The Cuban archipelago, a fast-growing tourist destination in the Caribbean region, is characterized by its tourism-oriented diversity, including traditional sun and beach options and rich history, culture and nature.

Dozens of kilometers of excellent beaches are favored by the warm water surrounding the island.

The Cuban capital offers excellent beaches as part of the so-called Circuito Azul (Blue Circuit), which runs along 15 kilometers on the north coast and where Santa María del Mar stands out as one of the most beautiful beaches in the region. In western Cuba, the world-famous Varadero beach, which runs along 22 kilometers on the Hicacos peninsula, is one of the most visited destinations by foreign vacationers.

In addition, Bibijagua beach, on Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth), is famous for its black sand, while Marea del Portillo, in eastern Granma province, is characterized by its brown sand.

The archipelago's geographic location turns Cuba into a corridor for migratory birds that travel long distances from North America to South America and vice versa.

A large number of birds come to Cuba in winter and nest near rivers, lagoons and dams, as well as on the keys, turning the island nation into an excellent place for bird watching.

Diving can be practiced in more than 70,000 kilometers of Cuban insular platform, which has some 5,000 kilometers of coast bathed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

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

The world's second largest coral reef, which runs for 400 kilometers parallel to the keys Sabinal, Guajaba, Romano and Cruz, gets closer to Cuba's north coast in Santa Lucía beach. The coral reef is a safe haven for 200 species of sponges, 500 of fish and even the remains of 27 sunken ships.

Cuba complements the beauty of its coast and exuberant nature with its rich culture and traditions, which are essential components of the island's tourist product.

Fusions of races and customs in a centuries-old process gave way to Cuban culture, which is made up of African, aboriginal, Chinese, French and, of course, Spanish elements, creating a unique and rich combination at the same time.

Cities with a well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, hotels linked to plastic arts, patrimonial sites and a busy schedule of celebrations and festivities make up Cuba's tourist offer.