Location: Caribbean, Island south of Florida and the Bahamas
Capital: Havana (La Habana)
Tourist Attractions: One of the world’s few remaining Communist countries, Cuba’s old world charm, balmy weather and friendly people, make it a unique destination. The capital, Havana, has many heritage buildings that exemplify Spanish colonial architecture. Faded walls, communist propaganda posters of Che Guevara and an energetic nightlife are hallmarks of the city. Other tourist attractions in Cuba are the city of Santiago de Cuba, the Indian pictographs at Cueva de Punta del Este and the waterfalls and outdoor camps at El Nicho. The botanical gardens at Jardín Botánico Soledad and the marsh and mangrove forest ecoystem of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve at Gran Parque Natural Montemar, are also worth visiting. Hurricane Wilma has recently affected Cuba. Check for its local impact before traveling to a destination within Cuba.
Access: There are regular flights from Canada, Central and South America, Europe and the Caribbean. From the US, most travelers arrive via Toronto, Nassau or Cancún. The US Government restricts direct travel from the US to Cuba. A few cruise ships and a large number of yachts arrive at Cuba’s many harbors.