Most visitors head out to the palm-fringed white sands of the Playas del Este at some point during their stay. Just a 30-minute drive ($15 in a taxi), this string of beaches make for an easy jaunt. Of the beaches, Santa María del Mar is the most touristy while Guanabo is popular with locals.

One of the most manageable trips from Havana is to Pinar del Río Province to the west of Havana, in particular to the charming village of Viñales that's famed for its mogotes (limestone rock formations) and lush landscape.

[top]