection of Cuban art. It has been recently restored and extended. The collections of universal arts are now housed in the former Asturian Center. The exhibition areas treasure collections of Cuban and European painting, which harmonize with works of art of ancient Greece, Egypt, and Rome. This is one of the most frequented museums of the city. Address: Trocadero between Zulueta and Monserrate, Old Havana. National Museum of Natural History. It is located in the National Capitol and constitutes the most important entity of its kind in Cuba. Among its well-preserved collections are those of flora and fauna, anthropology, archeology, entomology, mineralogy, and an excellent collection of natural history. Address: Paseo del Prado between Dragones and San Jose, Old Havana. National Museum of Music. The National Museum of Music exhibits collections that provide the visitor with a great deal of information about the transformations of music and musical instruments in the country from the 16 th century. The visitor will be able to appreciate unsuspected works of art and musical scores. Address: Capdevilla # 1 between Habana and Aguiar, Old Havana. Museum of Colonial Art. It exhibits furniture, stained glass, and porcelain collections as well as many other carefully preserved objects. The house where it is located was built in 1720 and belonged to Don Luis Chacon, a citizen of Havana that came to be the Military Governor of Cuba three times. Address: San Ignacio # 61, Cathedral Square, Old Havana. Historical Museum of Sciences Carlos J. Finlay. Its building has been declared National Monument. From 1868, it housed the Real Academia de las Ciencias Medicas, Fisicas y Naturales de La Habana and from 1874, it has housed the oldest museum in Cuba. The visit provides a panorama of sciences in Cuba and internationally. Its library treasures about 100 000 volumes. The museum also houses a reproduction of a pharmacy of the 19 th century. Address: Calle Cuba # 460 between Amargura and Brasil, Old Havana. Perfume and soap collections of the last two centuries are found in this former episcopal palace. Some of its collections travel back in time, with findings of archeological excavations, and some others come right to our days, represented by the brand Suchel, insignia of domestically produced perfumes and cosmetics. Address: Calle Oficios between Obispo and Obrapia, Old Havana. Casa de los Arabes y Aula de Cultura Arabe Islamica. It houses permanent expositions about the rich Arab Islamic culture. Outstanding elements are: the replica of an Arab market (Zoco) and an original prayer room devoted to the practice of Muslim faith in the city. The building has an exuberant colonial backyard ornamented with beautiful plants and flowers. Address: Oficios # 16 between Obispo and Obrapia. Postal Museum of Cuba. Ancient writing means and valuable documents about post in Cuba await the visitor at the Postal Museum. It also treasures a vast and valuable universal philatelic collection and a room completely devoted to Cuban postage stamps. Address: Avenida de Rancho Boyeros and 19 de Mayo, Seat of the Ministry of Informatics and Communications, Revolution Square. Ernest Hemingway Museum. It is located in the house of the ranch where the American writer lived for many years. The house has been preserved as it was when Hemingway was living there; everything is kept just as he had it. Personal objects, tens of thousands of books and photographs, as well as some trophies won in his frequent hunting adventures are some of the attractions. Address: Finca La Vigia, San Francisco de Paula, Havana. Birth Home of Jose Marti. It was the humble birth home of Cubas National Hero, who also was one of the most outstanding figures of Latin-American literature of the 19 th century. It exhibits personal objects of the Apostle, whose spirit is felt in every corner of the restored house. There, you will enhance your knowledge about the life of Jose Marti and Cuban history in general. Address: Calle Paula # 314, Old Havana. Located in the ancient Monte de Piedad (pawnshop), it exhibits the largest collection of Cuban coins in well divided sections representing the colony, the republic in arms, the American intervention, and later stages up to 1959, date of the triumph of the revolution. There, the visitor can also appreciate decorations, medals, and a complete history of numismatics. Address: Calle Oficios # 8 between Obispo and Obrapia, Old Havana. Museum of the Revolution and Granma Memorial. Its rooms and open areas provide a vast and detailed panorama of the struggles of the Cuban people to achieve its complete sovereignty. The visitor will be able to admire the tank used by Fidel Castro during the Bay of Pigs invasion, supported by the United States in 1961, as well as the memorial which main attraction is the Granma yacht Address: Refugio # 1 between Monserrate and Zulueta, Old Havana. Latin-American Gallery Haydee Santamaria. It is sponsored by the renowned Casa de las Americas and is also supported by friendly donations coming from the Latin-American sub-region of the continent. Thousands of paintings, sculptures, photographs, and other objects become attractions complemented with film projections and cultural concerts. Address: Calle G (Avenida de los Presidentes) between 3 rd y 5th, Vedado. It treasures a permanent exhibition comprising several collections of artwork, arms, furniture, fabrics, and other objects of the Napoleonic Period together with personal objects of Napoleon I himself. It is considered one of the most important of its genre in the globe. Address: San Miguel and Ronda, Central Havana. Original works of the famous Cuban creator and of other renowned artists of developing countries stand out. This institution does research and promotes the visual arts of different regions of the world and particularly promotes the work of Wilfredo Lam, one of the most relevant exponents of Cuban culture. Address: Calle Oficios and Acosta, Old Havana. It possesses permanent halls about the c...

 Guest rooms have air conditioning
 Luggage storage
 Central situation
 Smoke-free guest rooms
 Fridge
 Private/Ensuite bathroom
 Tea and coffee making facilities
 Phone at reception
 TV sets in rooms
 Patio, summer terrace