Cuba, a tourist destination par excellence in the Caribbean region, has developed the tourism industry thanks to the wide range of recreational options and the country's natural attractions.

The island nation has a great potential to develop the tourism industry, based on its beautiful beaches, exuberant nature, history and culture.

Precisely, most vacationers travel to Cuba to enjoy its beaches and practice nautical sports.

In addition, cities hold valuable architectural assets from the Spanish colonial period, marked by a strong European influence.

The Cuban capital, Havana, formerly called Village of San Cristóbal de La Habana, is a living museum that exhibits a wide range of architectural styles that characterized the different stages of the city's development.

Havana's defense system during the Spanish colonial period consisted of nine major fortresses, headed by the Castle of Los Tres Reyes del Morro. Altogether, they made up one of the most outstanding group of fortifications in the Spanish-speaking Americas, according to experts.

Nearly 140 buildings in Old Havana were built in the 16th and 17th centuries; another 200 were constructed in the 18th century and more than 460 in the 19th century. They create a very attractive combination of architectural styles, including baroque, neogothic, neoclassicism, eclecticism, art noveau and the modern movement.

Havana also has several squares, among which the Arms Square, the Cathedral Square, the so-called Old Square and that of Saint Frances of Assisi, where the church and the convent of the same name are located, stand out.

In central Cuba, Cienfuegos offers a score of libraries, 11 museums, more than 30 movie halls and five theaters, in addition to houses of culture, art galleries and monuments, are visited by both national and foreign tourists every year.

Surrounding the José Martí Park are the only Arc of Triumph in Cuba, built in 1902, and the Tomás Terry Theater, one of Cuba's three major theaters in the 19th century, where prominent artists such as Enrico Caruso performed.

Baracoa is in Cuba's easternmost province, Guantánamo. The village was founded as Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Baracoa in 1511-12 by Governor Diego Velázquez, and was the first capital and first bishopric in Cuba.

Cuba also offers urban tourism programs that allow foreign tourist to learn about the country's colonial heritage, which is present in every Cuban city.