Cuba in shoulder season — best decision I made
Visited Cuba in shoulder season deliberately and the decision paid off completely. Varadero Beach without peak crowds is a totally different experience. Trinidad felt lived-in rather than touristy. Found a small place doing the best lechón asado I've ever tasted — something that would have been invi…
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Viñales Valley tobacco farms alone makes Cuba worth the trip
I'll be honest — I went to Cuba primarily to see Viñales Valley tobacco farms, and it delivered beyond what any photo prepares you for. But the surrounding region surprised me just as much. Cienfuegos has a character I didn't anticipate, and wandering without a plan for an afternoon turned out to be…
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Honeymoon in Cuba — Havana and the countryside delivered everything
We chose Cuba for our honeymoon and it was perfect for us. The romantic atmosphere in Havana at night, the drama of Varadero Beach, the intimacy of small restaurants serving lechón asado — all of it added up to exactly what we were hoping for.
incredible vintage cars became an unexpected gift — som…
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Havana surprised me completely on this trip to Cuba
I went to Cuba with modest expectations and left completely won over, largely thanks to time spent in Havana. The city has a pace and character that travel guides undersell. Found a great spot for lechón asado on day two and went back every day after that.
Varadero Beach was the big planned experie…
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Would not rush back to Cuba — limited internet access is frustrating was a real issue
I wanted to love Cuba more than I did. The positives exist: Trinidad Cobblestones is genuinely impressive, Santiago de Cuba has moments of real charm, and moros y cristianos is as good as people say.
But limited internet access is frustrating was a persistent problem throughout the trip and dragged…
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Honest review after 11 days — mostly great, a few gripes
Visited Cuba for 11 days. The positives are real: Che Guevara Mausoleum is every bit as impressive as advertised, and the food scene around Trinidad is genuinely excellent — try moros y cristianos if you haven't. warm and resilient people was an unexpected bonus.
That said, food quality in state re…
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Backpacking through Cuba on a tight budget — totally doable
Did Cuba on a shoestring for 16 days and it was absolutely manageable. Based in cheap guesthouses near Santiago de Cuba centre and ate mostly at local spots — ropa vieja from street stalls cost almost nothing and was better than anything in a tourist restaurant.
Viñales Valley tobacco farms has an …
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Honest thoughts on Cuba after my first visit
First time in Cuba and I tried to approach it with open eyes rather than preconceptions. Santiago de Cuba was the base and a good one — central, manageable, and with strong food options including the best mojito I've ever had. Trinidad Cobblestones was the big set piece and fully justified the trip.…
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The food in Cuba changed how I think about travel
I travel for food more than anything else, and Cuba shot straight to the top of my culinary travel list. lechón asado alone justified the flight, but that was just the beginning. The variety and quality in Viñales is relentless — I didn't have a single disappointing meal in 11 days.
Trinidad Cobble…
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Returned to Cuba for the third time — keeps getting better
This was my third visit to Cuba and I keep finding new reasons to return. This time I explored beyond Santiago de Cuba and discovered a completely different side of the country. Trinidad Cobblestones never loses its impact no matter how many times you've seen it.
The food still makes me happy in wa…
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