Best Things To Do In Cuba

Uncover the best things to do in Cuba — from Havana’s vintage charm and Viñales’ tobacco fields to hidden beaches and rhythmic nights that capture the island’s irresistible spirit.

Top Bucket List Experiences, Must-Do Things & Unmissable Attractions.

Explore Havana’s Old Town (Habana Vieja) Cuba’s soul beats in Havana’s cobblestoned streets, where classic cars glide past pastel façades and live salsa spills from open windows. UNESCO-listed Habana Vieja brims with restored colonial plazas, smoky cigar shops, and street artists capturing scenes of daily life that feel frozen in time.

  • Insider Tip: Visit early morning before tour buses arrive.
    Timing / Best Time: December to April for dry, sunny weather.

Ride in a Classic Convertible Along the Malecón Nothing defines Havana more than cruising its seafront boulevard in a 1950s Chevy or Cadillac, sea breeze whipping through your hair as salsa drifts from passing cafés. The city unfolds like a living postcard, blending nostalgia with cinematic flair.

  • Best Way: Hire a driver for an hour-long loop at sunset.
    Good to Know: Negotiate prices beforehand — expect around 30–40 USD per ride.

Discover Viñales Valley’s Tobacco Fields Rolling limestone mogotes and emerald tobacco farms create one of Cuba’s most idyllic landscapes. Local farmers demonstrate hand-rolling cigars using centuries-old techniques while horses clip-clop between red-soil trails. It’s authentic rural Cuba at its most peaceful.

  • Insider Tip: Stay overnight in a casa particular for sunrise mist views.
    Timing / Best Time: November to March, during the tobacco harvest.

Relax on Varadero Beach A ribbon of powder-white sand stretches for 20 kilometres along crystalline Caribbean waters. Varadero combines barefoot serenity with polished resorts, scuba diving, and gentle breezes perfect for sailing. Even in its popularity, it remains paradise made simple.

  • Best Way: Choose a beachfront stay with private access.
    Good to Know: Weekdays are quieter than weekends.

Tour Trinidad’s Colonial Centre Time stands still in Trinidad, where pastel mansions, cobbled alleys, and church towers recall 18th-century splendour. Musicians play son cubano on shaded plazas as locals dance barefoot into the night. This town captures the living rhythm of old Cuba.

  • Insider Tip: Climb the bell tower at Palacio Cantero for panoramic photos.
    Timing / Best Time: Late afternoon for golden light and lively atmosphere.

Hike to El Nicho Waterfalls (Sierra del Escambray) Hidden in lush jungle, cascading turquoise pools tumble over mossy rocks — a cooling retreat from the tropical heat. The scenic drive from Cienfuegos alone is worth the trip, winding through misty valleys.

  • Best Way: Take a guided jeep tour from Cienfuegos for easiest access.
    Good to Know: Bring swimwear and insect repellent; trails can be slippery.

Walk the Streets of Santiago de Cuba The island’s eastern heartbeat mixes Afro-Cuban heritage, revolutionary history, and infectious energy. From the iconic Moncada Barracks to rum-soaked Casa de la Trova, Santiago brims with stories and song.

  • Insider Tip: Don’t miss the July Carnival — Cuba’s oldest and liveliest.
    Timing / Best Time: Visit December to July for cultural events and warm evenings.

Unique Experiences

Learn to Dance Salsa in Havana Feel the island’s rhythm come alive as local instructors guide you through steps of salsa, son, and rumba. Classes range from private lessons to spontaneous dance nights where locals become teachers.

  • How to Do It: Book group classes in Havana Vieja or join evening socials at Casa de la Música.

Stay in a Casa Particular Experience authentic Cuban hospitality by lodging in privately owned guesthouses. Home-cooked meals, family stories, and insider advice turn a stay into a cultural exchange.

  • Good to Know: Book directly or through reputable local platforms; cash is preferred.

Roll Your Own Cigar in Viñales Join a local farmer to learn the craftsmanship behind Cuba’s most famous export. The scent of fresh tobacco leaves lingers as you twist, roll, and light your creation under expert eyes.

  • Timing: Best experienced during harvest season, November–March.

Ride a Steam Train Through Sugar Plantations (Trinidad) Board a vintage locomotive past rust-red sugar mills and waving palm trees — a nostalgic journey into Cuba’s colonial past.

  • How to Do It: Depart from Trinidad’s Valle de los Ingenios station; purchase tickets on-site.

Cook Traditional Cuban Cuisine with Locals From ropa vieja to flan de coco, Cuban kitchens reveal the island’s Spanish, African, and Caribbean roots. Learn family recipes and share rum toasts while stories flow.

  • Good to Know: Look for experiences via Airbnb Experiences or local tourism offices.

Hidden Gems / Off-The-Beaten Path

Baracoa – Cuba’s First Town Fringed by rainforest and chocolate plantations, Baracoa feels remote and mystical. Founded in 1511, it offers wild rivers, coastal hikes, and dishes like fish in coconut milk unknown elsewhere in Cuba.

  • Getting There: Domestic flight or long drive from Santiago de Cuba.
    Timing: December to May for dry trails and calmer seas.

Cayo Jutías (Pinar del Río) Unspoiled sands, starfish shallows, and rustic beach huts define this quiet cay far from resort crowds. Perfect for those craving seclusion and fresh lobster lunches.

  • Good to Know: Facilities are minimal — bring essentials.
    Timing: Early morning for soft light and fewer visitors.

Topes de Collantes National Park Verdant canyons, hidden caves, and waterfalls lure trekkers above Trinidad’s hills. The mountain air carries scent of coffee and orchids, rewarding every climb with panoramic views.

  • Getting There: Jeep or organized hiking tour from Trinidad.
    Good to Know: Carry water; humidity is high year-round.

Remedios Town (Villa Clara) A sleepy gem with colonial charm and festive spirit. Its Christmas “Parrandas” fireworks festival transforms the streets into a dazzling carnival of lights.

  • Timing: Visit mid-December for celebrations or year-round for tranquil heritage stays.

Cienfuegos Bay Boat Tour Dubbed the “Pearl of the South,” Cienfuegos offers serene sailing through coral keys and mangrove islets alive with seabirds.

  • Good to Know: Private charters provide flexibility for snorkelling stops.
    Timing: Best from December to April for clear conditions.

Gibara (Holguín Province) Once a pirate harbour, now an artistic enclave with film festivals and ocean-view terraces. Its faded facades and creative energy make it Cuba’s quiet cultural frontier.

  • Getting There: Two hours from Holguín by car.
    Timing: Visit during the Gibara Film Festival in July for local buzz.

Unusual / Quirky Experiences

Revolution Museum in Havana Housed in Batista’s former palace, this museum’s bullet-holes and propaganda posters capture Cuba’s turbulent history in raw form.

  • Why Go: Essential for understanding the country’s revolutionary identity.
    Good to Know: Exhibits are in Spanish; guides or apps help interpret context.

Fusterlandia Art District An explosion of mosaics, sculptures, and colour created by artist José Fuster transforms a Havana neighbourhood into a living artwork.

  • Why Go: A surreal open-air gallery celebrating Cuban creativity.
    Good to Know: Free entry — donations support community upkeep.

Hemingway’s House – Finca Vigía Step into Ernest Hemingway’s preserved villa, where his typewriter and trophies remain untouched. It’s a rare glimpse into the author’s Cuban years.

  • Good to Know: Located in San Francisco de Paula, 20 min from Havana; bring cash for entry.

Callejón de Hamel – Afro-Cuban Alley Murals, drumming, and rum cocktails fill this Havana street-museum every Sunday. Santería spirituality meets street art in a riot of colour and rhythm.

  • Why Go: To witness Cuba’s African cultural heartbeat up close.

Suggested Activities By Region / City

Havana

  • Tour classic car garages and photo spots. Insider
    Tip: Early mornings have best light for photos.

  • Visit El Capitolio and Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.
    Best Way: Combine on a guided walking tour.

  • Enjoy live music at Buena Vista Social Club.
    Good to Know: Book seats in advance; shows sell out fast.

Trinidad

  • Explore Plaza Mayor and colonial museums.
    Insider Tip: Go late afternoon for soft light.

  • Cycle to Playa Ancón for golden-hour swims.
    Best Way: Rent bikes locally; easy 25-minute ride.

  • Visit Casa de la Música for nightly salsa.
    Good to Know: Small entry fee supports performers.

Viñales

  • Horse-ride through tobacco fields and caves.
    Insider Tip: Bring cash for farm tips.

  • Hike to Los Acuáticos village for sunrise views.
    Best Way: Hire local guides familiar with terrain.

  • Visit Cueva del Indio boat cave.
    Good to Know: Combine with nearby mural of prehistory stop.

Adventure & Outdoor Activities

Do’s / Recommended Activities: 

  • Scuba dive at Jardines de la Reina marine park.
    Tip: Advanced divers only; trips book months ahead.

  • Cycle through Viñales Valley trails.
    Good to Know: Bring refillable water bottles — limited shops.

  • Hike El Yunque near Baracoa.
    Tip: Go early to avoid tropical afternoon showers.

  • Kayak Cienfuegos Bay’s mangroves.
    Good to Know: Calm mornings are best for spotting wildlife.

Cultural & Food Experiences

Do’s / Recommended Experiences: 

  • Attend a live salsa concert in Santiago de Cuba.
    Tip: Arrive before 10 pm to get the best tables.

  • Visit a rum distillery and sample Havana Club’s heritage blends.
    Good to Know: Guided tastings include mini-museum tours.

  • Take a Cuban art workshop in Havana’s Almacenes San José craft market.
    Tip: Ideal for travellers wanting creative souvenirs.

  • Join locals for a domino game at a park café.
    Good to Know: Friendly wagers are tradition — small coins only.