Unleashing Cuba 2.0, The Next World Travel Hotspot

It’s in the spotlight with US President Obama’s historic visit, but Cuba is no less than a paradise. It may have not been frequented by the former Presidents, but travelers have always adored this city for its mesmerizing art, beautiful culture, great food and kickass getaways. It's now going to be the next travel hotspot after US removes sanctions in a bid to bring an end to this vestige of the Cold War.

Unspoilt and undisturbed, Cuba is home to salsa dancing, rum, and wonderful beaches with stunning white sands and warm, turquoise waters. It’s the perfect place for animal lovers, thrilling for adventurers and a paradise for culture fans. So, if you plan to explore this little wonderland, Cuba won’t disappoint. It will treat you to warm weather and plenty of sunshine at any time of the year, thanks to its subtropical climate.

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The average temperature doesn’t fluctuate much from the mid-20s (°C), though you’ll experience more rain in the wet season (May - October), and slightly cooler temperatures during the dry season (November to April).

Also, it’s not too difficult to find your way inside Cuba, you are spoilt for choices. The state-run official taxis are your first option – they charge by distance rather than time, and a short trip will cost only a few dollars (make sure the driver has the meter running). Fees for longer trips are best negotiated up front. A fun alternative to regular taxis are the state-run Cocotaxis, which are three-seat scooters. These aren’t metered, so ask the price before setting off.

Let’s get down to what’s in store in Cuba for each and everyone of us:

FOR THE ART LOVERS

Despite a series of repressive governments the art scene has historically thrived in Cuba, where culture occupies a prominent place. One advice is take time to visit characterful Havana, a unique city that's rich in culture. The Edificio Bacardi (the Bacardi Building) in Havana is definitely worth a look. Lonely Planet describes it as "a splendid art-deco relic of pre-revolution decadence, despite years of neglect".
One of Cuba’s main cultural attractions is its National Fine Arts Museum, basically, the Cuban Arts collection, featuring the best of the island's fine arts, from Spanish colonial times, the turn of the 19th century, the avant-garde movement from the 1920's, the abstract movement, the arts explosion at the beginning of the Revolution, including pop arts from the 1960's, the fine artists who emerged from the Revolution sponsored and financed Arts Schools in the 1970's, 1980's and 1990's up to the present.

THE PARTY FREAKS

Outside of Havana, there are a couple of cities for clubbing and bar hopping - Cienfuegos and Trinidad. Cienfuegos’ best-kept secret is the Palacio de Valle, a palace that contains a restaurant and a rooftop bar. The interior Arabian architecture is impressive, but the view from the top makes this an ideal place for dancing. Trinidad has all of the average spots, but if you’re looking for a unique place to salsa dance, try the Cueva Ayala. It’s located underground, in the caves that surround the Hotel Las Cuevas . It tends to get warm down there, but the open bar (free drinks with admission price) should help cool you down.

THE ADVENTURE SEEKERS

If you are visiting Varadero a great day trip is renting a moped and driving out to Playa Coral to do some amazing snorkeling. Mopeds can be rented for about $25 a day in Varadero and will get you there and back easily. Earlier in the morning is better because they can sometimes run out. Scuba diving is best in Cubanacan, Santiago, and Cayo Largo, where underwater reefs and multicolored fish make each dive memorable. Swimming can be done all over the island and is immensely enjoyable because of Cuba's 70 degree water temperatures. Try Playa Giron, a sparkling, sheltered cove known to most Americans as Bay of Pigs. A word of caution: only swim in salt water, not fresh water, as it is possible to acquire parasitic tropical diseases in fresh water. The Soroa hotel in Pinar del Rio offers scenic horseback tours up into the mountains, as do the hotels in the Bayamo province. If altitude isn’t for you, arrange to ride with the Varadero hotel group down into the green Yumuri Valley.

THE SHOPAHOLICS

Some of the best cigars in the world are from Cuba. The real ones are called Habanos, and are available at LCDH (La Casa del Habanos) stores throughout the world. lso, do not ignore the souvenire markets. There are some real bargains to be made there. You will need a bit of luck, but it may turn out to be worth the trouble. Yes, the shopping is still not what you may be used to in your country, but Cuba is catching up, and fast.

THE NIGHTLIFE

There are three main places in Cuba called "Casa de la Musica" where the music never stops. Two of them are located in Havana city (Miramar town and Havana Center) and the third one is located in Trinidad city, in the center of the island. Then there are many excellent jazz clubs where excellent Cuban musicians play every night. For a fraction of a price you would pay abroad, you could enjoy a concert of top singers and bands, smoothing the night with excellent Cuban cocktails and even a dinner, if you get hungry.

Or, you can opt for a casino night. Casino is the Cuban name for the music and dancing craze many know as "Salsa". There are many places in La Habana, but make sure you go to 1830, a spectacular disco in the Chinese garden setting, under the open skies. During the day, the place is a high class restaurant in a beautiful old building, which is something one gets accustomed quickly in Cuba, especially in La Habana, but never gets over it. Make sure you explore the building and the garden when you visit. It is well worth the time. Plus, the food is great and very economical.

No visit to the Caribbean would be complete without the sights and sounds of a carnival, and the Santiago de Cuba (July) and Havana (August) carnivals never disappoint.

The streets explode with colour, music, food and dance well into the sultry summer evenings. Moreover, you’ll get to try lots of traditional local food and drink on your holiday to Cuba, too. Sip cocktails made from world-class Cuban rum, and enjoy a hit of intense Cuban coffee. You’ll be ready to indulge in a Caribbean getaway with a difference.