Havana: Caribbean Light Over the Malecón and the Colonial Core

Havana sits at 23.1°N on the north coast of Cuba, facing the Straits of Florida. Golden hour lasts roughly 25 minutes. The Malecón (8 km seawall promenade along the north coast) faces northwest to north; sunset occurs over the sea to the west-northwest. From the western end near the Hotel Nacional, the view west covers the full seawall, crumbling colonial facades, and the open water horizon. The old harbour separates Habana Vieja from El Morro Castle on the eastern headland; from El Morro, the view west takes in the entire Malecón, the Habana Vieja skyline with the Capitolio dome, and the open sea simultaneously. The Caribbean heat haze intensifies in summer — clearest light occurs in winter (November–February).