Things to see and do from one end of Cuba to the other

Cuba is divided into five regions: Havana, Western Cuba, Central Cuba, West Central Cuba and East Cuba.

Western Cuba

The western area of the country is characterized by swathes of cultivated fields and at times extraordinarily beautiful scenery. The main attraction here is the unique Vinales valley and other low-lying mountain areas, including the Sierra del Rosario, which has been declared by UNESCO a world biosphere.

Also of interest are tobacco plantations previously owned by Spanish landowners, in the Pinal del Rio area.

The Guanahacabibes forest reserve, named after a pre-Columbian ethnic group, is a strip of land measuring about 100 kilometers. The forest reserve is home to 600 endangered species of rare flora and fauna, including woodpeckers, boars, reptiles, deer, parrots and hummingbirds.

Also in Western Cuba is the Maria La Gorda Beach and Underwater haven. The extraordinarily beautiful white beaches of this diving spot, named after a girl who was abducted by pirates, is like a tropical aquarium consisting of reef sharks, sea turtles and diverse tropical fish. The reefs are just a short distance from the shore. The coral and fish can even be seen without having to go beneath the water.

Central Cuba

The Central and Western provinces cover the famous holiday resorts along the Veradero beaches, the attractive towns of Santa Clara and Cienfuegos as well as the natural scenery of the Zapata peninsula and the Escambray mountains.

Varadero is the best and most well-equipped holiday resort in Cuba. Occupying a 19-kilometer-long peninsula, the resort is filled with luxury hotels and villas, restaurants and abundant historical sites.

The Zapata bird watching center is one of the most complete wildlife reserves in the Caribbean islands, rich in birds and rare animals.

Santa Clara is known as the revolutionary city where Ernesto Che Guevara's famous memorial was established.

East and Eastern Cuba

From a cultural point of view, the most interesting place in the area is the delightful town of Trinidad.

UNESCO declared Trinidad, founded in 1514, a World Heritage Site in l988. The original cobblestone streets and pastel-colored houses are evidence of the city's unchanged architectural landscape since the Spanish colonial period. From the 1600s to the 1800s, Trinidad was a major center of trade in sugar and slaves. The original layout of the city and its historical buildings have been carefully restored down to the bridges, statues and streetlights.

About 10 kilometers south of Trinidad, Peninsula Ancon is one of the first coastal areas in Cuba to be developed for tourism.

Also nearby is the city of Gibara, which Christopher Columbus named in 1492 Rio de Mares. The city has the most important Spanish colonial architecture in the country.

Unlike other cities in Cuba, which are full of European architectural and cultural heritage, Santiago de Cuba is the most strikingly "African" city in the country. It is a lively and exciting city where annual dance and music carnivals are celebrated.

If it were not for the U.S. naval base, where numerous terrorism suspects are detained, and the famous song Guantanamera (Girls from Guantanamo), the city of Guantanamo would only be known to the local people. This small town is actually rich in architectural and natural assets. It has beautiful museums and old buildings as well as a zoological museum. The Guantanamo Naval base covers about 110 square kilometers and the whole area is surrounded by fences. Therefore, don't expect to get onto the naval base.