A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
From the copper-hued farms of rural Viñales to the rainbow-colored plazas of Trinidad, the places beyond Cuba’s capital offer up a mix of contrasts. Spend a day hiking sunbaked trails, practicing salsa moves in the center of town, or swimming in the Bay of Pigs. Cuba’s diverse countryside warrants in-depth exploration.
US-Cuba relations have rarely been straightforward. The path to improvement is often characterized by two steps forward and one step back. After several years of rapprochement, new travel regulations announced by the Trump administration on June 16, 2017, appear to have stalled some of the progress. But what do these changesreallymean for US travelers?
Cuba is one of those incredible countries that’s just so amazing to explore. This is no more true than within Havana, the capital city. Best of all, there’s a heap of the best things to do in Havana that makes for an epic holiday for a few days or even longer.
When the seemingly endless sunny days finally come to an end, locals take to the Havana streets. Nightlife in Cuba’s capital is best enjoyed under the moonlight, where cocktails include plenty of ice and fruity flavors with mint leaves.
Meet artists and educators bringing the stories of Black Cubans to a wider audience.
Some countries are more complicated to visit than others. Cuba is among them. Figuring out how to travel to Cuba is one thing, but once you land at Havana’s José Martí International Airport, you’ll quickly notice there’s no rail station, no free Wi-Fi, and no ATMs that accept American debit cards. While it’s now easier to travel to Cuba than it’s been in decades, navigating this Communist island nation—which still has a strained political relationship with the United States—is a unique challenge. If you’re an American planning to visit Cuba, here’s what you need to know.
Old Havana (La Habana Vieja) serves as the heart of Cuba’s capital and stands out as its cultural nucleus. Founded in 1519 by the Spanish, Havana was initially fortified with walls. Although most of these barriers have disappeared, the dense 3,000-building district they once protected encompasses many of Cuba’s significant cultural landmarks.
Cuba, the largest island in the Caribbean Sea, is strategically located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The closest countries to Cuba are the United States, Haiti, the Bahamas, and Mexico. Moreover, Cuba is part of the Greater Antilles, which includes Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands.
Cuba is truly a unique destination. The largest of the Caribbean Islands, Cuba will charm you with its charismatic vibe influenced by four centuries of African, Caribbean, and Spanish cultures. Everywhere you look there are reminders of its past integrated with the present. To help you immerse in Cuban culture, we’re going to share the best places to visit in Cuba to experience an authentic and unforgettable vacation.