If you haven’t been to Cuba yet then you’re missing out!
In case you’ve been without internet for the past years (oh geez, hopefully not), Cuba is changing. And with Usain Bolt-level speed too. With loosening regulations, more tourists are travelling to Cuba and now everyone wants to be on-trend. Cuban fever is real.
But I can completely get behind this trend – unlike man buns or juice cleanses, don’t get me started. Cuba is seriously cool. It’s got this chilled-out, old-school vibe unlike anywhere else. Yeah, Cuba’s more than just a pretty face, guys.
Travelling in Cuba is a distinct and highly memorable experience. By visiting you’ll get to peek inside the extraordinary history of this island which in itself offers a unique blend of sunshine, sea, unusual culture and Cuban characteristics that you just wouldn’t get in other places such as Ibiza, the Canary Islands or the Maldives.
If you’re looking for that something extra, a little bit more than just a wonderful beach holiday or a lively break away, then Cuba combines both of these plus added extras and could just be the destination for you.
Cuba Travel Resources
These are my favourite companies to use when I travel.
• Find cheap flights with Skyscanner.
• Get the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
Cuba Tours
• Search small group adventure tours with G Adventures.
• Find city sightseeing tours & attraction tickets on GetYourGuide or Viator.
Top Reasons to Visit Cuba
When you mention ‘Cuba’ most people tend to think of cigars, Castro, colonial buildings, rum, salsa and old 1950’s cars. Although all of these things are integral to Cuba’s wonderful character there’s much more to explore in Cuba.
In the last few decades, Cuba has grown in popularity, and having travelled through this charming country, I can see why.
Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean and there are some amazing modern beach resorts, plenty of things to do and see, and wonderful weather and climate with approx 300 days of sunshine a year. Cuba offers average temperatures in the mid 20C’s and above.
These are my top five reasons why you’ll absolutely love Cuba!
Unspoiled by tourism
At a steady pace, in true Latin style, Cuba is building a number of hotels throughout this remarkable country to meet the ever-increasing demands of visitors. Along with this the locals understand the importance of tourism and are renovating their homes to welcome travellers.
Although this is clearly a good development it’ll probably be best to visit Cuba sooner rather than later, before it gets overrun by tourism. As it currently stands there’s a real authentic feel to Cuba, something very rare in this globalised world we all live in.
The colonial architecture, old fashioned vehicles and quaint towns are still very apparent! With this in mind visit now to see something of the original Cuba.
Incredible beauty you must see!
With its comfortable climate, gorgeous beaches, colonial architecture and diverse culture, Cuba has many reasons why travellers fall in love with the country.
Along with this you will struggle to find another country with so many vintage Cadillac cars. You will see many of them throughout your trip. A great way to experience them first hand is by taking a tour in one, whilst being driven around and seeing the sights in style.
As you can imagine Caribbean beaches are known for their white sand and crystal clear water and Cuba is certainly no exception. From Varadero Beach to Playa Los Flamencos and Cayo Las Brujas, to name a few, there is an abundance of beautiful beaches to choose from!
Music and dance is everywhere
As with the majority of Latin countries, Cubans love to play music and dance. Live music can be seen in restaurants, bars and hotels. As you walk through the streets you may even hear some locals play their favourite music from their homes. From Salsa, Rumba and Jazz you’ll hear a real blend of different styles.
Once the music is flowing you’re bound to find people dancing, with real passion and style. You may come across small groups dancing together along with couples dancing the night away. Cubans are well known for their friendliness so don’t be shy to ask for a helping hand with your dance moves whilst sipping Cuban Rum. You might want to plan a trip to coincide with the amazing Cuba Carnival.
Socialism, a unique way of life
An intriguing part of my visit was to see socialism with my own eyes. Cuba is one of the very few socialist countries left in the world. You won’t see any global chains, such as McDonald’s or Starbucks, or giant ads for products we are used to throughout the world.
Cuba has had a turbulent recent history and many of the museums and historical sights offer an insight into the Cuban revolution and Fidel Castro’s socialist regime. As the internet is hard to come by you will feel as if you’re almost living off the grid.
With this in mind, you will have plenty of time to immerse yourself into this unique culture and see the realities of socialism first hand.
Enjoy the local cuisine
Before travelling to Cuba I was told not to expect much on the food front. A number of my friends had told me everything is bland and there’s a lack of choice. I found the complete opposite. Food is of course very subjective but I found there was a real variety with fantastic tastes.
Cuban cuisine is a blend of Spanish, African and other Caribbean cuisines. A typical meal consists of rice and beans along with seafood or meat and a salad side. If you are looking for McDonald’s, Pizza Express or any Western-style chain restaurant, forget it. If you do come across a place which looks slightly Western it’s best to avoid it and head to a more authentic restaurant.
You will end up paying more, however, it’s well worth it. Vegan restaurants are few and far between but you’ll be able to find some in Havana. Rice and beans are everywhere, along with delicious vegetables and of course fruits, so all foodies should be catered for.
Best Places to Visit in Cuba
Here are some places not to miss on your Cuba travel itinerary.
Vintage-y awesomeness in Havana
Ever wanted to go back in time to the 1950’s? Well from what we’ve heard, time travel isn’t a thing…yet. The good news is Havana is basically a time capsule. Vintage cars, pastel buildings, locals wearing fedoras.
Old Havana is UNESCO-protected, so you can meander Plaza de Armas knowing it’s been that way for 500 years. 500 years, people! Be sure to check out the Malecón – an 8km esplanade along Havana’s coast – for some prime people-watching and vintage car-spotting. Visit a cigar factory, go to a jazz club and you’ll be Havana the best time in Cuba before you know it.
There is something almost magical about the city of La Habana. Stepping out onto the streets, you suddenly get the impression that you are lost in time. There are very few cars on the roads, but the ones that you see are classic models from the 1950′s. The streets are lined with buildings from days gone by. Some are old and in disrepair, but it is easy to see that they must have been truly majestic at the time of their initial construction.
Another interesting thing about the city is that there are no advertisements or billboards like there are in countries like the United States. Instead you will see patriotic signs and murals gracing the streets.
Good Vibesss in Trinidad
Trinidad is everything you’d image Cuba to be and more. Horses trot down cobblestone streets, musicians strum guitars on doorsteps, stretches of white sand are ripe for exploring – yep, Trinidad has got it going on.
You can climb a bell tower, hike in the Sierra del Escambray Mountains, take a dip in the El Nicho Waterfall and hit up a disco in a cave. We repeat, it’s a dance club IN a cave. Or just take it easy with a beach day and BBQ at Playa Ancon. Whew, so many options. Good vibes await peace sign emoji.
Jaw-dropping nature in Viñales
If you add one part tobacco and sugarcane farms with one part jungly landscape, you have Viñales. It looks straight out of Jurassic Park (if Jurassic Park had featured a lot of small Cuban tobacco farmers). This is truly one of the most scenic parts of Cuba.
You can check out giant limestone mounds, explore one of the biggest cave complexes in all of the Americas and chill out on a porch with a cigar in one hand and a mojito in the other. My personal favourite.
The people here are friendly, and local Cuban culture is experienced first-hand. What more could you want?
(Actually interesting) History Lessons in Santa Clara
You’ve seen his no-nonsense face. You’ve heard his cool-sounding name. Yep, we’re talking Che Guevara. But what do you really know about Cuba’s famed revolutionary? Learn about Che and his ‘ol BFF, Fidel Castro in Santa Clara – the site of the last battle in the Cuban Revolution.
Here, you have the chance to visit Che’s mausoleum, see his statute in the Revolutionary Plaza and check out the museum. Santa Clara is a historical haven. Really cool stuff, guys.
Holguin
An idyllic area dotted with relaxing resorts, where white sand beaches meet warm, turquoise waters. The mix of attractions in the area, from the cosmopolitan city of Santiago to the sands of Guardalavaca and Playa Pesquero, are all combined with an eclectic mix of culture, ensuring you have a truly memorable holiday.
The Cayos
This is the choice to make for miles of stunning white sands, warm shallow waters, watersports and stunning natural beauty. Cayo Coco has flocks of pretty pink flamingo. While Cayo Guillermo has an amazing 10km long coral reef that is perfect for snorkelling. For some of the newest hotels that Cuba has to offer, try unspoilt Cayo Santa Maria.
The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Cayo Santa Maria
Cayo Santa Maria is an island blessed with beautiful pristine beaches, waters that are as warm as bath water and an amazing rugged interior brimming with nature.
In the north of the island you will find hotels and nearly ten miles of beautiful secluded beaches backed by sand dunes and lush mangroves. Here you can sunbathe or take a swim in the crystal clear calm waters. As you relax and soak up the glorious sunshine pink flamingos will look-out at you from the surrounding greenery and pelicans will swoop down to catch fish in the sea.
Take a boat trip further out to sea and you will see colourful fish swimming among the coral reefs and may even be lucky enough to see some turtles or dolphins. The coral reefs here are ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling. The island has a ‘clothing optional’ beach for naturists lovers which is located at the west end of the hotel Sol Cayo Santa Maria beach.
The south of the island is a maze of creeks and lagoons, mangrove swamps and palm-lined grasslands.
Most people dine at their hotel but there are beachside grills which serve freshly caught seafood, some Japanese sushi bars and some Italian trattorias. Most Cuban food includes meat, especially pork and ‘congri’ which is rice and black beans, usually served with fried plantains and sprinkled with bacon.
The hotels on the island provide most of the nightlife including pubs, clubs, karaoke nights and salsa evenings. Dance the night away on the sand at one of the beach bars, not forgetting to sample the amazing cocktails, or just take a romantic stroll along the sandy beach.
If you are looking for last minute holiday deals for rest and relaxation on beautiful sandy beaches then Cayo Santa Maria is the place for you. There are always great travel deals to the small but perfect Cayo Santa Maria on offer.
Enjoy Romance in Jibacoa
If you are looking for a quiet romantic beach holiday then Jibacoa is just the place for you. Located just 38 miles from Havana, Jibacoa offers beautiful secluded Caribbean beaches which are perfect for sunbathing and swimming. Popular with couples looking for a relaxed holiday in Cuba, the resort is set on a stunning bay and offers accommodation to suit all budgets.
Jibacoa Beach itself is a secluded sheltered beach with low cliffs and beautiful green surrounding hills. Other beaches in the area include Puerto Escondido, El Abra and Boca de Jaruco. The beautiful clear blue warm seas and coastal breezes make perfect conditions for water sports at the beaches. These include diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, sailing and catamaran cruises.
There are lots of dive sites, offshore reefs, shipwrecks and deep caves for scuba-divers to explore. Non-divers can enjoy snorkelling along the coastline which is teeming with colourful exotic sea life. For a great day out on your bargain holidays take a deep-sea fishing excursion or a relaxing boat trip.
Jibacoa has some beautiful countryside to explore, from green valleys and citrus plantations to tobacco fields and from tropical wildlife areas to areas offering stunning views. Visitors can explore the surrounding area by car, bicycle, horse-back or walking.
Explore Cuba’s historical capital city Havana and the charming town of Santa Cruz and even take a romantic catamaran cruise to Cayo Blanco. For more great days out take a tour of a cigar factory, taste samples in a rum museum and enjoy a journey back in time on the Hershey Electric Railway.
During the day hotels offer Spanish lessons, dance lessons and games. Most of the hotels in Jibacoa offer live shows, discos, themed evenings and other evening entertainment along with excursions to the famous Tropicana Nightclub in Havana.
Jibacoa enjoys very little change in the temperature throughout the year. Winter temperatures average around 28C with summers seeing average temperatures of 30C. With long sunny days and warm waters, Jibacoa is perfect for beach holidays at any time of the year. Trade wind sea breezes help to keep the humidity down, especially during the winter months.
Winter and spring are probably the best times to visit as humidity is lower than in the summer, rainfall is also lower and temperatures still hover around in the late 20′s. Christmas, New Year and Easter are also excellent times to visit Jibacoa.
Due to the fantastic tropical climate that Jibacoa enjoys, there are always plenty of great last minute holidays available to the resort all year round.
Go All-inclusive in Varadero
If relaxation’s more your thing on holiday why not stay in Varadero, Cuba’s famous beach holiday destination complete with stunning white beaches and clear blue sea. A number of travel operators and hotels in Cuba now offer all inclusive holidays enabling you to relax and unwind, sipping local cocktails on the beach whilst watching the world go by.
The 18 km long Varadero peninsula is a long finger of land jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, about 85 miles east of Havana. Varadero has one of the Caribbean’s best beaches with 12.5 miles of palm-fringed white sand washed with clear, sunlit waters that hold a steady, pleasant 25 degrees Centigrade all year round. This is undoubtedly the ace in Cuba’s pack, and the island’s undisputed holiday hotspot.
Varadero’s plush resorts didn’t spring into existence until 1930s when the US chemical millionaire Irenee Dupont Nemours built a large estate on the peninsula. You can visit its luxurious mansion today.
However, when you’re not exploring, lazing on the beach or relaxing by the pool at one of the many all inclusive hotels, why not take a day trip on a catamaran. This will take you out to explore the archipelago of tiny keys off the north end of the Varadero peninsula where you can dive into the still-shallow waters protected by the coral reef, enjoy fresh lobster with daiquiris, and slow down into the Caribbean rhythm of life.
By night, enjoy a different kind of rhythm as you dance the night away to salsa and reggae, or watch a spectacular show. Even better, head to wonderful Havana, just 2 hours away, for its vibrant nightlife and Creole restaurants.
Josone Park, in the center of Varadero, is a nature area with enough restaurants and cultural attractions to prise you from the beach for the afternoon. But, honestly, it’s the beaches around the peninsula that will have you smiling from ear to ear – everything you imagined a Caribbean beach holiday to be is here, with the added, indescribable X factor that you’ll only find in Cuba.
Beaches
Cuba has some of the most picturesque beaches in the Caribbean, with white sand and crystal clear ocean. Most places are also not very touristy, especially compared to destinations like Cancun and the Dominican Republic.
View my guide to the best beaches in Cuba. Another destination which needs a mention is Playa Pesquero and Guardalavaca, which are the order of the day if its recuperation that’s needed. Snorkelling and diving are also very popular in Guardalavaca due to the amazing coral reefs that lie just off the shore here.
Cuba Travel Tips
When I boarded my flight, I honestly had no idea what to expect upon our arrival. Despite having studied a little bit about Cuba, it was slowly dawning on me that I really had very little knowledge of the country’s current social, political, and cultural climate.
Until recently, most nationalities, especially Americans have had very limited contact with this island nation, despite the fact that it is only 90 miles south of Miami (about the same distance between Richmond, Virginia and Washington DC).
Most of my associations that my generation has with Cuba are vaguely negative. We have heard about the trade embargo, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Bay of Pigs. Nevertheless, I was curious to know more about Cuba which is often praised for its remarkable contributions to music and dance as well as its rich nightlife.
When I embarked upon this journey, my goal was simply to listen and to learn as much as possible from the experience. At some point during that brief flight, I decided to put aside my own preconceptions and opinions and step onto Cuban soil with an open mind and heart.
I am a fairly experienced traveler, and I love that feeling that you get when you first step off the plane in a new country. It seems that each destination that I encounter is initially a beautiful, although quite overwhelming experience because there are so many things to take in. Cuba is more subtle and slowly casts its spell on you.
Another interesting thing about Cuba is that they have shows with live music and dancing everywhere. At every hotel, restaurant, and club that we visited, we watched talented singers and dancers performing…even in places where there didn’t seem to be enough space for them to be doing so.
During our first day in La Habana, our tour took us past a small cafe that had a live band playing inside. They were apparently playing some of the classics, so people were crammed inside clapping and singing along. There was not even any space to get through the door.
Getting to Cuba
Cuba is a 30-minute flight from Miami to La Habana, whilst there are also connections with other airports around the world so getting here isn’t difficult. Prices for flights are competitive, especially compared to other destinations in this region.
There are also plenty of cheap holidays and flights from many international destinations. Flights from the UK are available with many of the international carriers such as British Airways and Virgin Airways.
Cuba is also currently one of the best value destinations in the Caribbean for many travellers, with a fully all inclusive luxury beach holiday to Varadero for 7 nights for example costing from only £699 and plenty of last minute holiday deals available.
Tourism Infrastructure
Cuba isn’t an easy country to travel solo, or independently. Even booking the simplest things like accommodation and finding a shop to buy something to eat can be a challenge.
Don’t expect super modern and reliable transport connections, or easy to get to tourism destinations like the breeze that is Costa Rica for example. Just take Cuba for what it is, go with the flow.
Sometimes if you really want to see more of the country it can be easier to book an organised small group tour. You can book with local and international travel operators who offer affordable trips that will show you the main highlights.
Language
The first thing that I noticed about the Cuban people is the way that they speak. Their Spanish is like poetry. It is lyrical and spoken with lots of affection. Listening to them talk made me feel like I was back in one of my Spanish literature classes. I was initially taken aback when some elderly women waiting in the airport and even one of the customs officials casually referred to me as “mi amor” (“my love” in Spanish).
Money and Budget
So money stuff in Cuba is a little tricky. There are two official currencies – the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) and the Cuban Peso (CUP) – and their values vary pretty dramatically. The CUC is equal to around US$1, while 26-ish CUP is the equivalent of US$1 (this is the local currency and it has very limited use, especially for travellers).
To make matters more confusing, they’re both referred to as a peso and their values change ALL the time. Tipping in Cuba isn’t compulsory, but if someone’s gone out of their way to help you or has given you great service, round up your bill to the nearest 10 per cent, or tip CUC2 for guides or drivers.
Safety
Cuba is generally very safe for tourists, even if you are from the United States. If you are worried how people might react if you are from the USA, you will find that people will be more curious than anything else. When you meet the locals, they will tell you that once you experience Cuba’s magic, you will always return. They will also ask a lot of questions about life outside of Cuba and will be eager to share their culture and ideas with you.