Some Places to Visit
Old Havana (Habana Vieja)
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Habana Vieja or Old Havana is a well-preserved slice of Cuban history. Strolling around the cobbled streets and gazing up at the grand Baroque and neoclassical buildings, it's easy to imagine what life in Cuba was like 200 years ago.
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Extensive renovations are now breathing new life into the historic buildings. Major attractions here include the Plaza de la Catedral, home to the Cuban Baroque Catedral de San Cristobal; the legendary restaurant and Hemingway hangout, Bodeguita del Medio; and the military fortress, Castillo de la Real Fuerza.
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Also in the Old Town, Plaza Vieja is one of the top places to visit in Havana. This vibrant gathering spot is home to some notable buildings, including the 18th-century Casa del Conde Jaruco, with beautiful stained-glass windows on the first floor. Nearby, the camera obscura offers fantastic views from its 35-meter tower.
The best way to explore Old Havana is to simply get lost along its cobbled streets.
Colorful photo ops await around every corner, from the faded pastel-painted buildings to the clothes flapping in the breeze on washing lines and the candy-pink classic cars. Take time to watch kids play soccer in a square or listen to an impromptu musical performance. Allow at least a day to explore the Old Town and more if time permits.
Varadero
Varadero is one of Cuba's most famous beach destinations, and home to one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. It stretches along the Peninsula de Hicacos, which juts into the sea off the north coast; a drawbridge connects it to the mainland.
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More than 50 beach resorts line this popular palm-fringed strip, and its magnificent white-sand beaches draw visitors from around the world.
Varadero highlights include Parque Ecológico Varahicacos (Varadero Ecological Park), and its two caves, Cueva de Ambrosio and Cueva de Musulmanes.
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For more subterranean adventures, Saturno Cave (Cueva de Saturno) offers a cool respite from the sun-blasted beach. Take a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear cenote, marvel at the giant stalactites and stalagmites, and jump off the surrounding ledges into the teal-colored pool below.
Also in Varadero, the peaceful Parque Josone is home to lush flower gardens, a restaurant, a swimming pool, and a small lake where you can paddle about in rowboats.
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Other popular things to do in Varadero, besides diving and snorkeling, are deep-sea fishing, golf, skydiving, and day trips to cultural attractions.
Trinidad
Exploring the town of Trinidad, Cuba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is like stepping back in time. The beautifully restored buildings and cobblestone streets in the city center exude a quaint colonial feel. Much of the architecture dates from the 17th to the 19th centuries, when Trinidad prospered from both the sugar and slave trades.
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Today, Trinidad is one of the best cities in Cuba to visit, apart from Havana. You can soak up its lively ambience in the cobblestone Plaza Mayor, the city's central square. Above the square stands the neoclassical Church of the Holy Trinity (Iglesia Parroquial de la Santisima Trinidad).
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Other Trinidad highlights are the Church and Monastery of Saint Francis (Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco), with its distinctive bell tower and the Palacio Brunet, a grand home built in 1812 and still featuring original frescoes and marble floors.
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East of Trinidad, on the road to Sancti Spiritus, the lush World Heritage-listed Valle de los Ingenios contains numerous relics and monuments from the 19th century, when the sugar cane plantations and mills flourished. One of the best things to do in Trinidad, Cuba is simply drive or horseback ride through the beautiful scenery of green sugar cane fields, palm trees, and mountains.