Cuba, a tourist destination par excellence in the Caribbean, offers a vast agenda for leisure that is characterized by diversity.

Traditional sun and beach options attract most visitors, who come to Cuba to enjoy hundreds of kilometers of excellent beaches bathed by warm crystal-clear waters, as well as the island's tropical climate.

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 Caribbean region.

Three dozen diving centers operate throughout the country, where divers can take initiation courses and dive in coral reefs and caverns following international standards for that nautical activity.

In addition, ecotourism, nautical activities and excursions are complemented by a broad program of cultural and sports events that raise the interest of foreign vacationers.

Other options include urban tourism, which is based on the country's Spanish colonial heritage, which is present throughout the island.

One of the main urban destinations is the Cuban capital, which is rich in traditions, architecture and culture, and where tourists can stay in several hotels.

The former Villa de San Cristóbal de La Habana, is one of the best exponents of Spanish-colonial architecture in Cuba. Havana's notoriety dates back to the 16th century.

In Havana's historic heart, declared Humankind's Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), nearly 140 buildings were constructed in the 16th and 17th centuries, another 200 were built in the 18th century, and more than 460 in the 19th century.

In the west, vacationers can visit the city of Matanzas, the capital of the western province of the same name and also known as the Athens of Cuba or the Venice of the Americas, due to the many rivers running through it, where both commerce and culture flourished during the Spanish colonial period.

Fusions of races and customs in a centuries-old process gave way to Cuban culture, which is made up of African, aboriginal, Chinese, French and, of course, Spanish elements, creating a unique and rich combination at the same time.

Cuba has about 120 art galleries, antique shops and art exhibition halls, in addition to nearly 260 museums and more than 80 theaters, which are excellent options for those looking for more than beach and sun in the Caribbean Island.

The wide range of cultural options in Cuba, in addition to its history and traditions, are key elements in the Caribbean island's tourist product and one of its main attractions for foreign vacationers.