Little Havana, Miami Beach

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Home to the most famous of Miami's domino clubs, Maximo Gomez Park is a small park located on the corner of SW 15th Avenue and SW 8th Street in Little Havana.

Its fascinating to go and watch these elderly residents playing dominoes at high speed. You can also take time to enjoy the heady scent of the many cigars that are smoked here.

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OK, so we just drove through Little Havana on our way to Miami Beach, and it happened to be night time... yes we did lock our doors and roll up our windows. It was just a little too rough for me.

During the day, though, Little Havana does draw some tourists to hang out with the locals. The Calle Ocho Festival is the neighborhood's big draw each Carnaval season. Little Havana also hosts what they call Cultural Fridays on the last Friday of every month. Both events feature Cuban food, music, and art.

Soon, many more people will visit the area, as the Florida Marlins new stadium is being constructed on the edge of Little Havana. With the Hispanic influence in basebol, this neighborhood might be perfect for the team and its fans.

I was in South Beach Miami and decided to venture to Little Havana for lunch and a stroll. Other than the awesome lunch at a great Cuban restaurant called Versailles, the rest of Little Havana was a huge disappointment. We asked a policeman for help with directions who said that the 'Cubans have pretty much up and left the area'! There was no real Cuban feel to the area at all. If you're staying in South Beach it's approx $28 USD taxi fare to get there. We can definitely recommend the restaurant. Very good food!

Pretty little Spanish-style street with many salmon-colored stucco buildings with red tiled roofs. There are some restaurants,unique boutiques and a few galleries here. On Friday night and on Saturday, they have a small market selling clothing, cratfs,hand-made jewelry etc.

Please note..this tip is listed under Little Havana..which it is not...I did not put this. The group tip editor at the time did . This is incorrect and I have not been able to switch the category to "Not listed" myself. Little Havana is in Miami, not Miami Beach. Thank you. Sorry for any confusion.

Although the power of the Cuban community is palpable all around Miami area, this influence reach a higher level in Little Havana. In this small neighborhood (six or seven blocks located in 8th street) the principal written and spoken language is Spanish. Walking Calle Ocho constitutes and impressive Cuban culture immersion, with small and charming Cigar Factories and the animated local folk.

The most remarkable spot in the area is Máximo Gómez park, better known as Domino Park, where senior Cuban people joins to play domino and chess games during the evening. A great place to take some pictures!!

For more pictures of Little Havana, please, check my travelogue.

Little Havana consists in 10 blocks of SW 8th Street in Downtown Miami, where everything (shops, restaurants, etc.) is basically cuban. Walk around during the daytime, and you'll feel as if you were in Cuba.

While there you must visit a cigar factory and drink a little shot of cafe cubano. Also, there is a small domino park, that you should not miss.

Little Havana!!! CALLE 8 mi amor! I walked for aoutr 1,30 hours Avenue Calle 8. Some cuban old women stopped me to tell me: "Eres un niño balsero muy guapo". Salsa & mojitos.