13 of the very best issues to do in Havana with children

Havana is a dream vacation spot for households and kids of all ages.

Cubans place their household on the coronary heart of every part. Youngsters are cherished and pampered and your kids will probably be fussed over in casas particulares (B&Bs), on the streets and in eating places. 

The high season – from November to April – is a superb time to go to Havana as temperatures are extra manageable and the humidity of summer season is absent. These months coincide with a bunch of cultural festivals throughout the town.

What’s Havana like for household vacationers?

A lot of life in Havana is lived on the colourful streets and children will love the excitement as a result of there may be entertainment and distraction at each flip. The town presents parks, playgrounds, beaches and music and no child will need to miss using round in a candy-colored convertible traditional American automobile. Many museums and points of interest supply free-of-charge or discounted entry to kids beneath 12.

Of Havana’s neighborhoods, the tree-lined, upmarket Vedado presents extra inexperienced areas and quiet than Previous Havana and Centro. 

In case you’re staying in a casa specific (Cuban B&B), keep in mind that costs are quoted per room, so rooms with a number of beds are a greater deal. In inns, guidelines differ on infants and kids staying with adults in a single room. In case you want a crib, contact your lodging upfront. 

Usually, eating places in Havana don’t supply kids’s menus, however all will probably be accommodating. Few lodge eating places supply highchairs. In case you’re too drained to go out, use Mandao for house supply from many metropolis meals spots.

Hop-on hop-off open-top HabanaBusTour is an easy way to explore neighborhoods, and can be an excellent choice for attending to Havana’s nearest white-sand seashore, Playas del Este, simply 20 minutes away.

Havana’s sidewalks are fairly damaged so depart strollers at house and use carriers for infants. In vehicles and taxis, don’t anticipate finding seat belts. For door-to-door service, obtain taxi app La Nave.

Havana’s obstacles would possibly put some mother and father off, however Cubans are enablers, and most hiccups will be overcome. Havana is usually a safe city.

Finest issues to do in Havana with infants and toddlers

Discover Havana’s hottest playground

Discover swings, climbing frames and a sandbox at Hábitat Calzada. Keep for its workshops and exhibits – messing about with clay, watching musical displays, children’ theater and studying percussion. Juice, espresso and ice cream is out there from painted repurposed transport containers.

Take pleasure in children’ exhibits on stage and on display screen

Havana’s beloved Teatro el Arca homes a puppet museum and theater providing free, pleasant exhibits each weekend mornings. Catch screenings for kids at Cinecito movie show, too.

Finest issues to do in Havana with school-age children 

Cruise Havana in a traditional automobile

Nothing beats exploring Havana in a gleaming, gelato-hued traditional convertible. Youngsters will love using within the again with the wind of their hair whereas they absorb the sounds and sights of the town.

Stroll round Previous Havana

The Spanish colonial core of Havana is at all times abuzz with exercise. Look out for Havana’s Gigantes – stilt walkers in colourful, flamboyant gown who parade by means of fairly squares to music and draw the crowds. 

Decide up churros at a stand reverse the Museo de Chocolate. Wander over to the shipwreck museum in La Fuerza Citadel with its illuminated mannequin galleons and treasure chests. And taxi over to Morro Castle and lighthouse to play at being pirates.

Be taught new arts, crafts and sporting abilities

Join an arts or crafts workshop with retailer Alma. Be taught papermaking, textiles, notebook-making and embroidering images.

Maintain an eye fixed out for workshops at Gallería Continua in Chinatown centered on making artwork and music, or go to the Havana Music School, which presents devoted workshops in percussion and dance courses for teenagers, teenagers and households. 

On the lookout for one thing a bit extra lively? Certified instructors educate children from 8 years of age to surf the waves at El Cayo Surf Club on La Concha seashore.

Tour Fusterlandia

Artist José Fuster has embellished his incredible house and nearly his total Jaimanitas neighborhood in a rare patchwork of colourful ceramics.

Finest issues to do in Havana with tweens and youngsters

Watch avenue rumba on Sundays

At midday on Sundays, Callejón de Hamel, a colourful alley in Centro Havana painted in murals and embellished with recycled furnishings is reworked as a rumba group sings and dances earlier than the tightly packed crowds.

Snap avenue artwork

Teenagers will love artsy Previous Havana neighborhood San Isidro with spray-painted partitions tagged by Cuban and international avenue artists, plus artwork galleries, cool bars and eating places. Stroll round and permit loads of time to take some images.

Be taught to field

Cuba is the one nation on the planet to supply two three-time Olympic gold winners in boxing. The Rafael Trejo boxing gymnasium in Previous Havana arranges coaching, which will be booked upfront by a lodge concierge such because the one at Paseo 206.

Bike the town

Cycle Havana’s again roads and get a close-up have a look at its exuberant structure. Ebook with Cubyke and ask upfront for a child’s further seat or trailer.

Catch a baseball recreation

Cuba’s baseball prowess is world well-known. Test together with your lodging on recreation schedules and make your approach to the stands at Havana’s Estadio Latinoamericano to see house group Industriales play.

Catch a matinee

A few of Havana’s music venues stage matinees – round 4pm to 6pm – that are excellent for household vacationers.

Try salsa musicians and dancing at Casa de la Música with well-known names. Extra central is Salón Jelengue, El Patio de Areíto with rumba each Sunday between 4pm and 8pm. Faucet into son Cubano, bolero and extra on different nights of the week.

Take a avenue meals tour

Well-liked restaurant Jíbaro in southern Previous Havana does an incredible avenue meals tour with vigorous anecdotes, visiting markets and shops. Excursions are tailor-made for kids on reserving.

Planning suggestions for household journey in Havana

Many gadgets are troublesome or unattainable to search out in Cuba, so child meals, diapers, medicines and favourite snacks needs to be introduced with you. Bottled water is sometimes arduous to return by; carry bottles with in-built filters.

Staying in a central neighborhood like Previous Havana, Centro or Vedado will see you near most parks, museums, eating places and the ocean highway. You’ll discover the best focus of transport choices right here, too. B&Bs and good boutique stays will probably be your greatest wager for assist with bookings and experiences.

Accommodations with swimming pools are a plus, too, for these days when you do not need to stray too far. The massive pool with lifeguard service on the Melia Cohiba, which is in an incredible location close to the Malecón, is a winner. Public restrooms are discovered solely in inns, eating places and a few museums.