Avenida de los Presidentes

Within Vedado’s neat grid of streets, two grand avenues stand out. One is Avenida Paseo, and the other is Avenida de los Presidentes, which you’re now standing on. Stretching over twenty blocks and running all the way to the Malecón, this is one of Havana’s most beautiful thoroughfares. On either side, the old mansions of Cuba’s upper class show off timeless façades, often draped in flowers, while down the middle, gardens and green spaces invite passers-by and locals to pause and rest. But what truly sets Avenida de los Presidentes apart isn’t just its charm, but its purpose. This avenue is an open-air tribute to Latin America’s past leaders. As you walk along, you’ll pass statues honouring figures like Simón Bolívar of Bolivia, Benito Juárez of Mexico, Salvador Allende of Chile, Eloy Alfaro of Ecuador, and Cuba’s José Miguel Gómez and Tomás Estrada Palma. The Estrada Palma statue tells a different story… Vandalised in 1959, only his two bronze feet remain, still fixed to the pedestal. Also known as Calle G, this avenue is home to the Museum of Dance, a four-star hotel, a literary café, schools, and a range of political and cultural institutions. The area is buzzing with life at any time of day – especially on weekends.