Holidays in Cuba: the main tourist destinations

Nicolas Cristobal Guillen Batista, Cuban poet, writer and journalist compared the territory Cuba with the body of an alligator: "An island resembling a green alligator, with eyes of water and stone."

The length of the island from northwest to southeast is 1250 km, its width is from 31 to 191 km.

The Republic of Cuba consists of the island of the same name, the island of Juventuda, the second largest and about four hundred small islets.

Etymology of the name Cuba: Taino Indians could denote this word "fertile land" or "beautiful place", cubao and coabana, respectively.

The island of Paradise cannot be circumnavigated in one short vacation. You can choose the direction that is most interesting, and stick to the given route, and on the next trip to plan new goals.

Havana

The capital of Cuba and the largest city in the country, the center of political, social, financial and cultural life.

Here, in the eternal summer, in the shade of citrus plants, you can listen to the fiery rhythms of Cuban music, smoke cigars and drink scorching rum or take a glass of mojito and go to the embankment of Malecon to see off the sun.

Havana can impress the most sophisticated traveler with a combination of majestic colonial-style buildings in the Old Town and a sense of devastation and decay.

Fusterland is a colorful suburban area of Havana, the former village of Hymanitas. In the 1990s, the artist Jose Fuster began to decorate local houses, stops, clinics with mosaics, and thanks to his flight of fantasy, the area acquired identity and unique character.

Famous museums of Havana: Museum of Roma, Museum of the City, Museum of Napoleon, House-Museum Finca Vigía Ernest Hemingway.

History lovers should stroll towards the harbor to see the fortress complex of the XVIII century - San Carlos de la Cabaña. Now there is a museum of weapons, souvenir shops and restaurants, and at 21.00 every evening there is a loud cannon ceremony.

tarara

The resort town, 10 km from Havana, is known for its beautiful beaches and wellness centers, where you can undergo medical courses of treatment or recovery, massage and bath.

Varadero

The most popular resort in Cuba, where the atmosphere of an eternal holiday reigns: parties, carnivals, discos continue in non-stop mode.

Here are the best hotels on the island of Cuba, local restaurants serve exquisite dishes, and tourists are greeted as dear guests and carried on double-decker Bus turístico excursion buses.

Travelers appreciate the beaches of Varadero: here the cleanest and softest sand, and the sea is clear and warm. Divers love to visit these parts: Parque Marino Cayo Piedras del Norte is a unique zone of sunken ships and aircraft.

The mood of a permanent holiday of life contributes to a warm tropical climate and many sunny days: the air temperature is kept all year round at + 25 C ... + 30 C, sea water can warm up to + 25 C.

 

holguin

The city in eastern Cuba is considered the Cuban capital of squares and parks. Famous natural parks Bahia de Naranjo and La Mensura.

Playa Esmeralda, Guardalavaca, Playa Pesquero - the best beaches of Holguin, they became famous thanks to coral reefs and rich underwater world.

The main attractions are the Natural History Museum (a collection of 7,000 exhibits), the History Museum, the Catholic Temple and the XVIII century Cathedral of San Isidoro and Iglesia de San José.

 

Juventud Island

It is believed that this island became the prototype of the treasure island from the famous novel by Robert Lewis Stevenson, since for more than 300 years it served as a haven for pirates.

Until 1978, it was called Pinos, the capital of Nueva Herona.

In the 1950s, Fidel Castro spent several years in Presidio Modelo prison with his comrades. A museum is now open in this building. In the capital's harbor is the ship El Pinero, on which Fidel Castro left the island after his liberation.

In Nueva Heron, there is a children's amusement park Parque de Diversiones.

Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos is a port city 250 km from Havana, the "southern pearl" of Cuba. The historical part of Cienfuegos is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to buildings in the style of late neoclassicism.

The Thomas Terry Theatre is one of the decorations of the city, a beautiful building in the colonial style. On the stage of this theater were the performances of Sarah Bernard and Enrico Caruso.

In December-February on a sea trip, travelers can watch whale sharks.

 

trinidad

The city was founded in 1515. Now Trinidad is an open-air museum, which perfectly preserved colonial buildings.

Near Trinidad, you can relax on the luxurious beach of Playa Ancon, go to the valley of sugar factories or visit the nearby waterfall Salto el Caburni, the largest in Cuba.

With guides, it is worth planning a hike through the Escambray mountains, in which, with some luck, the tocororo bird is a symbol of Cuba.

Santiago de Cuba

The second largest and one of the oldest cities (1515) in the country, is located 800 km from Havana. Santiago de Cuba is called “the most Caribbean of all Cuban cities.”

Thanks to the mountains that surround the city, it is noticeably warmer here than in the capital.

Santiago de Cuba is called the cradle of the revolution, as it was here that Fidel Castro began his struggle against the dictator Batista. In Santiago de Cuba, Facundo Bacardi organized the production of his famous rum.

Attractions: the fortress of San Pedro de la Roca del Moro, the picturesque street-stairs of Padre Pico, Park Cespedes Square, the Cathedral.

Nature lovers can drive from the city to the Bacanão Natural Park, visit the Museum of the La Isabelica Coffee Plantation in the mountains or go to the Sierra Maestra Mountains, and climb to the top of Pico Turquino (1974 m).