Cuba: The Hottest Travel Destination of 2016

Now, I am fully aware that we are less than 3 months into 2015. However, I've always been a planner, and as such am already looking ahead to the best travel destinations for 2016, and right now Cuba is at the top of my radar. Today, I'm going to provide you with just some of the reasons why you should consider going to Cuba, and why Cuba is going to be one of the hottest travel destinations of 2016!

Location, Location, Location

Cuba, an island located in the Caribbean

Firstly, Cuba is located in a prime region for tourists. The Caribbean is well known for it's gorgeous beaches, white sand, and stunning blue ocean water. Cuba is located a mere 90 miles from Key West, Florida. The proximity of Cuba to the U.S. and the ideal location in the Caribbean makes it a perfect vacation destination! Now, if you are in the U.S., you may be wondering- why haven't I thought of traveling to Cuba before?

"Forbidden Fruit"
Until recently, Americans have largely been unable to visit Cuba. This is because of the  U.S. embargo set against Cuba, dating back to 1960s and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Largely, this meant it was illegal for U.S. citizens to visit Cuba. Of course, there were ways to circumvent this- by entering Cuba through a third country and not having your passport stamped- however, it was quite difficult to achieve travel to Cuba. Recently, however, there has been a "people to people" contact, where with the approval of the U.S. State Department U.S. travelers could go to Cuba through chartered trips. However, largely these trips were strictly monitored, on the grounds of political or religious grounds, and heavily organized so visitors were not able to partake in such activities like going to the beach or swimming.

However. On December 17, 2014, President Obama began the easing of travel restrictions to Cuba. Currently, there are now 12 categories of authorized travel in which Americans can visit Cuba without purchasing specific licenses, including educational activities, public performances, athletic competitions, and support for the Cuban people and humanitarian activities. While these activities don't currently include straight tourism activities, the ease of current restrictions has made it easier for Americans to begin traveling to Cuba. Because Americans have largely not been able to travel to Cuba, it is now almost the forbidden fruit, and is certain to become more and more of a hot travel destination as the restrictions are further lifted! In 2014, Cuba hosted 3 million travelers, with 92,348 Americans visiting. So, now that you have decided you want to go to Cuba…what exactly does Cuba offer to travelers?


Stunning white sand beaches & Ocean views

One of the perks of traveling anywhere in the Caribbean is bound to be your proximity to stunning white sand beaches and gorgeous ocean views. With a view like this, how can you go wrong? Beyond just relaxing on the beach, there are countless other activities to be done, including snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, and surfing.

Cultural & Historical Experience

Visiting Cuba offers the chance to visit a Caribbean island with rich culture and history. There are nine UNESCO world heritage sites in Cuba, all of which are generally well preserved. With the tourism industry just beginning to boom in Cuba, many of these sites may begin changing…thus, the need to get to Cuba now!

A Preserved Nation

classic cars from the 1950s preserved in Cuba

The streets of Cuba are literally lined with classic American cars from the 1950s. While you might think this is just because Cubans are avid car collectors, it is actually because of a restriction placed in 1959 by Fidel Castro. After 1959, Cubans required government permission to import new cars- thus, the majority of the cars you will see lining the streets of Cuba are classic American cars.

Architectural Beauty

streets of Havana, Cuba

Cuba is home to many gorgeous cities, including Havana, Trinidad, and Santiago. The bright colors of the buildings all look simply stunning. Wandering the streets of Cuban cities, you will see many different architectural styles decorating each and every building, combining to create truly unique cities.

Natural Beauty

Viñales, Cuba

As Cuba has largely been untouched by tourism, there are many stunning natural views and sights to be seen. Above is the Viñales Valley in Cuba, just one of the UNESCO heritage sights preserved on the island.

Of course, there are many more reasons to travel to Cuba. On any trip, it is almost a necessity to experience a Cuban cigar, and the taste of a Havana Club mojito. The music, dancing, and general creativity of the Cuban people is certainly a highlight as well. Combining all of the highlights of Cuba, with the fact that Americans will soon be able to travel to Cuba more easily than ever, and Cuba is certain to be one of the top travel destinations in 2015 and 2016!