All sporting events are free for Cubans. The country participates in many sports in the Olympic Games. Baseball is the national sport; soccer and a variety of ball games are also played. There are many stadiums, and both playing and watching sport is one of the national pastimes.
WatersportsDiving can be practiced at major resorts and at some lesser-known locations. The 21 km-/13 mile-long
Varadero Beach, one of Cuba’s best-developed resorts, offers good diving and snorkeling. For those not wanting to venture underwater, boat tours to the reef are available.
Cayo Largo, an island to the
south of Cuba, also has a beautiful beach, with facilities for snorkeling, diving, windsurfing and fishing. Lesser-known resorts offering good facilities include
Cayo Coco, an island off the northern coast,
Cayo Guillermo, accessible along a causeway from Cayo Coco and
Guardalvaca, to the north of Holguín. The
Isla de la Juventud, a large island to the south of Cuba, offers excellent reef diving. Wildlife, including turtles and iguanas, can be observed on the coral keys to the east. Expeditions leave from hotels on the west side of the island. There is also very good diving from resorts in the
Pinar del Río province in the northwest of the island, an area characterized by clear water and long white-sand beaches. Beautiful corals can be seen off the coast. Some of the best fishing is to be had off the more remote beaches, which can be difficult to get to without one’s own transport. Local dive operators offer organized dives, equipment hire and tuition.
Trekking and horse ridingAlthough possible in some of the more remote areas of the island, permits may be required. Check with the authorities before departure. There are few marked trails, so it is best to hire a local guide. There are three main mountain ranges in the west, center and east of the island. Beautiful and unspoilt scenery can be found all over Cuba.
Pico Turquino, Cuba’s highest mountain, is in the
Sierra Maestra range, offering good hikes and treks. The
Sierra de Cubitas range near Camaguëy is characterized by river gorges and cliffs, while the
Escambray Mountains near Trinidad contain dense rainforest.
Guama, on the Zapata peninsula is an extensive marshy area, which hosts many interesting varieties of birds, including parrots. The
Cordillera de Guaniguanico in the north of the island features spectacular scenery with rivers and limestone mountains and caves. Horse riding is available at special tourist ranches at Baconao and Trinidad.
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