 LITTLE
HAVANA
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 Say “Madison Avenue” and everyone knows
you’re talking New York. Rodeo Drive is synonymous
with Beverly Hills. Worth Avenue is the prime
shopping drive in Palm Beach and Peachtree Street is
Atlanta’s signature address. Avenue of the Tides
is a bit tougher, but anyone who has become familiar
with Charleston will never forget it.
And
so it is for Miami’s S.W. Eighth Street,
better known as Calle Ocho, the centro
vasco (main artery) of Little Havana, the Latin
heart and soul of Miami.
 The 10 square blocks that comprise today’s
Little Havana also are the political nerve center
for Miami’s passionately political Cuban
population. It is a vibrant section of town that
tantalizes the visitor with an all-out assault on
the senses. Nothing is subtle here and the sights,
sounds and smells of the neighborhood are all
designed to jolt the visitor, from the heavy aroma
of café
cubano, which packs the wallop of caffeine-laced
jet fuel, to the whirl of colors in the stores along
Calle Ocho, the smell of cigar smoke and emphatic
conversations among the abuelos
playing checkers against the background of murals at
Maximo Gomez Park.
When you visit, don’t miss out on the
opportunity to sample Cuban food. You may find it less-spicy than you might have
imagined, but it’s wholesome and tasty and
Little Havana is a fine place to find a great plate of lechon
asado con platinitos maduros y congris (roast
pork with fried plantains and rice and beans). If
you’re not quite as hungry, just sidle up to one
of the open-air lunch counters and order a medianoche,
sandwich
cubano or some empanadas.
Cuban food is outstanding. Try it once and you’re
addicted, amigo.
 ATTRACTIONS
sightseeing , attractions,
museums ,
neighborhoods |
ARTS
arts, theater,
music, film,
performing
art venues |
ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotel
guide, 3-star hotels, 4-star
hotels |
TRANSPORTATION
travel info, airports,
taxis, trains
metromover |
NIGHTLIFE
nightlife, dance,
pubs, sports
bars ,
latin clubs |
RECREATION
tennis,
biking,
wild
outdoors,
sports, golf |
SHOPPING
shopping, malls,
outlets, districts |
MISCELLANEOUS
directions, getting
around,
car rental,
other links |
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