Cuba Havana or Varadero which is better. Open the left varadero menu. Holguin Province Resorts

10.12.202127.05.2017

Surprise, delight, nostalgia. Cuba will take you with a hurricane of impressions and will not let you go until the last day of your vacation. And having already buckled on the plane, you seem to wake up and realize that you left here a piece of your real self, that you were happy here. It's like having a magical dream and then waking up in tears. And it's not even about luxurious beaches, virgin nature, revolutionary romance, masterpieces of colonial architecture and never discouraged Cubans. Cuba is a different, unusual and unusual world. Cuba is "a holiday that is always with you." So the great Hemingway said about Paris ... or is it about Cuba, where he lived happily ever after and wrote his best works? The best resorts in Cuba and the most interesting places are in our review.

How to get there?

By plane. This year regular carriers operate direct flights from Moscow to Havana, charter flights fly directly to Varadero. The flight time is about 12 hours. If you use the flights of European airlines, then in addition to Havana and Varadero, you can also get to Santiago de Cuba and Holguin. And to take the opportunity to make a transfer in Europe - for some it makes it easier for a long flight.

Which resort to choose?

There are more than a dozen resorts in Cuba. An important point - since you still need to fly local airlines to any of them (except Varadero), it is better to plan the first and last night in Havana. Why - read on.

Varadero

The undisputed leader in the rating of tourist preferences of Russians. The local airport is only 40 km away, or can be reached from Havana in 2 hours by car. Varadero is somewhat reminiscent of Cancun, a narrow sand spit 25 km long cut into the Atlantic Ocean. Hotels of international hotel chains are located along the entire length, there is a large by local standards congress center with a supermarket for tourists, about a dozen worthy nightclubs, bars and discos, a marina with yachts and catamarans, a dolphinarium. The local population is represented only by hotel staff, taxi drivers and other service people. The entire resort is one large tourist area closed from ordinary Cubans. Most of the on-site entertainment, like food and drinks, is already included in the price of your stay. Each hotel offers excursions to various interesting places, you can order fishing or diving. The only inconvenience is the long distances between hotels, shopping and entertainment points. You have to travel by taxi. In the evening, you can go to a theatrical performance or show at your hotel, or go for an adventure on the side at one of the local clubs. Many tourists prefer not to sit still and rent transport. The best rent-a-car services (multiple personal experiences) are offered by the local REX office. Average European prices.

Cayo coco

A few years ago, the Cuban tourism authorities staked on the development of this region. Today, there is a modern airport (it takes about an hour to fly from Havana) and excellent roads. But they build everything very carefully, the island has the status of a state biosphere reserve with a huge number of rare birds. The colony of pink flamingos alone numbers more than 40 thousand individuals, which stop in these parts to rest during seasonal migrations. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to see the sky pink with birds. And if not, flamingos, like our cats, easily walk by themselves on the hotel lawns. Cayo Coco is comfortable to rest with children. Milky sandy beaches are wide and long, the entrance to the water is shallow everywhere. Even in the coldest winter (very rarely, no more than once every 10 years), the temperature of the sea water does not drop below 23 ° C, and the temperature of the air does not fall below 25 ° C. Usually it is a comfortable 26-28 ° C air and water. All club hotels, as we like, work for "All inclusive", "fours" and "fives" are very decent. The island is connected to the mainland (La Isla Grande, as the Cubans call their homeland) by a 17 km long bulk dam. Therefore, it is very easy to go on an excursion to interesting places in Cuba.

Cayo Guillermo

This heavenly place is, in fact, an extension of Cayo Coco. Another 20 minutes along the dam, and you are there. We can say that this is Cayo Coco in miniature. There are even fewer hotels and tourists, and the sand on the beach is half a tone whiter. And a very unusual color of the sea. All shades of blue and green colors touch in layers, but do not mix and shine in the sun. The local atmosphere of bliss and peace is guaranteed to relax even the most tired traveler. It is here that the great Hemingway wrote most of the novel "Islands in the Ocean", inspired by the local beauty. And very close, literally 5 km away, begins a huge reef, a diver's dream, which stretches almost to Nassau, the coast of the Hawaiian Islands. By the way, the sand on the beach does not burn bare feet at all, even at noon. The color is so white that the sun's rays are reflected from it almost completely.

Cayo santa maria

For about 20 years, Canadian engineers designed and Cuban workers built an almost 50-kilometer dam that connected land with the islands of Cayo Santa Maria and Cayo Ensenachos. There is also a small local airport Las Brujas. The flight from Havana will take an hour and minutes on a small local ATR-42. The hotel base on the islands is small, but very decent, only 4 * and 5 *. Naturally, everything is on All inclusive. The territory of the hotels is huge, the buildings are not taller than a palm tree, and the length of the beach in some reaches 10 km. A great place for romantic couples and families with children. Rest is intimate and calm. Of course, more expensive (not much) than on Varadero, because everything is imported. The only inconvenience is that mosquitoes appear in the evening hours at sunset.

By the way, this is typical of most of the islands, because there are many mangroves around. Cubans are very sensitive to their ecology and rarely use aerofumigation. Therefore, repellents can be requested for free at the reception and without having to touch the mosquito nets in the rooms. The nature here is so close to humans that in a few days you will no longer be surprised at the huge colored shells thrown by the morning wave onto the beach. And if you go on a spree until nightfall (the rhythms of salsa at a hotel disco with "mojito", "daiquiri", "cuba libru" or "pina colada" make you forget the time darkness dozens of eyes of palm crabs in the thickets of blooming bougainvillea by your bungalow. How to dilute beach boredom? Go on an excursion to Santa Clara. You need to return along the dam to the shore and about half an hour will go to the road to one of the main revolutionary sights of Cuba. This is a memorial to Che Guevara and a museum of his life and struggle. You will definitely not regret it!

Cayo Largo

Knowledgeable tourists choose a vacation on this island in the Caribbean Sea for its excellent beaches, tranquility and amazing diving. There are few hotels, mostly 4 *. Here you can have a good and inexpensive vacation for two or just fly (1 hour 15 minutes) from Varadero or Havana for a one-day excursion. An important tip is that sunscreen should be applied in a thick layer (especially in the first days of vacation), not after swimming, but before entering the sea. Here the sand is so white, and the water is so clean and transparent that the sun's rays in the water practically do not refract, but are completely reflected from the white bottom. The effect of tanning under water is created. Do not burn!

Holguin Province Resorts

Cubans believe that somewhere in these places in 1792 Christopher Columbus set foot on the coast of Cuba and was delighted with the whiteness of the sand and the crystal clear sea waters. Holguín Province is the most economically developed region of Cuba and the birthplace of Fidel. The flight from Havana takes 2 hours 20 minutes. The country's elite resorts are located on the beaches of Esmeralda, Pesquero and Guardelavaca. And the best resort hotel in Cuba, Paradisus Rio de Oro, traditionally accommodates top officials of the state and wealthy tourists from France and Italy in their villas. Here is a real freedom for lovers of water sports and diving. And from here it is also convenient to go on an excursion to Santiago de Cuba, the unofficial "Caribbean" capital of the country. Reckless and fun, the city is definitely worth at least a short visit. Stop by the Museum on July 26, located in the left wing of the former Moncada barracks, the Piracy Museum, and in the evening, be sure to watch a colorful costume show at the local branch of the Havana Tropicana.

Havana

To be in Cuba and not to be in Havana is an unforgivable omission. Moreover, a standard 3-hour guided tour will only whet your curiosity. But a day or two - the most it. This is an amazing city, it does not at all look like the world capitals familiar to tourists. We will tell you about it and which seaside resorts of the country were at one time undeservedly deprived of the attention of Russian tour operators in our next review. If by that time you don't give up everything and come here inspired by this article.

Be realistic - demand the impossible
Ernesto Che Guevara

What associations did Cuba evoke in me before the trip? Like many people - rum, cigars, Che Guevara, revolution. I dreamed of going there a long time ago, but there was no suitable opportunity. The impetus for my trip was a big event on the personal front - a divorce. When I asked myself the question where I would like to go in order to get excited and find strength, the answer came instantly and automatically - of course, Cuba. After all, Cuba is an "island of freedom", and it was there that I was going to find it again.

The plane to Havana flies for a long time - about 13 hours. All this time, in breaks from sleep, I read the city guide and felt my anticipation growing. I had to stay in Havana for two days, after which I planned to move for a week to Varadero - the land of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

On the first day, I decided to take a walk in Havana without resorting to the help of a guide, that is, I went "wherever they looked." Eyes and intuition led me first to the José Martí National Library (Avenida 20 de Mayo). The library is considered the largest in Cuba, with more than two million books in its collection.

Then, heading to the Malecon embankment, through alleys and back streets, I went out into a street full of graffiti and a cluster of Cuban taxis - "tuk-tuk", where I got into one of them and went for a drive around the city.

Havana is a city of contrasts, and this will probably be confirmed by everyone who has been there. Poor urban areas and the wealth of the fashionable Miramar district, brightly colored cars and dark dirty entrances of houses, historical monuments and mountains of rubbish, dark skin and snow-white smiles. And how the views of the people of Havana are remembered. Meeting their eyes, you feel the very spirit of a freedom-loving independent people who, despite the lack of luxury, have not lost their enthusiasm and thirst for life.

After the taxi driver dropped me off near the Malecon embankment, I went into an inconspicuous local cafe and ordered a Cuba Libre cocktail. The cocktail turned out to be very tasty, because it was prepared from a broad Cuban soul for an equally broad Russian soul.

The day was approaching evening, I went for a walk along the embankment, enjoying the sea air, and every minute more and more convinced that now I am exactly where I should be.

The next day I took a look at the classic Havana sights. The walk began from the Revolution Square, which houses the Jose Marti memorial and the building of the Ministry of Defense with a huge portrait of Che Guevara.

Then I came to the imposing building of the former Cuban Parliament, and now the Congress Center - the Capitol. Near the Capitol, bright American and Soviet vintage cars are lined up, inviting "everyone to take pictures.

And then the streets of Old Havana took me to the Cathedral Square. One of the main decorations of the square is the stunning architecture of the Cathedral (its second name is the Cathedral of St. Christopher).

Ernest Hemingway's favorite hotel is located nearby, from the terrace of which you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Old Town, where you can take spectacular photos.

In the same part of the city there is also a cigar factory, where everyone can watch the process of rolling cigars and, of course, buy them as souvenirs.

In the afternoon, I went to the souvenir market located on the Malecon embankment. Here I bought a bunch of little things in memory of Cuba and again went for a walk along the embankment, sipping a cocktail from fresh coconut along the way.

The rest of the evening can be spent in the famous Havana nightclub Casa de la Musica or in one of the Cuban restaurants, where a tourist from Russia will definitely be welcomed. It was in one of these restaurants that I arranged a farewell evening with Havana, a city that will forever remain in my heart.

The next day, the bus took me to the Icacos Peninsula, which is 140 km from Havana. On this peninsula is the resort town of Varadero, whose beach in 1992 was recognized by UNESCO as one of the cleanest in the world.

For me, this beach also turned out to be the most beautiful beach that I have seen in my life. An absolutely transparent ocean of all shades of blue and green, changing depending on where you look at it, sand creaking under your feet like starch, unforgettable sunrises and sunsets ...

Deciding to diversify my vacation, I bought a circular sightseeing tour around Varadero on a double-decker open bus. You can get on such a bus at any stop and get off at any convenient place. I decided to take a walk in the Hosone Natural Park, where parrots and lizards live, and rare plants grow. The park is simply buried in greenery, on its territory there are many gazebos and several small connecting lakes, along which I took a boat ride. Hosone Park is a great place for those looking to hide in the shade of the sun.

Seventy-five kilometers from Varadero is the city of Matanzas, where I went in order to move away from tourist Cuba and see the life of ordinary Cubans.

Cuba has a huge number of interesting places that, unfortunately, I did not manage to see in 10 days of the trip - this is the unique city of Trinidad, the Viñales Valley, the statue of Christ in Havana. Every traveler will find something different in Cuba.

But whichever of the attractions you choose, you should definitely:

Taste a cocktail made from sugarcane juice and rum;
Take a walk along the Malecon promenade;
Take a ride on a Cuban "tuk-tuk";
Watch the "exhibits from the Automobile Museum" passing by;
Dance salsa with a Cuban / Cuban woman;
Sing the song "about Che Guevara" a thousand and one times.

And if you ask me why Cuba has taken a special place in my soul, then I will answer with conviction that Cuba is a mixture of memories from colorful cars and houses, wide smiles of passers-by, the taste of rum in the evenings and strong Cuban coffee in the morning, the melody of a song Hasta Siempre Comandante Che Guevara. Cuba is exactly the place where you will definitely want to return after learning Spanish and learning to dance salsa. Cuba is an island on which a piece of the soul will forever remain after returning home ...

Helpful hints:

Do not touch the Portuguese boat jellyfish, it is very dangerous;
Take euros with you, not dollars. Due to the tension in political relations between the United States and Cuba, it is very unprofitable to exchange dollars for the local currency;
Bring a Spanish phrasebook with you if you plan to travel further from the tourist spots.

Discussion

My friend lives there, but still there is no time to come. It's really beautiful there.

I would also recommend slippers from sea urchins, my husband managed to step on a hedgehog in Havana. ... Well, if suddenly someone decides to swim there. And the beaches of Varadero are really wonderful and I really want to return)

Comment on the article "Holidays in Cuba - on your own: walks in Havana and Varadero beach"

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Holidays in Cuba - on your own: walks in Havana and Varadero beach. Deciding to diversify my vacation, I bought a circular sightseeing tour around Varadero on a double-decker open bus. You can take such a bus at any stop and get off at ...

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Holidays in Cuba - on your own: walks in Havana and Varadero beach. Holidays in Cuba: attractions of Havana and Varadero beach. If you need a good hotel, I would recommend: Melia Marina Varadero 5 * with a departure of 29.09 for 11 nights 119 thousand rubles.

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07.01.2019

In the life of every tourist there comes a moment when countries, located two or three hours away by air, stop exciting the imagination. I would like to leave them for later, "retire", and break out of the continent, on the other side of the globe - in general, to make a grandiose journey, and not just a trip. And when in the end everything comes down to the price of the issue, in most cases, preference is given to Cuba.

First, Cuba is the most accessible country in the Western Hemisphere. Tour operators have a solid and reliable tourist connection with this island state, since our compatriots do not need any visa to visit Cuba. Secondly, the Cuban climate provides tourists with complete freedom from seasonal constraints when planning a vacation: even in January, the air here warms up to 22 degrees on average. Thirdly, Cuba is undoubtedly a gastronomic and natural exotic, which guarantees vivid impressions and a long memory. Well, how not to mention rum and cigars, the country of origin for which is a quality mark? Finally, a rather large number of local residents who speak Russian will become a pleasant surprise for inexperienced travelers who are poorly oriented in foreign languages: many citizens of this socialist republic once studied in the USSR.

So, it's decided, let's fly to Cuba! It remains only to choose a specific resort. And this turns out to be the most difficult task, because the territory of the Cuban Republic is not limited to the island of the same name, but includes more than one and a half thousand small islands and coral reefs, which means that the choice will be extensive and difficult. Let's figure out together what are the rich and what are the differences between the resorts of Cuba.

We recommend booking cheap flights to Cuba on the websitesAviasales Skyscanner

Varadero is one of the largest resorts not only in Cuba, but also in the entire Caribbean. It is a couple of hours drive east of Havana and sits on the narrow Icacos Peninsula. In general, Varadero is the face of Cuban tourism: photographs of this particular paradise are most often adorned with specialized booklets and advertising brochures. It's hard to resist the image of white sand, peaceful turquoise surface and bowing palms, right? And this is not at all a picture corrected by a professional designer, it is this beauty that meets all travelers who have chosen Varadero as their vacation spot.

By the way, according to UNESCO, the Varadero beach is one of the cleanest in the world, and the coral reef reliably protects it from ocean waves. Summer reigns here all year round - the January minimum almost never goes beyond 25 degrees, and August-September is characterized by the highest water and air temperatures. Another remarkable climatic feature of the peninsula is the abundance of sunny days: thunderclouds, even in a rainy season, do not linger over Varadero for a long time. Already for this, the resort is adored by tourists, who are enough here at any time of the year - numerous coastal hotels never suffer from a lack of guests.

The noisy and crowded Varadero is also the party center of tourist Cuba - with the onset of darkness, vacationers smoothly move to restaurants and disco bars, of which there are plenty and variety. For example, you can visit the restaurant "Al Capone House", located in a building that actually served as the home of the famous mafioso at the beginning of the last century. Varadero's various cabarets are also popular among tourists. So, in the cabaret "Pirates' Cave" (La Cueva del Pirata) is always full of people: the institution is located in a real cave that once sheltered real pirates of the Caribbean. For those who prefer a peaceful unity with nature to a night out, a trip to Varadero can also be highly recommended: diving, fishing, playing golf are great relaxation, and you can also rent a motorcycle or scooter and go explore the surrounding grottoes, caves and dense forests.

If you look around Havana in an instant - a paradise-country, a country that you need! Vladimir Mayakovsky, back in the mid-1920s, admired the capital of Cuba, and almost a hundred years later it continues to delight everyone who comes here on vacation. As the largest city in the Caribbean, Havana is ready to offer a 100% complete and fulfilling vacation for every tourist.

Firstly, Havana has almost fifty kilometers of coastline, half of which are beautiful beaches. Sunbathing, swimming, water sports, diving are guaranteed. Speaking of diving: 12 kilometers from the capital, there is the Bakuranao beach, widely known among snorkelers for the fact that a sunken ship lies at the bottom of the sea, among thickets of coral.

Secondly, there are so many attractions and museums in five-hundred-year-old Havana that you will have to try to get around them all during your vacation. The old city center itself is one continuous attraction and is protected by UNESCO as part of the world heritage: according to experts, in Old Havana alone, about 900 buildings and structures are of historical and cultural value. It is worth visiting the Havana Capitol - outwardly, it is not much different from the Washington one. The most popular and lively street in the city is the Malecon embankment: young people hang out here, fishermen are on duty over their fishing rods, and all carnival processions take place. In the evening, tourists flock to the Malecon to watch the sunset. The city's fortifications (the fortresses of San Carlos de la Cabana and Castillo El Morro), which once held back pirate raids, are also of great interest, since they are among the largest in Latin America. Hemingway House Museum, Rum Museum, Museum of the Fight against Illiteracy - curious guests of Havana will have something to spend their time on. In the outskirts of the resort there is a large botanical garden with a Japanese corner inside, there are also many karst caves in the vicinity, so nature lovers will not be bored either.

We recommend booking excursions in Cuba on the website , and rent a car on sites Avis Hertz Rentalcars

And thirdly - for lovers of a noisy nightlife: Havana, as befits the largest city in the country, offers a huge selection of restaurants, bars, clubs and cabarets.

This is the second Cuban resort after Varadero - both in size and importance. But it should be immediately noted that Holguin is considered a status resort: there are no hotels with a star rating below the "four" and the vouchers to them cannot be called budget. Due to this, tourists are not a dime a dozen here and the audience is also appropriate. In other words, Holguin guarantees you a leisurely, measured and rich vacation.

The resort's beaches stretch along the northeastern coast of the Atlantic Ocean for 40 kilometers. High-quality service and well-developed infrastructure awaits tourists at each of the four dozen beaches. The most popular are Playa Esmeralda (Emerald Beach), Guardalavaca and Playa Pesquero.

Not far from Playa Esmeralda, the ship of Christopher Columbus moored more than five centuries ago, and I must say that the great navigator made the right decision with the parking lot: nature here still breaks the breath with its beauty. A powerful array of spreading palms comes very close to the emerald water, casting a thick shadow on the fine white sand - such a beach is worth visiting at least once in your life. In general, nature has done its best here - caves and rivers, mountains and waterfalls, mud springs and a whole coral reef nearby!

Another gem in Holguin's tiara is Guardalavaca Beach. The translation of its name into Russian is not very poetic - "looking after the cows", but do not rush to frown in disgust, there are no cows here. This is what the Cubans call the Egyptian heron, which nests in these places. In addition to the heavenly terrestrial beauty, Guardalavaca is also famous for its underwater: a nearby coral reef descends to the bottom with terraces, where flora and fauna are represented in all their diversity, so diving here is excellent.

Playa Pesquero is the youngest of Holguín's beaches. There are not many hotels here, so mainly families come to rest in this quiet corner.

If we talk about out-of-beach entertainment, then in the vicinity of the resort there is the largest waterfall on the island - Guayabo. Lovers of history and archeology will remember the excursion to Banes and its museum with a rich exposition of various household items of the Caribbean Indians, children will happily spend the day at the dolphinarium, and adults will take part in a jeep safari.

We recommend comparing prices for hotels in Havana, Varadero and other places in Cuba on the sites Booking.com Hotels Expedia Ostrovok

Cayo coco

The Jardines del Rey chain of islands stretches 30 kilometers from the northern shores of the Cuban province of Ciego de Avila, the most famous and largest of which, perhaps, is Cayo Coco. In the late 1980s, the construction of an embankment road was completed, which connected Cuba with Cayo Coco, so now you can get to this island by land.

True, the construction of the dam was accompanied by violent protests and concerns of environmentalists: Cayo Coco, together with little Cayo Guillermo, with which they are naturally connected, are a unique ecosystem and are protected by the state as a nature reserve. Here is a paradise not only for people, but also, for example, for birds - more than two hundred species of birds nest on this island. One of them - the white ibis, which is here called the bird of coconuts (Coco) - gave the name to the island. It is also home to pink flamingos! The proximity of such a unique fauna and a highly developed civilization is impossible, therefore, Cayo Coco has no restaurants, noisy nightclubs, large stores - only a few self-sufficient hotel complexes that are in great tourist demand.

The total length of the island's beach line is 26 kilometers. The nearby coral reefs reliably protect the coast from strong waves, and also provide excellent conditions for diving.

Cayo santa maria

Close to Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, there is another tidbit for tourists in the group of the Royal Islands (Jardines del Rey) - Cayo Santa Maria. He is quite small: 13 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide. You can get to it along the same man-made route from the island of Cuba, and from other islands - sail on a yacht or catamaran. Of the eleven kilometers of sandy shores of Cayo Santa Maria, half is occupied by hotels and their infrastructure, the rest of the coastal space is wild beaches, where there are few tourists. You can get to them on a rental scooter or bicycle, but be careful: the roads on the island are ordinary sandy paths.

Local beaches are characterized by a gentle entry into the water, which, however, ends quickly, so parents should not leave their children frolic in the water unattended. Unlike neighboring island resorts, Cayo Santa Maria is not protected from the winds of the Atlantic in any way, so the sea here, to the delight of surfers, is stable and often strong.

Despite the fact that Cayo Santa Maria is a resort still young compared to its neighbors and, moreover, very modest in size, there is plenty of fun here. There is a tourist village of Pueblo la Estrella on the island, where everything that may interest visitors is concentrated: shops and restaurants, bars and clubs, souvenir shops and spas. Special minibuses constantly run between hotels and the village for maximum convenience of tourists. Among other entertainments available to vacationers in Cayo Santa Maria, it is worth recommending a visit to the fishing village of Caibarien, where you can treat yourself to a fresh catch, get acquainted with the fishing life and even ask for sea fishing with the locals, and the town of Remedios with excellent colonial architecture.

Cayo Largo

This resort island, once a pirate haven, lies on the other side of Cuba - off its southwestern shores. Also, having a rather modest size, Cayo Largo at the same time has its own airport and an excellent road connecting all local hotels. Of which there are, by the way, a lot. This is a purely tourist island, there is no local population here - only a small area for hotel workers.

The most popular beach in the resort is the five-kilometer-long Playa Lindamar, and the most secluded is Punta Mal Tiempo, where not the slightest trace of civilization can be found. On the western beaches of the island (Playa Tortuga, Playa los Cocos), you can periodically observe pelicans, large turtles and iguanas, and in general you can take advantage of the excursion offer and go to the island of Cayo Iguana, where exotic lizards are found in large numbers. Also on Cayo Largo you will be offered to do various types of water sports, diving, snorkeling, fishing and other pleasures of island tourism.

Active tourists who cannot stand a long lying on the beach should go to Matanzas - the administrative center of the province of the same name, which includes Varadero. Matanzas is a major cultural center of Cuba and offers its guests a lot of new and interesting knowledge and impressions about a still unfamiliar country.

In the city itself you will find many museums and architectural landmarks, among which the bridges are worth mentioning first of all. Matanzas is often compared with Venice: the rivers San Juan and Yumuri flowing through the city are framed by almost two dozen original bridges. The most interesting tourist sites here are the Castillo del Morillo and San Severino castles, the historical, theater and pharmaceutical museums and the Che Guevara fresco made of stone.

Bellamar is located five kilometers from the city - a unique cave, accidentally found by shepherds just a century and a half ago. Bizarre stalactites, iridescent crystals resembling stars, seemed to the superstitious aborigines too beautiful to be created without devilish participation, and therefore they forgot about Bellamar for another hundred years, and only in the middle of the 20th century researchers became interested in it, and subsequently elevated it to the status of a landmark. In these parts it is necessary to visit another incredible cave - Saturno. Visitors are allowed to snorkel in the cool, underground freshwater lake, which is home to shrimp and blind fish. Experienced scuba divers will appreciate the Fish Cave in the Bay of Pigs. Since the underground lake is very deep here, it is better for novice divers to take risks and admire the natural resources from the shore.

On the territory of the province of Matanzas, there are several interesting nature reserves - Laguna de Maya with a swamp ecosystem, Leon with an endemic melocactus, the Great Montemar National Park. Having reached the Zapata peninsula, it is worth visiting the village of Aldea Taina, which is a reconstruction of Indian life, and a huge crocodile farm.

Santiago de Cuba

This second most important city in Cuba is located in the very south of the island, in the bay of the same name, and is primarily known throughout the world for the annual carnival, which has been held here in July since the 17th century. But this does not mean that during the rest of the months there is nothing to see and hotels are empty: in Santiago de Cuba and its environs there are many historical, cultural and natural attractions.

The best beach in the bay is Playa Siboney - a very picturesque place where not only tourists, but also indigenous people like to relax. A coral reef close to the coast and a local diving center guarantee an exciting and educational leisure time for tourists.

Nature did not deprive Santiago de Cuba of its gifts. Not far from the city is the Baconao National Park, which is on the list of protected sites by UNESCO. Children will especially remember a visit to the park: there is a Prehistoric Valley with sculptures of more than two hundred extinct animals from the Paleolithic era, and an aquarium with a glass underwater tunnel, from which you can observe the life of the Caribbean Sea. Another national park - Pico-Turkino - awaits those who like to climb higher: on its territory is the highest point of the republic - Mount Turkino, 1972 meters high. At its top was the headquarters of Fidel Castro, and now it is a museum. Another reserve, Gran Piedro Park, is noted in the Guinness Book of Records for a huge monolithic rock - the third largest in the world.

The miracle of the fortification - the fortress of San Pedro de la Roca, which has honorably coped with multiple pirate raids - is the pride of the city and the most interesting object to explore. Representing Spanish colonial architecture, it is protected by UNESCO. There is a piracy museum inside the fortress. Among other man-made attractions, tourists highlight the Padre Pico staircase, Santa Iphigenia cemetery, Revolution Square, Fidel Castro's house and the Carnival Museum.

On the southwestern coast of Cuba, deep in the beautiful bay of Jagua, lies the city of Cienfuegos, which is often called the southern pearl of the country. This resort is very attractive not only for its geographical location, but also for its very comfortable climatic conditions for recreation. The first and best thing to do here is diving. A number of modern dive centers, several dozen diving points in the impressive size of the water area - all this is at the disposal of tourists. A coral reef stretches along the entire coastline, "responsible" for the diversity of underwater flora and fauna, there are wrecks overgrown with shells, as well as its own ... Notre Dame! Yes, you heard right: nature - a builder no worse than a man - created its coral masterpiece in the waters of the Caribbean Sea, very similar to the cathedral sung by Victor Hugo.

Natural creations in this region are not limited to underwater delights. In the vicinity of the resort, in the Escambray mountain range, there are the healing thermal springs of Ciego Montero and the El Nicho waterfalls, and even further, towards Trinidad, is one of the most famous Cuba caves - Martin Infierno. Here you will see one of the world's largest stalagmites (its height is more than 62 meters), as well as a colony of the smallest bats on this planet, which are called "butterflies".

If you are determined to relax passively, then go to Rancho Luna - the most beautiful and clean beach of the resort, washed by calm waves, or Guahimico - the most picturesque beach located near the confluence of the La Joutia River into the Caribbean and surrounded by mountains. To all of the above, it remains to add the fact that Cienfuegos is recognized by UNESCO as an outstanding example of Latin American urban planning and therefore is taken under the protection of this UN agency. This means that the city itself has a lot of unique and interesting places - Central Square, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Thomas Terry Theater, José Martí Park, Paseo del Prado Boulevard, Valle Palace, the quarter with colorful houses of Punta Gorda and the fortress Castillo de Jagua.

Trinidad is called an open-air museum, it is considered the most beautiful city in Cuba and is compared to a time machine: in the Americas, there is no other place that has preserved its colonial appearance so well. Trinidad spent a whole century of its history in isolation from the rest of the island, which helped to preserve the cobbled streets and houses built in the late 17th century! Of course, this was not without the auspices of UNESCO, and the preservation of the historical appearance of the city has been spelled out in local legislation for more than half a century. Squares, palaces, churches, bell towers, towers, museums - does it make sense to list in detail the attractions of Trinidad, if they even include a welcome sign at the entrance to the city?

Being at the same time a resort, Trinidad is rightfully proud of its beaches. 12 kilometers south of the city, begins the six-kilometer Ancon Spit, on which Playa Ancon and Playa Maria Aguilar are located, both reputed to be the best on the entire southern coast of Cuba. There are also two luxurious diving spots - Casilda Bay and the islet of Cayo Blanco. The underwater landscapes here are extremely picturesque: grottoes, tunnels and caves, species diversity of corals, an abundance of fish.

Twelve kilometers north of Trinidad, in the Escambray mountain range, begins the Topes de Collantes National Park, teeming with mountain rivers and waterfalls, canyons and grottoes, hills and caves, orchids and ferns. There are also coffee plantations, through which one of the most popular hiking trails passes, leading to the 62-meter Kaburoi Falls.

Another natural park, El Cubano, is located very close to the city, just five kilometers from the center. There is also a river and a waterfall, and many rare plant species. In El Cubano, you can go horseback riding, go for an eco-excursion and even stay with a tent at the campsite.

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This Cuban city can be easily described in one word - the beach. 20 km of terry sandy coast, warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and an endless line of hotels create the atmosphere of Varadero. The local beaches have repeatedly been included in the top of the best in the world. And even though Cuba has not yet been spoiled by the benefits of civilization, and the journey here from Russia takes more than 13 hours - Russian tourists have long chosen this heavenly place.

Varadero belongs to the province of Matanzas and occupies the Icacos Peninsula, 135 km from Havana. It is inhabited by 27 thousand local residents and X thousand tourists, and at any time of the year. People come here to swim and bask in the sun, listen to the rhythms of salsa and play golf, hang out at discos and sip rum. And, of course, breathe the air of Freedom.

A flight from Moscow to Varadero with a connection in Belgium and Germany is possible. Round-trip tickets start at USD 800, on the way - 22 hours or more.

It is convenient for Petersburgers to fly to Varadero with a transfer in Vienna or Frankfurt am Main. The total travel time is from 16.5 hours, a one-way ticket costs about 420 USD. The second option is through Moscow and further - directly to Havana.

From the airport to the city

Guides in Varadero

Entertainment and attractions

In the evening, return to the arms of Varadero for some reckless Cuban fun. Discos and dance shows are held everywhere in hotels and clubs, anyone can get here for 10 CUC. The most popular dance floors are thundering in Casa de la Musica, Internacional, Tuxpan hotels. You can dance to live music at the Calle 62 cafe or at the Mambo Club, and Cuevos Los Pirates is famous for its location - the club was built in a cave.

5 things to do in Varadero

Practice sand therapy on the beach. And forget about everything.
Dance with the local amigo.
Play golf or a mini version of it.
Dine at Al Capone's home on Avenida Kawama.
Swim with dolphins.

Varadero for children

The Cuban resort welcomes young tourists. Many hotels have zones for children, where neither a three-year-old nor a teenage skeptic will get bored. The main thing is to specify in advance the conditions of residence, the availability of a children's menu.

Tired of the beach and hotel animation, little travelers will not refuse to visit the dolphinarium. It is allowed not only to watch the dolphin show, but also to swim with them after the show. (office site) .Jun

It is best to rest here in winter or off-season (November and April). There are many tourists, but the weather is more stable. In winter, the ocean warms up less and cold snaps occur, but they last only a few days.

If you decide to head to Liberty Island to relax on the Caribbean beaches and enjoy Cuban charm, you will have to decide where to fly: a direct flight to one of the resorts or to the capital.
In the first case, the most popular option is Varadero, where most of the tourists from Russia rest. When choosing a destination, you will be looking for information on how Havana differs from Varadero, and we will help you with this.

Choosing wings

A direct flight from the capital of Russia to Havana or Varadero takes approximately the same time - 11-12 hours, depending on whether the plane flies there or back. The rest of the flight conditions are somewhat different:

Regular direct flights to the capital of Cuba are operated by Aeroflot and Cuban Airlines. The cost of a round trip ticket is 40 thousand rubles and more, depending on how far in advance you book your flight.
It will be a little cheaper to get to the capital of Liberty Island with a transfer at one of the European airports. Air France usually has the best options - from 35 thousand rubles for a flight with a connection in Paris.
If you are planning an independent travel without the participation of travel agencies, you can get to Varadero only with transfers and almost twice as expensive as to Havana. The lowest prices are from Canadian airlines, but in order to buy a ticket with Air Canada, you will need a Canadian visa. There are no transit zones at the airports of the maple leaf country.
You can only fly to Varadero cheaper by charter, and therefore you will almost certainly have to buy a tour.

The only option to organize an independent trip to Varadero and not pay more than $ 1000 for tickets is to fly to the capital of Cuba, and then get from Havana to Varadero by land transport.

Sea and beaches

Varadero and Havana are located on the northern coast of Cuba. The Atlantic Ocean in these latitudes is very warm and you can swim almost all year round. In summer, the water temperature on the beaches of the northern part of the island reaches + 28 ° С, and in winter it can drop to + 20 ° С. However, it is much more convenient to organize a beach holiday in Varadero. It is there that the snow-white strip of sand stretches for more than 20 km, and the hotels standing right on the seashore are most suitable for serene rest and relaxation.
In Havana, within the city limits, beaches in the general sense of this make no sense, except for the rocky coast that stretches along the embankment. Only local boys usually swim there. To sunbathe on a real Cuban beach, tourists in Havana have to travel several kilometers by bus. The journey takes about half an hour, the ticket will cost you a couple of euros. A taxi will cost an order of magnitude more, but a little faster.
Keep in mind that the Havana beaches do not offer any special infrastructure, unlike the beaches of Varadero. Umbrellas and sunbeds are rare there, and to buy water or a cocktail, you have to look for a roadside store or cafe. But there are more than enough natural delights in such places! The lack of hotels and other benefits of civilization makes you feel like a Robinson.

About cultural heritage

Few people want to fly thousands of kilometers just for the sake of a beach holiday. As the main advantage of Havana over Varadero, curious tourists will name the abundance of architectural attractions. The old center of the capital of Cuba is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and therefore city tours will be a pleasant addition to your beach holiday. Many fly to Cuba for the sake of the Havana colonial architecture, the likes of which are few in the world where you can find them.
There is nothing to admire in Varadero, and a sightseeing tour of the resort on an open bus takes only an hour. However, while relaxing on the beaches of Varadero, you can always buy a two-day tour to Havana, where you will get acquainted with all the delights of the Cuban capital.