Found within Havana’s Plaza de la Revolución municipality is the district of Vedado. This vibrant downtown neighborhood is one of the nicer districts in Havana, featuring a fairly modern and upscale feel. Together with Old Havana (Habana Vieja), it is a top Havana neighborhood for attractions, and the Vedado lodging options offer some of the best discount Havana hotels. If you are interested in finding a Havana nightclub, Vedado is a good place to head, as it is known for having some of the city’s best nightlife. It’s location is convenient for trips to Central Havana and Old Havana, and is bordered to its west by the even more upscale Miramar district. Since the hotels in Old Havana have few budget options, and Central Havana is markedly less attractive, basing yourself in Vedado Havana might be the ideal, especially when you consider its proximity to Miramar, and the Playa municipality.
U.S. citizens visiting Cuba will likely find it interesting
that Vedado Cuba is where you will find the United States
Interests Section of the Embassy of Switzerland in Havana.
A long title indeed, and as such, this building is most
often called the USINT Havana. Basically, the USINT
Havana functions as the United States government’s
Consular base, and its staff is comprised primarily of
employees from both the U.S. Department of State and the
United States Foreign Service. It’s been at
the center of many a Cuban and United States disagreement,
and curiously enough, a stage that was built on a paved
section outside of the USINT Havana has served in the
past as a concert venue. The USINT Havana is just
one of the Vedado Cuba attractions of interest.
The district’s northern edge is where you will find
the oceanfront avenue known as the Malecon. The
Malecon in Vedado serves
as a focal point for many a Cuban
festival or social event, and it stretches about 4
miles from Vedado to Old Havana. If you are staying
in the Vedado Havana district, or just dropping in for
a few hours, the Malecon is certainly ideal for a wonderful
stroll. Couples visiting Havana might choose to
make a romantic Malecon visit at sunset.
Also among the top Vedado Cuba attractions,
the Plaza de la Revolución is one of the largest
city squares in the world, and it is where you will find
the José Martí Memorial. The Plaza
de la Revolución is where a good amount of political
rallies are held. As he might not be doing in the
future due to health concerns, Fidel Castro has used this
square for speeches to the Cuban people. The José
Martí Memorial, which features a 358 tower of marble
understandably dominates the horizon here, and at its
base is a small museum dedicated to Martí, who
is the designated national hero of Cuba. President
Castro’s guarded offices can be found located behind
the José Martí Memorial, and across the
square is an enduring image of the famous revolutionary,
Che Guevara. Guevara joined Castro’s revolutionary
movement in 1956, and by 1959, the movement had successfully
ousted then Cuban dictator, Fulgencio Batista. Interestingly
enough, the Plaza de la Revolución and the José
Martí Memorial were both constructed during Batista’s
rule. The square was then known as the Plaza Cívica.
Also found in Vedada Cuba is the main campus of the University
of Havana, which might have something to do with the fact
that it is a good neighborhood in which to find a good
Havana nightclub.
Among the top Havana nightclub offerings is the Salón Turquino, which is found in Vedado. It’s top floor location at the Tryp Habana Libre hotel is just part of what makes this dance spot a favorite. While you are working on you Salsa moves, you can enjoy Havana city views, and the nightly cabaret show is sure to prove entertaining. Once in a while, the Salón Turquino features live bands of notable interest. Another Vedado Havana top pick for catching live music is the Patio de María club. It is found in Nuevo Vedado (New Vedado), and quite often, the Cuban rock groups will make a visit here. Besides being a great venue for music shows, you can also find the club being used for interesting social gatherings. Club Barbaram is also in Nuevo Vedado, and is a good place to catch live jazz and Cuban music performances. The Jazz Café is another club where you can catch a nice show, but perhaps the La Zorra y El Cuervo jazz club is the city’s best.
Vedado Cuba is certainly a must visit if you are spending
some time in Havana. Those traveling on a budget
will certainly want to consider staying at one of the
many hostels or casas particulares that are found in Vedado.
When you get hungry, finding a pretty good restaurant
in Vedado isn’t too hard, and you can pretty much
always find a cab when you need one. Vedado Cuba
first starting growing in importance around the beginning
of the 1900's, after the Spanish-American War resulted
in a period of United States influence and control.
As Old Havana and Central Havana began to overflow, Vedado
would grow up throughout the century to become the prime
center that it is for commercial activity and nightlife.
