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History, nature, entertainment, culture – whatever Cuba does, it is done with passion, and the key to a successful visit to the island is to completely lose yourself in the country’s unique heritage. Live life the local way and feel the authentic Cuban heartbeat conveyed by its spellbinding rhythms, passionate heritage, fascinating history, but also its irresistible fumes of rum and cigars!
The country abounds with sites that are rich in natural beauty, historical meaning, and cultural expression and that, all together, shape the unique, colourful, vibrant, and incredible landscape that is Cuba. From colonial era plantations to more recent times of revolutions, literature icons to guerrilla leaders, picture-perfect beaches to coffee plantations tucked in the mountains, the island is simply a large, varied and exciting playground to explore and enjoy.
LA HAVANA
Regarded as one of the world's most culturally rich urban centres, Cuba's capital is also the largest city in the Caribbean. A both charming and exciting destination, the city takes you through a sensorial experience made of legendary cigars smell, Latino music rhythms, colourful cars and delicious rum.
MURAL OF PRE HISTORY
Found on one of the sides of a mogote in Viñales Valley, this 80 meter-high and 120 meter-wide mural was created by artist Leovigildo Gonzales, with the assistance of a group of farmers, and is a testimony to the valley’s bio-geological evolution. Take a hike up the mogote to enjoy the stunning panoramic views over the Viñales Valley.
GUACH PALACE, CITY OF PINAR DEL RIO
This edifice, which many regard as the strangest building in Cuba, a reminiscent of early 20th-century Catalonian modernism, is also home to the Museum of Natural Science.
VALLE DE LOS INGENIOS
This UNESCO World Heritage Site located East of Trinidad is home to the ruins of around 70 centuries-old sugar mills, as well as the 1840-built Iznaga Tower which, at 146-foot-high, stands as a reminder of the country’s dark slavery past.
JAGUA CASTLE
This well preserved 1795 castle was built to repel attacks from pirates and smugglers, and is said to be haunted by the “Lady in Blue”.
JARDINES DEL REY
Immortalised in Ernest Hemingway's novel, Island in the Stream, the "Cuban keys" are located off the Atlantic coast of Cuba, and boast and array of everglades and mangroves, flamingos and roseate spoonbills, as well as turquoise waters and pristine sand, making this a perfect relaxing spot.
LAS TUNAS
Located between Camaguey, Holguin and Granma, this province is reputed for its quiet and untouched beaches as well as its rural culture and events, including Cuba's largest campesino music festival, the only magic conference in Latin America, as well as a month-long exhibit of sculpture.
SANTIAGO DE CUBA
Situated between the Sierra Maestra Mountains and the coast, Cuba's second biggest city has a much stronger Afro-Cuban atmosphere than the capital, with an even deeper passion for salsa and carnival. Known as the "Cradle of the Revolution", Santiago de Cuba is indeed where the revolution started and where Fidel Castro made his first announcement of the revolution's success to the Cuban people.
THE PIRACY MUSEUM – SANTIAGO’S MORRO
Also known as San Pedro de la Roca, this fortress was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997 and is now home to a museum retracing the pirate era of the country.
GUANTANAMO
Although commonly and unfortunately associated with the US naval base located in the same place since the 1900s, the eastern region of Guantanamo boasts many gems that deserve to be explored. Among these is the colonial seaside city of Baracoa, Cuba's oldest city (dating back to 1511), with an architecture and atmosphere that will delight its visitors, as well as lush coffee, chocolate, and sugar plantations.
HERITAGE TO TASTE
Cuba is undeniably worldly renowned for its succulent rum, tasty cigars and vibrant music, so it would be a mistake for travellers to not treat their senses to the local delights.
PINAR DEL RIO
For raw natural beauty, head to the region of Pinar del Rio, home to two of the six World Biosphere Reserves of the island, and the land of the World's best tobacco. Nature lovers will find their bliss here, with various fauna and flora to discover, and beautiful sites such as the Viñales Valley, Las Terrazas, Soroa, 19th century French coffee plantations, the Laguna Grande dam, the 45km long Santo Tomas cave system, Maria La Gorda International diving centre, and many more natural beauties to explore.
CUEVA DEL INDIO
A beautiful display of natural rock formations that you can explore by boat, sailing on the cave’s subterranean waters. Spot the various irregular shapes amongst the stalactites and stalagmites, such as a crocodile head, an aborigine chief smoking a pipe, or a champagne bottle.
CAYO LARGO DEL SUR
Set to the south of the mainland, this island remained uninhabited until the eighties and is now a hub for holiday makers, with facilities built around tourists' needs. A short flight away from La Havana, this island makes it a perfect destination for a twin centre Cuba holiday, combined with a stay in the capital.
IGLESIA PARROQUIAL MAYOR
Sancti Spíritus’ 17th-century church is Cuba’s oldest church and a good example of Spanish-Arab influence.
ERMITA DE LA POPA
Following Spanish maritime tradition, this centuries-old church was built on the road up to La Vigía in Trinidad, for it to be seen from the sea.
BENY MORE'S BIRTHPLACE
Santa Isabel de la Lajas was the birth place and home to this renowned Cuban musician, who lived here until the early 1960s. The town is now home to a museum and annual festivities are organised by the famous Cabildo de los Congos.
GRANMA
This province is famous for its rich history and breath-taking natural beauty, including the imposing Sierra Maestra Mountains, Cuba's longest river Rio Cauto, and some of the Americas' most pristine coastal marine terraces.
HOLGUIN
It's no surprise that Christopher Colombus declared this place the "most beautiful land human eyes have ever seen", upon discovering it in 1492. Boasting some of the country's most pristine beaches (Playa Esmeralda, Guardalavaca, Playa Pesquero) and located on the north coast, the region is Cuba's third most popular destination amongst tourists.
ISABELICA’S FRENCH COFFEE PLANTATIONS
Located near Gran Piedra, the ruins of this old plantation estate date back to the 18th and 19th century, and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site that now houses a museum.
VARADERO
The heart of the island's tourism industry, the Varadero region, along with the Cayos, counts many villas, hotels and private resorts, as well as stunning beaches with clear waters, and Cuba's only full golf course (Villa Du Pont Golf Course). A cheap long-haul destination, it is a popular destination for all-inclusive holiday makers. However, travellers should make a point of going out exploring the surroundings, such as the Bellamar Caves, Cuba's oldest tourist attraction which opened in 1860, the dolphin show and swim at Delfinario, and the Parque Josone funfair park.
THE TOA'S CHALLENGES
Take a raft or punt trip on the country’s widest river, which springs up on Guantánamo's mountains and jungle to ends near Baracoa.
VILLA CLARA
Home to the Buenavista Biosphere Reserve, Villa Clara is a land composed of tobacco fields, fish-filled lakes and beaches, as well as a protected eco-system made of mangroves, active dune zones, coral reefs, keys, and reproductive zones for aquatic birds.
GUANAHACABIBES NATIONAL PARK
The country’s largest forest reserve is home to an abundant wildlife, as well as hundreds of lakes and silicon sand bed boasting a purity of 99.8 – the purest and largest of the country.
PRESIDIO MODELO MUSEUM
Located near the city of Nueva Gerona, this museum was built in 1926 to imprison thousands of political prisoners and common criminals. The site’s huge barracks are now empty.
YAYABO BRIDGE
This Roman-style, early 19th century bridge symbolizes the city of Sancti Spíritus and the province.
CIENFUEGOS
Located in the province of the same name, on the south coast of the island, the region's capital is set in one of Cuba's most fertile and picturesque surroundings. A small city just an hour away from Trinidad, Cienfuegos makes for an ideal stop between Trinidad and La Havana, with plenty of Cuban charm and features to admire.
CIENFUEGOS BOTANICAL GARDENS
This National Monument was founded by Harvard University in 1901, and is home to thousands of fascinating specimens, including numerous unusual trees.
CAMAGUEY
Located at the centre of the island, between Ciego de Avila and Las Tunas, Cuba's largest province is mainly rural, with beautiful coastal scenery to the north, including the Santa Lucia beach, and the rich wildlife of the Sabana-Camaguey archipelago.
LA PLATA
Reached by rough paths and roads, this site in the Sierra Malta was once home to Fidel Castro’s guerrilla command post. The region is also home to a beautiful coastline where many water-based activities and sports can be enjoyed.
CASTILLO DEL MORRO
Directly south of la Havana, in Santiago de Cuba, is Castillo del Morro. Built in 1589, the Spanish fortress guards the entrance to the Havana Bay and is now a major tourist attraction on the island. Get there early to experience the site at its best, as it gets pretty crowded with tourists during the day.
TURQUINO NATIONAL PARK
Rising at 1,974 metres, you will find the island’s highest peak in the stunning Sierra Maestra Mountains.
LA FAROLA
Featuring eleven suspended bridges with breath-taking views, this highway takes visitors deep into the mountains neighbouring Cajobabo beach, where José Martí disembarked in 1895
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES
Cuba counts as many as nine UNESCO recognised sites, including La Havana Vieja. Among the other sites is theDesembarco del Granma National Park, which is located in Cabo Cruz, in south eastern Cuba, and offers astonishing terraces and cliffs with beautiful views over the Atlantic. The Historic Centre of Camargüey, located in central Cuba and which was one of the first seven villages founded by the Spaniards, a major former agricultural region that was settled in 1528.
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WATERSPORTS
The absence of boat traffic in Cuba makes it the perfect destination for undisturbed and unlimited off-shore water sports. On the north eastern coast of the island, the popular tourist hangout Guardalavaca offers crystal clear waters and pristine beaches, making it an ideal spot for swimming, snorkelling, diving, and wind surfing, with thousands of fish and marine species to admire.
SNORKELLING
For a more exclusive snorkelling experience, head to the Maria la Gorda Guanacahabibes Peninsula, located near the Biosphere Reserve, on the west end of Cuba. There you will find beautiful black coral, rich marine wildlife and only very few tourists. A snorkeler's paradise! Other notable options include the Ancon Peninsula, near Trinidad, as well as Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, where snorkelers may spot morays and lionfish.
SAILING
For a bit of inland cruising, take a day river cruise on the Miramar River, a large waterway cutting through the island that is a great way to discover Cuba's inland beautiful villages, a very different sight from the island's coastal towns.
FISHING
If you fancy practising your fishing skills, follow once again the steps of Ernest Hemingway and try a spot of marlin fishing, one of the author's favourite pastime that was also this inspiration for his famous novel "The Old Man and the Sea". However, beware, marlin fishing can be pretty challenging at times and requires a good level of fishing skills and body strength. Head to the Marlin Marina in Trinidad, the Darsena Marina in Varadero, or the Marina Gaviota in Villa Clara.
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SCUBA DIVING
With such an abundant marine environment and no less than a thousand ship wrecks to explore, it is not surprising that Cuba is such a popular spot amongst divers. The underworld landscape here is composed of an impressive network of caves featuring profusely decorated vertical walls, tunnels, channels and cliffs, offering stunning day and night dives, where you’ll come across some of the thousand species of fish that inhabit the Cuban waters.
Along with the fish, Cuba’s underwater gardens are home to no less than 200 kinds of sponges (including cup, branch, and tubular), about 60 varieties of coral (527 miles of coral reef), as well as numerous molluscs, crustaceans, gorgonians, algae and Common Sea Fans. Located just off the northern coast of central Cuba, Jardines del Rey Archipelago (or Sabana-Camaguey Archipelago) is the island’s most important reef and, stretching over 280 miles, is also the second largest reef in the world. Divers will also enjoy the exceptional conditions at Cuba-Colorados, Jardines de la Reina and Canarreos.
In terms of diving conditions, the large island is surrounded by a wide insular shelf of 26,190 square miles providing calm waters averaging at a year-round temperature of 24 to 28.5oC, and with visibility ranging from 65 to 130 feet.
LA HAVBANA - 76 SITES
Recommended: Los Paraguas de Baracoa, Coral Island, Canto del Triton, Cabezo de las Chopas, Canto de Hollywood, Las Calderas del maine, El Canal de Justiz, La Chalupa, Cabezo de los Perros, Canal de la Chopa, Canal de Viera, Canal de Banes, La Cueva Chica, Valle de las Gorgonias, Valle de las Esponjas, Las Sombrillas, Cabezo del Medio, Canto Marazul, Herradura, Barrera de Caleta, Barco Hundido del Comodoro.
EL COLONY - 56 SITES
Recommended: Punta Frances, El Cabezo Solitario, Centro de las Gorgonias, Cabezo Grande, El Mirador, Cueva Azul, Reino Magico, La Pequena Pared, Los Barcos Hundidos, Los Mogotes, Corona de la Reina, Cueva del Misterio, Pared de Coral Negro, El Salto, Cueva de los Sabalos.
VARADERO - 23 SITES
Recommended: Piedras del Norte Cay Marine Park, Playa Coral (more than 30 species of coral, and a wide range of marine fauna), Cueva de Saturno (a freshwater lake and two), Caribe Wreck, Las Mandarinas y Caribe, Morena Show, Carbonera, Los Cajilones, Ciudadela, Las Claraboyas.
JARDINES DE LA REINA - 33 SITES
Recommended: La Cana, Los Meros, Vicent, Montana Rusa, Cabezo de la Cubera, El Farallon, Avalon, Patricia, Pequeno Paraiso, Gruta del Tampon, Coral Negro I and II, El Penon, Pipin, Cueva del Pulpo.
MARIA LA GORDA - 50 SITES
Recommended: Yemaya, El Encanto, Acuario, La Cadena Misteriosa, El Almirante, Cabezo de Marcel, Las Cuevas de Pedro, El Jardin de las Gorgonias, El Paraiso Perdido, El Valle de Coral Negro, El Salon de Maria Moby Dick
CAYO LARGO DEL SUR - 32 SITES
Recommended: Los Ballenatos, Montana, Canon de Cayo Sigua, Las Cadenas, Laberinto, Tony Point, Albert Point, Acuario I, Canon de Cayo Blanco, Canal de Espondrilus, Canon de Martin, Abismo.
BAHIA DE COCHINOS Y CALETA BUENA - 39 SITES
Recommended: Punta Perdiz (1 and 2), El Tanque, El Cenote, El Jaruco, Las Canas, Los Cocos, El Brinco (1 and 2), La Cueva de los peces, El Ebano, La Corona de Maceo, Los Canones, El Cabezo-Caleta Buena, El Alto de las Pailas, Barco Roto, La Perra.
CIENFUEGOS - 30 SITES
Recommended: Los Tiburones, La Jaula (I, II, III and IV), Blue Hole, Las Colorades, Casasa, El Acuario (I and II) Media Luna (I, II and III), La Morena, El Perro, Los Meros.
SANTIAGO DE CUBA - 68 SITES
Recommended: Piedra de las Ariguas, La Pared, La Cueva, Open Water, Morrillo Chico, Guarico, Spring Carol, El Tanque, El Mandinga Reef.
CAYO LEVISA - 23 SITES
Recommended: El Arco de Ludovico, El Infierno, La Corona de San Carlos, La Poza de los Tiburones, La Espada del Pirata, La Cadena Misteriosa, El Paraiso Perdido, El Valle de las Esponjas, La Cueva de Lorenzo, La Pequena Gruta.
CAYO SANTA MARIA - 24 SITES
Recommended: divers will find great natural beauty at the sites near Fragoso, Cobo, Frances, Las Brujas, Borracho, Espanol de Afuera, Los Diablilos, Ensenachos, Santa Maria, Los Caimanes Cays.
GUARDALAVACA - 22 SITES
Recommended: Canto Azul, Coral Garden, Cueva Uno, Pesquero de Esponjas, Acuarium, Sirena, Punta Arrecife, Casa Coral, La Corona, Corona Vita, Canto Bonito, La Cadena.
COVARRUBIAS - 12 SITES
Recommended: La Punta, La Cueva Chiquita, El Puente, Los Perros, Acuario. Covarrubias.
SANTA LUCIA - 35 SITES
Recommended: Poseidon I-VI (Six different sites of coral terraces), Nuestra Senora Virgen de Altagracia (Our Lady of Altagracia), Mortera, Las Anforas, Las Mantas, Shark's Point (home to Bull Sharks), Cueva Honda.
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