CHILDREN’S ATTRACTIONS
1.Steam Train Rides
Once a vital resource for hauling sugarcane, many of Cuba’s steam trains are now retired as museum pieces. Others are used for excursions at Central Australia and at the Museo de Azúcar in Morón. Kids can also whistle down the tracks on a 1907 “choo-choo” that circles Havana’s Parque Lenin in the summer months.
Steam train
2.Cueva del Indio
Carretera Puerto Esperanza, km 36 • 48 77 8053 • Open 9am–5pm • Adm This underground cavern in the Valle de San Vicente will delight children with its spooky, bat-ridden stalagmites and stalactites. The main thrill is a boat ride on an underground river that emerges into open air. Horseback rides are also offered (for further details see Cueva del Indio).
3.Acuario Nacional
Avenida 3ra & Calle 62, Miramar, Havana • 7202 5871 • Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun • Adm The outdoor National Aquarium in Havana features a large number of mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish.
4.Crocodile Farms
Kids can safely get close to Cuba’s endemic crocodile in breeding farms found on the island (for further details see Criadero de Cocodrilos). This monster grows to 16 ft (5 m) long. Younger crocodiles are kept apart. Some farms also breed the American crocodile.
5.Cuban Schools
Most Cuban schools are small and intimate, and foreign children are almost always welcomed for brief visits. Local kids are usually curious to learn about foreign cultures. Make arrangements to visit in advance.
6.Valle de la Prehistoria, Santiago de Cuba
Huge Tyrannosaurus rex occupy this prehistoric theme park, featuring life-size concrete reptiles. A natural science museum has informative displays on local wildlife (for further details see Valle de la Prehistoria).
Valle de la Prehistoria, Santiago de Cuba
7.Horse-Drawn Carriages
Parque Josone, Avenida 1ra, Varadero Enjoy the sights of La Habana Vieja or Varadero aboard an elegant horse-drawn carriage as it clip-clops through cobbled streets.
8.El Morro, Santiago de Cuba
This ancient castle with impressive clifftop battlements comes alive at dusk, with a daily ceremony that sees real-life members of the Cuban military, dressed in the costumes of Independence soldiers, marching into the castle to fire a ceremonial cannon. The castle also displays a fine collection of muskets, swords, and other armaments from yesteryear (for further details see El Morro).
9.Amusement Parks
Todo en Uno: Autopista Sur & Calle 54, Varadero • Open 6–11pm Tue–Thu, 11am– 11pm Fri–Sun • Adm Nearly every Cuban town has a parque de diversiones. Todo en Uno in Varadero has modern rides that include carros locos (bumper cars) and a roller coaster. Havana’s main amusement park is in Parque Lenin.
Remedios amusement park
10.Baseball
Estadio Latinoamericano: Calle Consejero Arango & Pedro Pérez, Cerro, Havana • 7879 5952 Older children will enjoy the buzz of an evening baseball game. It is a spectacle accompanied by lots of music and cheering, and the games often end late at night.
TOP 10 ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN IN HAVANA
1.Acuario Nacional
Children are enthralled by the sea-lion enclosures and the tropical species on display at the National Aquarium.
2.Cañonazo
Soldiers fire a cannon at 9pm every evening from El Morro fortress.
3.Shadow-puppetry
Av. del Puerto & Obrapía • 7861 0568El Arca (The Ark) puppet museum and theater puts on delightful shows.
4.Horseback Rides
Kids can mount horses in Parque Lenin or Parque Luz y Caballero, one block north of Plaza de la Catedral.
5.Planetario
Plaza Vieja • 7864 9544A smart tour around the solar system with hi-tech gadgetry.
6.Playas del Este
These family-friendly beaches outside Havana have warm waters (for further details see Playas del Este).
7.Prado
A great place to interact with Cuban children who enjoy in-line skating.
Children in-line skating in Prado
8.Teatro Guiñol
Calle M & 17 • 7832 6262This theater in Vedado has comedy and marioneta (puppet) shows.
9.Sala de Teatro de la Orden Tercera
Calle Oficios & Churruca • 7860 7699La Colmenita children’s ensemble performs here.
10.Trompoloco Circus
Calle 112, Playa • 7206 5608 • 7206 5609Clowns and acrobats perform beneath a huge circus tent.
