The Parque Metropolitano stretches along the Almendares River in Nuevo Vedado, a forested corridor that provides the densest concentration of trees in central Havana. The park was established along the river valley where the natural topography prevented urban development, and the result is a genuinely wild green space with trails, bamboo groves, and riverside paths within a major city.
The park is used for jogging, walking dogs, and weekend family outings. Several small rowing lake areas are dotted through the park. The temperature inside the forest is noticeably lower than on the surrounding streets — a meaningful benefit in Havana's humid summer heat.