Why visit
Cuba is Havana's 1950s cars and crumbling facades, Viñales tobacco valley, Trinidad's cobbled old town, and Varadero's resort beaches. With restrictions on US travelers.
Country - North America
Cuba
historyculturebeachfood
How to use this result
Use it as a country shortlist
Cuba works best as a first-pass travel idea. Start with the region, season, and themes on this page, then compare flights, entry rules, safety guidance, and local transport before treating it as a real option.
Compare the capital and side trips
Use Havana as the administrative starting point, then check whether the strongest trip idea is actually the capital, a coastal area, a nature route, or another city in Cuba.
At a glance
Location
21.5°, -80.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
109,884 km²
42,426 mi²
Country population
11.2 million
102/km²
Subregion
Caribbean
Currency
Cuban convertible peso ($)
CUC
Dial
+53
Language
Spanish
Demonym
Cuban
Internet
.cu
UN
Member state
ISO code
CU / CUB
Where in the world
21.5° - -80.0°
Cuba
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Cuba has two currencies (or had: the system changed in 2021): one for locals, one for tourists.
- Havana's old town has over 1,500 buildings from the Spanish colonial period still intact.
- Cigars from Pinar del Río are the most sought-after in the world: the climate and soil are legendary.
- The Cuban national dance, the son, is the ancestor of salsa.
Traveler notes
- Tourist card (not visa) required; US travelers face category restrictions
- Limited internet. Use it as a feature, not a bug
- Casa particulares are the authentic accommodation
Plan checks
- Start research with the capital Havana, then compare two or three other regions.
- Check passport validity, visa rules, health requirements, and travel insurance for current conditions.
- Verify swim safety, ocean conditions, and water-quality reports by month.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Cuba
What is the capital of Cuba?
Havana is the capital of Cuba.
What currency does Cuba use?
Cuba uses the Cuban convertible peso ($), ISO code CUC.
What languages are spoken in Cuba?
The primary language is Spanish.
Is Cuba landlocked?
No, Cuba has a coastline.
What is the international calling code for Cuba?
The calling code is +53.
When is the best time to visit Cuba?
Nov–Apr. Check current weather and local events before booking.
Other North America destinations
Belize
Belize is Caribbean reef travel. The Belize Barrier Reef (second-largest in the world), the Blue Hole, Caye Caulker island pace, and Mayan ruins at Caracol. English-speaking.
Canada
Canada is wilderness travel. Banff and Jasper in the Rockies, Tofino on Vancouver Island, Quebec City's old-world feel, Newfoundland's icebergs and puffins, and Yukon for the aurora.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is biodiversity concentrated. Manuel Antonio's beach-jungle, Arenal volcano and hot springs, Monteverde cloud forest, and Pacific surf coasts. In a country you can cross in five hours.
Dominica
Dominica is the Caribbean's nature island: rainforest, boiling springs, whale watching, waterfalls, and the long-distance Waitukubuli Trail. It has fewer beaches than neighboring islands, but much stronger hiking and river scenery.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is more than resort beaches: Santo Domingo's colonial core, Samaná whale season, Pico Duarte, merengue and bachata, and long Atlantic and Caribbean coastlines. It suits both easy holidays and deeper road trips.
El Salvador
El Salvador is compact and intense: Pacific surf, volcano hikes, Ruta de las Flores towns, coffee farms, and Joya de Cerén, a Maya village preserved by ash. Short distances make it easy to combine several landscapes in one week.