Cuba — Attractions
Playas del Este
Twenty-five minutes east of Havana are the Playas del Este, a chain of sandy beaches stretching for six miles (10km) between Bacuranao and Guanabo. On the weekends, they are generally packed with Cubans escaping the city. There are a few tourist hotels lining the coast, but other than that, there are limited facilities. If needing an escape from the city the beaches make a good day trip; however, those expecting pristine tropical island beaches might be disappointed.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Ave Las Terrazas e/11 y 12, La Habana del Este
Museo de la Ciudad (Museum of the City)
Built in 1791, the stately Baroque residence of Cuba's colonial governors and former Presidential Palace, the Palace of the Captains General stands as an impressive sight on the Plaza de Armas and is now the repository for the city's museum collections. The museum's displays and exhibits tell the tale of Havana, from its founding to the present day, including rooms devoted to the Cuban wars for national independence. The colorful Hall of Flags contains the original Cuban flag, as well as a number of others used by the Spanish colonial government. There are also exhibits relating to archaeology, folklore and weaponry, and an art collection that includes porcelain, paintings and furniture of historic value and great beauty.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Calle Tacón, Plaza de Armas, Habana Vieja
- Phone Number
- (0)7 612876
- Transport
- TurBus to Playas del Este
- Hours
- Open daily, from 9am to 6pm
- Admission
- CUC$3 (excluding historical room sets); CUC$4 (including a guide and all exhibition areas). Cameras: CUC$2
Cigar Factories
Even non-smokers have to agree that a visit to Cuba would not be complete without investigating the island's most famous export, cigars. The art of cigar-making in Cuba is old and traditional, and three main factories in Havana offer tours for visitors to see cigars still rolled by hand. In the oldest factory, Partagas, founded in 1827, traditionally a reader is employed to keep workers entertained while they fashion the famous cigars. Havana's other cigar factories are La Corona and the lesser-visited Romeo y Julieta. There are shops attached to the factories where cigars can be purchased. Visitors are advised not to buy cigars from people off the street, as these are usually rolled banana leaves fashioned into cigar look-alikes and the sellers are persistent hustlers.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Partagas Factory: Calle Industria 520, Centro Habana
- Phone Number
- Partagas: (0)7 338 060
- Hours
- Partagas Factory tours operate Monday to Friday, from 9am to 2pm
- Admission
- CUC$10
Plaza de la Revolución
Dominated by the imposing José Martí Memorial, the gigantic square has seen numerous political rallies, and the podium in front of the memorial is where important political figures like Fidel Castro have addressed more than a million Cubans on important occasions, such as 1 May and 26 July each year. At the foot of the memorial is a museum dedicated to José Martí, a national hero who would most likely have become Cuba's first president had he survived the Second War of Independence in 1895. It is possible to take the elevator to the top of the 138ft (42m) memorial, the highest structure in the city. Located behind the memorial are the closely guarded offices of Castro. Opposite the memorial, on the far side of the square, is the much-photographed Che Guevara image with the slogan Hasta la Victoria Siempre(Forever Onwards Towards Victory), that identifies the Ministry of the Interior building.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Hours
- Memorial: Monday to Saturday, from 9.30am to 5pm
- Admission
- Memorial: CUC$5
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
The modern Bellas Artes Museum is split into two buildings housing International and Cuban art. The Colección de Arte Universal covers everything from ancient Greek artifacts and Latin American pieces to art by French, Dutch and Italian painters. The Colección de Arte Cubano is also outstanding and covers works from the 16th to the 20th centuries by prominent Cuban artists.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Corner of Calle Trocadero (between Calles Zulueta and Monserrate) and Calle San Rafael (between Calles Zulueta and Monserrate)
- Phone Number
- (0)7 861 3858
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 6pm; Sunday 10am to 2pm.
- Admission
- CUC$5 (adults), Free for children under 14
Museo de la Revolución
Formerly the Presidential Palace and headquarters of the Cuban government, the impressive building now houses documents, photographs and artifacts pertaining to the Cuban Revolution, and provides an excellent introduction to, and understanding of, Cuba's history and its struggle for independence. Prepare to spend a few hours wandering from room to room as the story unfolds, from Spanish colonial times to the present day. In front of the museum entrance stands a watchtower that was part of the old city walls, as well as a tank used by Fidel Castro during the battle of the Bay of Pigs in 1961. Behind the museum is the glass-encased yacht, the 'Granma', which brought 82 revolutionaries, including Che Guevara and Fidel Castro, from Mexico to set the 1956 Revolution in motion.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Calle Refugio, between Calle Agramonte and Av de las Misiones, Centro Habana
- Phone Number
- 862 409 294
- Hours
- Open daily, from 10am to 5pm
- Admission
- US$4 (adult), US$2 (student), Free for children under 12
Montemar Natural Park
Cuba is developing its eco-tourism potential, and one of the prime spots for getting back to nature is at the Montemar Natural Park on the Zapata Peninsula in the province of Matanzas (about 75 miles or 120km from Havana). The peninsula is one of the largest swamps in the Caribbean, and its vast area includes forests, marshes, crystal-clear lagoons and canals. Its exuberant flora, including more than 900 species of plants (115 of them endemic to Cuba) is complemented by its rich fauna, consisting of 160 bird species and 12 types of animal, including crocodiles. One of the park's many features is the Laguna del Tesoro (Treasure Lagoon), a fresh water reservoir inhabited by golden trout. In the midst of the lagoon is a reproduction Taino village with its houses built on pillars. There are nature trails, a bird watching center, and the largest flooded cave in Cuba. There is also a scuba center, crocodile farm and several restaurants.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Ciénaga de Zapata, Matanzas
Capitolio Nacional
One of Havana's grandest pieces of architecture, the Capitolio is an important landmark and one of Centro Habana's major tourist sights. Resembling the US Capitol in Washington, DC, the monumental stone stairway leads to the vast domed hall, from where tours will take visitors beyond the doors to elaborately decorated chambers that once housed the seat of Cuban Congress. Today, it is home to the National Library and Academy of Sciences, and many of its rooms are still used for state events. Directly beneath the dome lies an imitation 24-carat diamond set into the marble floor, from where all highway distances between Havana and all sites in Cuba are measured.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Paseo de Marti, Centro Habana
- Phone Number
- (0)7 863 7861
- Hours
- Open daily, from 9am to 6pm
- Admission
- Admission is CUC$3; A guided tour costs CUC$4
Baconao Park
The large park region, which is a World Heritage Biosphere Reserve, is filled with attractions other than wildlife refuges and coffee plantations. It is possible to climb 459 stone steps to the summit of the huge rock, La Gran Piedra, and stand 4,049ft (1,234m) above sea level for a beautiful view. It is said that on a dark night, one can see the lights of Jamaica in the distance. In the Valle de la Prehistoria visitors are awed by dozens of life-size model dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures lurking in lush vegetation. There is also a magnificent 45-hectare (111-acre) garden, the Jardin Ave de Paraiso, dating from 1860, that was laid out on a former coffee plantation, and features a series of color-coded gardens with unique scents and displays in each. An artist community consisting of 10 families have formed a fieldstone hamlet, offering artwork of a high standard at Comunidad Artistas Oasis. There is also an Auto Museum featuring gleaming old model cars.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Poblado de Siboney
Castillo de San Pedro del Morro (Morro Castle)
Santiago's most impressive structure is poised ominously atop the cliffs at the narrow entrance to Santiago Bay, about nine miles (14km) south of Santiago. This enormous piece of military architecture, a maze of stairways and dungeons, was begun in 1640. The Morro was rebuilt in 1664 after the English pirate, Henry Morgan, reduced it to rubble. The castle now houses the Museum of Piracy, featuring excellent displays on piracy, colonialism, and slavery. There are old blunderbusses, muskets, cutlasses and Toldeo blades in glass cases. A UNESCO World Heritage site, and a fascinating place to visit, visitors to Santiago are encouraged not to pass this sight up.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Six miles (10 km) south-west of the city center, near the bay
- Phone Number
- 226 691 569
- Hours
- Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 4pm
- Admission
- CUC$3; extra for cameras
Bacardi Museum
Bacardi, the world's largest privately held, family-owned spirits company, started producing rum in Santiago way back in 1862. The company's current production sales exceed 240 million bottles a year, in 170 countries, although the family fled Cuba after the revolution in 1959. Interestingly, it was the fruit bats that nested in the rafters of the original rum factory that gave Bacardi rum its world-famous bat logo. Emilio Bacardi's private art and antique collection is still in Santiago, as is the original family rum distillery. A fun and educational outing, the Bacardi musuem is well worth a visit when in Santiago. Budget at least an hour to take in all the sights the museum has to offer.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Calle Pio Rosado No. 552 e/Aguilera y Heredia
- Phone Number
- 226 62 8402
Santa Ifigenia Cemetery
The gateway to this cemetery is dominated by a memorial to Cuban soldiers who died fighting in Angola. From here, the visitor is led to the impressive tomb of Cuban national hero, revolutionary and writer Jose Marti. The tomb is in the form of a crenulated hexagonal tower with each side representing one of Cuba's six original provinces. The round mausoleum is designed so that the sun will always shine on Marti's casket, which is draped with the Cuban flag. The cemetery also contains a shrine to the Virgin of Charity, Cuba's patron saint, in the form of the Basilica del Cobre. This little church is said to be the scene of miracles performed by the saint.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Av Crombet
- Hours
- Open daily, from 7am to 6pm
- Admission
- CUC$1; extra for cameras
Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
This historic section of Cuba's capital was founded in 1519, and for centuries, was an important naval port of colonial Spain. Being in such a strategic position, the city was targeted by pirates and fought over on numerous occasions, and the ruins of the defensive walls that surrounded the city can still be seen. The Old City now also contains museums, hotels, restaurants and shops lining the original cobble-stoned streets. Surrounding the picturesque squares (plazas) are beautiful restored colonial buildings with grand facades, and striking churches that form a magnificent setting for the late afternoon chess and domino games and salsa music. Plaza de Armas was the seat of power in Cuba for 400 years, from where the Spanish Captain's General, US military governors and Cuban president were based, and today is home to an interesting book market. During the years of Prohibition in the United States, Habana Vieja turned into a playground for Americans who flocked here for the cheap liquor, gambling, prostitution and flamboyant lifestyle. One of the district's most famous bars is La Bodeguita Del Medio, which was the favored haunt of legendary US writer, Ernest Hemingway.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
Gran Caverna de Santo Tomás
Cuba's largest cave system, with more than 29 miles (46km) of underground galleries spanning eight different levels, the Santo Tomás caves are situated about 10 miles (16km) west of Vinales. Very informative, 90-minute guided tours take visitors 138ft (42m) above the valley floor into the sixth gallery, where fantastic limestone formations, glittering stalactites and stalagmites, underground lakes and vast caverns are revealed by the light of headlamps. The cave system has been kept in its natural state, avoiding the tourist traps of electrical lighting and souvenir stands.
- Region/City Name
- Vinales Valley
- Address
- El Moncada
- Hours
- Open daily, from 8.30am to 5pm
- Admission
- CUC$8
Museo Romántico
Trinidad has a number of museums in colonial mansions, but one of the best is the beautifully renovated Museo Romántico overlooking the main square, Plaza Mayor. The Museo Romántico boasts an excellent exhibition of the paintings, decorative furniture and porcelain that belonged to the wealthy Brunet family in the 1830s.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- Calle Echerri 52
- Phone Number
- 419 4363
- Hours
- Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9am to 4.45pm
- Admission
- CUC$2; extra for cameras
Museo Histórico Municipal
A former palace belonging to German sugarcane plantation owner Justo Cantero, the museum displays examples of his wealth in the cool, stylish rooms, as well as some exhibits relating to the sugar industry and history of Trinidad. A stairway leads to a tower from which a superb view of Trinidad, and the Escambray mountains can be seen.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- 53 Simón Bolívar, 423 e/ Gustavo Izquierdo y Rubén Martínez Villena
- Phone Number
- 419 4460
- Hours
- Open Saturday to Thursday, from 9am to 5pm
- Admission
- CUC$2
Ancón Beach
The soft sand and still, warm waters backed by palm trees make the beach at Playa Ancón a popular trip from Trinidad. Situated at the end of the peninsula, seven miles (12km) south of Trinidad, Playa Ancón also offers watersports and some good offshore snorkeling and diving sites.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- Seven miles (12km) south of Trinidad
Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills)
This picturesque emerald valley was once the center of the sugar trade industry, and home to the plantations that brought wealth and prosperity to Trinidad in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the ruins of estates, sugar mills and other remnants are visited by tourists who are attracted by the beauty of the valley, and the historical significance of the slave trade that operated during the valley's boom years. The main site is the Manaca Iznaga, a striking 144ft (44m) high tower that was used by plantation owner and one of the wealthiest men in Cuba, Pedro Iznaga, to keep watch over his slaves working in the fields. Visitors can climb the tower for impressive views over the countryside. Horse riding tours to the valley, departing from Trinidad, are a popular way to see the sights.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- Carretera de Sancti Spíritus (8km from Trinidad)
- Phone Number
- (0)7 2040624
Santa Clara
Located 55 miles (88km) north of Trinidad, the city of Santa Clara is best known for its Che Memorial at the Plaza de la Revolución, and monuments relating to the Cuban Revolution. The armoured train monument (Monumento a la Toma del Tren Blindado) marks the spot where Che attacked the train sending Batista's troops to Santiago de Cuba, a battle which was a decisive factor in the victory of the revolutionaries. The Ernesto Che Guevara Monument was built to pay homage to the memory of Che and his comrades who fought with him in Bolivia, and the enormous monument incorporates a huge statue of Che with his famous phrase Hasta la Victoria Siempre(Forever Onwards Towards Victory), as well as representations of many aspects of his revolutionary life. To one side of the statue, a huge stone block has been inscribed in full with his farewell letter to Fidel Castro. The monument also includes a chilled mausoleum where the remains of Che and his comrades have been interred, and a museum with displays about his life and involvement in the revolution.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- Train monument: Calle Indepencia. Che monument: Av de los Desfiles
- Hours
- Train monument: Tuesday to Sunday, from 8am to 6pm (until 12pm on Sundays). Che Guevara monument: Open daily, from 8am to 9pm (until 6pm on Sundays)
- Admission
- Train monument: CUC$1. Che Guevara monument: Free
Sancti Spiritus
The beautiful colonial city of Sancti Spiritus, with its gracious people, delightful architecture and maze of narrow, winding cobblestone streets remains almost completely unassuming and detached from tourism. Located in the center of Cuba, 43 miles (70km) east of Trinidad, Sancti Spiritus lies on the banks of the Yayabo River, exuding charm, affability and authenticity. The old town has been declared a National Monument, filled with picturesque, colorful little houses with uneven red-tiled roofs and weathered colonial homes. Streets are crammed with horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, scooters and pedestrians licking at ice-creams flavored with a fruit which grows along the banks of the river. Spanning the river is the Puente Yayabo, an arched brick bridge built by the Spanish in 1815, and the city's most famous sight.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
Moncada Barracks
The bullet-ridden Moncada Barracks and adjacent Parque Historico Abel Santamaria were part of important events in Cuba's history. In 1953, a group led by Fidel Castro attacked the barracks in an attempt to steal weapons and launch the revolution, but the plan failed and 61 of them were killed. The rest were captured and many tortured to death by Batista's army. Fidel was later tried in the Escuela de Enfermeras for leading the attack, and is where he made his famous 'History Will Absolve Me' speech.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Avenida Moncada
- Phone Number
- 226 620 157
- Hours
- Open daily, from 9am to 5pm (until 1pm on Sundays)
- Admission
- CUC$2 for admission, an extra CUC$1 to take photos. Free guided tours are available once inside
Cueva del Indio
Located in the Viñales Valley, which provides some great family activities such as hiking and climbing, the Cueva del Indio is a magical place for kids to visit. Previously inhabited by local Indians, children will love the boat ride across the underground lake in the cave, and discovering the stalactites, stalagmites and petroglyphs on the walls of the cave.
- Region/City Name
- Vinales Valley
Varadero Beach
With 22 miles (36km) of sandy, white, palm-fringed beach, Varadero Beach has often been referred to as one of the world's most beautiful beaches. With some of the most amazing diving, fishing and snorkeling opportunities, children splashing around in the crystalline turquoise waters will even be able to spot some fantastic fish with the naked eye. Glass-bottom boat companies abound here, too. Varadero Beach is a wonderful place to spend the day, and an absolute must-visit while in Cuba.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- About an hour's drive west of Havana
Acuario Nacional
This aquarium, located in Habana Vieja, features eight tanks displaying some truly beautiful freshwater fish, along with coral and other tropical species. Children will love the aquarium and will enjoy watching the dolphins, sea lions and seals, while parents can enjoy lunch in the aquarium's underwater restaurant. The subject of a recent renovation, the Acuario Nacional now also boasts a spellbinding display of brightly colored saltwater fish. Consistently voted one of Havana's top tourist attractions for kids.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Third Ave and 62 St. Miramar
- Phone Number
- (537) 202 5872
- Email Address
- comercial@acuarionacional.cu
- Website
- www.acuarionacional.cu
- Hours
- Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm
- Admission
- CUC$7 (adults), CUC$3 (students and children under 12)
Cámara Oscura
Offering spectacular 360-degree views over the city of Havana from a telescopic lens located atop a 115-foot (35m) tall tower, the Cámara Oscura is a great place to take the kids. There is even a 10-minute virtual tour in both English and Spanish, taking visitors through the city's attractions and architectural highlights.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Corner Mercaderes and Brasil, Habana Vieja
- Website
- www.netssa.com/camera_obscura.html
- Transport
- Nearest train station: Estación Central de Ferrocarriles
- Hours
- Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 9am to 5pm, and on Sundays from 9am to 1pm
- Admission
- CUC$2
Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in the Cuban provinces of Holguín and Guantánamo, and features an impressive selection of flora and fauna, such as parrots, lizards and hummingbirds. The well-visited park is a firm favorite among young travelers to Cuba, and regularly features on lists of the best things to do with kids while in the country.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
Ernest Hemingway Museum
Ernest Hemingway may be an American by birth, but Cubans have adopted him as their own - especially in Havana, where you'll find memorials to his apartments, regular haunts, and even favorite drink. Finca Vigia, his home just outside Havana, has been restored and now functions as a museum to the famous author. The residence is kept as it was when he lived there, writing works like For Whom the Bell Tollsand The Old Man and the Sea, and visitors can see his typewriter and library of over 8,000 books.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Finca Vigía, Havana
- Phone Number
- 7 910809
- Transport
- Bus P7 from Parque Fraternidad, and P2 from Línea y G, Vedado
- Hours
- Open on Monday from 9am to 4pm, and on Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 12:30pm. Closed on Tuesdays
- Admission
- CUC$3
El Malécon
A five-mile (8km) esplanade, roadway and seawall, running between the harbor in Old Havana and the historically Russian area of Vedado, El Malécon is the perfect place to start your Havana adventure. The two-hour walk, described by many as a cross-section of Cuba's history, begins in Habana Vieja - where the buildings have had their famous pastel colors faded by the sun and the salty sea-wind - and goes past various monuments to significant figures in Cuba's struggle history (including Máximo Gomez and Calixto García), before ending up in the area of Verdado, a funky downtown district with great sights and vibrant nightlife. Celebrated by locals and tourists alike as the best way to gain an insight into the soul of Havana, travelers are strongly advised to begin their Cuban holiday with a walk along El Malécon.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Between the harbor and Vedado, Havana
Bay of Pigs Musuem
In April 1961, the United States (under the auspices of the CIA) launched an attack on Fidel Castro's government, attempting to overthrow it by securing the beach-head at Playa Gíron. The 'Bay of Pigs' invasion, as it has come to be known, was a humiliating failure for the US, only serving to strengthen the Cuban people's support of Castro. Today, the fascinating Bay of Pigs Museum (Muséo Playa Gíron) stands as a proud, and exhaustive record of the Cuban force's victory. Visitors can view maps and displays detailing the course of events as they transpired, as well as actual planes flown by the Cuban army during the siege, fragments of shot-down enemy planes, tanks, mortars and machine guns used in the battle, and much more. There is also a touching exhibition of photographs and biographies of the 156 Cuban soldiers that were killed during the invasion. Anyone with even a passing interest in modern history - or how US foreign policy has shaped the world in which we live - will find the Bay of Pigs Museum utterly enthralling. Budget at least two hours to take it all in.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Playa Gíron
- Transport
- Two daily buses connect Playa Gíron to Havana (4 hours) and Cienfuegos (2 hours)
- Hours
- Open daily, from 9am to 5pm
- Admission
- CUC$2
Playas del Este
Twenty-five minutes east of Havana are the Playas del Este, a chain of sandy beaches stretching for six miles (10km) between Bacuranao and Guanabo. On the weekends, they are generally packed with Cubans escaping the city. There are a few tourist hotels lining the coast, but other than that, there are limited facilities. If needing an escape from the city the beaches make a good day trip; however, those expecting pristine tropical island beaches might be disappointed.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Ave Las Terrazas e/11 y 12, La Habana del Este
Museo de la Ciudad (Museum of the City)
Built in 1791, the stately Baroque residence of Cuba's colonial governors and former Presidential Palace, the Palace of the Captains General stands as an impressive sight on the Plaza de Armas and is now the repository for the city's museum collections. The museum's displays and exhibits tell the tale of Havana, from its founding to the present day, including rooms devoted to the Cuban wars for national independence. The colorful Hall of Flags contains the original Cuban flag, as well as a number of others used by the Spanish colonial government. There are also exhibits relating to archaeology, folklore and weaponry, and an art collection that includes porcelain, paintings and furniture of historic value and great beauty.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Calle Tacón, Plaza de Armas, Habana Vieja
- Phone Number
- (0)7 612876
- Transport
- TurBus to Playas del Este
- Hours
- Open daily, from 9am to 6pm
- Admission
- CUC$3 (excluding historical room sets); CUC$4 (including a guide and all exhibition areas). Cameras: CUC$2
Cigar Factories
Even non-smokers have to agree that a visit to Cuba would not be complete without investigating the island's most famous export, cigars. The art of cigar-making in Cuba is old and traditional, and three main factories in Havana offer tours for visitors to see cigars still rolled by hand. In the oldest factory, Partagas, founded in 1827, traditionally a reader is employed to keep workers entertained while they fashion the famous cigars. Havana's other cigar factories are La Corona and the lesser-visited Romeo y Julieta. There are shops attached to the factories where cigars can be purchased. Visitors are advised not to buy cigars from people off the street, as these are usually rolled banana leaves fashioned into cigar look-alikes and the sellers are persistent hustlers.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Partagas Factory: Calle Industria 520, Centro Habana
- Phone Number
- Partagas: (0)7 338 060
- Hours
- Partagas Factory tours operate Monday to Friday, from 9am to 2pm
- Admission
- CUC$10
Plaza de la Revolución
Dominated by the imposing José Martí Memorial, the gigantic square has seen numerous political rallies, and the podium in front of the memorial is where important political figures like Fidel Castro have addressed more than a million Cubans on important occasions, such as 1 May and 26 July each year. At the foot of the memorial is a museum dedicated to José Martí, a national hero who would most likely have become Cuba's first president had he survived the Second War of Independence in 1895. It is possible to take the elevator to the top of the 138ft (42m) memorial, the highest structure in the city. Located behind the memorial are the closely guarded offices of Castro. Opposite the memorial, on the far side of the square, is the much-photographed Che Guevara image with the slogan Hasta la Victoria Siempre(Forever Onwards Towards Victory), that identifies the Ministry of the Interior building.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Hours
- Memorial: Monday to Saturday, from 9.30am to 5pm
- Admission
- Memorial: CUC$5
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
The modern Bellas Artes Museum is split into two buildings housing International and Cuban art. The Colección de Arte Universal covers everything from ancient Greek artifacts and Latin American pieces to art by French, Dutch and Italian painters. The Colección de Arte Cubano is also outstanding and covers works from the 16th to the 20th centuries by prominent Cuban artists.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Corner of Calle Trocadero (between Calles Zulueta and Monserrate) and Calle San Rafael (between Calles Zulueta and Monserrate)
- Phone Number
- (0)7 861 3858
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 6pm; Sunday 10am to 2pm.
- Admission
- CUC$5 (adults), Free for children under 14
Museo de la Revolución
Formerly the Presidential Palace and headquarters of the Cuban government, the impressive building now houses documents, photographs and artifacts pertaining to the Cuban Revolution, and provides an excellent introduction to, and understanding of, Cuba's history and its struggle for independence. Prepare to spend a few hours wandering from room to room as the story unfolds, from Spanish colonial times to the present day. In front of the museum entrance stands a watchtower that was part of the old city walls, as well as a tank used by Fidel Castro during the battle of the Bay of Pigs in 1961. Behind the museum is the glass-encased yacht, the 'Granma', which brought 82 revolutionaries, including Che Guevara and Fidel Castro, from Mexico to set the 1956 Revolution in motion.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Calle Refugio, between Calle Agramonte and Av de las Misiones, Centro Habana
- Phone Number
- 862 409 294
- Hours
- Open daily, from 10am to 5pm
- Admission
- US$4 (adult), US$2 (student), Free for children under 12
Montemar Natural Park
Cuba is developing its eco-tourism potential, and one of the prime spots for getting back to nature is at the Montemar Natural Park on the Zapata Peninsula in the province of Matanzas (about 75 miles or 120km from Havana). The peninsula is one of the largest swamps in the Caribbean, and its vast area includes forests, marshes, crystal-clear lagoons and canals. Its exuberant flora, including more than 900 species of plants (115 of them endemic to Cuba) is complemented by its rich fauna, consisting of 160 bird species and 12 types of animal, including crocodiles. One of the park's many features is the Laguna del Tesoro (Treasure Lagoon), a fresh water reservoir inhabited by golden trout. In the midst of the lagoon is a reproduction Taino village with its houses built on pillars. There are nature trails, a bird watching center, and the largest flooded cave in Cuba. There is also a scuba center, crocodile farm and several restaurants.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Ciénaga de Zapata, Matanzas
Capitolio Nacional
One of Havana's grandest pieces of architecture, the Capitolio is an important landmark and one of Centro Habana's major tourist sights. Resembling the US Capitol in Washington, DC, the monumental stone stairway leads to the vast domed hall, from where tours will take visitors beyond the doors to elaborately decorated chambers that once housed the seat of Cuban Congress. Today, it is home to the National Library and Academy of Sciences, and many of its rooms are still used for state events. Directly beneath the dome lies an imitation 24-carat diamond set into the marble floor, from where all highway distances between Havana and all sites in Cuba are measured.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Paseo de Marti, Centro Habana
- Phone Number
- (0)7 863 7861
- Hours
- Open daily, from 9am to 6pm
- Admission
- Admission is CUC$3; A guided tour costs CUC$4
Baconao Park
The large park region, which is a World Heritage Biosphere Reserve, is filled with attractions other than wildlife refuges and coffee plantations. It is possible to climb 459 stone steps to the summit of the huge rock, La Gran Piedra, and stand 4,049ft (1,234m) above sea level for a beautiful view. It is said that on a dark night, one can see the lights of Jamaica in the distance. In the Valle de la Prehistoria visitors are awed by dozens of life-size model dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures lurking in lush vegetation. There is also a magnificent 45-hectare (111-acre) garden, the Jardin Ave de Paraiso, dating from 1860, that was laid out on a former coffee plantation, and features a series of color-coded gardens with unique scents and displays in each. An artist community consisting of 10 families have formed a fieldstone hamlet, offering artwork of a high standard at Comunidad Artistas Oasis. There is also an Auto Museum featuring gleaming old model cars.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Poblado de Siboney
Castillo de San Pedro del Morro (Morro Castle)
Santiago's most impressive structure is poised ominously atop the cliffs at the narrow entrance to Santiago Bay, about nine miles (14km) south of Santiago. This enormous piece of military architecture, a maze of stairways and dungeons, was begun in 1640. The Morro was rebuilt in 1664 after the English pirate, Henry Morgan, reduced it to rubble. The castle now houses the Museum of Piracy, featuring excellent displays on piracy, colonialism, and slavery. There are old blunderbusses, muskets, cutlasses and Toldeo blades in glass cases. A UNESCO World Heritage site, and a fascinating place to visit, visitors to Santiago are encouraged not to pass this sight up.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Six miles (10 km) south-west of the city center, near the bay
- Phone Number
- 226 691 569
- Hours
- Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 4pm
- Admission
- CUC$3; extra for cameras
Bacardi Museum
Bacardi, the world's largest privately held, family-owned spirits company, started producing rum in Santiago way back in 1862. The company's current production sales exceed 240 million bottles a year, in 170 countries, although the family fled Cuba after the revolution in 1959. Interestingly, it was the fruit bats that nested in the rafters of the original rum factory that gave Bacardi rum its world-famous bat logo. Emilio Bacardi's private art and antique collection is still in Santiago, as is the original family rum distillery. A fun and educational outing, the Bacardi musuem is well worth a visit when in Santiago. Budget at least an hour to take in all the sights the museum has to offer.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Calle Pio Rosado No. 552 e/Aguilera y Heredia
- Phone Number
- 226 62 8402
Santa Ifigenia Cemetery
The gateway to this cemetery is dominated by a memorial to Cuban soldiers who died fighting in Angola. From here, the visitor is led to the impressive tomb of Cuban national hero, revolutionary and writer Jose Marti. The tomb is in the form of a crenulated hexagonal tower with each side representing one of Cuba's six original provinces. The round mausoleum is designed so that the sun will always shine on Marti's casket, which is draped with the Cuban flag. The cemetery also contains a shrine to the Virgin of Charity, Cuba's patron saint, in the form of the Basilica del Cobre. This little church is said to be the scene of miracles performed by the saint.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Av Crombet
- Hours
- Open daily, from 7am to 6pm
- Admission
- CUC$1; extra for cameras
Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
This historic section of Cuba's capital was founded in 1519, and for centuries, was an important naval port of colonial Spain. Being in such a strategic position, the city was targeted by pirates and fought over on numerous occasions, and the ruins of the defensive walls that surrounded the city can still be seen. The Old City now also contains museums, hotels, restaurants and shops lining the original cobble-stoned streets. Surrounding the picturesque squares (plazas) are beautiful restored colonial buildings with grand facades, and striking churches that form a magnificent setting for the late afternoon chess and domino games and salsa music. Plaza de Armas was the seat of power in Cuba for 400 years, from where the Spanish Captain's General, US military governors and Cuban president were based, and today is home to an interesting book market. During the years of Prohibition in the United States, Habana Vieja turned into a playground for Americans who flocked here for the cheap liquor, gambling, prostitution and flamboyant lifestyle. One of the district's most famous bars is La Bodeguita Del Medio, which was the favored haunt of legendary US writer, Ernest Hemingway.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
Gran Caverna de Santo Tomás
Cuba's largest cave system, with more than 29 miles (46km) of underground galleries spanning eight different levels, the Santo Tomás caves are situated about 10 miles (16km) west of Vinales. Very informative, 90-minute guided tours take visitors 138ft (42m) above the valley floor into the sixth gallery, where fantastic limestone formations, glittering stalactites and stalagmites, underground lakes and vast caverns are revealed by the light of headlamps. The cave system has been kept in its natural state, avoiding the tourist traps of electrical lighting and souvenir stands.
- Region/City Name
- Vinales Valley
- Address
- El Moncada
- Hours
- Open daily, from 8.30am to 5pm
- Admission
- CUC$8
Museo Romántico
Trinidad has a number of museums in colonial mansions, but one of the best is the beautifully renovated Museo Romántico overlooking the main square, Plaza Mayor. The Museo Romántico boasts an excellent exhibition of the paintings, decorative furniture and porcelain that belonged to the wealthy Brunet family in the 1830s.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- Calle Echerri 52
- Phone Number
- 419 4363
- Hours
- Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9am to 4.45pm
- Admission
- CUC$2; extra for cameras
Museo Histórico Municipal
A former palace belonging to German sugarcane plantation owner Justo Cantero, the museum displays examples of his wealth in the cool, stylish rooms, as well as some exhibits relating to the sugar industry and history of Trinidad. A stairway leads to a tower from which a superb view of Trinidad, and the Escambray mountains can be seen.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- 53 Simón Bolívar, 423 e/ Gustavo Izquierdo y Rubén Martínez Villena
- Phone Number
- 419 4460
- Hours
- Open Saturday to Thursday, from 9am to 5pm
- Admission
- CUC$2
Ancón Beach
The soft sand and still, warm waters backed by palm trees make the beach at Playa Ancón a popular trip from Trinidad. Situated at the end of the peninsula, seven miles (12km) south of Trinidad, Playa Ancón also offers watersports and some good offshore snorkeling and diving sites.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- Seven miles (12km) south of Trinidad
Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills)
This picturesque emerald valley was once the center of the sugar trade industry, and home to the plantations that brought wealth and prosperity to Trinidad in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the ruins of estates, sugar mills and other remnants are visited by tourists who are attracted by the beauty of the valley, and the historical significance of the slave trade that operated during the valley's boom years. The main site is the Manaca Iznaga, a striking 144ft (44m) high tower that was used by plantation owner and one of the wealthiest men in Cuba, Pedro Iznaga, to keep watch over his slaves working in the fields. Visitors can climb the tower for impressive views over the countryside. Horse riding tours to the valley, departing from Trinidad, are a popular way to see the sights.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- Carretera de Sancti Spíritus (8km from Trinidad)
- Phone Number
- (0)7 2040624
Santa Clara
Located 55 miles (88km) north of Trinidad, the city of Santa Clara is best known for its Che Memorial at the Plaza de la Revolución, and monuments relating to the Cuban Revolution. The armoured train monument (Monumento a la Toma del Tren Blindado) marks the spot where Che attacked the train sending Batista's troops to Santiago de Cuba, a battle which was a decisive factor in the victory of the revolutionaries. The Ernesto Che Guevara Monument was built to pay homage to the memory of Che and his comrades who fought with him in Bolivia, and the enormous monument incorporates a huge statue of Che with his famous phrase Hasta la Victoria Siempre(Forever Onwards Towards Victory), as well as representations of many aspects of his revolutionary life. To one side of the statue, a huge stone block has been inscribed in full with his farewell letter to Fidel Castro. The monument also includes a chilled mausoleum where the remains of Che and his comrades have been interred, and a museum with displays about his life and involvement in the revolution.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- Train monument: Calle Indepencia. Che monument: Av de los Desfiles
- Hours
- Train monument: Tuesday to Sunday, from 8am to 6pm (until 12pm on Sundays). Che Guevara monument: Open daily, from 8am to 9pm (until 6pm on Sundays)
- Admission
- Train monument: CUC$1. Che Guevara monument: Free
Sancti Spiritus
The beautiful colonial city of Sancti Spiritus, with its gracious people, delightful architecture and maze of narrow, winding cobblestone streets remains almost completely unassuming and detached from tourism. Located in the center of Cuba, 43 miles (70km) east of Trinidad, Sancti Spiritus lies on the banks of the Yayabo River, exuding charm, affability and authenticity. The old town has been declared a National Monument, filled with picturesque, colorful little houses with uneven red-tiled roofs and weathered colonial homes. Streets are crammed with horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, scooters and pedestrians licking at ice-creams flavored with a fruit which grows along the banks of the river. Spanning the river is the Puente Yayabo, an arched brick bridge built by the Spanish in 1815, and the city's most famous sight.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
Moncada Barracks
The bullet-ridden Moncada Barracks and adjacent Parque Historico Abel Santamaria were part of important events in Cuba's history. In 1953, a group led by Fidel Castro attacked the barracks in an attempt to steal weapons and launch the revolution, but the plan failed and 61 of them were killed. The rest were captured and many tortured to death by Batista's army. Fidel was later tried in the Escuela de Enfermeras for leading the attack, and is where he made his famous 'History Will Absolve Me' speech.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Avenida Moncada
- Phone Number
- 226 620 157
- Hours
- Open daily, from 9am to 5pm (until 1pm on Sundays)
- Admission
- CUC$2 for admission, an extra CUC$1 to take photos. Free guided tours are available once inside
Cueva del Indio
Located in the Viñales Valley, which provides some great family activities such as hiking and climbing, the Cueva del Indio is a magical place for kids to visit. Previously inhabited by local Indians, children will love the boat ride across the underground lake in the cave, and discovering the stalactites, stalagmites and petroglyphs on the walls of the cave.
- Region/City Name
- Vinales Valley
Varadero Beach
With 22 miles (36km) of sandy, white, palm-fringed beach, Varadero Beach has often been referred to as one of the world's most beautiful beaches. With some of the most amazing diving, fishing and snorkeling opportunities, children splashing around in the crystalline turquoise waters will even be able to spot some fantastic fish with the naked eye. Glass-bottom boat companies abound here, too. Varadero Beach is a wonderful place to spend the day, and an absolute must-visit while in Cuba.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- About an hour's drive west of Havana
Acuario Nacional
This aquarium, located in Habana Vieja, features eight tanks displaying some truly beautiful freshwater fish, along with coral and other tropical species. Children will love the aquarium and will enjoy watching the dolphins, sea lions and seals, while parents can enjoy lunch in the aquarium's underwater restaurant. The subject of a recent renovation, the Acuario Nacional now also boasts a spellbinding display of brightly colored saltwater fish. Consistently voted one of Havana's top tourist attractions for kids.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Third Ave and 62 St. Miramar
- Phone Number
- (537) 202 5872
- Email Address
- comercial@acuarionacional.cu
- Website
- www.acuarionacional.cu
- Hours
- Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm
- Admission
- CUC$7 (adults), CUC$3 (students and children under 12)
Cámara Oscura
Offering spectacular 360-degree views over the city of Havana from a telescopic lens located atop a 115-foot (35m) tall tower, the Cámara Oscura is a great place to take the kids. There is even a 10-minute virtual tour in both English and Spanish, taking visitors through the city's attractions and architectural highlights.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Corner Mercaderes and Brasil, Habana Vieja
- Website
- www.netssa.com/camera_obscura.html
- Transport
- Nearest train station: Estación Central de Ferrocarriles
- Hours
- Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 9am to 5pm, and on Sundays from 9am to 1pm
- Admission
- CUC$2
Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in the Cuban provinces of Holguín and Guantánamo, and features an impressive selection of flora and fauna, such as parrots, lizards and hummingbirds. The well-visited park is a firm favorite among young travelers to Cuba, and regularly features on lists of the best things to do with kids while in the country.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
Ernest Hemingway Museum
Ernest Hemingway may be an American by birth, but Cubans have adopted him as their own - especially in Havana, where you'll find memorials to his apartments, regular haunts, and even favorite drink. Finca Vigia, his home just outside Havana, has been restored and now functions as a museum to the famous author. The residence is kept as it was when he lived there, writing works like For Whom the Bell Tollsand The Old Man and the Sea, and visitors can see his typewriter and library of over 8,000 books.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Finca Vigía, Havana
- Phone Number
- 7 910809
- Transport
- Bus P7 from Parque Fraternidad, and P2 from Línea y G, Vedado
- Hours
- Open on Monday from 9am to 4pm, and on Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 12:30pm. Closed on Tuesdays
- Admission
- CUC$3
El Malécon
A five-mile (8km) esplanade, roadway and seawall, running between the harbor in Old Havana and the historically Russian area of Vedado, El Malécon is the perfect place to start your Havana adventure. The two-hour walk, described by many as a cross-section of Cuba's history, begins in Habana Vieja - where the buildings have had their famous pastel colors faded by the sun and the salty sea-wind - and goes past various monuments to significant figures in Cuba's struggle history (including Máximo Gomez and Calixto García), before ending up in the area of Verdado, a funky downtown district with great sights and vibrant nightlife. Celebrated by locals and tourists alike as the best way to gain an insight into the soul of Havana, travelers are strongly advised to begin their Cuban holiday with a walk along El Malécon.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Between the harbor and Vedado, Havana
Bay of Pigs Musuem
In April 1961, the United States (under the auspices of the CIA) launched an attack on Fidel Castro's government, attempting to overthrow it by securing the beach-head at Playa Gíron. The 'Bay of Pigs' invasion, as it has come to be known, was a humiliating failure for the US, only serving to strengthen the Cuban people's support of Castro. Today, the fascinating Bay of Pigs Museum (Muséo Playa Gíron) stands as a proud, and exhaustive record of the Cuban force's victory. Visitors can view maps and displays detailing the course of events as they transpired, as well as actual planes flown by the Cuban army during the siege, fragments of shot-down enemy planes, tanks, mortars and machine guns used in the battle, and much more. There is also a touching exhibition of photographs and biographies of the 156 Cuban soldiers that were killed during the invasion. Anyone with even a passing interest in modern history - or how US foreign policy has shaped the world in which we live - will find the Bay of Pigs Museum utterly enthralling. Budget at least two hours to take it all in.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Playa Gíron
- Transport
- Two daily buses connect Playa Gíron to Havana (4 hours) and Cienfuegos (2 hours)
- Hours
- Open daily, from 9am to 5pm
- Admission
- CUC$2
Playas del Este
Twenty-five minutes east of Havana are the Playas del Este, a chain of sandy beaches stretching for six miles (10km) between Bacuranao and Guanabo. On the weekends, they are generally packed with Cubans escaping the city. There are a few tourist hotels lining the coast, but other than that, there are limited facilities. If needing an escape from the city the beaches make a good day trip; however, those expecting pristine tropical island beaches might be disappointed.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Ave Las Terrazas e/11 y 12, La Habana del Este
Museo de la Ciudad (Museum of the City)
Built in 1791, the stately Baroque residence of Cuba's colonial governors and former Presidential Palace, the Palace of the Captains General stands as an impressive sight on the Plaza de Armas and is now the repository for the city's museum collections. The museum's displays and exhibits tell the tale of Havana, from its founding to the present day, including rooms devoted to the Cuban wars for national independence. The colorful Hall of Flags contains the original Cuban flag, as well as a number of others used by the Spanish colonial government. There are also exhibits relating to archaeology, folklore and weaponry, and an art collection that includes porcelain, paintings and furniture of historic value and great beauty.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Calle Tacón, Plaza de Armas, Habana Vieja
- Phone Number
- (0)7 612876
- Transport
- TurBus to Playas del Este
- Hours
- Open daily, from 9am to 6pm
- Admission
- CUC$3 (excluding historical room sets); CUC$4 (including a guide and all exhibition areas). Cameras: CUC$2
Cigar Factories
Even non-smokers have to agree that a visit to Cuba would not be complete without investigating the island's most famous export, cigars. The art of cigar-making in Cuba is old and traditional, and three main factories in Havana offer tours for visitors to see cigars still rolled by hand. In the oldest factory, Partagas, founded in 1827, traditionally a reader is employed to keep workers entertained while they fashion the famous cigars. Havana's other cigar factories are La Corona and the lesser-visited Romeo y Julieta. There are shops attached to the factories where cigars can be purchased. Visitors are advised not to buy cigars from people off the street, as these are usually rolled banana leaves fashioned into cigar look-alikes and the sellers are persistent hustlers.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Partagas Factory: Calle Industria 520, Centro Habana
- Phone Number
- Partagas: (0)7 338 060
- Hours
- Partagas Factory tours operate Monday to Friday, from 9am to 2pm
- Admission
- CUC$10
Plaza de la Revolución
Dominated by the imposing José Martí Memorial, the gigantic square has seen numerous political rallies, and the podium in front of the memorial is where important political figures like Fidel Castro have addressed more than a million Cubans on important occasions, such as 1 May and 26 July each year. At the foot of the memorial is a museum dedicated to José Martí, a national hero who would most likely have become Cuba's first president had he survived the Second War of Independence in 1895. It is possible to take the elevator to the top of the 138ft (42m) memorial, the highest structure in the city. Located behind the memorial are the closely guarded offices of Castro. Opposite the memorial, on the far side of the square, is the much-photographed Che Guevara image with the slogan Hasta la Victoria Siempre(Forever Onwards Towards Victory), that identifies the Ministry of the Interior building.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Hours
- Memorial: Monday to Saturday, from 9.30am to 5pm
- Admission
- Memorial: CUC$5
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
The modern Bellas Artes Museum is split into two buildings housing International and Cuban art. The Colección de Arte Universal covers everything from ancient Greek artifacts and Latin American pieces to art by French, Dutch and Italian painters. The Colección de Arte Cubano is also outstanding and covers works from the 16th to the 20th centuries by prominent Cuban artists.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Corner of Calle Trocadero (between Calles Zulueta and Monserrate) and Calle San Rafael (between Calles Zulueta and Monserrate)
- Phone Number
- (0)7 861 3858
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 6pm; Sunday 10am to 2pm.
- Admission
- CUC$5 (adults), Free for children under 14
Museo de la Revolución
Formerly the Presidential Palace and headquarters of the Cuban government, the impressive building now houses documents, photographs and artifacts pertaining to the Cuban Revolution, and provides an excellent introduction to, and understanding of, Cuba's history and its struggle for independence. Prepare to spend a few hours wandering from room to room as the story unfolds, from Spanish colonial times to the present day. In front of the museum entrance stands a watchtower that was part of the old city walls, as well as a tank used by Fidel Castro during the battle of the Bay of Pigs in 1961. Behind the museum is the glass-encased yacht, the 'Granma', which brought 82 revolutionaries, including Che Guevara and Fidel Castro, from Mexico to set the 1956 Revolution in motion.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Calle Refugio, between Calle Agramonte and Av de las Misiones, Centro Habana
- Phone Number
- 862 409 294
- Hours
- Open daily, from 10am to 5pm
- Admission
- US$4 (adult), US$2 (student), Free for children under 12
Montemar Natural Park
Cuba is developing its eco-tourism potential, and one of the prime spots for getting back to nature is at the Montemar Natural Park on the Zapata Peninsula in the province of Matanzas (about 75 miles or 120km from Havana). The peninsula is one of the largest swamps in the Caribbean, and its vast area includes forests, marshes, crystal-clear lagoons and canals. Its exuberant flora, including more than 900 species of plants (115 of them endemic to Cuba) is complemented by its rich fauna, consisting of 160 bird species and 12 types of animal, including crocodiles. One of the park's many features is the Laguna del Tesoro (Treasure Lagoon), a fresh water reservoir inhabited by golden trout. In the midst of the lagoon is a reproduction Taino village with its houses built on pillars. There are nature trails, a bird watching center, and the largest flooded cave in Cuba. There is also a scuba center, crocodile farm and several restaurants.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Ciénaga de Zapata, Matanzas
Capitolio Nacional
One of Havana's grandest pieces of architecture, the Capitolio is an important landmark and one of Centro Habana's major tourist sights. Resembling the US Capitol in Washington, DC, the monumental stone stairway leads to the vast domed hall, from where tours will take visitors beyond the doors to elaborately decorated chambers that once housed the seat of Cuban Congress. Today, it is home to the National Library and Academy of Sciences, and many of its rooms are still used for state events. Directly beneath the dome lies an imitation 24-carat diamond set into the marble floor, from where all highway distances between Havana and all sites in Cuba are measured.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Paseo de Marti, Centro Habana
- Phone Number
- (0)7 863 7861
- Hours
- Open daily, from 9am to 6pm
- Admission
- Admission is CUC$3; A guided tour costs CUC$4
Baconao Park
The large park region, which is a World Heritage Biosphere Reserve, is filled with attractions other than wildlife refuges and coffee plantations. It is possible to climb 459 stone steps to the summit of the huge rock, La Gran Piedra, and stand 4,049ft (1,234m) above sea level for a beautiful view. It is said that on a dark night, one can see the lights of Jamaica in the distance. In the Valle de la Prehistoria visitors are awed by dozens of life-size model dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures lurking in lush vegetation. There is also a magnificent 45-hectare (111-acre) garden, the Jardin Ave de Paraiso, dating from 1860, that was laid out on a former coffee plantation, and features a series of color-coded gardens with unique scents and displays in each. An artist community consisting of 10 families have formed a fieldstone hamlet, offering artwork of a high standard at Comunidad Artistas Oasis. There is also an Auto Museum featuring gleaming old model cars.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Poblado de Siboney
Castillo de San Pedro del Morro (Morro Castle)
Santiago's most impressive structure is poised ominously atop the cliffs at the narrow entrance to Santiago Bay, about nine miles (14km) south of Santiago. This enormous piece of military architecture, a maze of stairways and dungeons, was begun in 1640. The Morro was rebuilt in 1664 after the English pirate, Henry Morgan, reduced it to rubble. The castle now houses the Museum of Piracy, featuring excellent displays on piracy, colonialism, and slavery. There are old blunderbusses, muskets, cutlasses and Toldeo blades in glass cases. A UNESCO World Heritage site, and a fascinating place to visit, visitors to Santiago are encouraged not to pass this sight up.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Six miles (10 km) south-west of the city center, near the bay
- Phone Number
- 226 691 569
- Hours
- Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 4pm
- Admission
- CUC$3; extra for cameras
Bacardi Museum
Bacardi, the world's largest privately held, family-owned spirits company, started producing rum in Santiago way back in 1862. The company's current production sales exceed 240 million bottles a year, in 170 countries, although the family fled Cuba after the revolution in 1959. Interestingly, it was the fruit bats that nested in the rafters of the original rum factory that gave Bacardi rum its world-famous bat logo. Emilio Bacardi's private art and antique collection is still in Santiago, as is the original family rum distillery. A fun and educational outing, the Bacardi musuem is well worth a visit when in Santiago. Budget at least an hour to take in all the sights the museum has to offer.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Calle Pio Rosado No. 552 e/Aguilera y Heredia
- Phone Number
- 226 62 8402
Santa Ifigenia Cemetery
The gateway to this cemetery is dominated by a memorial to Cuban soldiers who died fighting in Angola. From here, the visitor is led to the impressive tomb of Cuban national hero, revolutionary and writer Jose Marti. The tomb is in the form of a crenulated hexagonal tower with each side representing one of Cuba's six original provinces. The round mausoleum is designed so that the sun will always shine on Marti's casket, which is draped with the Cuban flag. The cemetery also contains a shrine to the Virgin of Charity, Cuba's patron saint, in the form of the Basilica del Cobre. This little church is said to be the scene of miracles performed by the saint.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Av Crombet
- Hours
- Open daily, from 7am to 6pm
- Admission
- CUC$1; extra for cameras
Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
This historic section of Cuba's capital was founded in 1519, and for centuries, was an important naval port of colonial Spain. Being in such a strategic position, the city was targeted by pirates and fought over on numerous occasions, and the ruins of the defensive walls that surrounded the city can still be seen. The Old City now also contains museums, hotels, restaurants and shops lining the original cobble-stoned streets. Surrounding the picturesque squares (plazas) are beautiful restored colonial buildings with grand facades, and striking churches that form a magnificent setting for the late afternoon chess and domino games and salsa music. Plaza de Armas was the seat of power in Cuba for 400 years, from where the Spanish Captain's General, US military governors and Cuban president were based, and today is home to an interesting book market. During the years of Prohibition in the United States, Habana Vieja turned into a playground for Americans who flocked here for the cheap liquor, gambling, prostitution and flamboyant lifestyle. One of the district's most famous bars is La Bodeguita Del Medio, which was the favored haunt of legendary US writer, Ernest Hemingway.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
Gran Caverna de Santo Tomás
Cuba's largest cave system, with more than 29 miles (46km) of underground galleries spanning eight different levels, the Santo Tomás caves are situated about 10 miles (16km) west of Vinales. Very informative, 90-minute guided tours take visitors 138ft (42m) above the valley floor into the sixth gallery, where fantastic limestone formations, glittering stalactites and stalagmites, underground lakes and vast caverns are revealed by the light of headlamps. The cave system has been kept in its natural state, avoiding the tourist traps of electrical lighting and souvenir stands.
- Region/City Name
- Vinales Valley
- Address
- El Moncada
- Hours
- Open daily, from 8.30am to 5pm
- Admission
- CUC$8
Museo Romántico
Trinidad has a number of museums in colonial mansions, but one of the best is the beautifully renovated Museo Romántico overlooking the main square, Plaza Mayor. The Museo Romántico boasts an excellent exhibition of the paintings, decorative furniture and porcelain that belonged to the wealthy Brunet family in the 1830s.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- Calle Echerri 52
- Phone Number
- 419 4363
- Hours
- Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9am to 4.45pm
- Admission
- CUC$2; extra for cameras
Museo Histórico Municipal
A former palace belonging to German sugarcane plantation owner Justo Cantero, the museum displays examples of his wealth in the cool, stylish rooms, as well as some exhibits relating to the sugar industry and history of Trinidad. A stairway leads to a tower from which a superb view of Trinidad, and the Escambray mountains can be seen.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- 53 Simón Bolívar, 423 e/ Gustavo Izquierdo y Rubén Martínez Villena
- Phone Number
- 419 4460
- Hours
- Open Saturday to Thursday, from 9am to 5pm
- Admission
- CUC$2
Ancón Beach
The soft sand and still, warm waters backed by palm trees make the beach at Playa Ancón a popular trip from Trinidad. Situated at the end of the peninsula, seven miles (12km) south of Trinidad, Playa Ancón also offers watersports and some good offshore snorkeling and diving sites.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- Seven miles (12km) south of Trinidad
Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills)
This picturesque emerald valley was once the center of the sugar trade industry, and home to the plantations that brought wealth and prosperity to Trinidad in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the ruins of estates, sugar mills and other remnants are visited by tourists who are attracted by the beauty of the valley, and the historical significance of the slave trade that operated during the valley's boom years. The main site is the Manaca Iznaga, a striking 144ft (44m) high tower that was used by plantation owner and one of the wealthiest men in Cuba, Pedro Iznaga, to keep watch over his slaves working in the fields. Visitors can climb the tower for impressive views over the countryside. Horse riding tours to the valley, departing from Trinidad, are a popular way to see the sights.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- Carretera de Sancti Spíritus (8km from Trinidad)
- Phone Number
- (0)7 2040624
Santa Clara
Located 55 miles (88km) north of Trinidad, the city of Santa Clara is best known for its Che Memorial at the Plaza de la Revolución, and monuments relating to the Cuban Revolution. The armoured train monument (Monumento a la Toma del Tren Blindado) marks the spot where Che attacked the train sending Batista's troops to Santiago de Cuba, a battle which was a decisive factor in the victory of the revolutionaries. The Ernesto Che Guevara Monument was built to pay homage to the memory of Che and his comrades who fought with him in Bolivia, and the enormous monument incorporates a huge statue of Che with his famous phrase Hasta la Victoria Siempre(Forever Onwards Towards Victory), as well as representations of many aspects of his revolutionary life. To one side of the statue, a huge stone block has been inscribed in full with his farewell letter to Fidel Castro. The monument also includes a chilled mausoleum where the remains of Che and his comrades have been interred, and a museum with displays about his life and involvement in the revolution.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- Train monument: Calle Indepencia. Che monument: Av de los Desfiles
- Hours
- Train monument: Tuesday to Sunday, from 8am to 6pm (until 12pm on Sundays). Che Guevara monument: Open daily, from 8am to 9pm (until 6pm on Sundays)
- Admission
- Train monument: CUC$1. Che Guevara monument: Free
Sancti Spiritus
The beautiful colonial city of Sancti Spiritus, with its gracious people, delightful architecture and maze of narrow, winding cobblestone streets remains almost completely unassuming and detached from tourism. Located in the center of Cuba, 43 miles (70km) east of Trinidad, Sancti Spiritus lies on the banks of the Yayabo River, exuding charm, affability and authenticity. The old town has been declared a National Monument, filled with picturesque, colorful little houses with uneven red-tiled roofs and weathered colonial homes. Streets are crammed with horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, scooters and pedestrians licking at ice-creams flavored with a fruit which grows along the banks of the river. Spanning the river is the Puente Yayabo, an arched brick bridge built by the Spanish in 1815, and the city's most famous sight.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
Moncada Barracks
The bullet-ridden Moncada Barracks and adjacent Parque Historico Abel Santamaria were part of important events in Cuba's history. In 1953, a group led by Fidel Castro attacked the barracks in an attempt to steal weapons and launch the revolution, but the plan failed and 61 of them were killed. The rest were captured and many tortured to death by Batista's army. Fidel was later tried in the Escuela de Enfermeras for leading the attack, and is where he made his famous 'History Will Absolve Me' speech.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Avenida Moncada
- Phone Number
- 226 620 157
- Hours
- Open daily, from 9am to 5pm (until 1pm on Sundays)
- Admission
- CUC$2 for admission, an extra CUC$1 to take photos. Free guided tours are available once inside
Cueva del Indio
Located in the Viñales Valley, which provides some great family activities such as hiking and climbing, the Cueva del Indio is a magical place for kids to visit. Previously inhabited by local Indians, children will love the boat ride across the underground lake in the cave, and discovering the stalactites, stalagmites and petroglyphs on the walls of the cave.
- Region/City Name
- Vinales Valley
Varadero Beach
With 22 miles (36km) of sandy, white, palm-fringed beach, Varadero Beach has often been referred to as one of the world's most beautiful beaches. With some of the most amazing diving, fishing and snorkeling opportunities, children splashing around in the crystalline turquoise waters will even be able to spot some fantastic fish with the naked eye. Glass-bottom boat companies abound here, too. Varadero Beach is a wonderful place to spend the day, and an absolute must-visit while in Cuba.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- About an hour's drive west of Havana
Acuario Nacional
This aquarium, located in Habana Vieja, features eight tanks displaying some truly beautiful freshwater fish, along with coral and other tropical species. Children will love the aquarium and will enjoy watching the dolphins, sea lions and seals, while parents can enjoy lunch in the aquarium's underwater restaurant. The subject of a recent renovation, the Acuario Nacional now also boasts a spellbinding display of brightly colored saltwater fish. Consistently voted one of Havana's top tourist attractions for kids.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Third Ave and 62 St. Miramar
- Phone Number
- (537) 202 5872
- Email Address
- comercial@acuarionacional.cu
- Website
- www.acuarionacional.cu
- Hours
- Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm
- Admission
- CUC$7 (adults), CUC$3 (students and children under 12)
Cámara Oscura
Offering spectacular 360-degree views over the city of Havana from a telescopic lens located atop a 115-foot (35m) tall tower, the Cámara Oscura is a great place to take the kids. There is even a 10-minute virtual tour in both English and Spanish, taking visitors through the city's attractions and architectural highlights.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Corner Mercaderes and Brasil, Habana Vieja
- Website
- www.netssa.com/camera_obscura.html
- Transport
- Nearest train station: Estación Central de Ferrocarriles
- Hours
- Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 9am to 5pm, and on Sundays from 9am to 1pm
- Admission
- CUC$2
Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in the Cuban provinces of Holguín and Guantánamo, and features an impressive selection of flora and fauna, such as parrots, lizards and hummingbirds. The well-visited park is a firm favorite among young travelers to Cuba, and regularly features on lists of the best things to do with kids while in the country.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
Ernest Hemingway Museum
Ernest Hemingway may be an American by birth, but Cubans have adopted him as their own - especially in Havana, where you'll find memorials to his apartments, regular haunts, and even favorite drink. Finca Vigia, his home just outside Havana, has been restored and now functions as a museum to the famous author. The residence is kept as it was when he lived there, writing works like For Whom the Bell Tollsand The Old Man and the Sea, and visitors can see his typewriter and library of over 8,000 books.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Finca Vigía, Havana
- Phone Number
- 7 910809
- Transport
- Bus P7 from Parque Fraternidad, and P2 from Línea y G, Vedado
- Hours
- Open on Monday from 9am to 4pm, and on Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 12:30pm. Closed on Tuesdays
- Admission
- CUC$3
El Malécon
A five-mile (8km) esplanade, roadway and seawall, running between the harbor in Old Havana and the historically Russian area of Vedado, El Malécon is the perfect place to start your Havana adventure. The two-hour walk, described by many as a cross-section of Cuba's history, begins in Habana Vieja - where the buildings have had their famous pastel colors faded by the sun and the salty sea-wind - and goes past various monuments to significant figures in Cuba's struggle history (including Máximo Gomez and Calixto García), before ending up in the area of Verdado, a funky downtown district with great sights and vibrant nightlife. Celebrated by locals and tourists alike as the best way to gain an insight into the soul of Havana, travelers are strongly advised to begin their Cuban holiday with a walk along El Malécon.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Between the harbor and Vedado, Havana
Bay of Pigs Musuem
In April 1961, the United States (under the auspices of the CIA) launched an attack on Fidel Castro's government, attempting to overthrow it by securing the beach-head at Playa Gíron. The 'Bay of Pigs' invasion, as it has come to be known, was a humiliating failure for the US, only serving to strengthen the Cuban people's support of Castro. Today, the fascinating Bay of Pigs Museum (Muséo Playa Gíron) stands as a proud, and exhaustive record of the Cuban force's victory. Visitors can view maps and displays detailing the course of events as they transpired, as well as actual planes flown by the Cuban army during the siege, fragments of shot-down enemy planes, tanks, mortars and machine guns used in the battle, and much more. There is also a touching exhibition of photographs and biographies of the 156 Cuban soldiers that were killed during the invasion. Anyone with even a passing interest in modern history - or how US foreign policy has shaped the world in which we live - will find the Bay of Pigs Museum utterly enthralling. Budget at least two hours to take it all in.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Playa Gíron
- Transport
- Two daily buses connect Playa Gíron to Havana (4 hours) and Cienfuegos (2 hours)
- Hours
- Open daily, from 9am to 5pm
- Admission
- CUC$2
Playas del Este
Twenty-five minutes east of Havana are the Playas del Este, a chain of sandy beaches stretching for six miles (10km) between Bacuranao and Guanabo. On the weekends, they are generally packed with Cubans escaping the city. There are a few tourist hotels lining the coast, but other than that, there are limited facilities. If needing an escape from the city the beaches make a good day trip; however, those expecting pristine tropical island beaches might be disappointed.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Ave Las Terrazas e/11 y 12, La Habana del Este
Museo de la Ciudad (Museum of the City)
Built in 1791, the stately Baroque residence of Cuba's colonial governors and former Presidential Palace, the Palace of the Captains General stands as an impressive sight on the Plaza de Armas and is now the repository for the city's museum collections. The museum's displays and exhibits tell the tale of Havana, from its founding to the present day, including rooms devoted to the Cuban wars for national independence. The colorful Hall of Flags contains the original Cuban flag, as well as a number of others used by the Spanish colonial government. There are also exhibits relating to archaeology, folklore and weaponry, and an art collection that includes porcelain, paintings and furniture of historic value and great beauty.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Calle Tacón, Plaza de Armas, Habana Vieja
- Phone Number
- (0)7 612876
- Transport
- TurBus to Playas del Este
- Hours
- Open daily, from 9am to 6pm
- Admission
- CUC$3 (excluding historical room sets); CUC$4 (including a guide and all exhibition areas). Cameras: CUC$2
Cigar Factories
Even non-smokers have to agree that a visit to Cuba would not be complete without investigating the island's most famous export, cigars. The art of cigar-making in Cuba is old and traditional, and three main factories in Havana offer tours for visitors to see cigars still rolled by hand. In the oldest factory, Partagas, founded in 1827, traditionally a reader is employed to keep workers entertained while they fashion the famous cigars. Havana's other cigar factories are La Corona and the lesser-visited Romeo y Julieta. There are shops attached to the factories where cigars can be purchased. Visitors are advised not to buy cigars from people off the street, as these are usually rolled banana leaves fashioned into cigar look-alikes and the sellers are persistent hustlers.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Partagas Factory: Calle Industria 520, Centro Habana
- Phone Number
- Partagas: (0)7 338 060
- Hours
- Partagas Factory tours operate Monday to Friday, from 9am to 2pm
- Admission
- CUC$10
Plaza de la Revolución
Dominated by the imposing José Martí Memorial, the gigantic square has seen numerous political rallies, and the podium in front of the memorial is where important political figures like Fidel Castro have addressed more than a million Cubans on important occasions, such as 1 May and 26 July each year. At the foot of the memorial is a museum dedicated to José Martí, a national hero who would most likely have become Cuba's first president had he survived the Second War of Independence in 1895. It is possible to take the elevator to the top of the 138ft (42m) memorial, the highest structure in the city. Located behind the memorial are the closely guarded offices of Castro. Opposite the memorial, on the far side of the square, is the much-photographed Che Guevara image with the slogan Hasta la Victoria Siempre(Forever Onwards Towards Victory), that identifies the Ministry of the Interior building.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Hours
- Memorial: Monday to Saturday, from 9.30am to 5pm
- Admission
- Memorial: CUC$5
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
The modern Bellas Artes Museum is split into two buildings housing International and Cuban art. The Colección de Arte Universal covers everything from ancient Greek artifacts and Latin American pieces to art by French, Dutch and Italian painters. The Colección de Arte Cubano is also outstanding and covers works from the 16th to the 20th centuries by prominent Cuban artists.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Corner of Calle Trocadero (between Calles Zulueta and Monserrate) and Calle San Rafael (between Calles Zulueta and Monserrate)
- Phone Number
- (0)7 861 3858
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 6pm; Sunday 10am to 2pm.
- Admission
- CUC$5 (adults), Free for children under 14
Museo de la Revolución
Formerly the Presidential Palace and headquarters of the Cuban government, the impressive building now houses documents, photographs and artifacts pertaining to the Cuban Revolution, and provides an excellent introduction to, and understanding of, Cuba's history and its struggle for independence. Prepare to spend a few hours wandering from room to room as the story unfolds, from Spanish colonial times to the present day. In front of the museum entrance stands a watchtower that was part of the old city walls, as well as a tank used by Fidel Castro during the battle of the Bay of Pigs in 1961. Behind the museum is the glass-encased yacht, the 'Granma', which brought 82 revolutionaries, including Che Guevara and Fidel Castro, from Mexico to set the 1956 Revolution in motion.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Calle Refugio, between Calle Agramonte and Av de las Misiones, Centro Habana
- Phone Number
- 862 409 294
- Hours
- Open daily, from 10am to 5pm
- Admission
- US$4 (adult), US$2 (student), Free for children under 12
Montemar Natural Park
Cuba is developing its eco-tourism potential, and one of the prime spots for getting back to nature is at the Montemar Natural Park on the Zapata Peninsula in the province of Matanzas (about 75 miles or 120km from Havana). The peninsula is one of the largest swamps in the Caribbean, and its vast area includes forests, marshes, crystal-clear lagoons and canals. Its exuberant flora, including more than 900 species of plants (115 of them endemic to Cuba) is complemented by its rich fauna, consisting of 160 bird species and 12 types of animal, including crocodiles. One of the park's many features is the Laguna del Tesoro (Treasure Lagoon), a fresh water reservoir inhabited by golden trout. In the midst of the lagoon is a reproduction Taino village with its houses built on pillars. There are nature trails, a bird watching center, and the largest flooded cave in Cuba. There is also a scuba center, crocodile farm and several restaurants.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Ciénaga de Zapata, Matanzas
Capitolio Nacional
One of Havana's grandest pieces of architecture, the Capitolio is an important landmark and one of Centro Habana's major tourist sights. Resembling the US Capitol in Washington, DC, the monumental stone stairway leads to the vast domed hall, from where tours will take visitors beyond the doors to elaborately decorated chambers that once housed the seat of Cuban Congress. Today, it is home to the National Library and Academy of Sciences, and many of its rooms are still used for state events. Directly beneath the dome lies an imitation 24-carat diamond set into the marble floor, from where all highway distances between Havana and all sites in Cuba are measured.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Paseo de Marti, Centro Habana
- Phone Number
- (0)7 863 7861
- Hours
- Open daily, from 9am to 6pm
- Admission
- Admission is CUC$3; A guided tour costs CUC$4
Baconao Park
The large park region, which is a World Heritage Biosphere Reserve, is filled with attractions other than wildlife refuges and coffee plantations. It is possible to climb 459 stone steps to the summit of the huge rock, La Gran Piedra, and stand 4,049ft (1,234m) above sea level for a beautiful view. It is said that on a dark night, one can see the lights of Jamaica in the distance. In the Valle de la Prehistoria visitors are awed by dozens of life-size model dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures lurking in lush vegetation. There is also a magnificent 45-hectare (111-acre) garden, the Jardin Ave de Paraiso, dating from 1860, that was laid out on a former coffee plantation, and features a series of color-coded gardens with unique scents and displays in each. An artist community consisting of 10 families have formed a fieldstone hamlet, offering artwork of a high standard at Comunidad Artistas Oasis. There is also an Auto Museum featuring gleaming old model cars.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Poblado de Siboney
Castillo de San Pedro del Morro (Morro Castle)
Santiago's most impressive structure is poised ominously atop the cliffs at the narrow entrance to Santiago Bay, about nine miles (14km) south of Santiago. This enormous piece of military architecture, a maze of stairways and dungeons, was begun in 1640. The Morro was rebuilt in 1664 after the English pirate, Henry Morgan, reduced it to rubble. The castle now houses the Museum of Piracy, featuring excellent displays on piracy, colonialism, and slavery. There are old blunderbusses, muskets, cutlasses and Toldeo blades in glass cases. A UNESCO World Heritage site, and a fascinating place to visit, visitors to Santiago are encouraged not to pass this sight up.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Six miles (10 km) south-west of the city center, near the bay
- Phone Number
- 226 691 569
- Hours
- Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 4pm
- Admission
- CUC$3; extra for cameras
Bacardi Museum
Bacardi, the world's largest privately held, family-owned spirits company, started producing rum in Santiago way back in 1862. The company's current production sales exceed 240 million bottles a year, in 170 countries, although the family fled Cuba after the revolution in 1959. Interestingly, it was the fruit bats that nested in the rafters of the original rum factory that gave Bacardi rum its world-famous bat logo. Emilio Bacardi's private art and antique collection is still in Santiago, as is the original family rum distillery. A fun and educational outing, the Bacardi musuem is well worth a visit when in Santiago. Budget at least an hour to take in all the sights the museum has to offer.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Calle Pio Rosado No. 552 e/Aguilera y Heredia
- Phone Number
- 226 62 8402
Santa Ifigenia Cemetery
The gateway to this cemetery is dominated by a memorial to Cuban soldiers who died fighting in Angola. From here, the visitor is led to the impressive tomb of Cuban national hero, revolutionary and writer Jose Marti. The tomb is in the form of a crenulated hexagonal tower with each side representing one of Cuba's six original provinces. The round mausoleum is designed so that the sun will always shine on Marti's casket, which is draped with the Cuban flag. The cemetery also contains a shrine to the Virgin of Charity, Cuba's patron saint, in the form of the Basilica del Cobre. This little church is said to be the scene of miracles performed by the saint.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Av Crombet
- Hours
- Open daily, from 7am to 6pm
- Admission
- CUC$1; extra for cameras
Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
This historic section of Cuba's capital was founded in 1519, and for centuries, was an important naval port of colonial Spain. Being in such a strategic position, the city was targeted by pirates and fought over on numerous occasions, and the ruins of the defensive walls that surrounded the city can still be seen. The Old City now also contains museums, hotels, restaurants and shops lining the original cobble-stoned streets. Surrounding the picturesque squares (plazas) are beautiful restored colonial buildings with grand facades, and striking churches that form a magnificent setting for the late afternoon chess and domino games and salsa music. Plaza de Armas was the seat of power in Cuba for 400 years, from where the Spanish Captain's General, US military governors and Cuban president were based, and today is home to an interesting book market. During the years of Prohibition in the United States, Habana Vieja turned into a playground for Americans who flocked here for the cheap liquor, gambling, prostitution and flamboyant lifestyle. One of the district's most famous bars is La Bodeguita Del Medio, which was the favored haunt of legendary US writer, Ernest Hemingway.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
Gran Caverna de Santo Tomás
Cuba's largest cave system, with more than 29 miles (46km) of underground galleries spanning eight different levels, the Santo Tomás caves are situated about 10 miles (16km) west of Vinales. Very informative, 90-minute guided tours take visitors 138ft (42m) above the valley floor into the sixth gallery, where fantastic limestone formations, glittering stalactites and stalagmites, underground lakes and vast caverns are revealed by the light of headlamps. The cave system has been kept in its natural state, avoiding the tourist traps of electrical lighting and souvenir stands.
- Region/City Name
- Vinales Valley
- Address
- El Moncada
- Hours
- Open daily, from 8.30am to 5pm
- Admission
- CUC$8
Museo Romántico
Trinidad has a number of museums in colonial mansions, but one of the best is the beautifully renovated Museo Romántico overlooking the main square, Plaza Mayor. The Museo Romántico boasts an excellent exhibition of the paintings, decorative furniture and porcelain that belonged to the wealthy Brunet family in the 1830s.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- Calle Echerri 52
- Phone Number
- 419 4363
- Hours
- Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9am to 4.45pm
- Admission
- CUC$2; extra for cameras
Museo Histórico Municipal
A former palace belonging to German sugarcane plantation owner Justo Cantero, the museum displays examples of his wealth in the cool, stylish rooms, as well as some exhibits relating to the sugar industry and history of Trinidad. A stairway leads to a tower from which a superb view of Trinidad, and the Escambray mountains can be seen.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- 53 Simón Bolívar, 423 e/ Gustavo Izquierdo y Rubén Martínez Villena
- Phone Number
- 419 4460
- Hours
- Open Saturday to Thursday, from 9am to 5pm
- Admission
- CUC$2
Ancón Beach
The soft sand and still, warm waters backed by palm trees make the beach at Playa Ancón a popular trip from Trinidad. Situated at the end of the peninsula, seven miles (12km) south of Trinidad, Playa Ancón also offers watersports and some good offshore snorkeling and diving sites.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- Seven miles (12km) south of Trinidad
Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills)
This picturesque emerald valley was once the center of the sugar trade industry, and home to the plantations that brought wealth and prosperity to Trinidad in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the ruins of estates, sugar mills and other remnants are visited by tourists who are attracted by the beauty of the valley, and the historical significance of the slave trade that operated during the valley's boom years. The main site is the Manaca Iznaga, a striking 144ft (44m) high tower that was used by plantation owner and one of the wealthiest men in Cuba, Pedro Iznaga, to keep watch over his slaves working in the fields. Visitors can climb the tower for impressive views over the countryside. Horse riding tours to the valley, departing from Trinidad, are a popular way to see the sights.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- Carretera de Sancti Spíritus (8km from Trinidad)
- Phone Number
- (0)7 2040624
Santa Clara
Located 55 miles (88km) north of Trinidad, the city of Santa Clara is best known for its Che Memorial at the Plaza de la Revolución, and monuments relating to the Cuban Revolution. The armoured train monument (Monumento a la Toma del Tren Blindado) marks the spot where Che attacked the train sending Batista's troops to Santiago de Cuba, a battle which was a decisive factor in the victory of the revolutionaries. The Ernesto Che Guevara Monument was built to pay homage to the memory of Che and his comrades who fought with him in Bolivia, and the enormous monument incorporates a huge statue of Che with his famous phrase Hasta la Victoria Siempre(Forever Onwards Towards Victory), as well as representations of many aspects of his revolutionary life. To one side of the statue, a huge stone block has been inscribed in full with his farewell letter to Fidel Castro. The monument also includes a chilled mausoleum where the remains of Che and his comrades have been interred, and a museum with displays about his life and involvement in the revolution.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
- Address
- Train monument: Calle Indepencia. Che monument: Av de los Desfiles
- Hours
- Train monument: Tuesday to Sunday, from 8am to 6pm (until 12pm on Sundays). Che Guevara monument: Open daily, from 8am to 9pm (until 6pm on Sundays)
- Admission
- Train monument: CUC$1. Che Guevara monument: Free
Sancti Spiritus
The beautiful colonial city of Sancti Spiritus, with its gracious people, delightful architecture and maze of narrow, winding cobblestone streets remains almost completely unassuming and detached from tourism. Located in the center of Cuba, 43 miles (70km) east of Trinidad, Sancti Spiritus lies on the banks of the Yayabo River, exuding charm, affability and authenticity. The old town has been declared a National Monument, filled with picturesque, colorful little houses with uneven red-tiled roofs and weathered colonial homes. Streets are crammed with horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, scooters and pedestrians licking at ice-creams flavored with a fruit which grows along the banks of the river. Spanning the river is the Puente Yayabo, an arched brick bridge built by the Spanish in 1815, and the city's most famous sight.
- Region/City Name
- Trinidad
Moncada Barracks
The bullet-ridden Moncada Barracks and adjacent Parque Historico Abel Santamaria were part of important events in Cuba's history. In 1953, a group led by Fidel Castro attacked the barracks in an attempt to steal weapons and launch the revolution, but the plan failed and 61 of them were killed. The rest were captured and many tortured to death by Batista's army. Fidel was later tried in the Escuela de Enfermeras for leading the attack, and is where he made his famous 'History Will Absolve Me' speech.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
- Address
- Avenida Moncada
- Phone Number
- 226 620 157
- Hours
- Open daily, from 9am to 5pm (until 1pm on Sundays)
- Admission
- CUC$2 for admission, an extra CUC$1 to take photos. Free guided tours are available once inside
Cueva del Indio
Located in the Viñales Valley, which provides some great family activities such as hiking and climbing, the Cueva del Indio is a magical place for kids to visit. Previously inhabited by local Indians, children will love the boat ride across the underground lake in the cave, and discovering the stalactites, stalagmites and petroglyphs on the walls of the cave.
- Region/City Name
- Vinales Valley
Varadero Beach
With 22 miles (36km) of sandy, white, palm-fringed beach, Varadero Beach has often been referred to as one of the world's most beautiful beaches. With some of the most amazing diving, fishing and snorkeling opportunities, children splashing around in the crystalline turquoise waters will even be able to spot some fantastic fish with the naked eye. Glass-bottom boat companies abound here, too. Varadero Beach is a wonderful place to spend the day, and an absolute must-visit while in Cuba.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- About an hour's drive west of Havana
Acuario Nacional
This aquarium, located in Habana Vieja, features eight tanks displaying some truly beautiful freshwater fish, along with coral and other tropical species. Children will love the aquarium and will enjoy watching the dolphins, sea lions and seals, while parents can enjoy lunch in the aquarium's underwater restaurant. The subject of a recent renovation, the Acuario Nacional now also boasts a spellbinding display of brightly colored saltwater fish. Consistently voted one of Havana's top tourist attractions for kids.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Third Ave and 62 St. Miramar
- Phone Number
- (537) 202 5872
- Email Address
- comercial@acuarionacional.cu
- Website
- www.acuarionacional.cu
- Hours
- Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm
- Admission
- CUC$7 (adults), CUC$3 (students and children under 12)
Cámara Oscura
Offering spectacular 360-degree views over the city of Havana from a telescopic lens located atop a 115-foot (35m) tall tower, the Cámara Oscura is a great place to take the kids. There is even a 10-minute virtual tour in both English and Spanish, taking visitors through the city's attractions and architectural highlights.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Corner Mercaderes and Brasil, Habana Vieja
- Website
- www.netssa.com/camera_obscura.html
- Transport
- Nearest train station: Estación Central de Ferrocarriles
- Hours
- Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 9am to 5pm, and on Sundays from 9am to 1pm
- Admission
- CUC$2
Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in the Cuban provinces of Holguín and Guantánamo, and features an impressive selection of flora and fauna, such as parrots, lizards and hummingbirds. The well-visited park is a firm favorite among young travelers to Cuba, and regularly features on lists of the best things to do with kids while in the country.
- Region/City Name
- Santiago de Cuba
Ernest Hemingway Museum
Ernest Hemingway may be an American by birth, but Cubans have adopted him as their own - especially in Havana, where you'll find memorials to his apartments, regular haunts, and even favorite drink. Finca Vigia, his home just outside Havana, has been restored and now functions as a museum to the famous author. The residence is kept as it was when he lived there, writing works like For Whom the Bell Tollsand The Old Man and the Sea, and visitors can see his typewriter and library of over 8,000 books.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Finca Vigía, Havana
- Phone Number
- 7 910809
- Transport
- Bus P7 from Parque Fraternidad, and P2 from Línea y G, Vedado
- Hours
- Open on Monday from 9am to 4pm, and on Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 12:30pm. Closed on Tuesdays
- Admission
- CUC$3
El Malécon
A five-mile (8km) esplanade, roadway and seawall, running between the harbor in Old Havana and the historically Russian area of Vedado, El Malécon is the perfect place to start your Havana adventure. The two-hour walk, described by many as a cross-section of Cuba's history, begins in Habana Vieja - where the buildings have had their famous pastel colors faded by the sun and the salty sea-wind - and goes past various monuments to significant figures in Cuba's struggle history (including Máximo Gomez and Calixto García), before ending up in the area of Verdado, a funky downtown district with great sights and vibrant nightlife. Celebrated by locals and tourists alike as the best way to gain an insight into the soul of Havana, travelers are strongly advised to begin their Cuban holiday with a walk along El Malécon.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Between the harbor and Vedado, Havana
Bay of Pigs Musuem
In April 1961, the United States (under the auspices of the CIA) launched an attack on Fidel Castro's government, attempting to overthrow it by securing the beach-head at Playa Gíron. The 'Bay of Pigs' invasion, as it has come to be known, was a humiliating failure for the US, only serving to strengthen the Cuban people's support of Castro. Today, the fascinating Bay of Pigs Museum (Muséo Playa Gíron) stands as a proud, and exhaustive record of the Cuban force's victory. Visitors can view maps and displays detailing the course of events as they transpired, as well as actual planes flown by the Cuban army during the siege, fragments of shot-down enemy planes, tanks, mortars and machine guns used in the battle, and much more. There is also a touching exhibition of photographs and biographies of the 156 Cuban soldiers that were killed during the invasion. Anyone with even a passing interest in modern history - or how US foreign policy has shaped the world in which we live - will find the Bay of Pigs Museum utterly enthralling. Budget at least two hours to take it all in.
- Region/City Name
- Havana
- Address
- Playa Gíron
- Transport
- Two daily buses connect Playa Gíron to Havana (4 hours) and Cienfuegos (2 hours)
- Hours
- Open daily, from 9am to 5pm
- Admission
- CUC$2
PlanetWare.com Travel Guides
- Cuba: Cuba | Cuba Hotels | Cuba Attractions
- Havana: Havana | Havana Hotels | Havana Attractions
