Cuba

Cuba only looks like a simple destination at first glance. You have already decided to fly, but then the questions begin: which resort to choose, how many days to leave for Havana, what level of hotel to pick. None of them has a single right answer, because it depends on what you expect from the trip. In this section we have gathered guides that help you make these decisions in order.

The core of the section is a set of overview guides to the country. One of them compares Cuba's resorts by three goals: beach, diving and sightseeing. Another brings resorts, all-inclusive hotels and the choice of season together in one text. They are a good place to start if your trip plan has not taken shape yet. A separate roundup describes what to do on the island, from music in Havana to Pico Turquino.

The second large part is devoted to hotels. The roundups are divided by category: three, four and five stars, all of them all-inclusive. They include beachfront options and cover the map from Varadero to Cayo Coco. This split saves time: you open your own budget level right away and skip the rest. We try to describe hotels using the same structure so they are easy to compare with each other.

The third part is about Havana. The section has a ready-made itinerary for several days in the capital: the old town, the fortresses across the bay and the more distant parks. Next to it is an overview of guided tours of Havana, listing the routes, the duration and the downsides of each option. Together these two texts help you decide what to see on your own and where you need someone to accompany you. Havana needs time of its own. You can combine it with a beach resort, but it is worth building that into the plan in advance.

Every guide opens with a short conclusion, and the details follow below. Then come the practical blocks: who the option suits, what is inconvenient about it, what to check before the trip. For figures we give the source and the date we checked them. If the data may change, we note that alongside. We write about downsides directly, because a hotel with a good beach can be far from everything else.

The section suits those who are planning a beach vacation at an all-inclusive hotel and want to add Havana or excursions to it. It is also useful if you are going for the first time and choosing between resorts. If you need a detailed guide to independent travel around the whole island with transfers between cities, there are only a few such texts so far. If you are looking for a package tour or a trip matched to your dates, this section will not help: we write travel guides and sell nothing.

It is easiest to read in this order. First the overview of a vacation in Cuba and the resort comparison: they give the overall picture and help you choose a place. Then the hotel roundup for your category. After that the Havana itinerary and the tour overview, if the capital is part of your plans. The list of things to do on the island comes in handy at the end, when the backbone of the trip is ready.

Cuba belongs to the "North America" section within "Destinations". On the same level you will find "Dominican Republic", "Mexico", "USA" and "Canada". If you are still comparing beach vacation options in the region, open "Dominican Republic" and "Mexico". That makes it easier to weigh up resorts and hotel formats before the final decision.

We update the guides in this section. We check hotel details against their official websites and verify locations on the map. We do not retell entry rules, insurance requirements or health matters: they change, so you need to look them up with official sources right before the trip. The section grows as new guides are published. Start with the overview and make a short list of two or three resorts. After that the choice becomes noticeably simpler.