Island of Revolution GA Tour leg 1

Leg 1 — MUHA → MUCL Havana → Varadero

Depart Havana, the capital of Cuba, and head east along the northern coast.

Colonial Beginnings — The Spanish Empire

Havana was founded in the early 16th century and quickly became one of the most important ports in the Spanish Empire. It served as a key hub for ships traveling between the Americas and Europe.

The city’s architecture — forts, plazas, and colorful buildings — reflects centuries of colonial influence.

Cuba’s early history was shaped by its role as a strategic and economic center, built on trade, agriculture, and the labor of enslaved people.

This was the foundation of the island’s identity —

one rooted in empire and control.