The Malecón in Havana

Havana is the capital of Cuba and the center of all things Cuban. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world and is often compared with European cities like Venice, Rome and Paris.

Full of history and culture, Havana is a cosmopolitan city best known for its colonial architecture, pristine beaches and wonderful people. Another great landmark is the Malecón, a seawall and walkway that runs for 4 miles along the ocean.

Havana is known for amazing hotels, award winning restaurants and live entertainment.

Varadero

Varadero is only 87 miles east of Havana and is the most famous beach in Cuba. With white sand, palm trees and blue waters you’ll agree that Varadero is paradise.

Fishing, kayaking, boating, sea-doos, parasailing, snorkeling, scuba diving and every resort pastime is available in this beautiful resort destination.

Be sure to pack your sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen. In Varadero there is sun for 13 hours on average and the average temperature is 80 degrees.

Jose Marti International Airport, Havana, Cuba

Flights to Cuba come in to José Martí International Airport which is located 9 miles southwest of Havana. Direct flights from the United States require a special Visa. Many U.S. travelers choose to take flights from Mexico, Canada or the Caymans. For more information about flights to Cuba, please click here.

Once you’ve booked a flight to Cuba, make sure you have a hotel that accommodates your needs– be it an internet connection, a pool, a bar, a convenience store, or even something as simple as a private bathroom. Please note that amenities at Cuban hotels vary greatly.

The U.S. is easing travel restrictions to Cuba. Click here for the latest news.

Pinar del Río is where fine Cuban tobacco is grown

East of Havana is one of the most beautiful regions in the world, Pinar del Río. A lush and fertile valley, this is where the best tobaccos in the world are grown. In addition to being the home of the Cuban cigar, Pinar del Río is also known for biodiversity; in fact, it houses two of the six World’s Biosphere Reserves.

The picturesque landscape is covered with tobacco plantations, untouched forests and unique wildlife. It’s a wonderful excursion when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Havana.

Popular destinations in Pinar del Río include the Viñales Valley, Las Terrazas, the Soroa, orchid center and waterfall, ruins of the French coffee plantations of the 19th century, the Laguna Grande dam, the 45 km long Santo Tomás Cave system, and the María La Gorda International diving center.

Every table is occupied so Alex and I sit on a bench at the very back near the bar. Neither of us can dance and so we are actually very content to not be next to the salsa band or the twirling couples. The waiter promptly comes over and asks us what we’d like to order. “Dos Cuba libres por favor.”

Alex lights a Marlboro and gestures to the gentleman sitting next to us that he would like to borrow the ashtray on his table. He would have just asked except he doesn’t know how to say “ashtray”, “borrow”, or “may I” in Spanish.

We ask him if he speaks English and he says a little bit; he asks us if we speak Spanish and we say un pocito. In Spanish, I ask the gentleman what he does for a living. He seems to understand and quickly replies, avocado. Avocado? We probably wouldn’t have ever figured out his occupation had Alex not been familiar with the Spanish word for lawyer, abogado. Coincidentally, both Alex and our new friend, Jose, are in their final year of law school. They are instantly curious about each other’s studies but are unable to have anything but a simple discussion. Alex orders another round, “Tres Cuba libres por favor.”

Cubans not involved in the tourist industry do not earn tips and hence have no money to make unnecessary purchases. Therefore, Alex and I insist, as guests in their country, on paying for each round—which actually isn’t too expensive since the price of a Cuba libre is ubiquitously fixed at two U.S. dollars.

Fresh mint is the key to a perfect Cuban mojito.

Jose points at a lady sitting next to the salsa band and says that she is his cousin. I tell him that they don’t look alike and he explains that his uncle married a very light-skinned woman. He waves her over and introduces her to us. Martha is an agrarian engineer as well as a dance instructor. She asks Alex and me if we’d like to dance. I try to explain that we don’t dance but she can’t understand that concept and insists that I join her on the dance floor.

Martha grabs my hand and leads me onto the dance floor. Then she places my hand on her hip and explains to me how to count the beat. “One-two one-two-three. One-two one-two-three.” I try to follow her lead. One-two one-two-lo-siento, one-two one-two-oh my god is your foot okay! She smiles at me even though I know she’s in pain. We return to our table where Alex and Jose can’t stop laughing. I feel bad so I say the only thing I can, “Cuatro Cuba libres por favor.”

Havana
Pinar del Río
Matanzas
Varadero
Península de Zapata
Isla de la Juventud
Cayo Largo
Cienfuegos
Villa Clara
Sancti Spiritus
Trinidad de Cuba
Jardines del Rey
Camaguey
Santa Lucía de Cuba
Las Tunas
Holguín
Granma
Santiago de Cuba
Guantánamo

Cuban kids in Havana Vieja

Here’s what you need to know about Havana, Cuba…

There are 3 main areas: Old Havana (Havana Vieja), Centro Havana, and Vedado.

Old Havana has narrow cobble stone streets, overhanging balconies and is the center of commerce, industry, and entertainment. It’s also a residential area and the place most Cubans want to live.

Hotels in Old Havana

Vedado is like the newer downtown area filled with suburbs, vibrant neighborhoods and some of the nicer hotels.

A view of Havana Centro

To the west of Vedado is Miramar and Playas (beaches). This exclusive area is known for foreign embassies, diplomatic residences, mansions, upscale shops, and facilities for wealthy foreigners.

Hotels in Vedado

Havana Centro lies between Old Havana and Vedado. It’s mostly a shopping district with a few hotels, restaurants and places of nightlife peppered throughout. It’s centrally located (Centro) but it’s usually not a destination.

Hotels in Havana Centro

Ave. Manduley No.502, Vista Alegre. Santiago de Cuba.

Casagranda
Located in the heart of the historical center of Santiago de Cuba, across from the old Plaza de Armas, today Parque Céspedes, around which a great deal of the cultural events of the city takes place. Only 7 km from the Antonio Maceo international airport.

Calle Heredia No.201 e/ San Francisco y San Félix Santiago de Cuba.
Brisas Sierra Mar
The mountain range in Sierra Maestra and the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea are trapped into two hotels:Los Galeones-Sierramar. The first one is born is the coast and melts within the green color of the mountains. It has a special attention for children.

Chivirico, Guamá Santiago de Cuba
Brisas Los Galeones
The mountain range in Sierra Maestra and the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea are trapped into two hotels:Los Galeones-Sierramar. The first one is born is the coast and melts within the green color of the mountains. It has a special attention for children.

Carretera a Chivirico, km. 60, Guamá, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.

Santiago de Cuba
Here, the traveler will have the opportunity to become familiar with its history and beautiful traditions by visiting the “Ruta del Esclavo”, in the Gran Piedra area; the French ruins, an example of trace of the French-Haitian immigration, and the city’s neighborhoods. You will be amazed by the unequaled hospitality and the impressive warmth of the santiagueros, which will catch you forever. Keeping in mind all these reasons, the chain Sol Meliá bet firmly on this wonderful destination.

Ave. de Las Américas, Calle M. Reparto Sueño. Santiago de Cuba.

Castillo de Baracoa
Located in an ancient Spanish fortress. The tavern-bar is like a mirador in fornt of the bay, the city and Miel river. Only 2 km form Baracoa´s airport.

Calle Calixto García, Rpto. Paraíso, Baracoa, Guantánamo.
Porto Santo
Porto Santo was the name given by the Admiral Cristobal Colon to Baracoa. From the hotel you can see the mountains, or just go on excursion along the Toa River. Only half kilometer from Baracoa´s airport.

Carretera del Aereopuerto,Rpto. Jaitesico,Baracoa. Guantánamo.
Villa Islazul La Lupe
Modern and comfortable rooms, delicately adorned distinguish this facility. Surrounded by high hills, you can have a complete view of the Cuban Orient.

Carretera de El Salvador Km 3 1/2. Guantánamo.
Villa Maguana
Located in the prevailed city of Cuba, Villa Maguana was built in a natural place with flora abundacia and fauna. it is the ideal place for the lovers of the nature.

Carretera a Moa, Baracoa, Guantánamo.

Hotel Caimanera
Located in the sea town of the same name, this facility, beautifully decorated, is a sample of good taste. A complete service and care will make you have an unforgettable stay.

Loma Norte, Caimanera. Guantánamo.

Carretera Loma, El Yarey, Jiguaní, Granma, Cuba.
Hotel Islazul Balcón de la Sierra
The village is a good option for those that you/they like to live in contact with the nature. Surrounded of an exuberant flora and fauna the installation is a welcoming and calm place, advisable for all that that he/she wants some gentle vacations.

Ave. Masó , Providencia,Bartolomé Masó. Granma. Cuba
Villa Bayamo
At this villa, on the outskirts of the city, you stay in comfortable houses with perfect service and really good Cuban food. Everything possible is done to make you feel at home.

Carretera Manzanillo Km 5 1/2, Vía Manzanillo Bayamo.Granma.Cuba
Villa Islazul Santo Domingo
Guarded by the mountains of Sierra Maestra, this place is ideal to have a peaceful stay. Flora and fauna are a great sight for everyone who loves nature.

Carretera La Plata, Km 16, Bartolomé Masó. Santo Domingo. Granma.
Hotel Islazul Royaltón
In the very historic center of the city this building emerges. Preferred for its combination of nice accommodation and excellent gastronomy,this hotel is expecting you to make you feel like you deserve.

Antonio Maceo No. 53 e/ General Garcia y Jose Palma, Bayamo. Granma.
Niquero
Located south of Granma, in the village of the same name, this facility gathers the picturesque and cozy at the same time. It is perfect for nature lovers.

Calle Martí No. 100 esq. a Céspedes. Niquero. Granma.

Club Amigo Marea del Portillo
This three star resort, which forms part of the Sierra Maestra National Park and is comprised of the Club Amigo Farallón del Caribe and Marea del Portillo hotels, is ideal for those who wish to enjoy themselves in a harmonious setting of sea and mountains. The resort is 100 km from Manzanillo international airport.

Km. 12 ½, Marea del Portillo, Pilón, Granma, Cuba.
HOTEL SIERRA MAESTRA
This three star hotel is located right in the center of Bayamo, declared a National Monument, and birthplace of Cuban Nationality. It is situated in a setting rich in historical-cultural traditions, the perfect complement to the sober architectural style of this hotel, designed according to the colonial mansion trend. Its proximity to Himno Square, the birthplace of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, known as Father of his Homeland and the Window of Luz Vázquez, allow guests to open up memorable pages in the country’s history.

Carretera Santiago de Cuba, km. 1, Bayamo, Granma, Cuba.
Marea del Portillo
This three star resort, which forms part of the Sierra Maestra National Park and is comprised of the Club Amigo Farallón del Caribe and Marea del Portillo hotels, is ideal for those who wish to enjoy themselves in a harmonious setting of sea and mountains. The resort is 100 km from Manzanillo international airport.

Carretera Granma, km 12½ Pilón, Granma.

Farallón del Caribe
Located at the foothills of the majestic Sierra Maestra mountains and overlooking the serene bay of Marea del Portillo, the Farallon del Caribe offers a warm, personal and friendly atmosphere. Built on a low hill facing the beach, its modern lines, the transparency of the water in its swimming pool and the chromatic glasses in its structure blend harmoniously the natural colors of the sea and the landscape.

Carretera Granma. km 12 1/2. Granma.

Rancho Club
Located near the University of the Oriente on Quinteros Hill, El Rancho has 30 cabanas and a magnificent view of both the bay and the city from the thatched-roof restaurant. Air conditioned rooms have private bath, telephone and color TV. Pool, restaurant, bar and discotheque.

Carretera Central. km 4 1/2. Alturas de Quintero. Santiago de Cuba.
HORIZONTES VILLA EL SALTÓN
Located in the middle of the Sierra Maestra, Cuba’s tallest mountain range, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, a natural cascade and microclimate.

Carretera Filé, Tercer Frente, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
Hotel Islazul Gran Piedra
It is located on the side of the Gran Piedra mountain, 1227 meters above sea level; and only 28 km away from the city of Santiago de Cuba. This warm and friendly mountain hotel owes its name to a gigantic rock wighing approximately 70,000 tons and which is registered in the Guinnes Book of World Records as the third largest solid rock worldwide. The hotel is surrounded by the ruins of ancient coffee-growing estates that have been declared a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO.

Carretera de La Gran Piedra. km 14 1/2. Santiago de Cuba.

Hotel Club Amigo Carisol & Los Corales
This three star All Inclusive resort forms part of the Baconao National Park, a World Biosphere Reserve. Club Amigo Carisol & Los Corales is located at a distance of 62 km from Santiago de Cuba international airport and is situated in forested area which is the habitat for numerous species of plant and animal life, a setting which fully enriches guests’ experience in Cuba.

Carretera de Baconao. Playa Cazonal. Santiago de Cuba.
HOTEL VERSALLES
In the residential section of Versalles, to the east of the city, surrounded by harmonious tranquility. Recommended for families and groups.

Alturas de Versalles, km. ½. Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Hotel Islazul Las Américas
Next to the important Las Américas Avenue. Is centrally located and is fully equipped to ensure guests quickly adapt to the pace of Cuba’s second largest city.

Ave. de las Américas y General Cebreco. Santiago de Cuba.

Hotel Islazul San Juan
In the city of Santiago de Cuba, a few minutes away from downtown. Surrounded by trees and flowers, and located but a few meters from the Parque Histórico Militar in La Loma de San Juan, site of the last battles of the Cuban-Spanish-North American war of 1898. Its architecture and shapes portray the unique Caribbean grace. The city’s historical center is only 4 kms from the hotel.

Carretera a Siboney km 1 1/2 Santiago de Cuba

Alturas de Mayabe, Km 8. Holguín.
CLUB AMIGO ATLÁNTICO-GUARDALAVACA
Next to Bariay, scenario that astonished the Admiral Cristóbal Columbus when Cuba discovered in 1492, the hotel Breezes Guardalavaca is erected that Mega works under the modality Everything Included. In the first beach line, to 1 kilometer of the main beach of Guardalavaca, one of those but beautiful beaches of the Cuban east, this hotel is perfect to combine history and Cuban traditions with an excellence service

Playa Guardalavaca, Banes, Holguín, Cuba.

Río de Luna
Alongside Playa Esmeralda Beach, set in superb gardens in the outstanding natural environment of the Bahia Naranjo Natural Park. 56 kms. from Holguin city. 72 kms. from Holguin international airport. 3 kms. from the Guardalavaca shopping centre. 256 km. from Santiago de Cuba.

Playa Esmeralda, Carretera Guardalavaca, Rafael Freyre. Holguín.
Río de Mares
Alongside Playa Esmeralda Beach, set in superb gardens in the outstanding natural environment of the Bahia Naranjo Natural Park.

Playa Esmeralda, Carretera Guardalavaca, Rafael Freyre. Holguín.
Costa Verde
Located in Pesquero Nuevo Beach, in the northern coast of Holguin this hotel offers several services to have the client pleased in every possible way.

Playa Pesquero, Rafael Freyre. Holquín.
Bahía de Naranjo
Breezes Costa Verde is located within the white sandy beaches of Playa Pesquero, in the middle of exuberant vegetation. It is 50 km from “Frank País” International Airport.

Carretera a Guardalavaca, Bahía de Naranjo. Holguín.
Cayo Saetía
In the northern coast of Holguín, at the entrance of Nipe Bay is Cayo Saetía, with 42 km² of forests and varied flora and fauna. It has all necessary conditions to practice exciting excursions by yacht.

Cayo Saetía. Mayarí. Holguín.
BRISAS GUARDALAVACA
Next to Bariay, scenario that astonished the Admiral Cristóbal Columbus when Cuba discovered in 1492, the hotel Breezes Guardalavaca is erected that Mega works under the modality Everything Included. In the first beach line, to 1 kilometer of the main beach of Guardalavaca, one of those but beautiful beaches of the Cuban east, this hotel is perfect to combine history and Cuban traditions with an excellence service

Calle 2, No.1, Guardalavaca, Banes, Holguín, Cuba.
Playa Pesquero
This brand new hotel promises to be one of the most beautiful resorts in the Playa Pesquero. It is located on Pesquero Beach, along the northern coast of Holguin province. Designed especially with rest and relaxation in mind, this is a perfect hideaway for honeymooners. But not only couples will enjoy the splendid resort, there are many facilities for groups.

Playa Pesquero, Carretera Guardalavaca. Rafael Freyre. Holguín.
Breezes Costa Verde
Playa Pesquero. Rafael Freyre. Holguín.

Río de Oro
The luxurious hotel Meliá Río de Oro is located in a truly privileged position, in a natural environment of white sandy beaches, in front of one of the world’s most beautiful barrier reefs. This marvelous all-inclusive five-star hotel is inside the Bahía de Naranjo Natural Park, in the northeastern area of Holguín province, 56 km. from its capital city, 72 km from its International Airport, and very close to four of Cuba’s most beautiful beaches. There is also the possibility to carry out ecological excursions across the surroundings and practice all types of sports: snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing, tennis and many more. We have also, as part of our numerous offers, the preparation of special programs for weddings, honeymoons and incentives. The Meliá Río de Oro is a first-rate hotel, different from the rest.

Playa Esmeralda, Carretera Guardalavaca, Rafael Freyre. Holguín.
Grand Playa Turquesa
The Occidental Grand Playa Turquesa is located on the eastern part of the island, on the breathtaking Yuraguanal beach, a region famous for eyecatching landscapes and extensive natural parks. The hotel occupies an area of approximately 37.000 m2.

Playa Yuraguanal, Rafael Freyre. Holguín. Cuba.