Cuba is not that remote an island. You could almost see it from the eastern coast of Mexico, or the southern tip of Florida, while a whole host of other Caribbean islands are nearby. Yet, due to its unique chapter in the history books, Cuba feels like another world completely. One shrouded in mystery and misunderstood by many.
You won’t need to spend much time on the island to learn the cornerstones of Cuban life. This is a place of passion, a place that loves to live and likes to show it. Naturally art is one of the cornerstones, be it Havana’s sprawling works of graffiti or its thriving community of musicians and dancers, Cuban’s have a flair for expressing themselves. Everyone should experience the sheer joy of salsa dancing the night away with a Cuban dance partner, fuelled by delicious rum cocktails.
The most important cornerstone of Cuban life is community. Family is everything here, and the word family is often used to mean more than just relations – friends, neighbours, maybe even strangers can be family in Cuba. That warm hand of hospitality is extended to tourists, too, especially the ones keen to embrace local culture.
The same token of appreciation is given to Cuba’s diverse landscape, from the redevelopment of deforested areas to traditional organic farming methods and sustainable rural communities. The people here treat their land with respect – and when you see the beaches, valleys and tropical forests, you’ll understand why.
There are two big stumbling blocks when visiting Cuba – how do I know where to go and what to do, and how do I really immerse myself in the Cuban way of life? That’s where Culture Trip comes in. Led by our Local Insider, we’ll show you the real Cuba. Our whole trip supports local family-run businesses, be it casas particulares (homestays) or paladares (family-ran eateries). We’ll visit tobacco farms and textile makers to better understand the land and its people. We’ll learn about Afro Cuban culture and the island’s diverse array of flora and fauna. We’ll go on a street art tour and visit the converted factory that’s now the spiritual home of artists in Havana.
And, of course, we’ll have a couple of 1-1 salsa classes, with plenty of opportunity to sip on Cuban cocktails and barbecue on the beach. We’ll explore Cuba’s famous classic car culture and show you the island’s secret beauty spots, from valleys surrounded by epic limestone cliffs to the most beautiful stretches of white sand you ever saw.
