New Year's Eve in Cuba

So you are probably thinking on organizing a holiday to Cuba or you have booked it already and need advice on which location to stay and where to spend this joyful celebration. If that is the case then you will find this article a useful resource to find information on what in my opinion, are the best places to spend the night waiting for the New Year to come.

The celebration of the New Year arrival in Cuba has a double connotation. The 1st of January is the official commemoration of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro. The 1st of January 1959 the troops commanded by Castro manage to drive out from Cuba a dictatorship led by Fulgencio Batista. Every year since then the New Year arrival has been celebrated as a victorious day.

Although every province has its own way to organize their festivities, it is Havana my favorite place. You can feel the joy of the people almost in every corner of Cuba and families gather together to celebrate while cooking and drinking room since early ours of the day. I have spent New Year’ Eve almost in every single location in Cuba but I have never enjoyed it as much as when I stay in the Capital.

Not so long ago the head of the Restoration Committee in charge of the refurbishment of the Old Town in Havana had the magnificent idea to use Cathedral Square as the venue for such event. Cathedral square has to be the most beautiful piece of architecture in Havana and is very well known by both locals and tourist. The access to this place is closed to the public and is reserved for those lucky enough to get a ticket for a Gala dinner and one of the most spectacular nights you can have in Cuba. The only restaurant in the Square called El Patio brings all their tables outdoors and caters for 300 dinners. Wine, champagne, beers and all sorts of spirits including the famous Habana Club rum are served plentifully and the food is the result of the compilation of all the Cuban recipes.

But is not the food and the drinks the main hook here. A stage built a couple of days before the celebration takes place hosts one of the most amazing shows outdoors almost which matches that of Tropicana in quality and splendor. You will be able to enjoy the best and most famous representatives of the Cuban musical rhythms and a variety show that will definitely stay in your mind for the years to come. The price could be a bit expensive but it is worth every penny. A ticket will cost around 150.00 CUC ( 75.00 sterling pound, 170.00 USD or about 100 Euros.

There is another place which for many years has been probably the very best place to spend New Year’s Eve. This place is the world known Cabaret Tropicana at a cost of 250.00 CUC the fortunate to have a ticket to this venue will be able to enjoy not only an impressive banquet but also one of the most famous shows in the whole world. It really does not get any better than this in Cuba.

There are of course more affordable options but these two are in my opinion the very best places to celebrate the New Year. Hotels in Cuba will always organize a Gala dinner for this event and in some cases this Gala dinner will be compulsory to pay even if you do not use this service. This is something that tour operators will know in advance so please seek for assistance on how to get the best deal.

If you need to know more about how to make the most out of your holidays to Cuba, please feel free to contact me. It will be a pleasure to share my experiences with you.