15 Must Visit Spots in Cuba

Since President Obama’s recent speech on the subject of planned Cuba policy changes, everyday Americans have been abuzz about the Caribbean’s largest island, located just south of Florida. For decades embargoed and isolated, it seems that a new era may be starting for United States-Cuba relations.

Though it is still illegal for Americans to visit Cuba for strictly touristic reasons, things may be changing soon. And anyway, if you’re American and your heart is truly set on a visit, there are ways to get there…

When you do finally get to Cuba, here are the fifteen must-visit spots that you absolutely need to check out:

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Havana

Cuba’s capital, transportation hub, cultural heart, and center of pretty much everything on the island, it’s pretty much impossible to miss Havana even if you wanted to. But anyway, that would be a huge waste! If you visit Cuba without visiting Havana, you may as well not have visited at all, as getting to know Havana is an important part of getting to know the island. Whether you’re looking for museums, cigar factories, cathedrals, restaurants, historic landmarks, live music, or really anything else, you’ll find it here in Havana. On an island where it’s hard to find a lot of things, Havana is the exception to this rule.

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Varadero

Located on an incredibly narrow peninsula just east of Havana, Varadero is not only Cuba’s largest tourism destination but also one of the largest in the entire Caribbean! Home to over 20 kilometers of truly stunning white sand beaches, this should probably come as no surprise. As Cuba’s premiere tourism spot, there are options here for most any price range. The peninsula is also home to Cuba’s only full golf course, which is (perhaps surprisingly) quite decent. If you’re looking for an all-inclusive, laid-back island vacation and nothing more, this is one of Cuba’s ideal spots for you.

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Cayo Coco

Of course, if you’re looking for truly world-class beaches and an all-inclusive resort environment, Varadero isn’t your only option in Cuba! In fact, the comparatively newer hotels and resorts on Cayo Coco might be more your speed. This small key off the northern coast of Cuba was for years home only to fishermen and charcoal producers until the construction of its first resort in 1990. Since then, it’s become another one of Cuba’s prime tourism destinations. Quieter and less-developed than Varadero, Cayo Coco is a great option for those looking for more seclusion without leaving behind the convenience of the all-inclusive hotel package.

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Baracoa

Of course, if you’re looking for even more secluded beaches and are ready to leave the all-inclusive resorts behind, then the list of options for you begins to grow. Heading almost to the eastern tip of Cuba will bring you to Baracoa, the island’s first Spanish settlement and, for a very short time, its original capital. Baracoa remained totally disconnected from the rest of the island until the mid-20th century, when the Revolutionary government managed to construct a winding highway through the mountains that long isolated this corner of Cuba. Though now easier to access, Baracoa still retains a delightful local culture all its own.

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Holguin

About halfway between Cayo Coco and Baracoa–both geographically and metaphorically speaking–sits Holguin. The majority of the municipality is not touristic in the least, and a decent view for visitors into what might constitute the “authentic” Cuba. However, the area’s beautiful beaches feature more all-inclusive, upscale hotels and accommodations. So if you’d like to bear witness to the day-to-day lives of ordinary Cubans without having to subjugate yourself to the same trials and tribulations, Holguin might prove to be the best choice for you.

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Vinales

Heading back now to western Cuba, the small town of Vinales and its accompanying agricultural valley are some of the island’s biggest tourism destinations–but you’d never know it. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this region is one of Cuba’s prime tobacco growing areas, and the sights and smells associated with the traditional industry still define the valley. Additionally, the topography here is marked by strange and impressive rock outcroppings called mogotes, which rise up from the flat plain sometimes at nearly 90 degree angles. This is one of Cuba’s premiere hiking, rock climbing, and caving destinations.

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Santiago de Cuba

Located towards the southeastern end of the island on the Caribbean Sea, Santiago de Cuba is a fantastic destination for visitors desiring an urban Cuban experience outside of the capital of Havana. It was from this region that Fidel Castro and Che Guevara launched their revolutionary movement, and Castro came back here to make the first official announcement of the Revolution’s victory. Santiago de Cuba is the island’s second cultural capital behind Havana. It houses a fine art museum containing the collection that once belonged to the Bacardi family, and is well known for its music and unique Afro-Cuban cultural traditions.

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Camaguey

Located in the geographical center of the country, Camaguey is Cuba’s third largest city. If you’re looking for the “authentic” Cuba, this is going to be it–you’ll be hard-pressed to pick out another tourist here. The downside of this is a lack of tourist amenities, at least compared to the capital, Santiago de Cuba, and the island’s many beachfront getaways. The upside, of course, is that you’ll get to know the Cuba that many visitors don’t–warm, welcoming people, colorful local culture, and of course a lot less expensive than all-inclusive resorts. Even if just for a day or two, Camaguey is certainly worth a quick visit.

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Trinidad

Don’t get confused–the “Trinidad” you’re most likely familiar with by name is not this one, but rather one half of another Caribbean island country. That said, you should know about this place too. Located just inland from the Caribbean Sea in southern Cuba, the town of Trinidad features some of the island’s best preserved Spanish colonial heritage. We’re talking cobblestone streets, public squares, pastel colored colonial-era buildings, etc. Additionally, this is one of Cuba’s traditional dance capitals, at least as far as tourists are concerned. If you’re looking to take some salsa lessons, this is the place for you.

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Cienfuegos

Settled originally by French immigrants, Cienfuegos is now known as Cuba’s “Pearl of the South.” Located on the island’s southern coast, the city is not particularly touristy but still holds a wealth of attractions that could very well be of interest to you! The city center is yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s made our list, called the finest example of Spanish Enlightenment 19th century urban planning still around to be seen today. Additionally, the city features Cuba’s only Arch of Triumph, a colonial fortress, a massive botanical garden, museums, a fine 18th century cathedral, and more.

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Santa Clara

The central Cuban city of Santa Clara is the island’s fifth largest and, at least when looking at just the last century or so, is without a doubt one of the island’s most important areas from a historical perspective. Santa Clara was home to the final battle of the Cuban Revolution, where forces commanded by Che Guevara overran the city’s garrison and then proceeded to demolish the local train tracks being used to send troops and supplies towards the government stronghold of Havana. Within 12 hours, the war was over. Though he died in Bolivia, Guevara’s remains were eventually moved back here and are housed in a mausoleum with a museum to boot.

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Matanzas

Located just in between Havana and Varadero, Matanzas probably won’t be a destination for your Cuba trip but will certainly serve as a fine place to rest and spend a bit of time if you’re traveling between the two locales. Called Cuba’s “City of Bridges” for the 17 of them crossing three different rivers, Matanzas is unlike anyplace else on the island. It’s additionally referred to as the “Athens of Cuba” for the city’s strong artistic, especially poetic, history. Nowadays, the city counts among its many attractions a museum of pharmacy, a fine 19th century theater, and boating on its numerous rivers.

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Remedios

Officially recognized as Cuba’s eighth oldest city, this smaller settlement on Cuba’s northern coast is, if we’re being frank, a little on the boring side during most of the year. Sure, it’s got a beautiful church housing thirteen altars made of gold, but outside of that there’s not much to see or do here–until Christmas rolls around, at least! Remedios is home to the “Las Parrandas de Remedios” Christmas festival, held between the 16th and 26th of December each year. One of the Cuba’s oldest and most traditional celebrations involving at one point a competition between two neighborhoods to try and make the most noise, it’s certainly recommended if you’re around during the season.

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Guardalavaca

We’re heading back towards the beach destinations to round out our Cuba list. Located towards the far northeastern end of Cuba, Guardalavaca is a low-key seaside destination mainly for tourists looking to relax. The simple fact of the town’s funny name was enough to clinch a spot on our list, however. Guardalavaca, when broken down into individual words, literally means “guard the cow.” The story is that this area was once a favorite spot for pirate raids, some of which in desperation would even go after the locals’ cows. Of course, it could also just be a malapropism of “guard the ship,” but we like the other story better.

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Cayo Santa Maria

Like previously mentioned Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria is also located in Cuba’s world famous Jardines del Rey archipelago. This island group juts off of Cuba’s northern shore and into the Atlantic Ocean, featuring some of the country’s most beautiful white beaches and turquoise waters. Cayo Santa Maria only began developing as a tourist destination in the early 2000s, but since then a number of large-scale, all-inclusive resort projects have been completed. If you’re looking for a luxurious Cuban getaway and only the most modern of facilities will do for you, seriously consider Cayo Santa Maria as your spot!

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