CubaPLUS Magazine

We recently explored cultural tourism as one of the most widespread travel trends globally. Today, we continue this discussion, focusing in the coming days on cultural travel in Cuba—an island boasting a wealth of fascinating sites that heritage and art enthusiasts should not miss.

Nestled within the Sierra Maestra mountain range in the eastern province of Granma, Turquino National Park is one of Cuba’s premier natural treasures. It is renowned for its breathtaking biodiversity, rugged mountain landscapes, and rich cultural history. Most notably, the park is named after Pico Turquino—the highest point on the island, standing at an elevation of 1,974 meters above sea level—making it a highly sought-after destination for mountaineers and nature lovers alike.

Cultural tourism has firmly established itself as a mainstream vacation trend worldwide, according to recent travel industry analyses and market reports. This segment has become a primary driving force behind the global travel industry in 2026, moving beyond superficial "postcard tourism" to embrace authentic immersion and sustainable growth. The global tourism landscape is undergoing a profound transformation this year, with cultural tourism emerging as its most dynamic sector. What once consisted of standard visits to museums and monuments is evolving into a quest for experiences that connect travelers with living heritage and local communities.

Cuba has established its first agritourism network, initially comprising 18 farms in the western province of Pinar del Río. These properties primarily focus on tobacco cultivation, livestock farming, and diversified crop production.

Canadian travelers can still visit Cuba through a variety of alternative transit routes, despite the temporary suspension of direct flights from Canada—which has stood as Cuba's leading tourism source market for nearly three decades. This situation, stemming from fuel supply challenges on the island due to the tightening of the U.S. embargo, led to the suspension of services by Canadian carriers such as Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Transat, which previously operated multiple weekly flights connecting major Canadian cities with the island.

Located approximately 100 kilometers from the capital of Cuba's eastern Holguín province, Pinares de Mayarí is widely regarded as one of the country's natural treasures. This mountainous region, characterized by dense pine forests and a temperate climate, serves as an inviting retreat for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and travelers looking to escape the scorching summer heat.

Cuba today confirmed a delegation of 506 athletes for the upcoming Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games.

Under the auspices of Spain, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Latin American and Caribbean nations strengthened their ties during a high-level meeting in Madrid.

Travelers choosing Cuba for their vacations can visit the island seamlessly, with a wide range of accommodation options available across various destinations.

The University of Havana (UH) has inaugurated its 2026 International Summer School, welcoming approximately 230 participants, the Cuban Ministry of Higher Education reported on Tuesday.

Sonia Pérez, President of the National Cultural Heritage Council, today highlighted the significance of safeguarding and conserving both tangible and natural heritage as an "expression of a revolutionary culture that reflects upon, protects, and shares itself."

Summary: We continue our two-week journey through the natural wonders of Cuba, often dubbed the "Pearl of the Caribbean" for its myriad beautiful landscapes. Today, we introduce you to Desembarco del Granma National Park. Desembarco del Granma National Park is, without a doubt, one of Cuba's premier natural treasures. Located in Granma province on the island’s southeastern coast, it spans approximately 21,000 hectares.

Nestled in the Escambray mountain range in the municipality of Trinidad (Sancti Spíritus province), Topes de Collantes is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, mountainous landscapes, lush vegetation, and crisp climate—making it an idyllic destination for ecotourism and hiking. Situated at approximately 800 meters above sea level, the area lies within a nature reserve that harbors a vast array of flora and fauna characterized by a high rate of endemism.

Among Cuba's recently announced economic measures, the expanded opening to foreign investment and the liberalization of foreign trade stand out as the most significant reforms in decades. The National Assembly (Parliament) has approved a package of measures that, for the first time, allows foreign capital participation in private companies and cooperatives, authorizes direct foreign trade without state intermediaries, and expands the partial dollarization of the economy.

A Business Forum, serving as an alternative to the traditional ExpoCaribe exhibition and adapted to current economic conditions, commenced this Thursday in Santiago de Cuba. The event aims to preserve key spaces for business dialogue and identify growth opportunities for the eastern region of the country. The Teatro Heredia Cultural Center, transformed into an exhibition and negotiation hub, once again hosts the event, which features representatives from the diverse business models currently operating within the Cuban economic landscape.

If there is one destination where natural beauty truly flourishes, it is Cuba. Often called the "Pearl of the Caribbean," the island boasts countless lush landscapes, many of which are designated as Biosphere Reserves, protected areas, or Ramsar sites.

According to Gihana Galindo, Director of the Cuba Tourist Board in Toronto, the recently announced economic measures soon to take effect in the country will revitalize this vital sector of the national economy. “We are thrilled to be part of this extraordinary chapter,” Galindo said, adding, “These reforms mark a milestone that will allow our sector to become more sustainable, autonomous, and resilient.”

The El Morro Lighthouse in Havana is one of Cuba's most iconic symbols, gracing countless travel catalogs and remaining a must-capture subject for travelers. Perched atop the rocky crag that guards the entrance to the bay, the lighthouse of the Castle of the Three Kings of El Morro (Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro) has guided mariners for nearly de two centuries.

Through a series of new economic measures, Cuba is seeking to reshape its financial landscape, addressing current hardships while looking toward the future. This is the consensus among both local and international analysts closely monitoring the island's recent approval of a sweeping package of economic reforms that opens the door to the private sector and foreign capital. During an extraordinary session, the National Assembly of People’s Power (Cuba’s parliament) unanimously passed a comprehensive program of 176 economic reforms, representing the most significant shift in the island's economic model to date. This unprecedented overhaul of Cuba's socialist framework comes amid a profound structural crisis and intense pressure from the U.S. administration.

Also known as the "Rainbow of Cuba" due to a unique optical phenomenon that occurs daily at its main waterfall, Soroa is a dream destination for nature lovers and ranks among Cuba’s most alluring vacation spots. Nestled within the Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve, the village of Soroa is said to owe its name either to a Basque immigrant family that once settled in the area, or to the word soroche—a term referring to altitude-induced fatigue.