About Cuba

Cuba is unlike any other place on earth. The island lies in the northwest of the Caribbean Sea, 145 km south of Florida, at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico. Almost the size of England, it is by far the largest island in the Caribbean Islands and one of the most fascinating. To Columbus it was also the best: he called it 'the most beautiful land yet seen by human eye'.

Cuba means different things to different people. For some, the name stands for revolution and communism, Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. For others, it conjures up retro images of 1950s American cars and glamorous cocktail bars. One of the most fascinating things about Cuba is its people. A blend of races and cultures, African, Asian, and European, they're friendly, easy-going and welcoming, despite the fact that rationing and restrictions are a constant part of their lives. Material privations have not muted the friendly Cubans’ joie de vivre - singing and dancing are high on their list of priorities, and they appreciate the quality of their excellent rum and cigars.

Cuba represents a treasure trove for the modern holiday-maker, with the beautifully-restored centre of evocative Havana, colonial Trinidad, the stunning scenery of Pinar del Rio, the forests of the Sierra Maestra and the gleaming Caribbean beaches. Snorkellers and scuba divers are lured by the coral reefs that surround most of the island, attracting a wide variety of fish, in perfect viewing conditions. What draws people too is much more than beaches, sun, and cheap drinks, though there are plenty of all 3 for those who want them. Cuba's rich culture, unique political history, and continued economic hardship make it one of the most eye-opening countries that experienced travelers can still discover. Seeing the best of Cuba means grooving to its intoxicating music, marveling at how Cubans improvise on a daily basis to make ends meet, and visiting a land in which the past 50 years seem to have crept by.