Tour Cuba: The Ultimate Guide

Are you signing up for a last-minute tour of Cuba? Or would you rather plan your holiday a little further ahead? In this guide we will show you the interesting places where you should definitely take a look when you are at this fascinating holiday destination! The Cuban archipelago is located in the westernmost part of the insular Caribbean. It includes the island of Cuba, the Isle of Youth and more than 4,000 islets and cays. The area created by this is about 111 thousand km2 and has a length of about 1200 km from east to west.

1. Characteristics Cuba

It has more than 6000 kilometres of coastline, with more than 600 beaches! The island has excellent and abundant natural harbours in bays such as Havana, Cárdenas, Matanzas and Nuevitas on the north coast, and Guantanamo, Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos on the south coast.
25 % of the territory consists of forests, mainly mangroves; 23 % of the area has a certain degree of protection and has 14 national parks.

2. Travel advice Cuba

Because of the corona virus (2020) this applies to almost every country. In normal circumstances you should pay attention to the following:

• Avoid large groups of people
• Don't just go out on the street (especially in the dark)
• Don't wear eye-catching jewellery
• There is often a fuel shortage. Keep this in mind when renting a car
• Look where you rent a car
• Tropical storms occur from June to November

3. Best travel period Cuba

From the end of May to October is the rainy season in Cuba. Most tropical storms also occur during this period. In this period the humidity is also higher and therefore more oppressive. The best travel period is in winter and spring. But keep in mind that a lot of tourists go to Cuba. So you would rather avoid the masses and you can watch the heat than the summer months.

4. Cities and places of interest in Cuba

Cuba is full of beautiful cities and sights. Here are the places you absolutely must not miss.

4.1. Old Square (Plaza vieja)

Plaza Vieja, built in 1559, is Havana's most architecturally eclectic square, where Cuban Baroque seamlessly nestles next to Gaudí-inspired art nouveau. Originally called Plaza Nueva (New Square), it was initially used for military exercises and later served as an open-air market.

In Old Havana, which is on the UNESCO world heritage list, the past is palpable. The picturesque cobbled squares; vintage cars adorning the streets and historic forts, museums and beautifully restored architectural gems share the stories that shaped this great city. For a sensual celebration, the best way to explore this historic district in the capital is on foot.

4.2. Trinidad

Trinidad is Cuba's best-preserved colonial city, a unique mix of architecture from 1850 and auto's from the 1950s, where time seems to stand still. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the center of the island, located in the province of Sancti Spíritus. Do you know the famous pastel-coloured buildings for which Cuba is famous? That is typical Trinidad. The nearby Playa Ancon also deserves attention, because it is a perfect postcard.

4.3. Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca

The Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca is a famous historic fort built on the coast of Santiago de Cuba. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and is one of the best preserved and perfect examples of a Spanish-American military structure. The unique design of Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca is intended for the steep side of the fort's location. When you are on top, you can see the coast and other small islands, which is very pleasing to the eye.

4.4. Old cars

Cuba is known to be inundated with vintage American cars's that local owners have kept in remarkably good condition for decades. Due to the complete ban of Fidel Castro on the import of foreign cars's, there are few new vehicles in Havana. The advantage is that it now mostly looks like a museum with classic American car's.

5. Beaches in Cuba

White sand, turquoise waters and green palm trees are a perfect formula for relaxing. Warm water and cool sand. Cuba's beaches offer the comfort of a city and the pleasures of nature. Spots such as Varadero, Cayo Coco, Santa Maria Beach, Guardalavaca, Ancon, Playa Mayor, Playa Pesquero and Playa Pilar have year-round sunshine. Their location ensures that the water temperature varies between 24º and 29º C. Pleasant for anyone who loves swimming in the sea. Also for water sports you have come to the right place. And 'at night the coasts are filled with taste and dance. Delicious cocktails, catchy salsa and Cuban shows. Here you can feel the rhythm of the Caribbean!

5.1. Varadero Beach

Varadero Beach is considered not only one of the best beaches in Cuba, but throughout the Caribbean. Wanted for its twenty km long white beaches and turquoise waters, shrouded in the most exuberant vegetation and year-round sunshine. It is difficult to pinpoint Varadero's best beach, because the more than fifty hotels all have private beaches. However, if you are looking for something exceptional, you should go to Playa Coral near Matanzas, with a coral reef that you can reach by swimming. Here you can see more than thirty species of coral and an extraordinary marine fauna of multicoloured fish and exotic molluscs.

5.2. Cayo Coco (Atlantic Ocean)

This beach is also part of the Jardines del Ret archipelago, an island with exotic landscapes similar to Cayo Guillermo. These differ from each other because it has a greater tourist development, with numerous first class hotels, artificial lakes and a wide range of leisure activities. The 22 km of beaches are characterized by their transparent waters, endless coral reefs for diving and extensive white sandy beaches interrupted only by rocks and cliffs. One of the most famous beaches are Las Coloradas, Playa Larga, El Paso and Playa Flamencos.

5.3. Santa Maria beach

Famous for its landscape of canals between cays, mangroves and paradisiacal beaches surrounded by coconut palms, with shallow waters that attract to see the beautiful marine life while diving. Along with the beauty of its 10 km of beach, it is possible to admire large colonies of pink flamingo's and other birds.

5.4. Guardalavaca Beach

Guardalavaca is the most famous beach of the territory. Here you will find lush vegetation, white sandy beaches and emerald green waters. The coral reef (900 metres from the coast) is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. This is one of the main reasons why it is a must for diving enthusiasts.

5.5. Ancon Beach

The beach of Ancón lies along the narrow Península de Ancón, just 12 km south of Trinidad. The 4 km long beach has clear white sand and warm, turquoise waters. There are three all-inclusive hotels and palm leaf huts that provide shade for beachgoers.

5.6. Playa Mayor

Playa Mayor is the main beach of Varadero and the most developed in Cuba, with almost 12 km of silver sand beaches and crystal clear turquoise sea. It is perfect for water sports, sailing or relaxing. It offers many choices of all-inclusive hostels and resorts.

5.7. Playa Pesquero

The beach of Pesquero is typically the tropical postcard of golden sand, exuberant vegetation and coral reefs. The beach is exclusively for the guests of the 3 modern hotels that are located there.

5.8. Playa Pilar

In front of Playa Pilar you see Cayo Media Luna, a small virgin cay about 2 km from the coast. Playa Pilar is about 1 km long and faces north. It is made of powdery white sand and the shallow and calm water is perfect for swimming and water sports.

5.9. Playa Paraiso

In the middle of an idyllic landscape with crystal clear water and spectacular flora and fauna, about 200 sunken ships lie off the coast. A true miracle for wreck divers and snorkelers alike.

5.10. Water sports in Cuba

Cuba's pristine white beaches, amazing waves and deep, warm water attract water sports enthusiasts of all caliber. The eastern beaches of Guantanamo are a popular spot for surfers. You can try surfing in one of the areas where there are many surf schools. The clean, pristine waters around Cuba also make it a rich habitat for a variety of marine life. Snorkeling and diving are the best ways to get up close and personal with all this beauty. You can dive with an incredible range of marine life, including sea turtles, rays and seven species of sharks, as well as explore the vibrant coral reefs. Or, if you prefer a more serene view of Cuba's waters, why not try sailing and fishing? Check out the multiple possibilities on, for example, Varadero Guide.

6. Transport in Cuba

There will be enough car's waiting outside to take you to your hotel in for example Havana. Expect to pay about $25 CUC (around €23,-) and this will take about 30-40 minutes. Taxi's are often old classic car's, but not always, that's a matter of luck!

6.1. Bici-taxi

In place of autotaxi's, you will often find bici-taxi's, horse and carts and even motorcycles and sidecar as options for taxi's. Especially outside central Havana. Make sure you agree on the price before boarding.

6.2. Colectivos

Colectivos are shared taxi's that transport people between cities and often have a similar price to the Viazul buses. This is a good option to travel through Cuba if you want to share the cost of the trip with acquaintances. The prices are not fixed, so negotiate well.

6.3. Rent a car

Car rental companies in Cuba are all state-run, so don't expect familiar names like Avis or Hertz. You can't book the car's through an external site or comparison site. You have to go directly to the corporate websites, call them or go to one of the rental counters at major airports, city centers / hotels.

6.4. Classic car with driver

There is no doubt that driving around Cuba in a vintage car is a very cool experience. The classic car's from the 50's in Cuba are legendary and certainly a must for the enthusiast. Although many of the cars are in poor condition, some Cubans in Havana and other cities have spent a lot of money to make their car look incredible. However, this option is not cheap, but it is very nice and perhaps more suitable for shorter trips around Havana.

7. Culture in Cuba

Cuban culture is an example of transculturation, because of the processes that have enabled the consolidation of a Cuban cultural identity. The most important cultural fact in Cuba is the revolution itself. The triumph of the liberating achievement on 1 January 1959 opened up all the possibilities of Cuban culture so that its creators could fully exercise their vocation.

7.1. Fusterlandia

Cuba has a rich artistic tradition, which can be found everywhere, from murals on walls to the fine works of art in El Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana. One of the most unique places to find modern Cuban art is called Fusterlandia. Fusterlandia is nicknamed Jaimanitas, a seaside resort just west of downtown Havana. In Jaimanitas, artist Jose Fuster has built a creative enclave called Casa de Fuster, which has spread throughout the surrounding area.

7.2. Fabrica de arte Cunbano

This gallery, the live music venue, is the brainchild of Cuban fusion musician X-Alfonso. It started in 2014 and is an inspiring meeting place for everyone who can pay the €1.80 entrance fee. Exciting events take place here in a cavernous, Bauhaus feel interior. The Fábrica is a great cool yet unpretentious place where you are encouraged to meet and compliment the artists. The repertoires are as flexible as they are creative. Expect anything from classical cellists to Cuban rappers to artistic T-shirt designers selling their latest creations.

7.3. Colon cemetery

The most important cemetery in Havana (a national monument), one of the largest in North and South America, is known for its striking religious iconography and extensive marble sculptures. A walk through these 57 sacred hectares can be an educational and emotional walk through the history of Cuba.

7.4. Sierra maestra

The Sierra Maestra Mountains in southeastern Cuba offer some of the best hiking trails in the Caribbean. Including a trek to Cuba's highest mountain, Pico Turquino. The lush mountain forests are dense and beautiful and there is also a fascinating history. These mountains played a crucial role as the headquarters and shelter for Fidel Casto's rebel army at the beginning of their military struggle against the Batista regime.

7.5. Cigars

The cigar culture is enormous in Cuba. Walk down any street in Havana and you will undoubtedly see a handful of locals running away with puro's as they continue their daily work.

7.6. Tobacco plantations

The best tobacco comes from the Vuelta Abajo area of the province of Pinar del Río near the town of San Luis. Other important tobacco regions in Cuba are Villa Cara and the Valle de Viñales. Villa Clara's region of Vuelta Arriba, east of Santa Clara, would be the second of Pinar del Río in terms of tobacco production. Since Viñales is located in a national park, chemical fertilizers are illegal and all tobacco is organic. The plantations are accessible to tourists and a nice attraction. Do for example a trip with Tobacco Tours!

7.6. Cuba Libre

It is the ancient combination of rum and cola with lime, also known by its official name, Cuba Libre. Its origins date back to 1900 in Cuba during the American occupation of the island. According to Bacardi archivist Juan Bergaz Pessino, the cocktail was first ordered by an American, one Captain Russell, in the American Bar in Havana, where soldiers celebrated the end of the war.

7.7 Dancing

In Cuba dance is part of life and it is everywhere. From Mambo and Tango to Salsa and Bolero... Even if you don't like dance, you should see at least one performance while you are in Cuba. Salsa dancing (in Cuba 'Casino' mentioned) is the most popular dance style in Cuba, but you can also learn other traditional and contemporary Cuban dances like Rumba, Cha Cha Cha and Regueton.

7.8. Revolution

The Cuban revolution of 1959 marks the first ever abolition of capitalism in the western hemisphere. Every year on July 26th the National Revolutionary Festival is held in Cuba to celebrate the day in 1953 when a group of rebels led by Fidel Castro attacked military barracks in Santiago de Cuba to overthrow the government of Fulgencio Batista.

7.9. Plaza de la Revolución

Revolution Square is a historical symbol of Cuba. It is known worldwide as the backdrop for countless encounters of the Cuban people. From this place important speeches have been promulgated and unpublished patriotic acts have been performed by Fidel Castro.

8. Nature in Cuba

The nature of Cuba is rich and luxuriant in all its expansion. The Flora distinguishes itself by the diversity of its plant communities. Cuba's fauna has the peculiarity of being the most exclusive in the smallest species. Among other things, there are 368 different bird species and the number of reptiles and amphibians does not lie. For visitors who want to be in direct contact with nature, there are several options: bird watching, hiking, diving, sport fishing, horseback riding, cave tourism, bicycle tourism or rural tourism. Below are a few remarkable natural sights.

8.1. Valle de Vinales

Vinales is a small agricultural town in the province of Pinar del Rio in Western Cuba. The main attraction of Vinales is the idyllic Vinales Valley, with its endless lush greenery and rounded mogote limestone hills. Taking a Vinales Valley Tour is one of the reasons why many people visit Vinales. Most Vinales Vally tours include a pleasant meander (hiking and/or horseback riding) around the incredible natural wonder of the valley. A visit to a tobacco plantation and coffee farm is also recommended.

8.2. El Nicho Waterfalls

El Nicho is located in the Gran Parque Natural Topes de Collantes, a wooded park that stretches across the Sierra Escambray mountain range in central Cuba. El Nicho is best known for its large waterfall. The waterfall is attractive and flows all year round, even during the dry season. Both Cubans and foreigners visit El Nicho. The CUC entrance fee of €8 is a bit high compared to other places in Cuba, but the swimming holes and the waterfall are definitely worth it. There is also a restaurant that serves simple Cuban food and cold drinks. During lunch there is often live music played.

8.3. Saturno Cave

Sta amazed by the magic in the small Saturno cave and see the range of underwater vegetation. Just 12 km from the city of Matanzas, Cuba, close to the airport exit, there is a small cave known as Cueva Saturno (Saturno cave). Book a trip and experience! The cave houses a small lake, in which you can find fish and other species characteristic of Cuban aquatic fauna that live in underground waters. You can swim and snorkel here.

9. Book a round trip to Cuba: compare accommodations and providers

Read more Travel guides...