The Cuban archipelago, a fast-growing tourist destination in the Caribbean region, is visited by thousands of foreign vacationers, who come to enjoy the island's tropical climate every year.

Summertime is the period when school and labor vacations are scheduled, so many travelers come to the Caribbean island to have an excellent time.

Cuba's average temperature is 24.6 degrees Celsius (76.2 degrees Fahrenheit), so many tourists decide to spend their vacations in dozens of beaches throughout Cuba.

The Cuban archipelago also offers more than 70,000 square kilometers of insular platform and some 5,000 kilometers of coasts, which are bathed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea and are excellent for scuba diving and snorkeling.

In addition, nearly 6,500 varieties of fish, crustaceans, sponges and mollusks, and an 850-kilometer coral reef in perfect state of preservation turn the island into one of the best-preserved underwater ecosystems in the region.

Three dozens of specialized dive center operate throughout the country, where vacationers can take initiation courses and dive in coral reefs and caverns, under strict international standards for that activity.

Moreover, being close to nature from a beach or city adds value to Cuba's tourist product, which also attracts tourists interested in learning about the island's situation and its countryside life.

Cuba's fauna consists of 16,500 species, including some zoological groups whose endemism exceeds 90 percent. The native flora is made up of more than 6,300 species of different colors and shapes.

Natural and biosphere reserves, natural landscapes, national parks and protected areas make up a broad network of one-of-a-kind well-preserved options.

Many visitors also enjoy a pleasant atmosphere in many restaurants and cafeteria throughout the country, where they can try dishes from Cuba and international cuisine.

In addition to Cuban cuisine, cafeterias and restaurants throughout the country serve dishes from Europe (Spanish, French and Italian cuisine), as well as Asia and the Middle East (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arab and Indian cuisine), just to mention some of them.