A Little Havana in Miami

Little Havana, the heart of Miami's Cuban exile community, has served as a safe haven for thousands of Cubans who have fled the island seeking freedom and political asylum. Here, Americans who are now unable to travel to the island itself, will find a visit to Little Havana is the next best thing to Cuba.

Just walking around, Latin flavor envelopes you with signs and billboards "en español," and salsa and meringue echoing from store front windows. Everything is authentic--from the fruit stands wafting scents of "guarapo" (a sweet sugarcane juice), to the cigar factories, to the eat-at windows of the "cafeterias" where patrons enjoy a traditional "cafe Cubano" passionately discussing politics.

The official name Little Havana's center is Southwest Eight Street, but everyone refers to it as Calle Ocho--the life blood that keeps the heart of Little Havana alive. In 1960, Cubans who escaped their homeland arrived on the shores of Miami and re-established their own culture-infused community just west of Brickell Avenue Downtown. While Miami's hip urban lifestyle and South beach are only a ten minute drive, Little Havana feels worlds away.

Historical sites of interest include the Bay of Pigs Monument which pays tribute to the heroes of the foiled 1961 invasion of Cuba, Woodlawn Park Cemetery where three former presidents of Cuba are buried and Domino Park, a popular meeting spot for elderly Cuban men.

Among the more recent, yet unusual historical sites, is the infamous (former) home of Elian Gonzales. In the year 2000, TV viewers around the world watched events unfold from 2319 NW 2nd Street, where the young boy who reportedly floated on a raft from Cuba to Miami stayed with relatives after losing his mother in the journey. It is a ten minute walk from the center of Little Havana. The house is no longer occupied by the Gonzalez family, but the area in front of the house and along its fence is an evolving and improvised shrine to the young Cuban boy.

Cultural events are also popular, particularly in March when Little Havana hosts its annual colorful celebration of Hispanic American culture, music, food and dance called, Calle Ocho. This block party, to celebrate the finale of Carnaval in Miami, is the largest in the United States.

Year-round art galleries, studios and theaters are ideal places to take in works from authentic Cuban artisans. The last Friday of every month is referred to "Viernes Culturales" (Cultural Friday), with three venues of open artist studios and a shuttle bus between the sites. Another point of interest is the Tower Theater, which usually offers performances, cultural and educational programs and multicultural films. Another theater, Teatro Ocho is home to Spanish-language movies.

If shopping is on the agenda, then don't miss the area's charming shops to find an authentic, embroidered "guayabera" shirt, hand-rolled cigar or CD of truly Latin music.

A tour to Little Havana wouldn't be complete without experiencing some truly flavorful, Latin cuisine. Snacks of "chicharones" (fried pork morsels) to "croquetas," "pastelitos," and sweet, tangy bites of "merenguítos." Que Rico! There are a number of restaurants serving authentic Cuban dishes and delicacies and others serving traditional Spanish, Mexican, Peruvian, Colombian and Argentinean food.

Over the years, Nicaraguans, Hondurans and other immigrants have moved into the neighborhood, though it still remains primarily Cuban. Little Havana also rapidly becoming a magnet for the young, the hip, the artistic.

Next time you are in Miami, why not put on your guayabera, practice your Spanish, drink a café con leche, and just escape among the tropical pastel, deco architecture? It's a people watchers paradise by day or night.

WHEN TO GO?
November through April are the best weather months in Miami -- when it's generally sunny, in the 70's or 80's. If you choose to go May through October, be prepared for the rainy hurricane season, and lots of humidity.

GETTING THERE
Miami airport is the closest, followed by Ft. Lauderdale (which is about 30 minutes further). You can rent a car or take a taxi. Little Havana basically runs down SW 8th Street between 12th and 17th Avenues, south and west of downtown. Public transportation in Miami is less frequently used by commuters, than in other major US cities, however you can take the number 5 bus from the center of Miami, or take the Metro Rail to the Brickell Station and catch a connecting bus.

RESOURCES
Greater Miami Convention & Visitor's Bureau http://www.gmcvb.com

FOOD
Try Cuban Cuisine at:
Tete
1444 SW Eighth St
Miami, FL 33135
(305) 858-8801
Hours:
Tue-Sat 11:30am-3:30pm, 6:30pm-10:30pm

AUTHENTIC GIFTS
Try Cigars at:
General Cigar Co.
1106 SW Eighth St. Miami, FL 33130
(305) 854-6801