Caribbean

Cuba

Music drifting from open windows, colonial towns in pastel shades and tobacco fields beneath limestone hills.

Photo: Pavel / Unsplash

Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, and its character is felt from the very first day. In Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site, squares and colonnades speak of centuries of history, and in the evening the Malecón seafront becomes the place where the whole city meets — to talk, to listen to music and to look out to sea.

Beyond the capital the island shows another face: in the Viñales Valley farmers still plough with oxen, Trinidad's cobbled streets have changed remarkably little over time, and the bay of Cienfuegos greets you with French-influenced façades. Travelling in Cuba means accepting its rhythm as it is — with time to spare and plenty of curiosity.

A green cactus in the foreground and the hills of the Viñales Valley under a blue sky, Cuba

Experiences to consider

01
The Viñales Valley
Red earth, tobacco drying barns and sheer limestone hills known as mogotes. The valley is best explored on foot or on horseback, with a stop at a family farm.
02
Old Havana
The four main squares of the old town, restored palaces beside weathered façades, and evenings when musicians play son or bolero. The city rewards exploring with a local guide who can tell the stories behind each doorway.
03
Trinidad and the sugar valley
A town of pastel houses where music fills the squares at night, and nearby the Valle de los Ingenios with the remains of former sugar estates — both on the UNESCO list.
04
Coasts and cays
After the cities, a few days on the white-sand cays of the north coast or in quieter bays, where the only plan is a swim and a book.

Ways to travel

Ways to experience it

Ways to travel aren't separate paths — the best journeys often bring several together.

Culture & discovery
Music, dance, architecture and art — with guides who help you sense the island's history and everyday life.
Tailor-made journeys
A private car and driver between towns, with stays arranged so the journey flows smoothly.
Exceptional stays & escapes
Colonial mansions and family guesthouses — the casas particulares — where travel becomes more personal.
Adventure & active travel
Hiking and riding in the Viñales Valley, cycling on country roads and snorkelling off the coast.

Sample journey