Calling all newlyweds. If you’re recently hitched and are looking for somewhere special to celebrate the future – big congratulations by the way – then we may just have somewhere in mind.
Cuba is the type of destination that has something for everyone. This Caribbean jewel has long been admired for its famous snowy white palm-fringed beaches, cultural cities, and rural villages and countryside. Here, visitors can have a bunch of different holidays all wrapped up into one – with sun-kissed weather and delicious cuisine to match, might we add. Variety is the spice of life, after all…
We’ve rounded up a few reasons why Cuba makes the perfect honeymoon destination for every type of couple.
For balmy beach bathers
Cuba is world-renowned for its beautiful beaches and florescent blue waters. Experience it for yourself and you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into a postcard.
One of the best places to head to if you’re all about the beach life, is Varadero. This narrow peninsular that elegantly juts out into the Atlantic is only 0.75 miles wide but packs a whole lot of beach in (25 miles of it, to be precise). Varadero has made its name as the go-to tourist hub in Cuba for good reason, hosting one of the world’s most beautiful fine white sand beaches, a string of more than 50 all-inclusive resorts, plus the odd golf course to swing at.
Naturally, the first thing you’ll want to do is explore its seductive stretch of palm-fringed sand and get involved in a host of thrilling water sports, the striking blue hues inviting adrenaline seekers to don their snorkel, go scuba diving, or embark on a boat trip. If you ever tire of the beach (highly unlikely), hit the resort’s popular must-see attractions including Saturno Cave, Parque Josone, and Varadero Street Market – perfect for picking out a unique souvenir or two.
For history buffs
There’s opportunity to discover over 500 years of history in any single trip to Cuba. Your itinerary will be jam-packed with exciting things to see and do, with 9 UNESCO heritage sites, unique colonial architecture, and vintage 1950’s Cadillac’s lining the streets of Havana – to name a few.
There are plenty of sites to uncover if you’re eager to sample what this dreamy holiday isle was like prior to the flocking tourists and all-inclusive beach resorts. Visit the Che Guevara Mausoleum to learn about the country’s famous revolutionary. Based in Santa Clara, the site plays host to a variety of memorabilia from Che and the other guerrillas, from photographs to news articles and personal items such as pens – plus an impressive monument of the leader.
Old Havana and its Fortification System is a fascinating place to wander, where you’ll pass streets lined by traditional baroque and neoclassical-style buildings – which have helped shape the capital into one of the most significant cities in the world. The capital, which was founded in 1519 by the Spanish, includes five large urban plazas brimming with architectural monuments and some of the oldest stone fortifications in the Americas – which earned themselves UNESCO status in 1982.
Hemingway fans can have a sneak peek of his former home, Finca Vigia, nestled in the town of San Francisco de Paula just outside of Havana. The famous writer purchased the house in 1940 and went on to write two of his most celebrated novels here, ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ and ‘The Old Man and the Sea’. The house is now a museum and features Hemingway’s personal belongings, artwork, and furniture, as memorabilia – including 9,000 of his books.
Want to learn about the country’s famous sugar industry? Trinidad, located in the central Cuban province of Sancti Spiritus, is the birthplace of the sugar industry, where it flourished in the aptly named Valley de los Ingenious (Valley of the Sugar Mills). Visit the living museum which includes the sites of 75 former cane sugar mills, plantation houses, and barracks for an insight into what life was like before the colonial town fell off the modernisation wagon amid the sugar trade’s demise. In fact, Trinidad was awarded UNESCO status in 1988 for being so well preserved – its architecture has been frozen in time ever since. More on Trinidad later…
For city escapers
If you want to start married life with a rush of excitement, immersing yourself in the atmospheric streets of Havana will surely do the trick. The capital is the perfect contrast to Cuba’s tropical island beaches and rich beauty, with its 16th-century city heart made up of colourful cobbled streets lined with classic American cars, towered over by grand architecture. You’ll find everything from ancient forts to imperial museums and Spanish colonial buildings here.
If you’re unsure where to start, why not wander along the Malecon (the city’s 8km-long city wall) and admire views over the sea and city? Or speed things up and rent a classic car (with a driver) to do the journey for you whilst you soak up the passing sights.
If architecture is on your list (it ought to be while visiting Havana), then head to the Havana Cathedral for the most awe-inspiring design – it’s one of 11 Roman Catholic Churches in the city. Similarly, the Colon Cemetery is an interesting landmark to visit if you’re into history, housing 800,000 graves, many of which with artistic headstones. It sounds like an odd place to recommend, but you’ll have to trust us on this one.
Architecture aside, Havana is famous for being home to the world-famous salsa dance – and there are plenty of venues where you can experience it in all its glory. Enjoy elaborate costumes, pulsating music, and preferably a rum-based cocktail in hand at any of the city’s hot spots including Diablo Tun Tun, Café Cantante Mi Habana, La Casa de la Musica, The Miramar, Cabaret Turquino (located on the 25th floor of Habana Hilton) and beyond. It makes for a great night out full of fun, frills, and fast-paced feet.
The list of unique things to see and do here is endless, but failing everything, you can simply wander the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is Old Havana – it’s a truly special place.
For nature lovers
If you and your partner have a love of the great outdoors, you’re in luck. The island’s natural beauty goes without saying, from its tropical beaches to its lush rolling hills. There’s a handful of must-visit locations we recommend if you want to make the most of Cuba’s diverse landscape.
Santiago De Cuba
Santiago De Cuba is the country’s second major city after Havana. It’s the most mountainous region and plays host to Cuba’s highest peak, courtesy of La Gran Piedra. Discover the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that surrounds Gran Piedra (Jardin Botanico) and wander a plethora of scenic trails that lead to its peak. Whilst you’re in the area, Cespedes Park offers a little more hustle and bustle with its main square peppered with talented street performers and colonial architecture in the form of cathedrals and hotels.
Sierra Maestra
Can’t get enough of the mountains? Sierra Maestra will whisk you away from the buzzing city and place you firmly in a remote land far off the beaten track. Nestled amid lush nature, the Sierra Maestra Mountain Range offers a variety of scenic hikes through the wilderness of Parque Nacional Turquino. La Comandancia de Plata is the camp founded by Fidel and Che (it’s, in fact, the place they would meet to plan their battles) and everything here remains as it was – today it is a museum filled with revolutionary memorabilia.
Trinidad
Lastly, but by no means least is Trinidad. Declared the world’s oldest outdoor museum, a day spent in this time capsule of a city will leave you feeling as though you’re stuck in the mid-19th Its neo-baroque main square, Plaza Mayor, is surrounded by colonial buildings, mansions, and museums – the Museo de Arquitectura Colonial displaying old relics from the town’s famous sugar-producing era. This corner of Cuba has a diverse landscape made up of cobbled squares, a beautiful beach to the south and the Sierra del Escambray Mountains to the north, with idyllic walking trails and cascading waterfalls. Perfect for newlyweds to wander in awe.
Whether you’re considering Cuba for its balmy beaches, rich history, or wonderful natural beauty (or hadn’t considered Cuba at all), we hope this article provides that it makes for the most beautiful honeymoon location.
Want to learn more? Give our expert team at Love Cuba a call on 0207 071 3636 and start planning the most magical holiday of your life.
Love Cuba is the UK’s # 1 Cuba holiday specialists.
For more information on Cuba holidays, Multi Centre Cuba Holidays or Tailor Made Cuba Holidays please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team of
Cuba holiday specialists on 0207 071 3636 or email enquiries@lovecuba.com
