See what the experts are saying about Cuba. Get expert advice on how to get there what to see and more.
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Introduction
Cuba is unlike any other place on earth. What draws people to this fascinating Caribbean island is much more than beaches, sun, and cheap drinks, though there are plenty of all three for those who want them. One of the last Communist-bloc nat... Continue reading »
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Best dining bets
Café del Oriente, Havana (tel. 7/860-6686): Arguably the most elegant restaurant and cafe in Habana Vieja, this place serves well-prepared and creative international fare in a beautiful room just off the Plaza San Francisco. When the weather... Continue reading »
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Best hotel bets
Hotel Florida, Havana (tel. 7/862-4127): This is probably my favorite of the Habaguanex properties in Old Havana. The building features a wonderful open-air central courtyard, checkerboard marble floors, and oodles of colonial-era charm. The... Continue reading »
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The best beaches
Playa ParaÃso and Playa Sirena: These two connected beaches are the most outstanding of the uniformly spectacular beaches that stretch the length of Cayo Largo del Sur. Located on the more protected western end of the island, these two beache... Continue reading »
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The best natural attractions
The Viñales Valley: This broad, flat valley is punctuated by a series of limestone karst hill formations, or mogotes. The views from the small mountains surrounding the valley are spectacular. The area offers great opportunities for hiking, m... Continue reading »
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The best nightlife
Tropicana, Havana (tel. 7/267-1010): This is the original and still reigning cabaret show in Cuba. The Tropicana has been at it for over 60 years and it shows no signs of slowing down. The sea of lithe dancers, the exuberance of their costume... Continue reading »
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The best outdoor pursuits
Landing a Marlin or Sailfish: If you really want to emulate Ernest Hemingway, you'll head out to sea to fish. The waters off Cuba's coast are excellent for sport fishing year-round. Big game fish are best sought off the northern coast, while... Continue reading »
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The best travel experiences
Patronizing Paladares and Casas Particulares: The best way to appreciate Cubans, as well as to have the opportunity to exchange ideas about Cuba and the outside world, is by stepping inside a paladar restaurant or a casa particular, the Cuban... Continue reading »
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The best museums and historical sights
Catedral de San Cristóbal and Plaza de la Catedral, Havana (tel. 7/861-7771): Havana's cathedral and the plaza it sits on are perhaps Old Havana's most distinctive historical sites. The twin towers and worn baroque facade of this ancient chur... Continue reading »
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The best websites
http://lanic.utexas.edu/la/cb/cuba: Hosted by the University of Texas Latin American Studies Department, this site houses a vast collection of information about Cuba. This is hands down the best one-stop shop for Web browsing. www.cubanaca... Continue reading »
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Planning a trip
Cuba is probably the most intensely diverse island destination in the Caribbean, offering everything from standard fun-in-the-sun beach resort getaways to colonial city circuits, myriad land and sea adventure opportunities, tobacco and classi... Continue reading »
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Fast facts
Area Codes -- Cuba has a somewhat arcane system of area codes. Area codes around the country range from 1- to 4-digits. To make a call within Cuba, you do not need to dial the area code if you are a calling a number within the same area code.... Continue reading »
