21 Things to Do in Cuba

Looking for things to do in Cuba? Cuba is a beautiful country located in northern Caribbean where the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean meet.

There are so many fun things to do in Cuba. You can go explore waterfalls, relax at tropical beaches, go diving, ride vintage cars, and get to know the Cuban culture through both food, dancing, and staying at Casa Particulares.

Here are 21 things to do in Cuba as a tourist:

Ride in a vintage car

One of the most popular things to do in Cuba is to go for a ride in one of the classic old cars. There are several tours you can take in the tourist cars, but you can also just go for a casual ride in one of the old taxis.

When we ordered a taxi from Havana to Cienfuegos, we got one of these old cars. It was such a fun and cool experience that I’ll never forget!

Stay in a Casa Particulares 

If you’re too shy to make contact with the locals while exploring Cuba, I have a great recommendation for you. In Cuba, you can stay in Casa Particulares, which means that you stay with a local Cuban family instead of a hotel.

We did this twice during our stay in Cuba, and it was so much fun. This way, you have a chance to really get to know the locals, have breakfast/dinner with them, and learn much about their culture.

On Airbnb, you can find several nice Casa Particulares. It was through this site where we found the local families we stayed with!

Go swimming in Cueva de los Peces

Cueva de los Peces is a 70m-deep cenote where you can go swimming, snorkeling, and even diving. Here you can spot tropical fish as well as splashing around in the crystal clear waters.

There are not many countries in the world where you’ll find a natural swimming pool like this one, so make sure to add it to your list of things to do in Cuba!

Watch thousands of crabs cross the road

From April to July, thousands of crabs migrate from the forests down to the ocean to mate. The best time to see them is during the morning and evening, since they avoid making their journey during the hottest hours of the day.

You can spot them on the road that joins Cienfuegos and Trinidad, as well around Santiago de Cuba, or on the road from Playa Larga to Playa Girón (Matanzas).

Visit Morro Castle in Havana

Across the bay from old Havana, you’ll find the Morro Castle. It’s a castle from the 16th century that offers beautiful views of Havana, as well as interesting history to learn.

This is no doubt one of the best things to do in Cuba with kids – they’re going to love exploring this place!

Go to a baseball game at Estadio Latinoamericano

Estadio Latinoamericano in Havana is home to two Cuban pro-league teams.

This is one of the best things to do in Cuba for the sports enthusiasts. Join the festivities at Estadio Latinoamericano and cheer together with the locals when their favorite team is playing.

It will for sure be an unforgettable experience in Cuba!

Explore Topes National Park

Outside Trinidad you’ll find the beautiful Topes National Park, also known as Topes de Collantes. If you enjoy hiking, then this is one of the best things to do in Cuba for you.

Here you have many hiking opportunities as well as beautiful waterfalls to explore.

From Trinidad, you can get a ride with a 4×4 vehicle into the park and to the waterfalls. You can also book a guided tour inside the national park.

Have a daiquiri at El Floridita

El Floridita is a beautiful old bar in old Havana, and is the place where the world-famous Daiquiri drink was invented during the 1930s. If you enjoy sipping on drinks during your vacation, this is no doubt one of the best things to do in Cuba for you.

A fun fact is that this was one of Ernest Hemmingway’s favorite spots in Cuba. Today you can see a statue of Hemingway inside the bar.

Visit Trinidad

Trinidad is a Spanish colonial town that you must visit during your stay. The old town of Trinidad is very beautiful with all the colorful houses and cobblestone streets.

Trinidad is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which makes it a must to visit during your stay in Cuba.

Go diving

If you like to go diving, then you’re going to love Cuba. It’s cheap to go diving in Cuba and the marine life is also great. For around 25 USD a tank, you can dive in the beautiful waters of Cuba.

Bay of Pigs is a popular place where you can see both marine life and shipwrecks at the bottom of the sea.

Stroll around in old Havana

Strolling around in old Havana is one of the most popular things to do in Cuba. To see the colorful houses, the locals in action, as well as enjoying the nice atmosphere.

There are so many nice streets with beautiful old houses, so you can easily spend 1-2 days to explore. Make sure to bring your camera, because there are so many beautiful and photogenic spots around old Havana.

Dance salsa

For the Cubans, salsa dancing is just as natural to them as walking. When going to a salsa club, don’t be afraid to get up there and have some fun.

Even though most locals at these salsa clubs are professionals, they enjoy teaching and dancing together with other people.

Head over to the outdoor club 1830 for salsa night. There you can go salsa dancing together with the locals!

Visit Cienfuegos

Most tourists skip visiting Cienfuegos and go straight from Havana to Trinidad. It’s a shame since Cienfuegos is a lovely town that’s worth visiting a day or two.

Cienfuegos is known as the ”Pearl of the South” as well as ”Paris of Cuba” due to its history and many locals of French origin. Cienfuegos offers a great mix of the Caribbean spirit and French architecture.

Eat fresh lobster

When it comes to Cuban food, you have to eat lobster. Eating lobster in Cuba is like eating pizza in Italy – it’s something you have to taste if you like seafood. The lobster has so much flavor and is seriously the best I’ve ever had.

If you decide to visit Cienfuegos during your stay in Cuba, I can recommend you to visit restaurant Villa Maria. We had a delicious meal with fresh lobster and mojitos + the staff was super friendly and welcoming!

Visit the Vegas Grande Waterfall

When exploring the beautiful Topes National Park, make sure to visit this beautiful waterfall. The Vegas Grande Waterfall offers a beautiful environment where you can go for a swim and relax to the sound of the pouring water.

If you love to be out in nature, this is one of the best things to do in Cuba!

Drink a mojito

Cuba is the birthplace of the famous drink mojito, so you must taste at least one mojito during your stay. It tastes very fresh and not like any other mojito in the world – in other words, they’re very delicious.

Hit the beaches

Cuba is an island that’s full of beautiful beaches. Imagine white sand and crystal clear waters full of interesting marine life. Make sure to bring snorkeling gear and go snorkeling when visiting the beaches, it’s so much fun!

Some beaches worth checking out are:

• Playa Paraiso
• Varadero Beach
• Playa los Flamencos
• Playa Pilar
• Cayo Santa Maria
• Playa Ancon
• Cayo Levisa
• Playa Coral
• Playa Guardalavaca

Visit Museo de la Revolución

If you want to learn more about the revolution in Cuba, then you should visit Museo de la Revolución.

This museum is housed in a former presidential palace and is of the most popular attractions in Cuba. It’s a great way to get a look into Cuba’s political past.

Explore Viñales

Viñales is one of the most beautiful places in Cuba. Here you have amazing landscapes and also the possibility to see the rural side of Cuba.

It’s in Viñales where the majority of the local tobacco is grown, and here you can also do some hiking and other fun activities. In Viñales you can learn about how they farm and grow the tobacco as well as how to roll your own Cuban cigar.

Visit Peninsula de Zapata

If you love animals and nature, then this is one of the top things to do in Cuba for you.

Peninsula de Zapata is one of the largest marshlands in the Caribbean, and here you have amazing nature as well as wildlife. This is a home to 150 different bird species and crocodiles, which is pretty cool.

Click here to book a tour in the Zapata Peninsula

Go diving in Cueva de Saturno

A 30 minutes drive from Varadero you’ll find Cueva de Saturno, an underground cave filled with crystal clear freshwater with a temperature around 20-22ºC.

It’s a popular place to go swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Here you can go diving to the deepest part of the cave, which is 22m down.

Down there you can see beautiful formations of stalagmites, stalactites, and also a wide variety of marine life. The marine life of Cueva de Saturno includes blind shrimp, lobsters, barracudas, angelfish and green morays.

You can rent snorkeling equipment on-site, but if you want to go diving you need to book a tour with one of the diving clubs in Varadero.

A popular tour that includes a stop at the beautiful Cueva de Saturno, is the Yumurí Valley Jeep Safari tour.  This tour will also take you snorkeling/diving at Playa Coral, show you the bridges of Matanzas, and much more.

Things to do in Cuba with kids

Cuba is a fun destination for both adults and kids. You can go snorkeling, swimming, dancing salsa, go zip-lining, exploring waterfalls, and much more.

There are many things to do in Cuba with kids, and here are a few recommendations:

• Swimming in Cueva de Saturno
• Snorkling
• Explore waterfalls
• Take a salsa dancing class
• Take a ride in a vintage car
• Go zip-lining
• Stroll around the local markets

Things to do in Cuba when it rains

There are several things to do in Cuba when it rains. You can visit interesting museums, go to the theatre, go dancing, and much more.

• Have a daiquiri at El Floridita
• Visit Museu Nacional de Belas Artes de Cuba
• Take a salsa dancing class
• Eat fresh lobster at an indoor restaurant
• Go swimming in the rain
• Visit the museum Museo de la Revolución
• Go swimming in Cueva de Saturno
• Go see a show at Gran Teatro de La Habana
• Visit the Pharmaceutical Museum

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Do you have more recommendations on things to do in Cuba? Leave a comment below!