Living Cheaply in Havana - Real Havana: Explore Cuba Like a Local and Save Money - page 149

sional dance studios which are popular with locals and foreigners are the San
Miguel Dance Academy (San Miguel # 569, between Belascoain and Gervasio.
Phone Number [phone]) and the Fame Dance Academy (San Lazaro #
72, between Carceles and Genios. Phone number 53 (5) 345 4922). Both are loc-
ated in Central Havana.
Boxing Classes
It is a fact that Cuba has won more Olympic medals per-capita, than any other na-
tion. The majority of those medals have been for the sport of boxing. In Havana,
you can hone your boxing skills (or develop them from scratch, if you have none),
with some of the best teachers in the world. One of the most famous boxing
schools in the city is the Gimnasio de Boxeo Rafael Trejo , located at #815 Calle
de Cuba, in the southern section of Old Havana. The school is basically just a
shell of a building and the ring is antiquated, but the instructors are pros and are
skilled at training all levels. You don't have to be a prize fighter to come here. You
just have to possess a desire to learn. Classes start in the afternoon, around 4pm,
and cost about 5 to 10 CUC per session for foreigners, depending on your negoti-
ating ability. In the evening, the gym turns into a venue for amateur boxing
matches.
Professional Baseball
I can think of no better way to spend an evening, than to be in a massive stadium,
surrounded by up to 50 000 raucous Cubans, watching the legendary Industriales
baseball team thump the opposition. In Cuba, baseball is not just a sport, it's an
obsession. Everybody in Havana seems to be a fanatic. But you don't even have
to be a fan to enjoy the incredible atmosphere of watching a live game. The
games are fast paced and the players high caliber. Many of the best players are
recruited to play in the United States each year. The regular baseball season runs
from November to April. A shorter Super Series runs from May to July. In Havana,
all games are played at the Estadio Latinoamericano , located in the El Cerro
neighborhood, at the corner of Ave. 20 de Mayo and Calle Amenidad, a few
blocks south of the Plaza de la Revolución. Tickets cost 3 CUC for foreigners and
only 1 peso (MN) for locals. There is no assigned seating. You can check the
schedule at the following link: www.baseballdecuba.com
Amusement Park
Yes, Havana has a theme park. It's located in the suburb of Miramar, at the corner
of Ave. 5ta and 112. Originally named and modeled after the American park,
Coney Island, it is now called Isla de Coco . It has a good selection of modern
rides as well as some older ones that have been restored. Most of the attractions
are geared towards children, but thrill seekers will enjoy the vintage roller coaster
and the cosmonaut slinger. Admission to the park is only 1 peso (MN) but you