BlackAtlanta Travel
HAVANA
Afro-Cuban heritage runs deeper than the ocean here. The music, the art, the food, and the people carry the DNA of Africa in every drumbeat, every brushstroke, every mojito. Havana will change the way you see the world.
2026 Calendar
HAVANA
EVENTS
Havana Jazz Festival 2026
January 2026 · Teatro Karl Marx & Venues, Havana
One of the world's greatest jazz festivals — Cuban jazz masters, Latin jazz legends, and international artists perform across Havana's most iconic stages. Smoking, swinging, unforgettable.
Havana Carnival 2026
August 2026 · Malecón, Havana
Cuba's biggest annual celebration — floats, comparsas (Afro-Cuban dance troupes), rum, music, and the entire city dancing on the Malecón seafront. Pure, unfiltered joy.
Havana Film Festival 2026
December 2026 · Cinemas, Old Havana
One of Latin America's most prestigious film festivals, celebrating cinema from across the Hispanic and Caribbean world. Afro-Cuban and Black Latin stories on full display.
Callejón de Hamel Art Market
Every Sunday · Centro Habana, Havana
Every Sunday — Afro-Cuban rumba dancing, drumming, santería art, local crafts, and the most vibrant outdoor cultural celebration in all of Havana. Free, joyful, and profound.
Visitor's Guide
TOP THINGS TO DO
IN HAVANA
A comprehensive guide to the best attractions, neighborhoods, experiences, and cultural landmarks in Havana — curated for Black travelers seeking authentic, meaningful experiences.
Callejón de Hamel
The most vibrant Afro-Cuban art space in Havana. Every Sunday — rumba, santería murals, drummers, and the deepest expression of Black Cuban culture.
Buena Vista Social Club
The legendary Afro-Cuban music scene lives on. Son cubano, jazz, rumba, and mambo fill every corner of Old Havana every night of the week.
Old Havana (UNESCO)
A perfectly preserved colonial time capsule. Baroque churches, Spanish plazas, vintage American cars, and some of the world's most atmospheric streets.
Varadero Beach
3 hours from Havana — Cuba's most famous beach. Crystal clear water, white sand, and the kind of relaxation that only the Caribbean can deliver.
Trinidad City
A colorful colonial town frozen in the 18th century. Cobblestones, salsa dancing in the streets, and one of UNESCO's most beautiful small cities.
Rum & Cigar Culture
Havana Club rum, hand-rolled Cohiba cigars, and mojitos in the bar where Hemingway drank. The most sensory destination in the Americas.
Afro-Cuban Heritage & the Black Experience in Cuba
Cuba's African heritage is impossible to overstate — approximately 65% of Cubans have African ancestry, making Cuba one of the most Afro-descendant nations in the Americas. The Yoruba, Bantu, and Fon peoples brought to Cuba as enslaved Africans created cultural traditions that survived colonial suppression and evolved into some of the world's most recognizable art forms: rumba, son, mambo, cha-cha-cha, salsa, and santería. Havana's Afro-Cuban neighborhoods — Centro Habana, Guanabacoa, and Regla — are the living repositories of these traditions. For Black American travelers, Havana offers a profound mirror — a reflection of shared African ancestry expressed in a uniquely Cuban form.
Santería & Afro-Cuban Spirituality
Santería (Lucumí or Regla de Ocha) is Cuba's most significant contribution to African diaspora religion — a syncretic faith blending Yoruba orishas (divine spirits) with Catholic saints, born from the spiritual survival strategies of enslaved Africans. Today, santería is practiced openly and proudly by millions of Cubans. Visitors can attend rumba ceremonies in Guanabacoa, observe public Afro-Cuban ritual drumming at the Callejón de Hamel every Sunday, and explore santería art, altars, and cultural expressions throughout Havana.
Havana Food & Drink
Cuban food is simple, soulful, and delicious. Ropa vieja (shredded beef in tomato sauce) is the national dish. Black beans and rice (moros y cristianos), lechón (roasted pork), tostones (fried plantains), and fresh tropical fruits are staples. Paladares — privately owned family restaurants — offer far better food than state-run establishments. La Guarida (housed in a crumbling Vedado mansion used in the film Fresa y Chocolate) is Havana's most famous paladar. Cocktail culture is serious: mojitos, daiquiris, and Cuba libres are best at El Floridita and La Bodeguita del Medio — Hemingway's favorite haunts.
Practical Tips for Visiting Cuba from Atlanta
US citizens can legally visit Cuba under the 'Support for the Cuban People' travel category — which requires engaging with private Cuban businesses (paladares, casas particulares, private tour guides) rather than state-run entities. Cuba operates on a dual-currency system; bring USD cash (preferably EUR or CAD for better exchange rates) as US credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba. Casas particulares (private homestays) are far better value than state hotels and directly support Cuban families. Mobile data is limited — download offline maps before arrival. WiFi cards can be purchased at ETECSA offices.
Where To Stay
BEST HOTELS IN
HAVANA
Top-rated accommodations in Havana for Black travelers from Atlanta — from ultra-luxury resorts to boutique properties, all vetted for exceptional service and location.
Ultra Luxury
Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski
Old Havana
From $350/night
Historic Landmark
Hotel Nacional de Cuba
Vedado, Havana
From $150/night
Boutique Classic
Hotel Saratoga
Old Havana
From $120/night
Where to Stay in Havana
Old Havana (Habana Vieja) is the most atmospheric and convenient base — UNESCO World Heritage streets, walking distance to major landmarks, and an ever-present soundtrack of son and jazz. Vedado is Havana's more modern residential neighborhood — home to the Hotel Nacional, wider boulevards, and the Malecón seafront. Miramar is the diplomatic and upscale residential area — further from the tourist center but home to some of Havana's best privately owned restaurants. For the most authentic experience, stay in a casa particular (private homestay) — you'll be hosted by a Cuban family, eat home-cooked food, and get genuine local insight.
US Travelers & Cuba Accommodation
Since US credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba, all accommodation payments must be made in cash. Book casas particulares through platforms like Airbnb (which operates legally in Cuba) or Cuban travel specialists who accept USD payment before departure. State-run hotels (like Meliá properties) are available but offer inferior value compared to private options. The Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski is the exception — the only true international luxury hotel in Old Havana and genuinely exceptional if budget allows.
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