For my 30th birthday recently, I fulfilled a lifelong dream to visit Havana, Cuba. I’ve been fascinated (some may say obsessed) with this city ever since I watched ‘Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights‘ 15 years ago. Without ever visiting the country, Cuba seemed to me to have an energy incomparable to anywhere else in the world. It seemed exotic, unexplored, complicated, and frozen in time. Spending two weeks here did not disappoint; in fact, it left me wanting more.
Lives lived out in the open in Havana
An Instagrammer’s dream: The famous Prado Street, Havana
“Lives lived out in the open.” That’s what Cuba is. Walking down the street in Havana, you’ll notice everyone leaves their front door open. Peer inside, and you’ll see anything from an old lady cooking over an open stove to teenagers sitting in the living room listening to Latina rap. Neighbors sit on their front steps, chatting animatedly. Nobody seems to spend any time indoors, no TVs really, definitely no internet. It’s a great way to live, don’t you think? So unashamed and open and without modern-day distractions.
The streets here are colorful and chaotic
A typical street scene in Havana Central
Below is possibly my favorite photo of the trip. This is exactly what it looks like to walk down every street in Havana, Cuba – kind of a chaotic, colorful, beautiful mess. And I cannot stress how important it is to visit Cuba now before THIS changes forever.
“Timeworn but magnificent, dilapidated but dignified, fun yet maddeningly frustrating – Cuba is a country of indefinable magic.”
“For me, Cuba has always had the allure a forbidden fruit. I love it for its uniqueness, creativity and survivalist spirit; but, above all, I love it because, despite 60 years of setbacks, it remains an upbeat and open place.” Source Unknown
Havana has an indescribable energy
The guy on the left boxed for Cuba n the Beijing Olympics
I’ve been back from Cuba for over three weeks now, and I’m starting to think that it may be one of my favorite countries in the world. The things that frustrated me while I was there are now I realize what makes it unique and unforgettable. There’s no place like it; it’s got an energy like no other. It’s like stepping into a time machine and being transported back to the 1950s. But change is simmering below the surface; Cuba will change; it may not be tomorrow, it may not even be next year, but it will happen. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – visit Cuba NOW before it’s too late.
Sunset hour in Parque Central
Have you ever visited Havana, Cuba? What did you think? Drop me a comment below.
Psst: you can also read more about our trip to Cuba here
Cuba has definitely been on list of places to go and your article makes me wanna go all the more 🙂
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Havana is compact and classic that I think it’s a great city to have a walking tour.
When I was there I was enjoying the old buildings and vintage cars walking around every day. The four main square in Havana’s old town is a must, and I love to sit on the edge of the Melacon and enjoy the beautiful sunset. @ knycx.journeying
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Havana and Cuba have been in our dreams and bucket list for some time now. Hope to wake up in Havana some day. Your pictures are lovely and bring alive the magic of the place. Classic cars and cigars of course are synonymous with the place, apart from that strolling around in those colourfully vibrant streets would be such a lovely experience.
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I NEED to go to Cuba!! Wow, your pictures are amazing, and the vibes are so cool… like living in another era with no tv and internet, that should be nice to experiment!
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So Cuba is a part of my heart that I have yet to explore as my mother and grandparents escaped barely the communist persecution. With that said, I would love to explore the homeland of my mother and see her old house in Havana. I love all the colors you showed in your pics but for me…the boxing is what totally made me say wow out loud. Ever since I was a kid, my dad and I would watch boxing matches and whenever there was a cuban boxer..he was my favorite!
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Such gorgeous photos and quotes! I absolutely can not wait to visit next year, I hope it hasn’t changed too much by then!
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I totally remember watching that movie and wanting to go to Cuba! Love all your quotes. Cuba is still on my bucket list!
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I just returned from Havana and it was amazing! Covered almost all the places you have highlighted here including the boxing ring! Great trip and wonderful memories
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It looks beautiful! Cuba is one of my top travel destinations. The buildings are colorful
Justine
TheIridescentWings.com
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