Cuba, the largest island in the Caribbean sea, is a beautiful
vacation spot. The island offers a large coast line with beautiful
beaches and inlets. Its rich and varied plant, animal and sea life
offers fishermen, divers, hunters and ecologists idyllic areas for
their favorite pastimes.
 Mineral
and medicinal springs are found in this ideal climate. Sports
enthusiasts have ample opportunities to enjoy riding, bicycling,
tennis and water sports, including excellent scuba diving. Cuba is
truly a land of infinite variety, with cultural, historical and
artistic traditions, with music and dance being a part of every day
life.
Accommodations range from apartment/villa's to small, medium and
large hotels - most equipped with with swimming pools. New and high
calibre resorts are being developed in many areas, including Cayo
Largo, Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo. Well-known hotels are
constantly expanding and improving standards of service.
A good selection of organized tours are available from all tourist
areas including sightseeing trips around the island, to museums, for
bird watching locations and more. And, a visit to Cuba is not
complete without a visit to the famous Tropicana Night Club or La
Bamba Disco. Cuba is really a beautiful, exciting place for a
vacation or honeymoon. In fact, Cuba is a land of romance, and it's
perfect for that family vacation too! Contrary to popular belief,
your are free to go where you want and you'll find the Cuban people
warm, friendly and fun-loving.
Havana, the capital city, has over 2 million residents, and charms
the visitor with its contrasts of old and new and its varied and
spectacular architecture. Cuba is home to one of the world's most
beautiful beaches, Varadero, whose white sandy beach stretches out
over 12 miles (20Km.) Other great tourist areas are at Santa Maria
Beaches - Cienfuegos on Cuba's south coast, with the small,
interesting World Heritage city of Trinidad farther east. There are
numerous and excellent resorts scattered all along her coastlines.
Havana is the largest city in the Caribbean and the center of all
Cuban things. Despite its turbulent history, Havana suffered little
damage in the country's wars and revolutions, and stands today much
as it was built hundred years ago or more. There's an air of faded
glory about the city as big 50s and 60s American automobiles still
dominate the streets and paint and plaster peel off everywhere.
The city is peppered with glorious Spanish colonial architecture,
much of which is under restoration.
Havana has a swinging nightlife, with cinemas, historic theatres,
cabarets, nightclubs and music venues that will exhaust even the
most hardened campaigner. There's less traffic and less
commercialization than choke your average Latin American city.
But from the rough brilliance of Old Havana to residential areas
ranging from shabby to demanding demolition, the exuberant
friendliness of Havana's inhabitants is what shines through.
 Santiago
de Cuba is Havana's rival in literature, music and politics, and is
regarded as the 'cradle of the revolution' because of the pivotal
role it played in overthrowing the Batista regime. It's the second
biggest city in Cuba and, unlike other Cuban towns, has a noticeable
Caribbean flavor due to the influence of the French planters and
Haitians who settled there in the last century.
The city's distinctive character is also due to its isolation
from Havana, and its own history is as colorful as that of the
capital (Santiago de Cuba's first mayor was the conquistadores of
Mexico, Hernán Cortés). The city houses Cuba's oldest palaces and
museums including the Casa de Diego Velázquez and the Museo
Municipal Bacardi.
It overlooks the Bahía de Santiago de Cuba and many houses feature
lacy ironwork balconies, pointed windows and narrow external
staircases. The Cementerio Santa Ifigenia is the final resting place
of many famous revolutionaries, including José Martí whose embalmed
body is on display.
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