Cuba holiday
Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your Cuba holiday in North America
Cuba is like a time travel: classic cars from the 1950s roll through Havana's colonial streets, salsa rhythms sound from open windows, and the scent of cigars fills the air. The Caribbean island offers not only its unique retro charm but also beautiful beaches, tobacco fields, and a vibrant culture.
Capital
Havana
Language
Spanish
Currency
Cuban Peso (CUP)
Time zone
UTC-5
Flight time from DE
approx. 10–11 hours
Entry requirements
Passport + Tourist Card
Top hotels & accommodations in Cuba
Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in Cuba — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.
Melia Cohiba
Havanna, Kuba
Hotel Nacional De Cuba
Havanna, Kuba
Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa - Adults only
Varadero, Kuba
Meliá Las Américas - Adults only
Varadero, Kuba
Meliá Internacional Varadero
Varadero, Kuba
Iberostar Grand Packard
Havanna, Kuba
Meliá Trinidad Península
Playa Ancon, Kuba
Hotel Melia Habana
Havanna, Kuba
Top 5 highlights in Cuba
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Havana
Malecón promenade, old town (UNESCO), classic cars, salsa bars, and the Museum of the Revolution.
Viñales Valley
Tobacco fields, limestone hills (Mogotes), and one of the most beautiful landscapes in Cuba.
Trinidad
Perfectly preserved colonial town with cobblestones, music, and the nearby Playa Ancón beach.
Varadero
20 km of white sandy beach in turquoise Caribbean water – Cuba's paradise for bathing.
Cienfuegos
The 'Pearl of the South' with French colonial architecture by the sea.
Hotels in Cuba
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reise-SIM für Cuba
Prepaid-SIM mit Datenvolumen für Cuba. Einfach einlegen und sofort lossurfen – keine Roaming-Gebühren.
* Weiterleitung zu travSIM.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reiseversicherung abschließen
Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to visit Cuba
Recommended travel time
November–April (Dry season)
Summer
30–35°C
Winter
22–28°C
How much does a holiday in Cuba cost?
Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)
Budget
30–50€
Hostel, street food, public transport
Mid-range
50–100€
Hotel, restaurant, excursions
Luxury
100–200€
Boutique hotel, fine dining
5 travel tips for Cuba
Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.
Buy a tourist card at the travel agency or at the airport (approx. 25€)
Casas Particulares (private accommodations) are more authentic and cheaper than hotels
Internet is limited – use ETECSA WiFi cards at hotspots
Always carry cash – credit cards often do not work
Classic car tour through Havana is touristy but unforgettable
Food & drink in Cuba
These dishes you must try!
Discover Cuba
5 regions, cities and highlights in Cuba
Cities
Havana
Havana is a time capsule in the Caribbean: vintage cars from the 1950s roll over wide boulevards, colorfully decaying colonial palaces tell of past splendor, and the sounds of Son, Salsa, and Buena Vista Social Club emanate from every bar. The Cuban capital is a city that overwhelms all the senses at once — and leaves no one indifferent. Habana Vieja, the historic old town and UNESCO World Heritage Site, impresses with the Plaza de la Catedral, the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, and the fortress El Morro at the harbor entrance. A ride in an open vintage convertible along the Malecon, the famous waterfront promenade where Cubans sit, play music, and drink rum at sunset, is Havana's signature experience. The Bodeguita del Medio and El Floridita were Hemingway's favorite spots for Mojitos and Daiquiris. The Vedado district offers a more modern side with the Hotel Nacional, the Plaza de la Revolución featuring the iconic Che Guevara portrait, and an emerging private restaurant scene in the Paladares. Cuban art, from street painters to the Fábrica de Arte Cubano, a massive cultural hall in a former oil factory, surprises with creativity and energy. The best time to visit is from November to April with pleasant weather and little rain.
Holguín
Holguín is Cuba's garden city and a largely undiscovered gem in the east of the island, offering a fascinating mix of colonial charm, spectacular beaches, and authentic Cuban daily life. The fourth largest city in Cuba is located in a fertile valley, surrounded by gentle hills that have given the region its nickname Ciudad de los Parques – everywhere shady plazas and parks invite you to linger. From Loma de la Cruz, the hill of the cross with its 458 steps, there is a breathtaking panoramic view over the city and the lush green surroundings. The real attraction of the province of Holguín lies on the north coast: Playa Guardalavaca, one of the most beautiful beaches in Cuba, with warm, crystal-clear water and a vibrant coral reef right off the coast. Here, Christopher Columbus first set foot on Cuban soil in 1492 and described the island as the most beautiful land that human eyes have ever seen. The nearby Museo Chorro de Maíta houses one of the most significant pre-Columbian archaeological sites in the Caribbean with a Taíno Indian village and skeletal finds. For German holidaymakers, Holguín is an attractive alternative to the overcrowded Varadero. Direct flights from Germany reach Frank País Airport in about 11 hours. Germans need a tourist card, which can be obtained in advance through the tour operator or at the airport. The time difference is minus 6 hours. In Holguín, you experience real Cuba: classic cars roll through the streets, live music sounds from open doors, and locals greet visitors with warm curiosity. The all-inclusive resorts on the coast offer the usual comfort, while the city itself provides an unvarnished insight into Cuban daily life.
Trinidad (Cuba)
Trinidad on the southern coast of Cuba is a living time capsule — a city where time seems to have stopped sometime in the 19th century. The UNESCO World Heritage city, with its pastel-colored colonial houses, cobblestone streets, and ubiquitous Cuban music, is the most romantic and atmospheric place on the entire Caribbean island. The city's wealth comes from the sugar trade of the 18th and 19th centuries, and the magnificent villas of the former sugar barons still testify to this golden age. The Museo Romántico in the Palacio Brunet, the Museo de Arquitectura Colonial, and the majestic Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad at the central Plaza Mayor form an architectural ensemble of extraordinary beauty. In the evenings, Trinidad turns into an open-air party. The famous staircase of the Casa de la Música transforms into an open-air dance floor where locals and tourists dance together to Salsa, Son, and Reggaeton. The Mojito flows freely, and the energy is contagious. No place in Cuba celebrates life with such passion as Trinidad after dark. Just a few kilometers south lies Playa Ancón, one of the most beautiful beaches on the Cuban southern coast. The three-kilometer stretch of white sand and turquoise water offers relaxed Caribbean vibes without the mass tourism of the northern coast. Snorkelers can find offshore coral reefs teeming with colorful fish. The Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills), also a UNESCO World Heritage site, stretches north of the city and can be explored by a historic steam train ride. The Torre Iznaga, a 45-meter-high watchtower from the slave era, offers a wistful view over this historic valley. The Sierra del Escambray, Cuba's second-largest mountain range, rises directly behind Trinidad and offers hiking trails to waterfalls and natural swimming pools. The Topes de Collantes National Park with the Salto del Caburní is a refreshing contrast to the Caribbean heat.
Complete guide for Cuba
Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.
Open guidePlan a holiday in Cuba
Cuba is one of the most popular travel destinations in North America, offering Culture, Beach, Retro and much more. The best time to visit Cuba is November–April (Dry season), when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 30–50€ (Budget) to 100–200€ (Luxury), Cuba is suitable for various travel budgets.
From the capital Havana, Cuba can be excellently explored. The official language is Spanish, and the currency is Cuban Peso (CUP). From Germany, you can reach Cuba in approx. 10–11 hours. Whether you want to try culinary highlights like Ropa Vieja, Moros y Cristianos, Lechón Asado, visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: Cuba has something for every type of traveller.
Use our free travel tools to prepare your Cuba holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if Cuba is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.
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