Let's see where you can enjoy your vacation in Cuba? What resorts does the hospitable island have?
- Havana
First of all, you need to start with the capital of the island - Havana, which is a popular resort among tourists. Upon arrival, you do not have to make a long journey to your destination, because Havana has an international airport, José Marti, ready to receive you. Holidays in the capital of Cuba are more suitable for those who like to admire the cities preserved in their original appearance. From Havana, a stone's throw from the largest plant in Cuba, where the famous Havana Club rum is produced;
- Santiago de Cuba
Holidays in Cuba are also famous for their second largest city - Santiago de Cuba. The city, of course, is slightly inferior to the capital in terms of the number of museums located in it, but it has its own characteristics that attract tourists. You have probably heard many times about the noisy Cuban carnivals and the famous fire festival? Do you know where they are held? In Santiago de Cuba! Relax in this beautiful city will be a pleasure for lovers of beaches and diving. This is the only city in Cuba where the water warms up to + 32 ºС. This is the warmest resort place in terms of sea water temperature;
- Varadero
The city of Varadero is deservedly recognized as a resort with the cleanest beaches in Cuba. It is here that the world-famous Dupont or Al Capone house-museum is located. Those who dream of seeing the Indians from childhood need to relax here. Not far from the resort of Varadero is a village where real Indians live. The inhabitants of Cuba will gladly offer you an excursion to this mysterious place;
- Holguin
There is on the territory of Cuba the very resort to which the famous phrase of Christopher Columbus refers. Seeing the vastness of this local town, he exclaimed: "I have never seen anything more beautiful in my life!" Holidays in Cuba will allow you to see it. It is recommended to visit this beautiful city - Holguin. A place where expensive hotels with the highest level of service are located. The resort is considered elite, but this does not prevent it from experiencing a lack of tourists. Holguin has the most beautiful beach - one of the best beaches in Cuba, whose name means "Emerald Coast".
Island resorts in Cuba
Well, it's all about resorts - cities. This information is for those who want to combine beach holiday with a huge variety of proposed excursions in Cuba.
And where to go to relax in Cuba for those who want peace and solitude? Where to spend your vacation away from the bustle of the city? Of course, in the resorts - islands:
- Cayo Guillermo
You have the opportunity to relax on the island of Cayo Guillermo, the smallest among the islands of Cuba. The territory of the island is a national reserve. There are only a few hotels to choose from, where you can spend an unforgettable vacation, but all of them with the highest European service;
- Kaoi Coco
Cayo Coco is considered the most secluded vacation spot in Cuba. An island where nothing will stop you from relaxing, side by side with pink flamingos, and swimming in crystal clear waters. blue lagoons;
- Cayo Largo
A rather large island is Cayo Largo, on the territory of which an international airport has been built, hospitably welcoming tourists from all over the world. There are only 6 hotels on the island, but this only means that no one will interfere with your evening walks along the beaches, your privacy with your thoughts. The Cuban resort of Cayo Largo is famous for its diving. This is an island where the beauty of the underwater world is so beautiful that it attracts tourists from all over the world.
As you can see, there are places to relax in Cuba. The place you prefer depends only on your requirements and desires. Decide on a holiday resort in Cuba and go to an island where the atmosphere of freedom and fun reigns.
Have a nice holiday! It will definitely be unforgettable!
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Last year, I visited Cuba for the first time, spent about a month there, carefully studied the island and was surprised to find that the variety of local resorts goes far beyond our imagination, limited by postcards with views of Varadero. In fact, there are more luxurious resorts in Cuba, and completely wild beaches where tourists cannot even spend the night.
It is officially divided into small provinces, not regions, so in this article, for a better understanding, I will divide it geographically. Below I will talk in detail about each part of the island: popular cities and entertainment, and most importantly - about the beaches. After all, of course, it is difficult to imagine a trip to Cuba without a holiday on the Caribbean coast.
Types of beaches. Cayo and playa
The beaches of Cuba are literally perfect. I have never seen so pure and clear water like in the Caribbean. The sea itself is shallow, and the descent into the water is almost everywhere smooth, making the local resorts perfect for families with children.
Looking at a map of Cuba before the trip, I wondered why the names of some resorts begin with the prefix "playa", while others are called "cayo". Now I can explain this important difference, which will help you decide on a resort in the future.
- playa Literally translated as "beach". In fact, all resorts with this prefix are the usual beaches of the Caribbean coast. The water in most of them will be clear (if the beach is not located in a bay), but algae can grow at the bottom, and the sand will not be perfectly white, but rather yellow.
- Cayo- this is how we used to imagine a real Caribbean paradise. Literally, "cayo" is translated as "island", and small islands connected to Cuba fall under this definition. highways. Separate islands are still not equipped with dams, so tourists have to overcome part of the way by water. However, there are few such places left.
Capital region. Architecture, history, shopping
Cities: Havana
The capital region is the place where the the largest number tourists. Some even choose tours to Havana, thereby practically giving up a beach holiday.
In fact, it is a whole world in which it is easy to get lost for several weeks. There are colorful tourist streets, shabby neighborhoods of old Havana and the unique rhythm of the Malecón (the city's main promenade) with high-rising waves that sometimes completely flood the street. There is practically no glass on the windows, and local residents communicate with neighbors through window openings without leaving their homes. is an open-air museum, which you will not find analogues in the whole world. It is in such an environment that you understand how different the life of people living in hot countries is from ours.
People come here to get acquainted with the history and architecture, visit dancing establishments and the most famous restaurants of the island. Here you can buy most of the souvenirs offered to tourists. However, the beaches in the capital part of the island, perhaps, will not be the cleanest on Liberty Island.
Things to Do: Hershey Train
In addition to the capital itself, which will take you at least a week to get to know, there is another popular entertainment in the region. This is the Hershey Train - a train that runs between Havana and the neighboring city of Matanzas along the old railway.
I have already written in other articles that the old Cuban trains have become famous among tourists more as an authentic attraction than as a means of transportation. The fact is that the conditions on the trains are very bad, but this is the only way to travel with the local population and look at the life of the Cubans from another side. The train runs throughout the country, but most tourists do not dare to take a long trip and choose the shortest section - from Havana to Matanzas, the distance between which is only 100 km.
Resorts: Playas de Este, Jibacoa, Puerto Escondido
The beaches in the metropolitan area stretch one after another along the road from Havana to Matanzas. They have a clear pattern: the farther the beach is from the capital, the cleaner it will be. In this part of the coast, Cubans themselves mainly rest. Due to the large concentration of people on the beaches, cases of theft are not uncommon, so you should not leave things unattended here. I will briefly talk about each resort.
Northern part. Popular resorts
Cities: Varadero
This resort city is without a doubt the most popular in Cuba. The tourism infrastructure is best developed here, and vacationers do not need to think about literally anything. The main city of the region is Varadero, which is equipped with an international airport. Tourists come here, aiming exclusively at a beach holiday.
Many travelers have a negative attitude towards Varadero, as it is impossible to merge with local life and feel the atmosphere of Cuban socialism. In Varadero, everything is rich and festive, and this does not fit in with the realities of Liberty Island. In this regard, I often heard a dismissive phrase from many tourists: "Varadero is not Cuba." No less often I came across a skeptical answer: “Well, thank God!” After all, those who appreciate comfort and prefer hotel rest upper class, the lack of local flavor does not upset, but, on the contrary, is very pleasing.
Things to do: shopping and entertainment
The main resort region of the country offers tourists a whole range of Caribbean entertainment. Here you can visit the museums of rum and sugar cane, go shopping for souvenirs, sign up for a dance master class and listen to live music in one of the restaurants. Varadero is a kind of Caribbean, noisy and bright. A comparison with a domestic resort came to my mind also because in Varadero, as nowhere else in Cuba, Russian speech is constantly heard.
Resorts: Varadero, Playa Coral, Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria
The local resorts are equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay: the beaches have sun loungers and showers, changing and storage cabins, beach activities and much more. The pattern of these resorts is simple - the farther they are from Varadero, the fewer vacationers there will be, and the more expensive the hotels will be.
If you are traveling around Cuba by car, then there is a less convenient, but more budgetary way to relax in Cayo Coco: 60 km from the beach, on the main part of the island, is the village of Moron. There you can rent a room in the private sector for 20-25 USD and ride from there to the snow-white beaches every day. To enter the island, you only need to pay a small fee of 2 USD per car.
South part. History, quiet beaches and diving
Cities: Trinidad, Cienfuegos
This part of the island has become my favorite for several reasons: firstly, here are the most beautiful cities in Cuba - Trinidad and Cienfuegos. They still retain the atmosphere of colonial times, and their architecture is included in the UNESCO heritage list. There are many interesting museums and unusual tourist attractions here.
Secondly, in the vicinity of these cities there are stunning and inexpensive resorts, relaxing in which you can fully experience the atmosphere of real Cuba. What's more, the region has many unusual activities that you will not find in other parts of the country.
Things to do: eco-tourism and exotic cuisine
This region is sure to suit those who love leisure and new discoveries. After getting acquainted with the colonial architecture of cities, you can plunge into the study of the life of the Caribbean coast, as well as its inhabitants - tropical birds, huge starfish and crocodiles.
Resorts: Playa Larga, Ancon, Rancho Luna
In the southern part of the island there are budget and, in my opinion, the most comfortable resorts. All of them are very different from each other, so I will talk in detail about each separately.
West Side. Agriculture and wild beaches
Cities: Pinar del Rio, Viñales
This region seemed to me the most beautiful in Cuba due to the amazing nature: there are hills of unusual shapes for Latin America (I have seen something similar only in Asia), and the soil has a bright red hue. Local lands are very fertile, so it is in the west of Cuba that the largest number of tobacco and coffee plantations is located.
The people here are very nice, open and hospitable. There are several villages in the region where you can rent private sector. But most often tourists settle in one of the two cities.
Things to do: Viñales Valley
national park"Viñales Valley" is an amazing, incomparable place. Here you just get lost from the beauty of the surroundings and do not notice how your time to leave comes. I have heard many stories about foreigners who fall in love with Viñales so much that they move here to live. And for tourists who came just for a couple of days, the national park offers a few more attractions (in addition to the unique landscapes).
Resorts: Cayo Jutias, Cayo Levisa, Cayo Maria La Gorda
Local beaches can hardly be called full-fledged resorts, since there are practically no hotels here, and tourists have to settle in the vicinity, getting to the beach by car or moped every day. However, the inconvenience is fully justified by the indescribable cleanliness of the beaches, which have not yet become victims of civilization and continue to delight travelers from all over the world with their pristine cleanliness. I will talk about each separately.
East End. Caribbean rhythms and secluded resorts
Cities: Holguin, Santiago de Cuba
The eastern part is less popular with tourists from Russia. Despite the fact that there are two international airports here, they only serve flights from North and South America so far, and tourists from our countries have to transfer in Havana to get here. In spite of this, East End interesting and worthy of attention. The main cities are Holguin.
What to do: active and cultural recreation
Of course, the first thing to do in this region (especially in Santiago) is to go to one of the city's places where live music is played in the evenings and dance to your heart's content. And only then you can go to explore the natural attractions of the district, which are not lacking here.
Resorts: Guardalavaca, Esmeralda, Pesquero
The beaches in the vicinity of Holguin are considered the second most popular after Varadero. The main accommodation option here is 4 and 5-star all inclusive hotels with rooms from 90 USD per night. These are prestigious and secluded resorts with a developed entertainment infrastructure for the whole family.
Finally
Summarizing, I can say that the hotel business and the development of resorts primarily affected north coast Cuba. In the south, there are simpler resorts where you can live in the private sector and enjoy truly Caribbean benefits - coconuts on palm trees and huge starfish in the water. And if you want to get into completely wild conditions, head to the west, where pristine beaches still retain their centuries-old beauty.
07.01.2019
In the life of every tourist there comes a moment when countries located two or three hours away by air cease to excite the imagination. I would like to leave them for later, "to retire", and break out of the continent, on the other side of the globe - in general, to make a grand journey, and not just a trip. And when in the end everything depends on the price of the issue, in most cases preference is given to Cuba.
First, Cuba is the most accessible country in the Western Hemisphere. Tour operators have established a strong and reliable tourist connection with this island state, since our compatriots do not need any visa to visit Cuba. Secondly, the Cuban climate provides tourists with complete freedom from seasonal boundaries when planning a vacation: even in January, the air here is on average warmed up to 22 degrees. Thirdly, Cuba is undoubtedly a gastronomic and natural exotic, which guarantees vivid impressions and a long memory. Well, how not to mention rum and cigars, the country of origin for which is a quality mark? Finally, a pleasant surprise for inexperienced travelers who are poorly versed in foreign languages, there will be a fairly large number of local residents who speak Russian: many citizens of this socialist republic once studied in the USSR.
So, we decided to fly to Cuba! It remains only to choose a specific resort. And this turns out to be the most difficult task, because the territory of the Cuban Republic is not limited to the island of the same name, but includes more than one and a half thousand small islands and coral reefs, which means that the choice will be extensive and complex. Let's figure out together how rich and how the resorts of Cuba differ from each other.
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Varadero is one of the largest resorts not only in Cuba, but in the entire Caribbean. It is located a couple of hours east of Havana and is located on the narrow Hicacos Peninsula. In general, Varadero is the face of Cuban tourism: photographs of this particular paradise place are most often decorated with specialized booklets and brochures. It's hard to resist the image white sand, peaceful turquoise surface and bowing palm trees, right? And this is not a picture corrected by a professional designer at all, it is this beauty that meets all travelers who have chosen Varadero as their vacation spot.
By the way, according to UNESCO, Varadero beach is one of the cleanest in the world, and coral reef reliably protects it from ocean waves. Summer reigns here all year round - the January minimum almost never goes beyond 25 degrees, and August-September are characterized by the most high temperatures water and air. Another remarkable climatic feature of the peninsula is the abundance sunny days: thunderclouds do not linger over Varadero for a long time even in the rainy season. Already for this, the resort is adored by tourists, who are enough here at any time of the year - numerous coastal hotels never suffer from a lack of guests.
Noisy and crowded Varadero is also the party center of tourist Cuba - with the onset of darkness, vacationers smoothly move to restaurants and discos, of which there are plenty and variety. For example, you can visit the Al Capone House restaurant, located in a building that actually served as the home of the famous mafioso at the beginning of the last century. A variety of Varadero cabarets are also very popular with tourists. So, in the cabaret "Pirate Cave" (La Cueva del Pirata) is always full of people: the institution is located in a real cave, which once sheltered real pirates caribbean. Those who prefer peaceful unity with nature to a night of revelry can also strongly recommend a trip to Varadero: diving, fishing, playing golf are great relaxing, and you can also rent a motorcycle or scooter and go explore the surrounding grottoes, caves and dense forests.
If you look around Havana in an instant - a paradise-country, a country that is necessary! Vladimir Mayakovsky admired the capital of Cuba back in the mid-1920s, and after almost a hundred years it continues to delight everyone who comes here on vacation. Being the largest city in the Caribbean, Havana is ready to offer a 100% complete and rich vacation for every tourist.
Firstly, Havana owns almost fifty kilometers of coastline, half of which are beautiful beaches. sunbathing, bathing, water sports sports, diving - all this is guaranteed to you. Speaking of diving: 12 kilometers from the capital there is Bakuranao Beach, widely known among snorkellers for the fact that at the bottom of the sea, in the middle of coral thickets, lies a sunken ship.
Secondly, there are so many sights and museums in the five-hundred-year-old Havana that you will have to try hard to get around them all during your vacation. The old city center itself is one solid attraction and is protected by UNESCO as part of the world heritage: according to experts, about 900 buildings and structures in Old Havana alone are of historical and cultural value. It is worth visiting the Havana Capitol - outwardly it is not much different from Washington. The most popular and lively street of the city is the Malecon embankment: young people hang out here, fishermen are on duty over their fishing rods, and all carnival processions take place. In the evening, tourists flock to the Malecon to watch the sunset. The city's fortifications (the fortresses of San Carlos de la Cabaña and Castillo El Morro), which once held back pirate raids, are also of great interest, as they are among the largest in Latin America. The Hemingway House Museum, the Roma Museum, the Museum of the Fight against Illiteracy - inquisitive guests of Havana will have something to spend their time on. In the suburbs of the resort there is a large botanical garden with a Japanese corner inside, and there are also many karst caves in the vicinity, so nature lovers will not be bored either.
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And thirdly - for lovers of noisy nightlife: Havana, as it should be the largest city in the country, offers huge selection restaurants, bars, clubs and cabarets.
This is the second Cuban resort after Varadero - both in size and in importance. But we must immediately indicate that Holguin is considered a status resort: there are no hotels with a star rating below the "four" and vouchers in them cannot be called budget. Due to this, there are not a dime a dozen tourists here and the audience is also appropriate. In other words, Holguin guarantees you a leisurely, measured and rich vacation.
The resort's beaches stretch along the northeast coast of the Atlantic Ocean for 40 kilometers. High-quality service and developed infrastructure await tourists at each of the four dozen beaches. The most popular are Playa Esmeralda ("Emerald Beach"), Guardalavaca and Playa Pesquero.
Not far from Playa Esmeralda, the ship of Christopher Columbus moored more than five centuries ago, and I must say, the great navigator did not fail with the parking place: nature here still breaks its breath with its beauty. A powerful line of spreading palm trees comes very close to the emerald water, casting a thick shadow on the snow-white fine sand This beach is worth visiting at least once in your life. In general, nature has done its best here - caves and rivers, mountains and waterfalls, mud springs and a whole coral reef nearby!
One more gem in the diadem of Holguin - the beach of Guardalavaca. The translation of its name into Russian is not very poetic - "looking after the cows", but do not rush to frown in disgust, there are no cows here. So the Cubans call the Egyptian heron that nests in these places. In addition to the heavenly terrestrial beauties, Guardalavaca is also famous for its underwater ones: the nearby coral reef descends to the bottom in terraces, on which both flora and fauna are represented in all their diversity, so diving here is excellent.
Playa Pesquero is the youngest of Holguín's beaches. There are few hotels here, so mostly families come to rest in this quiet corner.
If we talk about off-the-beach entertainment, then in the vicinity of the resort there is the largest waterfall on the island - Guayabo. Lovers of history and archeology will remember the excursion to Banes and its museum with a rich exposition various items life of the Indians of the Caribbean, children will happily spend the day in the dolphinarium, and adults will take part in a jeep safari.
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Cayo Coco
30 kilometers from the northern coast of the Cuban province of Ciego de Avila stretches a chain of Jardines del Rey islands, the most famous and largest of which, perhaps, is Cayo Coco. In the late 1980s, the construction of an artificial road was completed, which connected Cuba with Cayo Coco, so now you can get to this island by land.
True, the construction of the dam was accompanied by violent protests and fears of environmentalists: Cayo Coco, together with the little Cayo Guillermo, with which they are connected in a natural way, are a unique ecosystem and are protected by the state as a natural reserve. Here is a paradise not only for people, but also, for example, for birds - more than two hundred species of birds nest on this island. One of them - the white ibis, which is called here the bird of coconuts (Coco) - gave the name to the island. And pink flamingos live here! The neighborhood of such a unique fauna and a highly developed civilization is impossible, therefore there are no restaurants, noisy nightclubs, large shops on Cayo Coco - only a few self-sufficient hotel complexes that are in great tourist demand.
The total length of the island's beach line is 26 kilometers. The nearby coral reefs reliably protect the coast from strong waves, and also create excellent conditions for diving.
Cayo Santa Maria
Very close to Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo is another tidbit for tourists of the Royal Islands group (Jardines del Rey) - Cayo Santa Maria. It is quite small: 13 kilometers long and 2 wide. You can get to it along the same man-made route from the island of Cuba, and from other islands you can sail on a yacht or catamaran. Of the eleven kilometers of sandy shores of Cayo Santa Maria, half is occupied by hotels and their infrastructure, the rest of the coastal space is wild beaches, where there are few tourists. You can get to them on a rental scooter or bike, but be careful: the roads on the island are ordinary sandy paths.
Local beaches are characterized by a gentle entry into the water, which, however, ends quickly, so parents should not leave their children to frolic in the water unattended. Unlike neighboring island resorts, Cayo Santa Maria is not protected from the winds of the Atlantic, so the sea here, to the delight of surfers, is stable and often strong.
Despite the fact that Cayo Santa Maria is still a young resort compared to its neighbors and, moreover, very modest in size, there is where to have fun. The tourist village of Pueblo la Estrella functions on the island, in which everything that visitors can be interested in is concentrated: shops and restaurants, bars and clubs, souvenir shops and spas. Special minibuses constantly run between hotels and the village for the maximum convenience of tourists. Among other entertainments available to vacationers on Cayo Santa Maria, it is worth recommending a visit to the fishing village of Caibarién, where you can treat yourself to a fresh catch, get acquainted with the fishing life and even ask for sea fishing with the locals, and the town of Remedios with excellent colonial architecture.
Cayo Largo
This resort island, once a pirate haven, is located on the other side of Cuba - off its southwestern shores. Also, having a rather modest size, Cayo Largo, at the same time, has its own airport and an excellent road connecting all local hotels. Which, by the way, are many. This is purely tourist island, local population not here - just a small area for hotel workers.
The resort's most popular beach is the five-kilometer-long Playa Lindamar, and the most secluded is Punta Mal Tiempo, where there is not the slightest trace of civilization. On the western beaches of the island (Playa Tortuga, Playa los Cocos) you can periodically observe pelicans, large turtles and iguanas, but in general you can take advantage of the excursion offer and go to the island of Cayo Iguana, where exotic lizards are found in in large numbers. Also on Cayo Largo you will be offered to do various types of water sports, diving, snorkeling, fishing and other joys of island tourism.
Active tourists who cannot stand long lying on the beach should go to Matanzas, the administrative center of the province of the same name, which includes Varadero. Matanzas is a major cultural center of Cuba and offers its guests a lot of new interesting knowledge and impressions about a still unfamiliar country.
In the city itself, you will find many museums and architectural sights, among which bridges are worth mentioning in the first place. Matanzas is often compared to Venice: the San Juan and Yumuri rivers flowing through the city are framed by almost two dozen original bridges. The most interesting tourist sites here are the castles of Castillo del Morillo and San Severino, historical, theater and pharmaceutical museums and a fresco of Che Guevara made of stone.
Five kilometers from the city is Belyamar - a unique cave, accidentally found by shepherds only a century and a half ago. Bizarre stalactites, iridescent crystals resembling stars, seemed too beautiful to superstitious natives to be created without the devil's participation, and therefore they forgot about Bellamar for another hundred years, and only in the middle of the 20th century researchers became interested in it, and subsequently elevated it to the status of a landmark. In these parts, it is necessary to visit another incredible cave - Saturno. Visitors are allowed to snorkel in a cool underground freshwater lake that is home to shrimp and blind fish. Experienced scuba divers will appreciate the Fish Cave located in the Bay of Pigs. Since the underground lake here is very deep, it is better for novice divers not to take risks and admire the natural wealth from the shore.
On the territory of the province of Matanzas there are several most curious natural reserves - Laguna de Maya with a swamp ecosystem, Leon with an endemic melocactus, and the Great National Park of Montemar. Having reached the Zapata Peninsula, it is worth visiting the village of Aldea Taina, which is a reconstruction of Indian life, and a huge crocodile farm.
Santiago de Cuba
This second most important city of Cuba is located in the very south of the island, in the bay of the same name, and is primarily known throughout the world for the annual carnival, which takes place here in July since the 17th century. But this does not mean that in the remaining months there is nothing to see here and the hotels are empty: in Santiago de Cuba and its environs there are many historical, cultural and natural attractions.
The best beach of the bay is Playa Siboney - a very picturesque place where not only tourists, but also indigenous people like to relax. The coral reef close to the shore and the local diving center guarantee tourists an exciting and educational leisure.
Nature did not deprive Santiago de Cuba of its gifts. Not far from the city is the Baconao National Park, which is listed as a UNESCO protected site. Children will especially remember visiting the park: there is a Prehistoric Valley with sculptures of more than two hundred extinct animals from the Paleolithic era, and an aquarium with a glass underwater tunnel from which you can observe the life of the Caribbean Sea. Another national park - Pico-Turkino - is waiting for those who like to climb higher: on its territory there is the highest point of the republic - Mount Turkino with a height of 1972 meters. At its top was the headquarters of Fidel Castro, and now - a museum. Another reserve, Gran Piedro Park, is marked in the Guinness Book of Records thanks to a huge monolithic rock - the third largest in the world.
The miracle of fortification - the fortress of San Pedro de la Roca, which with honor coped with repeated pirate raids - is the pride of the city and a curious object for study. Representing Spanish colonial architecture, it is protected by UNESCO. Inside the fortress is a museum of piracy. Among other man-made attractions, tourists highlight the Padre Pico staircase street, the Santa Ifigenia cemetery, Revolution Square, Fidel Castro's house and the Carnival Museum.
On the southwestern coast of Cuba, in the depths of the most beautiful bay of Jagua, the city of Cienfuegos is located, which is often called the southern pearl of the country. This resort is very attractive not only for its geographic location but also very comfortable climatic conditions for recreation. The first and best thing to do here is to go diving. A number of modern dive centers, dozens of diving points in impressive water areas - all this is at the disposal of tourists. A coral reef stretches along the entire coast, "responsible" for the diversity of underwater flora and fauna, there are also shell-covered wrecks of sunken ships, as well as your own ... Notre Dame! Yes, you heard right: nature - a builder no worse than man - created its own coral masterpiece in the waters of the Caribbean Sea, very similar to the cathedral sung by Victor Hugo.
Underwater charms of natural creations in this region are not exhausted. In the vicinity of the resort, in the Escambray mountain range, there are healing thermal springs Ciego Montero and the waterfalls of El Nicho, and even further, towards Trinidad, there is one of the most famous caves of Cuba - Martin Infierno. Here you will see one of the largest stalagmites in the world (its height is more than 62 meters), as well as a colony of the smallest bats on this planet, which are called "butterflies".
If you are determined to relax passively, then go to Rancho Luna - the most beautiful and clean beach of the resort, washed by calm waves, or Guahimico - the most picturesque beach, located near the confluence of the La Jutia River and surrounded by mountains. To all of the above, it remains to add the fact that Cienfuegos is recognized by UNESCO as an outstanding example of Latin American urban planning and therefore taken under the protection of this UN agency. And this means that in the city itself there are a lot of unique and interesting places- Central Square, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Thomas Terry Theatre, José Marti Park, Paseo del Prado, Valle Palace, Punta Gorda and Castillo de Jagua.
Trinidad is called an open-air museum, considered the most beautiful city in Cuba and compared with a time machine: there is no other place in the Americas that has so well preserved its colonial appearance. Trinidad spent a whole century of its history in isolation from the rest of the island, which helped to preserve the cobbled streets and houses built in the late 17th century in their original form! Of course, it was not without the auspices of UNESCO here, and the preservation of the historical appearance of the city has been prescribed in local legislation for more than half a century. Squares, palaces, churches, bell towers, towers, museums - does it make sense to list in detail the sights of Trinidad, if even a welcome sign at the entrance to the city belongs to them?
Being at the same time a resort, Trinidad is rightfully proud of its beaches. 12 kilometers south of the city begins the six-kilometer spit of Ancon, on which are located Playa Ancon and Playa Maria Aguilar, reputed to be the best on the entire southern coast of Cuba. There are also two luxurious diving sites - Casilda Bay and the islet of Cayo Blanco. Underwater landscapes here are extremely picturesque: grottoes, tunnels and caves, species diversity of corals, an abundance of fish.
Twelve kilometers north of Trinidad, in the Escambray mountain range, the Topes de Collantes National Park begins, replete with mountain streams and waterfalls, canyons and grottoes, hills and caves, orchids and ferns. There are also coffee plantations here, through which one of the most popular hiking trails passes, leading to the 62-meter Kaburoi waterfall.
One more nature Park, El Cubano, is located very close to the city, just five kilometers from the center. There is also a river and a waterfall, many rare plant species. In El Cubano, you can ride horses, take a walk with an eco-tour, and even stay with a tent at a campsite.
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Liberty Island Cuba is loved by tourists for its luxurious nature, excellent beaches and a lot of colonial and revolutionary attractions. The white stone beauty of Havana, the resorts of Varadero and Holguin, rum, cigars and Fidel - all about Cuba: tours, holidays, prices and maps.
- Hot tours to Cuba
- Tours for May around the world
Perhaps some still remember how they deciphered the name of this country 15 years ago: "Communism off the coast of America." Joking aside, Cuba really remains one of the few strongholds of a bright socialist ideology with such familiar attributes: the legendary Comandante Che and his lively-ever-living follower, an external ideological enemy in the face of the States and the unprecedented patriotism of local residents. There are, however, radical differences from the USSR - a steady influx of tourists all year round, hotels with a high level of service and rich opportunities for entertainment: diving, snorkeling, yachting and the list goes on. Plus, of course, let's not forget about the famous rum and cigars. The latter, by the way, secretly smoked (and smokes) the same ideologically hostile leadership, despite the embargo of the Island of Freedom.
Time difference with Moscow
− 7 hours in winter −8 hours
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Climate
Visa and customs
For a tourist trip for up to 30 days, citizens of Russia and Belarus do not need a visa to Cuba. For your own peace of mind, you should take out travel medical insurance for the entire duration of the trip in advance.
To enter Cuba at the border, you need to fill out a migration card (two copies - the second is presented upon departure), a return ticket and proof of financial solvency at the rate of 50 USD per day per person (a simple credit card statement is fine). Hotel reservations are not required, but be prepared to answer the question of where you plan to stay.
Duty-free import of 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco is allowed; 3 bottles alcoholic beverages; perfumes, medicines and household items - within the limits of personal needs. Also, one photo and video camera is imported duty-free (plus 5 cassettes for each). It is forbidden to import drugs, pornography and firearms (with the exception of sport hunting guns belonging to tourists who come to the country for this purpose and have the appropriate permit issued in Cuba upon arrival).
Fans of Cuban cigars should not forget the following point: although they can be taken out of the island as many as they like with a receipt, in Russia, according to our customs rules, you can import no more than 50 pieces.
You can export up to 1000 CUP and up to 5000 USD without a declaration, no more than 23 cigars per person (if the cigars are sealed in a package with a hologram, bought in a special store that issues receipts and an export permit, you can export as much as you like), goods in the amount of not more than 1000 CUP (jewelry is exported only if there is a license issued by the store).
There is no tax free system in socialist Cuba.
The export of animals is prohibited, cultural property, sea shells, antiques, precious metals. When buying jewelry or goods made of crocodile skin, you must require an export license from the seller, otherwise the goods will be confiscated when passing customs control. These licenses are issued, as a rule, only in stores. In markets where crocodile skin products cost 3-5 times less, but export licenses are not given, such goods should not be purchased.
How to get to Cuba
The easiest and fastest way to get to Cuba is direct direct regular Aeroflot flights Moscow - Havana (about 12 hours of flight, departure from Sheremetyevo). Other options: transit through Paris with Air France to Havana, via Amsterdam with KLM, via Madrid with Iberia, via Frankfurt with Condor to Havana and Varadero and other European carriers. The journey will take from 16 to 20 hours.
The flight from the CIS countries is carried out either through Moscow, or with a connection in European cities.
If tourists fly with KLM, due to inconvenient flight connections, they will have to spend the night in Amsterdam. To do this, you need to apply for a transit visa, as well as book a hotel in advance. It is more convenient to stay in the center of Amsterdam: the time of the railway crossing from the airport to the station in the city center is only 20 minutes.
Find flights to Cuba
Transport
Public transport in the country is underdeveloped, the most convenient way is to rent a car. Cubans themselves often use hitchhiking to move around cities or around the country.
Public transport
Buses are considered the main city transport, but they can only be recommended to extreme sportsmen: the stops are not marked in any way, it is almost impossible to find them, the buses are crowded, and they do not have a clear schedule and routes. Buses - in Havana they are called camallos (due to their resemblance to camels) - stop every 4 blocks. The fare costs 3-5 CUC, it is not recommended to check with the driver - he will suspect you are a tourist and take much more. Prices on the page are for September 2018.
For tourists there are special "tourist" taxis - these are always modern and serviceable cars. They can be ordered from any hotel or simply by phone; fare is paid only in dollars. The cost of the trip is from 0.5 to 1 USD for each km of the journey. Regular taxis that accept pesos are quite old cars, and there are not many of them. Finally, there are private "bombs" in Cuba. Their prices are somewhat lower than those of state taxi drivers, but there are no guarantees of quality either.
Intercity communication
Locals often hitchhike around the country. Cuba even has a law that government vehicles are required to take hitchhikers on board if there are empty seats in the car. The implementation of this rule is closely monitored by special people, like our traffic cops.
In all major cities Cuba has bus stations from where intercity buses depart. Unlike urban transport, they run more or less on schedule. Most a budget option is the Astro Bus. The bus fleet leaves much to be desired, but a trip from Havana to Varadero will cost only 8-10 CUC. Viazul Bus is a more modern fleet and the buses even have air conditioning. Fares are higher: from Havana to Varadero, a ticket will cost 8-15 USD. The company has its own website (translated into English) where you can buy tickets online. In other cases, travel cards are purchased at the box office at the station, and this must be done in advance.
Rent a Car
Cuba Hotels
Consulate General in Havana: 5-a Avenida esq. a 66, no. 318, Miramar, La Habana,; tel.: 204-10-74, 204-10-85.
Police: 116 and 820-116, ambulance: 242-811, fire brigade: 811-115, airport information: 45-31-33.
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Cuban beaches
The beaches in Cuba are some of the best on the planet: sandy, with convenient entrance at sea, many are marked with the Blue Flag, in addition, they are all municipal and free.
Most of the hotels on the coast are assigned separate protected areas of the beach, where you can hardly meet the local population. Sunbeds and umbrellas - free of charge.
You can safely go to any resort and be satisfied. But if you choose the ideal of the best, then you should pay attention to the following beaches:
The longest beach in Cuba is Varadero: almost 22 km of white sand with sunbeds, umbrellas, beach cafes and other tourist infrastructure. Almost all the beaches here are attached to hotels, so it is always clean there and there are no suspicious strangers. Varadero is perhaps the most fun and noisy resort in Cuba, there are many discos here, so young and not very party-goers should go here. Varadero is also suitable for tourists who prefer an all-inclusive holiday - most of these hotels are concentrated here.
For families with children, the Santa Lucia beach is suitable (about 110 km northeast of the city of Camaguey). There is a comfortable gently sloping sandy bottom, there are no waves, and since you cannot get to this beach by regular buses, there are not many people even in the high season. These are very calm and beautiful places, but for fans of extreme sports there is also entertainment: diving with sharks.
Cuisine and restaurants of Cuba
Creole cuisine is widespread on the island, the main ingredients of which are pork and chicken cooked in various ways. One of the most popular national dishes is "Creole ajiaco" - pork with vegetables and lots of spices. It is also worth trying lobsters with lemon, dishes from crocodile or turtle meat, turtle eggs. In Cuba, they cook a lot from fruits and serve them with almost every dish. The coffee here is very strong and sweet.
National drinks are Cuban rum and numerous cocktails based on it: mojito, cuba libre, daiquiri and many others.
There are few restaurants in the classical sense of the word in Cuba, and they are all located in tourist areas and resorts. Credit cards are usually accepted there, but failures are not uncommon, so it's best to go with cash (convertible pesos). The average bill in a good restaurant is about 30-40 CUP per person without drinks, in a more budgetary one you can meet 10-15 CUP. There are also many pizzerias and eateries with hamburgers in Cuba. You can eat there cheaply (2-5 CUP) and often around the clock, but only for cash. A separate story - Cuban bars. Most of them are very colorful and with a history, they don’t serve food there (maximum nuts and chips), but you should definitely try all the daiquiris.
Guides in Cuba
Entertainment and attractions
There are not as many cultural attractions in Cuba as in other countries, much was destroyed by the Spanish colonizers back in the 16th century. The main wealth of the island is natural beauty. Picturesque landscapes, national parks and an amazing underwater world - this is what attracts thousands of tourists to Cuba every year.
Historical sights are concentrated in cities, most of all, of course, in the capital - Havana. The most interesting area in terms of tourism is Old Havana, listed by UNESCO on the World Heritage List of mankind. You should definitely see the Cathedral of St. Christopher, the Havana Capitol - larger than Washington. Also of interest are the squares of the city: the Armory (Plaza de Armas), the Cathedral (Plaza de la Catedral) and the Old (Plaza Vieja), around which there are ancient buildings and structures, as well as the Revolution Square of Jose Marti with a memorial and an obelisk . At the top of the latter is the highest observation deck in the city.
The province of Havana will be of particular interest to fans of ecological and adventure tourism, as there are many quiet secluded beaches. The Escaleras de Jaruco area has many caves and sheer cliffs: it is good for speleologists. In San Antonio de los Baños, you can visit the Museum of Humor, while the coastal village of Santa Cruz del Norte is famous for producing the famous Havana Club rum.
In the city of Santa Clara (province of Villa Clara) there is a Memorial to them. Che Guevara and his remains are kept. In the small town of Remedios, the city's Carnival Museum, the Alejandro Garcia Caturla Music Museum and the main parish church of St. John the Baptist, which is considered one of the most curious in Cuba, are worth seeing.
The city of Pinar del Rio in the province of the same name is interesting for its Museum of Natural Sciences, the Gouache Palace, the Milanes Theater and the Francisco Donatien Cigar Factory.
Juventud Island is the second largest in the Cuban archipelago. Here is the famous natural reserve "Los Indios San Felipe" with unique flora and fauna, the prison "Presidio Modelo", a copy of the American prison "Joliet" in Illinois (where Fidel Castro served his prison sentence), the National Marine Park "Punta -Frances" and the international dive center "El Colony".
In the province of Matanzas, in addition to the caves with cave paintings, it is worth visiting the provincial capital of the same name. Mandatory to visit: Piazza Vigia (foundation of the city), Liberty Square, Montserrat Chapel (built in the image of a temple in Catalonia), San Severino Castle (because of its size it is considered one of the main Spanish fortresses in America) and the ruins of "Triumvirato" - there in the 19th century there was the largest uprising of African slaves in the history of Cuba. The main attractions of the Zapata Peninsula: the Taino Indian village in Guama, the crocodile nursery in La Boca, the Santo Tomas and La Salina fauna reserves, as well as Historical Museum to Playa Giron.
New Year (January 1), on the contrary, is celebrated noisily and cheerfully. On this night, beach discos are open, concerts and parties are held, with a special scope for business in big cities.
January 2 is the most important day in the country - the Day of Liberation and the Victory of the Cuban Revolution. This is an official holiday throughout the country, ceremonial processions are held in the cities, the president makes a pathetic speech, Cubans congratulate everyone on the street, and everything ends with festivities until dawn.
The country is very fond of holidays, inherited from the communist era. Here, May Day is still celebrated in the way it was customary in the Soviet Union - with demonstrations, flowers, peppy patriotic songs and festivities around the city. On July 26 they celebrate the Day of the National Uprising, also with parades and demonstrations, and on October 10 - Independence Day: the main venue is the monument to Carlos Manuel Cespedes ("father of the Motherland", one of the leaders of Cuba's Ten Years' War against the Spanish colonialists) on the square in Havana, to to whom flowers are laid. On this day, no one works either.
In July and August in Cuba, you can visit two carnivals at once - in Havana and Santiago de Cuba.
On weekends from July 15 to August 15, Cuba hosts perhaps the most colorful and fun event of the year: the Havana Carnival. These days, freaks from all over the country gather in the capital, dress up in costumes, dance, drink daiquiris and have fun literally around the clock. Many perform in teams and prepare for the carnival in advance in order to surely outshine all the other participants in the dance. Another carnival takes place at the end of July in the city of Santiago de Cuba. The scenario is the same: dress up, drink and dance. It is very convenient that both holidays fall at about the same time: you can visit both carnivals on one trip.
In the first week of December, Cuba hosts one of the most important cultural events for the entire Hispanic population of the planet - the New Latin American Film Festival. In terms of prestige, this film award is equal to the Oscar - for directors, actors and other cinematographers - it is a great honor to be awarded this award.
And at the end of February, smokers from all over the world come to Havana, as the International Cuban Cigar Festival takes place here. It lasts 5 days, at which time there are excursions to factories and tobacco plantations, auctions and competitions, as well as concerts, presentations and festive receptions, where you can try a variety of cigars with a glass of wine or rum.
Cuba is a burning mixture of tropical scorching sun and incendiary Latin American dances. The resorts of Cuba are famous for their white sandy beaches, clear water, countless coral reefs and incredible natural beauty. Traveling here attracts with its interesting excursions and gives amazing impressions from all kinds of festivals and festive events. Cuban resorts offer tourists high level service, while enough low prices for tickets. Under these conditions, rest here will seem like paradise to everyone!
Santiago de Cuba
This is the second largest city in Cuba, surrounded by rocks on one side and the sea on the other. Arriving here, you will enter the revolutionary land, since this city is the cradle Cuban Revolution. This is the only locality in the country that has received the status of a Hero City. This should not be surprising, since Santiago is very clearly marked in the history and culture of Cuba. Almost all the liberation and political movements in the history of the country were born here.
The main resorts of Cuba: Cayo Santa Maria
Also, the main city of the province is called the "city of squares." There is a rich cultural life in May, especially during the May Fair, and also in October, when the Day of Ibero-American Culture is celebrated. This place has magnificent nature, hotels with a wide range of services and first-class service. Also in this province is Banes, which is considered the archaeological capital of the country. The territory also contains forests and uplands with sharp peaks and steep slopes.
Cayo Guillermo
Pure and small island with pink flamingos. There are stunningly beautiful sunsets, snow-white spacious beaches and incredibly clear sea. Cayo Guillermo has three beaches that are surrounded by calm seas. Of particular interest is the picturesque Playa Pilar.
The main part of the territory is land without signs of the destructive effects of civilization, covered with palm groves and mangroves. Chirping birds hide under the cover of greenery, among them the kartacuba, which is the pearl of the fauna of Cuba. Cayo Guillermo has a large population of pink flamingos.
Cayo Coco
It is the 4th largest island in the country. It is located opposite the north coast of Ciego de Avila. Here, almost untouched by man and rich nature, which can only be given to you by the resorts of Cuba, a description of which you will find in this article. Cayo Coco is a carefully protected nature reserve. There are about 26 km of beaches, among which are the coasts protected by a curved line - Las Colorados, Los Flamencos and La Jaula. These places are ideal for water tourism.
This is a real tropical island located in the Atlantic Ocean: a warm clear sea, snow-white beaches, amazingly beautiful diving - here the coral reef stretches for almost 30 km; pink flamingos that constantly live on the island, hummingbirds and parrots; real Cuban cigars and rum; incendiary merengue and salsa, and the main thing is the special atmosphere of an endless holiday. In addition to the beaches of coral origin, there are amazing conditions for fishing, diving and other water sports.
Varadero
It is the tourist center of Cuba, as well as a picturesque city with many first-class restaurants, clubs and hotels. It is the most famous resort in the entire Western Hemisphere. Located on the Hicacos Peninsula, on the northern coast of the province of Matanzas, 2 hours from Havana. Here life rages around the clock. During the day, tourists can expect crystal water, sandy beaches, and true adventure seekers can enjoy deep-sea fishing, yachting, and excursions to various exotic corners of the country. And in the evening you will find restaurants, discos and nightclubs that Varadero is famous for.
This is not only gorgeous nature, it is also the most attractive recreational conditions that Cuban resorts can only provide: swimming pools, 23 diving centers, flying club, golf course, safari, helicopter tours, swimming with dolphins, horseback riding, caves, various yachts, boats, paragliders, scooters, etc. Skydiving fans in Varadero come to jump from 4000 m.
Trinidad
This is one of the oldest and best preserved cities in a country like Cuba. Caribbean resorts in general boast a huge number of attractions, and this one in particular. Trinidad seemed to be untouched by time. Due to the historical relics, it is also called the "Museum of the Caribbean". In 1988, this city was recognized as a city-monument.
The best coffee on the island is grown in this place - soils rich in quartz and even temperatures work wonders: Montanas de Cristal is a variety that is beyond praise. If you are interested in the resorts of Cuba on the Caribbean Sea, then we can say that this one is one of the best. The service is well developed here, the hospitality of the locals is amazing and the stunningly clean beaches delight.
To make sure that Trinidad is a city-monument, you can simply walk along its paved stone pavements. You will appreciate all the greatness of the architecture of the city. Residences and palaces, churches and small residential buildings of the resort will allow you to see the past from the present. You can imagine yourself in colonial period When the slave traders dragged their “goods” through the streets in chains, drinking water was sold in jugs, while the smell of fish that lay everywhere hit the nose. Near some buildings, cannon muzzles, fortified in the ground, have been preserved - here the owners protected their houses from carriages with large wheels passing by.
Havana
Considering the resorts of Cuba, it is impossible not to mention the capital. This city is almost 500 years old. The architecture of the period of the Spanish colonial rule here is adjacent to ultra-modern skyscrapers made of glass and concrete.
There is something magical about the name of the Cuban capital. For those who come here for the first time, Havana will seem like a city that has been preserved after a war or a hurricane. But you get used to the leaning buildings, bumpy streets and shabby walls quickly enough, because they contain the charm of Old Havana. An incredibly vibrant city where you can always do something - drive a Buick, walk along the Malecon, admire the Capitol.
Cayo Ensenachos
This is a quiet and calm Cuban island, as if created in order to only sunbathe, swim and admire the stunning scenery. If the sun tires you, you can always hide in the shade of the royal palm. There is only one facility for tourists here - the Royal Hideaway Hotel.
Of particular interest is the nature of the island - the bulk of the fauna and flora are endemic, in other words, these plants, animals and insects are not found anywhere else in the world. Although it is especially important for nature lovers that there are no animals dangerous and poisonous to humans.
Resorts of Cuba: reviews of tourists
You can immediately make a reservation that it is almost impossible to find negative reviews of tourists about the rest here. Many admire the amazing sand and incredibly clear water, are pleased with the quality of service of local hotels, others are amazed by the unique nature of the island, and others are delighted with the historical monuments, of which there are a huge number. Everyone has their own Cuba, but it inspires everyone.
If you want to appreciate all the magic of nature and learn the secrets of this amazing country, then it doesn’t matter at all whether you choose the popular resorts of Cuba or quiet little-known corners. Literally in every breath of wind and in every stone you will feel the spirit of the island. And once here at least once, you will feel how you will begin to change, becoming as spiritually richer and cleaner as it is possible only in Cuba!