Top 11 best places to Visit in Cuba – Art, culture and Experience
Are you enthusiastic and would want to visit Cuba for the first time? Then you need to know about the enjoyable places to explore in the country. Cuba is an island country in the Caribbean Sea. It is the largest Caribbean island with a rich history and culture. The people of Cuba are known for their hospitality and friendliness.
Foreign nationals need a Cuba tourist visa to enter the country for tourism. The suitable period to visit the country is during the dry season, from November to April. Would you want to visit Cuba in 2023? This blog post will examine the best places to visit in Cuba and the variety of unique things you can do in each of these places.
Top 11 Places to Explore When you visit Cuba
Here are some of the best iconic centers to consider when planning to visit Cuba.
#1. Old Havana
Old Havana is one of the top places to visit in Cuba because it’s the city’s beating heart. When you visit the Habana Vieja, you’ll marvel at the impressive architectural structure. It starts from the baroque, passes through neoclassical, and arrives at iconic Art Deco. Additionally, it’s a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.
You shouldn’t miss the four main areas of Havana, which entail the Plaza Vieja, Plaza De Armas, Plaza De San Francisco, and the Plaza De La Catedral. However, if you want to stroll, you should visit the stretch between Calles Oficios and Mercaderes. It contains the oldest extant buildings in Havana.
#2. Vedado
As one of the critical sites to visit in Cuba, Vedado is known as a residential area of Havana filled with beautiful colonial buildings. A tour of this place will show you the wide streets of colonial mansions from the 1800s. On these streets, you’ll see front gardens full of palm trees and kitsch 50’s cars driving by.
Furthermore, the place is the perfect choice for tourists who want to enjoy the eclectic nightlife. If you want to explore the nightlife, you should go to La Rampa or 23rd Street.
#3. The Malecon
When you tour Cuba from the USA and need a popular evening hangout, the Malecon is the place for you. The long stretch of boardwalk stretches from Old Havana through Central Havana and Vedado, arriving at the mouth of the Almendares River.
During tourists’ hangout, they’ll relish beautiful views of the fortress and the legendary lighthouse at El Morro. In addition, they’ll have a romantic time when strolling along the Malecon as the orange sunsets and sinks below the water.
#4. Hotel Nacional de Cuba
If you travel to Cuba in 2023, you should visit the Hotel Nacional de Cuba. It’s a historic Spanish wide-ranging style hotel and the most famous hotel in Havana. It sits atop the waterfront in Vedado and is considered the most outstanding surviving example of the Al Capone era. That was when American gangsters took over the city and opened casino clubs and hotels. They use the place to launder money and supply contraband.
Although visiting there is expensive, you can wander in and explore the ground floor halls anytime. You can also enjoy a Mojito from the palm-lined terrace overlooking the ocean.
#5. Trinidad
Have you gotten a Cuba visa for a tourist? Then you should visit Trinidad, a beautiful colonial city and world heritage site. It’s a trip that’ll take you back in time. The sight of colorful colonial buildings built in the 18th and 19th centuries makes it one of the best sites to visit in Cuba. It also houses a dedicated UNESCO World Heritage site called the Plaza Mayor. Presently, it’s an open-air museum of Spanish Colonial architecture.
During the evening, the place transforms into a Casa De Musica, where tourists will enjoy the Cuban musicians playing at the top of the steps leading down to the square. Lovers of dance can also check out Discoteque Ayala, an underground club in a cave just a few minutes from the city center. It’s considered one of the most unusual clubs in the world.
#6. Vinales National Park
If you’re on an educational trip to Cuba from the USA, Vinales National Park should be on the list of places to visit in Cuba. It’s one of the most stunning places to explore and where tobacco grows. Also, it is located within the Parque Nacional de Vinales and a site protected by UNESCO World Heritage.
While in Vinales, you should also take a look at Caya Jutias. It’s a tropical paradise where you can sunbathe, snorkel, kayak, and relish island cuisine. Are you staying in Havana? No need to worry as tourists can get to Vinales via a coach.
#7. Bay of Pigs
Bay of Pigs is an exciting place to visit while in Cuba. It’s the site of the failed Cuban invasion. The U.S tried to invade Cuba in 1961, which led to the popular Cuban Missile Crisis. Presently, it’s full of wonderfully colorful coral and natural sponges. The presence of triggerfish draws divers to this exquisite and remote beach.
History lovers can also marvel at the deliberately sunk wreck of the Jaruca. Furthermore, tourists will see the inland cave known as Fish Cave in Playa Larga. It’s where freshwater fish swim and take shelter from the open ocean.
#8. Peninsula de Zapata National Park
Almost everyone who visited the Peninsula de Zapata National Park considers it the largest wetland in Cuba. The park lies south of the island, near the famous Bay of Pigs. It’s home to important ecosystems such as mangrove forests, seagrass beds, coral reef barriers, and deep reefs.
As a lover of adventure, you should explore the fascinating mangroves in a kayak while also checking out the hiking and biking trails. Finally, you can also visit the reconstructed Taino village.
#9. Playa Esmeralda
Aside from other Cuba’s best places to visit, Playa Esmeralda is a peaceful beauty spot to explore. It’s popularly known as one of the ten best beaches in the Caribbean. Supposing you’re going with your family, you can take them to the beach. It’s clean and full of warm waters. The family will also get a fantastic view of the tropical foliage that covers the cliffs and hillsides.
Catamaran tours are something you shouldn’t miss out on doing in Playa Esmeralda. Not long ago, the Spanish chain Melia appropriates the place, which has two all-inclusive hotels in the area. The beaches are public; thus, your family can stay in one of the hotels and access the wide range of water-based activities.
#10. Cayo Coco
Cayo Coco is one of the key places to visit in Cuba because of its white-sand beaches and coral reefs. Connecting the island to the dry land is a 27-mile causeway across Bahia de Perros (the bay of dogs). In addition, the place has a neighborhood called Cayo Guillermo, which provides the backdrop for Hemingway’s novels Islands in The Stream. Plus, the iconic Old man and The Sea.
While on the top of the causeway, tourists can spot wild flamingos languishing in the shallow waters at its feet. They can also sight the beautiful White Ibis bird; The little island name comes from it.
#11. Maria La Gorda
People who want to see the greatest treasure in Cuba should visit Maria La Gorda. Diving lovers will love the legendary small diving resort, excluding the beautiful beach and various restaurants.
The total coverage of the area is 50,000 ha—the designation of the site as a UNESCO world biosphere reserve in 1987. The site is one of the most beautiful areas globally is the coral world below the water surface and the intact countryside around the coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to visit Cuba?
Is Cuba dangerous for tourists? Yes, it’s a safe country for tourists. In terms of COVID-19, the country has a low-level rate. However, it would assist if you were wary of minor crimes such as currency scams, pickpocketing, and theft.
What is the best period of the year to go to Cuba?
The best time to visit Cuba in 2023 is during the dry season. Assuming you can navigate stormy afternoons, you should visit Cuba in August. If you visit Cuba in November, you’ll enjoy the warm and sunny weather without summer’s humidity or storms.
How many days do you need to stay in Cuba?
Since you have a Cuba visa in your hand, you should spend at least ten days in Cuba. With that, you’ll enjoy the combination of Cuban culture, nature, and relaxation on the beach.
Do you need a visa for Cuba?
You need to acquire a tourist card if you want to visit Cuba. First, check the visa requirements to visit Cuba from the U.S on the visacuba website. In addition, you’ll need your passport, photograph, medical insurance, and more to enter Cuba.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best places to visit in Cuba are Havana, Vedado, Trinidad, The Malecon, Maria La Gorda, Peninsula de Zapata National Park, Vinales National Park, Las Terrazas, Playa Esmeralda and Cayo Coco. Each place offers something unique in art, culture, and experience. So if you’re seeking a fantastic vacation destination, add Cuba to your list!
