things to do in little havana

Things to do in Little Havana Miami: the best tourist attractions and events

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Coming from Marco Island and Naples on the western shore of Florida overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and after crossing the Everglades, we are now about 220 miles from the island of Cuba along the US41 towards the neighborhood of Miami called Little Havana or Pequena Habana as it is called by the Latino population that lives there and the Hispanics that frequent it.

And yes, because as the name clearly shows, this area of about 3.5 square miles is inhabited mainly by Cubans but also by Latinos from other Central and South American nations: Nicaraguans (growing), Mexicans, Dominicans, Colombians, and Venezuelans. The neighborhood, which is located about 10 minutes east of downtown Miami, is roughly bordered by SW 37th Ave., SW 4th Ave., NW 20th St., and SW 16th St. if East Little Havana is also considered.

The origins of Little Havana

things to do in miami little havana

But why have so many Cubans emigrated to this metropolis in the most disparate ways: legally, as political refugees or by “back roads”? It all started with the Cuban revolution (1953-1959) against Batista and the dissatisfaction with Castro’s installation as ruler, but later there were further migrations linked to politics and economic problems.

Here in Little Havana the memory of the motherland, also passed on to the new generations, is indelible; it is lived with a great emotion and visiting here, it is well perceived. Although it is a safe area, it is still advisable not to explore the more peripheral areas of the neighborhood late at night, especially in the area of East Little Havana.

How to Reach Little Havana and Where to Park

Little Havana can be reached by bus (for example from downtown, in about 30 minutes and from the city airport in about 45 minutes), however, as we have already recommended (see our article on how to move around in Miami), the best means is by car. Along Calle Ocho you will find some paid parking lots that will be ideal for getting around the neighborhood. For the exact point of where to start looking for parking, read the next paragraph on what to see in the neighborhood.

As far as distances are concerned, consider that in about 15 minutes you will be more or less able to cover the distance to the other important neighborhoods of Miami (except South Beach, which, depending on traffic, could take you a good half hour drive).

Things to see in Little Havana

best places to eat in little havana

Coming from the West we drove along the long main street Calle Ocho (also SW 8th Street, US41 or Tamiami Trail) and as soon as we saw the famous Little Havana mural (to reach it enter the address 2614 SW 8th St in the SatNav) that welcomes you with the Cuban symbols of coffee, dominoes, dancing and the flag, we were tempted to look for parking to start exploring the neighborhood… however we delayed as the area is still quite anonymous for about 1 mile.

Slowly, however, we realized that the neighborhood was beginning to come alive so we left the car in the spaces regulated by a parking meter and began our real exploration on foot.

There are many things that quickly meet your gaze, starting with the graffiti on the walls, the brick sidewalks, and the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame (SW 8th St. between 12th & 17th Ave.), the local Latin answer to the stars in the original Hollywood version; since 1988, in this Paseo de Las Estrellas, the artistic greatness of famous people such as Cuban Celia Cruz, salsa singer, Gloria Estefan, Cuban singer-actress naturalized American and Julio Iglesias, the famous Spanish singer have been celebrated.

little havana attractions

We then saw bilingual signs, names of businesses, and clubs in espanol. Hearing people greet each other with hola or buenas dias is a pleasure and “makes you feel on vacation”, but here it is normal as for most of the population it is the mother tongue or it is spoken in the family.

Colors and sounds surrounded us as we passed by walls in bright colors, an infinity of art street works (even the garbage cans are works of art), places with open doors that play music, typical cigar stores, barber shops, and characteristic bars where we tried a cup of cafecito, Cuban coffee, which, unlike the expresso, incorporates sugar along with the mixture of coffee at the time of preparation.

There is no doubt about it: Little Havana exudes joy, and desire to live and from sunset onwards, the atmosphere becomes even more electric. One of the most famous locations on this street, both for locals and visitors, is Domino Park (Cale Ocho & SW 15th Ave.) also known as Maximo Gomez Park, an area established in 1978 that invited us to stroll a bit and observe many Cubans, especially seniors, together here to chat, discuss politics and the motherland while playing dominoes (also chess or checkers) under the canopy and with an unfailing cup of coffee. Here, as in Cuba, dominoes are the national game, which is why in the park there is a club dedicated to it, the Circulo de Santiago de Cuba.

best things to do in little havana

Half a block west of the park, the blue and white art deco building of the Tower Theater (1508 SW 8th St.) drew our attention. They explained that it is the only theater that years ago showed English films with Spanish subtitles; today, however, it is the only theater in Miami dedicated exclusively to foreign films.

Along SW 8th Street there are beautiful murals, such as “Heroes of Cuba” at Esquina De La Fama (previously here there was Cafeteria Guardabarranco), which depict characters who have made history such as Jose Marti and Ruben Dario.

Another construction of Calle Ocho is the iron wording “I love you Miami” representing gratitude for the city that welcomes this community. Not far from the sidewalk we find ourselves face to face with giant and colorful reproductions of roosters, for example near El Pub Restaurant (1548 SW 8th St.) and La Carreta Restaurant (3632 SW 8th St.).

Little Havana Miami Murales

The Cuban Memorial Plaza (just off 13th St. towards Calle Ocho) is an example of the Cuban connection created to honor the pain suffered by those who left their homeland in search of a better life. The bust of Jose Marti (SW 8th St. & SW 13th Ave.) is a tribute to the man, politician, writer and leader, hero of the independence movement, and we also found statues depicting the Virgin Mary, a wall with a raised map of Cuba and a monument commemorating the Cuban War of Independence from Spain in the 1800s.

Memorial Boulevard runs parallel to SW 13th Street and intersects Calle Ocho. It is another important point in Little Havana in memory of those who left Cuba because of the Castro regime. Along the street, there are statues dedicated to the heroes who fought for the liberation of their homeland and, at the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and SW 13th Street the Eternal Torch burns, linked to the failed attempt to bring down Castro’s Cuban dictatorship, the so-called invasion of the “Bay of Pigs” in 1961 (see also the Bay of Pigs Museum at 1821 SW 9th St.)

Tour of Little Havana

things to see in little havana
Los Pinarenos Fruteria

Those interested in learning more can allocate some of their time to the Two-Hour Introductory Tour of Little Havana, a pleasant guided cultural walk with the main points to visit included. Also worth considering is the Little Havana Gourmet Walking Tour which combines the beauty of the neighborhood with the culinary highlights. Speaking of which, the Little Havana Visitor Center (1600 SW 8th Street) is also a valuable information point.

Where to shop

best place to eat little havana

Many stores exude their Cuban and Latino essence. We recommend Sentir Cubano (3100 SW 8th St.), a true corner of Cuba with many interesting objects and creations other than classic souvenirs, the Cuban Tobacco Cigar Company (1528 SW Calle Ocho), a family-run cigar factory started in 1994 where you can see the “masters” at work making cigars by hand. What characterizes this company is the tradition, passion, and dedication to making cigars, which you can also purchase during your visit to the company.

Events in the neighborhood

cigar shop little havana

The most famous event in Little Havana is the Calle Ocho Festival (between SW 8th St. and 27th Ave.) which takes place in March, known to be one of the most important street festivals in the world. Along 8th Street food and street vendors, dancing, and Latino music are the elements of the event that began in 1978 to keep the unity of the Latino community alive. It has continually grown since. This festival is overwhelming, pleasantly loud, crowded, full of vitality, and with the sound of speakers wafting through the air. The energy and festive spirit of the Hispanic population really comes through.

In keeping with the country that welcomed this community, the American Independence Day celebration of July 4th is traditionally celebrated with fireworks, but Little Havana residents also set off “mini” fireworks in the street and parking lots. Every Friday of the month between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., Cultural Fridays (Viernes Culturales) are held along Calle Ocho between 13th and 17th Avenues, around Domino Park. Live music, dancing under the stars, aperitifs in cafeterias, dominoes games, cigar making, arts and crafts characterize the event in which we “dive” with pleasure.

Every second Friday of the month, the creators of Cultural Fridays organize the Little Havana Art Walk from 7 to 11 p.m. with open art galleries and also the Futurama building (1637 SW 8th St.) with paintings, photographs, sculptures, and contemporary works. Other communities are also tied to their own events. In May, Mexicans celebrate independence with the Cinco de Mayo holiday, and the local Azucar Ice Cream makes tequila ice cream to mark the occasion. Las Fiestas Agostinas of Salvadoran origin takes place in August to honor “Jesus Christ, savior of the world” and patron saint of El Salvador. On November 30, the large Nicaraguan community kicks off celebrations that culminate on December 8 in honor of the Virgin Mary with the La Purisima event.

Where to eat in Little Havana

little havana tourist area

Wandering around the main street of Little Havana it is quite easy to be attracted by the many typical restaurants and the characteristic area, however, one must be careful because looking for authenticity one can run into tourist traps. This is the case of the aforementioned Esquina De La Fama, where enjoying the pleasant atmosphere of the place will cost you dearly (to give you an idea, they asked us fifteen dollars for their steaming mojito…).

Locally, they say that food prepared in true Cuban style can be found at Versailles Restaurant (3555 SW 8th St.) a large building with eye-catching architecture open since 1971, a meeting place for Cubans but also for visitors. We’re not experts on Cuban cuisine, but the ham and cheese croquettes with pea soup are excellent and probably prepared according to the local recipe. Prices at the restaurant, which is open late into the evening, are reasonable. In the restaurant, there is a “window” from where customers can order and receive their coffee and while waiting they have a chat, a very popular ritual among regulars. Take the number 8 bus to reach this local icon.

Another restaurant where you can taste traditional Cuban cuisine according to experts is El Exquisito (1510 SW 8th St.), a family-run establishment for many years. Fancy some Mexican food? At Mi Rinconcito Mexicano (1961 SW 8th St.) the food is good, the prices are more than affordable, and the place is nicely decorated in its own style.

There’s always a queue at Azucar Ice Cream Company (1503 SW 8th St.), an artisanal ice cream and sorbet shop founded in 2011. Those who love ice cream and want to enjoy its many variations will find special flavors such as Coca-Cola, Apple Pie, Nutella, and Key Lime Pie, the typical Florida pie. One last tip to refresh yourself a bit during your walk: stop by Los Pinarenos Fruteria (1334 SW 8th St) and ask for some coconut milk served directly in the shell.

If, on the other hand, you plan to spend the evening here to the rhythm of strictly Cuban music (starting in the afternoon) there’s Ball & Chain (1513 SW 8th St), a historic venue that opened its doors back in 1935. For more dining tips in Miami – not necessarily in the Little Havana area – read our article on the best restaurants in Miami according to us.

Where to stay in Little Havana

how to get to little havana from miami beach

In general, Little Havana is not one of the areas you usually consider to find a place to stay (we have described the best neighborhoods in our guide on where to stay in Miami). In this area there aren’t many hotels, especially near the center, compared to which most of the available accommodations are located in a decentralized position, needing a car to reach them. However, if you really want to look for accommodation nearby, here are some good structures.

A new hotel with a modern structure opened in May 2017 is the Jefferson Hotel (528 SW 9th Ave.) recognizable by its white walls. The property has 4 suites and 29 rooms. Available to guests are wi-fi, a business center, valet parking, a concierge, and a top floor bar overlooking the downtown skyscrapers. Roam Miami (118 SW S. River Dr.) sits next to the river, an active waterway with a marina and the bustle of boats bringing seafood supplies to restaurants. The property consists of four historic buildings built in 1908 and later renovated to preserve its history. All are surrounded by a pool, lawn, and shady trees. The en-suite rooms feature a sitting area.

Holiday Home Palacios (318 NW 2nd St.) is a spacious home for rent with a bathroom, 3 bedrooms, living room, full kitchen, and a backyard barbeque area with tables and chairs. Topping it all off is private parking and wi-fi. If you are looking for something smaller, the apartment New Gem in Little Havana (1328 NW 4th St.) may be an option; just a short walk from the Marlins Park baseball stadium, it’s a simple arrangement with a bedroom, kitchen, dining room, living room, and backyard. Parking is included in the rate.

Find a Hotel in Little Havana

Discovering Little Havana, the “Hispanic corner” of Miami, with its Latin flavor, its incessant desire for fiesta, and attachment to the origins, told also on the walls, was an experience definitely to be recommended.

fam-bendandi
Marianna Licia e Paolo

There are two passions that we share: photography and traveling, especially in the United States.

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