Cuba is a favourite winter vacation destination for Canadians wanting to swap out slush and snow for sun and sand. However, at a recent tourism event (FIT Cuba, International Tourism Fair of Cuba), the Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos Garcia Granda, announced that next year’s edition will be dedicated to Canada. As the third-most populous country in the Caribbean, after Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the country wants to showcase its offerings beyond the beach resort destinations, such as all the historical and cultural experiences the capital of Havana has to offer.

When in Old Havana be sure to visit some of the famous landmarks, like Plaza de Armas, Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, Plaza Vieja, and Plaza de La Catedral. As well, be sure to include a stop at one of the many cigar and rum factories. Carlos Marx Theatre has an array of entertainment options throughout the year from theatrical performances to music. The Tropicana Nightclub is one of the top tourist attractions, noted for its spectacular stage shows that include dinner and drinks, and even cigars.

A must visit is Fusterlandia, local artist José Fuster’s mosaic themed home and studio that was inspired by his love of both Pablo Picasso and Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí. Fuster began creating his work back in the early 1990s, and has since grown beyond his place to nearby neighbours, creating a must-see experience in the Jaimanitas neighbourhood that’s a collection of mosaics, sculptures and fountains, all just for one USD entrance fee per person.

Other interesting under the radar stops are El Dandy bar/gallery, and Plaza Vieja’s Viaje Fantástico sculpture of a nude woman riding a rooster in heels and brandishing a giant fork. The Callejón de los Peluqueros area is filled with quaint cafés and local art, as is Callejon de Hamel, a magical place that the late Cuban artist Salvador González Escalona created 35 years ago to showcase Afro-Cuban culture. Saturday evenings have everything from live music to drag queens, while Sunday afternoons are well-known for rumba parties. Be sure to also stop by Clandestina, a queer-owned and women-led local fashion company to grab some unique gifts.

There’s no shortage of dining options, with everything from local street food to high-end establishments such as, La Ferminia, Palenque de los Cimarrones, or Las Terrazas de Cojímar restaurants. For a slightly different experience, Doña Alicia has a food-delivering robot that now assists human waiters in the dining room. Guests are greeted with digital menus on screens at their tables, allowing them to browse and order traditional Cuban dishes.

In terms of accommodations, the newly opened and very modern, Selection La Habana, is now the tallest in the city stretching high into the sky with a top level bar offering panoramic views of the city. Other hotels worthy of note include the Melia Habana with a massive outdoor pool and onsite food truck offerings, or the Meliá Cohiba that offers evening entertainment in their Habana Café. Hotel Paseo del Prado has elegant rooms and exquisite dining, while the Hotel Nacional de Cuba offers a more traditional classic Cuban experience. Grand Muthu Rainbow in Cayo Guillermo and the hetero-friendly Telégrafo Axel Hotel La Habana both cater exclusively to the LGBTQ+ traveller.

Starting July 1, 2025, e-visas will be required for visitors entering Cuba. According to the Government of Canada’s Cuba travel advisory page, those travelling directly from Canada have the visa fee included with their air ticket, and the form is available to be filled out within seven days of departure.

Westjet is looking to fulfill a long lost missing link for Canadians looking to travel to Havana this year, by adding non-stop service between Toronto and Havana starting December 18,2025, and continuing until April 23, 2025. There has been no direct service between the two cities for several years now, after both Air Canada and Cubana pulled service during COVID, which never resumed.

 

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist based in Toronto with a focus on tourism, lifestyle, entertainment and community issues. He has written several travel articles and has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He’s willing to take on any assignments of interest, attend parties with free booze, listen to rants, and travel the world in search of the great unknown. He’s eager to discover the new, remember the past, and look into the future.