What to See in Cuba: Legacy, landscapes, and living history

Old Havana was founded in 1519 and consists of urban plazas that are surrounded by buildings. There are narrow streets spread throughout the historic center and it represents an impressive historical area that tourists can enjoy exploring. During the second half of the 16th century, Havana was the largest port in the region. The most complete dockyard in the New World was developed in Havana during the 18th century. Map

Pico Turquino National Park can be found in the Sierra Maestra along southeastern Cuba. Visitors will have a view of large mountains, clean creeks, and thick forests. The hikes to the summit are challenging, possibly some of the most challenging in Cuba.

Hikers will pass several rural communities as well as beautiful terrain. Guides are required for a portion of the hike and you may need to stay overnight. There are over 100 plant species in the area as well as some important plants and animals that are protected by the park. Map

Established in 1974, the Varahicacos Ecological Reserve is three square km of protected land located on the northeastern end of the Hicacos Peninsula. Hikers will find short trails through the forests and can see the Patriarca, which is a giant cactus that is more than 500 years old. There is also a large cave filled with ancient pictographs (Cueva de Ambrosio). The area is known as a place to view flora and fauna up close. There is also aboriginal history there.

Varahicacos Ecological Reserve, Punta Hicacos, Varadero, Matanzas, Cuba, Phone: 53-45-66-80-18

Acuario Nacional de Cuba, founded in 1960, is a scientific center that is used for both educational and recreational purposes. It also focuses on the preservation of marine coastal landscapes, with an emphasis on educating the public about the environment. Visitors can check out the aquarium’s specialty, saltwater fish, in addition to watching sea lions and dolphins. There are hourly dolphin shows on offer.

Acuario Nacional de Cuba, Calle 3ra No 6001, esq 60, CP / 11300, Beach, Havana, Cuba

Declared a World Heritage Biosphere Reserve in 1987, the name Baconao is based on a legend of a young native who lived in southern Cuba during the pre-Columbian period. There was once a magical tree called bacona, which allowed the child to play music from lagoon snails.

Baconao park offers many different attractions, including the Great Rock, Prehistoric Valley, a botanical garden, an aquarium, Baconao Lagoon, and the Museum of History of Terrestrial Transport.

Castillo de la Real Fuerza is considered to be an engineering marvel. Construction of the building started in 1558 and ended in 1577. Sitting on the northeastern corner of the plaza, the structure was influenced by other buildings in Spain during the medieval period. Thick limestone makes up the walls and a drawbridge separates it from a moat. Today, the castle contains the Museo de Navegacion (Navigation Museum). The museum has model ships and a large collection of treasure from sunken ships.

Castillo de la Real Fuerza, O'Reilly, La Habana, Cuba, Phone: 53-78-61-50-10

Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca was built to protect the port of Santiago and is the most complete and well-preserved piece of Spanish-American military architecture around. The castle is a stone fortress made up of multiple levels. Sitting on the southeastern end of Cuba, San Pedro de la Roca Castle, as well as La Estrella, Santa Catalina, and Aguadores, protect the bay entrance and the port of San Diego de Cuba.

Located on one side of the mouth of the harbor, Castillo San Salvador de la Punta is one of two important defensive structures in Havana left over from colonial times. Built between 1590 and 1630, it is one of three fortresses that appear on Havana’s coat of arms. Commissioned by Captain General Juan de Texeda, it was designed by Giovanni Baptista Antonelli. For centuries, a 250-meter chain boom would be raised every night to deter marauders.

Castillo San Salvador de la Punta, Malecón, La Habana, Cuba

Che Guevara commanded the group that managed to derail an armored train that was carrying 300 soldiers, heavy weapons, and ammunition during the final conflict of the Cuban Revolution. The boxcars are still in their derailed condition today. The bulldozer that was used to take up the train tracks is also still at the scene. The Guevara Memorial started construction in 1982 and was officially opened in 1988. There is a museum there that showcases Guevara’s life as well as his gun, medical certificates and other items, and a parade ground. The Che Guevara Mausoleum was added later after Guevara’s body was recovered from a mass grave in Bolivia.

Che Guevara Mausoleum, Santa Clara, Cuba, Phone: 53-42-20-58-78

The Christ of Havana sits atop a hill that overlooks Havana’s bay. Cuban sculptor Jilma Madera made the sculpture during the 1950s, and it is carved from Carrara marble and sits approximately 66 feet high, weighing 320 tons. It took 67 blocks of marble to make the statue. It can be seen from many vantage points located throughout the city.