Miami Little Havana: Small Group Walking Tour with Cuban Pastries & Cigar Factory

Summary

Walk Miami’s Little Havana with coffee, pastelitos, music & stories

You’ll wander Miami’s Little Havana with a local guide, sipping strong Cuban coffee and tasting warm guava pastelitos as you explore murals, music-filled bars, and a working cigar factory. Watch domino games in action at Domino Park and hear real stories from people who live here — it’s not just sightseeing, it’s feeling the pulse of Calle Ocho for yourself.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely made it past the Bay of Pigs memorial when our guide, Jorge, handed out tiny paper cups of Cuban espresso — thick, almost syrupy, and somehow both sweet and sharp at once. The air smelled like roasted beans and something sugary drifting from the bakery across the street. I tried to say “pastelito” properly but Li laughed (I definitely butchered it), and then we bit into warm guava pastries that left sticky flakes on our fingers. It was louder than I expected — domino tiles clacking in the park nearby, salsa leaking from open bar doors even though it was still early afternoon.

Jorge knew everyone. He waved at an old man rolling cigars behind a glass window — we went inside and the tobacco smell hit me right away, earthy and almost peppery. Watching hands twist leaves into perfect shapes is weirdly hypnotic; I could’ve stood there longer but we had more to see. There’s this club from the 1930s where locals still dance in the afternoons (the mojitos are supposed to be legendary but I stuck with guarapo juice — sweet but not too sweet). Someone called out a greeting in Spanish as we walked by murals splashed across cracked walls; I didn’t catch all the words but you could feel how much pride people have here.

I liked how nothing felt staged. In Domino Park, old men hunched over their games barely glanced up as we passed — just a quick nod before slamming down another tile. The sun was heavy but not brutal; there’s always a breeze moving through Calle Ocho if you stand in the right spot. We talked about Santería altars tucked behind shop counters and why rum is such a big deal here (I still think about that collection of bottles lined up like trophies). By the end my shoes were dusty and my head buzzing from all the stories — or maybe it was just the second shot of espresso.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Little Havana's culture and history

• Visit Bay of Pigs memorial
• Enjoy live music and mojitos at historic bar
• Explore Cuban art collector's club and rum collection
• Tour handmade cigar maker and art display
• Watch locals play dominos at unique park
• Pass by and discuss landmark building

Top questions

How long is the Little Havana walking tour?

The tour covers approximately 9 blocks in Little Havana.

Is food included on this Miami Little Havana walking tour?

Yes, you’ll enjoy Cuban coffee and a traditional pastelito pastry during the tour.

Does this tour visit a cigar factory?

Yes, you’ll get to step inside a handmade cigar maker’s shop and see cigars being rolled.

Is this walking tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the Little Havana small group walking tour is wheelchair accessible.

Are drinks included on this Little Havana tour?

You’ll be offered Cuban espresso coffee and sugar cane juice (guarapo) when available.

What landmarks will I see on this day trip?

You’ll pass by the Bay of Pigs Memorial, Domino Park, historic bars/clubs, art galleries, and more along Calle Ocho.

How big are the groups on this walking tour?

The groups are kept small for a more intimate experience; no amplification systems are used.

Can solo travelers join this Miami walking tour?

Yes, solo travelers can call ahead to be added to an existing group if space is available.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walks through Little Havana with stops for authentic Cuban coffee (espresso), freshly baked guava pastelito pastries, energizing sugar cane juice when available, entry into a working cigar factory with local art displays, visits to cultural landmarks like Domino Park and historic clubs or bars (some closed Sundays/Mondays), plus stories shared by your multi-lingual host along every block.