Ah, the nightlife
in Cuba ... it's legendary. There's just magic in the night. Something
about the trade winds, the people, the sights, the smells, the sounds,
... it all makes for a truly unique place and experience. The Cubans,
irregardless of their economic conditions, have never lost their passion
for partying. I promise you, if you haven't danced the Salsa under a Habana
moon, you haven't lived ...
For us, Cuba-Junky,
we prefer Trinidad and Vinales to enjoy the less crowded open air nightlife
with life music and alot of salsa. For those who prefer the crowded salsa
clubs go to the Casa la Musica, Club Torquino and other dancng places
in Havana. Jazz lovers will find the best in Havana at clubs like La Zorra y el Cuervo.
Click
the cities below to check out their nightlife
Salsa,
Reggaeton, Conga, and Son Montuno.
Music, dancing, beer and rum, they are to be found in every Cuban city, town
or village.
Partyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!
The Cubans
are the best salsa teachers, you will really enjoy Cuba's nightlife.
Parties
Remind, the real Cuban does not have enough money to party outside their own home. Cubans you meet in touristy places like the Casa de la Musica or whatever are Cubans who have access to the Cuban Convertible Pesos because of working in tourism or illegal jobs, the nightlife in Cuba is expensive for a normal local, so be aware who might become your friend ...
The real
Cuban parties are held in each others homes and apartments, and
not outside.
Cubans like to party in this way with friends and family. At especially
big parties they will roast a pig and wash it down with Cuban rum.
The rum is oftentimes of the 'homemade' variety, so watch out, as
it's got a 'kick'!
Gay
and Lesbian
Cuba
is a macho society like most Latino countires, there is tolerance of gay
people, and gay travellers will not generally encounter any problems.
However, the Cuban Association for Gays and Lesbians, formed in 1994,
operated until 1997 when it was finally suppressed by the government.
There are no laws against homosexuality and assaults are rare.
Entertainment
and nightlife centres around private parties. The location of where the
action takes place is not so discreetly communicated in front of the Yara
cinema on La Rampa. Most taxi drivers in front of this cinema know where
to bring you.
Entertainment
can include anything. Charges are usually in pesos although as a foreigner
you may be expected to pay in convertible pesos, usually around 1 CUC.
From the
world of film, see Antes que Anochezca and Fresa y Chocolate (Strawberry
and Choclate).
New
Years Eve & Christmas
When you celebrate these days in a resort, the hotel probably
has arranged a party for all the guests. It is usual you have
to pay something extra for it, even if you have booked an All
Inclusive service. Remind that it is NOT the Cuban way of celebrating
Holidays.
A
Cuba celebrate these days at home. Christmas at the night of
December 24 with Buena Noche, New Year Eve with family drinking,
eating pork and dancing till early in the morning
At
New Years Eve in Havana there are some touristic spots to go to
organised parties, mostly expensive and again VERY touristic.
If you want to celebrate this evening with Cubans, be sure that
you will stay in a nice Casa
Particular with a nice happy family and you will have
a fantastic party
Tradition in Cuba with New Years Eve is to roast a pig, and at 12:00 throw a bucket of water out of the window, to get rid of the bad ghosts :)
Concerts
Free
concerts are sometimes offered in the local city or town's 'Plaza
de la Revolution', which are usually centrally located.
Most cities have a 'Casa de la Trova' or 'Casa de la Musica' where
live concerts may be enjoyed.
Or
like at the video the famous Los Van Van at the Malecon in Havana
A great website to see what's up next week in Havana's nightlife is CanalCubano
Conga
is a dance coming from Afro-Cuban influences. In all congo dances
the movements are clearly directed toward the earth and the movements
are strong, forceful and loose.
Worried
on how to dance a conga? ... check out the video at the left what
fun you can have with a bunch of Cubans dancing the conga
