Things to see in Havana: 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)...

Peso Cubano Convertible - CUC. 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)

Casa particular Casa Mercedes is a clean and welcoming casa (bed and breakfast) on O'Reilly, one of the main streets through Old Havana. Their good nature and charm will make you feel at home right away. Stay in a place that takes you back in time to the days of Hemingway. A place that offers a resting place close to Cuban daily life. Beyond the balcony of the house the real Cuba passes by. You just need to go down the stairs to not feel, but be part of that life. No other place offers you this experience. The house in in walking distance from all the sight of Habana Vieja. La Floradita (the daiquiri place of Hemingway) is two blocks away as is the Capitolio. Hotels, bars and restaurants are close by. The casa particular offers two clean rooms with baths opening on the patio allowing privacy. The rooms have air-conditioning, fans, hot water 24/24. You will sleep in all tranquility in the center of Old Havana. The rooms are 25 - 30 or it's Euro equivalent depending on the season. Mercedes provides a great breakfast for a couple of dollars. Other meals are available as well at your request.

 Luggage storage
 Central situation
 Smoke-free guest rooms
 Parking lot
 Patio, summer terrace