Have you listened to the rhythmic tropical beats echoing in luxuriant woods, pepping up beaches, and reverberating in the cities? Not yet?
So, soothe your senses with such a symphony in Cuba, the Caribbean's largest island. It is tucked close to the coast of the United States and Mexico. The incredible island oozes a plethora of contrasting attractions, replete with history, culture, and mystique.
The impressive landscape expanses in the Caribbean are timeworn yet spectacular, dilapidated yet dignified. Expect the unexpected in Cuba with its historical heirlooms, natural wonders, and attractions beyond the beaches.
Ready to experience the indefinable magic in Cuba? Book your flight tickets now and fly to it.
Top 8 Tourist Places in Cuba
Want to visit a destination where the places are frozen in time? Stroll through the Cuban stretches and find colonial cities taking pride in their historical structures shining with eclectic architecture and vintage cars still cruising the streets.
However, the cute Cuba is also a treasure trove of natural beauty. Its turquoise waters shimmer with the coral gardens beneath. White-sand beaches and wildlife spots add to the nature-kissed charm of the country.
So, start your vacationing spree with these 8 hotspots of Cuba that are worth hopping to. Add these to your itinerary to Cuba and revel in the most fascinating and the biggest island of the Caribbean.
Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
A slice of Cuban history, Old Havana is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a leisurely stroll through the cobbled streets and admire the neoclassical buildings. This will give you a glimpse of what Cuba was 200 years ago. With renovations, age-old edifices are getting a new life.
Highlights
- The grand Baroque
- the Plaza de la Catedral
- Bodeguita del Medio
- Castillo de la Real Fuerza
- Plaza Vieja
- Casa del Conde Jaruco
Spare an entire day exploring Old Havana. You will love being amidst the historical marvels.
Trinidad
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site welcomes you to Trinidad. one of the best cities in Cuba, Trinidad is laid with cobblestone streets and renovated buildings. This is another place than Havana that will take you back in time. A majority of its architecture hails from the 17th to the 19th centuries.
Highlights
- Plaza Mayor
- Church of the Holy Trinity (Iglesia Parroquial de la Santisima Trinidad)
- The Palacio Brunet
- The Church and Monastery of Saint Francis (Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco)
- The Museum of Colonial Architecture (Museo de Arquitectura Colonial)
- The art gallery at the Casa de Aldeman Ortiz
- Valle de Los Ingenios
Soak up its lively ambiance as you explore its charm. Drive through its alleys or enjoy a horse ride across its scenic expanses dotted with mountains, green sugar cane fields, and palm trees.
Varadero
Stretching along the Peninsula de Hicacos, Varadero is among the most-loved beach destinations of Cubas. Also, it is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Since this is a beach destination, you can take up activities like diving, snorkeling, and deep-sea fishing. You can also enjoy skydiving, golfing, and exploring its cultural hotspots.
Highlights
- Parque Ecológico Varahicacos (Varadero Ecological Park) with both of its caves
- Cueva de Ambrosio y Cueva de Musulmanes.
- Parque Josone
If you simply want to relax at its white, powdery sand beaches, go ahead. Partiers can let their hair down at Casa de la Música or themed party nights at hotels.
Baracoa
The country’s oldest city, Baracoa (in Guantanamo province) has existed since 1511. Until the 1960s, it remained isolated from the world and then it witnessed the coming up of the La Farola highway. However, the beautiful city still has a remote feel to it.
Want to soak in the charm? Go for American Airlines booking for your flight tickets today!
Highlights
- Yumuri Canyon (almost 30 km from Baracoa)
- Parque Nacional Alejandro Humboldt
- Playa Maguana (almost 20 km from Baracoa)
- Museo Municipal
Its colonial architecture and lush countryside attract tourists. The steamy woods, lovely beaches, and wonderful waterfalls add to its subtle glamor. This tropical wonder has El Yunque’s flat peak overlooking it, inviting keen hikers to hike up.
Guardalavaca
Tucked in the Holguin province, Guardalavaca is more tranquil and remote than Varadero. Hemmed by beautiful beaches, the place offers several beach pockets under the shade of foliage fringes. So, you can enjoy the warmth here without having to bear the brunt of the tropical sun.
Highlights
- Guardalavaca Beach
- Esmeralda Beach
- The Bahía de Naranjo Natural Park
- The Chorro de Maíta Museum
- Rocazul Biopark
- Dolphinarium
- Jungle adventures
- Sailing trips
- Chorro de Maita (a side trip)
Go for American Airlines vacation packages at the earliest to explore Guardalavaca, which offers you much more than the aforementioned. Don’t miss out on sightseeing tours of Santiago de Cuba. Snorkelers and divers can visit the coral colonies.
Valle de Viñales
Another Cuban destination added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, Valle de Viñales is famous for its cigar plantations, caves, and spectacular sights. One of the reasons why it is added to the world heritage list is its red soil landscapes. Mogotes (distinctive limestone outcrops) form another unmissable attraction.
Highlights
- Hop-on-hop-off bus tour
- Tobacco Plantations
- Mural de la Prehistoria
- Coffee Plantation
- Zip-Lining at “Loma del Fortin
Los Acuáticos - Horse Riding
- Los Jazmines
- Silence Valley (Valle del Silencio)
- Cayo Jutías
Its caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites deserve a special mention. Don’t miss out on some of the most loved caves here –
- Cueva del Indio (or Indian Cave)
- El Palenque de Los Cimarrones
- Santo Tomas
Cienfuegos
If you admire the grand architecture, Cienfuegos is your place to be at. This is a city that is packed with European-style imposing buildings. Having French influences in both its customs and style, the city is aptly called the Paris of Cuba.
Highlights
- Cienfuegos Boulevard
- Punta Gorda
- José Marti Square
- El Nicho
- Palacio Ferrer
- Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción Cathedral
- Teatro Tomás Terry
- Cienaga de Zapata
- Malecon
Walk to the beautiful bay Bahia de Jagua. Also, explore the art galleries around the Plaza de Armas. Admire the flamboyant mansions west to the Bay of Pigs.
Maria la Gorda
The petite town of Maria la Gorda is tucked on the western tip of Cuba. It is because this town is among the best diving destinations in the Caribbean. Its marine wealth is exclusive and worth exploring.
Highlights
- Hiking and exploring caves (which hold a lot of indigenous history)
- Scuba diving
- Snorkeling
- Cabo San Antonio Driving Tour
- Sailing
- Fishing excursions
If you are a beach lover, the town offers you rocky as well as sandy and even pristine beaches. Playa Las Tumbas beach is a must-visit here.
People of all age groups have a gala time here because of its myriad attractions and activities that keep them intrigued by its charm. So, tourists can easily travel to this destination, whether professionals or students. Thanks to American Airlines Student Discount, which facilitates even students to travel to this happening place.
Thereby, they won’t have to ask their parents for extra pocket money or shell out all their savings on the flight trip. Thus, if you are a student, book your flight tickets to Cuba today! And why not? It is difficult to wait to explore charismatic Cuba.
In totality, Cuba offers a depth and diversity few Caribbean islands can rival. So, pack your bags and get ready to visit this captivating country. And do include the above-mentioned tourist destinations in your bucket list when planning a trip to this island.
It’s time to wave goodbye to everyday hustle and assumptions and greet the refreshing vibes of this destination.
