Cuba Holidays
Unique rhythm, authentic charm
Cuba Holidays
If you’re looking for a unique Caribbean experience, a holiday to Cuba is one of the most exciting possibilities. Havana is famous for its cigars, its music and its political leaders. Nevertheless, the pre-revolutionary Cuba of Vegas-style gambling is still intact along with quirky relics which famously include the many 1950s American cars that have been kept running for generations by Cuban families. Cuba is a nation of fantastic contradictions and there is no place quite like it in the rest of the Caribbean or even the world.
As hectic as this may sound, Cuba is actually as far as you can possibly get from the chaos of daily modern life. If you are lost without a nearby fast food chain and strangely unable to tolerate a city that isn’t festooned with billboards, Cuba is not for you. But for most tourists, being launched into the cultural deep-end will be the treat of a lifetime and Cuba comes as a breath of fresh air. The cuisine is utterly unmissable, uniting the very best of Spanish, African and the Caribbean and is a delicious prelude to a night of local music and nightlife.
Luxury Holidays to Cuba
Experience the bustling city streets warped by an American 50s aesthetic, or head out to the stunning beaches of this beautiful Caribbean island. Cuba truly encapsulates the city break and beach holiday in one tiny, tropical package.
Kenwood Travel have handpicked a collection of some of the most lavish beach resorts Cuba has to offer. Take your pick and soon enough you’ll be relaxing on beautiful beaches, sipping an ice-cold daiquiri and listening to some toe tapping rumba beats!
Then there’s Havana City, which offers comfort and refinement to the highest degree. Just imagine walking along the famous coastal stretch of the magnificent Malecon, take in the sights and see locals fishing whilst children splash around in the sea and the sun shines imperiously from a brilliant blue sky to enhance the gorgeous colours of this stunning city. You’ll hear the infectious beats or salsa and merengue everywhere you go as the locals dance all day and night. On a holiday in Cuba you just can’t help but be happy!
5 Great Reasons to Holiday in Cuba
- Endless white sandy beaches
- Fantastic seafood
- Super snorkelling & scuba diving
- Great golfing in glorious conditions
- Try a freshly made world famous Cuban cigar
5 Reasons to Holiday in Havana
- Walking along the magnificent 5 mile coastal stretch of the Malecon
- Take a ride in one of the fantastic classic 1950s cars
- Experience a revolution with a trip to the Plaza de la Revolución
- Walk around the historical old town
- A trip to the Havana Club rum distillery followed by the Cigar Museum!
Things to Do on a Cuba Holiday
Firstly, lets look at Cuba’s beach holidays. The pristine beaches are one of the major attractions of Cuba, with over 14 miles of glorious white sands and warm clear water it’s the perfect place for a spot of sunbathing. However, if you are after something a little more adventurous, fear not. With a host of water sports available on various parts of the beach you can choose from snorkelling and water-skiing, to pedalos and banana boats.
For those that like to scuba dive you are truly spoilt for choice with over 32 established dive sites to choose from, catering for beginners and advanced divers alike. You’ll experience the diversity of the Caribbean waters brimming with colourful exotic fish and beautiful tropical reefs. The best diving sites can be found on the smaller islands of Cayo Blanco
If you’re looking to take home some relics of your unforgettable holiday in Cuba then experience the charm of the Varadero Market. This market is vast, selling everything you can imagine from trinkets and knick-knacks to leather goods and musical instruments. Enjoy the hustle and bustle and barter with the locals for a proper bargain.
Now onto Havana City where there really is an abundance of things to do and places to see; it’s a city that’ll never bore you. A walk around the historical old town known as La Habana Vieja is an enchanting journey. Steeped in over 500 years of history the area is abundant with fortresses, cathedrals and museums of the revolution. Look out for the main tourist square Plaza de Armas, too.
Beach life is not exclusive to Varadero. When in Havana, simply jump in one of the classic 1950s taxis aligning the streets and a 20-minute trip will take you to some of the finest beaches in the Caribbean. The turquoise waters and sunsoaked white sands of the Playas Del Este will leave you amazed.
The nightlife in Cuba is as iconic as it is varied. With such a wide range of bars providing the salsa beats, cool cocktails and live music, it's time to let your hair down. A trip to the famous La Floridita in the old town is highly recommended and makes the perfect place to get your night started. A favourite haunt of Hemingway, and the very place where the first daiquiri was served, La Floridita offers an array of colourful cocktails. For a trusted classic cocktail simply choose the aptly named Papa Hemingway Daiquiri.
Everyone dances in Havana whether they are 5 or 95, so join in with the locals and put on your dancing shoes. Let the beat take over as you salsa the night away in one of the brilliant clubs or cabarets. You'll find live bands playing the best in Cuban music at Casa de la Musica in Miramar or the brilliant open-air club Tropicana.
Interesting Facts About Cuba
- Area – 42,426 sq miles
- Population – 11,241,000
- Capital – Havana
- Official Language – Spanish
- Currency – Cuban Peso (CUP) and Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC)
- Time Zone – UTC-5 (UTC-4 in Summer)
Know Before You Go
Visitors to Cuba from the UK will require a Cuban Visa/Tourist Card, which you can apply for at the following this link, or by contacting the Cuban consulate directly.
Cuba Holidays 2024 / 2025
To avoid disappointment book early for your 2024 & 2025 holiday to Cuba. With Kenwood Travel as your guide, you can discover bespoke, luxury, all-inclusive holidays, weddings and honeymoons. We have over 35 years worth of experience and we’re here to help you find your perfect holiday. If you’re looking for a multi-centre Caribbean holiday with a difference, let Kenwood Travel take care of every detail. You could start with a stay in one of Havana’s luxury hotels before moving on to one or more of the other Caribbean islands via a 5-star cruise or short-hop flight.
Top Picks
Paradisus Princesa del Mar
Set on a tiny peninsula and almost touching two different waters on either side, this hotel offers luxury accommodation, royal service, and true Cuban hospitality.
Paradisus Varadero
Located on the spectacular Varadero Beach in Cuba the Paradisus Varadero provides guests with both wonderful service and enchanting sea views in an all inclusive luxury resort.
Parque Central
With a rooftop pool and a massive rooftop terrace, this colonial-style hotel offers unsurpassed views of the incredibly beautiful city of Havana.
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Useful information
Things to do
La Guarida Restaurant
Situated in central Havana, La Guarida is less of a Cuban-fusion restaurant and bar, and more of an authentic culinary institution. The paladar is perched atop a charmingly dilapidated building offering incredible views of the city. Still going strong after 75 years and full of satisfied diners, La Guarida has served the likes of royalty, movie stars, and world-famous musicians.
In opulent surroundings, enjoy signature dishes such as suckling pig, carpaccio, snapper, lobster, and papaya lasagna. Drinking cocktails on the rooftop terrace as the sun sets is also something not to be missed.
Salsabor a Cuba Dance School
This centrally-located dance school in walking distance of Old Havana offers lessons as individuals or groups in spacious and well-ventilated classrooms. With a whole range of latin dances on the agenda, you could walk (or dance) away having picked up Cuban Salsa, Afro-Cuban Rumba, Bachata, Tango, Mambo, or the Cha-cha-cha to name just a few styles.
In fact, it’s not just dance lessons on offer here - so fear not if you have two left feet. Visitors to Salsabor a Cuba, can also learn Spanish or take music lessons in percussion, piano, vocals or guitar.
The Malecón
The Malecón is Havana’s iconic 8-km long seawall esplanade, stretching from Havana Harbor in Old Havana, along the Centro Habana and Vedado neighbourhoods, and finishing at the mouth of the Almendares River. Popular with both locals and visitors, this charming boulevard is a hive of activity.
Strung with poets, musicians, and fishermen, the thoroughfare gives off a romantic atmosphere and is sometimes dubbed ‘the longest sofa in the world’ as people gather there daily to be entertained, to socialise, and to watch the sunset.
