Page 62 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

60 ❯❯ The Top 10 of Everything

Places to Meet the Locals

Locals and tourists alike gather on the white sands of Playas del Este
Playas del Este
Casas de la Trova
1 4
When bitten by the dancing
On weekends, families flee
sticky Havana for a day at the beach. bug, head to a Casa de la Trova.
Tourists usually gather toward the Every town has one of these
west end, though many Cuban traditional live music houses, where
families prefer the beach around Cuban singles as well as couples
Guanabo (see p54). have a great time danc ing to salsa
and timeless sons and boleros.
Parque Central, Havana
2 Calle Obispo, Havana
Havana has many plazas, but
This pedestrian-only shopping
this tree-shaded park on the edge of 5
Old Havana is the liveliest. Baseball street has plenty of intriguing shops,
fans gather here to argue the finer bars, cafés, and ice-cream stores.
points of the game. With plenty of It is also packed with private art
benches, it is a great place to watch galleries (see p80). Pick pockets are
the flurry of activity. Expect jineteros on the prowl, so make sure you
(hustlers) to approach you to tout guard your belongings.
their wares or services (see p125).
The Malecón, Havana
3
The cooling breezes of the
capital’s seafront esplanade attracts
habaneros (Havana locals) of all
ages, who socialize with guitars
and bottles of rum. On hot days
families bathe in the balnearios
cut into the limestone rock. It’s the
perfect place for a sunset stroll but
take care and be sure to watch your
step – the sidewalk is crumbling and
waves often crash right over the
seawall (see p14).
Calle Obispo, Havana

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