Ready for a mesmerizing journey to an aisle of secrets and marvels? Cuba will leave you astonished with its breathtaking views, vibrant culture, and remarkable history. To entice your curiosity even more, we have rounded up 12 curious facts about Cuba that are sure to make your mouth drop! Don’t delay; come explore the wonders of this land surrounded by the sea!
1. Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean.
Have you ever wondered why Cuba is nicknamed “the largest of the Antilles”? It is due to its huge total area of 109,884 square kilometers, which is larger than all the other islands in the same region combined! Even more remarkable is that Cuba ranks 17th on the list of the world’s largest islands.
2. Two small Cuban animals are in the Guinness Book of Records.
Among Cuba’s many marvels is its wildlife, particularly the world’s smallest bird—the enchanting Mellisuga Helenae hummingbird. It has been referred to as “zunzuncito” thanks to the distinct buzzing of its wings in flight. At a mere 5 centimeters from beak to tail and weighs lighter than that just one penny—at only 1.8 grams. It is absolutely captivating!
The second animal is the Cuban frog Monte Iberia (Eleutherodactylus Iberia). It may be a small creature, but it deserves special recognition. In fact, the Guinness Book of World Records lauds this amphibian as the smallest on Earth. They are only 9 to 10.5 millimeters! A size so minuscule compared to its peers that it will undoubtedly leave you in awe.
3. Cuba is the birthplace of Bacardi Rum.
From Cuba, the world-renowned Bacardi rum was born in 1862. Don Francisco Bacardi, a Catalan immigrant who settled on this island nation, created the now globally popular drink. From its origins in Santiago de Cuba, the Bacardi family revolutionized rum production. However, despite this legacy, Bacardi is now not available for sale within Cuba itself! Ironically, it has become one of the world’s leading producers of this liquor–a testament to more than 150 years of innovative distillation techniques that have been perfected over generations.
4. Cuba was the second country, after the United States, to broadcast color television broadcasts.
On March 18, 1957, Cuba made history as the second nation in the world to broadcast color television broadcasts through Telecolor, paving the way for Latin America to soon follow. This innovative development was truly revolutionary for Cuban media, enabling an unprecedented level of accessibility and connectivity with the rest of the world.
5. Cuba and its numerous properties are listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Cuba’s incredible biodiversity, cherished culture, and remarkable urban landscape have earned it international fame—particularly for its nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These sites are part of the more than 1,000 sites recognized globally by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Don’t miss out on Cuba when you travel there as these marvelous destinations will surely amaze any tourist!
- Old Havana and Its Fortification System
- Trinidad and the The Valley De Los Ingenios.
- Castle of San Pedro de la Roca.
- Valley of Viñales (where its coffee farms stand out).
- Alejandro de Humboldt National Park.
- Historic Center of Cienfuegos City.
- Historic Center of Camagüey City.
- Desembarco del Granma National Park.
- The First Coffee Plantations in the Southeast of the Island.
6. MEGA: a possible Atlantis on the coasts of Cuba?
In the northwest of Cabo de San Antonio, at Cuba’s westernmost tip, lies a remarkable discovery made by researchers and explorers in 2000: MEGA, or the submerged city of Cuba.
To the astonishment of the researchers, in the depths of the ocean floor at 600 meters, there appeared to be passages, tunnels, temples, and symmetrical stone structures with various symbols. The findings suggest an ancient sunken city estimated to be over 50,000 years old!
Does the link between Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula exist? Did a natural disaster sink this legendary city? As studies continue, we can only hypothesize about the origin and antiquity of this amazing discovery. It is no surprise that it has become one of Cuba’s greatest wonders!
7. Cuba had the first railroad in Latin America.
November 19th, 1837 was a pivotal day in Cuban history. On this date, the inaugural track of the Havana-Bejucal line was inaugurated. It was not only on the first railway line in Cuba and all of Latin America, but also propelling it to become the sixth country in the world to have rail service! When this service first began, it had yet to be adopted in Spain or its colonies. Instead, the United States was ahead of the curve and took up the mantle as a leader across Latin America.
8. The dome of the Havana Capitol was once the fifth highest in the world.
If you find yourself in Havana, make sure to visit the Capitol. It is National Monument since 2010 and is an absolute must-see.
When it was first opened in 1929, the grandeur of its impressive dome could be admired from virtually any corner of the city and even 20 miles away at sea. The magnificent beacon atop this structure, known as Centellador, was an unprecedented lighthouse with a radiating light visible up to 50 miles away!
Fascinatingly, the Cuban Capitol’s dome is almost 4 meters higher than that of Washington D.C.’s Capitol building, despite their identical designs.
9. The largest military fortress built by Spain in America.
Given the importance that the metropolis attributed to the port of Havana, Spain ordered the construction of this fortress to protect the entrance to the Bay from corsairs and pirates. Even after three centuries, when the city was walled, a ritual cannon shot (the cannonazo) is fired every night at 9 pm, commemorating the day when the city gates were closed. This ancient tradition has withstood the test of time and continues to be practiced today.
10. The oldest vehicle fleet in the world.
Classic cars from the 1950s continue to cruise through Havana, resembling a city that is frozen in time. Iconic American car manufacturers such as Chevy and Buick are among those representing this classic era. But these streets also bring together Eastern Bloc vehicles like Moskvitch or Lada. This curious intermingling of cars creates a unique atmosphere that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
With VC Tours, you have the opportunity for an amazing journey through Cuba in one of their iconic classic American cars. It gives new meaning to the experience of the unique culture and attractions of this country!
11. The World’s Best Cigar.
Renowned as the finest in the world, Cuban cigars are skillfully crafted using traditional methods that ensure optimum quality. One of Cuba’s defining characteristics is its sweet cigar wrappers that contain more sugar and less nicotine than those from other countries. It has become an integral part of Cuban culture; it would be unimaginable to think of Cuba without cigars today!
Some of the most popular Cuban cigar brands include Cohiba, Montecristo, Partagas, and Romeo y Julieta. For those who are curious to try a cigar, you can visit any of the many cigar factories found in Havana. It is here that you can learn more about this fascinating tradition and taste some of the best cigars in the world!
12. A breathtaking underwater world.
Cuba is home to some of the most stunning coral reefs in the Caribbean. With crystal-clear waters and thriving marine life, this is a diver’s paradise! A variety of fish, corals and other creatures inhabit these vibrant ecosystems, where you can observe them up close and take incredible selfies with sea turtles or stingrays. Diving in Cuba is considered one of the best experiences one can have and it’s a must-do if you’re looking for an adventure.
Curious facts about Cuba: Conclusion
Are you looking for a tourist destination that will blow your imagination? VC Tours invites you to join us in Cuba, where we are sure that our exploration of the wonders and mysteries of the island will leave you absolutely mesmerized. To make your creative juices flow, we created this post with 12 curious facts about Cuba that await us: what more could you ask for? So, come with us on this captivating journey, why wait any longer?