Top must see and things to do in Cuba
We have done a ton of research to bring you the top must see and do things in Cuba. The country can be visited in any season, but the best time to go is between November and May, when temperatures are not as hot and it rains less. Flights are inexpensive from most locations as they want the tourist money influx and now they are even letting Americans in!
Regardless of whether you’re remaining in a lavish resort in Havana or visiting the rustic charms of Vinales, you are experiencing the genuine Cuba. Don’t miss the beautiful beaches and resorts of Varadero, where tourists flock to for their all-inclusive luxury beach vacations! There is a lot to do in the Varadero area and this was one of our top choices when we chose to travel to Cuba!
Things to Know about Cuba
Cuba is a Caribbean island nation under communist rule. It has sugar-white beaches and is dotted with tobacco fields, which play a part in the production of the country’s legendary cigars. The capital, Havana, is lined with pastel houses, 1950s-era cars and Spanish-colonial architecture in the 16th-century core, Old Havana. Salsa music plays in the dance clubs and cabaret shows are performed at the famed Tropicana.
Currencies: Cuban convertible peso, Cuban peso
See live music — everywhere
Ask any Cuban that which nations contributed most to the democratization of music and they’ll let you know, “the United States, Brazil, and Cuba.” Visit the well-known club La Zorra y El Cuervo, or simply stop into the Association of Cuban Writers and Artists, and you may discover a Grammy victor on the sax. Past jazz, there’s likewise astonishing child music (think Buena Vista Social Club), trova (nuevo trova Cuban artist musician Silvio Rodriguez is the Bob Dylan of each Latin American lefty’s heart), danzón, and the sky is the limit from there. Ask a local where you can discover those styles of music and GO.
![Cuba Live Music](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_325,h_500/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Cuba-Live-Music.jpg)
Cuba Live Music
Stay up all night on The Malecón
The Malecón is to Havana what the strip is to Vegas, the place to be from nightfall to dawn. For five miles, the Malecón seawall keeps running along Havana’s Atlantic-confronting coast. Around evening time, artists, traipsing young people, couples, and road sellers take to the Malecón for a chill hang or to drink rum and gathering to a mash up of breaking waves and diverse beats.
![Malecon Cuba](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_480,h_480/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Malecon-Cuba.jpg)
Malecon Cuba
Visit University of Havana
Established in 1728, University of Havana and its 60,000 students involve a decent piece of focal Havana. In the 1950s, the college, which is the Castro siblings’ institute of matriculation, was the site of real hostility to the government. It remains a site of political and social association and the city’s nexus of contemporary youth culture today.
![Havana University](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_435,h_652/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Havana-University.jpg)
Havana University
Feast on delicious street food
Private ventures are springing up everywhere on Cuba’s boulevards and numerous new businesses are concentrating on road food stalls. Try pork ground sirloin sandwiches, natural product milkshakes, and coconut pies!
![Cuban Foods](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_462,h_462/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Cuban-Foods.jpg)
Cuban Foods
Visit M– USEO MUNICIPAL
Obviously, Varadero wasn’t generally a picnic point and the most fun activity of all activities in Varadero Cuba is to search the town’s history. Visit the Museo Municipal for an open take a gander at the town from its establishing in around 1555, its vital significance for the Spanish Conquistadors to its current valued status as Cuba’s most prominent shoreline. The Museo Municipal is inside a lovely provincial home and is situated at Calle 57 and Ave de la Playa, Varadero, Cuba.
![Museo Municipal Cuba](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_497,h_329/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Museo-Municipal-Cuba.jpg)
Museo Municipal Cuba
Cave Swimming at Saturno Cave
All other things are also fun but the must try thing in Varadero Cuba is to go swimming in the caves. It is an amazing picturesque experience. There is a fee to enter the caves and life jackets are offered. There are many options to get here including going through tour companies that costs a bit of money. However nothing is really expensive in Cuba so the cost for the average person will be minimal. I chose to rent a scouter and explore around and then drove down to the cave site.
![Saturno Cave](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_452,h_299/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Saturno-Cave.jpg)
Saturno Cave
Take a Ferry in Havana
Explore suburbia. There are 2 ships which leave at regular intervals from Old Havana and cross the harbour. One goes to the town of Casablanca, other goes to the town of Regla. The trip takes around 15 minutes. The toll costs a large portion of a peso for every individual (Moneda Nacional). It’s proportional to around 2 pennies USD, so it’s essentially free.
Casablanca is a little town. The primary reason people go to it is on the grounds that it has a prepare station and in light of the fact that it has an astounding post point from which you can see the entire city of Havana from over the harbour. Likewise, there is a gigantic marble statue of Christ, on the highest point of the slope. It’s extremely cool to see.
![Havan Cuba Capital](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_400,h_600/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Havan-Cuba-Capital.jpg)
Havan Cuba Capital
Salsa Dancing in Havana
On the off chance that dancing is your thing; you can look at the Casa de la Musica in Central Havana. Nonnatives, for the most part, come in around evening time, however, there are early showing appears from 5 to 8 where generally Cubans go to dance and have a great time. There are numerous other incredible dancing clubs in Havana. Some are generally for visitors, while others cater to the locals. I like going to the local spots as we are there to learn about another culture and the Cubans can sure party!
![Cuban Salsa Dancing](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_455,h_683/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Cuban-Salsa-Dancing-.jpg)
Cuban Salsa Dancing
Beautiful Havana Beaches
In the event that you are in Havana, you need to go to the shoreline for no less than 1 day. There are awesome shorelines in the town of Guanabo, around 25 minutes east of Havana. It’s a wonderful shoreline and there will be bunches of local people there on a hot day. There are numerous bars and eateries as well, so you can truly have a good time. And likewise a couple of shorelines closer to Havana, in the western neighbourhood of Miramar. You will find mostly locals and also find things are cheaper here.
![Cuba Beach](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_444,h_666/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Cuba-Beach.jpg)
Cuba Beach
Enter Cuevas de Bellamar
The Bellamar Caves area favorite destination in Cuba, found by a local land-owner when the earth ‘gulped’ one of his bull trucks in 1861. Framed more than 300,000 years back, the two-mile arrangement of caverns highlights entrancing crystalline arches and an amazing presentation of stalagmites and stalactites.
You’ll go through six lobbies and 17 displays loaded with solidified arches and particular arrangements bearing names, for example, La Fuente del Amor (Fountain of Love) and La Galerna Coco Rallado (Grated Coconut Gallery).
![Cuevas de Bellamar](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_446,h_281/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Cuevas-de-Bellamar.jpg)
Cuevas de Bellamar
Learn how to roll your own cigar
Cigar is the mark of classical people and Cubans have the best cigars in the world. The fine review tobacco originates from the possessions in the adjacent Cuban country side. It’s at that point transported into Havana and into the processing plants, known as habanos, where Cuba’s most renowned fare is then rolled. While you’re in Havana you can visit a habano on a composed visit. Look at the Portages industrial facility for the best one – passage costs 10CUC. Most of the Cuban cigars you find people selling on the beach and in small stalls on the roadside are fake. Buy from the resort or a local tobacco store to ensure you are getting the good stuff. I bought a case from a little store because it was cheaper there and I later found out it was fake.
![Cigar rolling lessons!](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_394,h_536/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Cigar-rolling-lessons.jpg)
Cigar rolling lessons!
Look at Havana through a convex lens
Look at Da Vinci’s Camera Obscure roosted over the city. It’s a super cool raised lens that twists your perspective of the Havana roads, yet gives you a chance to see everything in one go as well. He was recorded to have stated: ‘Here the figures, here the hues, here every one of the pictures of all aspects of the universe is contracted to a point, what a point is so magnificent’. For just CUC2 you can abide away an hour seeing the city change at the intersection of Plaza Vieja, Havana. It’s a peculiar affair that is hard to clarify, yet don’t find it, take care of business!
Party in Santiago de Cuba
As the second city to Havana, Santiago de Cuba can get ignored, however the casual party climate here is a party goers dream. Cespedes Park is the focal point of the activity and is flanked by the delightful Cathedral Church. The adjacent Revolution Square is loaded with history and furthermore makes for some extraordinary photographs. For day and night parties look at the Tropicana Santiago and the Casa de la Trova. The morning after the prior night is an incredible time to visit Turquino National Park and climb Cuba’s most noteworthy crest up into the Sierra Mastra Mountains. There are a couple of alternatives for getting from Havana to Santiago de Cuba – plane, transport, prepare or taxi. I’d choose snappy, simple and finish with lovely view.
![Santiago Cuba Carnival](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_563,h_338/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Santiago-Cuba-Carnival.jpg)
Santiago Cuba Carnival
Watersports in Trinidad de Cuba
Visiting beautiful places in not the best use of your holidays in Cuba try something exciting and do some fun activities that you have never done before. The saved old castles and pioneer design make a captivating climate. Significantly additionally interesting, for a few, are the Caribbean shorelines. The best ones are found in Casilda Bay, where the clear waters offer amazing snorkelling and swimming. Furthermore, on the off chance that you have to unwind after all your insane enterprises in Cuba the immaculate, powdered sand shorelines are ideal for lazing around, and supping on Mojitos obviously.
![Snorkelling Cuban Style](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_383,h_575/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Snorkelling-Cuban-Style.jpg)
Snorkelling Cuban Style
Beach Hopping
Varadero Beaches are rated amongst the Top beaches in the world! There is no real best beach in Varadero however every resort is backing on to a beautiful beach and tourist are free to roam all of the beaches because they are public property. The beaches themselves have super fine sand and is a very light beige. Something out of a movie.
![Varadero Beach](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_661,h_441/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Varadero-Beach.jpg)
Varadero Beach
Private islands
When we visited last we took a private island tour that included boat transportation to Cayo Blanco island. The boat was a beautiful Catamaran and the ride was around 2 hours long. Half way through we stopped in the middle of the Ocean where they built a dolphin swimming structure! It was amazing and I liked that the dolphins were still in the ocean for this type of tour. When we got to the island they offered a buffet lunch and drinks! he island was beautiful and the snorkelling was amazing. And trust me I know snorkelling.
![Cayo Coco Beach](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_447,h_335/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Cayo-Coco-Beach.jpg)
Cayo Coco Beach
Local Foods (La Gruta Restaurant)
Cuban food is not the same as Mexican food. Try going to some local restaurants and experience Langosta (lobster), I couldn’t believe how cheap they were selling these huge lobster for and they tasted great! My wife and I ate in a cave restaurant called La Gruta, it was super romantic and there were only a few tables inside the cave. At one point a 4 person band came in and started singing. They were about to leave and I offered them a few dollars to stay until we were done our wine. oral night prob costed $50 including 2 lobster plates and a bottle of wine! If you are planning on proposing in Cuba, this would be the place to do it.
![La Gruta Restaurant](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_421,h_315/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/La-Gruta-Restaurant.jpg)
La Gruta Restaurant
Rent a Old school car
Cuba is famous for their redone old time cars, and when I say old time I mean 30’s. It amazing to see. Apparently Cuba was not importing things from other countries for many years and many people refurbished old cars. It has become a tourist dream as you can drive and take beautiful pictures in these amazing vehicles.
![Old school Cuban Vehicles](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_399,h_798/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Old-school-Cuban-Vehicles.jpg)
Old school Cuban Vehicles
Take a Horse ride Home
One night we were leaving the nightclub in Varadero and we saw they had horse carriages as an option instead of taking a cab. It was cheap and very romantic to take back to our resort.
![Horse Cab!](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_382,h_573/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Horse-Cab.jpg)
Horse Cab!
Take the double decker bus Around Varadero
The double decker bus goes all around Varadero, I am sure Havana has a similar option. Round trip only took 40 minutes and it takes you throughout Varadero so you can see the entire city for as cheap as it gets, a few dollars at the most per person. This was super fun and it gave us great ideas of what and where we wanted to see next. The upper level is outdoors and the lower level has air conditioning.
![Varadero Double decker Bus](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_442,h_332/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Varadero-Double-decker-Bus.jpg)
Varadero Double decker Bus
Scuba Diving
Cuban Diving is awesome similar to the surrounding islands in the Caribbean. Some of the most popular dive sites are Maria La gorda, El Colony on the island of youth, Bay of pigs, Cayo Largo, Varadero, Cayo Coco and Santiago de Cuba. The dive sites vary from wrecks to beautiful coral reefs. Cubas high salinity water and calm waters make for clear diving up to 100 meters at times. The reefs have similar health to those throughout the Caribbean.
![Scuba Diving Varadero](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_411,h_616/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Scuba-Diving-Varadero.jpg)
Scuba Diving Varadero
Fishing Cubano Style!
There are multiple Fishing tour providers in all of the tourist spots in Cuba including Varadero and Havana. The fishing around the island is awesome and there is big game to catch as well as awesome reef fishing. The prices are very reasonable, but make sure you go with a quality company as in every poor country there are good and bad tour providers.
![Fishing in Cuba](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_425,h_640/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Fishing-in-Cuba.jpg)
Fishing in Cuba
Destination Wedding
Cuba is a great place to have a destination wedding. Your best bet would probably be in the Varadero area as the pictures will be on beautiful beach backdrops. The resorts here are top notch and the pricing for the destination weddings here are fair.
![Beach weddings](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_474,h_643/https://adventugo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Beach-weddings.jpg)
Beach weddings
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