Paradise in the palm of your hands.

1. CUBA Paradise in the palm of your hands.

2. RESORT! IberostarMojito, is known as one of the best resorts in cuba. Located in Cayo Coco .

3. Beach! Playa Pilar, Cayo GuillermoOff Cuba’s northern coast, in the Jardines del Rey (Gardens of the King) archipelago, Cayo Guillermo is a Caribbean paradise. All of the beaches in this neck of the woods are idyllic, but Beach Tomato loves Playa Pilar for its perfect white sand beach, swaying palms and warm clear waters. There may not be much traditional Cuban culture here (apart from the obligatory delicious mojitos and piña coladas, and the beach’s connection to Ernest Hemingway’s writing), but if a tropical beach retreat where you can kick back and relax in utter serenity is the aim of the game, look no further than Playa Pilar.

4. Activities! Scuba diving Cuba is a scuba-diving paradise. Most of the major beach resorts, including Varadero, Cayo Coco, Santa Lucía and Guardalavaca, have at least one dive centre, with numerous others all over the island, including several in Havana. The most reliable dive sites are generally off the south coast where the waters tend to be clearer, away from the churning waves of the Atlantic Ocean, which affect visibility off Cuba’s northern shores. For the top dive spots head for María La Gorda in southwestern Pinar del Río, Punta Francés on the southwestern tip of the Isla de la Juventud, and the Jardines de la Reina off the southern coastlines of Ciego de Avila. All three have been declared National Marine Parks by the Cuban government and as a result are protected from man-made abuses, particularly commercial fishing

5. Historical Sites The Che Guevara Monument (Monumento Ernesto Che Guevara) in Santa Clara in Cuba is dedicated to iconic political activist, Ernesto Guevara de la Serna, more commonly known as Ernesto "Che" Guevara.CheGuevara (1928 - 1967) was an Argentinean medical student who became a leading figure of the Cuban Revolution to overthrow the right-wing dictator, Fulgencio Batista. Often known simply as “Che”, he was a revolutionary who joined Fidel Castro’s Marxist 26th July Movement which eventually culminated in Castro replacing Batista as Cuba’s leader.TheChe Guevara Monument is a complex comprised of several monuments to Che, including an 82-foot statue of the man himself and his mausoleum. Che was executed on 9 October 1967 in Bolivia following his attempt to overthrow dictator, René BarrientosOrtuño, which was thwarted by the CIA and Bolivian forces.Atfirst, the location of his body was kept a secret, but it was later found and, together with the remains of the other revolutionaries who died in the Bolivia operation, was moved to Cuba. Santa Clara was chosen as the site for the Che Guevara Monument as it was the site of a major victory for the revolutionary, leading to it often being called the “City of Che”.TheChe Guevara Monument also includes a museum about the life of Che.

6. Cultural! The culture of Cuba is a complex mixture of different, often contrasting, factors and influences. Cuba is a meeting point of European, African, Chinese, and continental North American cultures; little of the original Amerindian culture survives. Since 1959, the Cuban Revolution has also greatly affected Cuban culture, down to the most basic aspects of daily life. Much of Cuban culture, especially Cuban music, is instantly recognized throughout the world.

7. Shopping! The best places to go shopping in Cuba would be the Centro Cultural AntiguosAlmacenes de deposito San Jose and Palacio de la Artesania.

8. Food!!! Cuban Cuisine Cuban cuisine has been influenced by Spanish, French, African, Arabic, Chinese, and Portuguese cultures.  Traditional Cuban cooking is primarily peasant cuisine that has little concern with measurements, order and timing.  Most of the food is sauteed or slow-cooked over a low flame.  Very little is deep-fried and there are no heavy or creamy sauces.  Most Cuban cooking relies on a few basic spices, such as garlic, cumin, oregano, and bay laurel leaves.  Many dishes use a sofrito as their basis.  The sofrito consists of onion, green pepper, garlic, oregano, and ground pepper quick-fried in olive oil.  The sofrito is what gives the food its flavor.  It is used when cooking black beans, stews, many meat dishes, and tomato-based sauces.  Meats and poultry are usually marinated in citrus juices, such as lime or sour orange juices, and then roasted over low heat until the meat is tender and literally falling off the bone.  Another common staple to the Cuban diet are root vegetables such as yuca, malanga, and boniato, which are found in most Latin markets.  These vegetables are flavored with a marinade, called mojo, which includes hot olive oil, lemon juice, sliced raw onions, garlic, cumin, and little water.