Seven Ways to Make the Most of a Cuba Trip

1. Brush Up on Your Spanish:Varadero, the luxurious Hotel Paradisus Princesa Del
As is the case throughout other Spanish-speakingMar Resort & Spa is a popular choice amongst
Caribbean destinations like the Dominican Republic andSpanish holidaymakers on their Caribbean trips (or
Mexico, a little bit of Spanish goes a long way inviajes Caribe!)
Cuba. In many ways if you can make yourself5. Life's a Beach!:
understood by the island's wonderful inhabitants, you'llAnd the reason for its fantastic resorts is obvious -
have unlocked the secret to many dream viajesthe beaches in Cuba are some of the best to found
Caribe (Spanish for Caribbean trips!) in the future.anywhere in the world. There's every type of beach
2. Get Literary:you'd care to mention in Cuba from busy city
Through the years, Cuba's attracted its fair share ofbeaches and resort beaches, but one of the most
writers. Reading Hemingway over a mojito on asplendid of all is the relatively undeveloped Playa
sticky afternoon in Havana is the most obviousParaiso (to the west of the island).
literary tip, but few things could be better than6. Explore Habana Vieja:
settling down to Gabriel Garcia Marquez' One HundredFew cities in the world can match Havana's Old Town
Years of Solitude in Baracoa (where it's believed tofor atmosphere. A marvelously evocative network of
have been set).grandly crumbling palaces and squares, it thoroughly
3. Pick a Park - Any Park!:deserves its World Heritage Status. No trip to Cuba
Cuba is a surprisingly large island, and its interior iswould be complete without spending a few days
covered with magnificent national parks. If Vinales isthoroughly getting to know it.
the most developed (and hence easiest to access),7. Go on a Diving Trip:
then getting out to La Guira in Pinar del Rio or theWith its miles of reef-lined coasts, diving in Cuba is
mangrove swamps of Cienaga de Zapata inunderstandably fantastic. Major Cuba dive sites
Manzanas is also enormously rewarding.though include: Maria la Gorda (to the west), Jardines
4. Splash Out on a Hotel:de la Reina (south) and Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa
One of the best things about a holiday in Cuba is theMaria (to the north) amongst countless others.
great selection of hotels to choose from. Out in