A Guide to Cuba: Where to Go and What to Do

Cuba is located strategically between the three American continents, namely the North, Central, and South, in a Caribbean region at the Gulf of Mexico entrance. Havana is Cuba’s capital and the largest city, followed by Santiago de Cuba.

Cuba is the largest country in the Caribbean, located in the northern Caribbean Sea. It consists of one large island and several small islands, and Spanish is the official language. The name Cuba is taken from the language of the indigenous people of Cuba, and the word Cubao means ‘where the fertile and abundant lands are’ in this language.

The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492, and after that, it became Spanish contiguous. Cuba became independent in 1902. Tourism in Cuba is one of the best places to spend your vacation in the Caribbean because it is rich in natural beauty, ancient history, and impressive culture.

Weather in Cuba

The climate in Cuba is considered moderate due to the winds that blow from the northeast. The period from November to April is the driest in the country, and the temperature ranges between 21 and 27 degrees.

Things to do in Cuba

Cuba’s privileged location has made it the focus of attraction for tourists from all over the world. It has many distinctive beaches and magnificent architectural buildings erected during colonialism. Many restaurants, resorts, and hotels attract tourists. 

In the coming part, we will learn more about the famous places in Cuba, the things you can do there, and the activities you can try. Let us start our trip to one of the most beautiful countries in the Caribbean. 

Old Havana

Old Havana is a well-preserved piece of Cuban history, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and while you are walking through the streets you will see the cobbled streets, lovely Baroque and neoclassical buildings that make you imagine how life in Cuba was from 200 years ago.

The famous attractions are the military fortress, Castillo de la Real Fuerza, and the Plaza de la Cathedral, home to San Cristobal Cathedral. Also, while touring Havana, you will see Plaza Vieja, home to some outstanding buildings, like the 18th-century Casa del Conde Jaruco.

Trinidad

Trinidad is another UNESCO World Heritage site town. In the city centre, you will see restored buildings and cobblestone streets, most dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Trinidad is also considered one of the best cities to visit in Cuba. The Plaza Mayor, the central square, includes the Church of the Holy Trinity.

Another attraction in Trinidad is the Church and Monastery of Saint Francis, with its beautiful bell tower, the Museum of Colonial Architecture, and the art gallery at the Casa de Aldeman Ortiz.

Havana’s National Museum of Fine Arts

The National Museum of Fine Arts is a perfect place to visit, especially for art lovers. It includes many collections of international and Cuban art. The collections are located in two buildings, and you will find works from ancient to present.

The museum displays many international artworks, including European masterpieces and ancient works from Greece, Egypt, Italy, Asia, the United States, and more. The Rationalist-style Palacio de Bellas Artes building also displays collections of Cuban Art from the 17th century to the present.

Varadero

One of the best things you can do in Cuba is go to one of its magnificent beaches, spread all over the island. Varadero is one of the famous beaches in Cuba. You will be delighted by its white sand and crystal water when you are there, and more than 50 hotels are lined up in this lovely place.

Varadero also includes attractions like Varadero Ecological Park and two caves, Cueva de Ambrosio and Cueva de Musulmanes. The Parque Josone includes flowers, a restaurant, a swimming pool, and a lake, and it is a perfect place for families to have a great time.

Baracoa

Baracoa is the oldest city in Cuba. It was founded in 1511 in the province of Guantanamo, starting with a church constructed at that time. Baracoa attracts many tourists just to see its spectacular architecture and countryside, which includes waterfalls and beautiful beaches.

The El Yunque Peak provides tropical beauty. Hikers can reach the 589-meter summit and see a magnificent view from the top. Also on the hillside is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where rare birds and planets can be found. 

Playa Paraiso (Paradise Beach)

Paradise Beach is one of the best and most famous beaches in Cuba. It is located on Cayo Largo del Sur island, which has white sands and a lovely blue sea. With a dry and sunny climate, it is also a perfect place for sun-seekers. 

Che Guevara Mausoleum in Santa Carla

This is one of the essential attractions in Santa Carla and all of Cuba. Che Guevara is considered one of the symbols of Cuba, and the site where his mausoleum is located was where he led the last guerrilla battle in 1958.

This is the place where Guevara is buried. When you visit the mausoleum, you will see his final letter to Fidel Castro etched on the bronze statue of Che Guevara in Revolution Square. Besides the mausoleum, you will find the Historical Museum of the Revolution, which displays Guevara’s items.

Castle of San Pedro del Morro

The Castle of San Pedro del Morro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in the 17th century in the Bay of Santiago, near Santiago, the second largest city in Cuba after Havana. The castle was built to protect the place from pirate attacks, then became a prison and a fortress once again. 

Inside the castle is a museum that teaches you more about the pirates and the castle’s history.

El Nicho Waterfalls

It is a beautiful natural place to visit in Cuba, not far from Trinidad town. These waterfalls flow into green jungle pools, a perfect place to spend your day in the arms of nature. 

El Nicho Waterfalls puckers along a river through a tropical forest to the waterfalls, where you can swim and sunbathe. You can also see the tocororo, Cuba’s national bird. You will see many beautiful things around you, whether trees or valleys and don’t forget to take some unforgettable pictures there.

The Malecon in Havana

The Malecon, built in 1902, is a famous seafront promenade where you can walk and discover Cuba’s history. It is seven km long and runs from the Habana Vieja quarter to the Vedado, the business centre.

While walking, you will see many lovely buildings from the 20th century, a mixture of architectural styles like the Neo Moorish and painted in pastel pink and yellow. This is an excellent place to take many pictures.

The Revolution Square

The Revolution Square is a famous spot to visit in Cuba. It is where Fidel Castro made his speeches, and Pope John Paul II was welcomed there. 

When you visit the square, you will see a 109-meter grey tower standing in the middle. It is a memorial to the Cuban national hero Jose Marti. A white marble statue of Marti lies at the base of the tower, and below it is the entrance to the Jose Marti Memorial.

The Military Historic Park

The Military Historical Park includes two famous fortresses: the Castle of the Three Kings of Morro, known as El Morro, and the Fortress of San Carlo. The El Morro Castle was built in the 16th century to defend the lands from pirate attacks. 

The lighthouse there was replaced with a stone in the 19th century, but it still has the original lamp that lights the sea today. You can have a beautiful view of the sea and the city from the top.

The second fortress is the Fortress of San Carlo, near El Morro Castle, built in the 18th century. It is considered the largest fort Spain has ever built. It was used as a prison before becoming the headquarters of Che Guevara after the revolution.

Guradalavaca

Guradalavaca is located in the Holguin province. There, lush foliage fringes the sweeping beach, which provides shade from the tropical sun. You can do many activities, like diving and snorkelling, and you will discover the beauty of sea life.

From Guradalavaca, you can take many trips, such as sailing, jungle adventures, and tours in the nearby city of Santiago. You can also visit the Dolphinarium near the island of Cayo Naranjo, where you can see the dolphins much closer.

Vinales National Park

Vinales National Park is located in the Sierra de Los Organos north of Pinar del Rio. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and limestone hills create a magnificent landscape. Some agricultural areas grow vegetables and fruits; you can try horse riding and hiking.