Cuba remains one of the Caribbean’s most captivating destinations, offering visitors a unique blend of colonial architecture, vintage automobiles, pristine beaches, and revolutionary history. Despite recent challenges in the tourism sector, with the island receiving approximately 2.2 million visitors in 2024 compared to over 4 million in 2019, Cuba continues to enchant those who make the journey with its distinctive character and warm hospitality.
Exploring Old Havana’s Historic Heart
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Habana Vieja stands as Cuba’s crown jewel, where centuries of history unfold across cobblestone streets and colonial plazas. This pedestrian-friendly district showcases four main squares, each with its own personality and historical significance. Plaza de Armas, dating back to the 1520s, serves as the city’s oldest square and was once the center of military and governmental power.
Plaza Vieja presents Cuba’s most architecturally diverse square, where baroque buildings sit alongside art nouveau structures, creating a visual feast for architecture enthusiasts. The Cathedral Square, with its asymmetrical baroque cathedral, has been described as music set in stone, while Plaza San Francisco de Asís offers a quieter atmosphere near the harbor. Wandering through these interconnected plazas provides an immersive journey through five centuries of Cuban history, with beautifully restored buildings housing museums, cafes, and artisan shops.
Riding Through Time in Classic Cars
No visit to Cuba feels complete without experiencing the island’s famous fleet of 1950s American automobiles. Following the U.S. embargo, Cubans maintained these vehicles through ingenuity and necessity, creating a living museum on wheels. Tours in these convertible classics typically range from 25 to 50 dollars per hour, though negotiation often yields better prices.
These rides offer more than nostalgia. They provide an excellent way to cover ground quickly while cruising along the Malecon seawall, visiting Revolution Square, or heading to nearby beaches. The wind-in-your-hair experience captures the essence of Cuban resourcefulness and creates unforgettable photo opportunities against the backdrop of pastel-colored buildings.
Discovering Revolutionary History
Understanding Cuba’s 20th-century transformation requires visiting key historical sites. Revolution Square, where Fidel Castro once addressed crowds numbering up to one million, features towering steel portraits of Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos. The 109-meter Jose Marti Memorial dominates the plaza, offering panoramic city views from its observation deck.
The Museum of the Revolution, housed in the former presidential palace, presents Cuba’s perspective on its tumultuous history. While heavily biased toward the revolutionary viewpoint, the museum provides context for understanding modern Cuba. Visitors should note that English translations remain limited throughout most exhibits, making a guidebook or Spanish-speaking companion helpful for deeper comprehension.
Experiencing Cuban Culture Through Music and Dance
Music permeates every corner of Cuban life, particularly in Havana’s streets and establishments. Live performances occur spontaneously throughout Old Havana, where musicians gather on corners and in plazas. Nearly every restaurant and bar features live bands, creating an atmosphere where salsa, son, and rumba rhythms become the soundtrack to daily life.
For those wanting to participate rather than spectate, salsa lessons provide an authentic cultural experience. Cuban dancers rank among the world’s finest, and numerous studios offer classes for all skill levels. The Fabrica de Arte Cubano in Vedado presents a contemporary cultural center where theater, jazz, contemporary dance, and concerts converge, showcasing Cuba’s evolving artistic scene.
Savoring Beaches and Coastal Beauty
While Havana captivates with urban energy, Cuba’s beaches offer tropical respite. The Playas del Este, located about 20 kilometers east of Havana, provide accessible Caribbean coastline without the all-inclusive resort atmosphere. Playa Santa Maria del Mar attracts crowds with watersports and beach amenities, while Playa Bacuranao offers calmer waters perfect for snorkeling among reefs and sunken ships.
For those seeking more remote beaches, destinations like Varadero, Cayo Coco, and the southern coast near Trinidad showcase Cuba’s natural beauty. These areas feature the turquoise waters and white sand that grace Caribbean postcards, though reaching them requires more planning and time.
Understanding Practical Considerations
Planning travel to Cuba requires understanding some unique aspects. International visitors can get information for a dviajeros Card for Cuba here. U.S. citizens face additional restrictions, requiring specific travel licenses to visit legally, though these requirements have fluctuated with changing administrations.
The designation of Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism by the U.S. Department of State in 2021 resulted in travelers who visited Cuba becoming ineligible for travel to the USA under its ESTA Visa Waiver Programme, potentially deterring European and other international visitors who also travel to the United States.
Infrastructure challenges persist across Cuba, with periodic power outages, limited internet connectivity, and supply shortages affecting hotels and restaurants. These realities form part of the authentic Cuban experience but require flexibility and patience from visitors.
Appreciating Cuban Cigars and Rum
Cuba’s reputation for premium tobacco products draws enthusiasts from around the globe. Visiting cigar factories like the Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagás provides insight into the meticulous hand-rolling process that creates these legendary products. When purchasing cigars, buying from official shops ensures authenticity, as street vendors often sell inferior counterfeits.
Cuban rum forms the foundation of classic cocktails like mojitos, daiquiris, and Cuba Libres. Historic bars such as El Floridita and La Bodeguita del Medio attract tourists following Ernest Hemingway’s legendary drinking trail, though countless neighborhood bars offer more authentic experiences at lower prices. The Havana Club Rum Museum explains the production process and history of this essential Cuban export.
Engaging With Local Art
Cuba’s artistic scene thrives despite economic challenges. The National Museum of Fine Arts houses the Caribbean’s finest art collection, split between buildings dedicated to Cuban and international works. The Cuban collection traces the island’s artistic evolution from colonial times through contemporary movements.
Fusterlandia, in the Jaimanitas neighborhood, represents Cuba’s playful artistic spirit. Artist Jose Fuster transformed his home and eventually the entire neighborhood into a whimsical mosaic wonderland inspired by Gaudi’s Barcelona works. This sprawling outdoor gallery demonstrates how art flourishes even amid scarcity, with every surface adorned in colorful ceramic tiles creating fantastical scenes.
Final Thoughts
Cuba offers travel experiences unlike anywhere else, shaped by decades of isolation that preserved both architectural treasures and cultural traditions while creating unique challenges. Canada remains the primary source market for tourists to Cuba, with 860,877 travelers in 2024, followed by Russia with 185,816 visitors. Despite tourism numbers remaining below pre-pandemic levels, those who visit Cuba discover a destination where history, music, art, and resilience create an unforgettable atmosphere.
The island rewards travelers who arrive with open minds and adaptable expectations, ready to embrace both the beauty and complexity that define this Caribbean nation. Whether dancing in the streets, exploring colonial architecture, lounging on pristine beaches, or simply conversing with locals, Cuba leaves lasting impressions that transcend typical tourist experiences.
Photo by Alexander Kunze on Unsplash