CubaPLUS Magazine

Cuba boasts spectacular landscapes that anyone can enjoy, primarily distributed across 14 National Parks, six Biosphere Reserves, six Ramsar Sites, two World Heritage Sites, and 28 Important Bird Areas, in addition to its beautiful beaches.

Pinar del Río, the westernmost province of the Caribbean nation, is an ideal and magical place for nature walks and to explore the area where its tobacco leaves produce the best cigars in the world.

In the province of Matanzas, the Zapata Swamp —a wetland covering 300,000 hectares and covered by forests (56%)— is home to around 900 species of flora, while Cayo Largo del Sur attracts visitors with its beaches and secluded spots, making it perfect for tourism and environmental protection, underwater photography, and lively vacations.

The central region of the country includes the Guamuhaya mountain range, whose peaks exceed 1,000 meters in height.

This massif stretches about 80 kilometers and is divided in two by the Agabama River.

Visitors can also enjoy places linked to Cuban culture, such as Havana and Trinidad, the latter being considered the city with the best-preserved colonial architecture in the country.

The village of San Cristóbal de La Habana, founded in 1519 under a lush tree known as ceiba, became a cosmopolitan city welcoming travelers from all over the world interested in its history. Today, the city is a major attraction due to its restored historical sites.

Other notable locations include the keys of Jardines del Rey, home to Cayo Coco, a draw for international tourists, and Jardines de la Reina, an ideal spot for diving.

The latter site, named by the Genoese Christopher Columbus in honor of the Queen of Spain, is located in southeastern Cuba, south of the provinces of Ciego de Ávila and Camagüey.

Other points of interest include Pico Turquino, Cuba’s highest peak at 1,974 meters above sea level, located in the heart of the Sierra Maestra; and Baracoa, the first village founded by the Spanish on the island, a coastal city surrounded by rugged shores, trees, mountains, and rivers.

Varadero is another important site to mention, as it is Cuba’s main tourist center. This location, about 140 kilometers east of Havana, is known for its crystal-clear waters and fine sand.

A variety of options for an active and enriching rest amidst a range of landscapes—each wonderful—according to the numerous visitors who come back time and again to this Caribbean nation.