Up until the 60s, Baracoa was one of the most remote areas of Cuba with no roads or railways connecting it to anywhere else in the country. While today paved roads do reach its borders, the old town still remains one of Cuba's best off the beaten path destinations. The long journey from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa passes through Guantanamo, then along beautiful stretches of the southeast coastline and up into the hills via twisting switchbacks. It is one of the most epic road trips in Cuba and sets the pace for your time in the town. From the lively plazas in the centre of town up to the summit of El Yunque and into the historic caves of Cuba's aboriginal population, Baracoa is full of surprises.

Along a spectacularly clear bay, beside one of the largest protected nature reserves in Cuba, two beautiful beaches provide the perfect base for nature adventures on land and sea. With swamp forests, mangroves, and healthy coral reefs, this is one of Cuba's most biodiverse regions. Playa Larga sits at the top of the Bay of Pigs, with easy access to Ciénaga de Zapata National Park. Playa Giron lies further south with some of Cuba’s best dive sites and reefs just off shore. Share your time between the two and you’ll be constantly bowled over by Cuba’s natural beauty. This is a relatively quiet area of the Cuban coast with simple Casa Particulars over all-inclusive resorts. It’s a little laidback luxury in one of the country’s most stunning off the beaten track locations.

Have you ever wondered what the headquarters of a revolution might look like? Head down to the western edge of Southern Cuba and you'll hit the forested slopes of the Sierra Maestra range. Travel up steep winding roads into the peaks until you stumble upon the tiny village of Santo Domingo and then you'll start to have some idea. This was the rebel HQ of the 1950s, situated in one of Cuba's most beautiful national parks. Travel to Santo Domingo today and you can still visit La Comandancia de la Plata, perched on the ridge amidst the dense forests of Pico Turquino National Park. You can also tackle Cuba's highest mountain of the same name, rising up almost 6,500 ft (1,981 m) into crisp, clean mountain air. It's a challenging hike, but the views are well worth it. If you are looking to get away from it all and recharge, you'll love Santo Domingo. Forest strolling, river bathing, and star gazing are top of the agenda for a trip back to nature on Cuba's highest peaks.