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AFTER THE USA, VISIT CUBA, THE CARIBBEAN ISLAND PARADISE

When you think of Cuba, images, flavors and smells come directly to mind: imagine yourself discovering the paradisiacal landscapes, the beautiful white sand beaches, the coconut palms and turquoise sea, the scent of Cuban cigars caressing your nostrils… All this with a glass of Cuba Libre or Mojito to sip.

But there’s more to Cuba than that. Despite the embargo imposed by the US government in the 60s, the island is fighting back and trying to move forward, day by day, towards a better future. It offers free education to its citizens and boasts an exemplary healthcare system (with a life expectancy higher than that of Americans and medical costs much lower than in the USA).

If you’re planning a trip to the USA in the near future with your ESTA document, organize a detour to this Caribbean island, discover the hospitality and joie de vivre of the Cubans and sway to the frenzied Cuban music.

THINGS TO DO ON A TRIP TO CUBA

The reputation of Cuban beaches and wild parties is well established. Cuba has much more to offer, however, for those who want to get away from all-inclusive hotels. A destination steeped in history, warm-hearted people and revolutionary heroes, Cuba is a jewel with a thousand reasons to visit.

For example, Cuban colonial architecture, with its colorful houses, arches and stained glass windows, is a vestige of 400 years of Spanish colonial rule. It is mainly found in Havana, Trinidad, Cienfuegos, Camagüey and Santiago de Cuba.

What’s more, if you leave from Florida, there are numerous ferries that take you to the Cuban coast, 150 km away, in just a few hours. Cuba is of course accessible by air.

VISIT CUBA: DISCOVER HAVANA’S PRETTY NEIGHBORHOODS

Havana, Cuba’s capital, is a must-see during your stay in Cuba. You can wander around and look for images of Che Guevara or Fidel Castro on the capital’s walls, and take photos of old American cars transformed into cabs.

This is Havana’s authentic and popular district, where you’ll discover scenes of everyday Cuban life: children playing soccer or dominoes, old Cubans smoking a cigar with their lips, women adorned in colorful fabrics exchanging the news of the day… In short, the Cuba of everyday life. Despite the district’s poverty, the streets are not dangerous and you can walk around in peace.

You’ll also find the Capitolio Nacional, one of Cuba’s most emblematic buildings. Originally the headquarters of the Cuban Congress, since 1959 the Capitolio has housed the Cuban Academy of Sciences and the National Library of Science and Technology.

Also known as Old Havana, this district contains the city’s historic center, which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are numerous squares and buildings representative of Cuban culture, such as Fort El Morro, Fortress San Salvador de la Punta, Plaza Armas and the Basilica of San Francisco de la Habana.

This is the Chinatown of the Cuban capital. Cuba has seen several waves of Chinese immigration in its history. As many as 150,000 Chinese came to Cuba in the 1800s to work on sugarcane plantations. Barrio Chino is home to numerous restaurants, stores and theaters.

Vedado is Havana’s commercial hub and residential district.

Other Havana neighborhoods are also worth a visit: Nuevo Vedado, Miramar and Cerro.

DIVING IN THE TURQUOISE WATERS OFF THE CUBAN COAST

There’s no shortage of heavenly beaches in Cuba: Cayo Levisa, Cayo las Brujas and Playa Ancón are just some of the white-sand beaches you must visit on your trip to Cuba. Shallow, they’re ideal for getting young children into the water.

Varadero is probably the island’s most famous beach. With its 20 km of coastline, it is Cuba’s largest beach, but also its most popular with tourists. It boasts a large number of resorts and water sports activities, as well as a wealth of flora and fauna.

Bahía de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs) is a bay located in the cove of the Gulf of Cazones, which in addition to being an ideal place for diving, makes up Cuban revolutionary history. This is where the failed American invasion of 1961 took place.

VISIT THE PARTAGAS CIGAR FACTORY

Discovering Cuba also means visiting cigar factories. This is the company that rolls cigars of the most famous brands: Montecristo, Cohiba, Romeo y Julieta, etc. Accompanied by Cuban music and a newsreader, the 400 employees meticulously craft the cigars, which they then classify according to no fewer than 64 different shades.

VISITING CUBA: OUR SUMMARY

It’s possible to discover Cuba in many different ways, whether you’re more adventurous, or prefer comfort and well-planned days.

There are many hotels in Cuba, and many guided tours. If you prefer a bit of spice and immersion on your trip, we recommend homestay.

So, are you ready for the Cuban revolution?

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