What places of interest to visit in Cuba?

Visiting Cuba is one of the options you have to spend an ideal rest time. Not only the climate, not only the beauty of the beaches and the ecological sites, there is much more to discover in the Greater Antilles. You will find places to spread out and have a fun time with your partner or family. From museums, national parks, diving centers, beaches, hotels and also enjoy shows or the nightlife of the most important cities in the country. Havana stands as a temptation to the visitor. Capital of the country with sheets on the balconies and historic neighborhoods, sites that will take you back centuries like the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, the Capitol, La Bodeguita del Medio, Havana Cathedral, or the Christopher Columbus Cemetery.

Varadero Beach could be your destination, one of the most famous in the world. Tropical paradise, turquoise waters, white sands and very comfortable hotels. Santiago de Cuba stands out for its warmth, culture and historical richness, as does Trinidad, a city that seems frozen in time due to the state of conservation of its colonial architecture. If you think of coming to the Caribbean island, visit us, here you will find all the details you need to choose properly.

What to see in Cuba?

Considering the options offered by tourism catalogs in Cuba, you might think that we are only sea and beach. However, the Caribbean island can lead you to discoveries that you may not have considered yet. Of course, these options are among the most sought after and visiting Varadero, for example, may be your purpose. Despite this, we suggest other options that you may want to consider. The mogotes of Viñales can be an interesting option, visit the land of the famous Habano and contemplate the variety of orchids that exist in the place.

We also suggest you get to know the Sierra Maestra, a Special Region for Sustainable Development that extends through three Cuban provinces and that guards treasures such as La Gran Piedra, the largest mass in the country, as well as its garden, where ferns grow dating back to of prehistory. The Ciénaga de Zapata may be another interesting site. It is the largest wetland in the Caribbean and you will also find beauty, Creole food, a crocodile farm as well as a variety of native flora and fauna. What to say about other important cities in the country such as Santiago de Cuba, Trinidad, Camagüey, where you will find entertainment and instruction, but above all, enjoy yourself because arriving in Cuba means keeping a distinctive breath in your memory forever.

What to do in Cuba?

There are many activities that you can enjoy if you decide to spend your vacations in Cuba. A paradise that offers its natural wonders to visitors offers various options for all tastes. From contemplation to the most extreme, such as skydiving. But in that intermediate there is also a range of possibilities that we suggest you contemplate. For lovers of the sea, resorts are suggested, where bathing in the sun and sea come first, but snorkelling, diving and fishing are also added.

Those who prefer the city can visit the museums, monuments, theaters and other cultural options, whether at night or during the day. You will be able to choose the bicycle as your means for while you exercise, travel through the points of the Cuban geography that are not yet included in the tourist destinations. On the other hand, if you are a nature lover you can reach the mountainous sites and include yourself in excursions, hiking, there are even places to go skydiving, a daring option but that will put your adrenaline to the top. Passing through Cuba and considering all the details of your personal tastes, you will spend a vacation to remember for a lifetime.

Cuban music, the island’s main attraction.

Music is, without a doubt, one of the biggest attractions that can move your decision to travel to Cuba on your vacation. It is the most beautiful of the arts, which evolved from the areítos of the aborigines, passed through the rhythm of African drums, visited the social halls and went to the poorest lots and neighborhoods, to enrich themselves and give us back what it is today. , pride of Cubans. From rumba, son, trova, bolero, jazz, salsa and a wide range of subgenres you can find as you pass through the island.

Museums where the emergence and evolution of different manifestations within music are explained and specialized institutions that keep instruments, sheet music and other objects related to the theme are proposals to visit. The trova house in Santiago de Cuba, La Tropical and La zorra y el Cuervo in Havana, as well as dissimilar places in closed or open spaces throughout the Cuban geography will welcome you so that you appropriate the Caribbean and unique flavor that identifies Cubans.

Discover the treasures of Cuba by provinces.

Cuban culture, a treasure of the nation.

One of the things that makes Cubans most proud is the culture of their land. Considered by Dr. Fernando Ortíz, Cuban ethnologist, archaeologist and researcher, as a great ajiaco, given the mixture of aboriginal, Spanish, African customs, which added and mixed gave rise to what is now identified as culture in the largest of the Antilles. . In any artistic manifestation there are relevant facts and important personalities, with worldwide recognition. The influence of architecture, styles from other countries and other cultures, is one of the examples. But the plastic, Caribbean and universal arts are added at the same time, in addition to the seventh art, cinema with an amazing history and paradigms of acting.

Customs, traditions that go through Creole cuisine, theater and dance, many edges to explore. Music and its diversity of genres and performers is a precious jewel of Cuban culture. The trova occupies a special place, accompanied by guitar, accompanied by drinks, so that it doesn’t get stuck. All this accompanied by the characteristics of the natives of the island: talkative, happy, quarrelsome and partying, supportive. Make up that fan, the colorful mosaic that is Cuban culture.

Culinary art and Cuban gastronomy.

Culinary art represents one of the most diverse aspects of Cuban culture, which in turn demonstrates the influence of foreign practices on the island. Amalgamation of species, colors and flavors that end up in a dish exquisitely presented for tasting. We propose the yucca with mojo, the ropa vieja and the tostones, the congrí, Moors and Christians and the famous roast suckling pig, they are a must at the table of any Creole restaurant or others that you visit on the island. There are also the ajiaco and the tamale, irrevocable samples of aboriginal and Spanish influences.

But if there is another thing that distinguishes Cuba, it is the drinks that are prepared here. Havana Club, Cuban rum and cocktails. From mojitos, rum collins, daiquiris and tasty piña colada, they are tempting invitations. However, nothing beats the preference of thousands of people around the world for Cuban rum. There are a lot of brands with different grades and quality. The Havana Club at the top, but others very close, such as the Caribbean Club, the Methuselah, the Caney, the Bucanero, and the Ron Santiago, 15 years old, which you can only buy in the city of Santiago de Cuba. Diversity and variety for all tastes, within reach of a visit to the Caribbean island.

The flora and fauna of Cuba.

Like the green that fills your eyes when you observe a Cuban landscape, so diverse and beautiful is the Cuban flora and fauna. Those who like ecological tourism will have the opportunity to go hiking and appreciate the variety of species up close. Cuba keeps in itself an immense wealth related to the subject. Of the Cuban flora, more than 11 thousand species are identified. Among them and that are most notable for their endemism are the pot-bellied and cork palms, the cashew, the Mayarí pine and the royal palm, the national tree.

In the fauna there are more than 16 thousand species identified between mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, arachnids and molluscs. In this aspect it should be clarified that none of the species are lethal to human life, resulting in a true gift to admire them in their natural habitat. Five wetlands, one of them, the Ciénaga de Zapata, declared a Ramsar Site, and the mountain ecosystems, make up this marvelous and diverse world of Cuban flora and fauna, which you can access if you get to the Caribbean island.

The nature of treasure island.

The nature of the island of Cuba is made up of diverse ecosystems. Among them are the coastal ones, semi-deserts, mogotes, among others, a whole very green geography that invites us to discover its interiors in the National Parks, Botanical Gardens or Biosphere Reserves. Abundant vegetation, caves, beautiful beaches, keys and various natural sites where you can appreciate a paradisiacal environment are other benefits offered by the largest of the Antilles, which, as if that were not enough, also gives you a warm climate all year round.

The tourism options for visitors allow the approach to these sites through excursions and hiking on the mainland and diving sites, sport fishing and other attractions to admire the treasures that the seas that surround the island keep. World-renowned sites such as Baracoa, Gran Piedra, Pico Turquino, Valle de los Ingenios, El Nicho, Cuevas de Bellamar or Valle de Viñales are part of the extensive list of natural attractions that the Caribbean island has. These are just some of the natural treasures that you can find if you visit the most beautiful land in the world, as Christopher Columbus described it when he stepped on its sands in 1492.

Customs and traditions of the Cuban people.

Various and rich are the traditions of the Cuban people. Enduring and longed for by many outside the island, who return whenever they can to share a piece of authenticity with Cubans. A strong and steaming cup of coffee when you wake up, the grace of the natives to tell stories and cause laughter, the distinction of dancing and having a very peculiar rhythm when doing it that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. These are some of the traditions that identify us.

But going a little deeper into the subject, there are also other events and actions that are part of the idiosyncrasy of Cubans. The carnivals, playing dominoes, turning the ceiba over, the end of the year parties and with it roasting pigs on spikes, a compendium of activities, which without any force, are maintained and defended as part of the culture. If you come to Cuba on your vacations, you will be able to insert yourself, depending on the date you choose, in any of them and in this way share with Cubans and thus learn more about their customs and traditions.

Where to sleep or stay in Cuba?

Once you choose Cuba as your destination to spend your vacations with friends or family, a question may come to your mind: Where to sleep or stay on the island?
Necessary question because entertainment alone will not be part of your experience. That is why we recommend you consult all the articles that we put at your disposal to form a better idea and choose. In Cuba there are many places to sleep and make your stay unforgettable. Places where to book in advance will save you problems or come unexpectedly and make your visit an unforgettable experience in the Caribbean.

Within the range of opportunities are rental houses, motels and hotels of all possible categories and of several world-renowned chains. First you must choose the category of your trip, if it is to rest, to visit places that interest you or to visit places recognized throughout the world for their comfort and quality of care. You should also check if you want a cheap trip adapted to your economic level, if it will be an all-inclusive trip or a tailor-made trip, personalized to satisfy your personal tastes.

Where to swim and tan in Cuba?

Without a doubt, one of the most striking options you will have when visiting the largest of the Antilles may be taking sea baths. Swimming is a great option to relax and enjoy the sands and waters of the island. You will have authentic experiences in this tourist destination that is the Caribbean by choosing sites with coasts. Throughout the island there are centers and hotels that you can choose to sunbathe, swim and enjoy in the company of friends, loved ones or spend an unforgettable honeymoon.

We recommend you consult all the information available on this page to make your choice a trip tailored to your wishes. Spas, diving centers and other places await you, so that in addition to enjoying the warm waters that border the island, you can also practice other water sports that will complement your vacation. A personalized experience can be a great option, but if you want to share it with friends or adults only there are also packages for these features. You just have to give us a click and at the shortest distance, you will begin to live an authentic experience tailored to your needs, just by choosing Cuba and its treasures as a destination.

Car rental in Cuba.

Rent a car in Cuba is another option offered by car rental companies, looking for your enjoyment and personalization during your visit. It is an option that we recommend because you can visit as many places as you want without schedules or hurry, making it easier to rest at different points, take pictures, meet people and stop to enjoy lunch or the beauties of the surroundings. Therefore, it is important to know the period of time for which you can rent a car, the best prices and seasons, what the offer includes and what it does not, aspects to take into account when receiving the car, as well as your obligations and guarantees.

You should also know what are the essential requirements to drive on the island, the car delivery conditions, as well as the rental companies that exist in the country. These are just some of the suggestions. If it is your purpose to rent a car when you visit Cuba, we offer you all the details you need, so that through knowledge, your stay is only enjoyment and pleasure. Join us to find out.

How to get to Cuba?

Cuba is an important tourist destination in the Caribbean area. If you have chosen it as a destination for your family vacation, with friends or adults-only vacation, you need to know how to get to the island. The most used means of transport are air flights or cruises, which you must choose according to your origin or personal taste. 10 international and 15 national airports make up the park for air routes in the Greater Antilles and 4 terminals for access to the sea. As a more general common choice are the air routes, specifically the most used is directly to the José Martí International Airport, located in the country’s capital.

But you should also know that other provinces also have their own airports such as Varadero, in Matanzas, Santiago de Cuba or Holguín. Regular connections from major cities in Europe and North America. If your preference is to arrive by ship, we tell you that cruises are very popular because they offer the possibility of a trip that touches several Cuban ports, international marinas and cruise terminals. They are all safe places, although this way you will only briefly get to know the cities, their culture and their history. Traveling to Cuba by sea or by air is a safe passage to the treasures of the Caribbean.

Cuba and its world heritage sites.

Traveling to Cuba is, in itself, the discovery of a paradisiacal place that keeps various sites cataloged as World Heritage. Beyond the places famous for their beauty or for the comfort they provide to visitors, Cuba offers those who come to its land, 10 sites considered by UNESCO in this category. They are places chosen for their incalculable value from the cultural and natural point of view or for their own immaterial value, current in the traditions of the island. Among them are the Historic Center of Havana and its system of fortifications and the Castillo San Pedro de la Roca in Santiago de Cuba, also known as the Morro. Other urban centers add to the list, such as Trinidad and Valle de los Ingenios, Cienfuegos and Camagüey.

You can visit if you get to the largest of the Antilles, more sites in this category: the Desembarco del Granma National Park, the Viñales Valley, the Archaeological Landscape of the first coffee plantations in the southeast of Cuba and the Alejandro National Park of Humboldt. As part of this intangible heritage, the French Tomb La Caridad de Oriente is added.
You can visit these sites that preserve an essential part of the culture and that deserve the visit of locals and foreigners.

The story of treasure island.

One of the most unique attractions in the Greater Antilles is the history that makes up the nation’s culture. First inhabitants, conquest and colonization, wars of national liberation, distinguished figures, monuments, institutions and others that can open up a wealth of knowledge for you. Everything awaits you if you choose Cuba as a tourist destination, a place that keeps innumerable treasures that you can discover in museums, parks and squares, on a careful visit to any part of the country.

For Cubans, perhaps the most important thing is their history, an obligatory subject since childhood. That is why you will find passionate people on your way who will talk to you about José Martí, Antonio Maceo or Carlos Manuel de Céspedes or who will explain the history of a street or a house as something usual and simple, something close and familiar, like a poem or a sweet nursery rhyme. While passing through Cuba, do not forget to discover those places that will take you back in time, a trip that will leave you with the old and irreplaceable flavor of knowing with your own eyes, the life of an island that rocks to the beat of tropical cyclones.

Cuban architecture.

Visiting the island of Cuba is also accessing the architectural treasures it keeps. A mix of styles ranging from baroque, through neoclassical, eclecticism to reach a modern change during the twentieth century. Mudejar art, a fusion of the romantic with the Moorish culture, Arab influence that arrived with the Spanish and is present in several buildings throughout the island. Cantilevered balconies, wide walls, large gates can be seen in the main cities. Curved lines, columns and pilasters are added to the baroque to adorn military plazas, domestic dwellings with large portals to protect from the Caribbean sun, are some examples.

With the neoclassical period came the cobblestones, the alamedas and the drainage of the cities, as well as the palatial houses that definitively marked the social differences. Bars and walls identify the neoclassical with the arrival of the 20th century. Avenues, gardens and mansions ratify it. The art nouveau, the art deco influence the architecture, enriching it more until reaching the modern styles from 1959, where brick, cement and reinforced concrete. A universe to discover, a story told through its architecture, a definitive journey through the customs of each era that has lived the greatest treasure in the Caribbean.