Beware of people trying to get you tonpart ways with your money.
Vedado is nice to visit, there’s a cool art exhibit there that doubles as a place where young people hang out and drink at night. Veradero where they make the cigars is cool.
that's what I get for being an Anglo brain and trying to do phonetic from memory of my caveman language skills.
the correct spelling is Cubata, but from my crap phonetic spelling, you can now imitate me pobre espanol.
also, something that made me laugh inwardly is that rum is spelled ron. Havana Club aka "El Ron de Cuba". kinda wish my name was Ronald and I went by Ron.
Don't buy cigars from the guy who has a cousin who works at the cigar factory and will sell them cheaper to you. It's possible that some people have connections, but you're unlikely to find a legit one.
If you're going to buy cigars, buy them from La Casa del Habano directly. They will still sell "fake" Cubans in Cuba. Meaning, there are cigars that might have some Cuban tobacco but aren't made or planned by the Habanos companies. I've bought fake cigars and they had long leaf tobacco, like normal, and were smoked but probably weren't actually Cuban in origin—although, others have bought fakes with floor debris, trash, dirt, wood shavings, and other things you do not want to smoke in them so be careful.
People WILL try to scam you. Beware of randoms approaching you on the street with "Hello friend! Where you from?" etc etc.
Tropicana was one of the most amazing shows I've ever seen. It's a bit expensive and touristy but it's one of the few pre-revolution entertainment venues still around today. The dancing, the costumes, everything about it just blew me away. Best bass player I think I have ever heard, just fuckin outstanding. Make a point of going if you can.
Veradero is not worth going to IMO, don't bother it's just a bunch of boomer Canadians.
I think you'll have plenty to keep you occupied in Havana. Since the economic "liberalisation" a few years back there's now plenty of really good restaurants catering to tourists, if that's your jam, otherwise I'm sure you can find plenty to eat with the locals.