Cuba holidays

Havana’s timeless charm will win you over. Cruising in a vintage American taxi to a plaza surrounded by colourful architecture for a rum cocktail at sunset is just the start.

Bask on white-sand beaches, dive among storied shipwrecks and feast on impossibly fresh seafood. It’s all at your fingertips in Varadero, Cuba’s hottest beach getaway.

You can’t ignore the bright colours of Santiago de Cuba. With vibrant old cars, pastel-hued buildings and lively summer fiestas, Cuba’s second city encompasses the whole rainbow.

Havana’s buildings are a blend of colours, textures and architectural styles that beg to be photographed. Don’t miss the colourful facades that line El Malecón, the 18th-century Baroque cathedral. Or the outline of Che Guevara’s face on the Ministry of the Interior building. Feeling déjà vu? Havana’s Capitol building is a near replica of the US Capitol in Washington, DC.

For years, many budget-conscious visitors to Cuba didn’t stay in hotels. Instead, they rented rooms in private homes called ‘casas particulares’. Staying in one of these guesthouses is an essential Cuban experience and a great way to get to know locals. The rooms are usually simple, and the breakfasts consist of fresh tropical fruits, eggs, bread and juice.

If you’re into literature, visiting Ernest Hemingway’s favourite haunts is one of the top things to do in Cuba. You can see Finca Vigía, the estate where the author wrote some of his most famous novels. Or order a daiquiri at El Floridita in Old Havana, which has a life-sized bronze statue of Hemingway leaning on the end of the bar.

The beaches in Cuba are among the most beautiful in the Caribbean. Close to Havana, the Playas del Este boast powdery white sands and crystal-clear waters. For fantastic snorkelling and scuba diving, head for the coral reefs of Guardalavaca on the northern coast. If you’re visiting Trinidad, nearby Playa Ancón makes a great day trip. Family-friendly Varadero is a popular stop too.

Hike or bike through Viñales Valley, where tobacco fields stretch between towering limestone cliffs, one of which is painted with a huge mural. See flamingos and bats among the mangroves at Caguanes National Park. Or bring your birding binoculars and scuba gear to the Ciénaga de Zapata National Park, which teems with wildlife above and below the water.

Many of the best restaurants in Cuba are small, family-run spots called ‘paladares’. You can find paladares serving simple, traditional fare like plantains, ‘ropa vieja’ (shredded meat) and beans and rice. You could also splash out at more upscale spots where chefs turn out innovative dishes like lobster ceviche, duck confit and grilled octopus.

With works by Goya, Picasso and Cuba’s own Wilfredo Lam, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Havana is among the best museums in Cuba. Fans of Gaudí should check out the outdoor mosaic museum Fusterlandia. In Santiago de Cuba, the Moncada Museum tells the dramatic story of Castro’s revolution. Havana’s Nacional Hotel often hosts a variety of live music and dance performances.

Rainy weather drenches the Caribbean in the summer and autumn. The best time to visit Cuba is during its dry season, from November to May. Attend a game during baseball season, which runs from late March to early July — Cuba produces some of the best talent in the sport. Visit in January for a chance to catch the Havana International Jazz Festival.

With a little planning, it’s not hard to have a cheap holiday in Cuba. A short cab ride costs about 60 Cuban pesos ($), and you can find a cheap meal for under $200. A local beer can be had for less than $60.