Ciudad de La Habana, La Habana, or simply Havana is the leading commercial center and the capital city of Cuba. It is true that Havana, on its own, has been the inspiration for some of the most romantic prose in the world. This is due to the fact that Havana still carries the air of mysticism and Old World splendor. At the same time, the city has that welcoming atmosphere specially dedicated to those who seek fun and frivolity during the nocturnal hours.

For a time, Havana became synonymous with cabaret shows and salsa. This is still very much true these days. The locals or the Habañeros do know how to spruce up the night. If you are a music enthusiast, we recommend heading on out to Jazz Café and La Rampa. These two spots offer the finest music from the best local bands. There are cover charges of course, but it is well worth the price especially if you could sit through the best performance while enjoying cheap but very good beer. (We recommend the local brew.)

If you would rather dance the night away, then your twinkle toes should head on out to the Havana Club where music can get you really high even up to the wee hours of the morning. Or, if you prefer a colorful and elaborate cabaret show instead, you may want to try Parisien and Tropicana Cabaret.

However, we also highly recommend that you find a trustworthy guide to help you walk the streets. Toured guides around the city are plentiful but a personalized tour guide is difficult to find. If you have a local friend or relative to help you by, then you would find your time in Havana a lot more pleasant that is expected. If you are by yourself, or touring the city with people who are not versed with the local language or way of life, you can easily be lured into petty scams by petty crooks. They won’t cost you much, but it can a bit of a spoiler for such a wonderful city.

Havana is also home to a very diverse group of performing artists, and you may want to look into the schedule for ballets at the Great Theatre of Havana. We do realize though, that this type of entertainment may not be for everyone. So if you want a really, really want to catch some good Afro-Cuban dance and drumming show instead, then it would be best to park yourself at the El Gran Palenque at 3pm on Saturdays to catch the Sabado de la Rumba. The Cuban National Folklore Group or the Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba is certainly something you should not miss. This show however needs prior reservations. You can ask the hotel concierge to do this for you.

If your interest in the city is more cultural than frivolous, then we recommend you go on a few sight seeing tours. Old Havana or La Habana Vieja, the very core city of present day Havana is home to the richest collection of Old World architecture. In fact, La Habana Vieja is a UNESCO’s World Heritage site, with its narrow streets and overhanging balconies – typical architecture that has remained unchanged over the centuries. Some of the sites you should not miss are: the Aldana Palace; Barrio Chino (Havana’s own version of Chinatown); Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro; El Capitolio Nacional; El Cristo de la Habana; Fortaleza San Carlos de la Cabaña; Museo de Artes Decorativas or the Museum of Decorative Arts; Museo de la Revolucion; and the National Museum of Fine Arts, among many others.

Better late then never I guess. President Raul Castro, who succeeded his brother Fidel as president of Cuba in February of this year, has relaxed long-standing restrictions on cellular phone use and ownership. Of course, mobile phones have been available in Cuba for years, but the only people who could legally own them were party officials, and certain well-to-do foreigners. Regular Cuban citizens were banned from owning or registering cell phones, though many did so illegally.

But now Cuba is being thrust boldly into the wireless era, and the government restrictions on cell phone usage have mostly been lifted. This past Monday hundreds — if not thousands — of regular Cuban citizens waited in line to buy legal mobile phones and wireless service for the first time in the nation’s history.

But the cost of purchasing a legal cell phone and wireless service is anything but cheap in Cuba. In fact, the average price of a standard mobile phone and one year service contract is estimated to be nine months pay for the average Cuban worker — that’s one expensive cell phone!

But even though the cost is currently so exorbitant — cell phones are only sold in Cuba through state operated telecommunications offices — Cuban citizens seem to have an insatiable appetite for mobile phone service. Up until now, Cuba has had the lowest cell phone usage of any country in Latin America. But now all citizens will be able to purchase prepaid cards to allow them to make and receive calls, including international calls.

Although critics have said that Raul Castro is little more than a pale copy of older brother Fidel, in reality the new Cuban leader appears to be taking decisive action to open up Cuban society and commerce. Relaxing the laws on mobile phone ownership is just one example of the changes taking place on the island.

Politically, the move may signify a shift in Cuban policy, and even encourage the American government to rethink its long-standing boycott of Cuba. Washington is watching closely to see what changes, if any, the new President Castro will instigate. And even a simple move such as allowing broad ownership of mobile phones could go a long way toward opening up a Cuba culturally, politically and financially.

Although Spain, Canada, and most of Europe, has continued to have close ties with Cuba, the United States has held out, and refused to lift the 40 year economic boycott. But the political landscape in the US is changing as well, and with Raul Castro now running Cuba, the timing could be right to open up relations between the U. S. and one of its closest neighbors.