No one can doubt the buzz about Cuba and the hidden treasures that are now open to us. Even with the redtape surrounding the island, people are jumping to get a taste of this Caribbean paradise, with hotels filling up at rapid pace. And, with all the mystery surrounding the nation, not a lot of people know the best places to visit on their Cuban vacation. So here are our top 5 Cuban vacation hotspots!

Havana

Your gateway to Cuba, Havana has enough museums, nightclubs, theatres, and restaurants to keep you busy your entire vacation. This capitol city celebrates culture and history like no other, from enthralling Mucio National de Bellas Artes and Museum of the Revolution to its enchanting love for jazz. Old Havana alone is a historical treasure trove complete with ancient cathedrals, bustling markets, and the dashing Havana Club Rum Museum. If you’re looking to hit it all in a day, join a 4-hour city tour to see everything from the El Capitolio to the famous Hemingway bar Floridito. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the traditional cannon firing ceremony!

Varadero

If Havana is the gateway, then Varadero is the gorgeous garden you can’t help but lounge in. Just shy of a two hour drive west from Havana, Varadero is the picturesque Caribbean resort town with its tranquil white sand beaches and captivating, pure blue waters. Don’t miss your chance to dive into this scuba paradise. The waters offer everything from sailing to swimming with dolphins! Havana offers you the cultural side of Cuba, but Varadero is the natural side, with plenty of excursions to the inlets and valleys that surround it. Depart direct from your hotel for a sunset cruise to Cayo Blanco or a refreshing swim at Coral Beach and Saturno Cave!

Vinales Valley

Ecotourists will love every inch of the Cuban countryside and Vinales Valley is center to it all. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vinales is paramount to the production of the fabled Cuban cigar. Farms fill the valley floor alongside wide, green plains, palm trees, and towering mountain walls. Mountain climbers and hikers can’t miss the chance to explore this untouched hand before anyone else. They’ll sure love the stunning view of the Mural of Prehistory and the rolling tobacco fields!

Those traveling to Cuba on their one can enjoy an 8 day journey from Havana to Vinales and Jicao for a wonderful price. If you want to package it all together with your flight, stay at a B&B in Havana and experience a fantastic excursion into this wonderful region with an 8-Day Havana Vinales tour!

Trinidad

Beyond must struggle and strife the city of Trinidad has preserved as the historical reservoir in Cuba. Considered the “Museum City of Cuba, ” the well-preserved and picturesque colonial architecture of Trinidad has earned the entire city a declaration as a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you get the chance to tour Trinidad, you’ll discover how deeply intertwined Cuba’s history is with African culture, from music and dance to cuisine and religion. A vacation in Trinidad is surely a journey back in time.

Santiago de Cuba

A true Spanish city, Santiago de Cuba sits behind Havana as the second largest city in Cuba, but second place doesn’t mean its lacking in charm. In reality, Santiago is the perfect Cuban vacation spot, broiling with culture, beauty, and history. And Havana may host the world renowned Jazzfest, but Santiago is the throne of Cuba music and central to the nation’s struggle for Independence and identity. This coastal city is home to the ancient and romantic El Morro Fortress, winding roads, the lively Tivoli French Quarter, and stunning coastline. Highly welcoming of tourists, the city boasts the finest hotels and accommodations in the country. If you’re in Cuba, there is no excuse for not visiting Santiago.

If you want an extensive trip to all of Cuba take a 21-Day journey to Havana, Santiago, Trinidad, Vinales and much more!

Visiting Cuba? Check out our Cuba Travel Tips for advice on what to eat and how to shop.