Cuba Honeymoon

There is a lot more to a Cuba honeymoon than sun, sea and sand. Discover one of the Caribbean’s most fascinating holiday destinations, in one of the last remaining Communist-block nations.

Cuba’s rich culture, unique political history, intoxicating music and lively attitude (despite economic hardships) make it one of the most interesting honeymoon destinations in the world – complete with all the 5-star facilities you need for a perfect Caribbean honeymoon.

Things to do and see
Relax on a choice of uncrowded white-sand beaches such as Cuba’s premier beach resort of Varadero, a 20km-long stretch of uninterrupted powder-white sand lined with upmarket, all-inclusive, family friendly resorts. Take time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Old Havana and colourful Trinidad. Ride a 1940s-era Buick or Dodge taxi through crumbling Centro Habana.

Stroll Havana’s famous waterfront, the Malecón, from Habana Vieja to the Hotel Nacional in Vedado, where you can watch the setting sun while sipping a mojito (Cuban rum cocktail) on the hotel’s outdoor terrace. The Hotel Nacional was a favourite pre-revolution haunt of US movie stars and gangsters such as Al Capone and Lucky Luciano.

Down a beer at La Bodeguita del Medio, a favourite watering hole of Hemingway or at Castillo de Farnes, where Castro and Ché once toasted the success of the Revolution.

Walk in the footsteps of Fidel Castro and Ché Guevara: hike a trail through remote cloud forest to the Comandancia de la Plata, the one-time command post hidden in the Sierra Maestra mountains, from where Castro mounted his successful guerrilla war against the Batista dictatorship in the late 1950s.

Alternatively, visit the museum and mausoleum of Ché Guevara in Santa Clara where, in 1959, Guevara and 300 rebels defeated 3000 of Batista's troops, leading to the dictator's flight from Havana just days later. At the museum in Playa Girón, see artefacts including personal effects, captured CIA battle plans and a film from the ill-fated US-backed ‘Bay of Pigs' invasion in 1961.

Hike up to Cuba's highest mountain – Pico Turquino in the Sierra Maestra, or through the marshland and forests of the Zapata Peninsula, which teem with wildlife. Horseback ride though sugar cane fields around Trinidad and in the hilly landscape around Pinar del Río.

Explore more than 50 underwater dive sites around Varadero and the stunning beach-fringed cays along the northern coast, including one of the world's biggest coral reefs at Cayo Coco. Discover more reefs at Isla de la Juventud of the south coast – Robert Louise Stevenson's inspiration for Treasure Island.

Try rolling cigars at a tobacco factory in Pinar del Río, Trinidad or in Havana’s Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás. Be entertained at noon each Sunday by the renowned folkloric group Clavé y Guaguanco at the weekly celebration of Afro-Cuban music and dance held in the Callejón de Hammel, a narrow, two block-long alleyway crammed with the colourful paintings of artist Salvador González.

After dark, head to the Tropicana in Havana for the country’s longest running and best cabaret show, complete with graceful dancers and exuberant costumes. For great jazz, visit La Zorra y El Cuervo or enjoy sultry boleros at El Gato Tuerto.

Accommodation
Cuba offers an amazing selection of accommodation options. In Havana, try the elegant Hotel Saratoga, which overlooks the bustling streets of Old Havana, or stay at the boutique Hotel Victoria, located at the Plaza de la Revolution.

Best time to visit Cuba?
The best time for a Cuba honeymoon is during the dry season between January and April when the climate is cooler, averaging between 24˚C and 27˚C. Cuba experiences a hot sub-tropical climate all year. May to October is the rainy season; hurricanes can occur from August to November. For more climate info: Cuba Weather Guide

Location – At 11 million hectares, Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean (roughly the size of England). It is the most westerly of the Greater Antilles group, lying 145km south of Florida, USA.

Getting there – By air, Havana Jose Marti International Airport receives daily non-stop fights from Canada, Europe and other Caribbean nations. Note: There are no scheduled flights between Cuba and the US. How to get to Cuba . . .