7 Unforgettable Things to do in Cuba: Unique attractions in 2024!

It’s hard not to fall in love with Cuba. The island seems to be the personification of paradise for visitors with white-sandy beaches, lush nature, old colonial architecture, and vibrant culture. However, for its citizens, the reality is often very different. It’s these contrasts and the historical role that this island has played that makes it such an enigma. 

If you’re thinking of going to a resort in Cuba, don’t do yourself a disservice by only staying in the confines of a resort town. While undoubtedly, you’ll have a fantastic time, the island is truly a gem that you can spend months exploring. 

In Cuba, you’ll find a doctor that’s heading up a pub crawl in Havana or an economics major turned tour guide walking you through the intricacies of the Cuban economy. This is partly because the tourism industry often pays better than being a doctor or lawyer.  Immersing yourself in the history of the country before your trip will truly help you appreciate the local intricacies.

It’s a country filled with hidden gems. We wrote about some of our top recommendations for museums that you need to check out. 

Read on to see our top things to do in Cuba to ensure you’ll be able to experience the country beyond the touristy luxury resorts!

1. Explore Havana with a Local

Don’t only rely on guidebooks and travel documentaries written by foreigners, this is one country where you can’t skip talking to locals as this is the best way to start peeling back the layers of the country. 

Pro tip: Airbnb experiences are full of incredible adventures. 

There are plenty of unique things to do in Havana so do some research upfront to narrow down your must-do things. 

On this tour of Havana, you’ll not only learn about the city’s history but how locals find innovative ways to do things from which Cuba might be cut off. 

For example, there’s no Netflix available in Cuba, but locals have figured out their own system of how to circulate the latest show. A highlight of the trip is a visit to one of the tour guides’ Abuela (grandmother) in her house.

After a long day of touring, check out some of Cuba’s nightlife or join a Havana pub crawl.

2. Smoke a Cuban cigar in the tobacco valley

You can’t go to Cuba and not enjoy a Cuban cigar! This is one of the highlights of a trip to the breathtaking Viñales Valley as most day trips to the area take you to a functioning tobacco farm. 

Here you’ll meet the farmers and see the process of cigar making from drying the tobacco leaves to how a cigar is rolled. Finally, you can sit down to smoke a cigar with them. It really doesn’t get better than this! 

While there is a lot to do in the area and you can easily spend a few days here, if you are short on time it’s very feasible to do a Viñales Valley Day Trip from Havana. 

3. Soak up history in colonial Trinidad

There’s a lot more to Cuba than just the capital of Havana. If you have the time, don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit one of the many other beautiful cities in the country. 

Outside of Havana and some luxury resorts, Trinidad is the most-visited destination in the country. It’s a beautifully preserved old town with colorful rooftops, cobbled stone streets, and century-old mansions. Get to know the city and its locals with a walking tour.

4. Visit an old sugar plantation at Valle de los Ingenios

If you’re staying longer than a day in Trinidad, there are a bunch of fantastic day trips you can do. One of the most popular options is taking a trip to the Valle de Los Ingenios where most sugar cane plantations are located. 

This region used to be known as the sugar capital of the world with more than 11 000 enslaved people working in the mills at its peak. 

Today these former plantations, mill buildings, and archeological sites are one of the best-preserved testimonies of the Caribbean sugar industry and the impact it had on the local population and the enslaved people. 

Visit this area with a guide so that you can best appreciate the history behind this area. You don’t need to book all your trips before you go as you can simply visit one of the tour agencies in Trinidad and take a trip that same day even. 

5. Stay in a Casa particular

You won’t find any hostels in the typical sense in Cuba. Instead, you’ll find the best types of accommodations are homestays known as a “Casa Particular”. This means you’ll stay with a local in their house and possibly even share meals with them. Most of the time this means renting a room, an apartment, or maybe even a whole house. 

Of course, there are hotels available, but these are state-run. So if you’d like the opportunity to learn about the culture, meet the locals, and also support locals directly then opt for a casa particular over a hotel.

6. Explore the rich marine life 

If you love to dive or are even just keen to try it, then you’re in for a treat as the island is home to some of the richest marine life in the Caribbean. With a coastline that’s 3570 miles long, there are plenty of beautiful beaches and diving opportunities. 

It’s hard to narrow down the best diving spots, but some highlights include diving with sharks at Jardines de la Rey or exploring shipwrecks in the Bay of Pigs. 

If you don’t want to dive there’s also the option to snorkel the Bay of Pigs for a couple of dollars. Diving and snorkeling here will most likely cost you far less than you’re used to. 

7. Take a dancing lesson

Cuba is a country of music and you’ll see dancers in the streets or performances at restaurants. Most likely you’ll also hear a lot of beautiful music blaring from houses as you walk around a town. 

Fortunately, it’s easy to join in the fun thanks to all the dancing schools offering lessons across the country like this dance school in Havana.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some Dos and Don’ts in Cuba?

• There are a couple of things that might be harder to get in Cuba so don’t forget to pack them. These include sanitary products, medicine, and any other personal things you can’t run out off.
• Come prepared for limited internet so download some offline maps before arrival. 
• Bring enough cash to exchange. Especially if you are a U.S.  citizen there are restrictions on taking cash out of an ATM.
• Don’t buy Cuban cigars on the street. They are almost guaranteed to be counterfeit. 
• Don’t take pictures of the military or police. It’s a big no-no in the country.

What to do in Cuba for a week?

The activities listed above can be done in a week although you may want to consider diving spots that are closer. The activities are all centered in and around Havana and Trinidad or are done as day trips from these two places.

You can travel between Havana and Trinidad by bus or taxi. If you are staying in a casa particular the owner likely has some connections to taxi drivers and can hook you up in a shared taxi with other tourists. 

Ready for your trip to Cuba?

Now that you have a unique list of things to do in Cuba, it's time to get planning with Pilot!