Cuba, whose tourism sector has grown steadily over the past few years, has a privileged location in the Caribbean region and offers dozens of kilometers of excellent beaches that attract thousands of foreign vacationers every year.

The warm crystal-clear waters that surround the island give tourists the chance to enjoy nautical activities as a complement to a refreshing swim.

In addition, scuba diving and snorkeling can be practiced in more than 70,000 kilometers of Cuba's insular platform, which offers some 5,000 kilometers of coastline bathed by both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Nearly 6,500 varieties of fish, crustaceans, sponges and mollusks, and several species of corals turn the island nation into one of the best-preserved marine ecosystems in the region.

Three dozen specialized dive centers operate throughout the country, where tourists can take initiation courses and dive in coral reefs and caverns under international standards for that activity.

In addition to enjoying nature from a beach or a city, tourists can also learn about the situation in Cuba's countryside in a nearly pristine environment that invites them to embark in an adventure.

Cuba's fauna consists of 16,500 species, including some zoological groups whose endemism exceeds 90 percent. The native flora is made up of more than 6,300 species of different colors and shapes.

Natural and biosphere reserves, natural landscapes, national parks and protected areas make up a broad network of one-of-a-kind well-preserved options.

An excellent region to practice ecotourism is the Viñales Valley, in Cuba's westernmost province, Pinar del Río, where vacationers can see round-top hills called "mogotes" that are more than 400 meters tall.

Another option is sports, considering that many national and international events are held in Cuba every year.

Known all over the world by its results in baseball, boxing, athletics, wrestling, judo and volleyball, Cuba is visited by thousands of tourists who come to enjoy sports events every year.

Others come to Cuba to practice parachuting, scuba diving and carting races, which take place in several tourist resorts, thus contributing to strengthening the interrelation between sports and tourism.

Entrepreneurs attend fairs and specialized events every year to explore the island nation's business and investment opportunities.

Cuba complements the beauty of its coasts and exuberant nature with its culture and traditions, two essential elements in the island's tourist product.

The fusion of races and customs, a process that lasted several centuries, led to a single culture that is made up of African, aboriginal, Chinese, French and, of course, Spanish elements, thus creating a one-of-a-kind mix.

Cities characterized by their Spanish-colonial architectural style in perfect state of preservation, hotels linked to plastic arts, cultural heritage sites and a broad program of festivities and events are part of the country's tourist offer.