Cuba, the largest country in the Caribbean, is a perfect mix of beautiful nature, fascinating culture and complex history. Based on our experience, traveling to Cuba is much more than the pretty pictures you see on social media. To help you plan your Cuba travel, we bring to you a list of the best places to visit in Cuba.
To create this list, we collaborated with our fellow travel bloggers who have traveled to this beautiful country. Many of them also have had the experience of living in Cuba! So, on this list, you will find a variety of places, ranging from the expected regulars like Havana to offbeat places of historic importance like Bay of Pigs.
Read on and find your picks to curate your perfect Cuba itinerary.
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Havana
Havana, capital of Cuba, carries the stories of Cuba’s fascinating past – the colonial history, the revolution and the times after the revolution. The history, architecture, culture, the drinking experiences and live performances make Havana a must on your Cuba itinerary.
Take a walk on the streets of Old Havana, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. You can explore the history of city through its architectural wonders – the Plazas, National Capitol, museums, fortresses and churches.
The places to know about the history of Cuba, are the Plazas and Museums. Visit the Plazas of Havana, starting with the main Plaza de Armas. Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza Vieja and Plaza de Francisco de Asis are the other interesting ones to visit. Learn about the history of revolution in Cuba at the Museo de la Revolucion. Take a ride in a classic car to Plaza de la Revolución, a few miles away from Old Havana.
The streets of old Havana are always busy with visitors and residents alike. They are lined with restaurants, old book stores and souvenir shops. The Obispo street is most popular among the visitors. If you want to find some quieter time, take a walk on the Malecón.
Catch the evening live performance at Cabaret Tropicana or just catch the tunes of the street musicians at the Plazas. No trip to Havana is complete without trying the drinks in the city’s iconic bars. Try Mojito at the El Bodeguita del Medio or Daiquiri at El Floridita.
There are several things to do in the city of Havana. If you have at least 4 days you can touch most of the diverse things that the city has to offer.
Parque Nacional de Viñales
The first thing that you will notice in Viñales National Park, are the mogotes. The round-headed limestone rock formations create an amazing landscape in the valley. You can go for rock climbing in the mogotes or explore the stalagmites and stalactites inside the cave, the most popular being the Great Cave of Santo Thomas and Cueva del Indio.
Viñales is also known for the tobacco plantations. You can take a tour to learn more about the entire process of tobacco farming to packaging of the cigars. May be share a puff with a tobacco farmer at their family home.
In Pita mogote, check out the mural, Mural de la prehistoria, created by artist Leovigildo González Morillo in the 1950’s. The huge mural covers an entire side of the mogote and portrays the evolution of life.
You can do a day trip from Havana (180 km / 110 miles) to the valley or stay couple of days to explore some of best natural landscapes in Cuba.
Trinidad
Trinidad is a town located near the Southern coast in central part of Cuba. The town, a UNESCO world heritage site established is the sixteenth century is known for its colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. It blends well with nature with the surrounding Escambray mountains.
You can explore the town by walking on the cobblestone streets surrounded by pastel colored buildings. The Iglesia Parroquial de la Santisima Trinidad and Municipality Historical Museum holds artifacts from the colonial times.
Trinidad town center is also a good base for taking trips to the nearby Topes de Collantes National Park and the beautiful Ancon beach.
At night, gather around the plaza to listen to some live music and dine at one of the fine restaurants in town. If you are looking for quirky party time, head to the cave nightclub Disco Ayala where the party begins almost at midnight!
Topes de Collantes National Park
Contributed by Linn Haglund of Brainy Backpackers. You can also find her on Instagram.
One of the best places to visit in Cuba for nature lovers is Topes de Collantes National Park. The dense, green vegetation dotted with lush waterfalls houses some of the most spectacular hikes in Cuba. One of the most popular ones is to the impressive Vegas Grande waterfall which takes about 2 hours return. But you will want to add an hour or two floating around the refreshing water hole before hiking up the steep path back. You can easily reach this walk by shared taxi from Trinidad.
Another favorite among the locals is El Nicho waterfalls. Taking a shared taxi from Cienfuegos is the easiest way to reach this area of the national park. The hike in itself is not very long. There are actually two paths that each lead to a series of mesmerizing waterfalls cascading into turquoise water holes perfect for swimming. Most people spend half a day here.
Most waterfall hikes have an entrance fee of approximately 10 CUC that goes to the maintenance of the trails. For coffee lovers, there are a few coffee houses spread around the park with fresh, aromatic coffee.
Varadero
Varadero is a beach town, couple of hours drive from the city of Havana. It has long stretch of pristine white sand beach and turqoise water of the Atlantic.
You will probably hear a mixed experience from visitors about Varadero. The all-inclusive resorts in Varadero make it a hit or miss destination. However, we experienced the town by staying at one of the Casa Particulares, which are like home stays at resident family houses. This way could enjoy the town as well as the sun and sand, while not being restricted by the limitations and big checks of the resorts.
If you choose to stay in an all-inclusive, try to get out of the resort and explore the other parts of the beach town. The sections of the beaches away from the cluster of resorts are less-crowded and offer quieter places to relax. Also, you can try the food from some of the best restaurants of the town, cuisines from across the world.
Varadero is easily accessible from Havana. If you are planning to explore the history and culture of Havana, add Varadero as your beach getaway.
Cienfuegos
Contributed by Raluca of Travel With A Spin. You can also find her on Instagram.
Cienfuegos is a unique colonial town in the south of Cuba, by the sea. Compared to the other towns in Cuba, it was settled by French immigrants who escaped from Haiti after the revolution, not by Spaniards. Thus, it boasts a fascinating mix of French charm and Caribbean vibe. Add to this, stunning sunset views that can be easily compared to “100 fires” and you might just have the background for some of the most amazing moments spent in Cuba.
On a visit to Cienfuegos, the first thing to see is Jose Marti Square, around which the entire city is arranged. It was named after Cuba’s famous writer, poet and national hero. The park is surrounded by the most emblematic attractions in town: the only Arch of Triumph in Cuba. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century in order to commemorate the independence of the country. The Ferrer Palace offers the best views over the area from its cupola tower. In the evening, do not miss a walk on the Malecon of Cienfuegos. Locals and tourists gather there for the best sunsets.
The tranquil town of Cienfuegos is a perfect place to relax. Escape the hustle and bustle of Havana and Trinidad and go souvenir shopping, as prices tend to be lower. If you want to enjoy the best Cuba has to offer, do not miss the “pearl of the south” from your Cuba itinerary.
Valle de los Ingenios
Contributed by Carley from Home to Havana.
Located just outside of the colonial town of Trinidad, Valle de Los Ingenios is a destination on its own, known for both its natural beauty and historical significance in Cuba and the Caribbean. Also known as the Valley of the Sugar Mills, Valle de Los Ingenios is a group of three valleys, now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its role in the Caribbean sugar trade and as home to a remaining 70 historical mills and their properties.
Today visitors can see the remaining sugar mills and plantations important to the area, including visiting some of the largest sugar plantations. It is important to be respectful and reserved while visiting these properties, remembering that enslaved peoples built and sustained these plantations. A popular destination within the valley is the Manaca Iznaga plantation. Visitors can climb the tower that was once used to observe the entire property and visit the main house.
In addition to visiting these historic homes, you can also sign up for walking tours of the valleys and learn about agriculture in Cuba, eat home-cooked meals, and take in the lovely scenery of the valleys. Rural Cuba is a side of the island that many visitors do not often see. Valle de los Ingenios is one of the best places for it.
Holguin
Contributed by Carley from Home to Havana.
It may not be the most famous destination in Cuba or have the flashiest attractions. But the province of Holguin is one of the most visited places in Cuba. Home to some of the best beaches on the island, many of which are lauded as some of the best in the world, Holguin draws countless visitors to its white sand beaches with warm, crystal waters every year.
The most famous of the beach resorts in Holguin is Guardalavaca. It is known for its stunning beaches and mix of budget guesthouses and high-end resorts like the Paradisus Rio de Oro. Just a few miles west of Guardalavaca you will find the stunning Playa Esmeralda, a snorkeling hotspot. You will find plenty of opportunities for watersports and swimming there. A few miles further still, Playa Pesquero is another one of the most pristine beaches in Cuba. Also, it is home to the Iberostar Selection Holguin resort, one of the area’s nicest.
The city of Holguin is one of Cuba’s largest. Visitors headed to the coast will likely pass through the Frank Pais International Airport near the city center and head straight to the beach. Though spending a night in town is a great way to enjoy the city’s charming historic center, easily explored within a day.
Santiago de Cuba
Contributed by Sarah of Cuba’s Best.
Established in 1515 by the Spaniards, Santiago de Cuba is the second-largest city in Cuba, after Havana. The city is full of Cuban rhythms. The musical and revolutionary history is one of the reasons you will want to visit.
The top things to do in Santiago include visiting the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, which is where you will find several of Cuba’s most famous revolutionary heroes. Jose Marti’s mausoleum is here as is the burial place of Fidel Castro. You will also find the grave of Compay Segundo, a son of Santiago de Cuba, famous for founding the Buena Vista Social Club.
Go also to the Moncada Barracks, chosen on 26th July 1952 as the beginning of the Cuban Revolution. The uprising that occurred here then failed, but it was the start of the Cuba that you see today and its history is displayed in the 26th July Museum located at the barracks.
There are various other sites around the city. But you should also make time for visiting the Casa de Trova here – Santiago’s House of Music is where Compay Segundo got his start. A night here is one of the best that you will have in Cuba.
Bay of Pigs
Contributed by Hege Jacobsen from The World By Hege.
Bahia de Cochinos, or the Bay of Pigs, is a small beautiful coastal area of great historical significance in Cuba. If history is your passion, or just exploring authentic culture slightly off the beaten track excites you, the Bay of Pigs might be worth a stop!
Bay of Pigs is located on the southern Cuban coast about two and a half hours from Havana. This is where the US tried to invade Cuba in 1961, an endeavor now famous for being a colossal failure. US-supported Cuban exiles landed on the now tranquil Playa Giron, with an intention to oust Fidel Castro from power. Castro, however, managed to fight the attack, which became a serious international embarrassment for the US back in the day.
In the sleepy village of Playa Giron today, you can visit the museum of the invasion, and find out how the Cubans remember the events. Along the Bay of Pigs, you also find multiple stunning beaches, the treasured scuba diving site Punta Perdiz, and at the bottom of the bay is the quiet Playa Larga village.
If you like the slow village vibe, stay the night at a casa particular around here, and have dinner at one of the local restaurants where the residents pass by by horse and carriage!
The high season coincides with the Cuban dry season, December through April, as well as the hot and humid (rain-shower prone) summer months.
Cayo Santa Maria
Contributed by Hege Jacobsen from The World By Hege. You can also find her on Facebook.
Off the north-western coast of Cuba, after passing a long pedraplen (pathway across the sea), you will arrive at a secluded all-inclusive luxury resort paradise on an island triplet called Cayo Santa Maria!
When you are in desperate need of a pampering holiday in stunning surroundings, longing for tropical heaven, Cayo Santa Maria is exactly that.
Being a secluded oasis, an all-inclusive resort holiday in Cayo Santa Maria is designed for putting on your slippers in the mornings and strolling down to the beach for a dip before breakfast. Then you can continue lounging by the pool bar, get a spa massage, take a dance class, or head for the gym before your afternoon aperitif. After dinner, there will be entertainment like live music, dance, and acrobatic shows.
There is no city center on Cayo Santa Maria, but a lot of water sports to enjoy outside the resorts. From Marina Gaviota Las Brujas, opt for a catamaran day cruise, scuba diving trips, snorkeling trips, or even deep sea fishing.
For a lush Caribbean beach holiday, travel in the summer, prepared for tropical afternoon showers. The dry and cooler season is December through April. Fly to the Abel Santamaria Airport, and get transport to the Cayos.
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I’d add another beautiful city to the list—Camagüey.
Camagüey was the fourth city established by the Spanish in Cuba and celebrated its 500th birthday recently— it was founded on February 2, 1514 — not too many cities in the America can boast such an anniversary!
It is famous for its streets—extremely narrow, one-way, maze-like, with many dead-ends which would stump the smartest rat on the block, and with even narrower sidewalks dotted by open holes and sizable cavities, often with lamp post in the middle. Walking down those streets was an amazing experience in itself.
Supposedly the streets were designed on purpose, to make the city easier to defend from raiders — or, in case the pirates did manage to enter the city, then they would have an even tougher time finding their way back, thus enabling the city inhabitants to entrap and dispose of them. Yet some say it was just a bad design and the city was developed without any thought-out strategy or planning.
Hi Jack. Camagüey sounds like an interesting place. Thanks for sharing.