Cuba

After my Intrepid trip there, I’ve concluded that there’s 10 things you can only know from being in Cuba and experiencing its magic for yourself.

“Perdón, but where are you going? Can I help?” A voice called out to us from across the street. Thirty minutes later, our arms were full with boxes of Cuban cigars. We didn’t know it yet, but we had just fallen victim to one of the most common scams in Havana.

I watched the Caribbean Sea lap against the rocks, the classic cars stream past in every conceivable colour. Tourists and locals laughed together called each other amigo and danced to the distant sounds of salsa that were ubiquitous in Havana. Travelling through Cuba is as close to time-travel as you can get.

When you travel through Cuba, it’s hard not to get swept up in the rhythms of this colourful region. Whether you’re swaying your hips in a smoky beach bar, or giggling your way through a salsa lesson with a bunch of other foreigners, Latin dance is deeply embedded within the identity of the country.

I imagined riding in the back of a classic car and salsa dancing in the streets of Havana. These things did happen, but I was pleased to discover that the Cuban people captivated my heart more than anything else.

If you’re an American who thought you’d never be able to get to Cuba, it’s time to think again. Regular tourism for U.S. citizens to Cuba is still prohibited, but we run Cuba trips for Americans that are as legal as they are awesome.

From vintage cars to hand-rolled cigars, Cuba is a country with many facets to explore. Unfortunately, it also means it’s often a country that’s often misunderstood.

As a teenager, Faye Wilkinson travelled on several Intrepid family holidays. We spoke to her about her memories of them and the lasting impression they’d had.

When I was given the opportunity to go on a small group adventure to Cuba with Intrepid Travel, I leapt at the chance to see the real Cuba for the first time.