Cut off from modern influences, Cuba has developed at its own pace. A unique blend of Latin American and Caribbean influences, the country is complex. As Cuba opens up to visitors; stylish boutique hotels, funky bars and innovative restaurants are thriving.
Visit its heady capital Havana for vintage cars, dilapidated mansions and the sounds of salsa drifting through the streets. To the east, is the heart of Cuba’s tobacco region, Viñales, a land of fertile plantations, orchid gardens and hidden waterfalls.
To the west, surrounded by plump green hills, colonial Trinidad has pastel-hued facades and cobblestone streets. Head either north or south for pristine Caribbean sands.
Cuba’s second city, Santiago, is the country’s cultural capital, its identity rooted in Afro Caribbean and revolutionary influences. Salsa and son were born on its gritty streets and Bacardi set up his first rum factory here.
For those with a shorter time frame, we recommend exploring the west- perhaps travelling to the lesser visited east for a longer trip. Still reminiscent of the 1950s, Cuba’s appeal lies in its lack of modernity. For now, it is for those looking for an experience as opposed to high levels of service or comfort.
