Vacation in Cuba: The 10 Most Beautiful Attractions in the Caribbean Paradise

Classic cars, cigars, salsa, rum, socialism… These are the first things that come to mind when you think of a vacation in Cuba. And while these stereotypes aren’t unfounded, there are so many other attractions in Cuba that absolutely deserve your time and attention. Go hiking in the Sierra Maestra where Fidel won the Revolution, snorkel in the clear waters of Cayo Jutías, or go cycling in the breathtaking Viñales Valley.

The Picturesque District of Old Havana

Old Havana is the historical heart of the Cuban capital, and although it covers only two square kilometers, you can easily spend a day here. The four famous squares Plaza das Armas, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de la Cathedral, and Plaza de Franciscus Asis are all worth visiting for their exceptional Spanish architecture, but especially for the street life in the Cuban capital: cheerful musicians, market vendors with carts full of fruit, and Cuban grandmothers rocking on rocking chairs in front of brightly colored porches.

What to do in Old Havana during your vacation in Cuba?

On Calle Obispo, you can enjoy delicious milkshakes at La Caribeña, marvel at bookstores full of revolutionary propaganda, and find the oldest pharmacy in Cuba. At Café Paris, you can enjoy a friendly salsa with a cup of coffee, and on the rooftop terrace of Hotel Ambos Mundos, you can overlook the small, winding streets with murals and cigar-smoking Cubans. You ascend with Havana’s oldest elevator and visit the room where Ernest Hemingway lived while writing his book “The Old Man and the Sea.” Furthermore, you can visit the Museum of the Revolution or the Museum of Belles Artes or take a look at one of the many art galleries in Old Havana (almost all of them are free to enter).

Exploring Havana by Bicycle

A fun way to explore Havana is by bicycle. In a short time, you’ll see a lot and get to discover a bit more of Havana, Cuba. Baja Bikes offers a super fun bike tour in Havana. An enthusiastic guide will let you experience the city in a different way. You can easily book the tour online and pay on-site. This way, you’ll make sure you don’t miss anything of the sights in Havana and even discover some extra highlights of the city. You can also rent a bike yourself from Baja Bikes if you prefer to explore without a guide.

The Morro Castle of Santiago de Cuba

The Morro Castle, or Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca, in Santiago de Cuba dates back to 1700 and was designed by architect Giovanni Battista Antonelli. The fort is located six kilometers outside the city and was intended as a defensive line against aggressive pirates. Today, you can visit this impressive structure on the shores of the Caribbean Sea for 5 CUC between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Inside the fort, you’ll find a museum where the history of piracy is explained through artifacts, maps, and texts. However, the real attraction is the structure itself, from which you have a magnificent view of the quiet beaches along the Caribbean Sea, the fertile hills covered with banana trees, and the city.

The Heavenly Cayo Jutias

Do you want to relax during your vacation in Cuba? Then a beach day on Cayo Jutias is exactly what you need! Here, there are no noisy bars, crowded hotels, or speedboats. This snow-white beach in western Cuba exudes peace and space. The peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean has a kilometers-long sandy beach with occasional palm trees. The sea is mostly calm, and you can snorkel and canoe perfectly (equipment for rent, as well as sun loungers from 10:00 AM). During a beach walk towards the tip of the peninsula, you’ll undoubtedly come across large starfish. Fancy a Piña Colada or fresh grilled lobster? You’re in the right place at the wooden huts on the beach. During your vacation in Cuba, you can get here with a collectivo (shared taxi) from Viñales for about €14.

The Green Heart of Cuba: The Viñales Valley

The Viñales Valley in Western Cuba is a beautiful natural destination during your vacation in Cuba. In this green valley full of mogotes (karst mountains) and tobacco fields, you can take amazing horseback rides, as well as hike and mountain bike along coffee plantations and tobacco barns. You’ll meet friendly cowboys, who work the fertile land under the hot sun with a cigar in their right corner of the mouth. In the evenings, enjoy a sundowner at El Balcon: a restaurant located on a ravine overlooking the valley. Have a daiquiri and savor freshly made sea bass and caramel pudding.

The Photogenic Trinidad as the Highlight of Your Cuba Vacation

Trinidad is everything you imagine about Cuba and undoubtedly belongs to the top attractions of Cuba: picturesque alleys with brightly colored houses and colonial squares. At Plaza Mayor, people start dancing from around four o’clock at Casa de la Musica and Casa de la Trova, and at Don Pepe, you can enjoy the best coffee under the mango trees. At the Las Terrazas restaurant, watch the sun set into the Caribbean Sea while enjoying Spanish wine and lobster. At the Museo Nacional, climb the bell tower for a magnificent view of both the town, the Ancon Peninsula, and the mountains of the Sierra Escambray.

The Mountains of Sierra Maestra

The Sierra Maestra mountains play a significant role in the Cuban Revolution. In 1958 and 1959, Fidel and his comrades waged a guerrilla war against Batista from the jungle to put an end to his regime. The farmers living in the area supported their ideas: a homeland of the people, instead of a country of the rich. The Sierra Maestra is a rural area where the majority of the population lives off rice farming and sugarcane. Life moves slowly: people dance, drink, and visit family with horse and carriage. It’s as if time has stood still in this part of Eastern Cuba.

Hiking to Fidel’s Former Headquarters

Today, during a vacation in Cuba, you can hike to Fidel’s former headquarters. This costs about 45 CUC (approximately 40 euros) and is done under the guidance of a state guide who educates you about the Revolution. The hike takes a total of four hours, and before you can start walking, you first drive 20 minutes uphill with a jeep (not possible with a bus). The hike is quite challenging but is mostly shaded.

Cuba’s Nightlife: Salsa, Live Music, and Rum

Cuba and vitamin R, or rum, are inseparable. Rum is the lubricant of society, the replacement for wifi, and entertainment. Whether it’s a birthday, elections, or a baptism, there is always rum when something is celebrated. Havana Club rum is the most famous (since Bacardi, as an American company, was forced to move to Puerto Rico after the Revolution), but Santiago de Cuba rum, El Cubay, El Santero, and Matusalem are also worth trying.

The Best Cocktails in Cuba

The most famous cocktails in Cuba are the mojito, daiquiri, Cuba Libre, and Piña Colada. Cocktails and rum are the only products that never run out nowadays: you’ll find these drinks proudly at the top of the menu in every restaurant and bar. Bodequito del Medio, the world-famous chain of cocktail bars, is rumored to have the best mojitos. La Floridita in Havana specializes in daiquiris.

Salsa Dancing During Your Cuba Vacation

Salsa is the lifeblood and passion of Cuba. In Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba, you can take basic lessons or improve your dance skills with professional tips. After the lesson, the dancing always continues, and even if you’re not looking for a lively salsa scene, it’s hard to escape. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked to dance or play music in a live band.

The Sierra Rosario in Western Cuba

If you love hiking and want to venture off the beaten path, then visit the Sierra Rosario in Western Cuba. From Havana, it takes about three hours to drive to this mountain range characterized by the royal palm, Cuba’s national tree. In the town of Soroa, you can easily hike in this beautiful natural area, where you also have the chance to spot the tocororo bird. In an hour, you can walk to an impressive viewpoint, where the Cuban vultures glide over the valley, and you can sometimes even see the Caribbean Sea. Not in the mood to climb 600 meters? Then visit the nearby orchid garden or the small waterfall, where you can also swim! At Casa Odalis, you can enjoy a delicious homemade meal and find your accommodation for the night.

The Labyrinthine City of Camaguey

Camaguey is the third-largest city in Cuba with 300,000 inhabitants. It is one of the four Cuban cities on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Because Camaguey is located east of Trinidad, further away from Havana, many travelers skip this special city. This is precisely why a visit to Camaguey is authentic: here you see state-run stores and rows of people coming to pick up their food rations with their ration books (a socialist practice). You’ll see lively squares, where people come to play dominoes, the favorite game of Cubans. Camaguey is best explored by bicycle taxi. The city consists of a maze of streets, and as a walker, you can quickly get lost. At Plaza San Juan, you can enjoy delicious pork with a matching wine in the evening.

The Nature of Guajimico

Guajimico is located on the Caribbean Sea between Cienfuegos and Trinidad. This picturesque piece of nature is ideal for snorkeling and diving. Diving costs 40 CUC (about 35 euros) for a Discovery dive, and snorkeling costs only 10 CUC (about 9 euros). This includes a boat trip and equipment. You can also hike to caves here, which were already used by the Indians. This hike takes about 2 hours. It’s a good idea to bring a flashlight and wear sturdy shoes. You can also horseback ride to nearby beaches and canoe in the calm bay.

Explore the diverse landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture of Cuba through these remarkable destinations. From the colonial charm of Havana Vieja to the untamed beauty of the Sierra Maestra, each place offers a unique insight into the soul of this Caribbean island nation. Whether you’re trekking through the lush greenery of the Viñales Valley or immersing yourself in the lively streets of Camaguey, Cuba promises unforgettable experiences at every turn. So, pack your sense of adventure and embark on a journey to discover the hidden gems and natural wonders that await in the heart of the Cuban paradise.