Poor Infrastructure in Cuba

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, of if you’ve had the chance to read the Real Havana guide (download a free teaser here), you know that I absolutely love Cuba. When I’m in Cuba, whether it be in the city of Havana, Santiago, or Holguin, I feel at home. And if I am in a smaller village or seaside town, I am the most relaxed and happy person in the world.

Sidewalks In Havana Are Terrible!

That being said, I do think there is a little bit of room for improvement in certain areas of Cuba, namely, the infrastructure, and, more precisely, the sidewalks. If you’ve ever been walking around Havana, you know what I mean. Now I call Montreal, Canada, my home town, and we are infamous for our bad roads and sidewalks. But in a competition between the two cities, Havana would win ever time.

In the photo above, you get an idea of what I am referring to. Sidewalks are well constructed, but unfortunately, the trees which are planted near or inside the concrete eventually grow too big, and the roots just destroy the concrete. The problem is further exacerbated by the humid, salty air, which naturally degrades the hardened concrete. 

Cuba Roads Are Not As Bad As You Might Expect

I will say however, that the roads in Havana, and Cuba in general, are not nearly as bad as you would assume. They are old, but the main roads are resurfaced regularly, and the smaller ones are in pretty good condition since car traffic is usually light. Overall, my only gripe with Cuba is the deplorable conditions of many of the sidewalks in the larger cities… Would that be considered a first world problem?

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