Vinales, Pinar del Rio

destination • experience • outdoors

Viñales Valley

Home of many of Cuba's revered organic tobacco plantations, Viñales also boasts the picturesque mogotes, distinctive, isolated tower-like hills that dot the countryside. Grab a cheap ride-share taxi (renting a car is virtually impossible in Cuba), then start your day by visiting a plantation (even if you don't smoke, they are fascinating). Then, grab a cheap guide to take you on a late afternoon hike of the mogotes, ending with a sunset view at a lookout tower.

Havana, Havana

destination • experience • outdoors

Plays Santa Maria del Mar

Playa Santa María del Mar is the closest respectable beach to Havana, accessible by bus in less than a half hour from Old Town Havana. You'll find white sand, small beachside restaurants and bars, and crystal clear Caribbean water. Restrooms are hard to come by, though, so go before you go.

Havana, Havana

destination • experience • outdoors • shopping

Old Havana

Come for the old cars and beautiful buildings. Stay because there aren't as many old cars and beautiful buildings as you anticipated. But, you're in Cuba, and it's practically required by law that you visit Old Town Havana. Make sure you bring cash, as credit cards are almost universally not accepted. Bring Euros instead of dollars, as well, and you'll spare yourself an additional exchange penalty. By night, check out any number of dance clubs and restaurants, interspersed throughout the dense Old Town streets.

Vinales, Pinar del Rio

destination • experience • outdoors

Cueva de la Vaca

The hills surrounding Viñales are riddled with gorgeous caves, including Cueva de la Vaca, my personal favorite, and Cueva del Indio. Cueva de la Vaca requires a short scramble, past blue, green and gold mineral formations, to the bottom of the cave. You can slither between stalagmites and even drink the cave beers you just bought at the entrance.