Cuba

Cuba is one of the hottest destinations in the Caribbean region, with an abundance of cultural and scenic attractions plus a rich, intoxicating arts and music scene. The country has experienced an influx of tourists since its previously tense relationship with the US softened in 2015, ushering in an exciting new era for both local business owners and tourists.

Havana, the dilapidated capital of Cuba, bursts with an energy all its own: vintage Cadillacs cruise past brightly coloured pastel houses, while music and salsa dancing can be found around every corner. The cobbled old town oozes colonial-era charm, though this is by no means specific to Havana. Cienfuegos and Trinidad have quickly become travellers’ favourites thanks to stunning architecture, white-sand beaches and an authenticity that’s been lost in traditionally popular destinations.

If Cuba’s cities are a step back in time, the rural regions are a giant leap. Vinales, in the heart of Cuba’s tobacco-growing region, is a Jurassic Park-like wonderland where limestone hills jut out of the verdant, green landscape and locals puff cigars on wooden porches. Whether you’re exploring the 17th-century streets of Havana, relaxing on Trinidad’s beaches or soaking up a rural sunset in Vinales, know that you’re experiencing a special time in Cuba. This is the land that seduced Hemingway, an inimitable destination that thrums with life and possibility.

Experience timeless wonder in Cuba

From colonial cities to vast expanses of lush jungle and crystal-clear Caribbean water, Cuba truly offers something for travellers of all ages.

Discover Eastern Cuba on a  journey through the country’s east, exploring the soul of the country and experiencing the crossroads of history and culture in Santiago and Baracoa.

Travel from Havana to Vinales, the Bay of Pigs, Cienfuegos, Trinidad and Santa Clara and  uncover the Secrets of Cuba. Dig a little deeper and discover the haunts of Hemingway, World Heritage sites, tobacco fields and the story of the revolutionary Che Guevara.

Join a group for a special ‘people-to-people’ journey featuring authentic, firsthand encounters with locals from all walks of life. Accompanied by a local guide and an Abercrombie & Kent program director, you’ll experience historic Havana with a resident architect, join a local historian for a guided tour of Trinidad, visit a working tobacco farm in Vinales, and watch and speak with local musicians in Havana, Cienfuegos and Trinidad.

Accommodation with old-world luxury in Cuba

Stay in Havana at the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski, originally built between 1894 and 1917 as the first European style shopping arcade in Cuba. Perfectly located in the heart of Old Havana, the hotel features a cigar bar, panoramic restaurant and bar as well as a rooftop pool with views of the city.

Hotel La Union, in the centre of Cienfuegos, was built in 1869 and has housed many famous guests including Anna Pavlova, the Russian ballet dancer who was supposedly the inspiration for the desert. Now equipped with a pool, sauna, gym, restaurant and bar, it’s a slice of luxury amid colonial streets.

A&K's Cuba highlights

Discover captivating Cuba with your experts from A&K. Tailor-make your trip to create an experiential journey that includes your choice of highlights, including:

• Fall under the seductive spell of Cienfuegos, the ‘Pearl of the South’, with its French air and Caribbean spirit
• Discover Hemingway’s Cuba while visiting his favourite haunts
• Practice your salsa steps in Havana’s musical whirlwind
• Soak up Vinales’ lush surrounds and see firsthand how Cuba’s famous cigars are rolled
• Taste true Cuban culture at the Havana Club Museum of Rum
• Spend some time at the Che Guevara Mausoleum in Santa Clara, learning about the revolutionary figure and his impact on Cuba and the world

When to Go

Cuba is best visited from December to May when sunshine and blue skies are the norm. The wet season begins in June and although there is hurricane risk from June–November, these rarely hit the island directly, but bring intermittent heavy rain and strong winds.