This was once a luxury neighborhood in Havana, Cuba. Walking tour of El Mónaco with lovely Kiarah

This was once a luxury neighborhood in Havana, Cuba. Walking tour of Mónaco with the lovely Kiarah

Join us on a rare walk through Mónaco, an isolated neighborhood in Havana, Cuba, that most visitors never see. In this walking tour, we explore its quiet streets and everyday rhythm, far from the usual tourist paths, together with our lovely guide Kiarah.

Mónaco is a residential area once known for its connection to Havana’s social life in the mid-20th century. Today, it offers a different picture of Cuba — less polished, more authentic, and deeply human. As we walk, you’ll notice the mix of aging buildings, local markets, children playing, and neighbors gathering outside their homes, giving you a glimpse into the resilience and warmth of Cuban community life.

El Mónaco in Havana originally had a luxury reputation.

The neighborhood grew in the 1950s, during Havana’s expansion beyond Vedado, when developers marketed it as a modern, upscale residential area for Cuba’s wealthy classes.

It was closely tied to Fulgencio Batista (Cuba’s president/dictator before the 1959 Revolution), who had a residence there. That connection gave the neighborhood prestige, and the area was even nicknamed “Residencial Mónaco.”

The architecture included spacious houses, apartment complexes, and wide avenues, reflecting mid-20th-century Cuban modernist style.

After the Revolution, like many affluent neighborhoods in Havana, Mónaco lost its luxury character. Many of its villas and apartment blocks were nationalized, repurposed, or simply fell into decline with the passing decades.

👉 So, while today Mónaco feels more like an isolated, lived-in working-class neighborhood, it absolutely began as a symbol of modern luxury in pre-Revolutionary Havana.


With Kiarah leading the way, we capture not only the sights but also the spirit of the people who live here. This is Cuba beyond postcards — an opportunity to understand how daily life unfolds away from the restored landmarks of Old Havana.

✨ For travelers and those curious about Cuba’s reality, this walk through Mónaco offers perspective: the beauty of connection, the richness of culture, and the strength of ordinary people building community in challenging times.

If you’re exploring Havana, walks like this remind us that authentic travel is about people as much as places. 🌎❤️

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