Is Cuba Family Friendly?
Cuba has lots of destinations your family will remember for years to come. Like most cities, Cuban cities have late-night elements to avoid while traveling with your family. Mafia-run nightclubs filled with cigar smoke may not conjure up your idea of a family-friendly destination, but Cuba has a lot more to it than what you’ve seen in movies. Family members of every age can appreciate Cuba’s flawless beaches and the live music scene.
If your older children have taken any Spanish in school, they should feel free to speak to friendly locals for practice. Take them to educational sites like the Moncada Barracks and El Morro Historical Park, both important spots in Cuba’s history. You can even visit the infamous Bay of Pigs, which has a museum as well as opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving just off shore.
Take guided hikes in national parks to see caves, mountains, wetlands, and mangrove forests. If you want to survey wildlife at a slower pace, check out the Soroa Orchid Garden or the Soledad Botanical Garden. Your family can also go on short hikes on trails through Topes de Callantes National Park for the chance to do some quality bird watching.
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Bay of Pigs
The Bay of Pigs is home to a national park, freshwater cenotes, offshore diving sites, a crocodile farm, and a museum devoted to the failed 1961 CIA invasion. It’s a nice place to spend the day exploring both the coast and the history that surrounds this storied area.
El Morro Historical Park
The El Morro Historical Park is comprised of a huge castle overlooking the entrance to the Santiago Bay. The castle is in excellent condition and has fascinating exhibits.
Moncada Barracks
This is where it all began, the place where Fidel stormed Batista’s military barracks in Santiago de Cuba—this event set the course for the entire Revolution. Today, the Moncada Barracks is both a museum and a school.
Soledad Botanical Garden
Located just outside Cienfuegos, the Soledad Botanical Garden hosts an extensive collection of tropical plants. The garden is huge and varied, providing travelers with a wonderful way to learn about native and non-native plant species in Cuba.
Soroa Orchid Garden
The Soroa Orchid Garden is set in the “eco-retreat” of Soroa. The garden hosts an impressive array of ferns, trees, and orchids.
Topes de Collantes Natural Park
The Topes de Collantes Natural Park dominates the forested hillsides above Trinidad. This park has excellent hiking and birding options, and it’s a delight to spend the day exploring its trails while staying in Trinidad.
