Fun and Vacations

Cuba Travel Guide

There are very few countries in the world as richly and immediately evocative as Cuba. Just the mention of its name seems to conjure images of faded Spanish-Colonial buildings, 1950s-era American cars parked on sun-soaked street corners, and salsa dancing to the libidinous beat of Afro-Cuban rhythms.
Broadly speaking, Cuba attracts two kinds of tourists. First are those attracted by the fascinating recent history of the country, which despite having withstood over 60 years of communist rule, US embargoes, and the sudden withdrawal of Soviet Union-sponsored subsidies in 1991, has not lost any of its national character. Others choose to holiday in Cuba for its magnificent white-sand beaches, staked with lush palm trees and framed by some of the best diving and snorkelling sites in the world.

There is much to see and do in Cuba, encompassing historical attractions (such as the Museum of the Revolution and the Bay of Pigs Museum), wonderfully charming small towns, beautiful natural surrounds (the Vinales Valley), world-class beaches (the Playas del Este), and - of course - more hedonistic pursuits, such as cigar factory tours, salsa dancing, and more bars and nightclubs than even Hemingway could've been thrown out of at closing time.
While it must be mentioned that Cuba suffers from a lack of infrastructure - and might not provide the most 'comfortable' travel experience - those willing to just 'go with the flow' will be richly rewarded.

Best time to visit Cuba

The best time to visit Cuba is between December and May, when days are warm, dry and sunny. Between June and November, Cuba can be very hot, humid and wet - although on the plus side, as this is low tourist season, accommodation will be cheaper and tourist attractions will be less crowded. Read more on Cuba's Climate and Weather.

What to see in Cuba

-The Museo de la Revolucion in Havana provides a fascinating introduction to Cuba's colourful recent history.
-Sancti Spiritus is a beautiful colonial city, largely untouched by mass tourism.
-Even non-smokers should take a tour of one of Cuba's famous cigar factories (Partagas is always a favourite).
-Afro-Cuban dance and musical performances are an integral part of Havana nightlife. Read more about Cuba Attractions.

What to do in Cuba

-Join the sunset crowds for a walk along El Malecon, a 5-mile (8km) in Havana.
-Spend the day between relaxing on the soft white sand and cooling off in the azure waters in Cayo Largo Del Sur.
-Take some iconic photographs of 'Yank Tanks' (50's-era American cars) parked in front of faded pastel-coloured buildings in Old Havana (Habana Vieja).
-Visit the extensive subterranean world of Gran Caverna de Santo Tomás.

What to pack

Take lightweight clothing, a raincoat, a swimsuit, comfortable shoes as well as sandals, plenty of sunscreen and good insect repellent.

What's on in Cuba

The Havana Carnival (July and August) is a street-party like no other, with costumes, fireworks, dancing and musical performances carrying on long into the night. The Havana Jazz Festival (December) is attended by thousands of jazz fans from all over the world. The International Festival of New Latin American Cinema (December) screens the best new independent cinema from Caribbean and Latin American film-makers. More information on Events in Cuba.

Did you know?

-Cubans have a higher life expectancy than Americans.
-Cuba has the highest doctor-to-citizen ratio of any country in the world.
-When Christopher Columbus reached Cuba in 1492, he thought he was disembarking on Chinese shores.
-Cuba is home to nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

A final word on Cuba

Leave your preconceptions at home and head to Cuba for a sun- and fun-filled holiday the likes of which you'll never forget.

Visit Venezuela...

Venezuela means 'Little Venice' in Spanish, the name given to this northerly country in South America by the early explorers when they found the natives living on the Sinamaica lagoon, in houses built on stilts, close to the present day oil-rich city of Maracaibo.
The people have a reputation for being welcoming and friendly, although there is a problem with street crime in the larger cities, Caracas in particular. Venezuela has an abundance of natural resources, including one of the biggest oil reserves in the world. The resulting revenues have helped build good infrastructure and encouraged the country's leadership to forge an independent path in international relations, but in many ways Venezuela is still a poor country, wrestling with a number of issues.
Nature has also blessed this country with diverse landscapes, from miles of beautiful Caribbean beaches to open plains, towering mountains, tracts of Amazon rainforest and even a small desert. In the southeast, in Bolivar State, the Gran Sabana National Park contains the spectacular Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall.
Venezuela's cities are similarly scenic, particularly the capital, Caracas, which sprawls in a long, thin valley flanked by the majestic Avila Mountain. Caracas is lively, green and clean, with a rich cultural life, vibrant nightlife, great restaurants and marvellous modern shopping malls. A favourite excursion in Caracas is to ride the cable car to the summit of the Avila. The popular city of Merida, in the Andes, also has its cable car, and this one takes tourists on a one-hour journey to the highest point in Venezuela, the Pico Bolivar, which reaches more than 16,404ft (5,000m).
Venezuela has a little bit of everything that Latin America has to offer, with the addition of thousands of miles of Caribbean coastline, and the constantly pleasant temperature that makes it good year-round destination. It is not a well-established tourist destination, but for some intrepid travellers this is part of the appeal of Venezuela.
Venezuela Attractions
Although Venezuela's potential as a tourist destination remains largely untapped, the country is home to some glorious natural attractions and a few cultural gems.
Top natural attractions in Venezuela include the spectacular Angel Falls, the highest waterfalls in the world, which can be found deep within the jungle of the beautiful Canaima National Park. On the other extreme, balancing out the wet greenery of the rainforest, are the unexpected stretches of golden sand dunes found in the Los Medanos de Coro National Park. Many travellers also choose to explore the lovely coastline and Margarita Island (Isla Margarita) is a particular favourite, with doaens of pristine beaches and a vibrant nightlife.
Most travellers start their journey in the capital, Caracas, and this old city boasts some tourist attractions, but sadly the urban areas of Venezuela have been hit hard by poverty and have become increasingly dangerous for tourists. This is not to say that the city has nothing to offer, but those sightseeing in Caracas are advised to take precautions against crime. One of the best things to do in Caracas is take a trip on the cable car up the mountain, which earns travellers wonderful views of the city. Caracas also still boasts a fun and feisty nightlife.