Cuba Holidays
If it’s fiestas, dancing and parties you’re after, Cuba will be your dream destination. The Cuban tradition lies deep in music and an infectious love of life and you will undoubtedly find Cubans to be extremely warm and welcoming.

With its mix of world famous cigars, classic cars and cocktails, this is a vibrant country, full of energy and colour. Wherever you go, you can guarantee you will be swept up into its exciting atmosphere and culture.

Since the country’s political problems eased in the late 1990s, tourism in Cuba has steadily grown and has now become its main industry. Over two million tourists (principally Canadians and Europeans) each year visit the island, with their concentration focused mainly on resort holidays based at Varadero, Cayo Coco and Havana.

Weather
Cuba’s climate is mildly sub-tropical. Although it is mainly hot and humid all year round, there are in fact two main seasons – a dry season and a rainy season. The dry season runs from November to April, with temperatures often reaching up to 33°C. The rainy season in turn, stretches from May to October, with daytime temperatures rarely dropping below 20°C. The advent of the rainy season can also bring forth cyclones and hurricanes, although these by no means occur every year and the majority of hotels on the island are structured to withstand these conditions.By Day
Most tourists flock to Cuba for its beautiful beaches and superb diving conditions. It follows therefore, that the majority of holidays are resort-based, offering their own sporting and leisure activities. However, should you wish to explore this fascinating country, there are plenty of places to visit, giving a real insight into Cuban culture and history.By Night
The majority of hotels and resorts will accommodate guests with their own evening entertainment, but for a real taste of the vibrant Cuban lifestyle and ethos, you could do worse than head out into some of the towns. Havana in particular, has a real buzz in the evening, with bars, cafes, restaurants, salsa venues and live music offering a wide variety of choice.Top Attractions
• Cueva del Indio in Pinar del Rio. Renowned caves with underground rivers, stalagmites and stalagtites.

• Museum of Ché Guevara, the revolutionary hero. Situated in Santa Clara, this is the last resting place of this infamous figure.

• Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás in Havana – see for yourself how the world famous Havana cigars are made.

• Coral reef at Cayo Coco - explore one of the island’s most beautiful reefs, up close and personal.

• Playa Girón – site of the “Bay of Pigs” invasion in 1961.
Events
Havana International Jazz Festival Tour (Dec), Festival Habano (Feb), Havana Carnival (July), Las Parrandas de Remedios (Dec).Local Flavours
Most people would automatically assume that Cuban cuisine was spicy, similar to that of the country’s Mexican neighbour. However, in actual fact, as a result of its location, Cuban cuisine is a fusion of African, Spanish and Caribbean flavours and dishes. Creole cooking is favoured in parts of the country, with rice and beans playing a large part in the Cuban’s staple diet.

The Spanish influence means that typically Spanish dishes including egg-based tortillas and paella are very popular, although there is also a surprisingly strong Chinese theme too, in many Cuban dishes.

Meat is in plentiful supply and is used in main meals and snacks, although inland, sea food is simply too expensive to buy. In many areas too, fruit is not commonly eaten as part of a dessert.
Size & Location
Cuba, the principal island in an archipelago in the Caribbean, is surrounded by the US, the Bahamas, Haiti, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Mexico.

Cuba itself covers around 43,000 square miles and has a population of approximately 12 million people.