Solo Female Travel in Havana

Havana, the enchanting capital city of Cuba, is located on the northwestern coast of the island, bathed in the warm currents of the Caribbean Sea. Known as a time capsule that harks back to a mix of bygone eras, Havana features colonial architecture, iconic vintage cars, and lively salsa rhythms filling the air. The city's heart, Old Havana, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site adorned with stunning baroque and neoclassical monuments, and vibrant plazas witnessing the buzz of daily Cuban life. Known for its legendary rum and cigar production, Havana gives visitors a chance to visit famous tobacco factories and bars, such as La Bodeguita del Medio and El Floridita, known as Ernest Hemingway's favorite haunts. The magic of Havana comes from the blend of the city's vibrant history, its rich culture, and its warm, welcoming locals.

Travel rating

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Travel index

Safety:Safe

Havana is generally safe for solo female travelers. Violent crime is relatively low, and locals are usually friendly and willing to help. However, petty thefts, pickpocketing, and scams are common, especially in touristy areas. It's important to stay aware of your surroundings, avoid walking alone at night in less crowded areas and keep your belongings secure at all times.

Transport:Moderate

Navigating through Havana as a solo female traveler offers both challenges and opportunities. The city isn't too large, and many places of interest are within walkable distance or reachable via the available taxi services. However, the lack of effective public transportation and the scarce availability of road signs or structured addresses could be quite problematic.

Things to do:Interesting

Havana, is brimming with adventure. One can spend days exploring the local markets, colorful architecture, historical sites, and vibrant arts scene. Salsa dancing is a must-try activity, and the local cuisine offers a unique culinary experience. Uncover history in the museums or find solace in the city's numerous parks and squares. However, bear in mind that language could be a barrier if you don't speak Spanish, as English is not widely spoken.

Food:Above average

Havana offers a delightful blend of local and international cuisine. Traditional dishes like ropa vieja and black beans and rice are abundant, and street food stalls selling delicious churros and Cuban sandwiches are present at every nook. There's been a significant growth in the number of private-run restaurants in recent years, offering a wide spectrum from authentic Cuban meals to a variety of global cuisine. Seafood is particularly excellent, fresh and plenty. But it may not be the best destination for vegetarians with limited options, although there has been some improvement lately. However, an occasional lack of ingredients can affect the consistency and diversity of dishes.

Budget:Moderate

While Havana isn't the cheapest city to explore, it has a reasonable balance between cost and value. Street food and public transportation can be quite affordable. However, accommodation and some tourist activities may not be budget-friendly. As prices for certain things like taxis can be negotiated, having good negotiation skills can be beneficial for keeping costs down.

Is Havana worth visiting?

Overall rating

3.8 /5

based on 4 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4.4/5

Safety

3.8/5

Food

4/5

Budget-friendly

2.9/5
Willa

Willa (39)

United States

Solo travel experience

Havana is amazing and very safe for women travelers. I have been twice and had a fabulous time both times. I'm the States we are given a very warped view of Cuba but it is a wonderful, warm, safe place where the people are very politically aware and also very kind. Of course, for lots of complicated reasons most of which are not Cuba's fault, there is a ton of lack. So there is a heaviness about traveling there. But it is totally worth it as it teaches you about the nature of the world as well as its beauty. I most recommend: the history museum in Havana, dancing at La Casa de la Música, and getting out of the city a little bit to see some of Cuba's gorgeous beaches.

Posted: April 4, 2024Experienced: August, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 2/5Safety: 5/5
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Ava

Ava (26)

Cuba

Group travel experience

Visiting Havana last January 2024, was an unforgettable experience. I really enjoyed my time over there, I visited a lot of places, museums, hotels, restaurants and night clubs. I felt very safe, very relaxed and had a lot of fun. I recommend, going to La Vitrola restaurant, is magnificent, also for good music and fun, the bars in Playa close to the MGM Muthu Habana Hotel, were top, I recommend this place too, remember to bring some cash, your credit cards are useful too, except from US, and hang out with Cubans it's amazing, just be wise in choose your travel partner.

Posted: March 8, 2024Experienced: January, 2024
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5
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Group travel experience

Havana was really cool. I definitely recommend visiting La Bodeguita del Medio, that's where Mojito was invented. We also went to a place called Mojito Mojito, which was touristy, but they had the tastiest Cuban sandwich in the world. You can negotiate the cost of a car ride in a car from the 50's, I recommend this tour, they will take you everywhere important and I think in the end we paid $30 for a ride for four of us! Rum is cheap, like $3 for a huge bottle cheap, we drank rum and sat on the Malecon. Everyone was very kind and I felt safe.

Posted: November 20, 2022
Things to do: 5/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 4/5
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Solo travel experience

Havana is unbeatable. I would recommend staying at home with a family, if you can (I ended up staying in a hotel and preferred observing how the locals live!). I also visited several other places in Cuba (including one resort at the end), but Havana was absolutely my favorite. I would leave plenty of time just for sightseeing and admiring the landmarks.

Posted: October 23, 2022
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Meet locals in Havana

Meet local women in Havana who are open to meet up for a coffee or a drink, show you around, give local advice or practice a language with.
Kathleen

Kathleen

About Me

Adventurous and fun I have decided to focus on myself and my well-being. Excited to keep discovering this world that we live in!

Speaking

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Merle

Merle

About Me

Soy una joven de 27 años. Me gusta mucho hacer amigos de distintas partes del mundo y conocer sobre otras culturas y costumbres. A la misma vez, me encanta mi ciudad, La Habana, y enseñar sus lugares y su historia. Fui estudiante de Arqueología, mi pasatiempos son los hechos y los lugares históricos de la ciudad donde vivo, así como la arquitectura. Por otra parte, si así lo deseara, pudiese ofrecerle visitas guiadas y guía especializada a sitios de interés y a cualquier otro lugar de Cuba, según sus intereses. Pueden escribirme a mi WhatsApp +53 55829483 y con gusto kes hablaré. I am a young woman of 27 years. I really like making friends from different parts of the world and learning about other cultures and customs. At the same time, I love my city, Havana, and teaching its places and its history. I was an Archeology student, my hobbies are the historical facts and places of the city where I live, as well as architecture. I am a fan of photography, I like sports, especially martial arts. My favorite music is rock, and I love to read, especially classic and historical novels. On the other hand, if you wish, you could request guided tours and a specialized guide to places of interest and to any other place in Cuba, according to your interests. You can write to my WhatsApp +53 55829483 and I will gladly talk to you.

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Havana

Stay with local women in Havana who offer free accommodation as part of cultural exchange. Couch surfing is a great way to meet new people, learn more about new cultures and experience destinations like a local.
Merle

Merle

Havana

Can host for:

7 days

About me

Soy una joven de 27 años. Me gusta mucho hacer amigos de distintas partes del mundo y conocer sobre otras culturas y costumbres. A la misma vez, me encanta mi ciudad, La Habana, y enseñar sus lugares y su historia. Fui estudiante de Arqueología, mi pasatiempos son los hechos y los lugares históricos de la ciudad donde vivo, así como la arquitectura. Por otra parte, si así lo deseara, pudiese ofrecerle visitas guiadas y guía especializada a sitios de interés y a cualquier otro lugar de Cuba, según sus intereses. Pueden escribirme a mi WhatsApp +53 55829483 y con gusto kes hablaré. I am a young woman of 27 years. I really like making friends from different parts of the world and learning about other cultures and customs. At the same time, I love my city, Havana, and teaching its places and its history. I was an Archeology student, my hobbies are the historical facts and places of the city where I live, as well as architecture. I am a fan of photography, I like sports, especially martial arts. My favorite music is rock, and I love to read, especially classic and historical novels. On the other hand, if you wish, you could request guided tours and a specialized guide to places of interest and to any other place in Cuba, according to your interests. You can write to my WhatsApp +53 55829483 and I will gladly talk to you.

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Havana

Connect with upcoming visitors to Havana who are looking for travel buddies or meet ups.
Giorgia

Giorgia

About Me

Ciao! I’m an Italian girl who has recently started to travel alone. I’d love to meet new people while traveling. I love to explore new cultures✨

Speaking

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Explore Cuba