Obama begins historic Havana trip in bid to boost US-Cuba ties

President Obama has described being in Cuba as "wonderful" after becoming the first US President to visit the country in 88 years.

Speaking shortly he said his visit would be a "historic opportunity to engage with the Cuban people".

President Obama braved a 'tropical downpour' on the first day of his official three-day state visit to Cuba.

Accompanied by his family Obama grabbed an umbrella and set off to see sights, including the Museum of the City of Havana, as he tried to squeeze as much into his short but historic trip as possible.

The visit marks the first US presidential trip to Cuba in 88 years.

President Barack Obama has made the first US presidential trip to Cuba in 88 years today, ending decades of hostility between the two nations in the wake of the Cuban revolution.

Arriving in Havana for the start of a three-day trip to cement the start of new relations between the two countries Obama publicly shared his excitement at touching down on Cuban soil by tweeting "Que Bola Cuba" which translates as "How's it going Cuba?"

Obama was met by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on his arrival but is due to be given a formal welcoming ceremony at the presidential palace on Monday where he will meet the country's President Raul Castro.

Video report by ITV News correspondent Juliet Bremner.