Regions in Cuba

For art, history and nightlife, Havana is an absolute must-see. Then there’s the collection of beaches on Cuba’s Northern Cayes, where powder-white sands are lapped by the turquoise Caribbean Sea and some of the country’s most luxurious hotels are found. Looking for something beyond the beach? the valley of Viñales is ripe with tobacco and coffee plantations, while the colonial towns scattered across the centre of Cuba offer a dose of history, such as Trinidad with its preserved Old Town and Santa Clara with its monuments to the ubiquitous national hero, Comandante Che Guevara.

Havana

Like stepping into a novel, balmy Havana is an irresistible melting pot of all the Cuban clichés: crumbling colonial grandeur, classic cars, salsa, cigars, and of course, the legend of Hemingway. The spirit of Havana is infamous – and utterly infectious. Having sampled Hemingway’s cocktail of choice, it’s well worth visiting the author’s spiritual home, Finca Vigía, just out of town.

Trinidad, Cienfuegos and the Central Colonial Hub

Trinidad, Cienfuegos & the Central Colonial Hub

Undulating mountains, sun-dappled beaches and pretty, pastel-hued towns – the central colonial hub of Cuba really packs a punch. The jewel in the crown of Cuba’s southern coast, Trinidad is a 16^th century town with UNESCO preserved colonial architecture. Flanked by the Escambray Mountains to the north and the Península de Ancón to the south, Trinidad is a beguiling corner of Cuba with endless attraction.

Northern Cayes

Those on the lookout for Cuba’s beautiful beaches will find them here, stretching along from Varadero up the northern coast of the mainland. These northern islands off Cuba are home to picture-perfect beaches, complete with sugar-white sand, swaying palm trees and azure waters concealing kaleidoscopic coral reefs: the ultimate Caribbean paradise.

Vinales, Las Terrazas & Pinar del Rio

Carpeted in lush terrain, it’s no wonder Pinar Del Río province is referred to as the Garden of Cuba. Emerald and rust-red land teems with tobacco, taro and banana plantations, which are still cultivated by local farmers using traditional methods like the oxen and plough. Then there’s the coastline, less visited than other popular Cuban beaches.

Baracoa

There’s something utterly enchanting about Baracoa. Intrepid travellers fall for its intoxicating blend of untouched scenery, exquisite cuisine, rugged beaches and impossibly friendly atmosphere. Tucked away on the south-eastern tip of the island, Cuba’s oldest city is a relatively isolated enclave whose seclusion has left its unique culture and verdant landscape delightfully untouched - almost the same as when Colombus first discovered it.

Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba lives and breathes music. Between the dusty streets of this easterly city, nestled at the foot of the Sierra Maestra mountain range, the majority of Cuban music genres – from salsa to son – were born. Cuba’s second largest city is an explosion of colour and culture, which is no better epitomised than during the annual Carnival in July with non-stop street fiestas and intoxicating music.