The island s plentiful fauna and flora, its mountains, cays and wetlands, and its expanding system of national parks and other protected areas, are perfect for getting close to nature. Hunting lodges still attract those who enjoy blasting ducks out of the sky and sport fishing is available in many marinas, but in the last few years the emphasis has been on looking and not touching, as in bird watching and scuba diving.
Facilities are limited and many sports are simply unavailable.
Traditionally, tourists have been expected to spend their time on the beach, with sightseeing excursions to colonial cities and night time forays into bars and clubs. More activities are now being developed though those seeking water sports are unlikely to be disappointed. Cuba has an extensive network of tarmac and concrete roads, covering nearly 17,600 km. This impressive infrastructure means that the vast majority of the country is accessible to the cyclist, and there are some dramatic roads to climb and descend. There is total freedom of movement and the rewards can be immense.