What to see in Cuba in two weeks

The first time you think about travel to Cuba You want to go through it all, something not impossible but more uncomfortable if you travel a few days and do it by bus through the island. For that reason, I bring you the following route for all those who seek to know what to see in Cuba in two weeks so that you can delight yourself with all the wonders that await in the largest island in the Caribbean without relaxing too much but not running either. In my case I opted to combine classic routes with other less touristy places, all of them encompassed in the western half of Cuba, a good option that you can adapt depending on the days you spend on the island of colors, rum and sauce.

Day 1

The Cuban capital is a city that can be perfectly divided into different areas to visit for 3 days. Still, my advice is that this first day in Old Havana, the most famous area of ​​the city, you "get lost", do not mechanize the route so much and you can dedicate yourself to exploring the colorful streets and attractions of the oldest, touristic and beautiful part of Havana. A tour that you can complement with a walk through The Malecón and a night visit to the San Carlos del Morro Fortress, a good opportunity to contemplate the area located across the bay and witness the famous Cannon shot at 9 o'clock.

Day 2

You can dedicate the second day to photographing the murals of Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos in the Plaza de la Revolución, visit the Monument to José Martí and walk about three blocks to see the Christopher Columbus Necropolis, one of the largest cemeteries in America not far from Viazul station (it will be good for you to buy bus tickets in advance). Casas Particulares | Vedado, Havana, the residential neighborhood where all the attractions of this second day are housed, is a very charming area, less touristy and therefore cheaper when it comes to eating rice with beans or even going out to party. The Sarao is a good example.

Day 3

Many people who travel to Havana are unaware of the presence of Fusterlandia, the project of the painter José Fuster, a Cuban artist who after traveling through Europe returned to his native Cuba loaded with influences gaudian y picassian. Proof of this is the aspect that his house and studio currently looks like in the Jaimanitas neighborhood, west of Havana and 30 minutes from downtown if you take the p4 bus. A surreal crocodile place with lipstick and facades of trencadis located in the middle of a neighborhood that for me was a true approach to that more humble and authentic Cuba. If you walk through its streets you can even go to the urban beach and sunbathe a bit.

Day 4

I must admit that, despite the slight disappointment and the rains that hit me during my visit, Casa Particular in Viñales is a must to visit as you pass through Cuba. Located three hours by bus from Havana, Viñales is the area where cigars are made, full of nature, cows and the so-called hummocks, a type of training karst typical of this area that shapes the famous Viñales Valley designated Unesco heritage.

Since you will lose part of the morning arriving, reserving the rest of the day to get lost in the small town of Viñales may be the best option. Very colorful, two tourist streets and agencies where you can book your visits. If you have time, perform the typical Tourist Bus tour that takes you to places like the famous Hotel Jazmín or the Mural of Prehistory It may be a good choice.

Day 5

On the second day in Viñales you can take an excursion to the national park with Cubanacán, the agency that is in charge of organizing various routes through the area starting from prices that are around 8 CUC. A guide will take you through the tobacco plantations (there is also the option to go on horseback) and to the "factory" where the famous cigars are made. A nice visit.

Day 6

Play some beach, so if you choose to stay a third day in Viñales you can consider two getaways: one to the paradise Jutías Cay, an hour and a half north of Viñales, or a visit to Maria la Gorda, at the western end of the island and according to many the best place to dive in all of Cuba. In my case, I was in a hurry to get to my next destination.

Day 7

The classic route for every traveler who wants to visit Cuba for the first time It is made up of Havana, Viñales and Trinidad, my favorite place on the island and a city that rivals Havana in terms of charm and number of tourists. Trinidad is an old sugar town that came to a complete standstill in 1850, leaving as an inheritance its intact colored houses and the cobbled streets furrowed by horse carriages. More than visiting X or Y place, Trinidad itself and its charm is the attraction in itself, so spend a whole day getting lost in its streets, visit the viewpoints of the iconic church of Santa María or take a typical canchanchara they are excellent ideas.

Day 8

One of the advantages that Trinidad has is its privileged location: in its vicinity is the famous Valley of the Sugar Mills, former mecca of the sugar industry, the waterfall of Caburní waterfall o Ancón Beach, considered by many to be the best beach in southern Cuba. I opted for this last option, I took the bus for 5CUC and set out to enjoy a beach that, without being Varadero, is quite beautiful. A little relaxation between so much stimulation never hurts.

Day 9

Another advantage of Trinidad is its distance from Casas Particulares Cienfuegos (1 hour and a half), which is why you can take advantage of your third day in the city to visit it by bus. Famous for being the most "French" city in Cuba, Cienfuegos is an accessible city in a single day, specifically before 5 in the afternoon, when the Trinidad-Cienfuegos bus returns. If you go by rental car, at your own pace.

Day 10

At first I thought of heading further east, towards Camagüey, but several locals recommended that I travel north, specifically to the not so well known city of remedies. And it was a great idea. Remedios is Trinidad's first cousin since it is just as colorful and has the same old touch but hardly any tourists, which is appreciated. The city is famous for possessing the only square with two churches in all of Cuba (once connected by a tunnel in which priests hid from pirates) and the famous festival of The parties, which is celebrated every December 24 becoming its great tourist asset. But the most important: Remedios is the closest place to the heavenly Cayo Santa María, an area where there are only resorts (already $ abéis).

Day 11

After a first day enjoying Remedios, the second is to travel to the famous key. Santa María is, unlike other more famous keys such as Cayo Guillermo or Cayo Coco, a more virgin extension in development. We went by shared taxi (50 CUC between three people) through the 48-kilometer Embankment to its end, where it is located The seagulls, the most virgin area of ​​the key. A paradisiacal, wild beach, where there are hardly any tourists and where the highest priority will be, above all, to rest.

Day 12

From Remedios I traveled by rental car with some friends to Matanzas, known as "Athens of Cuba", closing the circle of my route through Western Cuba. I must admit that Matanzas may not be a very attractive city at first, but it has something, I don't know if it will be its theaters undergoing renovations or its bridges spanned by Doric columns, but its streets and its immense bay are worth kicking around for a while. day. But there is still the best: Do you know that Matanzas is half an hour from Varadero?

Day 13

Varadero is the most touristic beach in Cuba, and therefore the one with the most resorts. For this reason, staying in Matanzas is a good option when traveling to this 24-kilometer inlet located east of the city. When it was time to arrive, I opted to travel in workers' trucks, totally safe and for the price of one Cuban peso, which considerably cheaper transportation. Varadero is expensive (a boat of mini Pringles for 6 euros) but it is worth sitting down and enjoying the beach for a whole day.

Between Matanzas and Varadero there is the one known as Coral Beach, one of the best for scuba diving on the entire north coast. The tourist's eagerness to get to Varadero often deprives them of the possibility of navigating these coral waters in front of the Varadero airport. I would have loved to go, but unfortunately my hearing problems and diving are not very compatible. Enjoy it you who can.

Day 14

Who wants to rush back to the airport when they can resolve unfinished business in Havana an extra day and recharge for the return? Reserve the last day to get lost in places like Hamel alley, near the intersection of 23 with the Malecón, visit the outstanding museums or even consider resting in the Eastern Beaches, the summer area of ​​Havana located 15 kilometers east of the city.

I hope this tour about what to see in Cuba in two weeks It has helped you when planning your visit to the beautiful Caribbean island and not make the mistake of trying to cover everything in a single trip. It will be the best excuse to return.