Being the largest country in the Caribbean, Cuba offers visitors a plethora of sights to see and places to enjoy. Start of your tour of Cuba in the capital Havana, the biggest city in Cuba as well as in the region. The political, economic and cultural hub of the country, you will find plenty of places to see out here. Also located in Havana is Habana Vieja, a World Heritage Site and one of the most amazing colonial complexes in the New World. In Habana Vieja, visit the Plaza de Catedral where you can find one of the oldest churches in the Americas as well as the Centro Wilfredo Lam, an excellent art gallery that showcases both local and leading modern painters. The Plaza de Armas, is home to one of the most majestic buildings in Cuba such as the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales which was once the presidential palace.
Visit the oldest fortress in the Americas, the Castillo de la Real Fuerza built in 1577 as a shield against the attacks of pirates, it is located on the western side of the harbor in Havana. It has been a home to Cuba's contemporary and international art and was a National Museum of Cuban Ceramics. In the Plaza de San Francisco, you will find the Museo del Ron or the Rum Museum- an ancient three floor colonial residence, placed at El Puerto Avenue, in Havana. Built in the 17th century and owned by the Count Mortera, visitors experience the making of some drinks from the raw material in the sugar cane field; to the final tasting and toasting at the Havana Club Rum bar, as they dance to the rhythm of Cuban traditional music. A lottery is played every month with the visitors and the winner receives in his or her house, no matter the residence country, a bottle of special reserve of San Cristóbal de La Habana Rum. An additional value to the charms of this museum is the fact that they can teach you how to make Habanos cigars. The place is an important cultural and gastronomic site with restaurant, bar, shop, and the offer of guarapo and rum in the patio. Another original option are the bar tender's lessons, where visitors can learn how to prepare a Mojito- the Cuban typical drink, made of rum, lime, sugar and mint leaves.
A visit to the Plaza Vieja is a must as it is one of the most interesting public spaces in the city. Considering the decision taken by the keeper of the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, in the first half of 16th century, to use the Parade Ground for military practices, the neighbors of the town insisted on the need to create a new public square for their amusement. The development of the Cuban architectural style in the 18th century can be appreciated in the houses surrounding the plaza. These houses, some of them dating back to the 17th century, are two stories high with lofty ceilings and wooden balconies. Ample porches to temper the hot rainy weather and wide corridors closed with blinds on top of which are typical crystal arches and are synonymous to the most distinctive elements of the colonial architecture. Many of these crystal arches are still very well kept. The National Museum of Fine Arts of Havana (Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana) in Havana, Cuba is a museum of Fine Arts that exhibits Cuban art collections from the colonial times up to contemporary generations. The Museum of the Revolution, Museo de la Revolución is located in the Old Havana section of Havana, Cuba. Designed by architects Carlos Maruri and Paul Belau, the museum is housed in what was the Presidential Palace of all Cuban presidents from Mario García Menocal to Fulgencio Batista. It became the Museum of the Revolution during the years following the Cuban revolution. The building has Neo-Classical elements decorated by Tiffany & Co. of New York.
Take a trip to the Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas- the largest cave system in Cuba and supposedly the third biggest in Latin America. It attracts serious speleologists and small tour groups alike. Fascinating array of things such as easy-to-miss plants, deposits of guano; as well as a replica of a mural found in a less accessible part of the system. The mural is part of the evidence that these caves were once the refuge of the Guanahatabeys, the original inhabitants of Cuba. Also nearby is Maria Gorda at the Peninsula de Guanahacabibes- a haven for bird watchers. The area has a remarkable avifauna ranging from Bee Hummingbird, the world's smallest bird, to several very rare species including some species which are virtually endemic to the island of Cuba. The Guanahacabibes National Park is the Cuba's largest natural reserve. Over 50,000 hectares National Park is inhabited by 170 species of birds.
Found within Havana's Plaza de la Revolución municipality is the district of El Vedado. This vibrant downtown neighborhood in Havana, features a fairly modern and upscale feel. Together with Old Havana (Habana Vieja), it is a top Havana neighborhood for attractions and the Vedado lodging options offer some of the best discount Havana hotels. If you are interested in finding a Havana nightclub, Vedado is a good place to head, as it is known for having some of the city's best nightlife. Its location is convenient for trips to Central Havana and Old Havana, and is bordered to its west by the even more upscale Miramar district. Among the notable sites in Vedado are Gran Sinagoga Bet Shalom and Centro Hebreo Sefaradi de Cuba. Many of the hotels such as the Melia Cohiba Hotel and Hotel Riviera are also located in Vedado. Also in Vedado is the John Lennon Park dedicated to the late legendary singer. Among the top Havana nightclub offerings is the Salón Turquino, also found in Vedado. Its top floor location at the Tryp Habana Libre hotel is just part of what makes this dance spot a favorite. While you are working on your Salsa moves, you can enjoy Havana city views, and the nightly cabaret shows. Once in a while, the Salón Turquino features live bands of notable interest. Another Vedado Havana top pick for catching live music is the Patio de María club located in Nuevo Vedado where a lot of the Cuban rock groups perform. Besides being a great venue for music shows, you can also find the club being used for interesting social gatherings. Club Barbaram, the Jazz Café and the La Zorra y El Cuervo Jazz Club also in Nuevo Vedado, are good places to catch live jazz and Cuban music performances.
Varadero maybe considered Cuba's top beach destination. Varadero is a relatively exclusive part of Cuba, abundant with private hotels, gorgeous beaches and the country's only full golf course. The fantastic beaches with clear turquoise warm water make this an island lover's paradise. Baracoa should be the last city on your tour of Cuba and is a great place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty around you. Due to its geographic isolation, Baracoa is just beginning to be discovered by tourists. Those who venture to this remote northeastern corner of the island will discover an almost unspoiled colonial village surrounded by secluded beaches and virgin rainforest. To the north-west of town lie the tranquil beaches Playa Maguana and Playa Nibujón. Playa Maguana is the tourist beach, featuring restaurant and bar service, while the Playa Nibujón is more rustic and frequented by the locals. On the horizon looms the most recognizable local landmark, a table-topped hill called El Yunque. Baracoa, where cocoa trees grow in abundance, is famous for its white chocolate sold in round, flat cakes encased in palm bark. Also try the cucurucho, ambrosia of honey, coconut, nuts and fresh seasonal fruit served in cones of palm bark. After an active day of hiking and swimming, return to the homey atmosphere of your bed and breakfast or house and enjoy a home-cooked meal. Be sure to advise the proprietor of your meal choice in advance. For less than a McDonald's Happy Meal your hostess will prepare a feast of traditional Cuban Creole food: fried chicken, rich, beans and sweet plantains. Or you can fill your stomach with a typical Baracoan meal of fresh Black Market seafood, fish stuffed with plantains, garlic-rubbed shrimp or lobster smothered in butter.
Cuba can be considered to be a melting pot of different cultures and races. Most Cuban people can trace their ancestry to either African slaves or Spanish settlers and as a result, Cuban culture is a rough mix of the two cultures. Cuba offers everything from standard fun-in-the-sun beach resort getaways to colonial city circuits, myriad land and sea adventure opportunities, tobacco and classic-car theme tours, and a wide array of cultural and artistic opportunities. There's a lot to see and do in Cuba, and most travelers will have to carefully pick and choose. In planning a trip to Cuba, you are probably best off contacting a professional tour operator or the Department of Tourism for more information. It is advisable to hire a guide for trekking or hiking excursions. Official government guides can be found at the Office of Natural Parks. Cuba is a country overflowing with music and its people are warm-hearted and hospitable. When you combine the people, the strong culture and the amazing physical beauty of the islands, it is it easy to see why Cuba and Havana can become so popular for tourism.
…..And with that said, enjoy your trip to Cuba!!
Angie Cartwright
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