Scheduling

Start time: 9:30 AM
Where to go: Central Park, next to the José Martí Statue
Tour days: Monday to Saturday
Tour Duration: 3 hours
Children allowed: Yes

Introduction

Havana was not the birth place of the Revolution, but it is here that the greatest achievements and failures emerged. During this experience we will visit the places in Havana where the most significant processes of the unfolding of the Revolution have taken place, while we analyze the challenges of contemporary Cuba.

What we'll do

We will begin the experience by visiting the emblematic sites where corruption and the influence of the Italo-American Mafia in Cuban politics during the 40s and 50s contributed to the unleashing of the Revolution. We will then visit the Plaza de la Revolución, the most iconic monument to the commemoration of the Revolution. A special moment will be stopping at La Timba neighborhood, a marginal settlement in the heart of the city, there we´ll talk about the most important challenges of the modern Cuba.

We will finish at Cuba Pasion, a private business in the cultural center of the city, making a review of our experience and talking about the challenges of the city and drinking a coffee.

As part of the experience, we will make our way around in a typical remnant of the Cold War that characterizes the transportation landscape in Havana: a 1976 Soviet Lada sedan.

What I'll provide

• Bottle of water. I'll give this to you when we meet.
• Transportation to the different places
• Coffee at the private business Kapital Café at the end of the experience

Where we'll be

We will start at Parque Central, from there we´ll walk to Hotel Sevilla and pass by the Revolution Museum. Then we´ll take the car and drive by Maine Statue, G street and do a stop at Foreign Relation Ministry. We´ll continue passing by several Hospitals on Vedado to stop at the Revolution square. After, we´ll go to Barrio la Timba, Lennon Park, American Embassy to end our experience in front of the Colina Hotel at Cuba Pasion Coffee shop.

Meeting point in English: Central Park, next to the José Martí Statue

Meeting point in Spanish: Parque Central, al lado de la estatua de José Martí

Contact Phone: +535 314 8592

Notes

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

About your host, Benito

I am a history professor at Havana University. I specialize in the history of Spain and its influence on Latin America. The writings of Cuban author Alejo Carpentier inspire me to frequently walk the streets of Old Havana, which I love to do. I look forward to sharing the history of my beautiful city with you while discussing the country's social and political issues.

Location