Cuba in a nutshell
Varadero is a must-visit hotspot due to its wide expanse of soft, powder-white sands, gentle waves and beautifully warm waters for the perfect swim. Beachfront relaxation is delightful, however there is an array of high-octane motorised water sports available to unleash your inner adrenaline junkie, including banana boats, jet-skiing, and water skiing. Most all-inclusive resorts offer plenty of non-motorised water sports free of charge like kayaking, pedal boats, boogie boarding, and snorkelling for chilled-out fun on the water.
Like much of the Caribbean, Cuba owes its amazing gastronomy to the fusion of indigenous, Spanish, and African traditions. Rice, black beans, cassava, and plantain are essential accompaniments in classic Cuban cuisine and are usually paired with succulent meats. Seafood is also big on the menu here, naturally!
The award-winning La Guarida restaurant is always a wonderful choice for a Cuban fine dining experience. Located in Havana, this iconic ‘paladar’—the name for privately-owned restaurants in people’s homes—offers a gorgeously rustic setting with an innovative menu and an impeccable wine list.
Elsewhere in the city, delve into some classic Latin flavours at El Chanchullero de Tapas. Popular amongst visitors and locals alike, booking ahead is a good idea as this small but lively restaurant can get quite busy. With a rooftop location and a delicious array of flavoursome Cuban favourites like ropa vieja (beef in a tomato sauce with rice), tamales and nachos, this is the perfect place to absorb the vibrancy of the city.
Cuban coffee is a must-try for any visitor. The island boasts perfect bean-growing conditions and as well as being dark, organic, and full of deep flavour, coffee is also ingrained into Cuban culture.
Cuban cigars are considered the finest on the planet and make great souvenirs! So, whether you’re a keen cigar smoker or just a curious onlooker, think about taking a guided tour round one of its factories in Havana or countryside tobacco farms in Valle de Viñales for an interesting cultural experience.
Cuba is awash with a complicated and fascinating history, and there are few better places to find out more than in Santiago de Cuba, the island’s second capital and the heart of the 1950s revolutionary movement. This vibrant city is also abuzz with life and a continual party-like atmosphere. Check out the Cuartel Moncada, one of Cuba’s best museums, to learn about its turbulent past and see intriguing revolutionary paraphernalia.
This vast island is a hub of lush natural splendour. Take off for a few days from your city or beach base and explore the stunning Valle de Viñales—perhaps the most beautiful place in Cuba. Set a little over 100 miles west of Havana, this striking region is characterised by its dramatic limestone bluffs and provides an idyllic spot for horse riding, cycling, and hiking, allowing you to slow down the pace of your trip and become one with nature.
Varadero is a must-visit hotspot due to its wide expanse of soft, powder-white sands, gentle waves and beautifully warm waters for the perfect swim. Beachfront relaxation is delightful, however there is an array of high-octane motorised water sports available to unleash your inner adrenaline junkie, including banana boats, jet-skiing, and water skiing. Most all-inclusive resorts offer plenty of non-motorised water sports free of charge like kayaking, pedal boats, boogie boarding, and snorkelling for chilled-out fun on the water.
Like much of the Caribbean, Cuba owes its amazing gastronomy to the fusion of indigenous, Spanish, and African traditions. Rice, black beans, cassava, and plantain are essential accompaniments in classic Cuban cuisine and are usually paired with succulent meats. Seafood is also big on the menu here, naturally!
The award-winning La Guarida restaurant is always a wonderful choice for a Cuban fine dining experience. Located in Havana, this iconic ‘paladar’—the name for privately-owned restaurants in people’s homes—offers a gorgeously rustic setting with an innovative menu and an impeccable wine list.
Elsewhere in the city, delve into some classic Latin flavours at El Chanchullero de Tapas. Popular amongst visitors and locals alike, booking ahead is a good idea as this small but lively restaurant can get quite busy. With a rooftop location and a delicious array of flavoursome Cuban favourites like ropa vieja (beef in a tomato sauce with rice), tamales and nachos, this is the perfect place to absorb the vibrancy of the city.
Cuban coffee is a must-try for any visitor. The island boasts perfect bean-growing conditions and as well as being dark, organic, and full of deep flavour, coffee is also ingrained into Cuban culture.
Cuban cigars are considered the finest on the planet and make great souvenirs! So, whether you’re a keen cigar smoker or just a curious onlooker, think about taking a guided tour round one of its factories in Havana or countryside tobacco farms in Valle de Viñales for an interesting cultural experience.
Cuba is awash with a complicated and fascinating history, and there are few better places to find out more than in Santiago de Cuba, the island’s second capital and the heart of the 1950s revolutionary movement. This vibrant city is also abuzz with life and a continual party-like atmosphere. Check out the Cuartel Moncada, one of Cuba’s best museums, to learn about its turbulent past and see intriguing revolutionary paraphernalia.
This vast island is a hub of lush natural splendour. Take off for a few days from your city or beach base and explore the stunning Valle de Viñales—perhaps the most beautiful place in Cuba. Set a little over 100 miles west of Havana, this striking region is characterised by its dramatic limestone bluffs and provides an idyllic spot for horse riding, cycling, and hiking, allowing you to slow down the pace of your trip and become one with nature.
Varadero is a must-visit hotspot due to its wide expanse of soft, powder-white sands, gentle waves and beautifully warm waters for the perfect swim. Beachfront relaxation is delightful, however there is an array of high-octane motorised water sports available to unleash your inner adrenaline junkie, including banana boats, jet-skiing, and water skiing. Most all-inclusive resorts offer plenty of non-motorised water sports free of charge like kayaking, pedal boats, boogie boarding, and snorkelling for chilled-out fun on the water.
Like much of the Caribbean, Cuba owes its amazing gastronomy to the fusion of indigenous, Spanish, and African traditions. Rice, black beans, cassava, and plantain are essential accompaniments in classic Cuban cuisine and are usually paired with succulent meats. Seafood is also big on the menu here, naturally!
The award-winning La Guarida restaurant is always a wonderful choice for a Cuban fine dining experience. Located in Havana, this iconic ‘paladar’—the name for privately-owned restaurants in people’s homes—offers a gorgeously rustic setting with an innovative menu and an impeccable wine list.
Elsewhere in the city, delve into some classic Latin flavours at El Chanchullero de Tapas. Popular amongst visitors and locals alike, booking ahead is a good idea as this small but lively restaurant can get quite busy. With a rooftop location and a delicious array of flavoursome Cuban favourites like ropa vieja (beef in a tomato sauce with rice), tamales and nachos, this is the perfect place to absorb the vibrancy of the city.
Cuban coffee is a must-try for any visitor. The island boasts perfect bean-growing conditions and as well as being dark, organic, and full of deep flavour, coffee is also ingrained into Cuban culture.
Cuban cigars are considered the finest on the planet and make great souvenirs! So, whether you’re a keen cigar smoker or just a curious onlooker, think about taking a guided tour round one of its factories in Havana or countryside tobacco farms in Valle de Viñales for an interesting cultural experience.
Cuba is awash with a complicated and fascinating history, and there are few better places to find out more than in Santiago de Cuba, the island’s second capital and the heart of the 1950s revolutionary movement. This vibrant city is also abuzz with life and a continual party-like atmosphere. Check out the Cuartel Moncada, one of Cuba’s best museums, to learn about its turbulent past and see intriguing revolutionary paraphernalia.
This vast island is a hub of lush natural splendour. Take off for a few days from your city or beach base and explore the stunning Valle de Viñales—perhaps the most beautiful place in Cuba. Set a little over 100 miles west of Havana, this striking region is characterised by its dramatic limestone bluffs and provides an idyllic spot for horse riding, cycling, and hiking, allowing you to slow down the pace of your trip and become one with nature.
frequently asked questions
The island promises sunny skies all year round, so there’s no bad time to visit. Cuba’s dry season lasts from November to April and has less frequent rainfall. In December and January, average temperatures dip a little, but it remains warm. The rainy season lasts from May to October, where you can expect short, almost-daily showers and full-blown rainy days at least once a week.
Hurricane season falls towards the back end of the rainy season in June to November, but Cuba is largely unaffected by them.
In terms of tourism, the first peak season runs from late December (Christmas) until March (Easter break), and the second peak is in the height of summer during July and August. The low season extends from early May to late June, when prices decrease as temperatures increase, and from September to October, coinciding with the onset of hurricane season. During this period there are often reduced prices, less-crowded beaches, and the chance to explore museums at your own pace.
Cuba is a safe country to visit and travel around for UK residents. You are required to have medical travel insurance in place before you visit and you must obtain a tourist card, which is usually available to purchase through your airline alongside your ticket price.
For ease and peace of mind if you're planning on exploring beyond your resort hotel, consider hiring a private tour guide who will provide good hands-on knowledge of Cuban geography. These guides are well versed on handling your requests and will ensure that your cash goes to local entrepreneurs and businesses.
Credit and debit cards are not widely accepted in Cuba and the most reliable form of payment is cash. Cash machines are scarce in Cuba so when you spot one, take out enough for a few days to save a bit of hassle.
It’s easy to fly direct to Cuba from London and flights take about 10 hours, with several UK chartered and scheduled airlines flying to and from Havana, Cayo Coco, Varadero, Holguín, Santiago, and more.