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Holidays in Cuba

Bursting with character and contradictions, Cuba is a destination full of surprises. With some of the Caribbean’s best beaches, colourful towns and cities, and an incredible culture of live music, there really is nowhere else like it.

Think Cuba and it’s hard not to picture vintage Cadillacs cruising around Havana, crumbling walls daubed with Che Guevara graffiti and rum cocktails on tropical beaches. These things are part of Cuba’s undeniable charm, but there’s much more to this intriguing island.

For a start, the cultural scene in Cuba is diverse and rich. Take your pick from old-school music clubs in Santiago de Cuba, world-class art in Havana, and brilliant museums in Trinidad. Almost all of Cuba’s atmospheric towns and cities have a Casa de la Musica where people meet to play music and dance.

Planning a trip with children? Head to the coast and you’re in family holiday heaven. Varadero has resorts with kids' entertainment on white sands, while Playa Ancón is a top choice for snorkelling.

The greener parts of Cuba, like the Valley of Viñales or Pico Turquino (Cuba’s highest mountain), have excellent hiking, cycling and horse riding opportunities. In Ciénaga de Zapata’s swamps, you can seek out Cuba’s hidden wildlife. From birdwatching to crocodile spotting, there are all sorts of unusual creatures to see here.

Top Cuba holiday destinations

From

£1,449pp

Cuba

Havana

Cuba

Varadero

Cuba

Cayo Coco

For families

All-inclusive beach resorts are a popular choice for family holidays in Cuba. Larger hotels offer child-friendly accommodation and facilities, including kids’ clubs, watersports, and swimming pools.

With this in mind, Varadero is a go-to place for families. A soft, sandy coastline and warm, shallow waters make this Caribbean paradise ideal for kids of all ages. If you’re not after a big resort, Trinidad is another option. Here you can combine cultural activities, such as museum visits and live music, with beach time on Playa Ancón.

For cheap holidays

Away from the fancy all-inclusive resorts, Cuba has a lot of affordable accommodation, and it’s certainly possible to travel on a budget.

Many people looking for cheap holidays to Cuba stay in bed-and-breakfast-style guest houses (casa particulares) in Havana, Viñales or Trinidad. Search for accommodation away from the main tourist attractions for the best deals.

That said, it is also possible to find cheap package holidays at big resorts like Varadero or Cayo Coco. Try searching outside peak season and compare prices for different times of the year. Playa Santa Lucia is a quieter resort that is less luxurious but offers some bargain beach holidays.

For nightlife

A stay in Havana promises live music parties with cocktails on tap at jazz clubs, lounge bars and cabaret venues. Tropicana Nightclub is a famous late-night spot with an open-air cabaret and salsa.

Elsewhere, Santa Clara’s nightlife is creative and contemporary. Here, you can drink rum cocktails until late and experience a Cuban drag show at Club Mejunje. For live music, Trinidad and Santiago are other great options.

For an all-inclusive break

Many beach resorts in Cuba have all-inclusive hotels with both adults-only and family-friendly options, plus varying levels of luxury. Varadero is the biggest, with around 21km (13 miles) of sandy shores dedicated to package holidays.

For somewhere a little different, Playa Ancón near Trinidad has a handful of all-inclusive hotels. Alternatively, there’s Cayo Coco on the islets off the north of Cuba with a strip of hotels lining more stunning beaches. Guardalavaca near Holguin has resorts for a range of budgets.

For a beach holiday

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to beach holidays in Cuba. Varadero’s long stretch of white sand and turquoise sea offers all-inclusive resorts and hotels with various facilities. Cayo Coco is another option, especially if you’re keen on snorkelling.

Guardalavaca has beautiful beaches for sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling, plus plenty of hotels to stay in. This area is built up but has a slightly more local vibe than the likes of Varadero, where the beaches are often for exclusive use by the resorts.

If your holiday is all about the beach, you’ve come to the right place as Cuba lays claim to some of the finest sands in the Caribbean.

Varadero

This epic stretch of perfect white sand may just be the definition of Caribbean beach paradise. Home to many all-inclusive resorts, it’s super convenient for families looking for a hassle-free holiday. That said, it does get busy in peak season – luckily, there’s plenty of beach to go around.

Playa Paraíso

For somewhere a little more secluded, head to this white sand spot to swim, snorkel and kayak in peace. It’s part of the Jardines del Rey archipelago, a set of islets off Cuba's southern coast famous for their incredible scuba diving.

Playa Ancón

Close enough to Trinidad to be a day trip from the city, this beautiful beach is well worth the effort. Think palm trees, warm white sand between your toes, and daiquiris from a coconut. It’s also great for diving and you can explore the stunning coastline on a boat trip.

Playas del Este

If you’re basing yourself in Havana, this relaxing sandy stretch is for you. About half an hour by taxi from the city, there are plenty of restaurants, snack bars and sunbeds to keep you quietly busy in a less built-up area.

Playa Pilar

Favoured by both beach-lovers and pink flamingos who wade through the nearby mangroves, Playa Pilar is a top spot for sunbathing. The beach is on the Jardines del Rey off the north coast of Cuba and is quieter than the resorts of Varader

Many visitors understandably make a beeline for the island’s world-class beaches, but there’s so much more to Cuba than its beautiful coastline…

Havana

Whatever the weather, Cuba’s coastal capital is buzzing with life and, more often than not, live music. Wander the streets of Havana Vieja (Old Town Havana) and soak in the atmosphere while taking in the fading facades of historic buildings. Or take a ride in a classic car – a coastal drive down the Malecón is a must.

You can learn more about the island’s history at the city’s museums, with the Museum of the Revolution a great place to start. Later, go rum tasting or relax in a lounge bar with a fresh mojito. If you’re here during a festival, get ready to party.

Santiago de Cuba

Cuba’s second city is a hub of art and culture and host to one of the most colourful carnivals. At the end of July, join locals dancing the conga through the streets to African drum beats and watch the parade of enormous floats with sequinned dancers.

Later, cool off at an art gallery or museum. The palatial Museo Emilio Bacardi Moreau, which has fascinating artefacts from Barcardi’s travels, is a good pick.

Valley of the Viñales

Remote and serene, the Valley of the Viñales is a world away from Cuba’s busy beach resorts. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a national park in the Pinar del Río Province, where you can hike around huge limestone rocks called mogotes.

Stay a while and spend time visiting a tobacco plantation, horseback riding through the valley or exploring the many caves and caverns in the region.

Wildlife

Birdwatching, crocodile spotting and fishing are just some of the wildlife experiences you can enjoy in Cuba.

Take a tour of the swamps at Ciénaga de Zapata to see bee hummingbirds, tocororo – Cuba’s national bird – and, if you’re lucky, manatees. The salt lake becomes a sea of pink from November to April when up to 10,000 flamingos descend on the waters, along with numerous other migratory birds.

Trinidad

With cobblestone streets and pastel-coloured houses, Trinidad is easily one of Cuba’s prettiest towns. Explore colonial mansions, museums and churches by day, and enjoy salsa to seemingly endless live music by night.

Several must-sees, such as the Museo Historico Municipal – an old sugar planter’s mansion – are close to the main square Plaza Mayor. From here, visit nearby Playa Ancón to eat fresh seafood and relax by the sea, or go hiking to waterfalls in the Escambray Mountains.

Cuba is a year-round destination with weather that varies across the country. November to April is the dry season and the best time for winter sun beach holidays. The temperature averages around 22C during this time.

Hurricane season is from June to November, peaking in August and September when there’s more chance of rain and the weather can be very humid.

You could time your trip around Cuba’s lively events. July is Santiago de Cuba’s carnival, Havana’s Jazz Festival is in December, May is Romerias de Mayo in Holguin, and June is carnival time in Camaguey.

When is the cheapest time to visit Cuba?

May, June, and October are good times to look for cheap package holiday deals to Cuba. There’s more chance of rain but showers tend to be short and hard. The island is at its most expensive from November to March.

When should I go for the best weather?

Dry season is your best bet for avoiding rain and humidity on a trip to Cuba. It runs from November to April (with temperatures around the mid-20s) and is often the busiest time to travel.

Good to know

Flight time

10 hrs

(from London)

Currency

Peso (₱)

Language

Spanish

FAQs about holidays to Cuba

Is it safe to go to Cuba?

Many travellers will have no problems in Cuba, but, as with any holiday, keep an eye on your valuables. For the most up-to-date travel advice for Cuba, check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Do I need to have a visa to go to Cuba?

Yes. If you are travelling with a full British passport, you will need to apply for a visa at the Cuban Embassy in London or speak to your tour operator before you travel.

What is a Cuba Tourist Card, and do I need one?

The Cuba Tourist Card is the name for a visa in Cuba, and you need to apply for one before you travel. You can do this at the Cuban Embassy in London or via some holiday operators.

What vaccinations do I need to go to Cuba?

You may need a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate depending on where you have travelled previously. Find out more on the NHS website before you travel.

Are there any local customs I need to be aware of?

Tipping is a big deal in Cuba, including at hotels, restaurants and even in taxis. Always be polite and respectful and bear in mind that things can be quite tough for Cubans. At the moment, food shortages and power cuts are a regular occurrence in Cuba.

What's the best way to travel around Cuba?

Overland travel is fairly straightforward, with Viazul buses covering Cuba's main attractions. Communal taxis called collectivos are another option or you can hire a car, though a lack of providers on the island makes this quite expensive. Slow trains also link the major cities and there are internal flights. That said, dubious safety records mean most people avoid air travel.