Although every time you think about what you can see in Cuba images of paradisiacal beaches come to mind, Cuba is much more than a sun and beach destination. Its orography, water activities, cities and especially, its warm atmosphere will make this destination remain engraved on your retina.
Thus, Cuban cities such as, for example, Havana will offer you a show of colorful houses through which you can understand Cuban history. However, as you wander through these cities, you will find historical monuments such as the Havana Cathedral or the National Museum of Fine Arts, which will allow you to carry out cultural activities.
On the other hand, thanks to the diverse geography of the country, you will have the opportunity to visit natural parks and ecological reserves practically in any corner of Cuba. In addition, these beautiful environments, many of them classified as World Heritage by UNESCO such as the Valle de Viñales National Park, offer beautiful trails through which you can get to know the fauna and flora of the place and, above all, discover some prehistoric caves that will blow your mind.
However, in Cuba you will also find main destinations that have a great cultural and natural offer. This is the case of the beautiful city of Trinidad, which in addition to having a colonial atmosphere that is breathed above all in its architecture and makes this city unique, a few kilometers away you will find Topes de Collantes, a natural park that will allow you to know the local fauna and flora while doing simple and beautiful trails.
On the other hand, in the well-known city of Varadero you will find 22 km of beaches where you can relax or amazing caves such as Cueva Ambrosio or Cuevas de Bellamar, which will be your best allies if you want to discover unique phenomena and do speleology.
However, if what you are really looking for from your vacation is tranquility, the keys of Cuba offer you endless opportunities. In addition to being able to relax under a radiant sun, you can do all kinds of water activities thanks to which you can see spectacular and unique coral reefs. However, the beauty of the keys is not only found under the sea, but you can also spot a unique local fauna among the mangroves. Finally, you must not forget that many of the keys offer catamaran excursions to nearby keys so that you can relax while bathing in crystal clear waters.
Thus, among the most prominent keys are Cayo Santa María, with its spectacular beaches and curious squares; Cayo Guillermo, which has all kinds of beaches, water activities and even a dolphinarium; Cayo Coco, with its paradisiacal beaches and a multitude of activities; or Cayo Largo del Sur, with its exotic beaches in a practically virgin environment where you can see sea turtles, starfish or dolphins.
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The main city of Cuba is its capital Havana, here is its most important cultural and economic center, as well as the main port of the country. Millions of tourists arrive annually to the city through the José Martí International Airport. Havana is a must-see on your trip to Cuba, its oldest area is Old Havana, this fascinating Historic Center was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982, for its great contribution to culture, architecture and history.
The colorful and lively streets of Old Havana will captivate you, among its buildings you will discover the colonial and contemporary history that emanates from its architecture. You will know, among others, characteristic monuments of the city such as the Cathedral of Havana and its particular baroque style; the impressive National Capitol with its majestic dome, one of the symbols of the city; the Gran Teatro de La Habana "Alicia Alonso" that will surprise you both inside and out; the National Museum of Fine Arts, which houses extraordinary art collections.
Other museums of interest that you can visit are the Rum Museum, the Tobacco Museum, the Havana Pharmacy Museum, the Automobile Museum, in Old Havana and the Museum of the Revolution, in Central Habana.
Walking through the main streets of the city is a good plan to share with its inhabitants and learn a little more about their culture, among the main ones you will find El Paseo del Prado, the most famous street in the city; the narrow and lively Obispo and Mercaderes streets; the busy Calzada del Monte street; the popular 23rd Street, the busy Avenida de Los Presidentes, the elegant Avenida Paseo, the luxurious 5th Avenue and the beautiful Avenida del Puerto. You can also stroll through its most emblematic squares such as the Plaza de Armas, Plaza San Francisco de Asís, Plaza Vieja and Plaza de la Catedral.
Another essential of the city is to visit the Malecón Habanero. You can access this 8km long walk by sea or by land and it is particularly famous for its fantastic sunsets. In addition to the spectacular views, you will experience the typical Havanan atmosphere, since it is the common meeting point for many of its inhabitants who converge in a joyful atmosphere, complemented by street musicians and different artists, all while admiring the nearby architecture of the place and the different monuments around. In Carnival, large floats parade through its streets, with costumes and mixtures of different cultures in a very musical environment.
A good plan to do in Havana is definitely to go out to know its typical bars, among the best known you have La Bodeguita del Medio and its famous mojito; Floridita known as the cradle of the daiquirí; The Magic Flute for jazz lovers; the legendary Sloppy Joe’s and his great story from the 1920s; enjoy the exotic atmosphere of the Bar Roma, with its curious decoration. And if you prefer, you can go and have a piña colada at the emblematic Hotel Nacional de Cuba, declared a memory of the world by UNESCO, while enjoying spectacular views of the Malecón.
Havana is also an important starting point for different excursions, not only to get to know different places and history of the city and its surroundings, but also to plan outings to cities like Varadero to enjoy fun and its famous beaches; Viñales, which will impress you with its extraordinary vegetation; a getaway to Cayo Largo to relax on its paradisiacal beaches or visit the Ciénaga de Zapata National Park, of exceptional beauty declared a World Biosphere Reserve.
Varadero is a destination famous for its beaches. It is located only 130 kilometers from Havana and has 22 kilometers of coastline. Although it is true that the beaches are its greatest tourist attraction, the city offers different activities and places that you will love to visit.
Varadero beach or Azul beach is one of the best known in Cuba. A visit to the city implies marveling at this extraordinary tropical environment with its white and fine sand that contrasts with the intense turquoise blue of its waters, so the most popular activities to do are water sports such as wind-surfing, surfing, water skiing or have fun with a game of beach volleyball in front of the sea. The coral reefs on its seabed make it ideal for snorkeling, diving and scuba diving, where you will also admire its wonderful and colorful fish.
One of the interesting walks to do if you are in Varadero is to visit the Cueva de Saturno, an impressive cave located in the middle of the road between Matanzas and Varadero. Its ecosystem is characterized by cold waters and by housing fish and different species, so it is also suitable for snorkeling or diving.
La Cueva de Ambrosio is another fantastic route in Varadero, where you can discover this underground environment with more than two million years of origin, with its invaluable gallery of pre-Columbian pictorial art, full of a fascinating history that you will know while you marvel at the archaeological value of the place.
To continue enjoying nature, a visit to Josone Park is a good plan. This park is an old neoclassical mansion, built in 1942 by José and Ornelia Iturrioz, owners of a distillery in Cárdenas. Here you will find a beautiful garden full of trees and flowers that surround a natural lagoon where relaxation is guaranteed.
The Varadero Dolphinarium is also an excellent plan, located in the Punta Hicacos Natural Park, you can enjoy an educational and exciting show in which you can even swim for a few minutes with the friendly dolphins, it is an unforgettable experience that you will not want to miss.
Simply walking along the coast of Varadero will also be interesting for you; here you can find a happy and lively atmosphere; go shopping at one of the street markets that offer different items such as clothing, handicrafts or sourvenirs. On your walk you will surely come across the elegant Xanadú mansion built in 1920 and which now houses a luxury hotel and golf club, from its pleasant terrace you will be able to admire an extraordinary view of the sea.
In addition to all these activities, Varadero is also a privileged starting point for the departure of different excursions, such as those that take you to different keys such as Cayo Largo or Cayo Blanco, where you can access by catamaran and perform different water activities. You can also take a jeep ride through the Yumurí Valley, a jungle territory where you will go on a safari and get to know the sugar cane fields. Another fantastic excursion is to visit the Ciénaga de Zapata wetland, one of the largest wetlands in Cuba and the Caribbean. Likewise, you can plan a walk to the Laguna del Tesoro, to learn about its impressive legends and admire its fantastic fauna and exuberant vegetation.
Your trip to Cuba will not be complete if you do not include a visit to several of its extraordinary cities, perfect for a getaway or to stop while you go to another destination. In these charming places, you will be able to enjoy beyond the sun and beach, an authentic connection with nature combined with a cultural and architectural wealth, which even dates back to colonial times.
Many of these cities are ideal to visit in one or a few days, since they are generally passing through most requested destinations such as Havana, Varadero or the keys or simply because from there you can make different excursions to other places such as national parks, different natural environments or extraordinary beaches.
One of the main cities that deserves a visit in Cuba is Trinidad. Located in the province of Sancti Spíritus, in the central area of the island of Cuba; It is an exceptional city that is essential to know. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1988, it is considered a museum city because it preserves the architectural heritage inherited from the colonial era of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Trinidad is known for its exceptional colonial atmosphere; From its narrow cobbled streets, you can admire its beautiful buildings faithfully restored and different monuments full of charm, which together, make up a cozy place, where you will feel the true Cuban spirit.
One of the main attractions of Trinidad is its historic center, with its narrow and cobbled streets, which make their way between its houses and buildings painted in multiple colors. From here you can access its main monuments such as the Parish Church of the Holy Trinity, the History Museum, Guamuhaya Archeology Museum, the Cantero Palace, the Casa Trova de Trinidad or the Museum of Colonial Architecture.
Touring the Plaza Mayor of Trinidad is one of the unavoidable visits, its colors and lively atmosphere will tell you the history of the city reflected in the old houses that belonged to wealthy families of the colony.
One of the best plans to do in Trinidad once you have toured the city is to venture out on the different excursions that start from there. A good option is a visit to the Topes de Collantes Natural Park, located in the Sierra del Escambray, just over 20 minutes from Trinidad. Here you will find a spectacular protected natural landscape, in which you will come into direct contact with its extraordinary vegetation and fauna.
The beach is also an option in Trinidad, since just 11 kilometers away is Playa Ancón, a freely accessible beach where you will enjoy the beach environment very close to the city.
An interesting visit is to go on the steam train that leaves every day from Trinidad to the Valley of Los Ingenios, it is an ecological and cultural system that was a settlement of sugar plantations between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
Trinidad's location is perfect if you want to make a stop between Havana and Cayo Santa María. The best route to do it is through the South Circuit, where you can stop in advance in the city of Cienfuegos, which is approximately 82 km from Trinidad.
The city of Cienfuegos, better known as the Pearl of the South of Cuba. Its historic urban center was declared a World Heritage Site in 2005 by UNESCO.
Walking through the streets of Cienfuegos you will be seduced by its buildings that still retain their neoclassical decoration; the color and joy of its streets, but what will definitely impact you are its landscapes, both with views of the sea, and its natural trails with beautiful waterfalls.
Among the essential places to visit in Cienfuegos is the José Martí Park, declared a National Monument, the City Hall building, the Tomás Terry theater and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, although definitely to enter the city you have to walk the Paseo del Prado and not lose sight of the day-to-day customs of its inhabitants.
The Botanical Garden of Cienfuegos, located 15 kilometers from the city, has the distinction of a National Monument and has more than 2000 species of plants with beautiful and impressive collections of orchids, bamboos, ficus, palms, as well as various medicinal and fruit plants.
In Cienfuegos you can also visit its beaches, one of the busiest is Playa Rancho Luna, which is only 18 kilometers from the city, has two hotel complexes and the possibility of accommodation in a private home according to your convenience. In addition to relaxing in front of the sea, you can enjoy water activities such as diving to observe its marine fauna and the extraordinary coral reef.
To connect with nature, the best plans to do from Cienfuegos is to visit El Nicho, located in the Topes de Collantes Natural Park, a beautiful waterfall that is reached through a dazzling nature trail; You can also organize an excursion to Laguna de Guanaroca, a saline lagoon surrounded by mangroves, which has an ideal environment for bird watching.
In the East of Cuba, another of the ideal cities to visit is Santiago de Cuba, it is the second most important city in Cuba. Here you can visit the beautiful Cathedral of Santiago de Cuba, declared a National Monument of Cuba; walk the famous Enramadas street, considered the main axis of the city; walk through the Céspedes Park declared a National Historical Monument, where you can also visit the Museum of the Cuban Historical Environment; You can also go up to the Casa Granda viewpoint, another of the emblematic buildings of the city and colonial style, it has the best views of the city.
From Santiago de Cuba you can make different excursions to different and spectacular destinations such as Pico Turquino, at an approximate distance of 130 kilometers from the city, it is the highest point of the island of Cuba. It is a mountainous area inhabited by a great variety of animal species and lush vegetation in which you will have a direct connection with nature.
Another option is to visit the Great Stone, a spectacular viewpoint where you will see a large rock on the top of the mountain that represents a unique landscape.
In Santiago de Cuba you will not want to miss out on its extraordinary beaches bathed by the Caribbean Sea, in its surroundings you will find a great variety such as Playa Sibonei, Daiquirí, Costa Morena, Berraco, Cazonal and Sigua, in which its extraordinary environment will allow you to carry out different activities like diving or simply relaxing in its crystal clear waters.
At the eastern end of the island of Cuba is Baracoa, a city that will undoubtedly captivate you. Located in the province of Guantánamo, it is known as the First City of Cuba for being the first city founded in the country. The most impressive thing about this city is its overwhelming natural wealth, in its surroundings it combines landscapes of the sea, rivers and mountains that are evident in its crystalline and calm beaches; lush mountains and rivers of clear and mighty waters.
Walking its streets you will find monuments such as the Santa Cruz de La Parra, a relic considered a National Treasure of Cuba and a National Monument, which you will see right next to the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. Other interesting buildings are the Casa de la Cultura, the Casa de la Trova Victorino Rodríguez and the Eliseo Osorio Art Gallery.
The three fortresses that surround the city and that at the time had a defensive and protective function, now house different establishments, the Matachín Fort is today the Municipal Museum, the Punta Fort is a restaurant, the Seboruco Castle is now destined to the facilities from the Hotel el Castillo.
Of the most spectacular places to go on your visit to Baracoa, they are the ones that take you to admire its impressive nature; one of them is the Cuchillas de Toa Biosphere Reserve, with its impressive vegetation and biodiversity, here is the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, you can also visit the El Yunque Park, an incredible Pyramid-shaped mountain, located just 10 kilometers from the city, which also has the titles of National Monument, Symbol of the First City of Cuba and Ecological Reserve with the category of Outstanding Natural Element, for its impressive trails on different routes, which They take you to the mighty river Duaba and to the top from where you will see the most impressive views, in direct connection with nature.
Although when you think of Cuba, paradisiacal beaches come to mind, the truth is that the country's orography is very diverse. In fact, Cuba has 14 national parks and 25 ecological reserves, which makes the island a privileged place for all those who want to go on trails and get to know both the fauna and flora of the country.
Thus, starting from the west, in Viñales you will find the Viñales Valley National Park, which is an ideal place for hiking. This park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, is located in the Sierra de los Órganos, an environment where you will find mogotes or small mountains with tobacco plantations and prehistoric plants such as cork palm.
On the other hand, within this park you will find a large number of caves such as the Great San Tomás Cavern, which is characterized by its stalactites, stalagmites and aquifers; the Cueva del Indio, where you can see cave paintings and archaeological remains of pre-Columbian cultures during the visit by boat; or the Cueva de San Miguel, which is a small cave where slaves lived.
However, the National Park also has a mural painted on the mountain that shows the evolutionary process of the mountains and is called Mural de la Prehistoria or the Mirador de los Jazmines where you can see beautiful sunsets.
In addition to this park, Viñales also has the fantastic María La Gorda beach, which is undoubtedly a mandatory stop for all those who love scuba diving, since it is classified as having one of the best seabed in Cuba.
Finally, it is also important to talk about the different excursions that depart daily from Viñales to spectacular keys such as Cayo Levisa or Cayo Jutías. These excursions are not only attractive because of the paradisiacal destination you will arrive at, but also because of their pedraplén or catamaran routes, which will undoubtedly make you admire the beautiful landscape from a unique perspective.
Also in the west, but in the province of Artemisa, you will visit Soroa, a small oasis that has such impressive natural landscapes that the place is known as “the rainbow of Cuba”. In this wonderful and natural environment you will find great places that are worth visiting such as the Rainbow Falls, an amazing and exotic waterfall of more than 20 meters; the Castillo de las Nubes, an amazing medieval-inspired castle where you can contemplate the best views of the Sierra de Rosario; or the Soroa Orchid Botanical Garden, which although it has more than 400 species of flowers, orchids are the main protagonists since it is the largest collection of orchids in all of Cuba.
In addition, less than 20 km from this park, you will visit a curious eco-village called Las Terrazas, which has cinemas, eco-museums, shops, libraries or even perfumery workshops or laboratories, where you will discover a new way of life. Curiously, this ecovillage also has a fantastic and elegant four-star hotel called Hotel Moka, whose facilities are adapted to the topography of the place. Finally, different excursions depart from this little town, such as El Salto, a waterfall over 20 m high that will fascinate you.
Finally, you should not miss visiting two fantastic caves in this area that will leave you speechless. On the one hand, near Varadero you will discover the prehistoric Cueva Ambrosio, where you can appreciate 47 different paintings in black and reddish tones made thousands of years ago. Although if your intention is to discover unique places, your best option will be to enter the Bellamar caves, in Matanzas, since they have massive calcite crystals that hang from stalactites, a unique phenomenon. For all these reasons, any of the caves is interesting if your ideal plan is to do spelunking.
As for the center of Cuba, and just 15 minutes from Trinidad, is the Great Natural Park Topes de Collantes, in the Sierra de Escambray. Composed of faults, diverse fauna and all kinds of flora, in this park you will find an idyllic setting where you can perform a large number of activities ranging from hiking to bird watching.
In addition, El Nicho, just over an hour from the cities of Trinidad and Cienfuegos, is one of the most spectacular enclaves of this natural park. It is a beautiful waterfall that is reached by a path called the Kingdom of the Waters, where you will discover exotic fauna and flora as well as natural pools and caves where you can cool off.
Finally, in the easternmost part of the island you will find wonderful environments where you can follow numerous trails such as the Alejandro de Humboldt Park or Sierra Maestra. In the first of them, which has been a World Heritage Site since 2001, you will be able to visit one of the most important places in the country for the conservation of endemic fauna and flora; while the second of the enclaves offers views of the highest peaks in Cuba and La Bayamesa National Park, whose wooded areas are the best preserved on the entire island. In addition to this, Sierra Maestra is also a popular place due to its historical importance since it is here where numerous independence guerrillas met to plan their plans against US imperialism.
Finally, in the east is also the fantastic Desembarco del Granma National Park, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, and where you will find some of the most impressive and intact coastal cliffs in the Western Atlantic. In addition to this, within this park you will find the El Guafe Archaeological Nature Trail, one of the most important archaeological reserves in all of Cuba. In addition, a very short distance away, there is a village of thousands of years that will make you travel back in time once you enter its most famous cave: idol of Water, with a figure formed by stalactites that is dedicated to the goddess Atabey.
Finally, if there is a province where nature tourism predominates, that is Holguín. With numerous natural parks such as the Cristóbal Colón Natural Park, the Bariay Monument National Park or the Bahía de Naranjo Natural Park; paradisiacal beaches such as Playa Esmeralda or the Playa de Caletones ecological reserve; or countless corners such as Salto del Guayabo or Boca de Sama, this will be your ideal place to go hiking and lose yourself among its green landscapes.
The keys of Cuba are one of the greatest tourist attractions in the country since visiting them is synonymous with knowing paradise. Surrounded by turquoise waters and under a radiant sun, you can relax on its white sands or take different excursions or water activities through which you can get to know the fauna, flora or even coral reefs. In addition to this, you must bear in mind that each key is different and, therefore, you will have the opportunity to stay and get to know the keys that best suit your tastes.
So, starting from the east, Cayo Levisa will be your ideal environment if what you want is to relax on paradisiacal beaches such as Playa de Punta Arena, a very intimate place full of tranquility. In addition, its beautiful seabed make this place ideal for scuba diving. Finally, from Cayo Levisa you can take an excursion to Cayo Jutías, where you can enjoy its paradisiacal Las Estrellas beach or go kayaking or diving.
In Cayo Blanco, an island near the city of Varadero, you can relax on its idyllic beaches while getting to know its local fauna and flora. However, if you are passionate about knowing the seabed, snorkeling or diving may be your best options since thanks to them you will be able to know an impressive coral reef that is in danger of extinction.
As for the beaches located in the center of Cuba, in the Cayerías del Norte, you will find numerous keys with a wide offer that will make your vacation a dream.
In this way, in Cayo Santa María you will find many beaches for your enjoyment such as Playa Perla Blanca, with its white sands. Las Gaviotas Beach, which is a protected area due to its ecological wealth; o Playa Periquillo, where you can dive and see coral reefs. However, in this key you can also do leisure activities, such as walking through its La Estrella and Las Dunas squares, where you will feel like in an authentic Cuban town.
Near this key is Cayo Las Brujas that has a cruise called Crucero del Sol, which will take you to know all the keys in the north. In addition to this, you can also have fun snorkeling or getting to know one of the best dolphinariums in Cuba, which offers a fantastic show with dolphins.
Finally, in this key you will also find Cayo Ensenachos, which has beaches such as Playa Ensenachos or Playa Mégano, where you can dive or simply enjoy them while relaxing in the sun.
However, the largest keys in Cuba, and which, therefore, offer a greater number of activities, are found in the Sabana-Camagüey Archipelago. In this way, in Cayo Guillermo you will find from well-known beaches such as Playa Pilar, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, to very little crowded beaches where you will feel like the owner of the place, as is the case of Playa del Medio. However, as it is a fairly large island, you will also have the option of visiting a dolphinarium, doing water activities or going on an excursion to the small and charming island of Media Luna.
Second, Cayo Coco will be your favorite place to spend your vacations if what you like is to do different activities without having to leave the island. This key not only has fantastic beaches where you can relax or discover its fauna, such as Playa Larga, Playa Flamenco or Playa Las Coloradas; It also has different activities where fun is more than guaranteed. On the one hand, there are different trails where you can walk and get to know the characteristic mangroves or flamingos of the island; Although you can also get to know the island from another perspective by doing water activities at the international diving center. However, on this island you will also have the opportunity to observe birds thanks to a local guide or go climbing in the fun Rocarena Climbing Center.
However, if what you are looking for is tranquility, Cayo Cruz will be your best ally since it has numerous but very quiet beaches such as Playa Onda or Playa Dorada, where you can see iguanas, starfish and even dolphins. For the rest, from this island you can go on an excursion to the Limones Tuabaquey Ecological Reserve, which is a protected area with a fauna and flora that will leave you impressed.
Cayo Saetía, located in the north of the province of Holguín, has fantastic plans as well as beaches that meet all the characteristics of a paradisiacal beach: turquoise waters, white sand and exotic fauna and flora. For the rest, the island has catamaran rides around the entire key as well as a photographic safari, where the beautiful photos are more than assured due to the beauty of the landscape.
Nor should you forget to visit Cayo Sabinal if your intention is to visit one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Cuba: Playa Bonita. However, the island also has other fantastic beaches such as Playa Brava or Playa Los Pinos where you can snorkel and discover impressive seabed or go on a catamaran excursion.
Finally, in Cayo Largo del Sur, you will find some of the most spectacular beaches in Cuba, Cayo Sirena and Cayo Paraíso, whose sand bathed by the Caribbean Sea makes this environment a dream place. However, this key also has several turtle conservation and protection centers that you can visit, water activities or catamaran excursions that will take you to very unique nearby keys such as Cayo Iguana, which owes its name to the friendly species that inhabits the area.
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