Tourism & Hospitality | Thursday 9 February, 2017 12:31 pm |

 

Timeworn but magnificent, dilapidated but dignified, fun yet maddeningly frustrating - Cuba is a country of indefinable magic.

 

Cuba is alive with an energy that permeates through every aspect of its culture. Immaculate beaches and verdant hills, wildlife-rich rainforests and tumbling waterfalls, imposing mountain ranges and vibrant cities, the music, the dance, and the history all come to life under the same contagious and relentless vibe.  It’s truly one of the most fascinating travel destinations on our planet.

 

Trapped in a time warp and reeling from an economic embargo that has grated for more than half a century, this is a country where you can wave goodbye to Western certainties and expect the unexpected.

 

Here are some of the top HolidayMe recommendations for Cuba!
 

• Must Visit Places in Cuba

• Che Guevara Mausoleum
• Santa Clara
• El Capitolia, Havana
• Old Havana

 

• Why You Should Visit Cuba In 2017
   

• Cuba's dream beaches

Cuba boasts beautiful beaches perfect for relaxing and to soak up some sunshine or snorkel. Cuban beaches are some of the most beautiful ones - endless and sandy, with white, soft sand and clear water, coral reefs and turquoise panorama all around. Cuba’s best beaches are amazing visual delights. Check out the scenic beaches of Varadero, Playa Pilar, Playa Ancón, Playa Esmeralda and Playa Francés.

 

• Check out the Cuban islands

Cuba truly is a serene island in the middle of the Caribbean and has some of the most beautiful islands, perfect for relaxing, swimming and diving, such as Cayo Largo or Cayo Coco, where the water is crystal clear. Cuban islands are pristine with green foliage, wonderful beaches, coral reefs, precious native flora and fauna and a typical tropical ambience. Cuban islands offer you secluded beaches, plenty of peace and serenity and relaxation.

 

• Hike in the scenic Natural parks

Cuba boasts of spectacular natural parks: the National Park Alejandro de Humboldt and Parque Nacional Pico Turquino. It includes a wide variety of tropical plants and the Caribbean’s best preserved mountains ecosystem. Trek through Cuba's highest peak, Pico Turquino (1972m), in the Oriente's Sierra Maestra range. Other hiking gems include the Sierra del Rosario and Viñales areas of Pinar del Río province, around Baracoa in Guantánamo and the peaceful peaks above the Embalse Hanabanilla reservoir.

 

• Experience Cuba’s charming nightlife

Cuba’s nightlife is casual, free-flowing and charming. The country is a delightful place for music lovers. Here, you can grove to Salsa, Conga, Reggae and Son Montuno in the public squares and narrow lanes. Open air nightlife clubs and open-air music concerts still draw locals and foreigners. Jazz clubs of Havana are vintage classics along with the stylish, contemporary and trending clubs.

 

• Savour the delightful Cuban cuisine

Cuban food is a blend of Spanish, African, Caribbean and North American influences. Use of meat, beef, locally available vegetables and rice constitutes a key element of Cuban cuisine. Fresh seafood is widely available and the country has a delightful street food scene as well. Cuban rum, beer and cocktails are the most widely sought after drinks in the country.