Havana: how it was, how it is

A visit to Havana is a visit to the past. It’s as if time has stood still – and in some ways, it really has. Due to its decades of political and economic isolation, Cuba has scarcely been touched by what we think of as ‘modern times’. What you find on the island is a completely unique environment that reminds you of a 1950s movie. No visitor can remain unimpressed by the Spanish colonial atmosphere and style, the old buildings and historic monuments, and the lovingly maintained antique American cars that still glide through the streets (or are parked halfway onto the sidewalks undergoing repairs watched over by fellow countrymen).

Tourism is the cork that keeps the Cuban economy afloat. The branch focuses on Havana and the nearby luxurious seaside resort of Varadero that is almost inaccessible for ordinary Cubans. If you want to see the real Cuba, hop on a bus (not controlled by the government) and take a tour, or rent a car and set your own course. Tourists and backpackers traveling on their own can get an even more interesting look at Cuba (although perhaps with fewer creature comforts) by staying at small privately run accommodations such as the casas particulares (renting a room in a home). The fact that private enterprise is being given a bit more freedom can also be seen in the paladares system in which individuals are allowed to run small restaurants in their own living rooms.