Cuba

Cuba is a country of old cars, colonial cities, and strong cultural rhythms. Havana’s crumbling facades and lively streets echo with salsa music, while Trinidad and Cienfuegos show off pastel buildings and cobbled charm. Tobacco farms and limestone cliffs define Viñales, and the beaches of Varadero and Cayo Coco offer Caribbean escape. Cuban life moves at its own pace, shaped by revolution, pride, and resilience. Meals of rice, beans, and roast pork are shared over rum and conversation. With warmth, energy, and complexity, Cuba leaves a lasting impression far beyond its postcard views.

Cuba is a country that feels stuck in time and yet pulses with life, where crumbling colonial buildings sit next to 1950s Chevys, and music spills from every doorway. Most travelers begin in Havana, a city of contradictions: stately and worn, chaotic and charming. You can stroll the Malecón, get lost in Old Havana, and catch live music in a dive bar all before dinner. Outside the capital, Cuba’s diversity comes alive, Viñales offers red-dirt valleys and tobacco farms, Trinidad is a perfectly preserved colonial town with cobblestone streets and salsa rhythms, and Cienfuegos shows off its French roots. Beaches like Varadero and Cayo Coco serve up white sand and turquoise water, while the Sierra Maestra mountains and Bay of Pigs are steeped in revolutionary history.

Cuba is affordable but unpredictable. Casas particulares (private homestays) are the best way to stay, offering basic rooms and home-cooked meals. There are also state-run hotels, resorts, and a growing number of boutique guesthouses, especially in Havana and Trinidad. Food can be hit or miss, Cuban cuisine includes ropa vieja (shredded beef), moros y cristianos (black beans and rice), yuca, and tropical fruits, but shortages and supply issues are common. The government runs most restaurants, but paladares (private eateries) offer better quality and variety. Alcohol is cheap, expect rum in everything, from mojitos to Cuba libres.

Getting around takes patience. Long-distance travel is usually by Viazul buses or shared taxis (collectivos). Rental cars exist but are expensive and not always reliable. Hitchhiking is common among locals but tricky for foreigners. In Havana, coco taxis, classic cars, and bici-taxis offer local transport. Spanish is the official language, and English is limited outside of tourist zones. Cuba is generally safe, with very low violent crime, but petty theft does happen, especially in busy tourist areas.

Internet access is still limited and controlled. You’ll need Wi-Fi cards and can only connect at designated hotspots (often in parks or hotel lobbies). Connectivity is improving, but expect to go offline often. Political expression is restricted, and visitors should avoid getting involved in local politics or protests.

Why Go to Cuba?

• Havana’s Old World Energy: Wander through Old Havana, ride in a vintage car, sip mojitos at La Bodeguita del Medio, and dance to live music in the street.
• Viñales Valley & Tobacco Farms: Hike or horseback through Viñales, visit tobacco plantations, and watch how cigars are hand-rolled.
• Trinidad’s Colonial Streets & Music: Explore Trinidad, a beautifully preserved 19th-century town, where salsa is always playing and art is everywhere.
• Beach Time in Varadero or Cayo Coco: Relax on some of the Caribbean’s finest beaches, with powdery sand, clear water, and minimal crowds outside resorts.
• Revolutionary History & Museums: Visit Santa Clara to see Che Guevara’s mausoleum, or the Museo de la Revolución in Havana for context.
• Cuban Cuisine & Rum Culture: Eat at paladares, drink Cuban rum, and enjoy local dishes made with what’s available.
• Music, Art, and Everyday Life: Catch a backyard rumba, visit a gallery, or just sit in a plaza and watch life roll by, Cuba is in the details.

Who Might Not Enjoy Cuba?

• Luxury-First Travelers: High-end accommodations and services in Cuba often don’t match international luxury standards. Even five-star hotels may lack reliable Wi-Fi, hot water, or modern amenities.

• Travelers Who Rely on Internet and Connectivity: Internet access is slow, expensive, and unreliable in many parts of the country. Even in Havana, connections can be limited to public Wi-Fi hotspots or hotel lobbies.

• Strict Vegans or Vegetarians: Plant-based diets can be difficult to maintain. Cuban cuisine is heavy on pork, chicken, and seafood, and vegetarian options are limited, especially in rural areas.

• People Who Value Consumer Choice: Due to government controls and supply shortages, everyday goods like toiletries, snacks, or fresh produce may be difficult to find. Choices are limited in stores and restaurants.

• Independent Travelers Who Don’t Speak Spanish: English is not widely spoken outside major tourist zones. Navigating transport, booking accommodations, and asking for help can be challenging without Spanish skills.

• Those Uncomfortable with Political Restrictions: Cuba remains a one-party state. Freedom of speech and press is limited, and some travelers may find aspects of daily life (such as monitored internet or propaganda) off-putting.

• Travelers Seeking Spontaneous, Online-Based Booking: With limited internet and patchy infrastructure, last-minute travel arrangements or app-based services (Uber, Booking.com, etc.) don’t function reliably in Cuba.

• Nightlife-Only Tourists: While Havana has live music and some bars, Cuba’s nightlife is generally laid-back and revolves around salsa clubs and local gatherings. Those expecting a high-energy club scene may find it too mellow.

• Travelers Who Prefer Smooth, Predictable Travel: Delays, shortages, bureaucracy, and unexpected hiccups are common. Cuba rewards flexibility and patience more than precision planning.

Highlights

• Havana: timeless colonial architecture and a lazy, holiday vibe make this seafront capital an integral part of any visit to Cuba.
• Trinidad: Cuba in a nutshell and a little slice of salsa surrounded by stunning scenery.
• Santa Clara: a pilgrimage site for socialist revolutionaries across the planet and the resting place of Che Guevara.
• Santiago de Cuba: is the main party town on the island and as popular with locals as it is with tourists.
• Jardines Del Rey: more diverse and down-to-earth than the ever-popular seaside resort Varadero.
• Pinar del Rio: home of the ever-popular Cuban cigar and the best place to stock up on the island.
• Baracoa: formerly Cuba’s capital for three years and a quaint beach resort on the east of the island.

• Sightseeing: with plenty of colonial and revolutionary era monuments on display, Cuba is a laid-back destination that is also easy on the eye.
• Dancing: salsa fans flock to Cuba from all over the world, but you won’t need to be an expert to enjoy Latin America’s favorite rhythms.
• Partying: friendly locals, abundant festivals and lots of rum mean that many Cuban nights extend long into the morning.
• Diving: the Caribbean Sea here is as inviting as it is elsewhere in the region, and many areas of the island are perfect for snorkeling and diving.

For a country whose citizens earn just a fraction of the minimum wage in the west, the fact that crime is low and the health service is of a high standard are among the many surprising aspects of life in Cuba. However, pharmacies hark back to the more unsavory days of communism and are poorly stocked, so bring any necessary medication with you. To be on the safe side, some visitors here may want to avoid dairy products and eggs which are mostly not pasteurized and therefore run the risk of upsetting delicate western digestive systems.