Welcome to Cuba

Cuba is not a typical travel destination — it is a time travel, a culture shock, and an adventure all in one. The largest Caribbean island fascinates with a mix found nowhere else in the world:

• Vibrant colonial cities with UNESCO-protected old towns in Havana, Trinidad, and Camagüey — pastel-colored facades, decaying palaces, music on every corner
• Classic cars as everyday vehicles: Over 60,000 American cruisers from the 1950s still roll through the streets — rolling museums in candy colors
• World-class beaches: From Varadero to the Cayos to Guardalavaca — powdery white sand, turquoise waters, coral reefs for snorkeling and diving
• The best live music in the Caribbean: Son, Salsa, Rumba, Trova — in Cuba, music is not just entertainment, it's a way of life. Dancing is everywhere
• Rum, cigars, and cocktails: The birthplace of the Mojito, Daiquiri, and Cuba Libre. Havana Club straight from the distillery, hand-rolled Cohiba on the tobacco plantation
• Untouched nature: The Viñales Valley with its Mogotes (UNESCO), the coral reefs of María la Gorda, the Sierra Maestra, crocodiles in the Ciénaga de Zapata

Cuba is not an easy travel destination. The infrastructure is dilapidated, the internet is scarce, the dual currency system is confusing, and much works differently than expected. But that's precisely what makes it appealing: those who embrace it will experience encounters and moments that are impossible in any all-inclusive resort. Cuba rewards the curious, open traveler with a warmth and zest for life that is addictive.

Important: Cuba is in transition. Since the economic opening under Raúl Castro and recent reforms, prices, rules, and availabilities are constantly changing. This travel guide reflects the status as of early 2026 — check for current developments before your trip.

1. Strolling through Habana Vieja — Havana's UNESCO old town is a living museum: decaying colonial palaces, Art Deco cinemas, salsa on the street, Mojitos at Bodeguita del Medio. Nowhere else does decay feel so beautiful. → Chap. Havana
2. Cruising along the Malecón in a classic car — Drive along the legendary waterfront promenade in a pastel-colored Chevrolet Bel Air or Ford Fairlane at sunset. Cheesy? Yes. Unforgettable? Absolutely. → Chap. Havana
3. Visiting a tobacco plantation in the Viñales Valley — Learn how the world's best cigars are hand-rolled between the dramatic Mogotes limestone cliffs. Then smoke one with the farmer. → Chap. Viñales
4. Exploring Trinidad's cobblestone streets — Cuba's best-preserved colonial town feels like an open-air museum. In the evening: Live salsa on the steps of Casa de la Música. → Chap. Trinidad
5. Snorkeling at the coral reefs — Cuba's reefs are among the best-preserved in the Caribbean. Jardines de la Reina (Gardens of the Queen) is Cuba's Galapagos — only accessible by liveaboard. → Chap. Beaches
6. Mojito at Bodeguita, Daiquiri at Floridita — Follow Hemingway's favorite route through Havana. The bars are touristy, but the atmosphere is unbeatable. → Chap. Havana
7. Experiencing Casas Particulares — Stay in Cuban private accommodations, dine with the family, hear stories. The most authentic way to experience Cuba. → Chap. Practical
8. Dancing salsa in Santiago de Cuba — Cuba's unofficial music capital. At Casa de la Trova, you'll sit next to 80-year-old musicians who have been playing for decades. → Chap. East
9. Sunset at the Malecón — Havana's eight-kilometer-long seawall is Cuba's living room. In the evening, couples, families, fishermen, and musicians gather here. Rum from the bottle, the sea roars. → Chap. Havana
10. Che Guevara's Mausoleum in Santa Clara — The monument and museum tell the story of the Revolution. The eternal flame burns over the revolutionary's mortal remains. → Chap. Trinidad & Central Cuba

Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean at 109,884 km² — larger than all other Caribbean islands combined. From west to east, it spans over 1,200 km. The country can be roughly divided into five travel regions:

Havana

For whom: Culture fans, history enthusiasts, nightlife lovers, photography enthusiasts
Cuba's vibrant capital (2.1 million inhabitants) is the indispensable starting point of any trip. The UNESCO old town Habana Vieja, the legendary Malecón, the Capitolio, the Fábrica de Arte Cubano — Havana needs at least 3–4 days.

Viñales & the West

For whom: Nature lovers, hikers, divers
The UNESCO-protected Viñales Valley with its spectacular Mogotes limestone cliffs is Cuba's most beautiful landscape. Add tobacco plantations, caves, and at the western tip: María la Gorda with Cuba's best diving area.

Trinidad & Central Cuba

For whom: Colonial architecture fans, hikers, beach vacationers, history
Trinidad is a perfectly preserved colonial town (UNESCO). In the hinterland: the waterfalls of Topes de Collantes. On the doorstep: Playa Ancón. Also, Cienfuegos (the "Paris of Cuba") and Santa Clara (Che Guevara).

Beaches & Cayos

For whom: Beach vacationers, snorkelers, all-inclusive fans
Varadero (20 km of dream beach), the Cayos in the north (Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa María), and Cayo Largo in the south offer pure Caribbean — but little Cuban flair. Perfect for unwinding after the round trip.

The East (Oriente)

For whom: Adventurers, music lovers, hikers
Santiago de Cuba, the second capital, is Cuba's Afro-Caribbean heart — hotter, more musical, less touristy. Baracoa at the easternmost point is Cuba's hidden gem. The Sierra Maestra offers Cuba's best trekking.

Cuba has a tropical climate with two seasons: the dry season (November–April) and the rainy season (May–October). However, the differences are less dramatic than one might think.

Best Travel Time: November to April (Dry Season)

The absolute peak season and the best time for most travelers:

• Temperatures: 25–30°C during the day, 18–22°C at night — pleasantly warm, not oppressive
• Rain: Little to none. Perfect travel weather
• Sea: 24–27°C, crystal clear
• Disadvantage: Higher prices (especially December–March), more tourists, Casas Particulares often fully booked

Rainy Season: May to October

Not as bad as the name suggests — it usually rains only 1–2 hours in the afternoon as a tropical shower, then the sun shines again. Temperatures rise to 30–35°C with high humidity.

• Advantage: Significantly fewer tourists, lower prices (up to 30% discount), lush green landscape
• Disadvantage: Humid heat, mosquitoes, poorer visibility when diving
• Hurricane Season: August to October. Severe storms are rare but possible. Travel insurance with a hurricane clause is mandatory!

Sweet Spot: November and April

The transition months offer the best of both worlds: good weather, moderate prices, fewer tourists than in the high season.

Climate Table: Havana

Cuba's pricing structure is unique and confusing. Since the currency reform in 2021, there is officially only the Cuban Peso (CUP), but in practice, a complex parallel system with unofficial exchange rates exists.

Understanding Currency

The official rate is about 1 EUR = 120 CUP (bank rate). On the black market (which is practically used by almost everyone, including Casas Particulares), the rate is 1 EUR = 250–350 CUP (as of early 2026, fluctuates greatly). This means: Those who exchange at the official rate effectively pay twice as much. Tourist facilities often charge directly in EUR.

Daily Budget per Person

Example Prices (in EUR, informal rate)

Couples & Romance

Cuba is incredibly romantic — if you find the right mix. 3 days in Havana (classic car ride at sunset, rooftop bar, salsa night), 2 days in Trinidad (colonial streets, cocktails on the terrace), 3 days in Varadero or Cayo Santa María (beach and togetherness). Boutique hotels like the Gran Hotel Manzana in Havana or the Iberostar Grand in Trinidad offer luxury on a Cuban level.

Backpackers & Budget

Cuba is a fantastic backpacker destination — affordable, safe, with a functioning Casa Particular infrastructure as a hostel replacement. Colectivos (shared taxis) are cheaper than Viazul buses and faster. Street food (Pizza cubana 10-20 CUP, sandwiches) keeps costs low. Tip: Every Casa knows another in the next town — the network works perfectly.

Families

Cuba is safe for families, but the infrastructure is not designed for it. Long bus rides in rickety vehicles, lack of children's meals in restaurants, and limited medical care make it challenging with small children. However, it works excellently with teenagers — they are fascinated by the differences. All-inclusive in Varadero or on the Cayos is the most family-friendly option.

Adventurers & Individualists

The real Cuba lies off the beaten tourist paths: Trekking in the Sierra Maestra to Fidel's headquarters, diving in Jardines de la Reina, exploring the sleepy colonial city of Camagüey, hitchhiking through rural Cuba, experiencing Baracoa at the remote eastern end of the island. Spanish skills are almost essential here.

Culture & History

Cuba is a paradise for culture travelers: 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the legacy of the Revolution, Afro-Cuban Santería rituals, one of the richest music traditions in the world, vibrant contemporary art in the Fábrica de Arte Cubano. One could spend two weeks just with museums, galleries, and concerts.