Popular Destinations in Cuba

Havana

Regardless of the final point of arrival, a vacation in Cuba for any Russian begins with the capital – Havana. It was here that the heroic history of the island was once made, and from here the guest goes to the once unfamiliar and vibrant world of the Caribbean region.

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Beaches

Unlike other large settlements, the beaches of Havana are suitable for swimming and varied recreation even within the city, and not just in the suburbs. In fact, 50% of the coast here is sand dunes, built up with modern entertainment facilities.

Among the capital’s beaches loved by the Cubans themselves, observers unanimously name:

• Tarara;
• Bakuranao;
• El Megano;
• Santa Maria del

Attractions

Conventionally, the memorable places of Havana are divided into two huge groups – objects of the colonial period and places of military glory and revolutionary events of the 20th century. Both of them are good, beautiful and significant in their own way, the only question is which topic of excursions will attract more.

The sights of the first type include:

• Central building of the University of Havana;
• Capitol;
• The fortress of El Morro;
• La Real Fuerza;
• Grand Theater;
• Museum of Fine Arts.

If the exploits of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara are more interesting, then you should definitely visit:

• Museum and Revolution Square;
• Plaza of Weapons;
• Memorial to V.I. Lenin;
• Central Committee of the Communist Party;
• Historic building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Cuba.

Among the entertainment facilities of the capital are noted:

• Havana Dolphinarium;
• John Lennon Park;
• Hemingway’s house.

Shopping

It is easier to talk about shopping in Havana by naming the main shopping streets, which are not so many here. Let’s subtract from them stores “only for locals” with a card settlement system, and we get the following list:

• Avenue Malecon;
• Kalle Street;
• San Rafael;
• Plaza Carlos;
• Galliano;

Santiago de Cuba

If you are looking for a first-class vacation, Cuba will almost certainly appear before you with its calling card – the cradle of the revolution – a place called Santiago de Cuba. Despite the official status of the second largest city in the republic, there is no Havana fuss and exhaust gases, but there are cozy streets, old mansions and a bay with a fortress.

Beaches

As such, there are no recreation areas on the coast within Santiago, because the port part is actively used by merchant and other vessels. All beaches suitable for recreation are located at a distance in the isolated lagoons of the bay, which made it possible to create unique recreational areas here.

Of the most significant sections of the coast note:

• Siboney;
• Daikiri;
• Kaleton Blanko;
• Bucaneros;
• Seville.

Attractions

The territory of Santiago is rich in architectural objects, as well as in other places that can be called important points of any excursion. And they start from the fortress of San Pedro de la Roca del Morro. It is known not only for its long name, but also for being included in the UNESCO list along with the territory of the Museum of Piracy, the only one in the world.

Other important items in any program include:

• Barracks of Moncada;
• Bacardi Museum;
• Museum of Natural History;
• El Mundo de Fantasia Park;
• House of the Conquistador Velázquez;
• Mausoleum of Jose Marti.

The city is also the starting point for a tour towards Guantanamo, a city with a notorious American prison. You can look at its gigantic squares and fences from the only restaurant where waiters provide binoculars for a nominal fee, through which the camp area is clearly visible.

Shopping

Santiago de Cuba is one of the few cities in the republic that has not just its own shopping street, but a whole area called in the English manner – Shopping District. There are no large complexes here, but there are several hundred medium-sized shops, half of which are aimed at tourists. Here you can find souvenirs, tools, paintings with views of the island.

Holguin

When wondering where to relax in Cuba, many travelers choose Holguin, a resort region that is rightfully considered by a number of observers to be the Latin American “Côte d’Azur”. There are not so many noisy clubs and other entertainments, but there is everything to secure a luxury vacation.

Beaches

In total, Holguin has 41 beaches on 40 kilometers of coast, and each site has its own characteristics and entertainment spectrum. Somewhere the entrance to the sea is gentle and will appeal to families with small children, and somewhere after 20 meters a sharp descent towards the coral reef begins, and these areas are literally occupied by rental yachts with diving equipment.

The following sectors are of particular interest:

• Guardalavaca;
• Playa Esmeralda;
• Playa Pesquero;
• Playa Blanca.

It is worth noting that each beach has its own color of the shallows – from emerald green to sky blue, which is also reflected in the final choice of location.

Attractions

The key places of the region are associated with the richest natural heritage, which the local authorities have included in the tourist circulation. The most popular object is the Laguna del Tesoro – a lake and a national park of the same name with a turtle and crocodile nursery. Reptiles, by the way, can be fed by anyone.

Other must-see attractions in the region include:

• Alexander Humboldt Park;
• Indian city of Banes;
• Dolphinarium in Naranjo Bay;
• Provincial Museum;
• Staircase Loma de la Cruz.