Types of Tourism in Cuba
Beach vacation.
The main attraction of Cuba are its many sandy beaches. Most of them are municipal. The exceptions are those that are directly owned by hotels. The country’s most famous beach resort is Varadero. It is located 140 km east of Havana on the Hicacos Spit and stretches for 36 km along the coastline. In 1992, the beaches of Varadero were recognized as one of the cleanest in the world. Varadero is a great place to relax, here are the best hotels in the country, many restaurants, clubs and discos. The second most popular resort in the country is the beach area, located in the province Holguin. It occupies the southeastern part of the island of Cuba. Rest in this resort area will cost much more than on the beaches of Varadero. Here are the most elite hotels of the island and more than 40 beaches. You can also relax on the nearby small islands. Cayo Guillermo is known for its sand dunes, coral reefs and pink flamingos. The main beach areas are El Paso, del Medio, Larga and Pilar. Cayo Guillermo is a very clean island with extensive palm and mangrove groves. The local hotels are built in the form of separate villas with terraces. 80 km from the island of Cuba is the island Cayo Largo. Recreation areas are concentrated in its southern part. This is a real tourist island, where there are no locals – only beaches and hotels. 27 km north of the island of Cuba there is the island of Cayo Coco, they are interconnected through the sea by a road laid along an embankment. The development of this island began recently, but the goal was immediately set to make it the country’s main resort, so chic hotels and restaurants are now being built here. Check top-medical-schools.org for travel information in Cuba.
Ecological tourism.
Nature of Cuba very colorful. Many tourists come here to see the diverse tropical vegetation and the unique fauna of the islands. There are 236 protected areas, 14 national parks and 23 ecological reserves within the country. 7 zones have been declared Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO. Cuba is home to the largest colony of Caribbean flamingos in the Western Hemisphere. Their main habitats are the swampy valleys of the Rio Maximo and Caguey rivers. Very suitable for ecotourism is the province of Holguin, which is located in a mountainous area in the southeast of Cuba.. The local La Menzura National Park is home to over 1,000 different species of animals and birds, many of which are endemic. The waterfalls are very popular, the island’s largest waterfall – Guyabo – is also located in the province of Holguin. Nearby is the island of Saetia, where large horned animals such as bison, antelope, deer and wild pigs are found.
The landscape of the island of Cuba is dotted with numerous karst formations. Not far from the town of Matantes, you can visit the stalactite and stalagmite caves of Bellamar, which are over 40,000 years old.
Active recreation, diving.
Cuba – an island country, so outdoor activities are mainly represented by water sports. In the coastal waters among the coral reefs, you can see rare black corals, such representatives of the underwater world as the Atlantic tarpon, large snappers, trachynotus and Atlantic bat, as well as trepangs, sharks and barracudas. Barrier reefs are well developed off the northern coast of Cuba, coastal reefs are on the southwestern and southeastern coasts. Cuba ‘s dive center is Varadero. There are more than 20 diving schools with experienced instructors, there is also the Cayo Pedra del Norte marine park, which is interesting for exploring the sunken ship “Neptune”. Also very popular among divers is Faro Luna to the north of Havana, where you will find a large number of shipwrecks, and Maria La Gorda National Park (Gunaacabibes Peninsula in western Cuba), where there is a specialized diving center.
In addition to diving on the coast, you can go sailing and fishing.
Excursions.
Cuba is a country with a turbulent past. The appearance of cities was affected by the influence of different eras. The most popular are excursions in Havana, the tobacco province of Pinar del Rio, visits to sugar plantations.
