Cuba, a tourist destination par excellence in the Caribbean, extends its tourist offers beyond the traditional sun and beach options, by taking into consideration its cultural and historic values.

Dozens of kilometers of excellent beaches, crystal-clear waters and centers properly equipped for nautical activities, are now complemented by the urban options across the country.

Havana plays a key role in this scenery thanks to its historic heart where several museums, churches, cultural institutions and buildings dating back to colonial time are located; also included are about 33,000 constructions, most of them built in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Likewise, several emblematic buildings which distinguish the island’s traditions, like the Riviera and Nacional hotels, can be observed along the Malecón (Havana’s seafront avenue).

Those who seek adventures can enjoy a web of streets and alleys in Old Havana where an infrastructure of small lodging facilities which seem to have stopped in time, offer all the comforts of modern tourism.

Meanwhile, the city of Trinidad, formerly known as Villa de la Santísima Trinidad (Village of the Holy Trinity), stands out in the province of Sancti Spíritus; the village was founded in 1514 and it is included among the first seven villages founded by the Spanish in the archipelago.

Trinidad, also known as the Museum City of Cuba, has the privilege of being one of the colonial locations in the country with one of the most complete and best-preserved architectural collection in the Americas.

Also in the central area of Cuba, the city of Cienfuegos has the only triumphal arch existing in Cuba, together with the Tomás Terry Theater, one of the three most important theaters in the country during the 19th century and where prestigious personalities of the arts, such as Enrico Caruso, performed.

In addition, the city of Matanzas, in the western area of Cuba and capital city of the province by the same name, was known as the Athens of Cuba and even as the Venice of the Americas due to the number of rivers, bridges and canals; as well as for the dynamic commercial and cultural activity which characterized the city at that time.

The eastern area of the country is also included among the priorities for urban tourism; precisely in this area the city of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Baracoa (Our Lady of the Assumption of Baracoa), founded between 1511 and 1512 by the Governor Diego Velázquez, stands out; Baracoa was regarded as the first capital city and diocese of the island.

Camagüey, capital city of the province by the same name and founded as Santa María del Puerto del Príncipe, also plays an important role in urban tourism.

The city is also called “Ciudad de los Tinajones” (City of Large Earthenware Jars) due to the abundant existence of these large jars which were used to store rainwater for human consumption, and now decorate gardens and parks.

Currently, the city of Camagüey is a combination of modernity and history in an environment where new buildings are interrelated with those constructions of historic value, which make up the city’s personality.