Cuba is a North American country, specifically lying within the Caribbean region. It is a country with Afro-Cuban culture, colonial architecture, revolutionary history, and beautiful natural landscapes. From just chilling to doing fun activities, this is one of the underrated travelling destinations with various things to do in Cuba.
This article will highlight the best places of Cuba for the travellers, tips and tricks about the adventurous things to do, real expectations and experiences, and about being digitally connected with our SimCorner's Cuba eSIM.
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With our eSIM’s reliable data plans, you can easily travel from Cuban city centers to remote areas. We will assist you on finding your routes, alerting about local festivals, translating languages, and sharing photos online. Our Cuba eSIM will ensure your trip is smooth from the moment you land here. Read our guideline for more details.
Havana
It is the heart and soul of the country; the capital and largest city of Cuba. It can be considered as one of the most fascinating cities in the whole Caribbean regions due to its history, colourful architecture, and culture. The city will feel like living in an era of revolution yet still very vibrant and chill. That is why writer Ernest Hemingway said,
“Havana is more than a city. It is a frame of mind, a gentle pressing on the back of your heart.”
Visiting and exploring Havana’s historic center, Habana Vieja (Old Havana) is one of the must things to do in Cuba as it will show you the country’s real ancient culture and history. That is why it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is no intense thing to do here, but just a simple walk through Plaza de la Catedral, or riding in classic 1950s cars, visiting museums, enjoying lively sunsets along with cool music on the streets make the city a very cool and calm place to start your trip before visiting the other Cuba tourist spots.
Usually from November to April, you will get cool temperatures and dry weather. This is the best time to visit here for a longer period of walks and enjoyment. So wear comfortable shoes to experience a city filled with rich history and culture. But do not forget to cruise at the Malecón, a 8 km seawall to get great sunset views, seeing locals fishing and interacting with them.
Trinidad
It is one of the best-preserved colonial towns of the Caribbean regions, and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just like Havana, though around 300 kms of distance between the two, this town will also show you a place blended with history, old traditions, and modern culture. So if you are thinking of what to do in Cuba, come here to see such an interesting city.
The town has vibrant and fun street performances, colourful buildings, and cobblestone streets to walk on. Visit Plaza Mayor which is the historic centre of Trinidad, and other museums to know more about history and culture. Trinidad is mainly famous for its colonial architecture that has remained almost unchanged for centuries. So visiting here is one of the best things to do if you are an architect.
Viñales Valley
This valley will show you Cuba’s rural identity, life and overall natural beauty. Here Cuba’s traditional cigar production and coffee plantation happens. It is a peaceful countryside which is mainly popular among the visitors for tobacco farms and beautiful landscapes. If you are aiming for getting some rural vibes, then keep this area in your Cuba bucket list destinations.
You can have horseback rides over here to explore the area. This is a fun and thrilling activity among things to do in Cuba especially for kids, but mainly it gives authentic local experience. Hikers will also like this place as they can do little trekking and climb at the top of the valley. Come here during November to April when you will get clear skies to see the stunning views of the surroundings.
Varadero
Beach lovers! This is a premium town for you among ‘Cuba best places’. It is a beach area which is located around 145 km away from Havana. The area is a tourists' attraction for its 20 km long route of white sand beside turquoise coloured Caribbean water. Varadero is one of the best places to visit in Cuba.
Apart from just chilling and relaxing by the shore, in this beach you will get to do some fun water activities like snorkelling, surfing, swimming, splashing water on your mates etc. On the white sands, you can build sandcastles, play volleyball, or just lie down for suntan. So keep suncreams with you. At this one place, you can have your ‘things to do in Cuba’ completed here.
You can visit here all year-round, but December to January is the peak season because of the good weather. So book early and in advance. But to avoid crowds, you can opt for May to October, because that is when Cuba’s rainy season starts and so less people visit that time.
Cayo Coco
Situated in Northern Cuba, this is also another beach area. This place is famous for its untouched natural beauty, and coral feels in the calm waters. You can do water activities here and also can get to see some birds like flamingoes. It can be one of the nice places for escaping from life's chaos when you search for “Cuba what to see” in Google.
Explore the Cayo Coco's causeway bridge, which connects flamingo lagoons, white-sand cays, and mangrove tunnels. That is an ideal road trip for bike and car lovers, when you are thinking of things to do in Cuba. December to April are most suitable to visit here because of mild gentle winds and so perfect for riding and sightseeings.
Santiago de Cuba
It is the capital city of southeastern Santiago de Cuba province. In this city, you will know why Cuba is a cultural hub. This place is the birthplace of many Cuban music styles during their revolutionary movements. So travellers who are looking for Cuba tourist spots to have fun and party, this is a must-visit for them, to know about the authentic, historic Cuban traditions. So do not skip this from your Cuba travel guide.
You will get to experience the wildest times of your life here during Santiago's July Carnival. There will be non-stop music, dance with beats, huge crowds, lots of food stalls etc.. This is one of the things to do in Cuba as Caribbean are known for their music and dance. An energetic Caribbean vibe can be found everywhere. Everyone there is just happy enjoying their life. So to visit during this time, book early for seats. Also carry water bottles for constant hydration.
Santa Clara
The city is situated in the central region of Cuba and it often gets ignored due to other Cuba tourist attractions. But, this city is a must-visit for the people interested in politics or political history. It is known as “Che Guevara’s City”, and so many colonial architectures, monuments, and museums can be found here to know the stories about Cuban revolutionaries. This is one of the interesting things to do in Cuba.
But you can also enjoy a vibrant nightlife with music and dances, and local tasty foods.
María la Gorda
This is located to the west of Cuba. It is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve as it is famous for pristine coral reefs, abundant marine life, and clear turquoise waters. This is why this is one of the though least popular but among the Cuba tourist spots.
The best activities to do here are scuba diving and snorkeling. The place will give you views of colorful tropical fish, sea creatures, and sometimes even sharks. So try to bring waterproof cameras to take stunning underwater photography. As a professional diver, if you are thinking of things to do in Cuba, then this place is just for you.
Topes de Collantes
Located in the central-southern Cuba, it is a park that is perfect for hikers, adventurers, and nature lovers. So do not skip this place from your things to do in your Cuba itinerary.
It is a 21km drive away from Trinidad and you will find the park at 790m elevation. If you want to visit a place away from typical beaches or other wild city lifestyles, then you can come here to have some mental therapy and physical activity like trekking in this one of Cuba's best places.
In this park, you will be surrounded by forests, see local and national birds of Cuba, and different flowers. The hikers can hike Caburní Trail which is a 2-3hrs roundtrip and then descend to its famous 62m Salto del Caburní waterfall. You will also find coffee plantation farms which hold a cultural depth to Cuba. So you can have some fresh coffee and enjoy the natural views around.
Visit here during the summer or dry season, for clear skies and paths. But avoid the rainy season as the trails will be slippery and muddy. Do not forget to wear solid boots.
Travel Smoothly, and digitally with SimCorner
The moment you step in this vibrant country, our SimCorner’s Cuban eSIM options are there to help you get connected with the world. You will need an initial internet network, then the eSIM will get activated. No need to worry about paying any hidden fees. You will then be ready to start your exploration from that very moment.
Our SimCorner allows you to choose eSIM or traditional SIM options to help you direct your paths for going from museums to beaches to festivals. A stable, high speed, and reliable connection will give you the freedom to not only enjoy the journey, but also to digitally make your loved ones feel connected with you.
To get local tips, translator apps, notifications for the music events and festivals, everything can be covered by the SimCorner SIM options. So just be busy exploring the rich cultural things of the country, and we will take care of the rest to give you the best memories of life.
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Things to do in Cuba: FAQs
Are Cuba tourist spots safe to travel with families?
Cuba tourist spots are family-safe and friendly with low violent crime rates even though it is an Afro-Caribbean country. But still be careful of petty thefts as such risks exist in crowds in the beaches of other crowded sites. Use registered taxis and hotels and avoid night trips without tour guides. Stable policing supports are there across top spots in Cuba.
What to do in Cuba?
There are various things to do in Cuba. You can walk and explore Old Havana's colonial plazas, ride vintage cars through Malecón with your family, horseback trek Viñales valleys in the tobacco fields with kids, and dive Cayo Coco reefs. For having parties, you can do salsa dance in Trinidad, or just chill Varadero sands.These blend history, adventure, and relaxation across Cuba tourist attractions.
When is the best time to visit Cuba tourism places?
December to April offers dry, and mild weather in Cuba. So this is perfect for doing activities in Cuba tourism places like beach lounging, Havana walks, and Viñales hikes. May to November will give you discount deals but it is the rainy season. So paths will be slippery for treks. Hurricane season peaks August to October, so prioritize shoulder months.
What should I pack for Cuba tourist spots?
Bring lightweight, cotton clothes, sunscreen, and water bottles for Cuba tourist spots during summer seasons. Wear solid walking shoes to handle Havana cobblestones and Viñales trails. Also bring insect repellent on the beach for evenings. Keep rain gears for wet seasons, and wear modest clothes if you visit any church.
How to stay connected while traveling in Cuba tourist attractions?
SimCorner's eSIMs and physical SIMs deliver reliable high speed data across all Cuba tourist attractions, even in the remote areas. You will get fast activation and then can use the data for maps, translations, and live shares without roaming gouges. Read and explore our Cuba SIM guidelines for plans, pricings, and offers in Cuba.
Are there unique wildlife experiences in Cuba bucket list destinations?
Cuba bucket list destinations showcase Tocororos, the national bird, tiny Bee Hummingbirds, and vibrant purple orchids in Viñales and Zapata Swamp. Do guided tours for birdwatching Cuban trogons, manatees, and iguanas. Doing dawn hikes will reveal crocodiles and parrots. These are the ultimate things to do in Cuba if you plan for bird and animal sightings.
