Cuba

For many tourists, Cuba is the idyllic tropical paradise with its palm tree lined beaches and stunning blue waters. At 110,860 sq km it is the largest country in the Caribbean in terms of land area. Home to more than 11 million people, Cuba is a land of contradictions and is often misunderstood because of socialist regime. However, once you look past all this, you get to see the real Cuba, where the people are warm and friendly, the beaches are glorious and you can dance the night away to some of the best music in the region.

Cuba’s most famous exports are its cigars and salsa, both of which you must try while you are here. In Havana, the capital, you get to experience the history, the art and the architecture of this fascinating Caribbean nation. But after the sun sets, the city changes into one of the most sensuous places in the world with a vibrant and steamy nightlife. From Havana, then head east to Vinales and the province of Pinar del Rio. Vinales is a national park and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can enjoy the Cuban countryside with some excellent rock climbing, caving, hiking, and horseback riding.

In Central Cuba, you will come across a number of interesting places to visit including the pristine beaches Varadero, where you can enjoy some excellent snorkeling and diving as well as the colonial town of Trinidad, which town with the Valle de los Ingenios is another World Heritage Site to be found in Cuba. In the central region of the country you will also find the city of Santa Clara, most famous for its monument to Ernesto Che Guevara.

Eastern Cuba is home to the city of Santiago de Cuba, the second largest city in the country. This city was the former capital of Cuba, and is often refereed to as the cradle of the revolution. In this part of the country you will also find the city of Baracoa, where you can enjoy some excellent beaches and the beautiful Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt, one of the Caribbean’s most diverse flora habitats.