Cuba, the Caribbean’s largest island, is rich in tradition, culture, and mystery. Cuba’s colonial cities have lovely historic structures that give the impression of a country stuck in time. Vintage cars still cruising the streets, and live music wafting through the cobbled squares of Havana’s World Heritage-listed Old Town. Natural beauty abounds in Cuba. This massive island boasts over 5,000 kilometers of coastline, much of which is surrounded by beautiful beaches. In the blue waters, coral reefs glisten, while Cuba’s lush countryside and beautiful islands have hosted presidents, offered shelter to rebels, and inspired authors from all over the world, including Ernest Hemingway. This list of the best attractions and places to see in Cuba will give you a flavor of the country’s interesting culture.
Photo by Danilo Sandoval on Unsplash
Cayo Coco
Cayo Coco is a beautiful beach resort in Cuba that is also one of the most isolated. Cayo Coco provides classic beach holidays along Cuba’s northern coast, with its brilliant white sand beaches and vibrant coral reefs. Cayo Coco is part of the Jardines del Rey island series, and its natural beauty is thought to have influenced Ernest Hemingway’s writings such as Islands in the Stream and The Old Man and the Sea. Spend your days relaxing on the immaculate white-sand beaches, drinking a mojito or daiquiri, and exploring the deep blue on a snorkeling or scuba diving expedition to the nearby coral reefs. Keep a lookout for some of the rare species that live in Cayo Coco’s everglades and mangroves, such as one of the world’s largest native pink flamingo populations.
Havana
Old Havana, or Habana Vieja, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a well-preserved slice of Cuban history. It’s possible to envision life in Cuba 200 years ago while wandering around the cobbled streets and staring up at the towering Baroque and neoclassical structures. The old structures are getting a fresh lease on life thanks to extensive restorations. The Plaza de la Catedral, which houses the Cuban Baroque Catedral de San Cristobal, the famed restaurant and Hemingway haunt Bodeguita del Medio, and the military bastion Castillo de la Real Fuerza are also major attractions.
Trinidad
When you visit Trinidad, Cuba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s like traveling back in time. The city center’s nicely renovated buildings and cobbled streets give off a charming colonial vibe. Trinidad benefited from both the sugar and slave trades, and most of the architecture dated from the 17th to 19th centuries. Apart from Havana, Trinidad is now one of the top cities in Cuba to visit. The cobblestone Plaza Mayor, the city’s central plaza, has a lively environment. The neoclassical Church of the Holy Trinity rises above the square.
Plaza de la Revolucion
The Plaza de la Revolucion is worth a visit for its historical significance in Havana, even if only to absorb the events that transpired here. In this huge square, Castro held speeches that drew audiences of over a million people at times. During a visit to Cuba in 1998, Pope John Paul II celebrated mass here. As a monument to Cuban national hero Jose Marti, a 109-meter grey tower stands in the middle of the Plaza de la Revolucion, with a big white marble statue of him at its base. The entrance to the Jose Marti Memorial’s interior, which contains a Marti museum, is located underneath the monument. Climb to the top of the tower to get a birds-eye perspective over Havana.