My vacation in cuba
The island of Cuba is a popular tourist destination for Americans because it’s known for its beaches, beautiful scenery, and rich culture. It’s also known for its amazing cigars, which are produced on the island.
Cuba has a long history of producing tobacco products—it was discovered in 1516 by Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar on his journey with Francis Drake. In fact, this discovery was one of the first things Velázquez did upon arriving on the island!
In 1845, Cuba became a state within the United States as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo following its victory in the Mexican-American War. The island remained an American territory until 1902 when it became independent from Spain and then again from 1902 until 1959 when Fidel Castro took power and declared himself President for Life (he wasn’t kidding about that!).
My vacation in cuba
Hi friends! I’m back from my vacation in Cuba, and I’m ready to tell you all about it.
First of all, there’s a lot of history in Cuba. It’s an island off the coast of Florida (that’s right, Florida!) that was once home to pirates and explorers and other really interesting people. It has a long history with the United States as well—in fact, for a long time it was part of the U.S., but then we had to give it back because it looked like we were going to start another war with England if we didn’t.
The Cuban people are so friendly and welcoming! Every time I walked down the street, someone would smile at me or stop me to ask where I was from and how long I’d been there. And they’re always asking if my hotel is nice or if there are any good restaurants nearby. They’re just so nice! And they love their music—there are bands everywhere playing salsa music that just gets your feet tapping along no matter what kind of mood you’re in!
I can’t wait to go back again someday soon!
Top places to to visit in cuba
Playa Paraíso, Cayo Largo del Sur
In a country known for its beautiful beaches, Playa Paraíso (Paradise Beach), on the island of Cayo Largo del Sur, is one of Cuba’s best. This sublime strand of powdery white sand and baby blue sea skirts the sheltered western edge of the island and merges with the equally ravishing Playa Sirena.
The island of Cayo Largo del Sur is truly a sun seeker’s destination with a typically dry, sunny climate and few tourist attractions besides some of the most beautiful beaches in Cuba and many hotels and resorts.
Cayo Coco
Cayo Coco is another of Cuba’s idyllic beach destinations and one of its most isolated. The island starred in Hemingway’s novels, Islands in the Stream and The Old Man and the Sea, along with nearby Cayo Guillermo.
As part of the Jardines del Rey, the combined archipelago of Sabana-Camaguey, Cayo Coco is connected to the mainland by a bridge, though most visitors arrive by air.
Sun-splashed beaches are the prime attraction. Playa Los Flamencos, on the Atlantic side of the island, is a standout with its five-kilometer strand of sun-bleached sand, while the quiet and undeveloped Playa Prohibida offers a peaceful nature trail. The island also offers excellent birding.
Connected by a causeway to Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo also boasts a bevy of beautiful beaches, such as the ravishing Playa Pilar, as well as a string of all-inclusive resorts.
Parque Nacional Viñales (Valle de Viñales)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Parque Nacional Viñales is a beautiful, verdant valley in the Sierra de los Organos, north of Pinar del Rio. Steep limestone hills, called mogotes, slice through the valleys, creating a dramatic landscape.
The valley floors in the Parque Nacional Viñales are agricultural areas where tobacco, fruit, and vegetables are grown. For outdoor enthusiasts, the park offers fantastic hiking and horseback riding in the hills.
Nearby, the charming town of Viñales is a great base for exploring the surrounding area. Tour companies also offer day trips here from Havana.
Baracoa
One of the highlights of eastern Cuba is beautiful Baracoa, the oldest city in the country. It was founded in 1511 in the province of Guantanamo, and construction began on the first church here around that time. Cut off from much of the outside world until the 1960s, when the La Farola highway was built, the city still has a remote feel.
Today, visitors come here for the charming colonial architecture and lush countryside, where waterfalls and pretty beaches provide a cool counterpoint to the steamy jungle. The flat-topped peak of El Yunque presides over all this tropical beauty, beckoning hikers to take the guided ascent to its 589-meter summit. The hillside is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where rare birds and plants thrive.
To really appreciate the spectacular scenery, take a drive down the winding La Farola highway, a 49-kilometer stretch from Baracoa over the mountains to Cajobabo.
The Museo Municipal is also worth a look. Housed in the Fuerte Matachin military fortress, it provides a glimpse of Baracoa’s fascinating history, and the fort itself offers great views over the bay.
About 20 kilometers northwest of Baracoa is one of the area’s best beaches: picture-perfect Playa Maguana. If you’re looking for something adventurous to do in Cuba, you can rent a bicycle in Baracoa and peddle out here. Flights to Baracoa depart frequently from Havana.
The Malecon, Havana
Conceived in 1901 and partly built in 1902 and beyond, the Malecon is Havana’s famous seafront promenade. A walk along this top Havana attraction is a stroll through the history of the city.
The promenade runs seven kilometers from the Habana Vieja quarter to the Vedado, the central business district. Along the way, you will find an assortment of well-preserved 20th-century buildings that represent a mixture of architectural styles, including Art Deco and Neo Moorish. Painted in pastel pinks and yellows, the buildings are a photographer’s delight, especially in the golden glow of dusk.
People-watching is a favorite pastime here. Young lovers saunter hand-in-hand, local fishermen cast their lines, and children clamber along the sea wall.
Che Guevara Mausoleum, Santa Clara
When beach towns and resorts all start to seem the same and you’re looking for unique things to do in Cuba, Santa Clara will add some depth to your Cuban itinerary. This is the famous site of the last guerrilla battle led by Che Guevara in 1958.
Che’s body was laid to rest here, and his mausoleum (Mausoleo del Che Guevara) and monument, the Memorial Comandante Ernesto “Che” Guevara, are the town’s big attractions. Etched on the bronze statue of Che Guevara in Plaza de la Revolucion is his final letter to Fidel Castro, while the mausoleum lies beneath.
Adjacent to the monument, the Museo Historico de la Revolucion exhibits some of Che’s personal items. Che fans should also see the poignant Monumento a la Toma del Tren Blindado, a small boxcar museum and the site of the final battle between Che Guevara and the Batista troops.
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
If you’re an art lover, don’t miss Havana’s Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts), with its vast and impressive collection of international and Cuban art.
The collection is housed in two buildings, and includes works from ancient times to the present day. Clad in sumptuous Italian marble, the restored Spanish Renaissance-style Palacio del Centro Asturiano was designed in the 1920s by Manuel Bustos. It displays international art, including works by European Masters; ancient art from Greece, Rome, and Egypt; and works from Asia, the United States, and Latin America. The Spanish collection, in particular, is a highlight.
The striking marble sculpture, Form, Space and Light, greets visitors at the entrance to the second venue, which dates from 1959. This Rationalist-style Palacio de Bellas Artes building displays a thought-provoking collection focusing on Cuban Art from the 17th century to the present day, including sculptures, prints, and paintings.
Castillo de San Pedro del Morro, Santiago de Cuba
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Castillo del Morro is one of the best-preserved Spanish fortresses of the 17th century. It stands at the entrance to the Bay of Santiago, about 10 kilometers southwest of Santiago de Cuba, the country’s second largest city.
Perched high atop a cliff, the structure was designed in 1587, but took decades to build and was finally completed at the end of the 17th century. It was originally intended to protect against pirate attacks, but also served as a prison in the late 1700s before being once again converted into a fortress.
Today, you can explore the many different levels of the fort, learn about pirates and the fort history in the small museum, and enjoy impressive views over the bay.
Other cultural highlights of Santiago de Cuba include the Diego Velazquez Museum and Cementerio de Santa Ifigenia, home to the remains of some of Cuba’s most famous military figures.
Less than an hour from the city by car, Parque Baconao is a World Heritage Biosphere Reserve where you can tour coffee plantations, wander through beautiful botanical gardens, and enjoy stunning 360-degree views over the mountains and sea from the 1,234-meter summit of Gran Piedra, a large volcanic rock.
