Havana's vintage appeal - Will Venn
Cuba Destination Guide
by Jonathan Milligan
Summary
Cuba isn't your typical Caribbean island. The sun-drenched, palm-fringed beaches and crystal-clear waters are all there, as you'd expect, but venture away from the coast and you can experience the kind of authentic island existence that has all but vanished in the rest of the region.
Political isolation means that the tourist masses haven't ruined Cuba yet, but this could soon change. If you want to experience the friendly locals, stunning countryside, spectacular scenery, idyllic beaches and beautiful colonial architecture for yourself, there's no time like the present - rum and cigars await you.
Getting there/getting around in Cuba
José Martí International Airport is situated about 10 miles outside of the capital, Havana, and there are lots of taxis ready to whisk you into town. Make sure they have their meters running and if you use a taxi for a longer journey, agree a price beforehand. Ask at your hotel for an idea of how much a particular journey should cost. There is also an airport at Holguín, if your beach destination is Guardalavaca.
There are good, frequent long-distance buses between the major resorts and cities, but the public buses (camellos) in urban areas are best avoided as pickpocketing is rife. When you leave Cuba, bear in mind that you have to pay a departure tax.
Quick facts
Currency: There are two types of peso but most tourists pay with Cuban convertible pesos (CUCs). You can use Cuban pesos for snacks and drinks at street stalls and restaurants, postage stamps and for tipping
Language: Spanish
Flight time: 11 hours
GMT: -5 hours
Weather: The warmest months, July and August, average 27C (90F) and the coolest, February, averages 22C (70F). There's a May-October rainy season, with the worst rain in September and the worst storms in June
Dialling code: 00 53
Electricity: 110V, 60 Hz. Adapter required
Caribbean street rhythms - Will Venn
Beaches in Cuba
Luxury hotels are sprinkled throughout Havana and the rest of the country. Consider staying at one of the Sol Melia hotels in Varadero, Guardalavaca or Holguín for a luxury holiday.
Varadero is Cuba's most popular resort and you'll find around 12 miles of pristine white sand which regularly features in 'best beaches in the world' lists in many a glossy travel magazine. It's a place where you can chill out and enjoy a few watersports by day and then really live it up by night as there are plenty of good discos and bars in the atmospheric town.
Elsewhere, the Holguín province is home to around 50 picturesque beaches, including the mile-long Guardalavaca Beach and Esmeralda Beach, home to extensive coral reefs and a great spot for honeymoons. The islands of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, with their modern resorts and fantastic beaches, are also extremely popular. Playa María la Gorda, on the south-west tip, is remote but fantastic for divers.
Sightseeing in Cuba
Havana is not to be missed. It's a city frozen in time with a distinct faded grandeur, where you'll find beautiful churches, palaces, castles and museums and classic American cars chugging along every street. Vibrant, colourful, safe and friendly, the capital is the perfect introduction to Cuba.
Trinidad was once an industrious and wealthy sugar city. Its quiet, cobbled streets, grand, pastel-coloured buildings and peaceful squares have earned it World Heritage status.
Baracoa is picturesque and boasts some impressive forts and Pinar del Río Province, with its many caves and wonderful coastline, is great for adventurers. Viñales, in the south-west, is renowned for its legendary mogotes or sugar loaf-shaped hills. For many, Santiago de Cuba, the island's second city, is just as impressive as the capital. It's the home of Cuba's oldest palaces and museums, including the Casa de Diego Velázquez and Museo Municipal Bacardi.
Family attractions in Cuba
Most of the hotel complexes cater for children but if there's no sign of a kids' club, then the beaches and watersports should keep them happy most of the time. There are plenty of caves to explore along the coastline and you can hire a guide who'll show you where the fruit bats hang out... literally.
If that leaves your kids wanting more in the way of wildlife, Cayo Coco's fantastic for birdlife and the pink flamingos are always popular. Young children will also enjoy the kids' theatre and puppet shows in Cuba's main towns.
Day trips in Cuba
If you fancy some time away from your resort and beach, Cuba's also a fantastic hiking destination. From Trinidad, book a hiking tour to Topes de Collantes for the chance to trek in forests and bathe in natural lagoons. Playa Ancon is close by for beach-lovers, take a catamaran trip to Cayo Macho to see tame iguanas or go horse riding for the day.
From Havana, enjoy a day trip to the secluded island of Cayo Levisa, which offers wonderful dive sites.
Museo de la Revolution - Will Venn
Eating out around in Cuba
Cuban cuisine has a poor reputation. Typical dishes in state-run restaurants include black beans, chicken, pork and rice, while salads and vegetables tend to be dull and uninspired. Havana does have very cheap peso pizzerias, as well as a Chinatown. Coastal areas are better for fish and seafood. It's well worth visiting a paladar - a family-run restaurant often found in someone's home - for better-quality meals. La Gaurida in Havana has to be booked in advance; while Trinidad's Sol y Son paladar is so popular, you'll have to queue to get in.
Most of the big resort hotels will have international menus if you're missing some more familiar food. If you fancy a tipple, this is the home of Bacardi, so the rum’s excellent - be sure to try a mojito cocktail with rum, lime and mint.
Nightlife in Cuba
The locals describe their nightlife as 'caliente', or hot, and it really is a fantastic place to dance the night away. Salsa is the order of the day and you can book yourself a few lessons before heading out to the nightclubs, where the friendly Cubans are more than happy to put you through your paces.
Havana pulses with music day and night - most cafés and restaurants have live bands. But for hardcore salsa fans, Casa de la Música in Havana is THE club to go to if you want to dance with and see locals in action - the atmosphere is electric here. The city's Tropicana nightclub, with its legendary cabaret show, is very touristy in comparison. Otherwise, many big hotels organise entertainment, but it'd be a real shame to miss out on some more authentic nightlife.
Shopping in Cuba
Cuba's most famous purchase is undoubtedly the cigar. Tour a facory to see how they are produced and sample a few on your holiday so you can see which variety you want to bring back to the UK. Cohiba, Bolívar and Romeo y Julieta are popular brands. Don't buy fake cigars from street sellers.
Other good buys include local art, rum and salsa CDs.
Related destinations
If you're interested in Cuba you may also like to look at these related destinations:
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