Cuba: a Great Gap Year Experience
With its culture, art, and revolutionary past, Cuba makes an ideal gap year destination for students around the globe.
The largest island in the Caribbean, Cuba consists of 14 provinces and has over 11 million inhabitants. Its climate is perfect for year-round activities outdoors such as diving, sailing, and exploration of its many trails.
In 1961 Cuba campaigned against illiteracy, with the result that every citizen today can read and write.
This is a country of hidden depths and you will fall in love with the grand old culture of Havana as well as the beaches and nightlife of Varadero.
With so much to offer, Cuba is attracting young people worldwide who want to discover its hidden gems.
Places to Visit in Cuba
Havana is a city of two halves. Old Havana is the historic heart and became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982.
The oldest building here dates back to 1519. Spanish fleets would bring treasures to Central America and deposit them here and Havana became an important city for commerce and trade, with its prime position at the gateway to the Gulf of Mexico.
Today, Havana remains at the heart of Cuba. There are many museums, art galleries and theaters to visit, as well as reputable cultural institutions such as the National Ballet of Cuba and the Foundation of New Latin American Film.
Havana is a bustling metropolis and a cultural wonderland, drawing visitors year round to marvel at its architecture, history and entertainment.
Topes de Collantes
Topes de Collantes is located in the Escambray Mountains and is a stunning park offering many hiking trails to visitors.
There are caves, grottos, falls and canyons to explore in this region and an abundance of wildlife such as the Cuban woodpecker and rare hummingbirds.
The Caburni Falls offer a popular hike through coffee plantations to the river and ponds, while the Paseo Ecologico is an ecology pathway beneath pine trees and eucalyptus. ‘El Mirador’ is a lookout 600 meters above the sea with city and peninsula views.
Commandancia de la Plata
Commandancia de la Plata was Fidel Castro’s revolutionary hideout and is open to visitors.
Photography of this important mountain cabin was prohibited until recently, and now you can snap this poignant piece of history for a CUC5 fee.
To reach the hideout you must climb from Alto de Naranjo above Santo Domingo, with a guide. The ascent is quite hair-raising in places and not for the faint-hearted.
Diving and Snorkelling
Diving and Snorkelling have always been popular in Cuba because of the beautiful coral reefs and underwater caves to be discovered.
There are thousands of colorful species of fish to see and also 18th Century Spanish galleon wrecks to explore off the Cuban coast.
Diving sites and facilities are world class, with experienced instructors on hand to cater to your every need, whether you are a novice or a seasoned diver.
Popular diving locations include Los Canarreos Archipelago, which features over 50 sites, and Guanahacabibes Peninsula with a similar number of options at its facility.
Varadero, Cuba’s most commercial tourist spot, boasts the Cayo Piedras del Norte underwater park where various planes and yachts have been sunk to create an exploration playground for divers.
Diving on your gap year is an exciting and fulfilling way to spend your time and Cuba is the perfect destination for underwater activities.
There are gap year travel insurance packages to suit you for these physical excursions, competitively priced and tailored to your individual
Seasonal Work in Cuba
There are many seasonal job opportunities available for gap year students traveling to Cuba, as well as volunteer work in camps or as an ESL teacher.
If you are an experienced diver, you might find work experience in Cuba this way, as diving and
The commercial hot spots such as Varadero take on seasonal bar and restaurant staff to help with the summer crowds.
If you speak Spanish, you will be at an advantage, but there are also Spanish language courses offered in Cuba, which include accommodation and are a great way of meeting people and expanding your horizons.
Cuba is an exciting nation, buzzing with vibrant life, yet steeped in cultured history.
Whether you want to blaze a trail to Castro’s revolutionary hideout or explore underwater Spanish shipwrecks, you will certainly have a gap year to remember here.
