Discover Havana

Havana, the capital of Cuba, is known for its festive atmosphere and its contagious optimism and cheerful people. It’s a place where you can experience the romantic sensation of stepping back in time, amid the venerable and historically significant monuments, statues, buildings, and cars that fill the city. Whether you’re an adventurous solo traveler or seeking a place to explore with your significant other, friends, or family, this Caribbean destination is ideal.

Havana, the capital of the Republic of Cuba, is situated on the island’s northwest coast, and it lies on the Havana-Matanzas plains, between the Straits of Florida and the provinces of Artemisa and Mayabeque. Of the fifteen boroughs that make up the city, one of the most notable is Old Havana, or La Habana Vieja, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city of Havana is located in the province of the same name, which is unquestionably Cuba’s leading province. Havana is also Cuba’s most populous city, where traditions and customs from every region of the country come together.

Havana can feel like a place from another time, thanks to its attractive old-fashioned buildings and, in particular, the vintage cars that fill the streets and serve as a key means of transportation for locals and tourists alike. Music and festivities are an everyday occurrence here, something to savor as you sip a refreshing cocktail or the excellent tobacco that Cuba is known for. You’ll find that Cubans are generally cheerful and warmly embrace visitors to their island. If you’re eager to live in the moment and leave your cares behind, there’s no better place to do it than in the province of Havana and the city of the same name.

Cuba enjoys a fairly balanced tropical climate, with warm, humid weather that remains constant year-round. Temperatures can climb to 88 °F (31 °C) during the summer and drop as low as 64 °F (18 °C) during the colder months. The weather in Cuba, as in other countries of the region, does not change dramatically from one season to another. The main distinction is between the dry season and the rainy season, which reaches its peak in September and October.

Fly to Havana, the capital of Cuba, with Copa Airlines. Get to your destination on time, and enjoy Copa’s world-class service along the way.

Key Facts:

Country

Republic of Cuba

Population

+2 million

Flights

Daily flights to and from cities throughout the Americas
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Climate

Tropical, between 66 °F (19 °C) and 88 °F (31 °C)

Time Zone

UTC -5 hours (+1 hour during Daylight Saving Time)

Hotels

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What is there to do in Havana?

Enjoy an evening stroll on the boardwalk

Basking in the glow of a stunning sunset as you amble along Havana’s boardwalk, known as the Malecón, is one of those simple pleasures in life that will linger, picture-perfect, in your memory. It’s also the perfect prelude to the vibrant nightlife that materializes along the boardwalk after dark, when the songs chosen by those who visit it, play against the steady beat of waves rolling ashore.

Guy and girl dancing salsa in a square in Havana

Get down to the sounds of salsa music

Art is in the blood of the Cuban people, and Cubans are renowned for their talent as dancers, musicians, and more. At the drop of a hat, you’ll find people eager to dance to some good bolero music or the upbeat sounds of salsa, whether you’re in a club, a bar or restaurant, a city square or park, or even in the streets around the boardwalk, Old Havana, or downtown Havana.

Beautiful beach with palm trees in Guanabo, Havana

Spend a relaxing day at the beach

The beauty of the Caribbean Sea is one of Cuba’s greatest draws, and one of the best ways to appreciate it is by heading to Playas del Este to hit the beach. This popular stretch of coastline, located less than an hour’s drive from Havana, boasts more than 12 miles (20 kilometers) of white sands and turquoise waters. It’s an ideal place for spending time on the water and exploring the coral reefs.

Getting Around Havana

The best way to get to Havana is by traveling with Copa Airlines. We offer daily service to Jose Marti International Airport (HAV) via the Hub of the Americas® in Panama City. At the airport, you’ll find souvenir shops, currency exchange offices, places to eat, Internet access available for purchase, and public telephones.

Located approximately half an hour by car from downtown Havana, the best way to get into the city is by taking an official taxi. During the rest of your stay in the capital, you can opt to travel by bus (you may hear the buses referred to as guaguas), or in Havana’s famous vintage taxis (known locally as almendrones). Some of these taxis charge by the route, while others can be hired to provide short tours. The most unique way of getting around the city is in one of the three-wheeled tourist taxis known as “coco-taxis,” and you can even take a carriage ride through Havana.