The development of Cuba's tourism industry, a fast-growing economic sector over the past few years, is based on the archipelago's potential for traditional beach and sun options.

Dozens of kilometers of excellent beaches of white fine sand, bathed by warmed waters, are a major attraction for thousands of foreigners who visit the Caribbean island every year.

However, tourism is more than leisure, considering the island's exuberant nature, cultural diversity and patrimonial values.

Cuba's natural assets can be found in more than 4,000 keys and islets, where vacationers can enjoy a wide range of options, including bird watching.

The island's fauna is very diverse and consists of more than 350 species of birds (many of which are endemic), which live on islets and keys throughout the country.

In addition, the archipelago's geographic location turns Cuba into a corridor for migratory birds that travel long distances from North America to South America and vice versa.

Cuba also promotes tourist programs that combine leisure with medical treatments to improve the quality of life, including thalassotherapy, a medical modality benefits from the island's marine environment – air, water and climate – and other natural resources such as mud, sand and algae.

In San José del Lago, in central Sancti Spiritus province, medicinal water is diuretic, and is rapidly absorbed and eliminated by the human body.

Treatments are combined with traditional medicine, including acupuncture and acupressure, mud therapy and psychological consults.

Another option is sports, considering that many national and international events are held in Cuba every year.

Known all over the world by its results in baseball, boxing, athletics, wrestling, judo and volleyball, Cuba is visited by thousands of tourists who come to enjoy sports events every year.

In cultural terms, Cuba has about 120 art galleries, antique shops and art exhibition halls, in addition to nearly 260 museums and more than 80 theaters.

Cuba's cultural programs consist of meetings, workshops, festivals, congresses and specialized courses for all.