Cuba offers character, natural beauty, Caribbean idyll and more. Joanna Booth looks at what to see and where to stay, and suggests some holiday itineraries
Cuba is getting ready for a new holiday season now that hurricanes Gustav and Ike have passed. A spokesman for the Cuban Tourist Board said: “Our authorities have experience in dealing with such natural phenomena. Cuba has a well organised system, and our first task has always been safeguarding human lives.”
Sixteen buildings in Havana were destroyed, and fallen trees and flooding cut electricity supplies across the island, though normal service was restored as quickly as possible.
Western Cuba was worst affected, taking a hit first from Gustav and then Ike, so it could be weeks or even months before the Viñales region completely recovers.
Explore product manager for the Americas Jason Beevis has been in constant contact with ground agents, as the company had one tour group on the island during the hurricanes. “We offered the choice to fly home once the danger had passed, as well as a refund, but the whole party wanted to continue with the holiday. The positive to take from these events is that the Cubans have dealt with similar situations before and are great at recovering.”
Places to visit
Havana
There’s city life and colonial charm aplenty in the capital. The streets teem with bright yellow taxis, rickshaws and exquisitely cared-for Cadillacs, and there’s the constant buzz of lively conversation and the sound of salsa and son in the air.
Old Havana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and there are plenty of sights to be seen, but half the joy of Havana is watching the world go by – and usually getting drawn in. Don’t be surprised if you end up dancing in the street with a stranger.
Viñales and Pinar del Rio region
Unusual dome-shaped mogote mountains and tobacco plantations characterise this western region of Cuba. Viñales town is rustic and welcoming, and don’t miss the 22-metre waterfall at Soroa known as Cuba’s rainbow, or the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve at Las Terrazas. Off the coast is Cayo Levisa, with perfect sand and coral reefs.
Trinidad and Topes de Collantes
With its winding cobbled streets and candy coloured buildings, Trinidad is one of Cuba’s prettiest towns. There’s a laid-back atmosphere, great nightlife (with live performances and even a nightclub in a cave) and pristine sandy beaches nearby. Take a trip out into the Topes de Collantes nature reserve to see forests, waterfalls and canyons.
Santiago and the Sierra Maestra
This city at Cuba’s eastern end was the cradle of the revolution. It began here, when Castro attacked the Moncada Barracks (which you can visit) in 1953, and ended in 1959 when he proclaimed victory from the balcony of city hall.
Take in the historical sites and enjoy the picturesque buildings before heading for the hills – the Sierra Maestra are nearby. You can see where the revolutionary guerrillas hid out and climb Turquino, the island’s highest peak.
Varadero
This beach resort on the north coast is the only part of Cuba you could mistake for a different country – it’s packed with all-inclusive hotels and the other trappings of mass-market tourism.
You’ve got the sun, sea and sand you need for a classic Caribbean holiday (at a lower price than many of the other islands), and large chain hotels from the likes of Sandals, SuperClubs and Iberostar, but it’s a good idea to take a day trip out to Havana to see the real Cuba.
Accommodation
The first five-star deluxe hotel in Cuba is the Royal Hideaway Ensenachos on Cayo Ensenachos. Varadero has a wide choice of all-inclusives and Havana has large, international standard hotels. There are also smaller, historic hotels with character in most towns. Ecotourism is growing – see the La Moka ecolodge at Las Terrazas.
Itineraries
Five days
Spend two days exploring Havana; see colonial Old Havana, wander along the Malecón sea wall and, after a few mojitos, give salsa dancing a try. Take a day trip out to the Viñales valley to see the tobacco plants and mountains. Then head to Varadero for some beach time.
Two weeks
Visit Havana and Viñales, then make for Trinidad. Enjoy the small town colonial charm, go horse riding in the nearby nature reserve and relax on the sandy beaches. Follow in the footsteps of Fidel and head to Santiago de Cuba to see the Moncada Barracks, Revolution Plaza and El Morro Castle. Head into the Sierra Maestra and see Castro’s revolutionary residence.
Staying longer
Discover the lesser-known parts of Cuba. Head for the far west of Pinar del Rio. The Guanahacabibes Peninsula is teeming with fauna and the picture-perfect deserted beach of María la Gorda. Remote eastern rainforest state Baracoa is where Christopher Columbus landed and is the only area of Cuba where descendants of the original populace, the Taino, survive. It’s famed for its chocolate.
Cuba photos from flickr
www.flickr.com
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Sample product
Explore offers a 14-day Salsa de Cuba holiday visiting Havana, beaches and rural areas, departing December 21 from £1,841. (0844 499 0904)
Journey Latin America offers a 20-day Beyond the Beach tour, November 9, from £1,098 with flights, some meals and excursions. (020 8747 8315)
