Hemingway Marina (Havana) - Activities, Attractions & Shopping
There is a pool on the island in the marina for berth holders. Hotel Acuario charge $20 CuC/person/day to use their swimming pool.
If you would like to see more of Cuba you’ll have to get around on buses, taxis, hitchhiking or by hiring a driver. Often more cost-effective than renting a car; drivers know where they are going, have their own insurance and can act as a tour guide. Be sure to negotiate a price in advance.
As you step off the bus in Old Havana it is likely you will be approached by local touts offering to show you around. If you prefer to do things on your own, they are normally very polite and will not bother you further.
The AA Explorer Guide to Cuba, by Fred Mawer, has some very good self-guided tours around the old city. However, simply following your nose can also be very rewarding.
Taller Experimental de Grafica
Just off the west side of the Plaza de la Catedral, this is a working printmaking studio with a tiny upstairs gallery selling work of upcoming Cuban printmakers at very affordable prices.
Museum of Revolution
Located in the former presidential palace. Be sure to go out back and see the 1943-built 60ft cabin cruiser Granma, which carried Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and their group from Mexico to Cuba in 1956 to begin the revolution.
Vintage Presidential Train Car
At the corner of Calle Oficios and Churrusca, this is fitted out like a Belle Epoque gentlemen’s yacht. The tour is free, however, you are expected to tip the guide.
Club Nautico Internacional
Located just east of Plaza de Armas, this boat-like building once the former Club Nautico Internacional, is worth a stop. Take a drink on the upper deck and relax watching the port activities.
Ferry to Casablanca or Regla
Small ferries leave from Muelle Luz, just south of the big Customs pier, and go across to Casablanca or Regla. Be prepared for a security check and standing room only. Worth it just for the close look at the harbor.
Cruising Solutions also suggest the following options around Havana:
Fuster’s Studio
Located in Jaimanitas, very close to Marina Hemingway. He’s the Picasso of the Caribbean and internationally acclaimed. He has tiled the whole city neighborhood with amazing ceramic art.
This is well worth your time but is warned, there is a dress code. You can not get in with short pants.
The principal shopping district in Havana is located in the heart of Old Havana; It becomes busy when there are cruise ships in town, but it’s a good place for art and souvenirs.
Tropicana
Pre-Castro Havana is on display at the Tropicana. The Vegas-like show includes acrobatics, showgirls and musicians in an outdoor setting with catwalks through the trees.
Havana Club Rum Factory
Learn how rum is made and sip on a fresh sugar cane Mojito.
Partigas Cigar Factory
This educational and entertaining factory is located directly behind the Capitolio. Be aware if you find street salesmen offering Cohibas & Monte Cristos at a too-good-to-be-true price, it’s probably too good to be true.
Havana National Museum of Fine Arts
This is where you’ll find modern work from the unique perspective of the Cuban people. There are additional museums in the area if you prefer more traditional art.
Last updated: October 2018
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Related to following destinations: Cuba, Hemingway Marina (Havana)
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From Cuba Land & Sea Facebook Page:
Hazard warning for canal #1 in Marina Hemingway ⚠️
If avoidable don’t use the turning basin at the bottom of canal #1.
There is a sunken sailboat lying on its side at the height of the rent-a-car place with its mast towards the channel centre – marked with a white fender. When passing, keeping to starboard you should be ok.
There is an abandoned ketch moored on the other side.
Berthing tip from Cruising Cuba Facebook page:
To be closest to the marina store, showers and laundry ask for the north side of canal #2 or the south side of canal #1. If its really busy or if you request it the marina will also put vessels on the south side of canal #2, which means either a very long walk to the facilities or you can launch your dinghy to cross the canal.
Update posted on Sailing and Cruising Cuba Facebook page:
A little update from Marina Hemingway. Quite a number of improvements were made for the Hemingway Billfishing competition. Firstly they moved all the abandoned boats out of channel 2, making more berths available.
In conjunction 6 new power/ water torrents were installed on the east side of C2 and the whole west side of C1 now also has water and electricity. Capacity has so been increased by nearly 50 slips.
There now is a new bus service available to cruisers, they don’t want us to use the hotel bus anymore, that takes you for 1cuc from the marina to “Playa” from where you can then get the double-decker tourist bus to Old Havana for 5cuc. Both are hop-on-hop-off and tickets are valid all day.
There now is wifi available at the Acuario Hotel, half hour for 2.50 cup and 1 hr for 4.50 cup, the day I tested it worked very good …
As far as entertainment is concerned the popular Friday night BBQ at the Yacht Club is still on and a good deal for 5 cups. For late night parties, the Cova now opens nightly as a discotheque from 10 pm. Sun-Thurs entrance is free, Fri & Sat its 3cuc … busier during the week.