Unearth authentic experiences, deep culture, and hidden histories often found away from crowded landmarks and curated tourist paths. This tour moves past a superficial "tourist gaze" to engage directly with local Cuban life, fostering deeper understanding and connection. It's the best way to experience the heart of Cuban culture. Buy the famous Cuban bread fresh from the oven at a bakery and learn how to make the delicious Cuban sandwich.

Prepare to meet one of the world's most talented cigar makers. Enjoy live music along with one of Hemingway's favorite cocktails, the cuban mojito. You will eat, shop, drink like a Cuban, creating memories in the last remnants of the Cuba of yesteryear. Miami Little Havana neighborhood is listed as a National Treasure and referred to as Miami's Ellis Island by the Trust of Historic Preservation.

Mornings are still announced by crowing roosters while the locals rush to tiny cafes for cuban espresso. Comfort in this joyful beat of time travel but remember to savor fresh baked cuban bread and pastelitos.

We are flexible to create a tour based on your interests. Public and Private tours are offered in English and Spanish. Please call or email us to request a private tour or a tour in Spanish.

Savor Little Havana Local Cuisine

The tour will begin in Calle 8 and 16 Avenue's famous coffee shop. You will immerse your senses in the Cuban-American culture and Latin American rich gastronomy.

Throughout the tour, we'll give you a chance to visit unique local gems to savor Miami Little Havana's cuisine not found in standard guidebooks. It can include Latin delicacies like empanadas, croquetas, Cuban sandwiches, ice cream, Cuban coffee, pastelitos, or tropical drinks.

We will travel back in time to the roaring 20’s in front of the art deco Tower Theater, and the Historic Bar and Lounge Ball & Chain, a time before Little Havana even existed. Experience artisanal delights everywhere from tropical ice cream, sugar cane juice and hand made chocolates, to traditional guayaberas and hand-made cigars made from famous cigar makers from the island.

This is not your typical food tour. This is a cultural experience with food tastings. Each guest is responsible for their own food and beverage consumption.

About your Little Havana Guide

Ileana grew up in a cheerful, hospitable culture, open to visitors. Exploring and discovering was her hobby as a child in the seaside town where she grew up with her brothers looking for dolphins in the waves. She dreamed of one day being a boat captain but her life took another course on dry land and she became the writer and the educator that she is today.

This year she decided to create her personal tour with the message "Fall in love with Miami and South Florida by discovering what it hides in each season and by living experiences like a local".

Ileana is also the creator and host of the travel TV series Discovering Stories, filmed in several cities around the world including Miami and broadcast on CNN in Spanish and Mundo Fox. During production, she worked in England (London), Switzerland, Belgium, Panama, Portugal, Spain, and the USA with the most prestigious tourist guides and National and Regional Tourism Authorities. The experience she has acquired has served her to organize private tours, gastronomy itineraries, adventures, and logistics.

Ileana organizes each tour according to the needs of her groups, having their preferences and interests in mind. She is more than willing to help make the experience memorable in any way she can.

After filming the episode Discovering Stories Miami, Ileana studied South Florida history with Dr. Paul George, the official historian for the city of Miami, at the Miami Dade Community College. Ileana never saw Miami the same way again thanks to his history classes, guided walks through Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Downtown Miami, and trips along the Miami River and Biscayne Bay.

Ileana has written numerous reports documenting nature, habitat restoration, wildlife migration, and the Florida Keys (The Florida Reef) art, gastronomy, and local architecture. Ileana also focuses on the Everglades National Park. She studied Performing Arts and acquired a degree in art.

In the 90s, Ileana founded a magazine in the Art Deco District of Miami Beach, where she documented the cultural transformation that was beginning to emerge. Today, she continues to write and one of her favourite columns is the Art of Living.

Ileana loves the trail, but enjoys driving and discovering new scenic routes along the coast of Florida. In South Florida specifically, Ileana collaborates with various local organizations and groups to support the mission of Protecting Dark Skies and the welfare of wild animals. Ileana has worn many hats in her life, but today she is most happy to teach others about the greatness of nature, wildlife, and the cultural identity of Florida.

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