Cuba has a fascinating history and its political and social situation make it a very special place in the Americas. I wanted to travel to Cuba since I was a teenager. I have never been interested in going to the resorts, like many Canadians do. I wanted to go where I could see the “real Cuba”, not the touristic one. I wanted to see what Havana was like when not on a postcard and, concretely, what was life like on this communist island so close yet isolated from the USA. Unfortunately, this trip dates back from a couple of years ago, so I don’t remember all the streets names. Don’t hesistate to correct me in the comment section if you know Havana well and you noticed that I misnamed a place.
Paseo de Martí

Calle del Obispo, one of the most touristic street in Havana

A beautiful square, close to Calle del Obispo

Parque Central, with taxi drivers waiting for tourists

We took one of those taxis because, like many tourists, we wanted to ride one of those beautiful and classic cars. The driver was an engineer. He attended school for free but working as a taxi driver was far more lucrative. We also talked to the lady collecting the tickets on the tourist bus and she told us that she was actually a professor. But collecting the bus ticket paid more than teaching.In fact, as we learned by talking to Cuban people, any job related to tourism was far more profitable than any other kind of job.
Calle del Obispo

Calle Amargura

Tourists and workers, Plaza de Armas

Plaza de Armas

Central Havana, a few minutes walk from the touristic center

Central Havana

Central Havana, close to Plaza de Armas

Playas del Este, the closest beaches to Havana



Cuban people playing sports next to the beach, Playas del Este

The view on Habana when we arrive from las Playas del Este

Portrait of Ernesto Che Guevara, Plaza de la Revolución

Portrait of Fidel Castro, Plaza de la Revolución

Taxi drivers waiting for the tourists, Plaza de la Revolución

Central Havana

Tourists and Cuban people, watching each other

Central Havana

Paseo de Martí

Central Havana

Central Havana


El Malecón

El Malecón

El Malecón

El Malecón

El Malecón

El Malecón

Statue of José Martí, El Malecón

Memorial of emblematic figures of the history of Cuba

Central Havana

Central Havana

Central Havana

Central Havana


Postcard vision of Cuba, Playas del Este
