4 ways to spend your day in Cuba

Published on : May 20, 2019
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From exploring lush valleys on a Jeep safari to touring the historic city streets of Havana and sailing through the turquoise waters on a catamaran, Cuba offers plenty of unique experiences to try throughout your stay. We rounded up some of our favourite ways to spend your day in this beautiful destination – plus our picks of where to stay to make the most of your getaway.

Sail along the pristine shores of Varadero

Varadero is known for its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. One of the best ways to admire its breathtaking coastline is on a catamaran cruise. Set sail along Varadero’s beautiful shoreline on board the Seatour, stopping at a colourful coral reef along the way to snorkel alongside tropical fish. The catamaran will drop anchor at Cayo Blanco, a “desert” island off the coast where you can soak up the sun and swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Where to stay: Spend your days lounging on one of Varadero’s most beautiful stretches of beach at Grand Memories Varadero. This Sunwing favourite resort is the perfect destination for a quintessential beach getaway, whether you want to build sandcastles on the calm shores, snorkel in the crystal-clear waters or tee off at the nearby championship golf course, Varadero Golf Club.

Explore the cobblestone streets of Havana

A visit to the capital city of Havana is a must for any Cuban vacation. This vibrant city, dating back over 500 years, is known for its baroque architecture, cobblestone streets and classic American cars. The city’s vibrant atmosphere made it a favourite of legendary American author Ernest Hemingway, in addition to inspiring some of his famous novels. With so much to explore and learn about, it can be hard to know which sites to put on your itinerary! The guided Havana City Tour will take you to some of the best spots in the city including Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Revolution Square, which played a monumental role in the Cuban Revolution; Morro Castle, a fortress build to protect the city and more.

Where to stay: You can stay just 15 minutes from downtown Havana at Starfish Montehabana, located in the peaceful district of Miramar. This comfortable hotel offers the perfect blend of city exploration and resort relaxation; spend the day exploring Havana before retiring to your spacious guestroom. Plus, you can enjoy access to the pools and restaurants at Memories Miramar Habana nearby.

Sample the island’s famous local products in Cayo Santa Maria

Cuba is famous for its sugar, rum and cigar production; all industries that have played an important role in the island’s heritage, and still have an important impact on the everyday lives of local Cubans today. You can learn all about Cuba’s famous products and even try some of them for yourself on the Sugar, Cigar and Rum Tour in Cayo Santa Maria. After riding a historic steam train through the countryside, you’ll learn about how the island’s most famous exports are made before enjoying some delicious samples. You’ll even get to take home a bottle of Ron Malata Cuban rum!

Where to stay: When you’re not sampling the island’s local products, you can kick back and relax poolside with a Cuban mojito in hand from the pool bar at Sanctuary at Grand Memories Santa Maria. This adults only resort-within-a-resort offers peaceful beach getaways on the sparkling shores of Cayo Santa Maria, with access to neighbouring resorts Grand Memories Santa Maria and Memories Paraiso.

Traverse the lush landscapes of Yumuri Valley

Located on the northern coast of Cuba outside of Varadero is Yumuri Valley, a gorgeous green area away from the hustle and bustle. The valley is home to rolling green hills, lush forests and picturesque fields with small villages tucked within the unspoilt landscapes. One of the best ways to explore this natural valley is on a Jeep Safari, where you can discover parts of Cuba you wouldn’t be able to see otherwise! Ride down off-road trails through the valley’s picturesque hills and take a dip in Saturno Cave, one of Cuba’s only natural cenotes.

Where to stay: After a day spent exploring the Yumuri Valley, Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa provides a tranquil retreat in an adults only setting. This top-rated luxury resort’s sprawling pool complex is adorned with bridges, a waterfall and a swim-up bar where you can quench your thirst or lounge on a Bali bed. Travellers looking for more action and excitement can upgrade to Diamond Club™ to enjoy either a complimentary scuba diving excursion to Cayo Blanco or green fees at nearby Varadero Golf Club.

Royalton Luxury Resorts, Memories Resorts & Spa and Starfish Resorts in Cuba are located in some of the island’s most beautiful destinations. Travellers can look forward to comfortable accommodations, top-notch service and convenient amenities.