If your soul needs sunshine, your camera needs color, and your heart needs rhythm, Cuba is calling — probably from a rotary phone in a pastel-colored 1950s living room. This Caribbean gem isn’t just a destination, it’s an experience. It’s a place where salsa spills onto the sidewalks, where mojitos flow like water, and where classic Chevys still rule the roads like it’s 1959.
So grab your fedora, charge your camera, and let’s dive into everything you need to know before you salsa off to this tropical time capsule.
Unless you’re arriving by pirate ship (which we do not recommend), flying is the way to go.
Main airport: José Martí International Airport (HAV) in Havana. Most international travelers land here.
Other airports: Varadero, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba — great if you’re heading straight to the beach or the east.
From North America: Direct flights from Miami, New York, Toronto, and Montreal.
From Europe: Direct flights from Madrid, Paris, Frankfurt, and other cities.
Pro Tip for U.S. travelers: Yes, you can still go to Cuba, but it must be under one of 12 permitted travel categories — “Support for the Cuban People” is a common one. Just don’t book a flight and declare “beach bum vacation” on your customs form.
Cuba recently overhauled its confusing dual-currency system. Now, there’s just one main currency for visitors:
Currency: Cuban Peso (CUP)
Exchange: Don’t bring U.S. dollars — they come with high fees. Instead, bring euros, Canadian dollars, or British pounds.
Cards: Most foreign credit cards do not work in Cuba — especially American-issued ones. Bring plenty of cash and change it at official currency exchange offices (CADECA) or your casa host.
Important: Cuba is a cash-first economy. Think of your wallet as your best travel buddy. Treat it well and don’t let it run dry.
Havana is a sensory explosion. Every street is a movie set of crumbling colonial charm, flashy 1950s cars, salsa beats, and locals with stories that start with “Back in the Revolution…”
Explore Old Havana (Habana Vieja) — a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of cobblestone streets, baroque architecture, and cute cafes.
Cruise the Malecón at sunset in a classic convertible.
Sip a mojito where Hemingway did at La Bodeguita del Medio (bonus: pretend you’re a tortured genius while doing it).
This is where you go to turn into a beach potato (the glamorous kind).
Miles of powdery beaches and turquoise water.
All-inclusive resorts with strong cocktails and weak Wi-Fi — aka paradise.
Ideal for unwinding after all that Havana hustle.
Trinidad looks like a postcard someone painted with too much color and not enough chill — and we love it.
Explore cobblestone streets lined with pastel buildings.
Visit Plaza Mayor, Museo Romántico, and dance to live music at Casa de la Música.
Hike or horseback ride to waterfalls in the nearby Topes de Collantes National Park.
Viñales is rural Cuba at its best: think cowboy hats, lush valleys, and the world’s finest cigars.
Ride horses through tobacco plantations.
Learn how cigars are rolled — by hand, the Cuban way.
Enjoy the laid-back vibes, limestone cliffs, and endless green fields.
Often overlooked, this city in eastern Cuba is the birthplace of much of the island’s Afro-Cuban culture, music, and revolutionary spirit.
Dance to son music in the city where it was born.
Visit Castillo del Morro, overlooking the sea like a real-life pirate’s lookout.
Check out Calle Heredia, where live music is as common as the sunshine.
Dry Season (Nov–April):
Perfect for beach weather, festivals, and getting sunburnt in style. Expect sunny days, cooler nights, and peak tourist crowds.
Wet Season (May–Oct):
It’s more humid and rainy, but also greener and less crowded. Bonus: hotel deals!
Hurricane Season (June–Nov):
The occasional storm may blow through. Keep an eye on weather updates if you’re visiting then — and pack a waterproof sense of humor.
Cuban cuisine won’t set your mouth on fire with spice, but it will comfort your soul.
Ropa Vieja: Shredded beef in a tomato-based sauce — tastes way better than the name (which means “old clothes”).
Lechón Asado: Slow-roasted pork, often served at festivals and family feasts.
Arroz con Pollo: Chicken with rice — a Cuban classic.
Tostones: Fried green plantains. Crunchy, salty, addictive.
Mojito: Minty, limey, rummy goodness.
Daiquiri: Hemingway drank these like water. You should probably try one too.
Cuban Coffee (Café Cubano): Small, strong, and full of personality — like most Cubans.
Rum: Havana Club and Santiago de Cuba are local legends. Sip responsibly, or salsa shamelessly.
Cuban culture is vibrant, resilient, and wrapped in rhythm.
Language: Spanish. Learn a few words — locals appreciate it!
Music & Dance: Salsa, son, rumba — dancing is practically a national sport.
Art: Bold murals, political posters, and incredible street art are everywhere.
People: Cubans are famously friendly, curious, and always ready to chat or help (especially if you’re lost, or just look confused).
Just don’t expect everything to run on time — Cuba runs on “island time,” which means things happen when they happen. Relax and go with it.
Bring cash, and lots of it. ATMs and card machines can be unreliable or incompatible.
Wi-Fi is limited. You’ll need a prepaid internet card and access to public hotspots. Or just unplug. It’s refreshing.
Stay in a casa particular. These family-run guesthouses give you a more authentic, affordable experience.
Transportation: Taxis, classic cars, and tourist buses are easy. But expect a few bumpy roads — it’s part of the charm!
Respect the rules. Cuba is safe, but still a communist country. Be polite, avoid political arguments, and don’t try to outsmart customs.
Cuba is an island of contrast and charm.
From vintage cars and cigar smoke in Havana to the postcard beaches of Varadero, from the Afro-Cuban roots of Santiago to the green tobacco hills of Viñales — Cuba is a rhythm, a flavor, a feeling. It’s not perfect, it’s not polished, but that’s exactly why it’s unforgettable.
So go ahead — dance badly, eat well, sip slowly, and fall in love with Cuba’s old-school magic.
Wiser Trips, Better Memories
