The Cuban archipelago, a destination par excellence in the Caribbean region, has developed the tourism industry based on the country's natural diversity, and cultural and historic wealth.

Cuba's tourist options are based on unique elements, including excellent beaches of fine white sand and crystal-clear water.

The island nation has also inherited the Spanish architectural wealth and the European influence that followed the colonial period.

Precisely, that element turns the Cuban capital, one of the first seven villages founded by the Spanish conquistadors and initially called San Cristóbal de La Habana, and especially its historic heart, into a key element in many tourist programs.

Havana's historic heart, declared Humankind's Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), holds most of the city's museums, churches, cultural centers and buildings from the Spanish colonial period. Old Havana covers an area of 4.5 square kilometers and has a rich colonial architecture and centuries-old customs and traditions.

For those who want to stay in an environment full of centuries-old memories, the company Habaguanex S.A. runs a broad network of hotels in Old Havana.

The heart of the Cuban capital consists of a series of castles, fortresses and highly valuable buildings constructed around a system of squares, monasteries and temples.

Among the establishments in Old Havana is the Beltrán de Santa Cruz Hotel, which offers 11 rooms and is housed in an elegant 18th-century mansion near the Old Square.

Another famous establishment is the Santa Isabel, which is housed in the former house of the Count of Santovenia, built in the early 18th century and later sold to an US businessman, who turned it into a hotel that operated from 1867 to 1887.

One of the most interesting options is the Raquel Hotel, which offers 25 luxury air-conditioned double rooms distributed on three beautifully decorated floors.

Its attractive terrace-lookout, which has a magnificent dome, has galleries and spaces carefully decorated, creating an ideal ambiance for leisure.

Unique establishments for cigar aficionados like the Conde de Villanueva Hotel or monastery-style hotels like Los Frailes are complemented by facilities like Palacio de San Miguel, an attractive option for those looking for culture and intimacy.

Another famous establishment is the Telégrafo Hotel, which was inaugurated in 1885 and was one of the most prestigious establishments in Havana and one of Latin America's top 11 hotels in the late 19th century.

The oldest hotel in Havana is the Inglaterra, which was inaugurated on December 23, 1875, and was named after the major world power at the time, England.