If its fiestas and dancing 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. Over two million tourists visit the island each year, with their concentration focused mainly on resort holidays based in Varadero, Cayo Coco and Havana.
Things to see and do in Cuba:
Attractions: With its stunning colonial buildings, vibrant music scene and classic American cars (albeit mostly in disrepair) dotted around the streets, Cuba’s unique and energetic capital city of Havana is one of the country’s major attractions. Old Havana is the place where most tourists flock to with its cobbled streets, pretty buildings and impressive churches. Wander along the Malécon, a large boulevard which stretches along the seawall or visit Castillo del Morro, a stunning fortress located at the entrance of Havana Bay. Old Havana has plenty of pretty plazas and Plaza Vieja (the Old Square) is no exception. It is the perfect place to soak up the Cuban atmosphere and sit and watch the world go by. There are also a plethora of museums in the city including a Rum museum, Automobile museum and Ernest Hemingway museum. You can also take a tour of a cigar factory. Another must-see Cuban city, is Trinidad. A UNESCO listed city, it is a wonderfully preserved authentic Spanish colonial city with beautiful 18th and 19th century architecture. Visit the Plaza Mayor in the evening for a real sense of Cuban flavour where the square erupts into a fabulous mix of live music, dancing and vibrancy. Beaches are of course some of the country’s major attractions some of the best stretches of stunning sand and heavenly waters located at Varadero, Guardalavaca, The Cayos and Casasa.
Events/festivals: The Cubans certainly know how to party and if you can coincide your trip with a fiesta you will definitely get a real taste of what Cuba is all about. The biggest (and arguably) best of all the celebrations is the Santiago de Cuba Carnival held each year at the end of July which attracts visitors from all over the world (so book your hotel early if you wish to stay in Cuba during this period!) This week-long extravaganza is filled with dance, music and elaborate, flashy costumes setting the whole city alive with colour. The carnival is a religious event, which celebrates the saint day of Santiago on the 25th July. Havana’s carnival which takes place in late July/early August is also an elaborate affair with a lively atmosphere and parades along the Malécon promenade. There are also various fiestas throughout July and August taking place all over the island including the Pinar del Rio Carnival in July. At Easter, the city of Trinidad celebrates the ‘Way of the Cross’ where Catholics come together to parade through the cobbled streets of the city.
Sports: Baseball is Cuba’s national game and if you’re visiting during the Baseball season (between November to March) it is well worth trying to catch a game or two. Visitors to the island tend to take advantage of the fabulous opportunities for water-based sports and there are some great dive sites around the island including the magnificent Cabo Francés on the western coast of the Isla de la Juventud and MarÃa la Gorda in the Pinar del RÃo province just west of Havana. There are also fabulous opportunities for fishing and sailing and bird watchers will delight in the island’s many incredible bird watching locations where you may be lucky enough to spot the world’s smallest bird (the bee hummingbird).
Nightlife: If you like nightlife, Cuba is the place for you. Music is at the heart of Cuban life and wherever you are on the island, you’ll never be far from a café, club or bar with live music, rum cocktails and that distinctive Cuban joie de vivre. For something a little different, try the Tropicana Cabaret, Cuba’s answer to the Moulin Rouge, which has been enthralling audiences with its colourful dancers, dazzling lights and energetic rhythms since 1939.
Eating/Drinking: Cuban cuisine is mostly a mix of Spanish and Afro-Caribbean influences. Popular ingredients include roasted and fried pork, beef and chicken with accompaniments such as rice, beans, plantains and yucca. The national dish is ajiaco, which is a meat and vegetable stew. Rum is the spirit of choice amongst the locals with over 80 different brands available on the island which can of course be sampled in all sorts of rum-based cocktails such as mojitos and daiquiris. Fresh fruit juice is also in abundance, thanks to the wide variety of fruit grown on the island.
Shopping: Shopping possibilities are relatively sparse on the island, having said that, there are some popular local tourist goods to take home including; include: cigars, rum, coffee, CDs and arts and craftwork. Please note though, if you are planning to travel to the US after your trip to Cuba, it is illegal to take Cuban cigars and other Cuban tobacco products into the United States.
When to go
Cuba generally enjoys a great climate all year round. The hurricane season runs from June to November when most of the rain falls, although it usually consists of a quick downpour and then the sunshine returns. December to April are the coolest months with the least humidity whereas the months from June to late September can be very hot with high humidity levels.
Although not the most sumptuous hotel in Varadero, it is a high quality hotel and a favourite due to its location and facilities.
Learn MoreThis is Varadero's best 5 star hotel, boasting a beautiful beachfront setting, a wealth of facilities and excellent dining options.
Learn MoreThis elegant hotel dates back to 1879. Sit back, close your eyes and imagine the celebrities and socialites who have stayed here.
Learn MoreLocated 20km from Guardalavaca and right on the beach. This luxury hotel is great for all, with excellent dining and leisure facilities.
Learn MoreThis adults only hotel is ideal if you're looking for luxury and seclusion, and is the best 5 star hotel on the tropical Cayo Coco islands.
Learn MoreSet on the stunning and peaceful islands of Cayo Coco, this is a great all-round hotel, with great facilities for both adults and children.
Learn MoreOne of the most luxurious adult-only hotels in Cuba and it's set in the beautiful and secluded Playa Esmeralda, part of the natural park.
Learn MoreThis is a great luxury hotel with one of the most extensive entertainment programmes, catering well for both couples and families.
Learn MoreWhy choose eShores?
One to One Service
Our experienced personal travel consultants will ensure you find the most suitable holiday, whilst taking care of every last detail. Everything from start to finish will be effortless.
100% Tailor Made
We can use any hotel, in any destination, so we will craft an itinerary to suit your exact needs. Also, as we can provide any itinerary, the only holiday we'll offer, is the one that's right for you.
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Our ATOL bonding provides you with the financial protection you need and as a member of the Travel Trust Association, you'll have 100% financial protection. Covering you for any eventuality.
Competitive Pricing
As a tour operator & travel agent, we'll search the market to ensure that we find you the best price. Also as an online business, we can ensure our prices are as competitive as possible.
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Helen
Andy was really helpful with organising our trip to SE Asia. Super prompt with answering any questions, excellent service.
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Anonymous
Dave has been very helpful and has been helping us to build our own tour and cruise
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JohnMansel
Chris has been very helpful, knowledgeable about Croatia where we wanted to have our Holiday. This is my first time using the company and if holixay goes to plan, i will be using eshores again in the future
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Mr SBaker
Have now booked several holidays with eShores and they have always been very helpful and professional. We have just returned from an amazing holiday to India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives and put together a bespoke holiday based on our requirements. A special thanks to Matt Woodward (Senior Travel Consultant) for all his time and effort to give us a holiday of a lifetime
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Julie
I’ve just finished planning our trip to the Italian Lakes with Kadie from eShores. She’s been absolutely superb at helping us plan exactly what we wanted (Venice, Como, Garda and a trip on the Bernina Express and no driving). Kadie has been helpful, patient, responsive and really took the time to understand what we wanted and helped us check out various aspects of the trip (Bernina Express which is a bit of a minefield.) Having help with all of the flights and connections on a multi centre trip is massively helpful. It’s the first time I’ve used eShores and I now can’t wait for the holiday (in September). I’d highly recommend Kadie and will definitely use eShores again and for bigger trips too.
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Steven
Friendly staff, great service. Sorted it all out for us, Chris was really helpful. Hopefully when we go in May we'll have no worries. Definitely use again
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Alison
This is the first time I have used this company and I am so pleased I found them. I couldn’t find any multi centre trips to Andalucia until I came across this company. It’s exactly what I wanted. From my first contact with them until I booked the trip I couldn’t fault them. Kelly was very efficient, friendly and helpful. Nothing was too much trouble. I would certainly recommend this company.
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Kadi
This is our 2nd time booking with Gavin. He organised our 1st teip to Thailand and now it is time to go to Vietnam. It is so easy and straightforward with him. He knows his stuff, recommends great places to go/see and is always after a great price for his clients. We will continue to book with eShores for custom made holidays.
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Arunkumar
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Carol
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