The Largest of the Caribbean Islands – Cuba

Cuba is a Caribbean Island, located about 90 miles south of Florida. It is the biggest of the Antilles archipelago Islands.

The Caribbean or the West Indies Islands, with over 3000 Islands form the bridge between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean.

Cuba lies in the Central Caribbean in the Greater Antilles group along with the countries of Jamaica, Haiti, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic (Hispaniola) and Puerto Rico. The Bahamas are in the north with over 3,000 individual islands and reefs. To the south of it are the Greater Antilles in the central West Indies that include countries of Cuba, and the Lesser Antilles in the Southeast are three of its main island groups. The latter are further divided into the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands.

Best time to visit

Cuba can be visited throughout the year, courtesy its tropical climate. Like in most other Caribbean Islands, the best time to visit Cuba is from the months of November to April.

How to reach

Cuba is an easily accessible destination and among few international airports, the Jose Marti International Airport just outside Havana is the main entry point here. Air France, Aerocaribbean, Aeroflot, Continental Airlines, Mexicana, Virgin Atlantic, are just some of the many airlines that serve the airports of Cuba.

From London, it takes approximately 9 hours to reach here.

Within Cuba, you can chose to commute by cars, cabs, buses or cycle around.

Attractions

All the cities of Cuba are a tourist site in themselves.

The Capital City of Havana is a major port of this Caribbean Nation Island and is one of the oldest that the Europeans established. Buildings revealing architecture of different eras like the Neo-classical period, colonial and the baroque era, museums such as the Museum of City, beaches like the Tamara beach and the Playa Guanabo, are some of the sites worth visiting in Havana. The historical old town of Colonial Havana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The Havana beaches are great for diving. For instance, the Cay Largo Island, about 177 kilometers from Havana, is a popular diving site.

For snorkeling and diving, Maria La Gorda too is good.

In the southeastern part of Cuba is the city of Santiago de Cuba, which also serves as a sea port. The Sierra Maestra Mountain Range surrounds this city. Worth visiting here are the cultural centers and museum associated with the Cuban Revolution, the 80,000 hectare Baconao Park – a World Heritage Biosphere Reserve and other natural areas and its annual carnival.

The largest province of Cuba- the Camaguey Park has the Jardines del Rey – a beach resort. In its southern coast, innumerable coral reefs allow water sports like snorkeling and diving. Many beaches including Playa Bonita and Plaza Los Pinos adorn this region, well-known for its cowboy culture. The city of Holguin has many parks, art galleries, theaters and other sites to entertain you. Santa Clara, the Capital City of the Villa Clara Province in Cuba, too makes for a good visit with its museums, parks such as the Parque de los Martires, Parque Vidal, and historical monuments.

In Baracoa, you will find attractions like the Yumuri River Gorge and the 575-meters high El Yunque Mountain. It is a good place for hiking.

In Cienfuegos, there is the historical site fortress Castillo Jagua, built in the 18th century and the Naval Museum among other attraction. A place of religious significance in Cuba is El Rincon.

Trinidad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a number of museums, churches, beaches like the Playa Ancon and other historic sites like the 1809-built Casa de Aldeman Ortiz – a colonial mansion.

Other places you must consider visiting in Cuba are the beach resort of Varadero, the Vinales mountain ranges with its valleys and villages, underground rivers, stalagmites and stalactites formations; the towns of Bayamo, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus – a region of Trinidad and Matanzas.

The Tobago and cigar factories too can make for an interesting tour in Cuba.

Cuba, thus, offers plenty of activities you can involve yourself in for a relaxing vacation. Dive in the waters here, enjoy being sun-tanned on the beaches, explore the Island while cycling, take a cultural tour of the cities of Cuba, hike its beautiful terrains or visit the cultural sites such as museums and historical landmarks of Cuba. Whatever you have in your mind for a perfect vacation, Cuba is certainly a place that will meet all your expectations.