Cuba Family Holidays

Introducing Cuba (Continued...)

90 miles from mainland USA.

Modern day Cuba mixes Spanish, African and Western lifestyles to create its own unique culture. In short, it’s a quixotic blend of revolutionary history, live music, vintage cars, tropical palm-fringed beaches and charming colonial beauty.
Cuba’s 3,735 kilometres of coastline is a mix of sandy tropical beaches, lush mangroves and marshlands. In the southeast of the country is the Sierra Maestra. This is Cuba’s largest mountain range and home to the country’s highest peak, Pico Turquino, which rises to a modest 1,975 metres. Other notable geographic features include the biosphere reserve of Sierra de Rosario and the Escambray Mountains; these lie across central Cuba and summit at Pico San Juan (960 metres).

The rest of the country is made up of mainly flat, lush plains that roll from coast to coast, through coffee, sugar cane and tobacco plantations. Cuba’s climate is tropical. The annual temperature range is 19C to 32C. The highest rainfall is received between May and October. And the hurricane season - which can be ferocious - is September through October.

Mountain Biking

Discovering Cuba on two wheels is one of the best ways to see and explore this amazing, emerald isle. The Vinales Valley, in the northwest of Cuba, is a patchwork of tobacco plantations and traditional villages, interspersed with dramatic limestone outcrops (called mogotes); here there are many biking trails, for all ability and fitness levels.
In the southeastern region is Turquino National Park. Here you can ride along more challenging jungle trails, some of which lead up to the historic headquarters of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara's rebel army.

Cycling

There are more bikes than cars on the islands of Cuba. This makes road cycling a breeze. As you pleasantly meander along the traffic-free roads, soak up the tropical island landscape. There’s also the chance to meet friendly locals and refresh at the end of the day with a mint-infused Mojito cocktail.
Alternatively, navigate your way around some of Cuba’s cities. Let the culture, charm and atmosphere overtake you in Havana or Trinidad, for example.
Some Cuban companies offer customised or eco-cycling tours into a variety of intriguing island areas. Otherwise, travel from home with your own bike and this will ensure you are well set up for the ride!

Trekking

Cuba boasts some of the most spectacular and unspoiled mountain scenery in the Caribbean. In the Sierra Maestra mountains and Turquino National Park there are guided treks to the summit of Pico Turquino. This is Cuba’s highest peak at 1,975 metres; from here you can look for miles across the turquoise Caribbean Sea, or soak in the verdant jungle vistas from the twisting trail.
From Havana there are many treks that lead out across the tropical grasslands and through beautiful valleys into the Vinales region.
Central Cuban treks take you through lower marshlands and are less strenuous than wandering in the mountains. Within the Buenavista Biosphere Reserve there are 11,500 metres of caves and grottos, as well as examples of early cave paintings: geology and anthropology.

Scuba Diving

The diving off Cuba is considered to be some of the best in Latin America. All the sites are rich with underwater scenery, marine life and, in places, fascinating wrecks.
Isla de Juventud is tricky to get to, but the diving is highly recommended. Maria La Gorda offers solitude and complete peace; Marea del Portillo is located against a mountain backdrop, within a World Heritage Site; and Playa Giron is in a sheltered natural harbour, which provides good diving for beginners.
Sea temperatures vary from around 22C in December to 29C in July. The best time of year for clear visibility and great diving is December through to April.

Classic Itineraries

Most international flights land in Havana, so take the opportunity to absorb the electric atmosphere of this exotic and historic city. Later on, travel southwest to the Vinales Valley region, then cycle, mountainbike, or trek in the grassy lowlands and through the plantations. Or you could head to the limestone hills, check out the weird rock formations and ride along more challenging trails.
Moving east, either fly to Isla de Juventud and go wreck diving, or stay on the main island and dive off the coast of Marea del Portillo, near Santiago de Cuba.
From Santiago de Cuba, head directly east to the Turquino National Park. Trek to the summit of Cuba’s highest peak and observe the bird-life that abounds in this park. On the northern shores of Cuba, (off the coast, from the town of Moron), is the Sabana-Camaguey archipelago. Chill on the beach, explore the mangroves or hire a boat and go fishing in paradise.

Other Activities

With such an interesting and largely unspoilt coastline, it's no surprise that watersports top our list of recommended other activities.
For novice divers there's always snorkelling, which acts as a perfect introduction to the world beneath the waves. Staying afloat, and dry this time, you can always try your hand at sea fishing or hire a windsurfer and make the most of the islands' winds. Once done for the day, you will no doubt quickly immerse in the cultural aspects of this charmed island - in Cuba, never be without your camera!