9 of the best things to do in Cuba

One of the most historic cities of the Caribbean, Havana is a unique architectural, social and cultural mix. Classic cars, chunky cigars and music blasting from every window also make it one of the most atmospheric – and a true travel icon.

At sunset, head to the Malecón – the city’s sea wall – and walk from one end to the other. Here you’ll meet fishermen and lovers, musicians and clowns – all manner of Cubans doing what they’re so good at: being here.

Forget the officious state-run hotels. The best way to unravel the baffling enigmas of modern-day Cuba is to stay in a privately run bed and breakfast.

Known locally as casas particulares, Cuban B&Bs run the gamut of majestic colonial mansions in Trinidad to simple clapboard beach houses in Baracoa. But, while no two casas are exactly alike, they all offer something that no hotel can ever replicate: a sharp and vivid snapshot of everyday Cuban life, unguarded and uncensored, with all of its fun, foibles and unfathomable secrets.

You’ll amble through a flawless landscape of green – forest-clad, rolling hills swathed in thin wisps of errant cloud. Dewy creepers hang down limply from the branches, glinting in the early light, and twittering birds sit gossiping on the telephone wires as you pedal by.

Thankfully, music is such an essential part of Cuban life that it doesn’t take much effort to unearth a more authentic experience. Ask around – Cubans are more than happy to share the names of their favourite clubs and bars. From Afro-Cuban rumba to son and reggaeton, you’ll soon find yourself shaking your booty like a local.

Baracoa is Cuba’s oldest settlementand was one of the first landing sites for Christopher Columbus back in 1492. Tucked away in the far eastern corner of Cuba, Baracoa’s distance from Havana makes it one of the least visited areas of the country.

Surrounded by lush rainforest and stunning secluded beaches, Baracoa is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Havana and well worth a visit to see another side to this fascinating country.Local people have kept their traditions and continue to preserve the region’s pristine eco-system. Cocoa trees are found in abundance in the local area so be sure to sample the local chocolate.

This led to the city being embellished with elegant 17th and 18th century mansions with a compact and attractive colonial centre similar to Trinidad’s but far more peaceful with appealingly local authenticity. There is a simple but charming hotel located right on its attractive central plaza called the Hotel del Rijo. A stay here can make a welcome break from the humdrum of Cuba’s larger cities.

Follow your nose to the little ramshackle coffee huts that dot the area. The owner will motion you towards a seat and grind the beans in front of you. Best of all, each cup of coffee comes with a complimentary cigar. All for a fraction of the cost of a Latte back home.

Transport tails off the further you are from the cities, so you’ll probably need to rent a car to get the most ‘el campo’ and explore hamlets and little towns. The road from Pinar del Río to the far Western tip of the island is a joy, speckled with pretty villages, lush vegetation and farmsteads. Make sure you stop at the roadside stalls selling fruit. Knobbly, misshapen and full of flavour, it’s much tastier than any you’ll get at home.

Guantánamo Bay may be notorious for its US base, but it’s also a Cuban province of cultural diversity and surprising splendour. And it’s beautiful too: a sweeping horseshoe of turquoise, it’s so sheltered that it can offer a fleet protection from the fiercest of Caribbean hurricanes.

At Caimanera, the nearest Cuban town to the US naval base, locals while away weekend afternoons with cans of Bucanero beer in a beach bar, while their children swim in the bay’s warm waters.

Craving a Cuban adventure of your own? See Wanderlust’s Trip Finder for Cuba tours with top travel operators.

Main image: Revolutionary poster in Havana (Shutterstock.com)