Cuba

Destinations

Expect the unexpected.

Cuba dazzles, enchants, and lures you in with its melancholic beauty, vibrant culture, and good-hearted people. A place of eternal contrasts, where decay and elegance, real and surreal, live side by side — in its art, streets, music, and way of life. And nowhere is its character more on display than in Havana. Narrow streets lined with crumbling mansions and pastel-colored vintage cars, parades of trumpeting musicians, gyrating stilt dancers, and the go-go Habaneros for whom the city never sleeps. Around every corner, a new layer is peeled back to reveal yet another unexpected treasure in this city of endless intrigue.

But there is more to Cuba than Havana, with miles upon miles of talc-sand beaches, dense tropical rainforests, and sleepy thatch-roofed villages nestled amidst tobacco fields. Quieter and laidback, Cuba’s varied interior offers access to unjaded local life, a slower rhythm, and limitless natural beauty.

But there is more to Cuba than Havana. With miles upon miles of talc-sand beaches, dense tropical rainforests, sleepy thatch-roofed villages, and tobacco fields, Cuba's interior offers limitless access to locally immersive experiences, natural beauty, and slower-paced, unjaded village life where time stands still.

Havana bound? See our CityKIT

Sustainability spotlight.

With its excellent network of national parks, biosphere reserves, and protected natural areas, Cuba is recognized for its efforts to protect its flora and fauna, marine ecosystems, and wildlife. And because much of the country is still relatively unspoiled (for now), nature lovers can still delight in veering off the trodden path to experience pristine nature and wildlife. Still, Cuba is complicated and riddled with shortages, corruption, and poverty. So it’s no surprise that the country’s infrastructure (waste collection, recycling, etc.) is virtually nonexistent.

That said, sustainable tourism is gaining momentum, with a handful of boutique hotels incorporating sustainable practices and grassroots community-led projects popping up throughout the country. Savvy owners of successful casas particulares are showcasing local art, employing artisans, and sourcing locally where possible. And many hoteliers enjoy connecting travelers to locally led tours, family-owned paladares, or community-run art galleries.