Every year Captivating Cuba welcome many families with children to Cuba and can offer a wide variety of kid-friendly travel experiences to book before travel according to exactly what you would like.

My colleagues and I have been to Cuba with our children, plus our Cuban staff on the ground have kids, and we’ve combined our experiences to create bespoke itineraries that work for families. We consider the family friendly details that will allow you and your children to enjoy Cuba and can provide useful detailed information when crafting your holiday, such as journey times, and dining recommendations.

Whether you are looking for resort hotels with family concierge services, or authentic local experiences to engage your little ones with local life and showing them something new, we can help with everything. Plus, you’ll have our team on hand 24 hours a day for any emergencies.

One thing really worth mentioning, is that we have our own UK car seats in Havana for families with young children and babies from 1 to 11 years. Here are the details in case you are interested in hiring them, please talk to us for more information.

Halfords Essentials Group 123 Child Seat

• Group 123 – Suitable for children aged 1-11 years old
• Suitable for 9-36kg
• 5-point harness with 1 pull tightening mechanism
• Adjustable headrest
• Cushioned insert for younger children
• Complies to ECE R44/04 regulations
• Adjustable headrest / washable covers

Halfords Essentials Group 123 Child Seat – Instruction Video

Halfords Essentials Group 123 Child Seat – Instruction Manual can be downloaded here.

We’ve put together some of our favourite activities in Havana to do with children, please contact us for more information or to create a totally bespoke family itinerary.

Old American Car Tour

What could be more impressive for kids than cruising Havana in a colourful old American vintage car. For the ultimate experience, hire a convertible, you’ll capture amazing family photos that you’ll love for decades.

It’s worth noting though, that these old cars don’t have seat belts in the back due to their age.

Craft Market

Located close to the ferry terminal, the craft market is a lively tapestry of Cuban artistry and cultural exchange. Amidst the bustling activity, there are vibrant stalls showcasing an array of handmade treasures by local artisans. From intricately woven textiles to vividly painted ceramics, bright paintings, and wooden carvings, it’s a colourful and interesting way to spend an afternoon with children.

Wander through the maze of stalls, with rhythmic beats of Afro-Cuban music and the savoury aromas of street food in the air.

Coppelia Ice Cream Parlour

Coppelia is arguably the most famous ice cream parlour in Havana. Named after the ballet of the same name, and built in a project led by Fidel Castro, Coppelia is state run.

This popular place, according to Wikipedia, employs more than 400 workers and serves 16,000 litres of ice cream to 35,000 customers each day. There’s often a long queue snaking around the block, but if you’re already in Vedado it’s worth seeing how long the line is.

Isla del Gellato Ice Cream Parlour

If you don’t want to endure the frequent queues at Coppelia, located in Miramar opposite the Copacabana Hotel, you’ll find Isla del Gellato, a very popular ice cream shop. You could even ask your driver to factor in a pit stop here on your old American car tour.

5 Esquinas

All restaurants in Cuba are family friendly, so do try all of the restaurants listed in our own restaurant guide. Another one to try is 5 Esquinas that has a nice atmosphere as it’s in a bustling people-watching location and there are tables outside. It’s located opposite La Iglesia del Angle, so very useful for those staying in Old Havana.

D’Next, Old Havana

Nutella pizza anyone? D’Next is a casual diner ideal for families, offering an extensive menu with breakfast, starters, and snacks, at least 9 different types of burgers perfect for hungry teens after a morning of sightseeing, pastas, pizzas with the option of 25 extra toppings (including Nutella), sandwiches, salads, desserts plus milkshakes, cocktails, beer and wine.

La Chucheria, Malecon

Located close to the Hotel Grand Aston by the Malecon promenade, this lively diner and sports bar offers milkshakes and pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and has music too.

Camera Ocura

Located in a tower in the city’s historic old town, this unique device offers visitors a view of Havana in real-time, projected onto a concave disc. Developed some centuries ago, the Camera Obscura utilises a series of lenses and mirrors to capture panoramic scenes, immersing viewers in the vibrant bustle of Cuban life below.

Havana Planetarium

Geared towards locals rather than tourists, Havana’s planetarium includes a model of the solar system inside a giant orb, a simulation of the Big Bang, and a theatre that allows viewing of more than 6000 stars.

Havana Chocolate Museum

Located in Old Havana, the chocolate Museum is really more of a shop to buy chocolate with some history and interesting information thrown in. You’ll find all things chocolate here including chocolate milkshakes and hot chocolate, an interesting pit stop whilst exploring.

Family Salsa lesson

Music and dance surrounds you in Havana, why not experience a very fun and professional family salsa lesson in heady Havana, with a partner for everyone including the kids. Just let us know whether you are a complete starter or a family of experienced dancers, and we will arrange your lessons accordingly.

Havana Cycling Tour

This early morning family-friendly tour visits Havana’s most important sights as well as the quieter residential areas to soak up the atmosphere. The tour commences in the Vedado district, specifically the famous John Lennon Park, named after a life size sculpture of John Lennon sitting on the park bench. Cycle through local neighbourhoods, visit Bosque De La Havana, a beautiful tropical woodland and park area with the Alemandares River running through it, also known as the lungs of Havana.

See the Colon Cemetery one of the most important historical cemeteries in the world with amazing styles of mausoleums, many linked to famous Cuban historical families. Continue your ride to Revolution Square, one of the most iconic locations in Cuba. This vast square has the Jose Marti memorial dominating the centre and the surrounding Government buildings have murals to Cuba’s Revolutionary heroes, including Che Guevara. After stopping at Revolutionary Square, continue towards the ocean and pass the American Embassy on the seafront Malecon promenade, before finishing back at Lennon Park.

Private Family Walking Tour of Old Havana

Our family-friendly walking tour can take place any time between 9am and 3pm, and we can also pre-book one of our family friendly restaurant suggestions before or after to make sure kids aren’t hungry. To suit little legs, we can tailor the tour’s duration to suit your children’s ages, and to make sure they don’t get bored.

You can discuss with the guide at the start of the tour the places that you really wish to see, our suggestions include the Havana Club Rum Museum, City Museum, and the Belles Artes Museum.

La Vitrola, Old Havana

Whilst La Vitrola doesn’t offer the best food in Havana, I’d recommend it for families with younger children all day long. Located in a pedestrianised area where kids can be free and safely away from the road, this vibrant restaurant and bar has day-time live music and a really fun and buzzy vibe. Frozen in time, La Vitrola takes you back to the 50s, and serves hearty Cuba fare. They also make a mean mojito, which will keep you there until sundown.

Cocktail and Mocktail Lesson

Our unique cocktail making class is held at a fascinating local bar-restaurant. During this fun mixology class, learn how to make 3 speciality cocktails (mocktails for kids) and enjoy 3 tasty tapas dishes made from local ingredients which also tell a story of the creativity and desire to promote interesting dishes in Old Havana. Kids aren’t allowed in bars in the evening, but this is a great afternoon activity after a day of exploring.