Cuba holidays

Holiday highlights

Cuba beaches

The popular resort of Varadero, which is idyllically situated on a twelve mile stretch of sugar fine sands, is home to the quintessential Cuba all inclusive holiday. Along the coast of the Hicacos Peninsula family friendly resorts with myriad facilities, such as the Paradisus Varadero Resort & Spa, sit side-by-side with adult-only retreats, perfect for those romantic interludes of sheer indulgence.

A natural paradise rich in flora and fauna, The Cayos are many islands and keys strung along Cuba’s northern coast, also known as the Jardines del Rey or the ‘Gardens of the King’. Perfect fine white sandy beaches and clear aquamarine seas with large coral reefs and abundant marine life make these islands ideal for relaxation. Cuba’s native Caribbean flamingos live in the shallow waters that surround Cayo Coco adding an extra splash of colour to those cerulean seas and talcum-white beaches.

Guardalavaca strangely translates as ‘guard the cow’, a name possibly deriving from an era when cut-throat pirates often raided the area; these days the resort is much more laid-back yet retaining an authentic Cuban charm that many other resorts lack. Just a short drive from the town, which is backed by rolling hills covered by fields of sugar cane, is Playa Esmeralda, an idyllic bay boasting powdery soft sands and azure water tucked away between the Bahia de Naranjo National Park and home to Paradisus Rio de Oro Resort & Spa.

Cultural Cuba

Havana, Cuba's capital city, is simply bursting with character and charm and it possesses a unique allure that fascinates and delights visitors from around the world. Set along a dramatic coastline with a beautiful natural harbour flanked by ports, this designated UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts stunning colonial architecture, vibrant culture, beautiful theatres and an incredible music scene. The classic American cars that dot the streets and the eclectic mix of architecture ranging from colonial to classical to modernist are a throwback to the grandeur and glamour of Havana in the 1950s.

One would be hard-pushed to find a finer example of an authentic Spanish colonial city than Trinidad, a UNESCO listed city which prospered on the back of the sugar industry that dominated the surrounding Valley de Los Ingenios. Today this charming city is a living museum documenting the region’s history and culture through beautifully restored 18th and 19th Century architecture and a relaxed ambience that is unmistakable Cuban.

Kuoni's excellent Cuba tours explore those less-frequented and often more traditional corners of Cuba which may be overlooked on the familiar ‘Havana and beach’ break. Discover the natural beauty and cocoa plantations of Baracoa at the island’s far eastern tip; feel the distinctive Cuban rhythms in the once revolutionary city of Santiago de Cuba; witness the beauty of the French colonial city Cienfuegos or learn about the island’s historic sugar industry in small city of Remedios.