Cuban Cigars

Despite American trade sanctions against Cuban products, cigars remain one of the country's leading exports. The country exported 77 million cigars in the early 1990s.

Salsa Dancing and More

We love to salsa, a dance form with Cuban origins that combines European Spanish and African cultures. Cubans love to move. Rumba, zapateo and bolero are  a few other popular dance forms in Cuba.

Viñales Valley

We love the natural tourist attractions in Cuba, including Viñales Valley (pictured above), where tobacco and other crops are cultivated on the bottom of the valley. Viñales is also a major tourist destination for hikers and rock climbers.

Valle de los Ingenios

We love Cuba for its rich history, including this old tower once used to watch slaves standing in the Valle de los Ingenios (sugar mills), located in Trinidad, Cuba.

Arroz con Pollo

Arroz con pollo (rice with chicken) is a traditional Cuban meal. Ingredients include rice, beer, stock, sofrito (a mix of vegetables and fresh herbs), chicken and saffron.

Havana Carnival Parade

We enjoy watching the folk dance group 'La Jardinera' perform during the Havana Carnival parade. The Cuban carnival has Afro-Caribbean origins and starts at the end of July and runs through mid-August. Other popular Cuban festivals include Anfoa Magic Festival, International Festival of New Latin Cinema and Festival del Caribe.

Fried Sweet Plantains

Looking for a traditional Cuban meal? Try fried sweet plantains with black beans and rice. It's a staple and tasty meal for most Cubans.

Buena Vista Social Club

We're inspired by the Buena Vista Social Club, a club that showcased diverse music, musicians, performers and singers. Cuban diva Omara Portuondo (pictured) is a surviving star of the popular 1940s club.

Beautiful Beaches

Cuba has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, including Playa Guardalavaca (pictured above), Playa Paraiso, Playa Sirena, Playa Ancon, Cayo Sabinal, Playa Ensenchachos and Playa Megano.

Baseball

Baseball is perhaps the most popular pastime in Cuba, introduced to the country in the 1960s. Everywhere you go, including Old Havana (pictured above) you can find kids of all ages in the streets playing baseball. According to the International Baseball Federation, the Cuban national team is currently the 5th ranked team in the world.

Cuban Celebrities

We love popular Cuban and Cuban-American celebrities, including singer Gloria Estefan (pictured), actor Andy Garcia (pictured), TV personality Daisy Fuentes, rapper Pitbull and comedian Faizon Love.

Rum, Rum and More Rum

We admire Cubans' love for 'spirits,' including the different types of Cuban rums made by Havana Club, a Cuban rum distillery.

Malecón Roadway and Seawall

We love how Cuba's famous Malecón roadway and seawall has become a popular social destination for friends and family, including kids who cool off in the heat of summer by taking a dive into the sea.

Cuban Sandwich

We love the taste of a Cuban sandwich, made with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and sometimes salami -- all stacked between two pieces of Cuban bread.

Mojitos

A mojito is a traditional Cuban cocktail that consists of white rum, sugar, lime juice, sparkling water and spearmint or yerba buena, a type of mint that's popular on the island.