cuba tourist facts

17 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Cuba

Written by Karen Hastings Updated Aug 30, 2023

Cuba, the Caribbean's largest island , drips with history, culture, and mystique. Live music wafts through the cobbled squares in Havana's World Heritage-listed Old Town , vintage cars still cruise the streets, and the beautiful old buildings in Cuba's colonial cities evoke the feel of a country frozen in time.

Cuba also abounds in natural beauty. This vast island has more than 5,000 kilometers of coastline, much of it rimmed by dazzling beaches. Coral reefs glimmer in the turquoise waters, and Cuba's lush countryside and sublime islands have played host to presidents; provided refuge to revolutionaries; and inspired writers from around the world, Hemingway among them.

With all this history and beauty, as well as superb diving and fishing, Cuba offers a depth and diversity few Caribbean islands can rival. Explore this captivating country with our list of the top attractions and places to visit in Cuba.

1. Old Havana (Habana Vieja)

2. varadero, 3. trinidad, 4. guardalavaca, 5. playa paraíso, cayo largo del sur, 6. cayo coco, 7. parque nacional viñales (valle de viñales), 9. the malecon, havana, 10. che guevara mausoleum, santa clara, 11. museo nacional de bellas artes, 12. castillo de san pedro del morro, santiago de cuba, 13. peninsula de zapata (ciénaga de zapata), 14. el nicho waterfalls, 15. parque historico militar, havana, 16. plaza de la revolucion (jose marti memorial), havana, 17. fusterlandia.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Habana Vieja or Old Havana is a well-preserved slice of Cuban history. Strolling around the cobbled streets and gazing up at the grand Baroque and neoclassical buildings, it's easy to imagine what life in Cuba was like 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 Cristobal ; the legendary restaurant and Hemingway hangout, Bodeguita del Medio ; and the military fortress, Castillo de la Real Fuerza .

Also in the Old Town, Plaza Vieja is one of the top places to visit in Havana . This vibrant gathering spot is home to some notable buildings, including the 18th-century Casa del Conde Jaruco , with beautiful stained-glass windows on the first floor. Nearby, the camera obscura offers fantastic views from its 35-meter tower.

The best way to explore Old Havana is to simply get lost along its cobbled streets. Colorful photo ops await around every corner, from the faded pastel-painted buildings to the clothes flapping in the breeze on washing lines and the candy-pink classic cars. Take time to watch kids play soccer in a square or listen to an impromptu musical performance. Allow at least a day to explore the Old Town and more if time permits.

Author's Tip: If you're seeking a more authentic Havana experience where you can connect with the locals, consider dining at paladars, small family-owned restaurants in private homes. They also tend to be cheaper than conventional restaurants. Similarly, if you're looking for an affordable place to stay, book a casa particulare. These homestays with Cuban families are another great way to save money and soak up the local culture.

Varadero is one of Cuba's most famous beach destinations, and home to one of the best beaches in the Caribbean . It stretches along the Peninsula de Hicacos, which juts into the sea off the north coast; a drawbridge connects it to the mainland.

More than 50 beach resorts line this popular palm-fringed strip, and its magnificent white-sand beaches draw visitors from around the world.

Varadero highlights include Parque Ecológico Varahicacos (Varadero Ecological Park) , and its two caves, Cueva de Ambrosio and Cueva de Musulmanes.

For more subterranean adventures, Saturno Cave (Cueva de Saturno) offers a cool respite from the sun-blasted beach. Take a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear cenote, marvel at the giant stalactites and stalagmites, and jump off the surrounding ledges into the teal-colored pool below.

Also in Varadero, the peaceful Parque Josone is home to lush flower gardens, a restaurant, a swimming pool, and a small lake where you can paddle about in rowboats.

Other popular things to do in Varadero, besides diving and snorkeling, are deep-sea fishing, golf, skydiving, and day trips to cultural attractions.

Exploring the town of Trinidad, Cuba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is like stepping back in time. The beautifully restored buildings and cobblestone streets in the city center exude a quaint colonial feel. Much of the architecture dates from the 17th to the 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 soak up its lively ambience in the cobblestone Plaza Mayor , the city's central square. Above the square stands the neoclassical Church of the Holy Trinity (Iglesia Parroquial de la Santisima Trinidad).

Other Trinidad highlights are the Church and Monastery of Saint Francis (Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco), with its distinctive bell tower and the Palacio Brunet , a grand home built in 1812 and still featuring original frescoes and marble floors.

East of Trinidad, on the road to Sancti Spiritus , the lush World Heritage-listed Valle de los Ingenios contains numerous relics and monuments from the 19th century, when the sugar cane plantations and mills flourished. One of the best things to do in Trinidad, Cuba is simply drive or horseback ride through the beautiful scenery of green sugar cane fields, palm trees, and mountains.

Rimmed by glittering beaches, Guardalavaca, in the Holguin province , is quieter and more remote than Varadero. Lush foliage fringes the sweeping strand of beach here, providing plenty of shady patches for those seeking respite from the tropical sun. Divers and snorkelers can explore a plethora of sea life along the coral reefs.

Day trips from Guardalavaca include jungle adventures, sailing trips, and sightseeing tours of Santiago de Cuba .

West of Guardalavaca, Bahia de Naranjo encompasses a large slice of coast and three islands, including Cayo Naranjo with the popular Dolphinarium , which offers close-up encounters with these gregarious creatures.

Chorro de Maita is another side trip option from Guardalavaca, with a native Indian burial area and a recreated Taino Indian village.

In a country known for its beautiful beaches, Playa Paraíso (Paradise Beach), on the island of Cayo Largo del Sur, is one of Cuba's best. This sublime strand of powdery white sand and baby blue sea skirts the sheltered western edge of the island and merges with the equally ravishing Playa Sirena.

The island of Cayo Largo del Sur is truly a sun seeker's destination with a typically dry, sunny climate and few tourist attractions besides some of the most beautiful beaches in Cuba and many hotels and resorts.

Note that sections of these beaches are clothing optional.

Cayo Coco is another of Cuba's idyllic beach destinations and one of its most isolated. The island 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 archipelago of Sabana-Camaguey , Cayo Coco is connected to the mainland by a bridge, though most visitors arrive by air.

Sun-splashed beaches are the prime attraction. Playa Los Flamencos, on the Atlantic side of the island, is a standout with its five-kilometer strand of sun-bleached sand, and the quiet and undeveloped Playa Prohibida offers a peaceful nature trail. The island is also known for its excellent birding.

Connected by a causeway to Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo also boasts a bevy of beautiful beaches, such as the ravishing Playa Pilar, as well as a string of all-inclusive resorts.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site , the Parque Nacional Viñales is a beautiful, verdant valley in the Sierra de los Organos, north of Pinar del Rio. Steep limestone hills, called mogotes, slice through the valleys, creating a dramatic landscape, and the wildlife

The valley floors in the Parque Nacional Viñales are agricultural areas where tobacco, fruit, and vegetables are grown. For outdoor enthusiasts, the park offers fantastic hiking and horseback riding in the hills. You can also tour coffee plantations, explore caves, and go rock climbing or ziplining here.

Nearby, the charming town of Viñales is a great base for exploring the surrounding area. Tour companies also offer day trips here from Havana.

One of the highlights of eastern Cuba is beautiful Baracoa, the oldest city in the country. It was founded in 1511 in the province of Guantanamo, and construction began on the first church here around that time. Cut off from much of the outside world until the 1960s, when the La Farola highway was built, the city still has a remote feel.

Today, visitors come here for the charming colonial architecture and lush countryside, where waterfalls and pretty beaches provide a cool counterpoint to the steamy jungle. The flat-topped peak of El Yunque presides over all this tropical beauty, beckoning hikers to take the guided ascent to its 589-meter summit. The hillside is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where rare birds and plants thrive.

To really appreciate the spectacular scenery, take a drive down the winding La Farola highway , a 49-kilometer stretch from Baracoa over the mountains to Cajobabo .

The Museo Municipal is also worth a look. Housed in the Fuerte Matachin military fortress, it provides a glimpse of Baracoa's fascinating history, and the fort itself offers great views over the bay.

About 20 kilometers northwest of Baracoa is one of the area's best beaches: picture-perfect Playa Maguana . If you're looking for something adventurous to do in Cuba, you can rent a bicycle in Baracoa and peddle out here. Flights to Baracoa depart frequently from Havana.

Conceived in 1901 and partly built in 1902 and beyond, the Malecon is Havana's famous seafront promenade. A walk along this top Havana attraction is a stroll through the history of the city.

The promenade runs seven kilometers from the Habana Vieja quarter to the Vedado, the central business district. Along the way, you will find an assortment of well-preserved 20th-century buildings that represent a mixture of architectural styles, including Art Deco and Neo Moorish. Painted in pastel pinks and yellows, the buildings are a photographer's delight, especially in the golden glow of dusk.

People-watching is a favorite pastime here. Young lovers saunter hand-in-hand, local fishermen cast their lines, and children clamber along the sea wall.

When beach towns and resorts all start to seem the same, and you're looking for unique things to do in Cuba, Santa Clara will add some depth to your Cuban itinerary. This is the famous site of the last guerrilla battle led by Che Guevara in 1958.

Che's body was laid to rest here, and his mausoleum (Mausoleo del Che Guevara) and monument, the Memorial Comandante Ernesto "Che" Guevara, are the town's big attractions. Etched on the bronze statue of Che Guevara in Plaza de la Revolucion is his final letter to Fidel Castro, while the mausoleum lies beneath.

Adjacent to the monument, the Museo Historico de la Revolucion exhibits some of Che's personal items. Che fans should also see the poignant Monumento a la Toma del Tren Blindado, a small boxcar museum and the site of the final battle between Che Guevara and the Batista troops.

If you're an art lover, don't miss Havana's Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts), with its vast 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 Spanish Renaissance-style Palacio del Centro Asturiano was designed in the 1920s by Manuel Bustos. It displays 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 highlight.

The striking marble sculpture, Form, Space and Light , greets visitors at the entrance to the second venue, which dates from 1959. This Rationalist-style Palacio de Bellas Artes building displays a thought-provoking collection focusing on Cuban Art from the 17th century to the present day, including sculptures, prints, and paintings.

Palacio de Bellas Artes

Address: Trocadero Street e/Zulueta y Monserrate, Old Havana

Palacio del Centro Asturiano

Address: San Rafael, e/Zulueta y Monserrate, Old Havana

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Castillo del Morro is one of the best-preserved Spanish fortresses of the 17th century. It stands at the entrance to the Bay of Santiago, about 10 kilometers southwest of Santiago de Cuba, the country's second-largest city.

Perched high atop a cliff, the structure was designed in 1587, but took decades to build and was finally completed at the end of the 17th century. It was originally intended to protect against pirate attacks, but also served as a prison in the late 1700s before being once again converted into a fortress.

Today, you can explore the many different levels of the fort, learn about pirates and the fort history in the small museum, and enjoy impressive views over the bay.

Other cultural highlights of Santiago de Cuba include the Diego Velazquez Museum and Cementerio de Santa Ifigenia , 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, wander through beautiful botanical gardens, and enjoy stunning 360-degree views over the mountains and sea from the 1,234-meter summit of Gran Piedra, a large volcanic rock.

A haven for birders and nature lovers, the Peninsula de Zapata is a remote, sparsely populated area of Cuba with diverse landscapes and one of the largest wetlands in the Caribbean .

The Cienaga de Zapata, or the Zapata Swamp as it is affectionately known, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to approximately 150 different species of birds, including waterhens, parrots, and herons. Crocodiles are also common.

One 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 habitats.

At the mouth of the Bay of Pigs (Bahia de Cochinos) is Playa Giron , the famous site of the 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion. You can explore this fascinating history at the small Museo Giron .

At the top of the Bay of Pigs, Playa Larga is home to a long beach backed by lush vegetation. Avid divers can explore the underwater wildlife at numerous dive sites here along the reef.

Boca de Guama is the peninsula's tourist center, and its main attraction is the Criadero de Cocodrilos , a crocodile farm.

If you're looking for a ravishing slice of nature in central Cuba, head to El Nicho waterfalls. About a 90-minute drive from Trinidad or Cienfuegos, in Parque El Nicho , these multi-tiered falls flow into several jade-green jungle pools — the perfect place to take a cool dip on a hot day.

Driving here along the twisty rutted roads is an adventure in itself, and the scenery is beautiful. Once you arrive and pay the entrance fee, take the 1.5-mile palm-lined trail to the park's most scenic spots. It meanders along a cool river and ascends through thick, tropical forest to the falls, where you can swim and sunbathe. Along the way, keep an eye out for the tocororo, Cuba's national bird, and the beautiful royal palm.

Walk beyond the falls, and you'll end up at a scenic lookout with breathtaking views across lush valleys.

Wondering about things to do with the family in Cuba? This is the perfect back-to-nature excursion. Best of all, the waterfalls gush year-round — even in the dry season.

The Parque Historico Militar encompasses two of Havana's famous fortresses: the Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro , also known as El Morro, and Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana .

Presiding over the entrance of the Bay of Havana, El Morro was built in the late 16th century and early 17th century to fend off pirates, and looks much the same as it did back then. The lighthouse was replaced with one of stone in the middle of the 19th century, but its original lamp still shines out to sea. You can ascend to the top of the fort to admire impressive views of the ocean and city.

A short stroll from El Morro, Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana , constructed in the 1770s, was the biggest fort the Spanish ever built, as well as the most expensive. The fort became a military prison during the Batista regime and was later used as the headquarters for Che Guevara after the Revolution.

You can explore the museums here, which trace the history of this fascinating fort, but the most popular time to visit is at night when actors dressed in 19th-century costumes perform Ceremonia del Cañonazo, a cannon-firing ceremony, at 9pm.

Due to its important place in Havana's history, the Plaza de la Revolucion deserves at least a brief stop if only to absorb the events that transpired here. Castro delivered speeches in this vast square, attracting more than a million people at times. And in 1998, during a visit to Cuba, Pope John Paul II celebrated mass here.

In the center of the Plaza de la Revolucion stands a 109-meter gray tower, a memorial to the Cuban national hero, Jose Marti, while a large, white marble statue of him lies at its base. Below the statue is the entrance to the interior of the Jose Marti Memorial , which contains a museum on Marti. Ascend the tower for incredible views over Havana.

Opposite the memorial, the famous giant portrait of Che Guevara adorns the Ministry of Interior building. This is a popular spot for capturing Instagram photos, and you can also pose next to one of the colorful classic cars parked here.

A riot of color and bucketloads of artistic inspiration is what you'll find at Fusterlandia. Mosaics, paintings, and sculptures in every color of the rainbow decorate this small neighborhood, which is actually called Jaimanitas. It's located about a 30-minute drive from Havana.

Local artist José Fuster, often called the Picasso of the Caribbean, is the artistic mastermind who transformed the neighborhood. A painter and sculptor, he created this striking display as a reflection of his life and art, even taking the time to decorate local bus shelters and his neighbors' homes.

After you click away at all the colorful art with your camera, pop by his home studio. Many Havana tours include a visit to this famous neighborhood, but you can also take the hop-on, hop-off tourist bus for a small fee. And if you really want to splash out, you can take a tour in a classic car.

More on Cuba

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55 Interesting Facts About Cuba

Last updated on September 29th, 2022

Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is a country comprising the island of Cuba as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. It has an area of 110,860 square km. Havana is its capital and largest city. Spanish is the official language of Cuba. Peso (CUC) is its official currency. One of the world’s greatest public health achievements happened in Cuba in 2015 when it eradicated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.

55 Facts about Cuba

1. The literacy rate in Cuba is 99.8%, which is one of the highest in the world.

2. There are now just two countries in the world where Coca-Cola cannot be bought or sold – at least not officially. They are Cuba and North Korea , which are both under long-term US trade embargoes (Cuba since 1962 and North Korea since 1950).

3.  Cubans were not allowed to own cell phones until 2008 when the ban was lifted by President Raul Castro’s government.

4. Did   you know that the United States pays Cuba approximately $4,085 a year to lease the 45 square miles that the Guantánamo Bay Naval Station occupies? Cuba, however, has not accepted the payment since 1959. [13]

5.  When viewed from the air, the island of Cuba resembles a crocodile . Hence, it is also referred to in Spanish as “El Crocodilo” or “El Caima.” This is one of those Cuba facts that you can share with your friends and impress them with your knowledge about Cuba.

6. In Cuba, there is a dual monetary system since two currencies circulate: the CUP (Cuban peso) and the CUC (convertible peso). The Cuban peso is known as the national currency. The value of the convertible peso, however, is pegged 1:1 to the United States dollar. According to Latin American Post, most workers receive their salary in CUP, while large quantities of commodities are sold in CUC, resulting in a loss for consumers due to high prices. [30,31]

Cuba on the map

7. Cuba is roughly the size (in total area) of the U.S. states of Tennessee or Virginia .

8. Out of the 38,000 miles of roadways in Cuba, half are unpaved.

9. Cuban cigars are known as the finest cigars in the world. They are handcrafted with homegrown tobacco. Sugar made from sugar cane is their major crop.

10. Of all the islands in the Caribbean, Cuba is the largest. There are as many as 4000 other islands in the region, which are much smaller than Cuba. The island of Hispaniola ( Haiti and the Dominican Republic ) is the second largest while Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean.

11. In Cuba and in the Caribbean, the island of Cuba is the second-most populous after Hispaniola. [11]

12. At a distance of 48 miles to the east, Haiti is the nearest neighboring country of Cuba. Jamaica is 87 miles to the south. [28]

13. The sugarcane crop played a key role in the economy of Cuba since the 18 th century. Rice, citrus fruits, potatoes, bananas, and others are also important crops for the country’s economy. [28]

14. The game of dominoes is the national game of Cuba.

15. Voting in Cuba is legally mandatory.

16. Cuba has the highest doctor-to-patient ratio in the world. Due to this fact , many Cuban doctors are sent to countries where medical aid is required. [9]

17. Bacardi rum was originally manufactured in Cuba. However, production moved to Puerto Rico after Fidel Castro overtook Cuba.

18. The world’s smallest frog (the  Mount Iberia frog ) and smallest hummingbird (the bee hummingbird) are found in Cuba. Isn’t this an interesting Cuba fact for the wildlife enthusiast. [14]

19. It is the 17 th  largest island in the world. [10]

20. Until 1997, Cuba did not cite  Christmas as its official holiday.

21. Pope John Paul II visited Cuba in January 1998.

Flag of Cuba

22. The communist party is the only legal party in the country.

23. “The Old Man and the Sea,” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls” were written by the famous writer Ernest Hemingway while he lived in Cuba.

24. Almost 100,000 barrels of oil are received by Cuba from Venezuela every day.

25. Americans visiting the island can bring home a total of $100 worth of cigars and rum.

26. The uniform color of school children depicts their grade level. Every child between the ages of 6 and 15 is required to attend the school.

27. If you are a chef or food lover, you will find this fact about Cuba fascinating. Recipes in Cuba are passed down from generation to generation. They typically do not write down their recipes.

28. The number of daily newspapers published in Cuba dropped from 58 in the 1950s to 20 in more recent times.

29. It is a tradition in Cuba to burn dolls at New Year’s Eve to symbolize the forgetting of bad times and look forward to a fresh start with the New Year.

30. Cuba, which was discovered by explorer Christopher Columbus in 1492, was controlled by Spain until 1898.During April-September 1980, approximately 124,000 Cubans migrated to the U.S., as they were freely allowed to do so by Fidel Castro.

31. Baseball is Cuba’s favorite sport.

32. Since the communists took power in 1959, the United States had been hostile towards Cuba. However, after the stepping down of Fidel Castro, the relationship between the two countries has improved. On August 14, 2015, the U.S. Embassy reopened in Havana. [14]

33. Pico Turquino is the  highest point (1,974 m (6,476 ft)) in  Cuba . [15]

34. Since 1965, the country has been governed by the Communist Party of Cuba. [11]

35. Cuba is a long and narrow island.

36. Cuba is one of the first countries to ban the sale of incandescent lighting.

37. The Cauto River is the longest river in Cuba. It flows for 230 miles. [12]

38. Cuba is the most populous nation in the Caribbean. Other Caribbean countries include the Bahamas, Jamaica, Grenada , Belize , Costa Rica , Honduras , Panama , and Mexico to name a few.

39. The first Spanish settlement on Cuba was Baracoa which was founded by Diego Velazquez de Cuellar in 1511. [27]

40. Since Cuba was a Spanish territory between 1492 and 1898, during the Spanish- American War, the United States assisted Cuba in gaining independence from Spain. Between 1898 and 1902, Cuba was under the temporary control of the United States. Cuba gained independence from the U.S. in 1902. [13]

41. Cuba was the Spanish empire’s most-important source of raw sugar in the 18 th century. [28]

Facts about Fidel Castro, tourism, and economy of Cuba

42. On October 16, 1953, the dictator (Fidel Castro) of Cuba was sentenced to prison for a term of 15 years. [13]

43. Fidel Castro smoked Cohiba cigars. The CIA even allegedly tried to assassinate Castro once by sending him a box of poisoned cigars. [32]

44. On February 19, 2008, Fidel Castro resigns as the president and on February 24, 2008, his brother Raul Castro is chosen by the country’s National Assembly as the nation’s new president. Fidel Castro died in November 2016. [13]

45. State-run enterprises dominate the economy of Cuba. Most of the labor force is owned by the state as the majority of the industries are owned and operated by the government. Healthcare, food and education are subsidized by the government for the Cubans. [16]

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37 Mind-Blowing Facts About Cuba for Travelers (And Kids!)

Cuba is a fascinating country that has captured the imagination of travelers and historians alike. But despite being the largest and one of the most visited islands in the Caribbean, Cuba is still relatively unknown to many people. 

This article aims to change that. Let’s talk about 37 interesting facts about Cuba that travelers (and their kids!) should know. From its tumultuous political landscape to its culture and natural beauty, we will cover many surprising facts about the country. 

Whether planning a trip to Cuba or just curious about this vibrant and fascinating island, read on to learn some of the most interesting facts about this Caribbean gem.

1 – The Best Time to Visit Cuba Is During the Dry Season (November to April)

During this time, the weather is mild and dry, with lower humidity and less rainfall than during the wet season. This makes it an ideal time to explore the country’s many outdoor attractions, including its stunning beaches, national parks, and historic landmarks. All while avoiding mosquitoes in Cuba ! 

However, this is also peak tourist season in Cuba, and prices for accommodations and activities may be higher than during other times of the year. 

2 – Cuba Has Almost No COVID-19 Travel Restrictions in Place

In April 2022, the government lifted most travel restrictions to Cuba . You may be subject to random antigen tests on arrival, but no negative PCR test or proof of vaccination is required. Face masks are no longer mandatory either. 

3 – Almost Everyone Needs a Visa to Enter the Country

Almost everyone traveling to Cuba for tourism needs a Cuba Tourist Card or Visa (“Tarjeta del Turista”). The only countries exempt from the Cuba Tourist Card are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Bosnia, China, Dominica, Grenada, Macedonia, Malaysia, Montenegro, Mongolia, Namibia, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Serbia, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Fun fact: if you fly from the US to Cuba, you need the pink Cuban Tourist Visa. Otherwise, you will need the green version. 

We recommend purchasing the tourist visa in advance on EasyTouristCard . 

4 – Healthcare Is Free for Cuban Citizens but Not for Tourists

Another interesting fact about Cuba is that travelers must have health insurance covering medical expenses during their stay. You can purchase travel insurance for Cuba from these providers:

• Travel insurance companies (we recommend Insubuy )
• Travel agencies
• Non-US credit cards
• Asistur (the local provider)

5 – A Realistic Travel Budget for Cuba Starts at 1,000 USD

A typical seven days trip to Cuba costs anywhere from 1,200 to 3,000 USD, including flights, accommodation, and insurance.

The cost can go lower or higher depending on the travel season, the type of accommodation, and the activities you plan to do.

6 – US Citizens Are Not Allowed to Travel to Cuba for Tourism

Although it’s perfectly legal for Americans to travel to Cuba , they are not allowed to go to the island for explicit tourism purposes, such as staying in a resort and swimming at the beach. 

US citizens must travel under one of the twelve categories of authorized travel to Cuba:

• Family visits
• Official business for the US government, foreign government, and certain intergovernmental organizations
• Professional research and professional meetings (NOTE: This travel category requires an actual license by OFAC)
• Educational activities (NOTE: This category grandfathered the once-popular People-to-People Travel “subcategory”, which is now prohibited.)
• Religious activities
• Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions (NOTE: This travel category requires an actual license by OFAC)
• Support for the Cuban People
• Exportation, importation or transmission of information or informational materials
• Humanitarian projects
• Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
• Certain export transactions

They also must avoid spending money at some state-owned businesses on the island and keep the travel records and receipts for five years. 

7 – The United States Trade Embargo on Cuba Is the Longest Trade Embargo in Modern History

The Cuban Assets Control Regulations of July 8, 1963, imposes a trade embargo on the country. It’s the longest trade embargo on a country in modern history. This regulation falls under the Trading With the Enemy Act , administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

8 – The United States Pays Cuba $4,085 a Month in Rent for the Guantanamo Naval Base

The Guantanamo Bay Naval Base is a U.S. military base located in southeastern Cuba and has been leased to the United States since 1903.

The lease agreement between the two countries allows the United States to use the land and waters for coaling and naval stations. The rent for the land was initially set at $2,000 per year, but in 1934, the lease was amended to increase the rent to $4,085 per year.

However, Cuba has not cashed the checks since the revolution in 1959, and the Cuban government argues that the US presence in Guantanamo Bay is illegal and should end.

9 – There Are No Such Limitations for Canadians, and They Make Up One-Third of All Tourists Who Visit Cuba

Unlike US citizens, Canadians traveling to Cuba are not restricted when visiting the island. 

Canada is the main source of tourists to Cuba, with more than one million Canadians traveling to the country annually before the COVID-19 pandemic. They account for more than one-third of all tourist arrivals to the island. 

10 – The Cuban Government Controls Everything

The Communist Party (PCC) runs almost everything in the country, including healthcare, education, transportation, and the media. 

The government’s control over the economy is a unique characteristic of Cuba’s socialist system, which has existed since the 1959 revolution. While this centralized approach to governance has led to some benefits, such as universal healthcare and education, it has also been criticized for stifling economic growth and limiting individual freedoms. 

This may not be an interesting fact about Cuba for people with a basic understanding of the country. But as a traveler, it can be interesting to see firsthand how this system operates and impacts Cuban citizens’ daily lives.

11 – In Cuba, Everything Is Political

The government’s influence is felt in official settings, such as elections, public speeches, and social and cultural activities, including music, art, and sports. 

During your trip, you will encounter many propaganda posters , signs, and billboards with the government’s motto plastered on them: “¡Patria o Muerte, Venceremos!” (“Homeland or Death, We Shall Overcome!”).

12 – There Are No Statues of Fidel Castro

One interesting fact about Cuba is that there are no statues of Fidel Castro in the country. Public spaces, schools, and government buildings won’t bear his name either. 

Despite being a major figure in Cuban history and politics, the former leader is not memorialized like other revolutionary leaders, such as Che Guevara.

That’s because Fidel Castro specifically asked not to build monuments, busts, statues, or other similar forms of tributes in his memory. 

13 – Plaza de la Revolucion Is the Country’s Most Iconic Square

Plaza de la Revolucion is an iconic site in Cuban history due to its association with the country’s revolutionary past. The square has served as a venue for countless political rallies and speeches, including those delivered by Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, and other prominent figures during the Cuban Revolution.

Located in the heart of Havana, it is home to the José Martí Memorial, a towering statue of the Cuban national hero. Important government buildings surround the place, such as the Ministry of the Interior and the National Library. 

Plaza de la Revolucion is one of the most visible symbols of the Cuban Revolution. You will see it everywhere, from political posters to billboards inside the Havana Airport . 

Plaza de la Revolución is a must-visit attraction for travelers interested in Cuban history and politics.

14 – Cuba Ranks in the Bottom 10 for Press Freedom

The country has the lowest levels of press freedom in the world, which is another mind-blowing fact about Cuba. According to the 2023 World Press Freedom Index , Cuba is ranked 172 out of 180 countries, making it one of the most challenging places in the world for journalists to work. 

The government controls all media outlets in the country, including newspapers, television, and radio stations, which they use to promote state propaganda and suppress dissenting voices. 

As a traveler, it’s important to be aware of these restrictions and cautious when discussing political topics with locals, as open criticism of the government can lead to serious consequences.

15 – Access to the Internet Is Regulated and Unreliable

Although more than 70% of Cubans have some access to the Internet, it is limited, restricted to minimal bandwidth, and expensive. 

The easiest way for travelers to access the Internet in Cuba is to purchase the NAUTA card, which you can use at public Wi-Fi hotspots, hotels, and airports. 

However, keep in mind that some apps and services may be restricted. You may need to use a VPN service such as NordVPN to circumvent the Internet restrictions in the coin try. 

16 – Cuba Is a Relatively Safe Country

Cuba is one of the safest countries in Latin America, according to WiseVoter , which takes factors in data from the Global Peace Index, Societal Safety and Security Score, and the Global Crime Index. 

This is not to say travelers shouldn’t exercise caution when on the island. Minor crimes such as pickpockets and currency scams are not uncommon. 

17 – The Official Currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP)

Both locals and visitors must use the Cuban Peso (“Peso Cubano”, “CUP”, “moneda nacional” or simply “MN”) for most purchases on the island. The CUP is available in bills of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000.

There are two exchanges rates in Cuba:

• The official exchange rate defined by CADECA , which amounts to 110 CUP for 1 USD.
• The unofficial exchange rate is influenced by the informal market , which is about 180 CUP for 1 USD.

Another interesting fact about Cuba is that its monetary policy is complex and changes often. For example, they had the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC), which was recently eliminated. 

To keep track of Cuba’s monetary changes, check out our guide to the Cuban currency . 

18 – The Average Cuban Earns Roughly 34 USD per Month

The average wage in Cuba is 3,830 as of 2023. This amounts to about 34 USD monthly at the official exchange rate, one of the world’s lowest salaries. 

While the government provides healthcare and education free of charge, basic necessities such as food, housing, and transportation are difficult to afford on such a low income. To make things worse, inflation continues its grip on Cuba . 

Despite these challenges, Cubans are known for their resourcefulness and ingenuity in making ends meet. As a traveler, it’s important to respect the economic realities facing locals and support local businesses when possible.

19 – You Can’t Use the US Dollar in Cuba, but You Can Sell It

State-owned facilities in Cuba won’t accept US dollars, so you can’t purchase with dollars. However, you can sell them, and locals will pay a ton of Cuban Pesos for them. 

An interesting fact about the Cuban currency: 1 USD is worth more than 180 CUP in the informal market, while CADECA (the official currency exchange office) will pay only 110 CUP. 

20 – Tipping in Cuba is Customary

While it’s not mandatory, tipping in Cuba is generally expected in hotels, restaurants, and bars. The tip amount can vary depending on the quality of the service and the establishment, but a guideline is to leave around 10% of the total bill. Sometimes, it may be appropriate to tip more if the service is exceptional. 

Many Cubans rely on tips as a significant source of income, so by tipping generously, travelers can help support local workers and their families.

21 – Shortages of Food, Fuel, and Basic Goods Are Common

A not-so-fun fact about Cuba is that many things are in short supply. This can include everything from basic food items like meat, vegetables, and dairy products to household items like soap and toilet paper. 

From time to time, shortages increase the economic agony in Cuba and can affect the tourism industry too. Read our recommended Cuba packing list to know what to bring to Cuba and prevent an unpleasant surprise. 

These cyclic crises are partly due to the country’s failed economic system and the US embargo, which limits trade and commerce with Cuba. 

22 – Cuba Is Home to Some of the Best Beaches in the World

With over 3,500 miles of coastline, the country boasts some of the world’s most beautiful and pristine beaches, including Varadero, Playa Paraiso, Cayo Coco, and Guardalavaca. 

The turquoise waters and white sandy beaches in Cuba are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing, while the surrounding scenery is a haven for nature lovers. Many of these beaches are also relatively untouched by tourism, providing travelers with a peaceful and authentic experience. 

Some Cuban beaches are featured in popular books. For example, Ernest Hemingway’s Islands in the Stream and The Old Man and the Sea are based on the shores of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo. 

23 – Cuba Has Nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites

UNESCO designated nine sites in Cuba as outstanding cultural or natural significance, including Old Havana , the Viñales Valley , and Trinidad and the Valley de los Ingenios. These sites showcase the country’s architectural, historical, and natural heritage and provide a window into Cuba’s past and present. 

Whether you’re interested in exploring the cobblestone streets of Old Havana, hiking through lush green valleys, or admiring the colonial-era architecture, the UNESCO sites in Cuba offer a wealth of experiences for travelers.

24 – Cubans Walk With a Suitcase and Burn Effigies to Welcome the New Year

On New Year’s Day, Cubans throw a bucket of water out and burn effigies to dispel the misfortune accumulated during the past year. They also walk around the block with a suitcase to “bring travel” during the new year. 

These are just a few Cuban traditions that shape Cuban culture , a blend of Spanish, African, and indigenous cultures.

25 – Catholicism and Santeria Are the Most Popular Religions

Cuba has a rich religious heritage, with Catholicism and Santeria being the two most popular religions in the country. 

Catholicism was introduced to Cuba by Spanish colonizers in the 16th century and remains an influential force in the country’s religious and cultural identity. 

Santeria , which originated in West Africa and was brought to Cuba by enslaved Africans, is a syncretic religion that combines elements of Catholicism with traditional African beliefs and practices. 

Today, many Cubans practice both religions or blend elements of each uniquely. 

26 – Cuba Is One of the Great Music Centers of the World

The island’s rich and diverse musical heritage includes musical genres such as salsa, rumba, son, and mambo. Cuban music has profoundly influenced the world, with many of its most famous artists achieving international fame.

Some of the most notable Cuban musicians include Celia Cruz, Buena Vista Social Club, Compay Segundo, and Omara Portuondo. You can best experience the vibrant music scene in Cuba in the streets and clubs of Havana, where live music plays almost everywhere. Tourists can visit various music venues, from historic clubs like the Buena Vista Social Club to open-air concerts in public squares.

27 – Dominoes Are the National Pastime

Dominoes is a popular game in many countries, but in Cuba, it holds a special place in the hearts of locals. It’s a game played by people of all ages in Cuba’s streets, parks, and cafes.

In Cuba, dominoes are a game and a social activity that brings people together. It’s a way for friends and family to bond, share stories, and connect. Many Cubans take their dominoes seriously, and national tournaments are held yearly.

28 – Many “Paladares” Offer Better Food and Service Than State-Owned Restaurants

In recent years, the Cuban government has relaxed regulations on private enterprise, allowing small business owners to open their restaurants and other businesses. This has led to a thriving culinary scene in Cuba, with many paladares offering creative and innovative dishes using fresh, local ingredients. 

Cuban cuisine combines Spanish, African, and Caribbean flavors and cooking techniques. It is known for its bold, flavorful dishes and creative use of ingredients. As a traveler, seeking out paladares can be a great way to experience authentic Cuban cuisine and support small, local businesses.

29 – Tap Water in Cuba Is Not Safe

Tap water in Cuba is contaminated with bacteria and other harmful microorganisms in some areas. This can cause travelers various health problems, most commonly stomach upset. 

As a traveler, avoid drinking tap water in Cuba and only consume water that has been treated or boiled. Fortunately, many restaurants and hotels in Cuba offer bottled water for guests. But just in case, we always recommend bringing a water filter bottle to Cuba. 

30 – Cuba Is the Origin of Many Popular Cocktails

Some of the most famous cocktails that originated in Cuba include the Mojito, the Daiquiri, and the Cuba Libre. 

The Mojito, a refreshing mix of rum, lime juice, sugar, soda water, and mint, was reportedly a favorite of writer Ernest Hemingway during his time in Cuba. 

The Daiquiri, made with rum, lime juice, and sugar, is another classic Cuban cocktail that has gained worldwide popularity. 

And the Cuba Libre, a simple mix of rum, cola, and lime, was created in Havana in the early 1900s. 

31 – Cuban Rum and Cigars Are Known as the Finest in the World

Cuba has a long and proud tradition of producing high-quality rum and cigars using techniques honed over centuries. 

Cuban rum is made from sugarcane juice, fermented and distilled to create a smooth and flavorful spirit enjoyed worldwide. 

Cuban cigars are made from tobacco grown in the fertile soil of the Vuelta Abajo region and are known for their rich flavor and complex aroma. In fact, many cigar aficionados consider Cuban cigars the best in the world , thanks to the country’s perfect growing conditions and skilled craftsmen.

32 – Cuban Airbnbs Are Known as “Casas Particulares”

“Casas Particulares” or “Hostales” are privately owned homes converted into bed-and-breakfast-style accommodations for tourists. 

There is a reason why Airbnb in Cuba has become so popular for travelers. Staying in a “casa particular” is an authentic way to experience Cuban culture, as you will have the opportunity to interact with local families and get a glimpse of daily life in Cuba. Many “casas particulares” offer comfortable and clean rooms, delicious home-cooked meals, and friendly hospitality. 

In addition, staying in a “casa particular” can be more affordable than staying in a traditional hotel.

33 – Public Transportation Is Mostly for Locals

Buses are the main public transportation option in Cuba. Locals who need to commute to work or school use them. However, public buses are not recommended for visitors since they are crowded, uncomfortable, and the schedules are unreliable. 

The best bus option for travelers is Viazul , an inter-city bus company designed for tourism. The company operates a fleet of modern air-conditioned buses that connect major cities and tourist destinations in Cuba.

Ground transportation is challenging in Cuba. Travelers should plan ahead, including options such as hiring a private driver, renting a car , or taking a guided tour . 

34 – Classic Cars Are Everywhere

Due to the trade embargo with the United States that began in the 1960s, many American cars from that era remain in Cuba. Some have been lovingly maintained and restored over the years, while others are in poor condition but still ride. 

These classic cars can be seen all over the country , from the streets of Havana to the rural countryside. Many classic cars are used as taxis or tour vehicles and can be a fun and unique way to get around and explore Cuba. 

35 – Hitchhikers Roam on Cuba’s Main Highways

Due to limited transportation options and high costs, hitchhiking is common for locals (even backpackers !) to get around Cuba. It is not uncommon to see people standing by the side of the road with their thumbs out, waiting for a ride. 

While this may seem unusual to travelers from other countries, hitchhiking is generally safe for Cubans and a practical way to get around. 

36 – Ernest Hemingway Lived in Cuba for a Third of His Life

Hemingway first visited Cuba in 1928 and fell in love with the country’s culture, people, and landscapes. He eventually purchased a home in the fishing village of Cojimar, just east of Havana, and spent much of his time there over the next few decades. 

Hemingway’s love for Cuba is evident in his work, with several of his novels and short stories set in the country, including “The Old Man and the Sea” and “Islands in the Stream”. Today, Hemingway’s home in Cojimar has been preserved as a museum and is open for tours. For fans of literature and history, visiting Hemingway’s Cuba is one of the best things to do in Havana .

37 – Che Guevara’s Remains Are Kept in a Mausoleum in Santa Clara City

Guevara was a key figure in the Cuban Revolution, which overthrew the government in 1959 and brought Fidel Castro to power. 

While some see him as a revolutionary hero who fought against imperialism and oppression, others view him as a violent Marxist who promoted authoritarianism and human rights abuses. Despite this, he remains a symbol of rebellion and anti-establishment ideals for many people worldwide.

Guevara died in Bolivia in 1967, but his legacy lives on in Cuba, where he is revered as a hero. In 1997, his remains were found and returned to Cuba, where they were interred in a mausoleum in Santa Clara City, the site of a major battle in the Cuban Revolution. 

Today, the mausoleum is a popular destination for visitors to Cuba who come to learn more about the life and legacy of Che Guevara.

More Interesting Facts About Cuba For Kids

If you are traveling to Cuba with the little ones, you can make the trip even more enjoyable and educational. Here are interesting facts about Cuba that are perfect for kids to learn and enjoy:

• Cuba is an island country in the northern Caribbean Sea, south of the United States state of Florida and east of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. 
• It is only 95 mi (153 km) from Key West in Florida to Cuba.
• Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean. It has over 4,000 islands and keys, including Isla de La Juventud, Cuba’s largest island. 
• Seen from above, the island of Cuba resembles a crocodile. 
• Cuba is the most populous Caribbean country after Haiti, with more than 11 million citizens. 
• Cuba is a Socialist Republic, and its official name is Republic of Cuba.
• The official language is Spanish.
• The capital is Havana.
• The Cuban Peso is the official currency.
• The history of Cuba began when Christopher Columbus sighted it and claimed it for Spain on October 27th, 1492.
• Cuba was a Spanish colony until 1898 when it became independent after the Spanish-American War. 
• Cuba is home to the bee hummingbird, the world’s smallest bird.
• Baseball is the national sport in Cuba.

The Facts About A Complex Country

These interesting facts about Cuba show a country of contrasts: a place where healthcare is free, but food and basic goods can be in short supply; where rum and cigars are among the best in the world, but locals can’t afford them.

Despite the challenges, Cuba remains a popular destination for travelers from around the world, and it’s easy to see why. The warmth and hospitality of the Cuban people is just unmatched.

Whether you are interested in relaxing on the beautiful beaches, knowing the reality of Cubans under communism, or immersing yourself in the vibrant music and art scene, Cuba will leave a lasting impression on any traveler.

For more about ensuring a perfect trip to Cuba, read our ultimate list of Cuba travel tips . 

Do you know more facts about Cuba that we should cover? Let us know in the comments below!

Essential Travel Logistics For Cuba

Cuban Tourist Card –  If your  Cuban Tourist Card (a.k.a Cuban Tourist Visa)  isn’t bundled into your airline ticket or travel package, buy it only through  EasyTouristCard . 

Travel Health Insurance –  Travel medical insurance is an entry requirement for Cuba, so you can’t skip it. Travelers can get travel health insurance for Cuba via  Insubuy . Travel protection benefits such as trip interruption and cancellation, baggage delay insurance, etc., are not required.

Essential Items to Pack –  Bring the essential travel necessities that you may not be able to get in Cuba:

• First aid kit
• Hand sanitizer
• Water bottle with filter
• Mosquito repellent
• Pin adapter (for Europeans)
• Travel guide
• Spanish-English phrasebook
• Suggested Reading: The Cubans: Ordinary Lives in Extraordinary Times

Read our complete packing list for Cuba .

Find Accommodations –  Find hotels or casas particulares (private accommodations) on Skyscanner , which lists thousands of accommodations available in Cuba.

Book Your Flight –  Book cheap flights to Cuba on Skyscanner , our favorite flight search engine to find deals on flights to Cuba.

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Tour republic.

Tour Republic is a marketplace where you can discover, book, and review the very best experiences Cuba has to offer. We are a team of tourism professionals and journalists who have partnered with Cuban entrepreneurs to provide travel experiences that can transform your trip into a life-changing adventure. We also share our profound love for Cuba through in-depth travel guides, myth-busting articles, and captivating narratives. Whether you want to explore Cuba's wonders or understand its intricacies, our blog posts are your gateway to the heart of this extraordinary country.

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•   GEOGRAPHY

The culture of Cuba is one of its biggest assets. Diverse and mixed, it takes part in the identity of the Cuban and in the construction of the nationality.

The Cuban archipelago is located in the most occidental part of the insular Caribbean. Groups the island of Cuba, the island of La Juventud and more of four thousand islets and keys. The territory emerged is one of 111 thousand km². The geography of Cuba, with 6 thousand km of shores, houses numerous inlets, bays and beaches.

The nature of Cuba is rich and curious in all its extension. The Flora distinguishes by the endemic and diversity of its plant communities. Of all this groups, the orchids, cacti and palms are the highlighted ones. The fauna of Cuba has the peculiarity of having in the smallest its most exclusive features, and in the 368 different bird species, the reptiles and amphibians, the exclusivity has high percentage.

The official language in Cuba is Spanish, and because of the high level of education of the population, its use is correct and with a wide vocabulary of “cubanismos”. A good part of the population also speaks English, and the tourist sector speaks frequently speaks German, French, Italian and Russian.

The weather in Cuba is tropical, seasonally wet, with maritime influence and semi continental features; however, coexist other weathers located in the mountains systems and on the coasts. The weather in Cuba is divided in two periods:

Cuba is an archipelago made up of the largest island of the Antilles called Cuba, Isla de la Juventud (formerly called Isle of Pines), and another 4,195 cays, islets and adjacent islands. It is located in the Caribbean Sea (or Caribbean Sea), near the coast of the United States and Mexico. Its limits are to the north with the Strait of Florida, to the east with the Paso de los Vientos, to the south with the Caribbean Sea and the west with the Gulf of Mexico. It has an area of ​​109 884.01 square kilometers.

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49 Facts About Cuba

Written by Dulcie Aguirre

Modified & Updated: 31 May 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Cuba, located in the Caribbean, is a captivating country with a rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty. From its iconic cigars to its vintage cars, Cuba is a destination that never fails to fascinate and intrigue travelers from around the world. This article will explore 49 fascinating facts about Cuba, shedding light on its historical significance, political situation, famous personalities, and unique cultural traditions. Whether you’re planning a visit to this enchanting nation or simply interested in learning more about it, these facts will provide you with a deeper understanding of the captivating island of Cuba. So grab a cup of Cuban coffee, sit back, and get ready to uncover the wonders of this extraordinary country.

Key Takeaways:

• Cuba is the largest Caribbean island, known for its iconic cigars, vibrant music, and vintage cars. Its rich history, diverse culture, and commitment to education and healthcare make it a captivating destination.
• With a dual currency system, Cuba offers a unique blend of Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences in its cuisine, art, and traditions. Its lush landscapes, vibrant carnivals, and low crime rate make it a safe and colorful place to explore.

Cuban cigars are renowned worldwide for their quality and craftsmanship.

With a rich tradition in tobacco cultivation, Cuba is famous for producing some of the finest cigars in the world. The country’s unique climate and soil conditions contribute to the exceptional flavor and aroma of Cuban cigars.

Cuba is the largest Caribbean island.

Covering an area of approximately 109,884 square kilometers, Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean region. Its diverse landscapes range from beautiful white sand beaches to lush tropical forests and vibrant cities.

The capital city of Cuba is Havana.

Havana, the cultural and political heart of Cuba, is a vibrant city known for its colorful colonial architecture, vintage cars, and lively music scene . It offers a fascinating blend of history, art, and culture.

Cuba has a literacy rate of over 99%.

Education is highly valued in Cuba, with the country boasting one of the highest literacy rates in the world. The government places a strong emphasis on providing free and accessible education for all its citizens.

The classic Cuban dish, “ropa vieja,” is made with shredded beef.

Ropa vieja, which translates to “old clothes” in Spanish, is a delicious and hearty Cuban stew made with tender, slow-cooked shredded beef, vegetables, and aromatic spices. It is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

Cuba has nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The diverse cultural and natural heritage of Cuba is recognized by UNESCO, with nine sites being designated as World Heritage Sites. These include Old Havana, Viñales Valley, and Trinidad , showcasing the country’s rich history and architectural wonders.

The iconic vintage cars in Cuba are known as “almendrones.”

Cuba is famous for its fleet of vintage cars, commonly referred to as “almendrones.” These classic American cars from the 1950s have become a symbol of Cuba’s unique charm, and they can be seen cruising the streets of Havana .

Cuba has a dual currency system.

Cuba operates with two currencies: the Cuban peso (CUP) and the Cuban convertible peso (CUC). The CUC is often used by tourists, while the local population primarily utilizes the Cuban peso for everyday transactions.

The Cuban Revolution led to the establishment of a socialist government.

In 1959, Fidel Castro led the Cuban Revolution, overthrowing the dictator Fulgencio Batista and establishing a socialist government. This marked a significant turning point in Cuban history and shaped the country’s political and social landscape.

Cuba is known for its vibrant music and dance traditions.

Cuban music, such as salsa, son, and rumba, has gained international recognition for its infectious rhythms and lively melodies. Salsa dancing is a popular pastime in Cuba, with locals and visitors enjoying the energetic dance style.

The Malecon in Havana is a famous seaside promenade.

The Malecon is a five-mile-long seawall and promenade in Havana, offering stunning views of the ocean and the city skyline . It’s a popular gathering place for locals and a must-visit spot for tourists.

Cuba has a rich Afro-Cuban cultural heritage.

The fusion of African and Spanish influences has greatly contributed to Cuba’s unique cultural identity . Afro-Cuban music, dance, and religious traditions, such as Santeria , play a significant role in Cuban society.

Ernest Hemingway maintained a residence in Cuba.

The renowned American novelist, Ernest Hemingway, spent a considerable amount of time in Cuba and even had a residence called Finca Vigía. Many of his works were influenced by his experiences on the island.

Cuba is home to the world’s smallest bird, the bee hummingbird.

The bee hummingbird , also known as the zunzuncito, is the smallest bird species in the world. Native to Cuba, it measures merely 2.25 inches in length and is admired for its vibrant plumage and rapid wing beats.

The Cuban Revolution led to a significant push for universal healthcare.

Following the revolution, the Cuban government prioritized providing accessible healthcare for all citizens. Cuba’s healthcare system is highly regarded globally, with a focus on preventive medicine and a high doctor-to-patient ratio.

Cuba is renowned for its rum production.

Cuba is synonymous with high-quality rum, with brands such as Havana Club gaining international recognition. The country’s sugarcane fields provide the raw materials necessary for the production of this popular spirit.

The Bay of Pigs invasion occurred in Cuba in 1961.

The Bay of Pigs invasion was a failed military operation led by the United States to overthrow the Cuban government. It had a lasting impact on U.S.-Cuba relations and became a defining moment in Cold War history.

The Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.

In 1962, the discovery of Soviet missile installations in Cuba triggered a tense standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union. The crisis was defused, but it served as a sobering reminder of the dangers of nuclear conflict.

Cuba has a diverse marine ecosystem, including vibrant coral reefs.

Cuba is home to beautiful coral reefs teeming with marine life. Its pristine waters attract diving and snorkeling enthusiasts who can explore these underwater wonders firsthand.

Cuban cuisine is influenced by Spanish, African, and Caribbean flavors.

Cuban cuisine is a fusion of flavors and techniques from various cultural influences. Traditional dishes like arroz con pollo (chicken with rice) and moros y cristianos ( black beans and rice) showcase the diverse culinary heritage of the country.

Cuba has a high literacy rate despite limited access to the internet.

Cuba has made great strides in education, achieving a high literacy rate despite limited access to the internet. The government has implemented initiatives to promote education and improve digital connectivity in recent years.

Baseball is Cuba’s national sport.

Baseball holds a special place in Cuban culture, with a strong passion for the sport exhibited by players and fans alike. Cuban baseball players have made significant contributions to the international baseball scene.

The Cuban coastline stretches over 5,700 kilometers.

Cuba boasts a vast coastline, with sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters spanning over 5,700 kilometers. It offers an abundance of opportunities for swimming, diving, and enjoying watersports.

The Revolution Square in Havana is one of the largest public squares in the world.

Revolution Square, or Plaza de la Revolución, in Havana is an iconic site known for its historical and political significance. It has acted as a venue for important speeches and gatherings throughout Cuba’s history.

Cuba has a rich cigar-making tradition dating back centuries.

Cuba has been producing cigars for centuries, and the art of cigar-making has been passed down from generation to generation. The country’s tobacco fields and skilled craftsmen have solidified its reputation as a hub for premium cigar production.

The Cuban flag features three blue stripes and two white stripes, with a red triangle and a white star.

The Cuban flag is a symbol of national pride and unity. The blue stripes represent the three old divisions of the island, while the white stripes signify purity. The red triangle symbolizes the bloodshed during the fight for independence, and the white star represents independence and freedom.

Cuba has a rich literary tradition.

Cuban literature has produced many renowned authors, including José Martí , Alejo Carpentier, and Reinaldo Arenas. Their works range from political and historical narratives to magical realism, showcasing the diverse literary landscape of the country.

The Cuban Revolution resulted in significant social and economic changes.

The Cuban Revolution brought about a redistribution of wealth, nationalization of industries, and the implementation of socialist policies. These changes transformed Cuban society and led to debates surrounding political ideologies and economic systems .

Cuba has a diverse population with a mix of ethnicities.

Cuba is a melting pot of various ethnicities , including African, Spanish, Chinese, and indigenous influences. This diversity has shaped the cultural fabric of the country and contributes to its rich heritage.

Cuban coffee is known for its strong and robust flavor.

Cuban coffee, often served in small cups known as “cafecitos,” is renowned for its bold and intense flavor. It is typically sweetened with sugar and enjoyed as a morning pick-me-up or after a delicious meal.

The Cuban peso is the official currency of Cuba.

The Cuban peso (CUP) is the official currency used by locals for everyday transactions. It is important to note that the Cuban convertible peso (CUC) is primarily used by tourists and has a higher value. However, recent currency reforms have led to the phasing out of the CUC.

The Cuban education system is highly regarded.

Cuba has a well-established education system, known for its emphasis on high-quality education for all. The government places a strong emphasis on providing free education from primary school to higher education, resulting in a highly educated population.

Cuba has a free healthcare system for its citizens.

Cuba prides itself on its free healthcare system, which provides medical services to all its citizens. Despite limited resources, Cuba has achieved remarkable results in healthcare, including high life expectancy and low infant mortality rates.

Cuba has a variety of ecotourism attractions.

From national parks and biosphere reserves to unique ecosystems, Cuba offers a range of ecotourism attractions for nature enthusiasts. Visitors can explore the diverse flora and fauna, hike through tropical forests, or discover hidden caves and waterfalls.

The Tropicana Club in Havana is renowned for its vibrant cabaret shows.

The Tropicana Club is a world-famous nightclub in Havana, known for its extravagant cabaret performances. The shows feature talented dancers, live music, and dazzling costumes , providing an unforgettable entertainment experience.

Cuba has a universal vaccination program.

The Cuban government has implemented a comprehensive vaccination program, ensuring that all citizens receive essential vaccinations from an early age. This has contributed to the successful control and prevention of various diseases.

Cuba has been the backdrop for numerous films.

Cuba’s unique charm and captivating landscapes have attracted filmmakers from around the world. Movies like “Buena Vista Social Club” and “ The Lost City ” have showcased the beauty and cultural richness of the country.

Cuban art is known for its vibrancy and diversity.

Cuban artists have gained recognition for their bold and colorful works, encompassing various mediums such as painting, sculpture, and ceramics . The art scene in Cuba reflects the country’s complex history and vibrant cultural heritage.

Cuba has a low crime rate compared to many other countries in the region.

Cuba is considered one of the safest countries in the Caribbean and Latin America. The government places a strong emphasis on maintaining public safety, resulting in a relatively low crime rate and a welcoming environment for tourists.

The Cuban Revolution led to the nationalization of industries.

As part of the socialist reforms following the revolution, the Cuban government nationalized various industries, including sugar, tobacco, and telecommunications. This allowed for greater control and distribution of resources.

Cuba has a thriving arts and music scene.

Cuba has produced many internationally acclaimed artists and musicians. From the Buena Vista Social Club to contemporary salsa and jazz artists, the country’s vibrant arts and music scene continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

José Martí is considered a national hero in Cuba.

José Martí, a writer, poet, and revolutionary, played a pivotal role in Cuba’s fight for independence from Spanish colonial rule. He is considered a national hero and a symbol of Cuba’s struggle for freedom.

Cuba has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons.

Cuba experiences a tropical climate, with warm temperatures throughout the year. The country has distinct wet and dry seasons, with the wet season lasting from May to October and the dry season occurring from November to April.

Baseball players from Cuba have excelled in Major League Baseball.

Cuba has produced many talented baseball players who have made a mark in Major League Baseball (MLB). Players such as Yasiel Puig, Jose Abreu, and Aroldis Chapman have achieved success and gained recognition in the sport.

The Cuban Revolution introduced free healthcare and education.

One of the significant achievements of the Cuban Revolution was the introduction of free healthcare and education for all citizens. This emphasis on social welfare has been a cornerstone of the country’s socialist policies.

Cuba has a low carbon footprint compared to many other countries.

Cuba’s commitment to sustainability and environmental protection has resulted in a relatively low carbon footprint. The country focuses on renewable energy sources, conservation efforts, and eco-friendly practices.

Cuba is known for its vibrant carnivals and street festivals.

Cubans love to celebrate their cultural heritage through lively carnivals and street festivals. These colorful events feature music, dance, elaborate costumes, and traditional rituals, showcasing the joyful spirit of the Cuban people.

Cuba has a high life expectancy compared to many other developing countries.

Despite limited resources, Cuba has achieved a relatively high life expectancy for its population. This can be attributed to the country’s emphasis on healthcare, preventive medicine, and a strong commitment to public health.

Cuba has a complex dual currency system.

Cuba operates with a dual currency system, consisting of the Cuban peso (CUP) and the Cuban convertible peso (CUC). The CUC is often used by tourists, while the Cuban peso is primarily used by locals for everyday transactions.

In conclusion, Cuba is a fascinating country with a rich history, vibrant culture, and natural beauty. From its iconic cigars and vintage cars to its renowned music and dance traditions, Cuba offers a captivating experience for travelers. With its commitment to education, healthcare, and sustainable practices, Cuba continues to evolve while preserving its unique charm. Explore the “49 Facts about Cuba” in this article and discover the wonders of this Caribbean gem.

Cuba is a fascinating country with a rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking natural beauty. From its iconic old Havana to the stunning beaches of Varadero , there is something for everyone in this Caribbean gem. With its unique political and economic system, Cuba has piqued the curiosity of travelers from around the world.

Exploring Cuba’s colonial architecture, enjoying its vibrant music and dance scene, and savoring its delectable cuisine are just a few of the highlights this country has to offer. Whether you’re interested in its revolutionary history, its stunning landscapes, or its warm and welcoming people, Cuba has so much to discover.

So why wait? Start planning your trip to Cuba today and immerse yourself in its colorful streets , its rhythmic music, and its vibrant culture. You’ll be captivated by this enchanting country and its endless surprises, making memories that will last a lifetime.

Q: What is the best time to visit Cuba?

A: The best time to visit Cuba is during the dry season, which spans from November to April. The weather is typically warm and sunny, making it perfect for exploring the country’s attractions and enjoying outdoor activities.

Q: Do I need a visa to visit Cuba?

A: Yes, most visitors to Cuba will need a tourist visa. Check with your local embassy or consulate for specific visa requirements based on your country of residence.

Q: What currency is used in Cuba?

A: The official currency of Cuba is the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). It is recommended to exchange your currency to CUC upon arrival in the country.

Q: Is it safe to travel to Cuba?

A: Cuba is generally considered a safe country to visit. However, it is always advisable to take common precautions and keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded tourist areas.

Q: What are some must-visit attractions in Cuba?

A: Some of the must-visit attractions in Cuba include Old Havana, Varadero Beach, Trinidad, Viñales Valley, and the historic site of Valle de los Ingenios.

Q: Is it easy to communicate in English in Cuba?

A: While Spanish is the official language of Cuba, English is also spoken in popular tourist areas, hotels, and resorts. However, it can be helpful to learn a few basic Spanish phrases to enhance your travel experience.

Cuba's captivating history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture make it a truly fascinating destination. From the world-renowned cigars to the iconic vintage cars, Cuba offers a unique experience for travelers. If you're eager to learn more about this enchanting island nation, explore our other articles that delve into the pearl of the Antilles , showcase breathtaking Cuban beaches , and even reveal intriguing facts about acclaimed actor Cuba Gooding Jr.

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Cuba Travel Guide

Your ultimate cuba travel guide, with tips, things to do, and best things to see in cuba. great for first-time and returning travelers..

Located on the largest island of the Caribbean, Cuba is a very popular tourist destination and for good reason.

Cuba is home to beautiful white-sand beaches, impressive rainforests and waterfalls, vibrant culture, and lively cities .

Due to various trade restrictions over the years, Cuba has many described by many as like walking into a time capsule and is now a unique blend of the past and present, where vintage cars roam around colorful historic buildings and towns.

The birthplace of salsa music, Cuba is also full of rhythm. Add in its sub-tropical climate, and it is a great place to vacation.

This Cuba travel guide will help you plan your next vacation.

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• Things to do in Havana
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Fast Facts about Havana

• Power voltage is 110V-220V at 60 Hz. Type A, B, C, and L.
• Cuba’s two currencies are the Cuban Peso and the Cuban Convertible Peso, mainly used for tourists.
• 1 Cuban Convertible Peso is equal to 1 USD.
• The best way to get around Cuba is by bus or taxi. If taking a taxi, make sure the taxi is licensed before riding.
• You need a tourist card to enter Cuba, as well as a passport that is valid for two months after your trip ends. The tourist card allows you to stay in Cuba for up to 30 days.
• The most popular cellular networks in Cuba are Cubacel and Digicel and both offer SIM cards. It should be noted the SIM cards can only be used on unlocked GMS phones. To rent a SIM card, you need a passport and your IMEI (phone ID) number.
• Cuba has a sales tax rate of 2% on wholesale sales and a 10% rate on both retail sales and services.
• SIM Cards : Cuba has very limited Internet and the best bet for visiting Cuba is to unplug, relax and if you have to, use your hotel’s limited WiFi for emergencies.
• It is advisable to download offline maps and any apps offline that you use to travel.

Things to See and Do in Cuba

• Hike Through Sierra Maestra:  Cuba’s largest mountain range and the start point of the Cuban Revolution. Take a tour to learn more about Cuba’s history and enjoy a beautiful hike and great mountain views.
• Varadero Beach:  Visit this pristine and popular beach in Sol Palmeras. Walk through the sand, swim in the clear waters, get to know other tourists or locals, or simply relax and take in the beautiful views.
• Old Havana:  Old Havana is the city center of Havana is considered a crucial part of any trip to Cuba. Stroll through one-of-a-kind historic streets and buildings to see the history of Cuba.
• Tropicana Club:  Head to the famous Tropicana Club for some great nightlife entertainment. Get dinner and enjoy the thrilling cabaret show that’s been running since the 1930s, featuring lively song and dance numbers.  

Cuba Travel Guides

• 36 Fantastic Things to do in Havana, Cuba

Accommodation

Budget:  Cuba offers family-run bed and breakfasts (or casas particulares) for around 15 to 25 pesos per night.  

Mid-Range:  For mid-range hotels, expect to pay roughly 70-130 pesos per night.

High-End:  Upscale hotels will cost about 150-250 pesos per night.

Check out our favorite booking platforms Booking.com , Tripadvisor and VRBO for the best deals on accommodation.

If you’re on a budget, you can find options for pizza or spaghetti at around 3-4 pesos each.

Coffee lovers can find delicious cups of coffee for around 0.10 pesos. Restaurants are a good way to learn more about Cuban cuisine.

Expect to pay around 10-15 pesos for a meal at a restaurant. 

The Best Ways to Get Around Cuba

Getting to cuba:.

Getting to Cuba:  While there are 10 international airports in Cuba, the Aeropuerto Internacional José Martí in Havana is the main one, with the Gualberto Gómez International Airport in Varadero being a close second.

Flights:  You can check for the best flights to Cuba on  Skyscanner .

Transportation:

Transportation:  Look for the Viazul buses, which are made especially for tourists and feature air-conditioning. Great for long distances, you can travel from Trinidad to Havana in six hours for just 25 pesos.

You will want to arrive at the station in advance to get a spot.

Trains : The train system in Cuba runs the length of the island and is a good way to meet the locals.

Go from Havana to Santa Clara for just 20 pesos, or from Santa Clara to Santiago de Cuba for 50 pesos. Be advised that the trains only run every few days, so planning ahead is key.

Taxis:   Taxis are an alternative way to get around Cuba.

Fares start at 1 peso as a flat rate and increase by 1 peso for each kilometer traveled.

To travel from Old Havana to Miramar, for example, costs 8 to 12 pesos.

Car Rental:   It is possible to rent a car in Cuba, but it is expensive and can be convoluted. Take care when you do. Check rates and availability here.

When to go To Cuba

Between November and April is the most popular time to go to Cuba, as temperatures range from 78 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and skies tend to be blue.

You can find higher temperatures (up to 90 degrees) and lower hotel rates in August but note that hurricane season is between August through October. 

Where to Stay in Cuba

Iberostar Grand Packard  – Located on the Malecon and walking distance to Old Havana, this is the premier place to stay in Cuba.

Hostal Las Palmas :One of the most highly rated bed and breakfasts in Trinidad. Explore Trinidad and the Playa Ancon beach, which are both close by.

Suite Florencia :  Built-in 1940, this colonial house turned hotel in Santa Clara is right in the middle of everything. Descend the white marble staircase into this romantic hotel.

Enjoy beautiful views of Santa Clara from your room, or roam about Santa Clara and visit the nearby restaurants and bars.

What to Pack for Cuba

Cuba has a tropical climate so you can count on it being hot and humid.

• Swimsuit:  With Cuba”>
• Sunscreen:  Protect your skin from the powerful sun with some sunscreen.  
• Cash:  As you may not be able to withdraw money from your bank accounts while in Cuba, make sure to bring an appropriate amount of cash based on what you think you’ll spend.
• We didn’t have a problem withdrawing from ATMs in Havana, but it is better to be safe

Cuba Travel Guide: Best Booking Resources

Whenever we travel to we make sure to start with these companies. We have tried a lot of different ones over the years and all of these have consistently proven to be the best when it comes to offering great prices.

We have used every one of these personally and continue to do so.

• Booking.com : This is our go site to when comparing prices for accommodation. It usually has the cheapest prices, especially in Europe and we love their interface. Not to mention you get free cancellation and you are guaranteed the best price.
• Trip Advisor :  What we like about Trip Advisor is that we can look at all the reviews and then book our accommodation. TripAdvisor is where we go when we want to compare prices with multiple accommodation providers.
• VRBO : is the main search engine we use when we are looking for a home or apartment rental. It can sometimes be cheaper than hotels and it is the best way to stay in areas that offer a more local feel.
• Hostelworld :  With one of the largest databases of hostels in the world, Hostelworld is the go-to site when you are looking for budget accommodation.
• Skyscanner : This is the first place we check for flights. It consistently comes back with the cheapest and best options. It allows us to compare a lot of airlines to get the best price.
• Rome 2 Rio :  If you want to see how to get somewhere by plane, train, bus, ferry or car Rome2Rio lays it all out for you as well as related costs.I love how they show it all to you on a Google Map and it works offline.
• Get Your Guide:  For all your day trip and city guide needs, we use Get Your Guide. It has the world’s largest collection of things to do with more than 30,000 activities in 7500 destinations.
• World Nomads Insurance:  When traveling to Italy you should always have travel insurance. We have found the best bang for your buck is by far World Nomads.

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Hailing from the US, Mia Jones is a fervent traveler…

Nestled in the heart of the Caribbean Sea , Cuba is a fascinating country that has long captured the imaginations of travelers from around the world. From its vibrant culture and rich history to its stunning beaches and lush landscapes, Cuba offers an unparalleled travel experience that is both unique and unforgettable.

In This Article

Provinces and cities of cuba, what is the capital city of cuba, what is the population of cuba, geography of cuba, popular landmarks in cuba.

• Landscape And Biodiversity Of Cuba
• Foods And Drinks Of Cuba
• Social And Cultural Customs Of Cuba

Famous People From Cuba

Festivals and celebrations, family-friendly country, solo female traveler-friendly country, lgbt-friendly country, visa requirements, what is the best time to visit cuba, what is the climate like in cuba, what is the currency used in cuba, payment options accepted in cuba, opening hours of establishments, a good place for shopping, health and safety in cuba, other facts, don’ts:, introduction and brief history of cuba.

Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea, south of the United States and east of Mexico. It is the largest island in the Caribbean and has approximately 11 million people. Cuba’s history is rich and complex, with influences from Native American tribes, Spanish colonizers , enslaved Africans , and the United States.

The first known inhabitants of Cuba were the Ciboney and Taino tribes , who lived on the island before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492. The Spanish quickly colonized Cuba, and it became an essential source of wealth for Spain due to its natural resources and strategic location. The island remained a Spanish colony for over 400 years until its independence in 1902.

After gaining independence, Cuba experienced a turbulent period of political instability and corruption, which led to the rise of Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution in 1959. The revolution led to the establishment of a socialist government in Cuba. However, it strained relations with the United States, which placed an economic embargo on the island in 1962 that continues to this day.

The Soviet Union has heavily influenced Cuba, and its economic and political system is based on Marxist-Leninist principles. The government has tightly controlled the economy and restricted political freedoms, leading to criticism from human rights groups and political opponents. Despite these challenges, Cuba has made significant strides in healthcare and education. In addition, its cultural contributions to music, art, and literature are renowned worldwide.

In recent years, Cuba has undergone significant changes, including the normalization of diplomatic relations with the United States in 2015 and the transition of power from Fidel Castro to his brother Raul Castro in 2008 and later to current President Miguel Diaz-Canel in 2018. However, Cuba still faces significant economic and political challenges as it navigates its way forward.

Cuba is divided into 15 provinces and one special municipality ( Isla de la Juventud ), which are further divided into 168 municipalities.

The most popular cities in Cuba, in terms of tourism, are:

• Havana – the capital city and largest city in Cuba, located in the province of Havana.
• Varadero – famous for its beautiful beaches and all-inclusive resorts, located in the province of Matanzas.
• Trinidad – a charming colonial town with a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the province of Sancti Spiritus.
• Santiago de Cuba – the second-largest city and cultural capital of Cuba, located in the province of Santiago de Cuba.
• Cienfuegos – a French-inspired city on the southern coast with a beautiful bay, located in the province of Cienfuegos.
• Camagüey – a historic city known for its winding streets and impressive architecture, located in the province of Camagüey.
• Holguín – a city in the east of the country, known for its beaches and natural attractions, located in the province of Holguín.

Other notable cities in Cuba include Pinar del Rio, Santa Clara, Guantanamo, Bayamo, and Nueva Gerona.

The capital city of Cuba is Havana (La Habana in Spanish). It is located on the northwest coast of the island. It is the largest city in Cuba, with over 2 million people. Havana is known for its colonial architecture, vibrant music and arts scene, and rich history, including its role in the Cuban Revolution. It is a popular tourist destination and a major economic center in Cuba.

As of 2021, the estimated population of Cuba is approximately 11.2 million people. The population is concentrated in urban areas, with over 75% of Cubans living in cities and towns. The largest city and capital, Havana, is home to over 2 million people, followed by Santiago de Cuba and Camagüey, with populations of around 500,000 each. Despite being a relatively small country, Cuba has a diverse population with influences from Spanish, African, and indigenous cultures.

Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean . It is located in the western part of the sea, just south of the United States and east of Mexico. It covers an area of approximately 110,860 square kilometers (42,803 square miles) and has over 5,700 kilometers (3,500 miles) of coastline.

The island is mainly flat, with a few mountainous regions in the southeast, including the Sierra Maestra range, the highest point in Cuba at 2,005 meters (6,578 feet). There are several rivers on the island, the longest being the Cauto River, which flows for 250 kilometers (155 miles) through the eastern part of Cuba.

The Most Popular Destinations In Cuba

Cuba is known for its rich culture, history, and natural beauty. It offers a range of tourist destinations to suit different interests. Here are some of the most popular destinations in Cuba:

• Havana: The capital city of Cuba is known for its historic architecture, vibrant music scene, and cultural landmarks such as the Malecón seawall and the Museum of the Revolution .
• Varadero: This beach resort town on the northern coast of Cuba is known for its white-sand beaches, clear blue waters, and all-inclusive resorts.
• Viñales: A small town located in the western part of Cuba, Viñales is surrounded by lush green hills and tobacco fields, and it offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and exploring local caves.
• Trinidad: A UNESCO World Heritage site, Trinidad is a well-preserved colonial town with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and historical landmarks such as the Plaza Mayor and the Museo Romántico.
• Cienfuegos: Known as the “Pearl of the South,” Cienfuegos is a coastal city with French-inspired architecture, a bustling waterfront, and several cultural attractions such as the Teatro Tomás Terry and the Castillo de Jagua.
• Santiago de Cuba: Located on the southeastern coast of Cuba, Santiago de Cuba is known for its Afro-Caribbean culture, historical landmarks such as the Castillo del Morro, and vibrant music scene.
• Baracoa: A small town located on the eastern tip of Cuba, Baracoa is surrounded by mountains and lush rainforests, and it offers opportunities for hiking, exploring waterfalls, and sampling local cuisines such as chocolate and coconut-based dishes.

These are just a few examples of Cuba’s many destinations, each with unique charm and attractions.

Cuba has numerous historical landmarks, cultural sites, and natural wonders that attract tourists worldwide. Here are some of the most famous landmarks in Cuba:

• The Malecón: A famous seawall in Havana, stretching for 8 kilometers (5 miles) along the coast, offering spectacular views of the sea and the city’s historic architecture.
• El Capitolio: A historic government building in Havana, designed after the U.S. Capitol building in Washington DC, now houses the Cuban Academy of Sciences.
• The Morro Castle: A fortress located at the entrance of Havana Bay, built in the 16th century to protect the city from pirate attacks.
• The Museum of the Revolution: Housed in the former Presidential Palace in Havana, the museum tells the story of the Cuban Revolution and features artifacts such as Che Guevara’s beret and Fidel Castro’s jeep.
• The Varadero Beach: One of the most popular beaches in Cuba, located on the Hicacos Peninsula, with crystal clear waters and soft white sand.
• The Valley of Viñales: A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring dramatic limestone formations called “mogotes,” tobacco fields, and traditional rural communities.
• The Castillo del Morro: A fortress built in the 17th century to protect the city of Santiago de Cuba from pirate attacks, offering stunning views of the city and the Caribbean Sea.
• The Plaza Mayor: A historic square in Trinidad, surrounded by colorful colonial buildings and featuring landmarks such as the Museo Romántico and the Palacio Brunet.

These are just a few examples of Cuba’s many landmarks, each with its unique history and charm.

Landscape And Biodiversity of Cuba

Cuba’s landscape and biodiversity are highly diverse, ranging from lush rainforests and coral reefs to arid plains and mangrove swamps. The country’s unique geography and location have contributed to its high level of endemism, with many species of plants and animals found only in Cuba.

One of the most distinctive features of Cuba’s landscape is the mogotes, or limestone hills, that can be found in the Viñales Valley and other parts of the country. These towering formations are home to various unique plant and animal species, including the Cuban solenodon , a nocturnal mammal, one of the world’s rarest and most ancient mammals.

Cuba is also home to several national parks and protected areas, which preserve the country’s rich biodiversity. The Ciénaga de Zapata National Park , is one of the largest wetland reserves in the Caribbean and provides habitat for over 900 plant species, 170 bird species, and numerous reptiles and amphibians, including the Cuban crocodile.

Cuba’s coastal areas are also rich in biodiversity, with extensive coral reefs that provide habitat for various marine life, including sea turtles, sharks, and numerous fish species. For example, the Jardines de la Reina, a group of islands and reefs off Cuba’s southern coast, is one of the most pristine and biodiverse marine environments in the Caribbean.

Cuba’s landscape and biodiversity are among its most unique and valuable assets, attracting tourists and researchers worldwide to explore its natural wonders.

Languages Spoken In Cuba

The official language of Cuba is Spanish, spoken by most of the population. However, due to Cuba’s history and proximity to other countries, other languages are spoken in certain regions or by specific groups.

In some parts of eastern Cuba, Haitian Creole is spoken by Haitian immigrants who have settled in the region. Additionally, many Cuban citizens who work in the tourism industry are fluent in English and other languages to serve international visitors better.

There are also some regional dialects of Spanish spoken in Cuba, such as Cuban Spanish or Habanero, which have distinctive vocabulary and pronunciation compared to standard Spanish.

Foods And Drinks of Cuba

Cuban cuisine is a fusion of Spanish, African, and Caribbean flavors, focusing on simple, hearty dishes that use locally available ingredients. Here are some popular Cuban foods and drinks:

• Ropa Vieja: A dish of shredded beef stewed in a tomato-based sauce with onions, peppers, and garlic, served with rice and beans.
• Lechón Asado: A roasted suckling pig, often served at special occasions and celebrations.
• Moros y Cristianos: A dish of black beans and rice, often served as a side dish or as a main course with meat or vegetables.
• Tostones: Fried plantains that are flattened and fried again, often served as a side dish or snack.
• Cuban Sandwich: A sandwich made with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, often served grilled or pressed.
• Mojito: A classic Cuban cocktail with rum, lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, and soda water.
• Daiquiri: Another classic Cuban cocktail made with rum, lime juice, and sugar, often served frozen.
• Café Cubano: A strong, sweet espresso shot, often served with sugar or as a base for other coffee drinks.

These are just a few examples of the many delicious foods and drinks that Cuba has to offer. Cuban cuisine is known for its flavorful spices, fresh ingredients, and creative combinations, making it a favorite among foodies worldwide.

Social And Cultural Customs of Cuba

Cuba has a rich and diverse culture, shaped by its history and influenced by various traditions and customs. Here are some social and cultural customs that are important in Cuban society:

• Family: Family is central to Cuban culture, and many aspects of daily life focus on spending time with loved ones. Extended families often live together, and family gatherings are common.
• Music and dance: Music and dance are integral to Cuban culture, with various styles and genres, including salsa, son, and rumba. Music and dance often allow Cubans to express their emotions and connect with others.
• Respect for elders: Elders are highly respected in Cuban culture, and showing deference to older people in social situations is customary.
• Religion: While Cuba is officially a secular state, religion plays a vital role in Cuban society, with Catholicism and Afro-Cuban religions such as Santería being the most common.
• Hospitality: Cubans are known for their warm and welcoming nature; hospitality is essential to Cuban culture. Guests are often treated like family and are offered food and drink as a sign of hospitality.
• Clothing: Dress is generally casual in Cuba, with lightweight clothing being the norm due to the country’s warm climate. However, more conservative attire is expected in more formal settings, such as church or business meetings.

Cuban culture is characterized by a strong sense of community, a love of music and dance, and a deep respect for family and tradition.

Cuba has produced many famous people in various fields, from politics and sports to music and art. Here are some notable individuals from Cuba:

• Fidel Castro : The former Prime Minister and President of Cuba played a vital role in the country’s revolution and subsequent socialist government.
• Ernesto “Che” Guevara : An Argentine Marxist revolutionary who played a significant role in the Cuban Revolution alongside Fidel Castro and became a symbol of revolution worldwide.
• Gloria Estefan : A Cuban-American singer, songwriter, and actress who has won numerous Grammy Awards and is known for popularizing Latin music in the United States.
• Celia Cruz : A Cuban singer and actress known as the “Queen of Salsa” who was a significant Latin music figure for several decades.
• José Martí : A Cuban poet, essayist, and journalist considered a national hero for his role in the country’s struggle for independence from
• Omara Portuondo : A Cuban singer and dancer who has been performing for more than 70 years and is known for her contributions to the Afro-Cuban and jazz genres.
• Yo-Yo Ma : An American cellist of Chinese descent born to Chinese parents in Paris and spent part of his childhood in Cuba, where he studied with renowned Cuban cellist Orlando Cole.

These are just a few examples of the many famous people from Cuba who have made significant contributions to their fields and left their mark on the world.

Cuba is known for its vibrant and colorful festivals, reflecting its rich cultural heritage and diverse influences. Here are some of the most popular festivals and celebrations in Cuba:

• Carnival: Carnival is celebrated throughout Cuba, with each city and town having unique styles and traditions. The most famous carnival is in Santiago de Cuba, with parades, music, dance, and colorful costumes.
• Habanos Festival : This annual festival celebrates Cuba’s famous cigars with workshops, tastings, and cultural events in Havana.
• Havana Jazz Festival: This famous festival brings together jazz musicians worldwide for a week-long celebration of music, dance, and culture.
• Fiesta del Fuego: Held in Santiago de Cuba, this festival celebrates the African and Caribbean roots of Cuban culture with music, dance, and art.
• International Ballet Festival : This biennial festival brings together ballet dancers and companies worldwide for performances, workshops, and competitions in Havana.
• International Book Fair: This annual event is held in Havana and other cities throughout Cuba, with book fairs, readings, and cultural events celebrating literature and publishing.

These festivals and celebrations are just a few examples of Cuba’s many vibrant and colorful events throughout the year, showcasing the country’s unique culture and traditions.

Is It Safe To Travel To Cuba?

Cuba is generally a safe destination for travelers, with a low crime rate and a well-developed tourism industry. However, as with any travel destination, there are some safety concerns that travelers should be aware of:

• Petty theft : Pickpocketing and other petty crimes can occur in crowded tourist areas, so being vigilant and keeping your valuables secure is essential.
• Scams: Tourists may be targeted by scammers trying to sell fake cigars or tours. So, it is essential to only book tours with reputable companies and be wary of offers that seem too good to be true.
• Traffic: The roads in Cuba can be congested and chaotic, so it is important to be cautious when crossing the street or driving.
• Natural disasters: Cuba is vulnerable to hurricanes and other natural disasters, especially during the Atlantic hurricane season from June to November.

Overall, Cuba is considered a safe travel destination, and the Cuban government takes measures to ensure the safety and security of visitors. However, travelers should exercise common sense and take appropriate precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

Cuba is family-friendly, with plenty of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages. Here are some reasons why Cuba is an excellent destination for families:

• Beaches: Cuba has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, with crystal-clear waters and soft white sand. The beaches are safe for swimming and offer a variety of water sports and activities.
• Culture and history: Cuba has a rich cultural heritage and a fascinating history, with many museums, monuments, and historical sites to explore. Families can visit the colonial cities of Havana, Trinidad, and Cienfuegos and learn about the country’s revolutionary past.
• Nature and wildlife: Cuba is home to various wildlife and natural wonders, including national parks, coral reefs, and biosphere reserves. Families can go hiking, birdwatching, snorkeling, and scuba diving to explore the country’s natural beauty.
• Entertainment: Cuba has a lively music and arts scene, with many festivals, concerts, and performances throughout the year. Families can enjoy traditional Cuban music and dance and attend cultural events and festivals.
• Food: Cuban cuisine blends Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences with delicious dishes sure to please the whole family. Kids will love sweet treats like churros and ice cream. At the same time, adults can enjoy traditional dishes like ropa vieja and arroz con pollo.

Overall, Cuba is an excellent destination for families, with plenty of activities and attractions to keep everyone entertained and engaged.

Cuba can be a safe and welcoming destination for solo female travelers. Still, as with any travel destination, it’s essential to exercise caution and take appropriate safety measures. Here are some tips for solo female travelers visiting Cuba:

• Dress modestly: Cuban culture is generally conservative, so it’s a good idea to dress modestly and avoid revealing clothing to avoid unwanted attention.
• Stay in reputable accommodation: Choose safe and well-lit areas. Consider staying in a guesthouse or homestay with a local family for added security and a more authentic experience.
• Use common sense: As with any destination, using common sense and being aware of your surroundings is essential. Avoid walking alone at night, and be cautious of strangers approaching you.
• Learn some Spanish: Knowing some basic Spanish can help you communicate with locals and navigate the country more easily.
• Official taxis: These are generally safe and reliable, so it’s best to use them rather than accept rides from strangers.
• Join a tour: Joining a group tour can be a great way to meet other travelers and explore the country in a safe and organized way.

Overall, Cuba can be a safe and enjoyable destination for solo female travelers if they take appropriate safety measures and use common sense.

Cuba has made significant progress in LGBT rights in recent years. It is considered one of the most LGBT-friendly countries in the Caribbean. In 2019, the Cuban government approved a new constitution that included protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

However, while attitudes towards the LGBT community are generally positive in Cuba, discrimination and harassment can still occur, especially in rural areas or among older generations. LGBT travelers should take precautions and be aware of their surroundings, especially when displaying affection in public.

There is a vibrant LGBT scene in Havana, with many gay bars, clubs, and events. The annual Havana Pride parade, which takes place in May, is a popular event that draws thousands of locals and tourists.

While there is still work to ensure full equality for the LGBT community in Cuba, the country is generally considered a welcoming and accepting destination for LGBT travelers.

How To Get To Cuba?

Cuba can be reached by air or sea. Here are some ways to get to Cuba:

• By air: There are several international airports in Cuba, including Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport, Varadero International Airport, and Santiago de Cuba’s Antonio Maceo Airport. Many major airlines offer direct flights to Cuba from cities in North and South America, Europe, and the Caribbean. Some popular airlines that fly to Cuba include American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Air Canada, and Air France.
• By sea: Cuba can also be reached by sea, with many cruise lines offering stops in Havana and other Cuban ports. Ferry services are also available from Miami and Key West, which are currently limited due to U.S. government restrictions.
• From within Cuba: Once you are in Cuba, there are several ways to travel. Domestic flights are available between major cities; some buses and trains connect cities and towns. Taxis and rental cars are also available, but it’s essential to know the driving conditions and local traffic laws.

It’s important to note that U.S. citizens traveling to Cuba must comply with certain travel restrictions due to U.S. government regulations. Travelers should check the latest guidelines from the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) before planning their trip.

Visa requirements for Cuba depend on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. However, here are some general guidelines:

• Tourist Visa: Most visitors to Cuba require a tourist visa, also known as a “Tourist Card” or “Tarjeta del Turista.” This visa allows visitors to stay in Cuba for up to 30 days. It can be extended for an additional 30 days once in Cuba. Tourist visas can be obtained from Cuban embassies or consulates, travel agencies, or airlines that fly to Cuba.
• Other types of visas: If you are traveling to Cuba for other purposes, such as business, education, or visiting family, you may require a different kind of visa. These visas must be obtained from your home country’s Cuban embassy or consulate.
• U.S. citizens: U.S. citizens are subject to specific travel restrictions and must comply with certain requirements to travel to Cuba. Under current regulations, U.S. citizens can only travel to Cuba for specific approved purposes, such as family visits, official government business, journalistic activity, professional research, or educational activities. U.S. citizens must also obtain a particular type of visa, known as a “travel authorization,” from the U.S. government before traveling to Cuba.

It’s important to note that visa requirements for Cuba can change anytime, so it’s best to check the latest information from your local Cuban embassy, consulate, or a reputable travel agency.

The best time to visit Cuba depends on what you’re looking for and where you plan. Here are some things to consider:

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• Weather: Cuba has a tropical climate with two main seasons: the dry season (November to April) and the rainy season (May to October). The dry season is generally considered the best time to visit, as the weather is sunny and warm with low humidity. However, this is also the busiest and most expensive time to travel to Cuba.
• Events and Festivals: Cuba has many festivals and events throughout the year, such as the Havana Jazz Festival in January, the Havana International Book Fair in February, and the Havana Carnival in July. If you’re interested in attending a specific event, planning your trip around that time is best.
• Crowds and Prices: The peak tourist season in Cuba is from December to March, when prices are high, and many attractions can be crowded. To avoid crowds and save money, consider traveling during the shoulder seasons (April to June or September to November).

The best time to visit Cuba is from November to April when the weather is dry and sunny. However, no matter what time of year you go, Cuba has plenty to offer visitors with its rich culture, history, and natural beauty.

Cuba has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures throughout the year. The weather is influenced by the trade winds, which bring cool breezes from the northeast during winter.

The average temperature in Cuba is around 25°C (77°F), with highs of 32°C (88°F) in the summer months (June to September) and lows of 21°C (70°F) in the winter months (December to March). The humidity can be high, especially during the rainy season (May to October), which can make the heat feel more intense.

Cuba has two main seasons: the dry season (November to April) and the rainy season (May to October). There is very little rainfall during the dry season, and the weather is sunny and warm. This is the peak tourist season, with many visitors flocking to the island to escape the cold weather in their home countries.

The rainy season, on the other hand, can be unpredictable, with heavy rain and occasional hurricanes or tropical storms. However, the rainy season has benefits like fewer crowds, lower prices, and lush green vegetation.

Cuba’s climate is warm and pleasant, with plenty of sunshine and tropical breezes.

How Is Public Transportation In Cuba?

Public transportation in Cuba is generally considered safe and reliable, although it can sometimes be slow and crowded. Here are some options for getting around in Cuba:

• Buses: There are two types of buses in Cuba: government-run and private. The government buses are generally cheaper but can be crowded and uncomfortable. Private buses are often more comfortable and spacious but can be more expensive.
• Taxis: Taxis are widely available in Cuba, and there are two types: state-run and private. State-run taxis are generally cheaper, but they can be old and uncomfortable. Private taxis are often more comfortable and reliable but can be more expensive.
• Colectivos: Colectivos are shared taxis that run along specific routes. They are famous for getting around in Cuba, especially in rural areas.
• Train: Cuba has a limited train system connecting some major cities. Trains are generally slower than buses or taxis, but they can be a more comfortable and scenic option.
• Bicycle and Scooter Rentals: Bicycle and scooter rentals are available in some parts of Cuba. They can be a fun and affordable way to explore the country.

Public transportation in Cuba is affordable and reliable. Still, being prepared for long wait times and crowded conditions is essential. Taxis and private transfers are often the most convenient and comfortable way to get around, especially for longer distances or group travel.

The currency used in Cuba is the Cuban peso (CUP) and the Cuban convertible peso (CUC).

The Cuban peso (CUP) is the national currency. Locals mainly use it for everyday transactions, such as buying groceries or paying for public transportation. The government fixes the exchange rate for the Cuban peso, and the value is much lower than the Cuban convertible peso (CUC).

The Cuban convertible peso (CUC) is the currency most commonly used by tourists in Cuba. It is equal in value to the U.S. dollar. It pays for most tourist services, such as accommodation, food, and transportation. The Cuban convertible peso can be exchanged for U.S. dollars, Euros, or other foreign currencies at official exchange offices (CADECA) or banks.

It’s important to note that there is a 10% tax on U.S. dollar exchanges in Cuba, so it’s recommended to bring other currencies, such as Euros, to avoid the extra fee. Getting cash to Cuba is also a good idea, as credit and debit cards are only widely accepted in major tourist areas.

In Cuba, cash is the most widely accepted payment option. However, credit and debit cards are not widely accepted, especially outside major tourist areas, so having enough cash on hand to cover your expenses is essential.

The Cuban convertible peso (CUC) is the most commonly used currency for tourist transactions. Still, U.S. dollars and Euros are also widely accepted. However, it’s important to note that there is a 10% tax on U.S. dollar exchanges in Cuba, so it’s recommended to bring other currencies, such as Euros, to avoid the extra fee.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of debit cards in Cuba, especially at government-run stores and restaurants. First, however, it’s essential to check with your bank to see if your card will work in Cuba and to inform them of your travel plans before you go.

Overall, it’s best to plan and bring enough cash to cover your expenses in Cuba, as credit and debit cards may only be accepted in some places. Keeping your cash and valuables in a secure location, such as a hotel safe, is also a good idea to prevent theft.

The opening hours of establishments in Cuba can vary depending on the type of business and location. However, here are some general guidelines:

• Banks: Banks are usually open from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Some branches may also be open on Saturdays, but with reduced hours.
• Government offices: Government offices are typically open from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
• Museums: Most museums in Cuba are open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Some museums may also have extended hours on certain days.
• Restaurants: Restaurants in Cuba may have different opening hours depending on their location and type. Many restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while others may only serve one or two meals a day. Some restaurants may also close on certain days of the week.
• Shops: Shops in Cuba may have different opening hours depending on location and type. Most shops in tourist areas are open from Monday to Sunday, from around 10:00 am to 7:00 pm or later. Shops outside tourist areas may have more limited hours and be closed on certain days of the week.

Overall, it’s a good idea to check the opening hours of establishments in advance, especially if you have specific plans or activities you want to do. It’s also important to remember that some businesses in Cuba may close unexpectedly, so it’s best to have a backup plan or be flexible with your schedule.

Cuba can be a good place for shopping, particularly for souvenirs and unique handicrafts. Here are some places to shop in Cuba:

• Artisan Markets: Throughout Cuba, there are many artisan markets where you can find a wide range of handmade crafts and souvenirs. These markets offer an opportunity to support local artisans and pick up one-of-a-kind items such as pottery, wood carvings, and textiles.
• Old Havana: The historic center of Havana, Old Havana, is a great place to stroll through and shop for souvenirs, clothes, and artwork. It’s particularly well-known for its antique shops and art galleries.
• Varadero: The resort town of Varadero has several shops and markets selling souvenirs, clothing, and jewelry. It’s a popular spot for tourists to shop and explore.
• Cigar Shops: Cuba is famous for its cigars. If you’re a smoker or looking for a unique gift, visit one of the many cigar shops nationwide. Be sure to purchase from an official store to ensure the quality and authenticity of the cigars.
• Palacio de la Artesanía: Located in Old Havana, the Palacio de la Artesanía is a large market with hundreds of vendors selling Cuban handicrafts, including pottery, textiles, and jewelry.

Cuba can be a great place to shop for unique and handmade items. However, it’s essential to remember that bargaining is common in Cuba, so don’t be afraid to negotiate prices. Also, be sure to check the customs regulations of your home country before purchasing any items to ensure you can bring them back with you.

Cuba is generally considered a safe country for tourists, with a lower crime rate than other countries. However, travelers should still take precautions to ensure their safety and health while visiting Cuba. Here are some tips:

• Health: Taking necessary health precautions when traveling to Cuba is essential. Make sure you are current on routine vaccinations and consider getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and rabies. Mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue fever and Zika virus are also a concern in Cuba. Be sure to prevent mosquito bites, such as wearing long-sleeved clothing and using insect repellent. Drink bottled water and avoid street food to prevent foodborne illness.
• Safety: While Cuba is generally considered safe, some safety concerns remain. Petty theft, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, can occur in crowded markets and public transportation. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and valuables with you, and always be aware of your surroundings. While the political situation in Cuba is generally stable, it’s essential to be aware of any current events and potential protests or demonstrations.
• Transportation: Cuban roads can be poorly maintained, so it’s important to exercise caution when driving or taking public transportation. Taxis and buses are generally safe, but use licensed providers and negotiate fares in advance. Avoid hitchhiking or accepting rides from strangers.
• Natural Disasters: Cuba is prone to hurricanes and tropical storms, particularly from June to November. Be sure to monitor weather conditions and follow any instructions from local authorities in the event of a storm.

With the proper precautions, Cuba can be a safe and enjoyable destination for travelers. However, staying informed and using common sense are important to ensure a safe and healthy trip.

Interesting Facts And Trivia

Some interesting facts about Cuba include that is the largest island in the Caribbean, and that Cuba has a literacy rate of almost 100%, making it one of the most literate countries in the world.

• The world’s smallest bird, the bee hummingbird , is found only in Cuba.
• Cuba has two currencies: the Cuban peso (CUP) and the convertible peso (CUC).
• The famous Cuban dance, the salsa, originated in Cuba and is a mix of different African and Latin dance styles.
• The national symbol of Cuba is the Cuban trogon , a colorful bird found only in Cuba.
• Baseball is the most popular sport in Cuba. The country has produced many famous baseball players, including Yasiel Puig and Jose Abreu .
• Cuba is known for its classic cars, often used as taxis and tour vehicles.
• Cuba has a high number of doctors and medical professionals per capita. It has sent medical personnel to assist in disaster relief efforts worldwide.
• The Cuban sandwich is famous in Cuba and the United States, made with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard.

Dos And Don’t in Cuba

• Do learn some basic Spanish before you go to Cuba. This will make it easier to communicate with locals.
• Try local food and drinks, such as mojitos and Cuban sandwiches.
• Explore the local culture and history by visiting museums and historic sites.
• Do take a private or shared taxi, as they are a safe and affordable way to travel around the country.
• Do be respectful of local customs and traditions.
• Do be mindful of your belongings and keep an eye on your safety.
• Avoid bringing U.S. dollars to Cuba, as they are subject to a 10% fee when exchanging them for the local currency.
• Don’t take pictures of military or government buildings without permission.
• Make sure to leave your belongings unattended in public places.
• Don’t use unlicensed taxis or other unregulated transportation.
• Don’t wear flashy jewelry or carry large amounts of cash.
• Don’t engage in illegal activities, such as drug use or trafficking.

Cuba is a captivating country that has long been a dream destination for travelers worldwide. With its diverse culture, captivating history, picturesque beaches, and lush landscapes, Cuba offers a unique and unforgettable travel experience. Whether you desire to stroll down the colorful streets of Havana, unwind on a serene beach, or immerse yourself in the country’s finest cuisine and culture, Cuba has probably something for you.

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Hailing from the US, Mia Jones is a fervent traveler driven by a love for unearthing new destinations and mastering languages. With a knack for crafting captivating travel guides, Mia has explored over 52 countries. Her heart belongs to the enchanting lands of Spain, the vibrant spirit of Cuba, and the idyllic beauty of Seychelles, inspiring readers to embark on their own transformative journeys.

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Classic 1950s cars and taxis line the street in downtown Havana.

Top 10 Travel Experiences in Cuba

See the top ten picks for things to do in this Caribbean island nation.

Saunter the Colonial Plazas of Old Havana

Founded in 1519 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982, beguiling and beautiful Habana Vieja (Old Havana) is today a remarkable 350-acre trove of cobbled plazas and colonial buildings fringed with colonnaded arcades. The boot steps of conquistadors still echo down narrow streets, transporting you back through the centuries. Plan at least two days to explore fully. Start at airy, tree-shaded Plaza de Armas, site of the city’s founding. Delve inside the Castillo de la Real Fuerza—the oldest fort in the Americas—to admire its superb museum of maritime history; and the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, the glorious former Spanish governors’ palace, now the Museo de la Ciudad teeming with historical artifacts. Now stroll to Plaza de la Catedral to admire its exquisite baroque cathedral: “Music turned to stone,” thought Cuban novelist Alejo Carpentier. Next, follow Calle Mercaderes south to magnificently restored Plaza Vieja, replete with sites of interest: Don’t miss the Museo de Naipes (Museum of Cards). Cuba, inhabited by 91,000 people, is far from an abandoned stage set and more like a living museum. To savor its earthy, timeworn appeal, saunter southern Habana Vieja, a vibrant ecclesiastical zone where centuries-old grime is soldered by tropical heat into dilapidated façades.

Delve Into the Tobacco Fields of Viñales, Pinar del Río

The Valle de Viñales, a three-hour drive west of Havana, is renowned for its sensational landscapes. Arriving is a jaw-dropper as you suddenly emerge into the broad vale framed by soaring mogotes—sheer-sided, conical limestone hills underlain by subterranean caves. The valley is quilted with tobacco fields, or vegas, and studded with tent-shaped thatched huts, where fresh-cut leaves are cured on poles until brown, like smoked kippers. Ox-drawn ploughs add a sense of time standing still as they till the rust-red soils into furrows. At its heart, Viñales village resounds to the clip-clop of hooves and the crowing of roosters. A highlight is a boat journey amid dripstone formations and the gloom of the Cueva del Indio. Adventurers can hike or take a horseback ride to the top of the mogotes, spelunk the labyrinthine Cuevas de Santo Tomás, or even scale the mogotes with a guide. Don’t leave before heading to the Hotel Los Jazmines, atop the valley’s southern rim, for spectacular sunset or sunrise views.

Ride in a Classic 1950s American Automobile, Havana

The visitor’s first reaction to Havana is of being caught in a 1950s time warp. Yank tanks from the heyday of Detroit are everywhere. American cars flooded Cuba for 50 years culminating in the Fulgencio Batista era, when no other country in the world imported so many Chryslers and Chevys and Cadillacs. Then Fidel Castro and company made a revolution and spun off into Soviet orbit, invoking a U.S. trade embargo that in terms of American automobiles has cast a time-warp spell over Cuba. “Was this a movie set or a real city?” wrote Tom Miller in Trading With the Enemy. “Cars missing from American highways for decades lined every block.” Don’t just ogle. Hop in a colectivo (a shared taxi that runs along fixed routes) to ride with Cubans squeezed like sardines in a tin as the radio blasts out a rumba. Now treat yourself by hiring a convertible—perhaps a 1958 Edsel or Cadillac Eldorado with fins sharp enough to draw blood—for a sightseeing ride around town. Travel Tip: You can hire private classic-car taxis outside the deluxe hotels, where the best convertibles are to be found.

Hike to Castro’s Rebel Army Headquarters in the Sierra Maestra, Granma

Cuba’s highest mountains culminate atop Pico Turquino (6,476 feet). Incised with precipitous ravines and sparsely inhabited, this forbidding and thickly forested terrain was the setting for Fidel Castro’s ridgetop headquarters during the nearly three-year armed struggle (1956-58) to oust dictator Fulgencio Batista. The site—La Comandancia de la Plata—is reached by a two-hour hike along a narrow trail. Now a museum, the restored rebel army HQ includes Castro’s office and sleeping quarters and a basic infirmary that was run by Che Guevara. A guide is compulsory. Arrangements can be made with EcoTur in the hamlet of Santo Domingo, where a rustic riverside hotel squats in a tight-hemmed valley. A 4WD taxi will haul you up the near vertical switchback ascent to the trailhead at Belvedere Alto de Naranja. Fun Fact: Castro’s hut had no discernible doorway and featured an escape hatch into the stream below.

Thrill to the Tropicana Cabaret, Havana

“Señoras y señores … showtime!” The lights go down. The house band belts out a rumba. And floodlights flick on to sweep over feathered, scantily clad showgirls, or figurantes, parading among the palm trees like tropical birds. Welcome to the Tropicana , Cuba’s open-air extravaganza now in its eighth decade of Vegas-style, stiletto-heeled paganism. Acrobats and crooners are also featured in this flamboyant cabaret espectáculo (show), highlighted by the figurantes’ sashaying kaleidoscopically in minimalist yet sensational costumes. Nat King Cole, Josephine Baker, and Carmen Miranda once headlined "Paradise Under the Stars," which opened on New Year’s Eve 1939 in an open-air theater in the district of Marianao, with palms and other tropical trees as part of its setting. The venue is still the original. Every Cuban town has at least one espectáculo, although the Tropicana is a tourist-only affair due to its exorbitant cost. The Tropicana is considered a national institution—the pinnacle of a performance art as quintessentially Cuban as cigars and rum. “Cabarets are part of Cuban tradition. They’re integral to Cuban culture,” says Sandra Levinson, executive director of the Center for Cuban Studies in New York. Travel Tip: Male patrons are given a cheap machine-rolled cigar. If you plan on smoking, bring your own hand-rolled cigar.

Visit Fidel Castro’s Birthplace at Birán, Holguín

Finca Manacas, the country estate where Fidel Castro was born in 1926, is now open to the public as Museo Conjunto Histórico Birán. This off-the-beaten-track venue provides a fascinating insight into Castro’s formative years, although the guided tour and exhibits paint an idealized portrait of Castro’s early life. You’ll be shown Castro’s crib; portraits of his father, Ángel Castro y Argiz, a wealthy patriarch who owned almost every business for miles around; and portraits of his mother, Lina Ruz González, the family housemaid who Castro’s father married in 1943 after divorcing his wife. Yes, Castro and his brother Raúl were born out of wedlock. The parents are buried in a simple grave next to the schoolhouse, where Castro’s desk—surprise!—is front row center. Eleven of the estate’s original 27 structures still stand, although the family home was rebuilt after a fire. It displays Castro’s childhood hunting rifle, his baseball mitt and uniform, and other original memorabilia.

Explore the Cobbled Streets of Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus

Founded as one of Cuba’s original seven cities in 1514 by conquistador Diego Velázquez, Trinidad is Cuba’s crown jewel of colonial cities. Three centuries ago it rose to wealth as a center for sugarcane production and the slave trade. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988, its historic, traffic-free core has been restored. It’s sheer joy to serendipitously wander the sloping cobbled streets lined with exquisite 18th- and 19th-century buildings—each painted in ice-cream pastels—that evoke the wealth of a bygone era, when the nearby Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills) boasted at least 50 mills. The town thrives on tourism. Art galleries, crafts shops, plus private restaurants and casas particulares (private homestays) abound. Yet the mood and yesteryear pace are unsullied. Tucked on a hillside between the Sierra Maestra and the turquoise Caribbean Sea, it offers fine views and easy access to both.

Go Birding in Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata, Matanzas

Crocodiles, manatees, garfish, and at least 258 of Cuba’s 374 bird species inhabit the Zapata Swamps. Protected within the UNESCO Reserva de la Biosfera Ciénaga de Zapata, the 1,893-square-mile Zapata Swamp National Park unrolls across a vast triangular peninsula of freshwater and brackish lagoons, coastal mangroves, and reedy swamps studded with woodsy thickets. Resembling the Everglades of Florida, the swamps form the largest wetland ecosystem in the Caribbean as well as Cuba’s premiere birding venue. Zapata boasts 21 of the island’s 25 endemic bird species. Three species are found only here: the Zapata sparrow, Zapata wren, and critically endangered Zapata rail, sighted in 2014 for the first time in 40 years. Garrulous Cuban parrots fly overhead, squawking all the while: The population is recovering from near extinction thanks to a local breeding program and educational efforts to stop the local pet trade. The beyond gorgeous tocororó, or Cuban trogon, is easily spotted. Bring binoculars, though, to spy the zunzuncito—the bee hummingbird (Cubans call it pájaro mosca, or fly bird). It’s the world’s smallest bird. Roseate spoonbills and neon-pink flamingos strut around Laguna de las Salinas on Zapata’s southern shores. Migratory waterfowl flock in October through April. Hire experienced guides (compulsory) at the park headquarters at Playa Larga, site of the Bay of Pigs invasion in April 1961.

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Eat Authentic Cuban Food in Baracoa, Guantánamo

Local Cuban fare—comida criolla—is country food, relying on lowly staples, and varies little throughout the country. Roast chicken and pork are the ubiquitous base for most meals, usually accompanied by rice and black beans (sometimes cooked together as congrí), plantains (plátanos), and starchy root vegetables (viandas) such as sweet potato (boniato) and cassava (yucca). Cuba’s extreme northeast, around Baracoa, is the only region that can claim a distinct cuisine. Coconut milk is the main ingredient, infusing divine flavors when cooked with spinach-like calalú or with crab and grated plantain simmered inside a banana leaf to make batán. Shredded coconut meat mixed with papaya, orange, and sugar combine to make an ambrosial dessert called cucurucho. Cacao is another local staple, providing the main ingredient for chocolate and various drinks. Tiny endemic fishes called tetí are used in dishes that trace a lineage back to the indigenous Taino people. Delicious! Travel Tip: To savor local fare, dine at El Poeta, a paladar (private restaurant) whose owner, Pablo Leyva, sings impromptu verse.

Be Awed by the Parrandas de Remedios, Santa Clara

It could well be the world’s wildest fireworks extravaganza, a tropical yuletide bacchanal that will replay in your mind forever. Some 14 communities of the Villa Clara province hold Mardi Gras-style festivals called parrandas at various times of the year. But the singularly beautiful colonial city of Remedios claims the largest, the most famous, and by far the most flamboyant. If you’re visiting Cuba during Christmas, this is the place to be. Dating back to the 19th century, parrandas are friendly battles in which the townsfolk divide into two historic camps and compete to see who can produce the most impressive parade float (carrozas) and giant neon-lit static displays (trabajos de plaza) and, of course, the most insane fireworks demonstrations. Each camp is represented by a mascot. The Sansacrices (from Remedios’s San Salvador district) are represented by a rooster; their rivals, the Carmelitas (from El Carmen), are represented by a hawk. There are no judges or juries. Common consent decides who wins. Travel Tip: Don’t wear flammable clothing, and don a wide-brimmed hat. Be warned: Errant homemade rockets whiz through the streets, and giant homespun Catherine wheels the size of tractor tires often spin out of control.

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50 Facts About Cuba (You Won’t Believe)

How well do you know Cuba, really? With its fascinating and turbulent political history, diverse mix of cultural influences, and captivating people and places, there’s just nowhere on earth like Cuba.

Get to know this unique Caribbean island a little better by diving into some of these 50 almost unbelievable facts about Cuba. We’ve added a mix of our favorite details about Cuba’s past and present, including some Cuba facts we’re sure you’ve never heard before!

Facts About Cuba

1. che guevara wasn’t from cuba.

While Che Guevara is one of Cuba’s most famous figures, he actually is not Cuba. Ernesto “Che” Guevara de la Serna was born in Argentina to a well-to-do family and was trained as a doctor. His nickname, che , is an Argentina slang word similar to “dude.”

Read along about his famous pre-revolution motorcycle trip across the Americas in his Diarios de Motocicleta , which he wrote as he traveled. Motorcycle Diaries was later turned into an award-winning movie starring Gael Garcia Bernal – a favorite if you love road trip movies or just want to learn more about this polarizing historical figure.

2. Cuban hospitals treated the victims of Chernobyl

How is this for unbelievable facts about Cuba: after the nuclear incident in Chernobyl in 1986, Cuban hospitals welcomed a number of patients experiencing health issues. This unexpected part of Cuban medical history is captured beautifully in the Cuban movie El Traductor , which is absolutely worth a watch whether you’re interested in this moment in time or just want to learn more about Cuba.

José actually has memories of interacting with some of the children that were undergoing treatments at Cuban hospitals when he was a child and had to go to the hospital for some routine medical procedures.

Read More: 7 Movies You Need to Watch Before Traveling to Cuba

3. Christopher Columbus said that Cuba was “the most beautiful land that human eyes have ever seen”

Columbus navigated along Cuba’s northern coast during his first journey to the Americas in 1492, writing this famous line in his journals after laying eyes upon the shores of the province of Holguin . He also recorded seeing the famous El Yunque tabletop mountain outside of Baracoa .

This is one of my favorite lesser-known facts about Cuba!

• Ultimate Travel Guide to Cuba
• 47 Things To Do in Havana, Cuba
• Viñales, Cuba: Ultimate Travel Guide

4. The first city founded in Cuba was Baracoa

Baracoa was founded in 1511 as the first city founded on the island of Cuba. It was among the first 15 cities founded by the Spanish in the Americas.

5. Ernest Hemingway’s cats remain at Finca Vigía

Well… not Ernest Hemingway’s exact cats, but their descendants! Hemingway was well-known for loving cats and had a number of them at any given time living on his property on the outskirts of Havana .

6. Baseball was introduced in the 1860s by Cubans returning from studying in the United States and by U.S. sailors stationed on the island

The number one sports obsession of Cubans is baseball, and the sport has a long history on the island. Paying a visit to the esquina caliente – the “hot corner” where excited fans debate baseball every day is one of the best free things to do in Havana.

7. Fulgencio Batista and Fidel Castro were from the same part of Cuba

Fidel Castro is from Birán, Cuba, while the dictator he ousted from power in the Cuban Revolution, Fulgenio Batista, is from Banes, Cuba. Both of these small towns are in the eastern province of Holguin .

Now for a fun fact about us rather than more facts about Cuba: one of José’s mother’s last names is Batista, and she happens to be from the same small town in Holguin as Fulgencio Batista. We joke that he may be a long-lost uncle.

8. The famously beautiful beach located on Cayo Guillermo, Playa Pilar, is named after Ernest Hemingway’s boat

Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean , Playa Pilar on Cayo Guillermo was named after Ernest Hemingway’s boat after he made the pristine spot famous in his novel Islands in the Stream .

9. Fidel Castro survived over 600 assassination attempts

Many of the assassination attempts against Fidel Castro were proven to be perpetrated by the CIA, whether at the time of their occurrence or later in declassified documents.

One of the most infamous attempts occurred in 1960 when the CIA spiked a box of his favorite cigars with botulinum toxin. Another famous attempt included a poisoned scuba diving suit, while planting an explosives-laced seashell near Castro’s favorite dive site was another plan, apparently abandoned as impractical before it could be attempted.

Travel Essential

Don’t think about traveling to Cuba without a good  VPN (Virtual Private Network) . Using a VPN while connecting to the internet is an easy way to keep your personal information safe from hackers and trackers.  We’ve used  NordVPN  for years and couldn’t recommend it more – it’s a must for safety online, especially in Cuba. 

10. The Cuban sandwich is not originally from Cuba

The Cuban sandwich was actually first created in the United States, and most Cubans that live on the island have never even heard of a “Cuban sandwich” before. Don’t ask anyone from Miami or Tampa where the Cuban sandwich first originated, as the details of the sandwich’s creation story are hotly debated to this day.

As many travelers in Cuba come to the island expecting to find Cuban sandwiches everywhere, many savvy shop owners now sell a version of the sandwich.

11. Salsa originated in Santiago de Cuba

Cuba’s “eastern capital” of Santiago de Cuba has birthed many musical traditions, among them salsa, son, timba, bolero, and others. In many ways, these sounds and rhythms are the foundation of most Spanish-language we hear today.

12. The world’s oldest baseball stadium in continuous use is in Cuba

Palmar de Junco Stadium in the province of Matanzas saw its first game in 1874, making it the oldest baseball stadium in continuous use in the world.

13. Cuba had two official currencies for decades

In 1993, Cuba legalized the use of the U.S. dollar on the island, effectively creating a dual-currency economy. In 1994, Cuba created a currency called the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) pegged against the dollar; these eventually outstripped the use of U.S. dollars on the island.

Simultaneous use of the CUC and the Cuban peso (CUP) lasted until 2021 when the Cuban government unified the currency. The currency currently used in Cuba is the Cuban peso.

Read More: Currency in Cuba: A Local’s Guide for Travelers

14. Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, and the 17th largest island nation in the world

Just over 95 miles off the coast of Key West, Cuba is significantly larger than even its neighbor island of Hispaniola, the island that is home to both the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

15. Che Guevara smoked cigars dipped in honey

Why? Che Guevara suffered from asthma, and dipping his cigars in honey seemed to help alleviate the issues of smoking while having asthma.

You’ll certainly hear interesting facts about Cuba like this and more on a trip to Viñales , home to some of the best tobacco farms in the country. When we visited Viñales last we even were given honey to try on our cigars!

Read More: Havana to Viñales Day Trip: Ultimate Local’s Guide

16. Cuba is home to two main groups of indigenous peoples: Tainos and Guanahatabeyes

Arawak-descended Taino peoples occupied much of the Caribbean, especially in Cuba, Hispainola, and Puerto Rico prior to the Spanish conquest. While most Cubans have at least some indigenous Cuban heritage, populations of indigenous peoples were decimated by Europeans, meaning that much of the language and cultural heritage of these groups was lost.

17. We still use many words that originated in the Taino language today, both in English and Spanish

Among the Taino words used today are the following:

• hurricane / huracán
• barbeque / barbacoa
• canoe / canoa
• hammock / hamaca

18. Cuba is home to the smallest frog in the world

The Monte Iberia dwarf frog is a critically endangered species endemic to the eastern rainforests of the province of Holguin . Only officially identified as a species in 1993, these frogs measure just 9.6–10 mm, less than half an inch!

Travel Insurance

Cuba requires that all travelers have proof of a comprehensive travel insurance policy in order to enter the country. Check out our guide to travel insurance for Cuba for more details. We recommend these brands for Cuba travel insurance:

• Visitors Coverage : Coverage for Cuba travel available to citizens of all countries, though not currently available to residents of New York and Maryland in the United States.
• Insubuy : Coverage for Cuba travel available to citizens of all countries and states of the United States.

19. Cuba has one of the highest literacy rates in the world

Cuba has an estimated literacy rate of 99.71%, the highest in Latin America. Following the Cuban Revolution, a significant literacy campaign sent young teachers from around the country to rural locations to help bring literacy to communities that previously had no access or limited access to schooling.

20. Cuba exports doctors

Immediately after the Cuban Revolution in 1959, Cuba began sending doctors abroad in a humanitarian program that continues today. At the height of the program, more than 50,000 Cuban doctors were at work in countries around the world.

21. Visitors can still explore the camp used by Fidel Castro and his band of revolutionaries at Comandancia de la Plata

This is one of those little-known facts about Cuba that can help you plan your itinerary ! Stop at the campsite of the band of revolutionaries deep in the Sierra Maestra mountain range on your way up Cuba’s highest peak, Pico Turquino.

You’ll get a chance to see Che Guevara’s field hospital, Fidel Castro’s makeshift house/cabin, and even the radio station the group used to transmit their messages around the island.

Read More: Hiking Pico Turquino + 5 Best Hikes in Cuba

22. Most Cuban citizens are part of a community organization called the Cómite de Defensa de la Revolución

After the creation of the Cómites de Defensa de la Revolución (CDR), or Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, in 1960, each neighborhood in Cuba created their own branch of the community organization. When they were created, they were designed to provide “a collective system of revolutionary vigilance” throughout the country.

What to Pack for Cuba

Check out our  Ultimate Cuba Packing List   to help you pack for your trip – we’re sharing exactly what to bring to Cuba and what we never travel without.

23. Jardines de la Reina is known for its oversized sharks

One of the last major protected areas in the Caribbean Sea, Jardines de la Reina is an archipelago off the southern coast of Cuba and a protected marine park. It has long been functionally off-limits to tourism. Its strictly-protected status has helped sharks grow to unprecedented size here.

24. Jardines de la Reina only allows a few hundred visitors a year

While Jardines de la Reina is now accessible to travelers, it only allows in a few hundred visitors a year, who are exclusively allowed to access the area on live-aboard cruises from just one approved travel company.

25. Guantánamo Bay is the longest-standing overseas U.S. naval base in the world

Established in 1903 after the Spanish-American War, the detention center has been the site of well-documented atrocities and illegal detainments. Cuba considers continued U.S. use of the land an illegal occupation of Cuban territory.

26. The United States pays Cuba for the use of Guantánamo Bay every year, but Cuba never cashes the checks

The payment? A paltry $ 4,085 annually  for the use of a 45-square-mile military base. Established in 1903, the lease for the land was made permanent until both governments agree to break it.

• Old Havana, Cuba: Ultimate Traveler’s Guide
• Santiago de Cuba Travel Guide
• 10 Best Things To Do in Cienfuegos, Cuba

27. Fulgenio Batista, the dictator overthrown by Fidel Castro, escaped from Cuba with suitcases filled with $300 million in cash

When Batista fled Cuba in the early morning hours of January 1st, 1959 it marked the victory of the Cuban Revolution. He later spent most of the rest of his life in the United States.

28. Cuba has nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Seven locations in Cuba are protected as sites of cultural importance, while two locations are considered sites of natural importance. These include the following:

• Old Havana and its Fortification System – this was Cuba’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Trinidad and the Valley de los Ingenios
• Viñales Valley
• The Historic Center of Cienfuegos
• The Historic Center of Camagüey
• Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca in Santiago de Cuba
• Southeastern Cuba’s first historic coffee plantations
• Desembarco del Granma National Park 
• Alejandro de Humboldt National Park near Baracoa

29. Cuba’s patron saint is La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, o known as La Cachita

Visiting the church that holds the statue of La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre makes for a popular day trip from Santiago de Cuba . The site has been visited by a number of international politicians and religious dignitaries, including Pope Francis on his last trip to Cuba.

30. Cuba is known as the sugarbowl of the world

Sugarcane became one of Cuba’s most important crops to be exported from Cuba in the 1700s and remains an important and widely-cultivated crop today. See some of the most important sugar plantations in the country during your trip to Trinidad and the neighboring Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills).

Read More: 10 Best Things To Do in Trinidad, Cuba

31. Bacardí was founded in Cuba, but the company’s Cuban assets were seized after the Cuban Revolution

These facts about Cuba might not surprise you, especially if you’ve ever visited any of the Bacardí plants in the Caribbean. You can still see the repurposed Bacardí building in central Havana today, though Bacardí has its headquarters in Bermuda.

32. Cuba is home to The Hershey Train, built by The Hershey Company of chocolate fame

During the height of Cuba’s sugar production prior to the Cuban Revolution, The Hershey Company constructed a train between Havana and Matanzas, used to transport sugar to be sent through Havana’s port and on to Hershey production facilities. The train is still in operation today, and is a cheap, local way to get from Havana to Varadero .

33. Before the U.S. Embassy in Havana was reopened in 2015, a small United States Interests Section was considered part of the Swiss Embassy

The United States and Cuba formally severed diplomatic ties in 1961, but in 1977, a small diplomatic staff returned to the former U.S. Embassy, then called the U.S. Interest Section (USINT). The diplomats were technically credited to the Swiss Embassy, though worked from their own building.

During the Obama Administration, the U.S. Embassy was reopened as an embassy in 2015.

34. U.S. travelers can travel to Cuba

Many U.S. citizens think they can’t travel to Cuba, but that isn’t the case! Former President Obama’s policy changes toward Cuba made it easier than ever for U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba. Make sure to check out our guides for U.S. citizens travelers to Cuba if you want to travel to Cuba from the United States.

Travel to Cuba from the United States

• Can Americans Travel to Cuba?
• Legal Travel to Cuba: Support for the Cuban People Guide
• 10 (Legal) Things To Do in Cuba
• Cuba’s Tourist Visa Guide + How To Get It

35. Cuban soldiers fought in the Angolan Civil War from 1975-1991

Cuban soldiers supported the pro-communist People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) in the struggle, which erupted after Angola’s independence from Portugal in 1975.

This is another one of those interesting facts about Cuba that intersects with our own story. José’s father was stationed in Angola during the war as part of his compulsory military service, something that is still required of men in Cuba today.

36. At its narrowest point, Cuba is just 19 miles (31 km) wide

You’re never far from the incredible beaches in Cuba , but at the island’s widest point, it is 119 miles (191 km) wide.

37. The nation of Cuba is more than just one island – Cuba comprises approximately 1,600 islands and cays

Besides the main island of Cuba, Isla de la Juventud, the “Isle of Youth,” is the second largest island in the nation, with a population of around 80,000 residents. The tiny cays along the northern coast of the main island of Cuba are home to some of the country’s most beautiful beaches.

38. On a clear day, you can see Haiti from the Punta de Maisí on the island’s far eastern end

There are an estimated 300,000 Cuban of Haitian descent, and Haitian Creole is the second most widely-spoken language in Cuba after Spanish. Many Haitians migrated to Cuba after the country’s devastating 2010 earthquake.

39. The southernmost point of Key West is just over 95 miles to the coast of Cuba.

While Key West is less than 100 miles from the coast of Cuba, the distance from Key West to Havana is about 105 miles. The distance from Miami to Havana is just over 225 miles.

40. Cuban citizens enjoyed a preferential immigration status in the United States known as Wet Foot, Dry Foot until 2017

As part of the Obama Administration’s policy changes towards Cuba, he eliminated this preferential immigration status, which had led many Cubans to risk their lives crossing borders and oceans to reach the United States.

41. The music of famed Cuban singer Celia Cruz was once banned from the radio in Cuba

Celiz Cruz and other Cuban singers who left the island or spoke out against the Cuban government were quietly but noticeably absent from Cuban radio stations for years, until around 2012.

42. Coppelia is Havana’s most famous ice cream parlor, and a Cuban ice cream brand

Located in the park at the bustling corner of Calle 23 and Calle L in the neighborhood of Vedado, Coppelia is a long-standing Havana institution that first opened its doors in 1966. Other famous facts about Havana and its most famous ice cream parlor are that it used to carry 26 unique ice cream flavors – it now sells Vedado ice cream rather than Coppelia-brand ice cream.

43. Following the collapse of the USSR, Cuba entered a period of severe economic hardship known as El Período Especial – The Special Period

El Período Especial occurred from 1991 through the mid-1990s and took its name from a Fidel Castro speech in which he called these years “a special period in a time of peace,” comparing the hardships of the period to those of wartimes.

It’s estimated that adult Cubans lost between 5-25% of their body weight due to food scarcity and shortages. It’s one of the facts about Cuba and its history that most Cubans would love to forget.

44. Havana’s cemetery Necrópolis Cristóbal Colón , Colón Cemetery, is among the most beautiful and historic cemeteries in the world, comparable to Recoleta in Buenos Aires and Père Lachaise in Paris

The gorgeous cemetery is the permanent resting place of prominent figures like renowned ballerina Alicia Alonso, Ibrahim Ferrer Planas of the original Buena Vista Social Club, and Cuban chess champion Jose Raul Capablanca, whose tomb is in the shape of a white marble chess piece. Taking a walk through this impressive spot is among the best things to do in Havana .

45. Cuba is the most populous country in the Caribbean

Despite being the most populous Caribbean country, the island of Hispaniola – home to both Haiti and the Dominican Republic – is the most populous island in the Caribbean.

46. Domino is the official game of Cuba

This is one of the facts about Cuba that will come as no surprise; you’ll see people playing dominoes on street corners and porches across the island and whenever you find populations of the Cuban diaspora.

47. Cuba is home to the world’s smallest bird

Just as Cuba is home to the world’s smallest frog, it is also home to the world’s smallest bird, known as the Bee Hummingbird. These tiny birds are just 2 ¼ inches long and weigh less than a dime!

They’re endemic to Cuba but can be found all around the island. You’ll have the best chance of spotting one in the Ciénaga de Zapata swampland, in Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, and in the forests of the eastern province of Holguin.

48. Cuba’s tallest mountain is Pico Turquino, located in the Sierra Maestra mountain range

Pico Turquino measures 6,476 ft (1974 meters) at its summit. It is the 7th tallest mountain in the Caribbean, with mountains in Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic surpassing it. This is one of the fun facts about Cuba to put to the test yourself, as submitting Pico Turquino is among the best hikes in Cuba .

49. Cubans couldn’t buy or sell houses after the Cuban Revolution until 2011

This is one of those facts about Cuba that can be hard to believe, but Cubans were unable to buy or sell real estate until 2011 when private ownership of properties was first recognized after the Cuban Revolution. This led to many Cubans permutando , or trading, properties, which was an approved-of practice. You’ll still find Cubans who trade houses to this day, though many prefer to buy and sell.

50. Cubans couldn’t leave the country without prior permission from the Cuban government until 2013

Now, Cubans can come and go freely from the island once they are in possession of a passport.

From details about Cuban history and culture to fun facts about Cuba that relate to its people and places that you’d never expect, these are some of our very favorite facts about Cuba. What other facts about Cuba do you know that we left off our list?

Interested in learning more unique and unbelievable facts about Cuba? Check out our next article: 40 Interesting Facts About Havana, Cuba

Carley Rojas Avila

Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual travel writer, editor, content marketer, and the founder of the digital travel publications Home to Havana and Explorers Away. She is a serial expat and traveler, having visited 40+ countries and counting. Carley has written for publications like Travel + Leisure, MSN, Associated Press, Weather Channel, Wealth of Geeks, and more. Find her front row at a Bad Bunny concert, befriending street cats, and taste-testing every pizza in Havana.

20 things you should know before traveling to Havana, Cuba

Jan 7, 2024 • 10 min read

Make the most out of your time in Havana with this guide to planning, etiquette and safety © JulieanneBirch / Getty Images

For all its tropical charms, Havana isn’t the world’s most straightforward city for travelers.

A unique economic situation, top-heavy state bureaucracy and decades of isolation from its neighbor to the north (the USA) can place obstacles in the way of even simple activities.

But while travel in the Cuban capital can pitch you the occasional curveball, it’s rarely onerous and never dull. Ensure your trip to Havana goes smoothly with our top 20 things to know before you go.

1. Bring proof of insurance

Despite Cuba's extensive state healthcare system, visitors are required to have medical insurance to enter Cuba, and you’ll need to bring a digital or printed proof of your policy. Random checks are conducted at the airport; if you arrive without insurance, you’ll be asked to buy a Cuban policy at the airport.

2. Fill in an online immigration form in advance

With Cuba being one of the world's last Communist states, there's a bit of red tape to navigate . An online form called D’Viajeros containing immigration and health information must be completed by all travelers. You can digitally fill out the form up to 72 hours before you arrive in Cuba, so make this part of your pre-check-in preparations.

3. Different rules apply for US citizens

As a result of the strained political relationship between Cuba and the US, different rules apply for Americans traveling to Cuba. To visit, you'll have to apply for a travel license in one of 12 special categories.

There's no category for vacation, but visitors can often gain entry under the rather opaque “support for the Cuban people” category. Check out our detailed guide to the rules for US travelers .

4. Double-check you have a tourist card

To enter Cuba, all visitors need to present a completed Tourist Card. This travel document is usually available through your airline and is included in the price of many plane tickets, but check with your airline to make sure.

If your airline doesn't provide you with a Tourist Card, you can purchase one through a Cuban travel agency; costs range from US$50 to US$85. Twenty African and Asian countries require a formal visa to enter Cuba, so check the rules for your home country with your local Cuban representative before booking your tickets.

5. It's better to book accommodations in advance

Booking your accommodations before you arrive will not only guarantee you have a place to stay, it will also allow you to pay in advance and travel with less cash – a welcome situation considering the complicated rules for payments in Cuba.

Book a hotel through a reputable agency – Canada-based A Nash Travel has some excellent deals. If you’d prefer to stay in a casa particular (private homestay), use Lonely Planet’s listings to connect with owners directly via email or WhatsApp, or check out the options on Airbnb .

6. Wise up on the new money situation

The rules for making payments in Cuba have always been confusing, even to Cubans, and things have recently become even more confusing.

The country abolished the convertible Cuban peso (CUC) in January 2021 and took the US dollar out of circulation in June 2021, leading to massive inflation and the emergence of a rampant black market. The knock-on effect is a bewildering dual economy.

The official currency of Cuba is the Cuban peso (CUP), but foreign currencies are also widely accepted, especially by private businesses who need hard cash to buy non-rationed goods in special shops that allow purchases using Moneda Libremente Convertible (MLC) – basically, freely convertible currency.

State-run enterprises and banks use official exchange rates, but the superior services offered by private businesses generally reflect the more favorable black market exchange rates.

When buying something from a private business – be it a restaurant, casa particular or taxi service – it’s usually best to pay in a foreign currency. Always ask upfront what currencies are accepted and the exchange rate used for published peso prices.

The euro is the most interchangeable currency and the one preferred by Cubans. You can also use and exchange Canadian dollars and pounds sterling, but avoid US dollars.

When you first arrive, the best policy is to keep most of your money in a foreign currency and only change small amounts into pesos for incidental costs such as museum entry fees, concert tickets and tips. There are also plenty of things you can see and do for free  in Havana.     

7. Pack the right clothes to fit with your plans 

The general dress code in Cuba is pretty casual. Jeans and a T-shirt or button-up shirt are standard attire for guys and girls, though some Cuban women wear colorful rumba dresses for special occasions.

The only real dress code is in cinemas, theaters, nightclubs and upscale restaurants, where male patrons are required to wear long trousers and shirts with sleeves or half-sleeves.

8. Learn Havana's colloquial greetings

Like most big cities, Havana has a rich seam of urban slang. The classic Habanero greeting between friends is qué bola, asere? – which means something akin to “how’s it going, man?” or “what’s up, buddy?”

The word asere is derived from a Nigerian Igbo salutation originally used by the Afro-Cuban Abakuá brotherhood.

The greeting caught on and has now become a form of address peculiar to Havana; don’t use it in Santiago de Cuba where they use the word compay instead. 

9. Consider investing in some quality earplugs

With Havana's crowded houses, narrow streets and penchant for loud live music, this can be one noisy city – and the noise from the street and neighboring rooms and buildings can easily spill into the confines of your room.

If you have sensitive hearing, bring some earplugs or plan on staying in a quieter part of Havana. The suburban (eastern) half of Vedado and the diplomatic district of Miramar are less frenetic neighborhoods, with a few small hotels and plenty of casas particulares  but, crucially, few nightspots.

10. The streets often have two names

Some of Havana’s streets go by two names: a contemporary one that is noted on maps and marked on street signs and a pre-revolutionary one that is still used widely by locals. This can be confusing if you set out on foot to explore Havana's diverse neighborhoods , especially when locals start giving out directions or addresses using the old nomenclature.

Some streets are always referred to by their old names – for example, Paseo de Martí, Havana’s main tree-lined avenue, is invariably called El Prado.

Similarly, Havana’s most famous road, the Avenida de Maceo, is universally known as the Malecón, while the main shopping thoroughfare in Centro Habana (Avenida de Italia) is cherished by all as Galiano.

11. Learn the unusual rules for waiting in Cuban lines

Cubans have to endure a lot of long waits in boring lines, so they’ve invented a way of queueing that doesn’t involve physically standing in line. In a Cuban line, you simply roll up at the bakery/clinic/visa office and yell out quien es último? – meaning “who’s last?” – to the assembled crowd.

All being well, someone in a quarter-mile vicinity will answer your polite inquiry with the word yo (me) and that person will be your yardstick. As long as they’re still around, feel free to go for a walk, sit in the lotus position or buy an ice cream. When they get called up, be on your toes – you’re next!

12. Ask questions more than once

Thanks to Cuba's top-heavy bureaucracy, answers to simple requests aren’t always straightforward and the information you receive may not even be correct, even from official sources. Probe politely and ask at least five different people before you make important decisions.

Can you pay for that taxi in euros? Has that casa particular you stayed in last year really closed forever? The truth is often somewhere in between the first and last answer you'll get.

13. Work out how to differentiate between state-run and private businesses

It’s not always easy for first-time visitors to tell the difference between state-run and private businesses in Cuba – both types have their pros and cons, but by going private, you’ll be putting money directly into the pockets of the Cuban people, and private businesses often offer better standards.

As far as restaurants go, if the food is good and the service friendly and engaging, you’re probably eating in a private dining spot.

When it comes to shops and galleries, places selling official merchandise such as cigars and rum are usually state-run, while more esoteric businesses selling art, secondhand books and unique crafts are generally private.

14. Keep valuables hidden to avoid attracting pickpockets

Havana is a safe city and mostly bereft of violent crime. Pickpocketing is more common but not rampant, and it’s mostly avoidable if you take a few basic precautions.

Wear a money belt, use safe boxes in hotel rooms and don’t flash your cash in public. Walking around with your wallet on display in your back trouser pockets is also a no-no.

15. Don’t change money in the street

Cuba’s widespread black market offers all sorts of options when it comes to changing money, but don’t be talked into exchanging your foreign notes with unlicensed traders on the street. You run the risk of receiving estafas (forged notes) and other kinds of swindles.

16. Bring your own medicines

On one level, Cuba has a good health system – Cuban medics invented and quickly distributed three different COVID-19 vaccines – but it is perennially short of imported pharmaceuticals. Bring all the medications you think you’ll need, including prescription medicines and pharmacy essentials such as ibuprofen and paracetamol.

If you’d like to donate some medicines to the people of Cuba, it is currently possible to bring in 10kg (22lb) of medical supplies tax-free, but you'll need to pack them in a separate bag.

Rather than giving out stuff out willy nilly, it’s better to leave your donations with a trusted Cuban contact to distribute (if you’re staying at a casa particular , ask the owner).

17. Avoid sketchy cigars and other scams

Scams perpetrated by jineteros (hustlers) are commonplace and are generally preceded by friendly chitchat followed by elaborate stories about super-cheap cigars or expert guiding services. While jineteros can be persistent, they are rarely threatening; a polite but firm no gracias usually does the trick of dissuading them.

As a general rule, cigars sold on the streets are usually factory cast-offs or counterfeits of real brands. If you want the real thing, buy your cigars in state-run shops such as the Casa del Habano chain.

Guides can be hit or miss, and those who over-enthusiastically try to talk you into using their services often fall into the latter camp. The best policy is to get in touch with the reputable folks at Free Walking Tour Havana .

18. Beware of sidewalk obstacles

Havana’s sidewalks are filled with hidden – and not so hidden – obstacles. Fruit carts, uneven paving stones, dog droppings and uncovered manholes are just some of the hazards that could ruin your idyllic evening stroll. If you tend to walk around daydreaming or staring at your phone back home, pay extra attention in Havana.

19. Pack toilet paper

The pandemic made the provision of hand sanitizer more common, but the same can’t be said for toilet paper. Public toilets rarely provide supplies so carry your own roll or gravitate to four- or five-star hotels if you’re caught short in the city.

20. Don’t drink the water

Havana's tap water probably won’t kill you, but it can easily give you a little queasiness or an upset stomach.

Bottled water is easy to find and cheap, but to cut down on your plastic use, consider buying a travel water bottle with a built-in filter before you travel and refill it at your accommodations (unfortunately, there aren’t any public water fountains around the city).

This article was first published Apr 8, 2019 and updated Jan 7, 2024.

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Tourist Information in Cuba

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The Tourist Information Centers (INFOTUR) provide official and free information about Cuba in several languages. They can help you before, during and after your trip to the destination.

In INFOTUR you will find:

• Information about the Cuban tourist product • Free  printed  and digital maps and guides • Offline and free WIFI with tourist information

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTERS 

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•     NATIONAL  TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICE … Calle 28 No. 303 e/  3ra y 5ta Ave. Miramar,  Playa, La Habana.  Teléfono    | E-mail:                     http://www.cubatravel.cu

•  Old Havana

… Calle Obispo No. 524 e/ Bernaza y Villegas.           Tel. (53) 78663333                      … Terminal de Cruceros.

… Hotel Habana Libre. Vedado, Plaza.                         Tel. (53) 78329288                     

… Ave 5ta y 112. Miramar                                               Tel. (53) 72047036                                        Aeropuerto Internacional   ’’Jose Marti’ (’’Jose Marti’ international Airport) Teléfono. (53) 76426101. Terminal 2 y 3  Playas del Este  (Eastern Beaches)  …Ave 5ta e/ 468 y 470, Guanabo.                                   Tel. (53) 77966868                                           ... Ave. Las Terrazas y Calle 10, Santa María.               Tel. (53) 77961111                     Expocuba     Teléfono. (53) 76974396/6974397                     | E-mail:                   Sitio web:www.lahabana.travel

•      PINAR DEL RÍO

Hotel Vueltabajo ...Martí No 103 esq. Rafael Morales, Pinar del Río.      Tel. (53 48) 72 8616                                        Viñales ...Calle Salvador Cisneros. Viñales.                                Tel. (53 48) 796263                                        Las Barrigonas ...km.120 Autopista Nacional, Consolación del Sur.     Tel: (53 48) 77 8027.                                     | E-mail:                    Sitio web:www.pinardelrio.travel    

•   Varadero

Infotur in the City ...Ave.1era  esq. Calle 13.                                        Tel. (53 45) 66 29 61/ 66 29 66          Plaza América

 ...Milanés esq. Sta Teresa.                                    Tel. (53 45) 25 3162                         Aeropuerto Internacional “Juan G. Gómez”  (“Juan Gualberto Gómez”    International Airport) •            Tel. (53 45) 24 70 15 ext. 2564 Península de Zapata.  Boca de Guamá. (Zapata Peninsula. Boca de Guamá)

| E-mail:                  Sitio web:www.varadero.travel

•   Cienfuegos

Buró San Carlos ...Ave. 56, e/ 31 y 33, # 3117 Altos.                         Tel. (53 43) 51 46 53                             •     Sales Point at Jaime González Airport  ...Ave 64. •     Sales Point at Casa del Fundador ...Calle 29 Esquina Ave. 54  E-mail:                 Sitio web:www.cienfuegos.travel

•   Trinidad

Gustavo Izquierdo (Gloria), e/ Piro Ginart (Boca) y Simón Bolívar (Desengaño). Ruinas de  Leoncio (Yesterday).                    Tel. (53 41) 99 82 58                                       | E-mail:           Sitio web:www.trinidaddecuba.travel

•   Villa Clara

•     Office in the city ...Calle Cuba No 66 /Candelaria y San Cristóbal, Sta Clara. Tel. (53 42) 20 1352 y 22 7557                       Aeropuerto Internacional. “Abel Santamaría” (“Abel Santamaría”International Airport ) ...Carretera a Maleza km 11 Sta Clara. ...Llegada Tel.: (53 42) 21 0386 ...Salida Tel.: (53 42) 21 0361 ...Remedios, Máximo Gómez # 114. Remedios | E-mail:                   Sitio web:www.villaclara.travel    

Ciego de Ávila

•     Office in the city ...Honorato Castillo, Edificio 12 Plantas (Bajos).    Tel. (53 33) 20 91 09                Aeropuerto Internacional “Jardines del Rey” Cayo Coco.  (International Airport “Jardines del Rey”,  Cayo Coco.)   Tel. (53 33) 30 91 09 Centro Comercial “La Gaviota”  (“La Gaviota” Shopping Center) ...Cayo Coco, Jardines del Rey. Tel. (53 33) 30 1001 | E-mail:          Sitio web:www.jardinesdelrey.travel •     Camagüey •     Office in the city ...Ignacio Agramonte, #448, e/ Lope Recio y Charles A. Dana.(e/ los cines Encanto y Casa Blanca.    Tel. (53 32) 25 67 94                Aeropuerto Internacional “Ignacio Agramonte”  (“Ignacio Agramonte”  International Airport) ...Ave Finlay, Km 7 ½. Tel. (53 32) 26 58 05/ 26 58 07 | E-mail:                  Sitio web:www.camaguey.travel •     Las Tunas •    Infotur in the City ...Francisco Varona, # 298. (Frente al Parque Vicente García). Tel. (53 31) 37 27 17/ 37 15 12             Ranchón La Rotonda. ...Circunvalación Sur. Salida a Holguín.                        Tel. (53 31) 37 4600         | E-mail:                           Sitio web:www.tunas.travel •     Holguín •     Infotur in the City ...Calle Libertad, esq. a Martí, 2da Planta. Edificio Pico Cristal. Tel. (53 24) 42 50 13             Aeropuerto Internacional. “Frank País”.  ...Carretera Central Vía Bayamo, Km 11 ½. Tel. (53 24) 47 20 26 Guardalavaca  ...Lobby de la Sección Bungalow del Hotel Club Amigo Atlántico. | E-mail:                           Sitio web:www.holguin.travel •     Granma •     Infotur in the City ...Plaza del Himno, e/ José Joaquín Palma y Padre Batista. Tel. (53 23) 42 34 68       Aeropuerto Internacional “Sierra Maestra”  (“Sierra Maestra”  International Airport)   Tel. (53 23) 57 44 34 Hotel Guacanayabo ...Manzanillo. Tel. (53 23) 57 4412 | E-mail:                       Sitio web:www.granma.travel •     Santiago de Cuba  ...Francisco Vicente Aguilera. esq. Felix Peña (Santo Tomás). Tel. (53 22) 68 6068. Aeropuerto Internacional “Antonio Maceo” (“Antonio Maceo” International Airport) Tel. (53 22) 69 20 99 / 69 88 64 | E-mail:             Sitio web:www.santiagodecuba.travel •     Guantánamo •    Infotur in the City ...Calle Calixto García e/ Flor Crombet y Emilio Giró. Tel. (53 21) 35 19 93           Baracoa ...Calle Antonio Maceo #129 A.  e/ Maraví y Frank País. Tel. (53 21) 64 1781/64 1782    | E-mail:                   Sitio web:www.baracoa.travel    •     Cuba has offices in different countries, in accordance with the location of our main markets. These offices represent us before the institutions and tourist organizations of the host country. In addition, all Cuban embassies undertake,  among their tasks, the tourist promotion of the island. In these offices you will be able to obtain all the information you want about Cuba as a tourist destination, where you can buy brochures, videos, CDs, promotional media and exclusive offers depending of the time and season of the year. •    These offices represent us before the institutions and tourist organizations of the host countries. Also, all the Cuban embassies assume, among their tasks,  the tourist promotion of the island. 

•    Offices abroad: Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, (Montreal), Canada (Toronto), China, Spain, France, England, Italy, Mexico and Russia.

Today Cuba counts with the National Office of Tourist Information and a network (growing) of centers of information, attending necessities and demands of the called leisure industry. Distributed throughout Occident to orient, these centers are located in cities, airports and strategic enclaves identified in the different tourist destinations. Visit us, we inform you.

National Tourist Information Office:

28 St. No. 303 % 3 rd and 5 th Avenue Miramar, Playa, La Havana.

• Habana Vieja
• Obispo # 524 between/ Bernaza and Villegas. Phone No. (53) 7 866 33 33.
• Obispo corner with San Ignacio.  Phone No. (53) 7 863 68 84.
• Plaza . Habana Libre Hotel. Vedado. Phone No. (53) 7 832 92 88.
• Playa. 5 th Avenue and 112. Miramar. Phone No. (53) 7 204 70 36.
• International Airport “José Martí”. Phone No. (53) 7 642 61 01. (Terminal 2 and 3).
• Playas del Este.
• 5 th Avenue between/ 468 y 470, Guanabo. Phone No. (53) 7 796 68 68.
• Las Terrazas Avenue and St. 10,   Santa María.  Phone No. (53) 7 796  11 11.
• Expocuba . Phone No. (53) 7 697 4396 / 697 4397.

Pinar del Río

• Vueltabajo Hotel. Martí # 103 corner Rafael Morales, Pinar del Río. Phone (53 48) 72 8616.
• Viñales. St. Salvador Cisneros. Viñales. Phone (53 48) 796263.
• Las Barrigonas. Km 120 National highway, Consolación del Sur. Phone: (53 48) 77 8027.
• Infotur City. 1 st Avenue  corner 13 th St. Phone. (53 45) 66 29 61/ 66 29 66.
• Plaza América.
• Matanzas. Milanés corner. Sta Teresa. Phone. (53 45) 25 3162
• International Airport “Juan G. Gómez”  Phone. (53 45) 24 70 15 ext. 2564.
• Península de Zapata.  Boca de Guamá.
• Buró San Carlos. 56 th Avenue, between/ 31 y 33, # 3117 Altos. Phone. (53 43) 51 46 53.
• Point in Airport Jaime Gonzales. 64 th avenue.
• Punto Portales de la Casa del Fundador. 29 th St. Corner 54 th Avenue.
• Gustavo Izquierdo (Gloria), corner/ Piro Ginart (Boca) and Simón Bolívar (Desengaño). Ruins of Leoncio (Yesterday). Phone. (53 41) 99 82 58.

Villa Clara

• City Office. Cuba St. #66 /Candelaria and San Cristóbal, Sta Clara. Phone. (53 42) 20 1352 and 22 7557.
• International Airport “Abel Santamaría”. Road to Maleza km 11 Sta Clara.
• Phone: (53 42) 21 0386.
• Out Phone: (53 42) 21 0361.
• Remedios, Máximo Gómez #114. Remedios.
• City Office. Honorato Castillo, 12 building Levels (Lows). Phone. (53 33) 20 91 09.
• International Airport “Jardines del Rey” Cayo Coco. Phone. (53 33) 30 91 09.
• Mall “La Gaviota”, Cayo Coco, Jardines del Rey. Phone. (53 33) 30 1001.
• City Office. Ignacio Agramonte, #448, between/ Lope Recio and Charles A. Dana (between/ Encanto cinema and Casa Blanca. Phone. (53 32) 25 67 94.
• International Airport “Ignacio Agramonte”. Avenue Finlay, Km 7 ½. Phone. (53 32) 26 58 05/ 26 58 07.
• Infotur City. Francisco Varona, # 298. (in front of Vicente García park). Phone. (53 31) 37 27 17/ 37 15 12.
• Ranchón La Rotonda. South highway. On the way out to Holguín. Phone. (53 31) 37 4600.
• City Infotur. Libertad St, corner to Martí, 2 nd floor. Pico Cristal building. Phone. (53 24) 42 50 13.
• International Airport. “Frank País”. Central highway Vía Bayamo, Km 11 ½. Phone. (53 24) 47 20 26.
• Guardalavaca. Lobby of the Bungalow section of the Club Amigo Atlántico Hotel.
• Infotur City. Del Himno Plaza, between/ José Joaquín Palma and Padre Batista. Phone. (53 23) 42 34 68.
• International Airport “Sierra Maestra”  Phone. (53 23) 57 44 34.
• Guacanayabo Hotel. Manzanillo. Phone. (53 23) 57 4412.

Santiago de Cuba

• Francisco Vicente Aguilera. corner. Felix Peña (Santo Tomás). Pnone. (53 22) 68 6068.
• International Airport “Antonio Maceo”. Phone. (53 22) 69 20 99 / 69 88 64.
• Infotur City. Calixto García St. between/ Flor Crombet and Emilio Giró. Phone. (53 21) 35 19 93.
• Baracoa. Antonio Maceo St. #129 A. between/ Maraví and Frank País. Phone. (53 21) 64 1781/64 1782.

Cuba has offices in different countries, according to the areas where you can find our main markets. These offices represent the tourist institutions and organizations of the host country. Besides, the Cuban embassies assume their promotional tasks on the island. On these offices you can find brochures, videos, CDs, promotional materials and exclusive offers depending on the season of the year.

Offices on the outside: Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Canada (Montreal), Canada (Toronto), China, Spain, France, England, Italy, Mexico and Russia.

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Opinion | Editorial: What Cuban ‘justice’ reveals…

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Opinion | editorial: what cuban ‘justice’ reveals about rubio.

But ignorance isn’t the only reason why Florida’s senior senator would indignantly compare Donald Trump’s criminal conviction to a show trial in Cuba. It’s merely the kindest.

Did the is University of Miami School of Law graduate miss classes explaining that in an American court, defendants must be proven guilty beyond and to the exclusion of  all reasonable doubt?. A Cuban court would have treated him, at best, to a show trial.

Justice, here and there

In Manhattan criminal court, Trump got the best lawyer his millions could buy. In a criminal trial in Cuba, he would have been stuck with whichever state lawyer pulled the short straw.

Here, Trump had the right to testify in his own defense. There, he would be expected to explain why he committed the crime.

Rubio hammered home his argument that there’s no daylight between Cuba’s lack of justice and Trump’s own trial, with a video featuring a military official manacled and brought before a crowd of more than 15,000 in the Havana Sports Palace arena. Thirteen hours of screamed jeers and accusations ended at dawn with a judgment of death .

In America, Trump complained about the courtroom’s air conditioning. He was allowed to call his own trial “rigged,” the judge “corrupt” and the verdict “a disgrace.”

Try getting away with that in Havana.

Consumed by ambition

In Cuba, there is no jury of peers in a criminal trial. And although the former president appears to doubt he has peers anywhere, he does, and they judged him — not a state tribunal.

Still, some people will believe Rubio. They might think that the son of Cuban immigrants is speaking from experience. He’s not. He’s speaking from an ambition so humiliatingly raw that a person could be embarrassed for him.

Rubio exploited the memory of thousands who lost their freedom to Cuban justice to score political points.

But the man he is defending, Trump, is the man he seems to hope will anoint him as his vice presidential running mate.

In Cuba, Trump’s stated goals for American justice fit right in.

Cuba and Trump’s America

Trump endorsed the termination of the U.S. Constitution if it would put him back in power. Havana’s latest 2019 constitution ensures that those who are in power stay in power.

Cuba executes drug users. Trump seeks to execute drug dealers.

Cuba locks up its political enemies. Trump has been calling for that since 2016.

Cuba sent in military and national police to break up protests over the economy.

Trump sent in the National Guard to break up Washington D.C. protests over George Floyd. If states did not do the same, he told governors , he would send in the military.

Police tear-gassed peaceful demonstrators in Cuba.

Police tear-gassed peaceful demonstrators to allow Trump to walk to a church for a photo-op.

Cuba sentenced 171 protestors to an average of 10 years and two months in prison.

Trump has called for U.S. protestors to be imprisoned for 10 years.

This years-long fire hose of daily outrages from Trump and his lackeys makes it hard to pause and remember the inflammatory pledges are not jokes over beers or a little something to gin up a rally.

Listen to Trump’s words

Trump has always done, or tried to do, exactly what he says he wants to do.

And he is saying he wants the American justice system dismantled from the ground up to better serve him.

He’s shrewd enough to distance himself from the most noxious of the anti-democratic specifics. The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 , for instance, has not been openly endorsed by the Trump campaign.

But to a man who said he will be a dictator — for just one day, though — Project 2025’s plans for the American justice system are catnip.

As in Cuba, law enforcement under Project 2025 would be subordinate to one man. Every federal prosecution and investigation would have to reflect the president’s policy goals, or they could be stopped.

That, though, is not the mockery of America’s justice system Rubio wants us to focus on.

“A travesty,” he said after Trump’s convictions. “An ugly, ugly blemish.” And to his followers on X: “Get even.”

All this venom from the senator for convictions that may not even stand.

Trump is appealing, and he might win. That’s because, at least for the time being, America remains a nation of laws, and not men.

Another reason Trump might win is because this is still America — not Cuba.

The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board includes Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson, Opinion Editor Krys Fluker and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Editorial Page Editor Steve Bousquet, Deputy Editorial Page Editor Dan Sweeney, editorial writer Martin Dyckman and Anderson. Send letters to [email protected].

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