The province of Pinar del Río is Cuba’s third largest and located on the western tip of the island. It is known for its natural beauty, dramatic landscapes, incredible scenery and for producing some of the best tobacco and cigars in the world. Pinar del Río is considered by many to be the most beautiful province in Cuba. The province has two of the areas named by UNESCO as a world Biosphere Reserves: the Sierra de Rosario mountains and the Guanahacabibes Peninsula.

The Island of the Youth or Isla de la Juventud, known originally as the Island of the Pines or Isla de Pinos before the revolution, lies about 30 miles off the south coast of Cuba, at the mouth of the Gulf of Batabanó, is the largest of Cuba’s offshore islands. It is said to be the place Robert Louis Stevenson had in mind when he wrote Treasure Island, because, allegedly, there is a pirate treasure buried there.

The province of Havana is the smallest but most populated of all of Cuba’s provinces with the city of Havana being the country’s main hub of activity. In 1982 the city’s historic center was declared a World heritage site by UNESCO.

Almost a quarter of Cuba’s 10 million people live in Havana or La Habana —Cuba’s capital city in the province with the same name. It lies about 93 miles south of Key West, Florida. It is the largest city in the Caribbean and one of the oldest in the Americas. Havana is the most important city in the country and is its political and cultural center and main tourist destination. It is situated at the mouth of a deep bay and natural harbor. Before the revolution Havana was considered the most beautiful and impressive city in the Caribbean.

Matanzas, which means ‘slaughter’ or massacre in Spanish, is the main city in Cuba’s second largest province bearing the same name. Located on Matanzas Bay, it lies about 65 miles east of Havana and 21 miles west of Varadero. The city has a population of around 100,000. It is a port and used to be the center of Cuba’s sugar industry. Today it is an industrial town. In the 19th century, Matanzas was nicknamed the Athens of Cuba and was the home of many well-known intellectuals, especially poets. The city has also been referred to as the Cuban Venice, due to the many bridges over the Yumuri and San Juan rivers for pedestrians and vehicles.

Cienfuegos is Cuba’s smallest province. It is surrounded by the provinces of Matanzas to the west, Villa Clarita to the north, Sancti Spíritus to the east and the Caribbean to the south. On Cuba’s south coast lies the city of Cienfuegos, the capital of Cienfuegos province. Its name means ’100 fires’ but is really named for José Cienfuegos, the one-time Captain General of Cuba. Situated on the north shore of Jagua Bay—the city’s main feature— this city is the chief town of its province and one of Cuba’s important seaports. This pleasant seaside city is known as the “Pearl of the South” or La Perla del Sur, and has a slight cosmopolitan feeling with examples of late neo-classical architecture. It is laid out on a rectangular grid. Like Havana, the city has a Malecón, or seaside promenade, facing the ocean.

The city of Ciego de Avila is between the cities of Santa Clara and Camaguey in a province with the same name. The city is also located at Cuba’s narrowest point. Founded in 1840 the city is known for its buildings with arcades, columns, and roofs. There is not much to see in this city, but the surrounding area is worth exploring. Laguna de Leche and Laguna Redonda are two well-known lakes in the region.

The city of Santa Clara (200,000) is located 171 miles from Havana and 195 miles from Varadero along the Central Highway. It is a pleasant university city in the middle of the island and is the capital of Villa Clara Province. There is not much to see in the way of architecture but there are a few good museums. Some refer to Santa Clara as the City of Che because it was where the legendary Ernesto Che Guevarra fought one of the last battles of the revolution before Castro’s entered Havana.

Sancti Spíritus (80,000) is the next town of importance found in a province with the same name. Located east of Trinidad and in the center of the country it is one of Cuba’s original towns. This city would not be a good place to live because it is rather unattractive and lacks infrastructure.

Located between Ciego de Avila to the west and Las Tunas to the east, Camagüey is Cuba’s largest, but most sparsely populated, province. The city of Camagüey is Cuba’s third largest city with a population of 250,000. The city is also known as the Ciudad de Los Tinajones which are large decorated clay pots found around patios and other places. It is the most important city in the province and Cuba’s biggest inland city. Like the majority of Cuba’s important cities and towns, it is located along the Central Highway or Carretera Central.

Las Tunas is the capital city of the province with the same name. It is basically a center for sugar and rice growing and cattle raising. So the city is of little interest to the average tourist. It is not surprising, therefore, that most visitors choose to pass through or bypass this city all together.

Located about 50 miles east of Las Tunas, Holguín, (225,000) in the northeastern part of the country, is the most important town in its province and Cuba’s fourth largest city. This province is famous for its historical importance because here is where Cuba was first discovered on October 27, 1492 by Christopher Columbus. The provincial capital, also called Holguín, is also known as the City of the Parks. The layout of the street reflects a strong Spanish influence. There are museums, monuments and other historical sites found in the downtown area.

Located on the southeastern part of the island, Granma Province, is a popular destination for lovers of nature and history. Bayamo (130,000), the capital of the province, was the second town founded by the Spanish in Cuba and has played an important role in Cuba’s history. It is the place Manuel Céspedes, the Father of the Cuba, who declared independence from Spain. It was here in 1868 that the War of Cuban Independence began against Spain and the Cuban national anthem was sung for the first time. It was also here than Fidel Castro landed to begin his final attempt which ended with the victory of the Cuban Revolution in 1959.

Santiago de Cuba province is nestled between Granma, Holguín and Guantanamo provinces in the heart of the Sierra Madre mountain range. Cuba’s second largest city is Santiago de Cuba on the south-east coast near the eastern tip of the island in a sheltered bay at the foothills of the Sierra Maestra Mountains. Like most large Cuban cities it is the capital of its province with the same name. It is known as “the cradle of the revolution” because of the revolutionary activities that have taken place there. Santiago is also the has the most Caribbean and charmingly picturesque city in Cuba—which is reflected in the relaxed lifestyle of its people and tropical ambiance. Santiago is a hilly city with colonial architecture and a fortress. The best way to see the city is on foot.

Guantánamo, 70 miles from Santiago on the south-east coast of Cuba, is the chief town in Guantánamo Province. It is near the infamous U.S. base with the same name. One of Cuba’s most famous songs, “Guanatanamera” was named for this city. The town is rather drab and does’t have a lot to offer. Yateritas and Playitas are two of the most visited beaches in this province.