1. Havana

The Cuban capital, Havana is famous for its colorful architecture, lively music, and dance scene, as well as its historic sites such as the Malecón seawall and the Plaza de la Revolución. Make sure you visit Habana Vieja’s old squares for a glimpse of colonial architecture, where you can admire the mansions that now operate as museums and hotels. A walk along pedestrianized Obispo Boulevard offers art galleries, shops, music venues, and incredible architecture.

2. Viñales

This picturesque town is known for its tobacco fields, where visitors can take a tour and learn about the process of cigar making. About 180km (100 miles) west of Havana, Viñales is one of the most beautiful places in Cuba. It was added to Unesco’s World Heritage list because of its landscapes of red soils and distinctive limestone outcrops called mogotes. 

3. Trinidad

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and a World Craft City in 2018, Trinidad, is a well-preserved colonial-era town with stunning architecture and cobblestone streets, where you can also enjoy the nearby beaches. It’s also a cradle of the best handmade crafts on the island. Trinitarian needleworkers stitch their linen pieces at open-air markets, exhibiting handmade clothing, delicately embroidered tablecloths, and garments known as guayaberas.

4. Varadero

Cuba’s most popular beach destination, with miles of white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. You can stay in all types of accommodations, from top-end all-inclusive resorts to beautiful casas particulares (private homestays). Casas serve as B&Bs and range from budget-friendly rooms adjacent to family houses to classy hostels with private swimming pools.

5. Matanzas

Also known as the Athens of Cuba, Matanzas is the homeland of some of the country’s most cherished performers, such as Miguel Failde, creator of the cheek-to-cheek danzón (ballroom dance). The city is also the birthplace of the rumba, an Afro-Cuban dance that the 70-year-old music group Muñequitos de Matanzas has promoted worldwide.

6. Cienfuegos

Known as the “Pearl of the South”, Cienfuegos is a charming coastal city with a rich history and vibrant cultural scene. It was founded in 1819 on a beautiful natural bay. Deep enough to welcome cruises and mega-yachts, the bay is best enjoyed from Punta Gorda and the nautical centers at Club Cienfuegos and Marlin Marina Cienfuegos.

7. Santiago de Cuba

Considered the second capital of Cuba, Santiago de Cuba was the HQ of the revolutionary guerrillas in the 1950s, but there’s more to experience here. Caribbean rhythms, tropical flavors, and frenzied festivals set the rhythm of this colorful city. A vibrant city with a distinct Afro-Cuban culture, Santiago is known for its music, dance, and food.

8. Baracoa

Cuba’s oldest city is located in the easternmost tip of Cuba, in the province of Guantánamo. It’s known for its natural beauty. The road from Guantánamo leads to La Farola, a sinuous 60km-long (37-mile) road considered the most scenic drive in Cuba.

9. Camagüey

This city boasts a unique blend of Spanish colonial and Caribbean architectural styles, as well as a lively cultural scene. Camagüey has a surprisingly intricate street pattern in the city center that usually strikes visitors. With most of the grid formed by one-way narrow streets, it’s almost impossible to sort it out if you’re behind the wheel. Instead, stroll around maze-like alleys to discover small but lovely plazas all within walking distance from one another.

10. Playa Girón

Site of the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, this beach is now a popular spot for snorkeling and diving, with clear waters and a colorful coral reef. The clear Caribbean waters offer impressive clarity and a colorful variety of marine fauna.

Remember that you can go to all these places with us