This colonial city has been restored. Tourists can experience Cuban history by visiting museums, plazas, forts and churches. The Calle Tacon market, according to Frommer's, is the best place to shop in the country. Havana's Malecon is a sea wall where locals and visitors can enjoy the beautiful seaside promenade. According to NPR correspondent Lourdes Garcia-Navarro, quoted in "Cuban Microcosm: A Stroll Along Havana's Malecon" on the NPR website, "this is a place for lovers." It is also known as "the longest seat in Cuba," according to Garcia-Navarro, because the mile-long sea wall serves as a seat for many, both locals and tourists from around the world.
Callejon de Hammel is an alley in Havana. The streets are lined with murals created by Salvador Gonzalez plus sculptures and shrines that honor Afro-Cuba deities. Every Sunday afternoon visitors and locals enjoy an Afro-Cuban music and dance street celebration.
Visiting the Sugar Mills in Cuba's Valle de los Ingenios, a valley where 60 sugar mills used to thrive, is a great way to see Cuban history and view the country's natural attractions. Take a 1907 American steam train to Manaca-Iznaga, a sugar estate, and enjoy the view from a grand tower.
The tourist fascinated by history can hike along a trail to see where Fidel Castro had his command post in the mountains. Comandancia de la Plata is deep in the Sierra Maestra mountains. Castro and his comrades hid there in the late 1950s.
Cuba is famous for its white sand beaches and warm Caribbean sea. Relax on the beach, enjoy the water sports or take a walk. One of the most famous beaches in Cuba is in Varadero, a resort town in the Matanzas province. Varadero Beach Resort is listed as one of the World Class Cuba Destinations on the World Class Beach Resort website. Activities include helicopter flights, parachuting, yacht trips plus horse and motor rides. Hotels offer theater, night clubs and fine cuisine as well as luxurious accommodations.
For the tourist eager to step outside of hotels and museums and experience Cuba from a local's perspective, staying at a Casas Particulares, similar to a bed-and-breakfast, gives a glimpse of the culture and people. Eat at a paladar restaurant and enjoy local Cuban cuisine.
