Havana, Cuba: Vintage Cars, Color, and Warm Culture
Oh, Havana. I went in with a list of expectations about Cuba and came home having to throw almost all of them out.
A warmer welcome than I expected
Everywhere I turned in Havana, I found an amazing, friendly, and endlessly colorful culture — from the peeling pastel facades lining the streets to the music spilling out of open doorways. Nearly everything I’d heard about Cuba before I went turned out not to be true, and I mean that in the best way. People were generous with their time, their stories, and their patience with my camera.
Yes, the cars are real
The one stereotype that held up? The vintage cars. They really are everywhere — polished, painted in every color imaginable, and cruising the Malecon like it’s still 1955. Between the classic cars, the crumbling colonial architecture, and the golden Caribbean light, Havana gave me more color in a single afternoon than most cities give me in a week. I could have spent the entire trip just photographing them, and honestly, I nearly did.
Havana is one of those cities that photographs itself in the best way — full of texture, color, and life on every corner. If a destination shoot full of character and warmth is calling your name, Cuba should absolutely be on the list.
Frequently asked questions
Is Havana, Cuba welcoming for travelers?
Yes — Havana’s culture is famously warm and friendly, and many visitors, myself included, find it far more welcoming than expected.
Are the vintage cars in Havana real?
Very real — beautifully restored classic American cars from the 1950s are still a common sight cruising Havana’s streets, especially along the Malecon.
What makes Havana great for travel photography?
The combination of colorful colonial architecture, vintage cars, and warm golden light makes nearly every street corner in Havana photogenic.
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