CUBA
COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
ABOUT
CUBA
The island that gave us mojitos and mambo doesn’t play by the rules—it dances around them in vintage cars.
Cuba is where time pauses in pastel, where salsa music spills from open windows, and where every building feels like it’s holding onto its own revolution. This isn’t your average Caribbean getaway.
It’s where cigars are still hand-rolled, where Ernest Hemingway feels like a recent guest, and where conversations stretch longer than the rum pours.
Here’s the thing about rhythm. It’s contagious. Classic Chevrolets on cobbled streets. Locals who dance before they walk. And yes, that faded glamour is part of the charm.
From Havana’s crumbling elegance to Viñales’ tobacco-scented fields, Cuba doesn’t just invite you in. It sweeps you into the story.
Cuba is for travelers who find beauty in character, not polish.
It’s for those who value rhythm, resilience, and realness. The kind of traveler who trades predictability for poetry, and prefers a ride in a vintage car with a story over a new one with Bluetooth.
This is a place where history lives in the architecture, where music pours into the streets without invitation, and where slow travel isn’t a trend—it’s a way of life.
If you’re drawn to destinations that stir something in your soul, Cuba offers richness that can’t be bottled, staged, or replicated. Just experienced. Completely.
POPULAR DESTINATIONS IN
CUBA
PLACES TO SEE
Old Havana (Habana Vieja)
UNESCO-listed district with cobblestone streets, plazas, and colonial charm.
Malecón
Iconic seaside boulevard perfect for sunset strolls and people-watching.
Viñales Valley
Lush countryside of mogotes, tobacco farms, and horseback trails.
Trinidad
Colorful 19th-century town frozen in time with cobbled lanes and live music.
El Capitolio
Grand Havana landmark resembling the U.S. Capitol, rich in history.
Plaza de la Revolución
Historic square with towering monuments and Che Guevara’s iconic mural.
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
Top museum showcasing Cuban and international art across centuries.
Varadero Beach
Long stretch of white sand and turquoise sea on the Hicacos Peninsula.
Castillo del Morro
Fortress guarding Havana Bay with panoramic harbor views.
Bay of Pigs (Bahía de Cochinos)
Historic invasion site with excellent snorkeling and a small museum.
Santa Clara
Home of Che Guevara’s mausoleum and revolutionary history.
Cienfuegos
Elegant coastal city known as the “Pearl of the South” for its French architecture.
QUICK FACTS
GETTING AROUND
Between Cities
Cuba’s intercity travel is best done by private transfers or tourist buses, which are more reliable than local options. Domestic flights are limited and often delayed, so overland travel is preferred for most routes.
Around Cities
In Havana and other cities, vintage taxis, bici-taxis, and coco taxis offer colorful ways to get around. Ride-hailing apps are limited, but government and private taxis are available. Walking is a must in old towns and historic areas.
CRUISING & ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation
Cuba’s accommodations range from historic hotels in Old Havana to private guesthouses known as casas particulares. In resort areas like Varadero or Cayo Santa María, you’ll find beachfront all-inclusives with tropical flair. For a more immersive experience, boutique stays in colonial mansions offer character, charm, and close connections to local culture.
Cruises
Cuba was once a popular stop for small-ship ocean cruises, especially in Havana and Cienfuegos. While current regulations may vary, expedition-style sailings have historically offered deeper access to Cuba’s culture and coastal beauty. River cruising is not available here, but ocean-based itineraries have highlighted Cuba’s music, art, and architectural heritage.
SHOP, EAT & DRINK
Shop
Bring home handmade cigars, local art, retro posters, and guayabera shirts. Markets and co-ops sell leather goods, ceramics, and musical instruments. Don’t miss vintage treasures in Havana’s alleyway shops and craft fairs.
Eat
Try ropa vieja (shredded beef stew), tostones (fried plantains), and arroz con pollo. Cuban food is humble and hearty, with Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences. Paladares—privately owned restaurants—serve some of the most authentic meals.
Drink
Sip a mojito where Hemingway once did, or try a daiquiri with freshly squeezed lime. Cuban coffee packs a punch, and local rums—from Havana Club to Santiago—are best enjoyed slowly, neat or in cocktails.
TIME ZONE
Cuba is in Cuba Standard Time (GMT–5) and observes daylight saving time, typically from March to November.
RIDE SHARE & TAXIS
No Uber; state‑run taxis and private drivers serve cities; riding in vintage cars via private drivers is common among tourists.
ELECTRICITY & PLUGS
No Uber; state‑run taxis and private drivers serve cities; riding in vintage cars via private drivers is common among tourists.
CLIMATE
Cuba has a tropical climate with distinct wet (May to October) and dry (November to April) seasons. Temperatures are warm year-round, but hurricanes can occur in late summer and fall. Winter is the most popular time for visitors.
FILM/TV & FAMOUS FACES
Cuba’s nostalgic streets have been featured in The Fate of the Furious, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, and Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s travel documentaries. It’s also home to legends like Celia Cruz, Benicio del Toro (of Cuban descent), and ballet star Carlos Acosta.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
POPULAR DESTINATIONS IN
CUBA
EXPERIENCES TO HAVE
Classic car cruise through Havana’s Malecón
Live salsa at a rooftop bar in Trinidad
Cigar rolling with a Viñales farmer
Mojito at La Bodeguita del Medio
Sunrise over Mogotes in Viñales Valley
Afro-Cuban drum ceremony in Matanzas
Snorkeling off Playa Ancón’s coral reef
Catching a béisbol game with locals
Strolling the cobbled streets of Old Havana
Hiking to El Yunque peak in Baracoa
Dancing in Santiago’s Casa de la Trova
Exploring Che Guevara’s mausoleum in Santa Clara
YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING ABOUT
CUBA
FAQ's
LEARN MORE ABOUT
TRAVELING IN
CUBA
Havana by Rhythm: Learn to Dance Where Salsa Was Born
Step into a sunlit studio where local instructors teach you to dance with your whole soul—not just your feet. Afterward, hit the streets with your new moves and join the locals where music spills from every doorway.
Cigars, Stories, and Soil: Rolling with the Masters in Viñales
Spend the day on a tobacco farm learning the delicate art of hand-rolling cigars from a master roller whose family has done it for generations. The stories are as rich as the smoke—and twice as smooth.
Cuba on Canvas: Paint the Streets of Trinidad with a Local Artist
Wander pastel-colored alleyways with a Cuban painter who shares the secrets of capturing the island’s soul in color. You'll leave with your own masterpiece and a few new ways to see the world.
A journey back to our roots
Bringing my children to Cuba was powerful. We visited our family’s old neighborhood, shared stories, and felt deeply connected to where we come from.
The Delgado Family
Prefer to hand the planning over to a professional who has been to this destination and sent their clients there?
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COMING SOON