The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the European discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations, and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule eventually provoked an independence movement and occasional rebellions that were harshly suppressed. US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 assisted the Cubans in overthrowing Spanish rule. The Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence from the US in 1902 after which the island experienced a string of governments mostly dominated by the military and corrupt politicians. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his iron rule held the subsequent regime together for nearly five decades. He stepped down as president in February 2008 in favor of his younger brother Raul CASTRO. Cuba's Communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The country faced a severe economic downturn in 1990 following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies worth $4 billion to $6 billion annually. Cuba portrays its difficulties as the result of the US embargo in place since 1961. Illicit migration to the US - using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, air flights, or via the southwest border - is a continuing problem. The US Coast Guard intercepted 2,656 individuals attempting to cross the Straits of Florida in fiscal year 2007.

Havana – cosmopolitan capital with a swinging nightlife

Museum of the Revolution and the Capital building.

cigar factory

Visit a cigar factory which Cuba is renowned for, there is one just behind the Capital Building (cost 10CUC for a half hour guided tour). Please note that there is no photography allowed.

Havana Club Rum Factory

Go on a guided tour of Havana Club, one of Cuba's most famous rums. Most of the exhibits are subtitled in English and are fairly self explanatory.

Walk along the Prado

Walk along the Prado street in the evening. Great public space that is illuminated in the night time and humming with street life, cafes and charm.

Walk along El Malecon

A favorite stroll for tourists and locals, a walk along the El Malecon runs along the main streets of Havana and provides stunning views of the Bay.

Enjoy the faded glory of La Habana Vieja (The Old Town).

Plaza de la Revolucion

The huge square dominated by a statue and monument of Jose Marti and the iconic image of Che Guevara adorning the Ministry of the Interior. Arrive either early or late as it is often swamped by tourists and gets very hot during the day.

John Lennon Park

John Lennon Park in Vedado. Features the only statue of a western musician in Havana. Notable for the regularly stolen (and replaced) eyeglasses.

The US Special Interests building

The US Special Interests building in Vedado, just off the Malecon. In the absence of a United States embassy in Cuba this heavily fortified and guarded building is where Cuban citizens go to apply for US Visas. It was notable for displaying news which is unfiltered and not censored by the Cuban government on electronic billboards situated behind the windows of one of the floors, but these were switched off in 2009. It is also the focus for regularly staged protests.

Hotel Habana Libre

Hotel Habana Libre in Vedado. The hotel housed Castro's soldiers for several days after they took Havana. It has an excellent selection of photos in the lobby along with one of the only 24 hour fast food restaurants in the city.

The Catedral de San Cristobal

The Catedral de San Cristobal in old Havana. Said to be the only example of a baroque construction that possesses asymmetrical features, one of the towers is wider than the other.

Plaza de Armas

Spacious and elegant, the square is surrounded by baroque constructions that give it a authentic colonial milieu. It was laid during the 1600s, replacing an Old Plaza which acted as the center of religious, administrative and military activity. Until the mid 18th century, it was used for military exercises and parades. After its remodeling between the years 1771-1838, it became a favored meeting spot for the city's wealthy. Today it is also known as Céspedes Park, in honor of the Country´s Founding Father, whose monument stands at its center. This square is one of the most outstanding in the city, enlivened by vendors of antiques and classical books on Latin American and world literature. Attractions of remarkable historical value lay around the square such as the capok tree (Ceiba) under which the first mass for the city´s founding was officiated in 1519.

Baracoa – a quaint beach-side town, and Cuba's first capitol, said to be the setting for the town in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's A Hundred Years of Solitude.

El Yunque

575 m high mountain, approx. 30 mins by push bike from the centre of town. You must pay to enter the national park, but the views from the peak are fantastic and well worth the 1-2 hr hike.

Yumuri

River gorge accessed by car. Beautful walking tracks.

Pinar del Rio – center of the cigar industry

The star attraction in Pinar del Rio province is the little city of Vinales and the surrounding valley which are located about 20 minutes from the city of Pinar del Rio by bus. Scattered all over the valley are mogotes, huge hills of limestone that have incredible shapes and which are riddled with caves and covered with vegetation. Between the mogotes are beautiful fields growing tobacco and fruit and scattered among the fields are uniquely shaped houses for drying tobacco.

While Vinales has many attractions, such as the Cave of the Indian, the best way to enjoy it is to hike or horse back ride, preferably before or after the daily tours from Havana have arrived or left.

Santa Clara – Home of Ernesto "Che" Guevara's most successful battle during the Revolution. A mausoleum is erected in the centre of town and now holds what are said to be his remains, recovered from Bolivia in the 1990s.

Santa Clara contains the mausoleum for the fallen of the Revolution. Included in this mausoleum is Che Guevara himself. In order to maintain the sanctity of the place, photography inside the mausoleum is strictly prohibited. Also, there are no souvenir-sellers to be found nearby. There is also a Che Guevara museum, as well as a huge square (Plaza de la Revolucion) overlooked by a large statue of Che.

Trinidad – World Heritage Site with charming, colonial-era buildings

The waterfalls just outside of the town in Topes de Collantes are beautiful. These are accessible either by car or by taking one of the day tours offered by Cubatur. (The local bus service to Topes de Collantes hasn't run in years.)

There is also salsa dancing in the square at night. Check out the colonial homes and furniture too, the houses are open and some of the antiquities are visible from the streets. Check out Casa de la Música, it is an open air location, where there is a small platform and groups perform at night. Usually, there is salsa musica and great salsa dancers there enjoy the music and dance and perform with foreigners. It is great to enjoy a few drinks there as well.

Varadero – popular beach area, east of Havana, filled mostly with tourists.

Parque Josone

A park in the middle of Varadero filled with birds, vendors, music and camel rides for the kids.

Tropicana Matanzas

Visit the newest Tropicana, the most famous cabaret of Cuba. An artistic production featuring Cuban dance, music and history. W-Su, 5 hours duration, 49CUC.

Seafari Cayo Blanco

Excursion by Catamaran, snorkeling in a coral barrier reef, entertainment, music, lunch and open bar with Cuban cocktails in Cayo Blanco. There is the option to either swim with the dolphins or visit the dolphin show at Delfinario and enjoy a sunset party. M-Su (7 hours duration). 75CUC for the sunset party and dolphin show trip. 85CUC for the chance to swim with dolphins instead.

Delfinario

A dolphin show with the option to actually swim with the dolphins.

Bellamar Caves

Visit the oldest tourist attraction in Cuba, open to visitors since the 1860s. The caves are extensive and impressive. There are quite a few steps down into the cave and it is slightly damp and rough underfoot, and also very warm.

Villa Du Pont

Once the residence of Irénée Du Pont, the green-roofed hacienda style building built in 1928 is today the headquarters of the Varadero Golf Club. The golf course, just a few steps away, features 18 holes, the largest in Cuba. The visitor has the opportunity to admire the splendor of its mahogany furniture, floors made out the finest Italian marble, bronze candelabra and oil paintings. The basement offers Varadero´s most luxurious and expensive restaurant, "Las Américas". On the first floor there are 5 finely decorated and equipped guest rooms, plus a presidential suite. A few steps higher on the second floor, an attractive bar "Mirador" (open 24 hours), product of a mixture between art deco and Moorish style, will surely keep you there sipping tasty Cuban cocktails at sunset.