Havana after dark safety
Discussion
When we were there a couple of years ago, we were warned the same. In fairness though, I never had an issue. It's one of those places where, I believe, if you look like a victim you'll become a victim.
Some shady types DO come out after dark, but it's no worse than any third world big city really. Just dont get hammered and gutter rolling drunk. If you do, you WILL get robbed.
Just be aware the place is full, day and night, of persistant beggars, not all of them friendly, and you'll be ok.
One last thing - I was quite disaapointed in the holiday. Havana is far from cheap, neither for food or booze, and after 2 days there is only so many photo's you can take of rusty old American metal. I'd not go back, and the money it costs would get a far better holiday elsewhere.
Some shady types DO come out after dark, but it's no worse than any third world big city really. Just dont get hammered and gutter rolling drunk. If you do, you WILL get robbed.
Just be aware the place is full, day and night, of persistant beggars, not all of them friendly, and you'll be ok.
One last thing - I was quite disaapointed in the holiday. Havana is far from cheap, neither for food or booze, and after 2 days there is only so many photo's you can take of rusty old American metal. I'd not go back, and the money it costs would get a far better holiday elsewhere.
I went Havana at the start of the year and loved it and also felt very safe they seem to have a large police presence.
In terms of price's if you got to the touristy bars then yes they are mega cheap, but if you go to the old town and a little futher out you can go to the bars the locals go to! we were paying about 40-60p for very strong and lovely mojitos in a proper locals bar, it was literally a hole in the war but had some great music and some old fellows on guitars etc so defiantly recommend a hunt for small hole in the wall type of bars, that is the real havana after all.
In regard to the beggars, yes there are loads of them and some are pretty forceful but you learn you just have to be very very stern with them and they do sod off! THough they can come in handy if they speak English as we asked a few for 'real' cuban bars and markets etc and they marked them on our map for us and gave them some money for their trouble.
Also I found 3 days there perfect anymore and yes I would run out of things to do/go, we had 10 days in the north east of the island and took an internal flight to havana.
In terms of price's if you got to the touristy bars then yes they are mega cheap, but if you go to the old town and a little futher out you can go to the bars the locals go to! we were paying about 40-60p for very strong and lovely mojitos in a proper locals bar, it was literally a hole in the war but had some great music and some old fellows on guitars etc so defiantly recommend a hunt for small hole in the wall type of bars, that is the real havana after all.
In regard to the beggars, yes there are loads of them and some are pretty forceful but you learn you just have to be very very stern with them and they do sod off! THough they can come in handy if they speak English as we asked a few for 'real' cuban bars and markets etc and they marked them on our map for us and gave them some money for their trouble.
Also I found 3 days there perfect anymore and yes I would run out of things to do/go, we had 10 days in the north east of the island and took an internal flight to havana.
Edited by fromage on Saturday 16th October 20:33
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