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Cuba's Playa Paraiso Beach Named Among World's Best, Because Of COURSE Cuba Has A Secret Paradise

Reason #4,572 To Go To Cuba? This Beach.
By 

Lifestyle Editor, HuffPost

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We can think of many reasons to go to Cuba -- it's not like we needed one of the best beaches on the planet to lure us there.

But hey, we'll take it if you're offering.

Playa Paraiso Beach, on Cuba's Cayo Largo, was recently crowned one of the top beaches in the world in TripAdvisor's annual Travelers' Choice survey. This sprawling stretch of blue has a cheeky little beach bar, a shuttle from nearby lodgings and the biggest hunk of undisturbed perfection we've seen in a while.

Don't forget the bustling community of sea life and "sugar sand" that is "so white and soft." Yumm.

As you can see, there's not much here -- just some beach chairs, trees and that endless blue gem of an ocean. Sign us up, we say!

Thankfully for us, American tourism to Cuba has gotten a bit easier, and it will likely continue to do so. Now the problem is just getting here before everyone else does.

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Before You Go

The Best Active Adventures in Cuba
Cave Diving(01 of05)
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Many islands in the Caribbean promise crystal clear water, but very few offer the experience to dive and explore the depths of a cave that reaches 70-feet deep. Cueva de Saturno, pictured left, is one such diving spot that’s not far off the beaten path—and it’s certainly not the only cave in Cuba worth a visit. Travelers truly interested in cave diving should get to Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas, one of the largest and most complex cave systems in the Western Hemisphere (headlamps required). Those slightly less adventurous might opt for the well-lit Cuevas de Bellamar, which some say is Cuba’s oldest tourist attraction.Photo Credit: commons.wikimedia.orgClick Here to See More of The Best Active Adventures in Cuba
Rock Climbing(02 of05)
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A quick two-hour ride from Havana will put climbers at the base of 1,000-foot-tall limestone crags in the Vinales Valley National Park. Should you make it to the top, the view of old Cuban houses, gigantic palm trees and mountainous outlines in the distance is just as amazing as the climb itself.Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Dancing(03 of05)
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The birthplace of many dance forms celebrated throughout Latin America, Cuba is the place to be when you feel like dancing. Whether you make your way down to Callejon de Hamel on a Sunday afternoon for some live Afro-Cuban rumba or you wander into a Salsa club late at night, there’s plenty of music waiting for you in Cuba.Photo Credit: clasarchive.berkeley.eduClick Here to See More of The Best Active Adventures in Cuba
Scuba Diving(04 of05)
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Cuba offers many opportunities for underwater adventure in the crystal clear waters surrounding the island. Top diving spots include Jardines de la Reina (the Queen’s Gardens), a remote well-preserved marine park known for shark sightings and Ojo del Mégano, a wide crevasse that acts as a refuge for marine life.Photo Credit: © Flickr / ScubaDivingFanClub.com
Hiking(05 of05)
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Though Cuba may not be a country known for epic peaks and steep climbs there are many worthwhile treks with plenty to see. Those looking for a longer trek should head to Pico Turquino (pictured left), the highest point in the country, which offers stunning views. There are also many nature reserves with trails that allow travelers to get an up-close look at wildlife like the endangered Cuban crane.Click Here to See More of The Best Active Adventures in CubaPhoto Credit: © Flickr / Fabian Michelangeli

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