Imagine a country with European-style architecture and cities built around squares. A country with cheap food and beer sold by friendly, smiling locals not yet jaded by over-tourism. Imagine a country with ancient ruins, stunning beaches and fantastic music scene. Now imagine all of this, without a single McDonald’s or Starbucks to be found. Anywhere.
A country where pre-1970 cars (being driven!) on the street are the norm, not the exception. Where the tourists you meet are far more likely to speak French rather than English, and finally, where meeting a tourist from the US is almost unheard of. (So unheard of, in fact, that when I attended a slightly touristy music performance, and the announcer listed about a dozen countries where the audience was from – and we cheered, you know the drill – that the US wasn’t even given as an option…)
This is Cuba.
All of the above are obviously reasons to visit Cuba sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, when these places become accessible, and over-visited, they may lose what makes them unique.
But for now, here are my top ten reasons to go now!
- The beaches look like this:
Many of the beaches in Cuba have made ‘top beaches in the world’ lists. Incredible blue water. Soft white sand. Best of all? This was mid-day on a Saturday. Notice the empty lounge chairs? It’s not over-crowded!
2. Every. Single. Evening. The sky is on fire.
3. I don’t know who started the rumour that the food in Cuba was terrible. But if you hear it, know that it is very wrong! Everywhere I went, from street food, to at our beach resort restaurants, to local restaurants in Havana. Everything was delicious, fresh, flavourful, and local! When we asked for the ‘fresh, local food’ our servers usually had no idea what that meant. Wasn’t everything fresh and local? Answer? Yes!
Resort-Restaurant – Caprese Salad
Meal in San Cristobal Paladar Restaurant, Havana (check it out! Only about 10 minutes from the main Old Town, but very authentic food and fantastic atmosphere. Great 3-course Cuban meal with a drink for 15 USD)
4. The locals are friendly. Genuine. Happy to see you visiting their country. This guy approached my friends and I while walking around Old Town Havana. Assuming he was after some money, we kept going. But he insisted on saying hello, practically pushing his guitar into our hands. He asked if we liked Cuba. Then asked to take a picture. He told us no cost, as long as we posted it on the internet and made him famous. This one is for you then, Amador! 🙂
5. The architecture. This is one of the most famous churches (Church Of Immaculate Mary), in Cathedral square. Notice how ‘busy’ it is?
More amazing architecture. 
6. The Opera.
Yes. Cuba regularly performs operas, ballets and concerts in the recently renovated Grande National Theatre (originally opened in 1838)
7. Sugar Cane, Rum and Cigar Factories
There is no shortage of things to do in Cuba. Sugar can fields are all over the country and though many tours go to these fields, and will give you a comprehensive history and tour, a private tour will give you a much better experience. It can be difficult to travel independently in Cuba, as most of the locals travel by hitch-hiking. There is a national rail service, but service can be infrequent and very slow. Private taxis and drivers can be rented for nearly the same price as a seat on a large tour bus (and you will get a personalized tour!)
If touring the famous cigar factories in Havana is important to you, make sure you arrive in the morning, as tours do not run after 1pm. The gift shop can still be visited until closing, and official cigars and rum can be purchased at very reasonable prices.
Be wary of cigars bought elsewhere. These can be confiscated upon your departure from the country! They must have a Cuban Cigar stamp in order to be legal. The stamp must say ‘hecho en Cuba’. If you insist on buying cigars in un-official locations (the beach, the streets, etc), be sure to actually open the box, and hold the cigar. The printing should be slightly embossed. If not, it is most likely a fake.
8. Havana and Varadero are fantastic, but Trinidad is very worth a visit.
About 3 hours by car, or 4 by train away from Varadero (5/6 from Havana), it is a UNESCO world heritage site since 1988 (along with the nearby Valle de los Ingenios).
Trinidad is one of the cleanest towns I’ve seen. The locals have pride in their town and obviously make efforts to be welcoming. The area is surrounded by lush green fields and rolling hills. There are several look-out points in the town, and if they are open, it would likely be well-worth your time to see the view!
9. Old Cars Everywhere!
Even if you describe cars by their colour, and can’t tell the different between a Ford and Fiesta (hahah…I’m not that bad, I swear!), there is just something nostalgic about old cars everywhere. And not on display! These are methods of transportation for many, many Cuban people. There are even horse-and-buggies on the roads too. Essentially, Cuba is one big time machine.
10. No McDonald’s, no Starbucks!
Whether or not you consider this a good thing, I found it very refreshing to not see a 10 foot poster in the square advertising ‘McDonald’s, 5 minutes ahead’. If you want a coffee, you order it where the locals do. If you need wi-fi, you wait until you get back to the hotel! It is break for your sense, and you don’t realize it until you’re immersed in a non-Mcdonalds world.
This will likely change with soften US-Cuba relations. I would get there to experience Cuba before things change.
Is Cuba perfect? Not at all. The sidewalks are cracked and broken in places. English can be difficult to find in the towns and cities. The drivers are absolutely crazy and pedestrians do not have right of way. But if you are looking for an authentic-feeling, make-no-apologies style Cuba, you’d better visit soon, for all the amazing reasons I’ve discussed!
What are your thoughts? Have you visited Cuba? What would you add to the list?
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