Cuba

Caught in Time, and Dancing to its Own Beat!

¡Hola, Cuba! Welcome to the Time Capsule

Get ready for an island that’s unlike anywhere else you will ever go. Seriously.

Cuba is not just a holiday; it's an experience. This is a country that grabs you, spins you around, and leaves you breathless. The moment you step off the plane, you’re in a living, breathing museum. It’s the chrome glint of a perfectly preserved 1950s Chevrolet rumbling past a crumbling colonial mansion, the first sip of a sharp, minty mojito in a noisy bar, and the distant, irresistible sound of a salsa band that seems to play on every street corner.


I’ve been completely fascinated by Cuba for years, and what I’ve learned is that its real magic is in its people. There's a raw, resilient, and joyful spirit here. Decades of history have frozen the island in time, but the culture—the music, the dance, the art—is bursting with life. It’s a place that will challenge you, charm you, and make you want to dance, all at the same time.

Last Minute Luxury Getaways in Cuba

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20% Off

Hotel Parkview Resort

Antigua, West Indies

3.5 stars • 10/10 Exceptional
Dhaka (DAC) - Antigua (WI)
$999.99 $1999.99
Per Traveler
From Tue, Nov 26, Sat, Nov 30 (4 nights)
20% Off

Central plaza Resort

Kegalle, Sri Lanka

3.5 stars • 10/10 Exceptional
Dhaka (DAC) - Antigua (WI)
$999.99 $1999.99
Per Traveler
From Tue, Nov 26, Sat, Nov 30 (4 nights)
20% Off

The Eleven Hotel and Resort

Essaouira, Morocco

3.5 stars • 10/10 Exceptional
Dhaka (DAC) - Antigua (WI)
$999.99 $1999.99
Per Traveler
From Tue, Nov 26, Sat, Nov 30 (4 nights)
20% Off

Royal Beach Resort

Maldives, Indian Ocean

3.5 stars • 10/10 Exceptional
Dhaka (DAC) - Antigua (WI)
$999.99 $1999.99
Per Traveler
From Tue, Nov 26, Sat, Nov 30 (4 nights)
Climate and Best Time to Travel

Cuba is in the Caribbean, so it’s warm all year. But the secret is to avoid the sticky, sweltering humidity and the hurricane season. My golden rule: the best time to visit is during the dry season, from November to April. The days are hot and sunny, the evenings are beautifully breezy (perfect for a stroll), and it’s the ideal weather for exploring.

The Real Taste of Cuba

Let's be honest, Cuban food has a bit of a reputation, but when it’s good, it’s so good. The cuisine is a hearty blend of Spanish, African, and Caribbean flavours, with pork, rice, and beans as the holy trinity. You've got to try Ropa Vieja (shredded beef stew), but my must-have local delicacy is Vaca Frita (fried cow). It’s shredded beef, marinated in lime and garlic, then fried until it’s wonderfully crispy. It's the savoury, crunchy cousin of Ropa Vieja, and it’s absolutely delicious.

The Culture: Music, Soul, and Make-Do

The vibe in Cuba is passion. Music isn't just entertainment here; it’s the island's lifeblood. You’ll hear Son Cubano (the sound the Buena Vista Social Club made famous) and salsa pouring from homes, cars, and bars. It’s a culture of making do ('resolver'), of resourcefulness, and of finding joy in the simple things. People will be open, proud, and incredibly welcoming. Just one tip: don't talk politics!

Four Unforgettable Cuban Adventures

You can't see it all, but these four places will give you the soul of the island.

(Havana) Cruise the Malecón in a '50s Convertible

It’s the number one tourist thing to do, and you simply have to do it. There’s nothing on earth like cruising down the Malecón, Havana’s famous 5-mile-long seaside esplanade, in a gleaming, bubble-gum pink 1956 Chevrolet. My insider tip: Go an hour before sunset. You’ll have the wind in your hair, the city’s crumbling, beautiful buildings on one side, and the sea spray crashing over the wall on the other. It’s pure, cinematic magic.

(Trinidad) Dance Salsa in a Cobblestone Square

This is, hands down, one of my favourite towns in the world. Trinidad is a perfectly preserved Spanish colonial town, a UNESCO World Heritage site where life spills out onto the cobbled streets. At night, everyone gathers at the Casa de la Música—an open-air bar on the steps next to the main cathedral. A live band plays, and locals and travellers all dance salsa under the stars. It’s as authentic and joyful as it gets.

(Viñales) Smoke a Cigar on a Real Tobacco Farm

Head west to the Viñales Valley, another UNESCO site, and the landscape changes completely. This is where Cuba’s world-famous tobacco is grown, in a stunning valley of lush, red earth and giant, prehistoric-looking limestone hills ('mogotes'). My tip: take a horseback ride (or a hike) through the valley and visit a local finca (farm). A farmer will show you how they grow, dry, and roll the cigars—and you can buy them straight from the source!

(Santiago de Cuba) Feel the Afro-Caribbean Rhythms

If Havana is the stately capital, Santiago on the far eastern tip is its fiery, rebellious sibling. This is the birthplace of the revolution and the heart of Cuba's Afro-Caribbean culture. The music here is different—faster, more drum-heavy. It's the home of Son and Rumba. It’s a raw, energetic city that feels completely different from the rest of the island, and the Carnival in July is legendary.

Stay in a Casa Particular

This is my single most important tip for visiting Cuba. Forget the state-run hotels. The only way to experience the real Cuba is by staying in a 'casa particular'. These are private homestays where Cubans rent out rooms in their homes. You'll get a warm welcome, an incredible (and huge!) home-cooked breakfast for about $5, and a genuine insight into daily Cuban life.

Find Hemingway's Other Bar

Every tourist crams into La Bodeguita (for the mojito) and El Floridita (for the daiquiri) because Hemingway drank there. They are chaotic. My insider tip? Head to Ambos Mundos Hotel. Take the rickety old lift to the rooftop bar. You’ll get a fantastic mojito, a stunning view over Old Havana, and a fraction of the crowds.

Get Lost in Old Havana (Then Find the Art)

Put the map away. The best thing to do in Habana Vieja (Old Havana) is to just get lost. Wander down the narrow, colourful, crumbling streets and just soak it all in. When you're done, my tip is to skip the main museums and go to the Fábrica de Arte Cubano (Cuban Art Factory). It's a huge, converted power plant that is now a buzzing, multi-level nightclub, art gallery, and performance space. It's the epicentre of modern Cuban cool.

Understand the Two Currencies (Sort of!)

Cuba is a cash economy. Bring plenty of pounds or Euros to exchange (not US dollars!). You'll get Cuban Pesos (CUP). My tip: Always have a stash of small notes and coins. It's perfect for tipping musicians (and you will want to tip them!), buying a coffee from a street window, or using the bathroom.

So, Are You Ready for an Adventure?

Cuba is waiting, and it’s an experience you will never forget.

Cuba is not a simple, easy beach holiday. It’s a complex, challenging, and profoundly beautiful country that will get under your skin. It’s an island of jaw-dropping beauty, revolutionary history, and a spirit that just refuses to be broken. You’ll come home with a new appreciation for music, a rum-and-cigar habit, and a heart full of memories. It’s a trip that will truly stay with you forever.