This neighborhood is called Vedado. It means protected area. There was a big forest and was not allowed to cut the trees because this forest protected the city from corsairs and pirates atacks. Then the population increased and so was necessary to build new areas, so was born Vedado. The new area was built forming rectangles (manzanas) normally (100 x 100 meters). From the beginnig was adopted the american system to name the streets using numbers and letters.

Constructions in this area are modern, and there are plenty of cultural centers, movies, discos and other interesting places to visit. On 23rd street, there is El Pabellón Cuba, a big structured building ;used for shows and commercial purposes. In front of the same street, there is an market of craftmanship, where exquisite articles made from wood, metal and leather are on display for selling. Other interesting places are The University of Havana, the Casa de las Américas building, center where artists and writers meet together and celebrate cultural activities. In the corner of 23th and L streets you can eat very good ice creams at Coppelia.

Vedado is caracterized for its modernity -almost all its buildings in this neighbourhood are less than 70 years old, considering that Havana is an old city.

Hotel Nacional, Hotel Melia Cohiba, Hotel Habana Libre, and Hotel Presidente are some of the best hotels. There are also some markets and commercial stores, theaters and Cinemas. The best traditional restaurants in Vedado which offer typical cuban dishes are El Cochinito, La Roca, Sofia, El Conejito, and the famous 1830 restaurant, located in Malecon, a few meters from the mouth of Almendares river.

The price of rooms in this area varies between 25-35 pesos convertibles/day.

WHAT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MISS IN VEDADO NEIGHBORHOOD

La Rampa

"Coppelia" icecream shop (Heladería)

Area of Hotel Nacional

Hotel Nacional	Maine Monument

"El Malecón"

Area of Paseo and Malecon

Hotel Melia Cohiba	Shopping Center Galerias Paseo
Hotel Riviera	Entrance of Hotel Riviera

Area of "La Chorrera" and Restaurant "1830"

Restaurant "1830"	Restaurant "La Chorrera"

"Jose Marti monument" in "Plaza de la Revolucion" square

"Havana University"

"Colon" cemetery

Others important buildings

Building (Edificio) Focsa	Building (Edificio) G and Malecon

See Part of Municipality Plaza Map (including Vedado neighborhood)

What you do not want to miss...in La Havana!

VEDADO NEIGHBORHOOD. Private Houses for Rent