What's not to miss in Havana?

Travel Info
Places, People, Events... I'm going there in June.

Travel Tips

There are so many things not to be missed, that I just don't know how to start. Ok, first take a walk along Malecon - the seashore avenue. It can be real fun at the time, when the tide is rising - feels like a shower of salty water. Sometimes the tides can be really huge - a breathtaking sight. On your way you'll pass street markets with souvenirs - I adore those places. By the way, as a keepsake from Cuba I advice you to buy marocas (a musical instrument, like a rattle, made from a cuban vegetable), something with Che-image on it, a crocodile souvenir (cause it's the symbol of Cuba) and jewels with black coral (if possible, cause there can be some restrictions on transporting them from the country). On Malecon not far from the building of former US embassy there is a square with an open tribune. Sometimes it hosts concerts, but more often - meetings. And early in the morning throughout June and July it's the place for cuban pioneers' gatherings. There they sing songs, repeat mottos and so on - quite an interesting sight.
Malecon will lead you to Castillo del Morro - an ancient fortress which has to do with the famous pirate Francis Drake. Huge guns placed there still work. Then wander about Old Havana, but don't restrict yourself to redecorated tourist part - visit the shabbiest corners of it as well. In this city the majesty and the decline live side by side. I'd advice you to visit restaurant La Bodeguita del Medio - it has been the place of meetings of the forefront Cuban intellectual elite and is notable for it's walls covered with signatures - cause everybody who comes there is welcomed to write some messages on the walls. You should also visit Monumento Marti - a memorial in the form of a tower, from the top of which you'll see the whole Havana. And also go to the Botanical Garden, National Aquarium and Zoo.
See the Cuban public transport, especially the long camel-busses. They run so seldom, that when one finally comes to the station, half of the district has already queued up to get into it (those queues are incredible). And don't forget about Cuban cars - most of them look like exibits from museums and you would never believe they still run.
All good beaches are situated outside the city, but the public transport is really poor so you'll have to hire a car (which can be pricey) or go there with friends. Varadero is known all over the world, another nice beach is Tarara, situated a bit closer to Havana.
Try as much Cuban fruits as you can, especially papaya (they make from it tasty jam), mamey (they sell juice made from it in the streets), mango... And don't leave Havana without trying its cocktails - mojito and Cuba Libre, as a matter of fact.
Don't miss a chance just to observe common Cuban people - they are bursting with optimism and energy.
Summer is the time of Carnival. Probably you'll manage to see those huge festive carts with decorations on it.
Others

1. Tropicana Cabaret (but it's pricey and I've never been)
2. People lining up for Coppelia ice cream in Havana on a Friday night (I don't know if they still do that)
3. Take a bici-taxi tour of Old Havana
4. Go across the bay to the little island off the coast of Havana (I think it's called El Morro, but I'm not sure) - they have a kind of "show" in the evenings before sunset and it's pretty cool if you're into history at all. They do a re-enactment of something that used to happen in the old days.
Everything there is amazing.
When I went last summer there was a lot of construction going on because of a hurricane.
we went from Varadero to Havana by a black market taxi and it was A LOT better than taking a tour. (not reccomanding you take a black market taxi.)
but The guy took us to the capital building, to the flee market( great place to buy gifts, artwork, cloths, cheap suviners) and to this amazing restraunt.

When we were walking around We got asked for money a few times though. One guy asked for mine and my friends name and sang a song with our names in it and than told us to pay him hahaha.

anyways Havana is beautiful. you wont want to miss anything.
Everything its amazing the buildings (that are crumbling but you can imagine how it must have looked), the people!!!
Go to the Tropicana show its was lovely the time just flew by!!
We were there last June and its was very very hot always carry some water with you and that magicool spray you will need it.
Have a fantastic time