Guide to Cuba

Beaches

Balmy deep blue waters border Cuba's beaches with golden, duvet-soft sands warmed by the Caribbean sun. Many are laced with nodding coconut palms providing some welcome shade. The island's top beach resort of Varadero stretches for 19km along the Peninsula de Hicacos and from here you can explore Cuba's outlying islands - discover hidden coves and little known-virgin beaches where you can spend a blissful day on your own secluded piece of paradise. At Guardalavaca, in eastern Cuba, you'll find a bounty-like scene of shimmering snow-white sands that dissolve into translucent turquoise seas that hide an underwater coral reef garden.

Eating out

It's fair to say Cuban cuisine could do with being jazzed up, Jamie Oliver-style. Despite being an island, you won't find lots of fish or seafood on the menu. Instead, most dishes tend to be meat-based, with pork being the favourite. We're talking no-nonsense fare like congri, a mix of white rice and black beans flavoured with chunks of bacon, and chicharritas, slices of fried plantain. Cuba's communist legacy has left the island lagging behind in the culinary stakes somewhat. And it's true, you won't find many guidebooks singing the praises of the state-run restaurants. However, in recent years great efforts have been made to step it up a gear and nowadays you've got the option of eating at paladares, too. These are dinky restaurants in family homes and usually only consist of a handful of tables and chairs. Granted, the menus may be a little limited but these cosy little establishments are great value for money and offer authentic home-cooking. Some even lay on live music as you eat. But don't be fooled by the locals who offer to 'guide' you to them - they'll more than likely expect a tip and will probably ask you to treat them to dinner! While Cuba may have a bit of a wait on its hands when it comes to Michelin stars, it does come out all guns blazing in one particular area – tropical fruit. Nibble on big juicy slices of pineapple for breakfast. Or slurp on a delicious mango and papaya batido fruit shake by the pool. Cubans are hooked on ice-cream, as well. Coppelia is the nation's favourite parlour chain and you'll find an outlet in most towns of any size - the one in Havana is an institution in itself. Testament to their popularity are the queues that wrap around blocks. And when it comes to exotic cocktails, Cuba's got it licked, too. Try a mojito, a sugary rum blast with a mint and lime zing, a cuba libre, a wonderful take on a rum and coke or perhaps Ernest Hemmingway's favourite tipple, a daiquiri frappe. If you like rum, you're in for a real treat. After all, this is the home of Bacardi. Cheers!

Nightlife

Music is at the very heart of Cuba and the vibrant nightlife reflects this, with sensuous salsa bars, glittering cabaret shows and sultry nightclubs focusing on the lively rhythms of this upbeat country. Havana is undoubtedly the party hot spot where you'll be treated to a real taste of Latino culture. Wherever you head under the stars, you'll find a colourful melting pot of Latin melodies and Caribbean sounds waiting to carry you away into the night. In Varadero and Guardalavaca the majority of bars and nightclubs are situated in the hotel complexes.

Shopping

Cuban art and handicrafts are tempting to take home with craft sellers lining many of the town's streets and market places. Good buys include pottery, wood carvings, paintings, masks, musical instruments and jewellery and traditional pieces include sculptures of women carved from ebony and papier-mache dolls. There are numerous gift shops sprinkled across the island selling an array of Cuban-produced rum and vintages , which you can often try before you buy, as well as hand rolled cigars that the country is famous for - full of Caribbean flavour.