The best attractions and places to visit in Cuba this 2022

The best attractions and places to visit in Cuba this 2022

Cuba, the largest island in the Caribbean, is full of attractions,history, culture and a captivating mystique. Live music runs through the cobblestone squares of Old Havana, listed as a World Heritage Site, vintage cars still roam the streets, and the beautiful old buildings of Cuba’s colonial cities evoke the feeling of a country frozen in time.

Cuba also abounds in natural beauty. This large island has more than 5,000 kilometers of coastline, much of it bordered by dazzling beaches. Coral reefs shimmer in turquoise waters, and Cuba’s lush countryside and sublime islands have played host to presidents; provided refuge for revolutionaries; and inspired writers from around the world, Hemingway among them. With all this history and beauty, as well as excellent diving and fishing, Cuba offers a depth and diversity that few Caribbean islands can rival.

Habana Vieja

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Habana Vieja or Old Havana is a well-preserved piece of Cuban history. Strolling the cobblestone streets and looking at the grand baroque and neoclassical buildings, it’s easy to imagine what life was like in Cuba 200 years ago. Extensive renovations are now breathing new life into the historic buildings. Major attractions here include the Plaza de la Catedral, home to the Cuban baroque Catedral de San Cristóbal; Hemingway’s legendary restaurant and hangout, Bodeguita del Medio; and the military fortress, Castillo de la Real Fuerza.

Varadero

Varadero is one of the most famous beach destinations in Cuba, and home to one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. It stretches along the Hicacos Peninsula, which juts out into the sea off the north coast, where a drawbridge connects it to the mainland. More than 50 hotels line this popular palm-fringed strip, and its magnificent white-sand beaches attract visitors from around the world. Highlights include Parque Natural Punta Hicacos (Varaderos Natural Park), a nature reserve with a nice beach, and the two caves, Cueva de Ambrosio and Cueva de Musulmanes.

Trinidad

Exploring the city of Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is like stepping back in time. The beautifully restored buildings and cobblestone streets in the center of town exude a picturesque colonial atmosphere. Much of the architecture dates from the 17th to 19th centuries, when Trinidad prospered from both the sugar and slave trades.

Today, Trinidad is one of the best cities in Cuba to visit, apart from Havana. You can enjoy its lively atmosphere on the cobblestone Plaza Mayor , the city’s central square. Above the plaza stands the neoclassical Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad (Iglesia Parroquial de la Santísima Trinidad). Other highlights include the Iglesia y Monasterio de San Francisco (Church and Convent of San Francisco), with its distinctive bell tower; the Museo de Arquitectura Colonial (Museum of Colonial Architecture); the art gallery at the Casa de Aldeman Ortiz; and the Brunet Palace, a large house, built in 1812 and still retaining original frescoes and marble floors.

Guardalavaca

Bordered by sparkling beaches, Guardalavaca, in the Holguin Province, is quieter and more remote than Varadero. Lush foliage surrounds the beach ravine here, providing plenty of shady patches for those seeking respite from the tropical sun. Divers and snorkelers can explore a wealth of marine life along the coral reefs.

Another of Cuba’s idyllic beach destinations and one of its most isolated, Cayo Coco starred in Hemingway’s novels, Islands in the Stream and The Old Man and the Sea, along with nearby Cayo Guillermo. As part of the Jardines del Rey, the combined Sabana-Camagüey Cayo Coco archipelago is connected to the mainland by a bridge, although most visitors arrive by air.

Sun-splashed beaches are the main attraction. Playa Los Flamencos, on the Atlantic side of the island, is a standout with its five-kilometre string of sun-bleached sand, while the quiet, undeveloped Playa Prohibida offers a peaceful nature trail. The island also offers excellent bird watching.

Parque Nacional Viñales  (Valle de Viñales)

Viñales National Park is a beautiful, green valley in the Sierra de los Organos, north of Pinar del Río. Steep limestone hills, called mogotes, cut through the valleys creating a spectacular landscape. The valleys of the Viñales National Park are agricultural areas where tobacco, fruits and vegetables are grown. For lovers of the great outdoors, the park offers fantastic hiking and horseback riding in the hills. Nearby, the charming town of Viñales is an ideal base for exploring the surrounding area. Tour companies also offer day trips here from Havana.

El Malecón habanero

Conceived in 1901 and partially built in 1902 and beyond, the Malecón is Havana’s famous waterfront. A walk through here offers a walk through the history of the city. Along the way, you’ll find a variety of well-preserved 20th-century buildings representing a mix of architectural styles, including Art Deco and Neo-Moorish. Painted in pastel shades of pink and yellow, the buildings are a photographer’s delight, especially in the golden glow of sunset. People watching is a favorite pastime here. Young lovers stroll hand in hand, local fishermen stand in line, and children climb the sea wall.

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

If you are an art lover, do not miss the National Museum of Fine Arts in Havana, with its extensive and impressive collection of international and Cuban art. The collection is housed in two buildings and includes works from ancient times to the present day. Clad in sumptuous Italian marble, the restored Renaissance-style Palacio del Centro Asturiano was designed in the 1920s by Manuel Bustos. Shows international art, including works by European masters; ancient art from Greece, Rome, and Egypt; and works from Asia, the United States and Latin America. The Spanish collection, in particular, is a standout.

The striking marble sculpture “Forma, Espacio y Luz” greets visitors at the entrance to the second venue, which dates back to 1959. This rationalist-style building of the Palacio de Bellas Artes showcases a thought-provoking collection focused on Cuban art from the XVII century. from the century to the present, including sculptures, prints, and paintings.

Castillo de San Pedro del Morro , Santiago de Cuba

Castillo del Morro is one of the best preserved Spanish fortresses from the 17th century. It is located at the entrance to the Bay of Santiago, about 10 kilometers southwest of Santiago de Cuba, the second largest city in the country. Perched high on a cliff, the structure was designed in 1587 but took decades to build, finally being completed in the late 17th century. It was originally designed to protect against pirate attacks, but also served as a prison in the late 1700s before becoming a fortress once again. Today, you can explore the different levels of the fort, learn about pirates and the fort’s history in the small museum, and enjoy stunning views of the bay.

Other cultural highlights of Santiago de Cuba include the Diego Velázquez Museum and Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, home to the remains of some of Cuba’s most famous military figures. Less than an hour from the city by car, Parque Baconao is a World Heritage Biosphere Reserve, where you can tour coffee plantations, stroll through beautiful botanical gardens, and enjoy stunning 360-degree views over the mountains and sea from the summit of 1,234 meters high. Gran Piedra, a large volcanic rock

Península de Zapata (Ciénaga de Zapata)

A paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers, the Zapata Peninsula is a remote and sparsely populated area of ​​Cuba with diverse landscapes and one of the largest wetlands in the Caribbean. The Ciénaga de Zapata is a reserve, which is home to approximately 150 different species of birds, including waterfowl, parrots and herons. Crocodiles are also common. A part of the peninsula is a designated nature reserve, the Gran Parque Natural de Montemar, where you can see some of these creatures in their natural habitat.