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Cuba✨ 10 best things to do in Cuba

Things to do in Cuba

1. Wander Old HavanaLose yourself among the colonial plazas, crumbling mansions and lively street life of La Habana Vieja.
2. Ride in a classic carCruise the Malecón seafront in a gleaming 1950s convertible as the sun sets over the sea.
3. Dance to live son and salsaJoin locals at a Casa de la Música or neighbourhood bar where bands play late into the night.
4. Visit tobacco farms in ViñalesHike or ride horses through a valley of limestone mogotes and learn how cigars are rolled by hand.
5. Step back in time in TrinidadStroll cobbled streets lined with pastel colonial houses in this UNESCO-listed town.
6. Stay in a casa particularSleep in a family home and enjoy hearty home-cooked breakfasts and local insight.
7. Relax on Cayo beachesLounge on the white sands of Cayo Santa María, Cayo Levisa or Varadero beside turquoise water.
8. Explore Santiago de CubaFeel the Afro-Caribbean beat of Cuba's second city and visit the clifftop Castillo del Morro.
9. Snorkel at the Bay of PigsSwim in clear cenote-like pools and coral reefs near Playa Girón.
10. Watch the cannon ceremonySee the nightly firing of the cannon at La Cabaña fortress across the harbour from Havana.

Cuba🗺️ Where to visit in Cuba

Where to go in Cuba

• 
  HavanaCapital · culture & architectureA captivating city of colonial squares, Art Deco buildings, music venues and the iconic Malecón.
• 
  ViñalesPinar del Río · countrysideA lush valley of tobacco fields and limestone hills, perfect for hiking, cycling and caving.
• 
  TrinidadSancti Spíritus · colonial townOne of the best-preserved colonial towns in the Caribbean, with nearby beaches and waterfalls.
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  CienfuegosSouth coast · French-influenced cityAn elegant bayside city with neoclassical architecture and a grand central park.
• 
  Santiago de CubaEast · music & historyThe heartland of Cuban son and Afro-Cuban culture, rich in revolutionary history.
• 
  VaraderoMatanzas · beach resortA long, white-sand peninsula with calm water and many all-inclusive resorts.
• 📍
  BaracoaFar east · nature & historyCuba's oldest town, surrounded by rainforest, rivers and cacao plantations.
• 📍
  Jardines del ReyNorth cays · beachesA chain of islands including Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, linked by causeway to the mainland.

Cuba🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Cuba

Best time to visit Cuba

Cuba has a tropical climate with a dry season from November to April and a rainy season from May to October. The east around Santiago is usually hotter and drier than the west.

Typical daytime highs and rain in Havana (approximate averages).

Cuba🎉 Festivals & events in Cuba

• August
  Havana CarnivalParades of floats, comparsas and dancers fill the Malecón during summer weekends.
• July
  Santiago de Cuba CarnivalCuba's most famous carnival, packed with conga lines, drums and Afro-Cuban traditions.
• January
  Havana International Jazz FestivalLeading Cuban and international musicians perform in venues across the capital.
• December
  Festival of New Latin American CinemaHavana's renowned film festival showcases cinema from across Latin America.
• 24 December
  Las Parrandas de RemediosRival neighbourhoods compete with giant floats, fireworks and music in a spectacular Christmas Eve celebration.

Cuba🧭 Cuba itinerary ideas

How many days in Cuba?

Cuba🎒 Backpacking Cuba – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $40–60 a day

• Casas particulares (family-run guesthouses) are the best-value places to stay and often serve excellent meals.
• Long-distance tourist buses link major towns, but shared taxis (colectivos) can be quicker and similarly priced when split.
• Internet access is limited; download offline maps and translation apps before you arrive.
• Supplies of everyday items like medicines, sunscreen and toiletries can be scarce, so bring what you need.
• Eat at local paladares and street stalls for filling Cuban dishes at much lower prices than tourist restaurants.

Cuba🛡️ Safety & money in Cuba

Emergency: 106 police · 104 ambulance · 105 fire

Cuba🛬 Getting to Cuba

Most international flights arrive at Havana's José Martí International Airport (HAV), with others landing at Varadero, Santa Clara, Holguín and Cayo Coco. There are no regular international ferry services.

✈️ Cheap flights to Cuba: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Cuba💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Cuba

• Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean.
• The bee hummingbird, found in Cuba, is the smallest bird in the world.
• Ernest Hemingway lived near Havana for about two decades and his home is now a museum.
• Many of the American cars on Cuban roads date from before 1960 and are kept running with ingenious repairs.
• Old Havana's fortress system was one of the largest in the Americas, built to protect Spain's treasure fleets.

Cuba❓ Cuba travel FAQ

Cuba travel questions