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The heart of Cuba beats in its capital Havana where beautifully restored classic 1950's American cars glide slowly past shabby colonial buildings.
Apart from its iconic capital Cuba has so much to offer, from magnificent sandy beaches to wild jungle and cities brimming with history and culture. Every Cuban city from Havana, Trinidad and Santa Clara to Cien Fuegos offers a different experience on your bargain holidays to this amazing country.
History and Culture
Havana, the cultural heart of Cuba, is a fascinating capital city. Habana Vieja (Old Havana) is awash with historical, cultural and architectural sights including the 18th century Cathedral de San Cristobel, the Plaza de la Cathedral and the amazing well preserved and authentic town square. Havana became a well deserved UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. Other sites worth visiting are the museum and monument of Plaza de la Revolution in Santa Clara. Many people regard the town of Trinidad as a museum in itself with quaint cobbled streets, amazing palaces and plazas and the World Heritage site of the Valley of the Sugar Mills. Embark on classic Cuban experiences by following in Hemingway's footsteps, tour a cigar factory, sample some local rum and relax over a Cuban coffee in a shady plaza.
Beaches
Blessed with a warm tropical climate and lapped by the crystal clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, Cuba's beaches are some of the best in the world. Varadero in the north of Cuba has over 14 miles of beautiful white sandy beaches which have a distinct Cuban flavour. The white sandy beaches of Guardalavaca are ideal for families as the stunning coral reefs keep the sea calm making it perfect for the whole family to enjoy swimming and snorkelling. The unspoilt small island of Cayo Santa Maria in the Jardine Del Rey Archipelago is perfect if you are looking for a quiet romantic retreat. The semi-deserted beaches of this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve are a perfect choice for those private moments on a secluded beach.
Activities
Cuba has a vast array of activities and sports on offer. The list is endless with nature and eco-tours, excursions to sugar mills, cigar and rum factories, museums, art galleries, water sports, fishing, boat trips and amusement parks, there is something for everyone on their holiday packages to Cuba. Divers and snorkellers will be in their element in Guardalavaca where they will find coral reefs with caves and shipwrecks just waiting to be explored. Resorts such as Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Largo, Holguin and Santa Lucia attract avid divers for their warm waters and excellent visibility. With year-round water temperatures of around 24C and good coastal breezes, water sports fans can enjoy windsurfing, kite-surfing, parasailing, jet-skiing, aqua-biking, kayaking, canoeing and the family favourite pedalos. A popular activity in the beach resorts is swimming with the dolphins which enable you to get up close to these delightful creatures. Fishing boats can be chartered for deep sea fishing expeditions or you can just sit back and relax on a catamaran cruise along the coastline, stopping off for a picnic and dip in the sea at one of the deserted beaches along the way. Explore the island by bicycle, horseback, horse and carriage, motorbike or scooter.
Nightlife
The streets of Cuba spring into life at night with the sound of salsa echoing through the streets. Havana is the home of the world famous Tropicana nightclub where you can dance the night away or you can take in the amazing street parades and dance to the rhythmic beat of the Caribbean drums in Santiago. Guardalavaca offers nightclubs and beach parties or you can enjoy the more laid-back atmosphere of the restaurants, bars and shows in Varadero. Emma Healey
