Coppelia Ice Cream Park
Havana's iconic, futuristic ice cream parlor offering a taste of local life and incredibly affordable treats. A cultural landmark!

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
More reliable opening hours
Coppelia Ice Cream Park
Best Time
More reliable opening hours

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Havana's iconic, futuristic ice cream parlor offering a taste of local life and incredibly affordable treats. A cultural landmark!
"Come with the right expectation and you'll like this place.
"🎯 Embrace the Lines
Be prepared for long queues, especially on weekends. Patience is key!
💰 Use Cuban Pesos (CUP)
Having CUP can expedite service and is the local currency for pricing.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Iconic Coppelia Building
Havana
A massive, futuristic ice cream parlor that's a landmark of Havana's architecture. A must-see for its unique design.

Local Atmosphere
Inside Coppelia
Experience a place frequented by locals, offering a glimpse into everyday Cuban life.

Affordable Ice Cream Treat
Serving areas
Indulge in incredibly cheap ice cream, a true bargain for a unique experience.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Manage Expectations for a Unique Experience
Cuban Pesos (CUP) are Key
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reopening of the Coppelia in Havana and its astronomical prices, a lack of respect for the working people
🎯 Embrace the Lines
Be prepared for long queues, especially on weekends. Patience is key!
💰 Use Cuban Pesos (CUP)
Having CUP can expedite service and is the local currency for pricing.
Ice cream from Coppelia in Havana, Cuba. It's one of the biggest ice cream parlors in the world, serving up to 35,000 customers a day. We waited an 1 hour and 45 minutes for ice cream, and it was delicious
🤔 No Menu, Just Ask
Flavors vary daily. Don't expect a menu; they'll tell you what's available.
🤝 Pay it Forward
Consider treating a local family; it's a kind gesture and appreciated.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Embrace the Lines
Be prepared for long queues, especially on weekends. Patience is key!
💰 Use Cuban Pesos (CUP)
Having CUP can expedite service and is the local currency for pricing.
🤔 No Menu, Just Ask
Flavors vary daily. Don't expect a menu; they'll tell you what's available.
🤝 Pay it Forward
Consider treating a local family; it's a kind gesture and appreciated.
📸 Capture the Moment
The building's architecture is unique, so bring your camera!
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Coppelia offers a unique, albeit sometimes chaotic, experience that's a beloved local institution. Visitors praise its incredibly low prices and the chance to immerse themselves in authentic Cuban culture, despite long waits and limited service. It's a place to visit with managed expectations for a memorable, budget-friendly treat.
"Nothing about this place is easy, but you come here for the atmosphere of being in the biggest ice cream shop in the world. We had a great time with our kids, but we had had tempered expectations and knew fully that there is a long wait and the standard level of "service" you can expect at government-run businesses like this in communist / socialist countries. My kids were very keen to come here but it was closed twice when we drove by on week days. Seems to be only open reliably on weekends. On our last day in Havana, we came by on a Sunday afternoon. Five lines with ~20 people in each line, and the security guards estimated 30+ minutes waiting outside in each line. Walk inside and chatted with the security guy asking about the lines in Spanish - was told that it was 30-60 minutes in line unless we had Cuban pesos, where 300-400 would get us an immediate seat upstairs. We paid 400 Cuban pesos = $1.15 USD and were immediately helped upstairs into one of the 5 seating areas where other locals were waiting. Is this fair? No, but this is not at all unique to this place or this country. Once seated in an area upstairs, the service was all equal with other locals sitting there. Roughly 10 minute wait to be asked our order. We bought 9 scoops total, which was 87 Cuban pesos = $0.25 USD. Another 15 minutes to get the order. I would recommend ordering more to avoid having to wait after ordering more. Was the ice cream amazing? No, but the building was pretty amazing, and my kids loved the experience. The picture of the ice cream is an "ensalata", which includes 5 scoops, after two scoops were eating and some melted. The flavors available vary by the day. When we were there, the flavors were coconut, butter, and chocolate. Everyone there was very friendly! Among experiences available to tourists, this felt like a unique place that is much more frequented by locals (maybe 100 to 1). It's extremely different from other "sights" in Havana."
Xiao Tan
"This is a terrible place - and that's why I liked it! No service that would deserve that name, you'll get what they have. The ice-cream is good, but just vanilla the day we were here. Served without love in a plastic tray. But it's so cheap, you could call it free (like, 0,50 € for 5 scoops). It's so depressing, you'd want to lick the toilet seat just to get this life over with.
Come with the right expectation and you'll like this place. Come expecting an ice cream café with service and a selection and what not and you'll give one star."
Daniel Hommrich
"Coppelia is supposed to be an experience... Let me share mine.
1. There are several queues outside. We waited 15 min there.
2. Once we got in, we were directed to seat in the closest area to our entrance. We only discovered that there are other area in the center building.
3. We waited about 25 more mins for them to serve the ice cream. There's no menu and we couldn't pick what to get. They had only 3-scoop chocolate in a plate. The four of us asked for 2 of them.
4. When we paid, the waitress asked around for 2 min and finally decided that we should pay 90 pesos. Later we read on the menu in front of the center building that 3-scoop was 27 pesos each. Were we treated specially? You decide. 1 star for us."
Qiang Qian
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Coppelia is located in Havana, Cuba. Taxis are readily available and a common way to reach it. Many visitors also walk or take local buses if they are familiar with the routes.
Yes, Coppelia is a well-known landmark in Havana. Its distinctive architecture makes it easily recognizable.
Taxis are generally the most convenient option for tourists. Negotiate the fare beforehand.
Information on dedicated parking is scarce, but taxis and private cars can usually find a place to stop nearby.
Ride-sharing apps are not as prevalent in Cuba as in other countries. Taxis are the primary mode of transport.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There isn't a traditional ticket system for entry. You pay for the ice cream you consume.
Opening hours can be inconsistent, especially on weekdays. It's most reliably open on weekends.
Ice cream is extremely affordable in Cuban Pesos (CUP). For example, 5 scoops can cost around 80 CUP (less than a US dollar).
No, advance bookings are not possible. You typically join a queue upon arrival.
No, there is no separate entrance fee. Your cost is for the ice cream.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Expect significant wait times, often 30-60 minutes or more, especially during peak hours and weekends.
Flavor selection is limited and varies daily. You'll be served what's available, often just a few options like coconut, butter, or chocolate.
The 'ensalada' is a popular order, typically featuring 5 small scoops of ice cream, offering a variety of available flavors.
The ice cream is considered good, but the main draw is the experience and the incredibly low price, not gourmet quality.
It's a bustling, lively atmosphere, often filled with local families and children. It offers a unique cultural experience.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Primarily ice cream. Some reviews mention salads, but ice cream is the main attraction.
The ice cream flavors are typically dairy-based. Vegan options are unlikely, and flavor availability varies.
Yes, you can order multiple scoops. The 'ensalada' is a common way to get several scoops at once.
Tipping is not a standard practice in the same way as in some Western countries, but small gestures of appreciation are welcome.
The scoops are generally small, but you can order multiple scoops or an 'ensalada' to get a larger quantity.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, photography is generally allowed, especially of the building's unique architecture.
The exterior of the building with its distinctive domes and the interior seating areas offer great photo opportunities.
Yes, you can photograph your ice cream, but be quick as it can melt!
While generally permitted, it's always good practice to be respectful of other patrons and ask if you plan to take close-up photos of individuals.
Daylight hours are best for capturing the building's details. Evenings can offer a different, atmospheric vibe.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Bring snacks and drinks for the wait, or be prepared for a longer time inside. The experience, while not luxurious, is memorable for children. It's a chance for them to see a different side of life and enjoy a treat that's a big part of Cuban culture.
💰 Budget Travelers
While the wait can be long, it's free entertainment and a chance to observe local interactions. If you want to expedite your visit, having a small amount of CUP on hand might allow you to get seated quicker, but even the standard queue is part of the experience. Don't expect gourmet quality, but embrace the value and the cultural immersion.
✈️ Day-Trippers
Consider visiting with the right expectations – it's about the atmosphere and affordability, not fine dining. Having some Cuban Pesos (CUP) will be beneficial. It's a great way to see a side of Havana that's very different from the typical tourist sights.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the Queues and Service
It's crucial to manage expectations regarding service. Coppelia is a government-run establishment, and the service style reflects this. Don't expect attentive or personalized service. The focus is on providing a large volume of affordable ice cream to the masses. The available flavors can also be limited and change daily, so be prepared for a surprise when you order. The ice cream itself is good, but the real draw is the unique atmosphere and the incredibly low prices.
The Value Proposition: Ice Cream for Pennies
This incredible value is a significant part of Coppelia's charm and its importance to the local community. It's a place where families can gather and enjoy a treat without financial strain. While the scoops are small, the ability to order multiple scoops or the 'ensalada' allows for a satisfying experience. The flavors available might be limited, but the sheer volume you can get for such a low price is remarkable.
Coppelia as a Cultural Experience
Unlike many tourist-oriented attractions, Coppelia feels authentic and is primarily frequented by Cubans. This provides a unique opportunity to observe and interact with the local community. Some visitors even recommend paying for the ice cream for others, a gesture that fosters goodwill and enhances the cultural exchange. Whether you're in Havana or Santa Clara, experiencing Coppelia offers a memorable and enriching perspective on Cuban life.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit