Living Cheaply in Havana - Real Havana: Explore Cuba Like a Local and Save Money - page 143

Quinta de los Molinos (just west of the corner of Salvador Allende and Infanta)
is a large Spanish estate, surrounded by lush gardens and tranquil ponds. After
years of renovations, it was recently opened to the public. It was once the site of
the Havana Botanical Gardens, and the whole area still has the general feel of a
large garden. All the plants and trees are labeled and categorized and the
grounds are tirelessly manicured. The Maximo Gomez museum is also located on
the same campus. It is free to enter the park and explore the grounds. Entrance
into the estate and museum costs extra. Note: There have been rumors that the
park may be converted into a horticultural research center in the near future and
closed to the public.
Parque Lenin is one of the largest city parks in the Americas. It's a sprawling
nature reserve, covering almost 670 hectares, flanked by both the Cuban National
Zoo and the National Botanical Garden. The park is noted for its two large lakes,
wildlife exhibits of crocodiles and fish, and for the massive statue of Vladimir Len-
in. Although some areas of the park look dated, it is currently undergoing a major
facelift and is still considered one of the premier recreational areas in Havana. It
is located off the Calzada de Bejucal road, in the Arroyo Naranjo neighborhood,
20 km south of Central Havana. Entrance is free.
People-Watching
Go for an evening walk through Central Havana. While this neighborhood is
crowded and smoggy during the day, it really relaxes at night. It's common to see
children playing in the streets and young people hanging out on doorsteps, chat-
ting and singing late into the evening. Old men smoke cigars and chat on street
corners while the younger ones set up square tables, under streetlamps, and play
dominoes until well past midnight.
A Day on the Malecon
Relax on the Malecon during the day. You will see a side of Havana that most for-
eigners miss as they hustle from one tourist attraction to the next. On hot days,
young kids swim and play in the water just off the Malecon. On mornings, when
the water is calm, fishermen congregate along the Malecon, particularly in the
area west of Paseo, casting their lines far into the ocean. Divers also sometimes
snorkel along the reef, in their search for octopus and other sea creatures. At vari-
ous times throughout the year, the Malecon is also the site of fashion shows, con-
certs and art exhibits. These usually take place along the section of the Malecon
located near Central Havana.
The Malecon at Night
As discussed before, the Malecon is a fantastic place to visit at any time of the
day. It is particularly active on weekend nights when the weather is hot. Faced
with sweltering temperatures inside their homes, Havana locals flock to the Male-