Havana has a vast array of activities to please all. The following are just some of the highlights:
· Botanical Gardens - time permitting, a walk around these gardens should be on your "must do" list;
· Capitol Nacional - the seat of Cuba's Congress until Castro came to power in 1959. Today this famous building is the Cuban Academy of Sciences and the National Library of Science and Technology;
· Castillo de las Real Fuerza - the oldest colonial fortress in South America, and well worth a visit (if only to find out the fable behind La Giraldilla, a weathervane on the west tower which dates back to 1632!);
· Castillo San Salvador de la Punta - another of Havana's fortifications (which, at one time, made Havana the most fortified city in South America); this fortress was built on the western-side of the harbor in the Sixteenth Century;
· Cementerio Cristobal Colon - rightfully lays claim to being the most famous cemetery in Latin America. The cemetery was built in 1876 and has close to a million tombstones setout amongst its splendor;
· Chinatown - located in Central Havana, Chinatown is one of the few places in Havana where you’re likely to be served a meal by a private entrepreneur (almost all of the other Havana restaurants are state-run);
· El Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro - located at the entrance to Havana's harbor, construction of this building took from 1589 - 1630. The lighthouse that you'll find there was added to the building in 1845;
· Jose Marti Memorial - a museum in memory of the famous Cuban revolutionary poet and writer of the same name;
· Parque de 21 y K - Havana's central-park and a traditional place for all of Havana's young lovers to hangout;
· Parque Lenin - another of Havana's parks, this time dedicated to the main man himself;
· Playas del Este - although it claims to be one of Havana's popular beaches, located at Santa Maria, it's actually a good 20-minute drive from Havana. However, you’re likely to run into some of Havana's residents whilst there as this is a popular little getaway spot;
· Plaza de Armas - as the center of Cuban power for over 400 years, this plaza houses some of the most spectacular buildings in all of Havana – it also functions as another of Havana's large parks. Today the Plaza houses the City Museum in what used to be the old US military governor's residence: the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales. The center of the plaza has a statute commemorating Cespedes - a Cuban patriotic hero. Nearby is the Calle Obispo, a favorite hangout of Hemmingway’s.
· Plaza de la Catedral - a spectacular city square that's home to one of Havana's more pleasant weekend open air markets.
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