Cuba

Cuba and her rhythms will intoxicate you. Escape the modern world and slow down in sultry towns and on land beaches where time stands still. Cuba is an enigmatic Caribbean island with great challenges yet with great rewards for open minded visitors.
So charge the mojito, jump in that cadillac and take a ride through Cuba with South America Travel Specialist.

The island of Cuba brings to mind some iconic images. Old Cadillacs on colourful streets, long Caribbean beaches, steamy tobacco fields, the image of Che Guevara and of dance. With a turbulent history, this island feels like it’s in a time warp, with no chains like Starbucks, no 4G network and hardly any traffic outside Havana. It’s a place to get away from a corporate modern world yet at the same time it is itching for a change

Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean and at the same time, it’s distinctly Latin American. Rather than just a fly and flop holiday, we want to take you to the beating heart of Cuba. The island invites visitors to meet its characters, explore towns and country, feel its salsa rhythms, experience a changing culture and yes even laze on its beautiful beaches. So let South America Travel Specialist put together your Cuba tour and lead you behind the scenes to find your own Cuba.

Havana

The exotic capital of Cuba hangs on to a faded golden age glamour, still hanging on from hedonistic days of the Rat Pack, the Tropicana and Hemingway. The Latin Caribbean spirit still thrives here with dance clubs, cocktail bars, revolutionary museums and exciting art. South America Travel Specialist can take you behind the scenes to meet Havana’s artists and dancers on our Sensational Cuba Tour, and even join in with a class, or head to an iconic bar to make Cuba’s signature mojito.

You can see how the struggles of the revolution and strained relationship with America have left its mark on Havana, with crumbling buildings and lack of high rises along the Malecon seafront. This other-world quality is certainly part of its charm, as seen from a vintage Cadillac or Buick. And stay in cool little boutique hotels which they call Casas Particulares, opening alongside international chains. There’s plenty of reason to linger around in Havana and take in its charms, and we certainly recommend doing so.

Vinales, Pinar del Rio and Cienfuegos

Travelling west out of Havana, it’s a slow way of life.  This area features in our Spirit of Cuba itinerary. There’s a landscape of strange, round jungle-covered hills, steamy tropical plantations and farming still performed by hand. A visit to this region of western Cuba feels like a trip into a bygone age. The old port of Cienfuegos was founded by French settlers in the 19th century. You can see elegant French-style mansions around an attractive port which was the centre of the sugar, coffee and tobacco trade. It’s worth a night here on a journey west to take in the old town and castle and imagine you’re back in the old days.

Trinidad de Cuba

A true highlight of a visit to Cuba is a stay in the old town of Trinidad de Cuba. Trinidad, as it’s more easily known, is in a beautiful setting among tropical hills and is largely unchanged since it was set up in the Sixteenth Century. It’s now a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a delight to stroll timeless cobbled streets lined by pastel-coloured houses and relax on sleepy squares with bright churches. Trinidad is also a great place to enjoy the music of Cuba in small bars and outdoor spaces. 

Near to Trinidad, you can explore the picturesque mountains of the Topes de Collantes. This national park features beautiful birdlife and untouched jungle great for walking and cycling. There’s also the atmospheric Valley of the Sugar Mills, once the sugar capital of the world with a haunting history. 

Cuba’s north coast beaches

Cuba’s best beaches are spread along the north of the island, stretching east out of Havana. Resort development generally features large international chains and all-inclusive resorts. It does mean they are perfect places to switch off and relax on some of the world’s best beaches. Resorts such as Varadero and the offshore islands of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo are the places to head for pure white sands.  They’re also ideal combined with culture for a Cuba Family Holiday. South America Travel Specialist tend to favour the smaller resorts with a bit of character and decent service.  We certainly recommend a few days on some excellent beaches to round off an exploration of Cuba.

Santiago de Cuba and the east coast

The east of the island of Cuba is less developed and relatively unexplored. Cuba is a pretty adventurous place to travel around generally, so to head into the far east of the island is certainly getting off the beaten track. Santiago de Cuba is the island’s second-biggest city, with a dramatic setting between the Sierra Maestre mountains and the Caribbean Sea. It’s said to be the birthplace for salsa and son music so is a perfect place for lovers of dance and music.

Cuba’s culture, food & nightlife

There’s no doubting that a big attraction of Cuba is its uniqueness and it is rewarding for adventurous and curious spirits. The food doesn’t win any international gastronomy prizes, but we can take you to the best restaurants in unique settings. Havana is also becoming again a drinker’s city. Visit bars frequented by Ernest Hemingway, try your hand at making a cocktail at Malecon 663 bar, and don’t miss a few sunset mojitos on a rooftop bar. Not forgetting some decadent rum tasting and a classic Cuban cigar or two.

The people of Cuba are cultured and interested in meeting foreign visitors, so it’s one of the best places in the world to go behind the scenes. You can visit the renowned national ballet school or spend time with Roberto Salas who photographed Che Guevara.

In a nutshell

Don’t wait too long. Visit Cuba, and experience Cuba before it all changes, and be a part of the change. Take a spirit of adventure and a relaxed attitude and you’ll get the most out of it. But don’t take our word for it, live it for yourself…as they say, viva Cuba!