Cuba's tourism industry, one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country's economy, has made great contributions to society, including culture and recreation.

A traditional sun and beach destination, Cuba also offers the beauty of its coasts and its exuberant nature, which are complemented by the Caribbean island's culture and traditions.

Mixed races and centuries-old customs resulted in a unique culture that combines African, aboriginal, Chinese, French and, of course, Spanish elements, creating a unique and rich mixture.

Precisely, Cuba's centuries-old cultural heritage attracts thousands of foreign vacationers who visit the country every year.

Cities with a well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, hotels linked to plastic arts, patrimonial sites and a busy schedule of celebrations and festivities make up Cuba's tourist offer.

The island nation is also an excellent destination for nature lovers, who can enjoy a wide range of options while spending their vacations in Cuba.

In that regard, Cuba's fauna consists of 16,500 species, including some zoological groups whose endemism exceeds 90 percent.

Natural and biosphere reserves, natural landscapes, national parks and protected areas make up a broad network of tourist offers, marked by their wealth, excellent preservation and unique characteristics that make them stand out in the region.

Cuba combines recreation and medical treatments to improve the quality of life, including such procedures as thalassotherapy, considering that Cuba is an island.

In addition to international clinics, pharmacies, optician's shops and specialized institutions in major tourist resorts, Cuba also has a broad infrastructure made up of more than 280 hospitals, 400 polyclinics, 116 dental clinics and 1,500 establishments of different kinds that can meet the most complex demands from human health.

Many facilities specialize in promoting health tourism, particularly at hotels where medical treatments are provided and at resorts where mineral-medicinal water is used to treat several ailments.

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

In western Pinar del Río province, the fame of San Diego de los Baños dates back to 1632. Experts there treat several diseases with acupuncture, medicinal mud, apitherapy and natural medications, among other methods of traditional medicine.