Cuba Tours & Holidays

With Spanish, African and Creole influences, modern Cuba is home to so many cultural components – some of which don’t feel super ‘modern’ at all!

You won’t be surprised that Cubans love music and dancing – with everything from Afro-Cuban rhythms to classic melodies filling the air in clubs, bars, restaurants and on street corners. The modern arts are also alive here, with ballet, contemporary dance and film rising in popularity – so much so, Havana is now home to internationally recognised film, literature and music festivals.

Living in a Communist country means Cubans sometimes go without the luxury items that many Westerners take for granted, with certain foods and consumer goods not available. Despite this, events like birthdays, holidays and marriages are celebrated with gusto, with special meals, music and dance featuring. This love of life is also evident in the street parties, festivals and fiestas that are celebrated throughout the year. Coffee, cigars and rum flow freely, and people dance to the sound of trumpets and guitars in city streets.

Life in the cities and life in rural areas can be quite different, but the pace of living is consistently Cuban – you’re on local time now, so go with the flow.

Ancient history

Before the arrival of the Spanish in 1492, Cuba was home to Mesoamerican cultures, including the indigenous Guanajatabey and Taino people. The Guanajatabey were hunter-gatherers and fishers, and Taino communities also harvested yuca, cotton and tobacco. Spanish colonialist Bartolome de las Casas estimated that Taino populations in Cuba had reached 350,000 by the end of the 15th century.

By then, Christopher Columbus had landed in Cuba and claimed the land for Spain, naming it Isla Juana. In 1511, Diego Velazquez de Cuellar founded Baracoa, the first Spanish settlement in Cuba, and three years later what’s now known as Havana was built.

20th century

In 1902, after periods under Spanish, British and United States rule and involvement in the Spanish–American war, Cuba got its independence. Despite the economy booming, leaders at this time ruled through corruption and control. This was until revolutionary Fidel Castro led a 9000-strong guerrilla army into Havana in 1959, forcing military dictator Fulgencio Batista to flee. Castro became the leader and his brother, Raul, his deputy. What followed was an attempt by the United States to overthrow Castro’s communist rule at the Bay of Pigs, and tension and trade embargoes following the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

Standing alongside Castro as an equally prominent political figure, Che Guevara (although Argentinean) holds a very important place in Cuban history. A revolutionary, author, doctor and military leader, Guevara played a pivotal role in the guerrilla campaign leading up to the Cuban Revolution and the defence of the Bay of Pigs, as well as in diplomatic relations, up until his death in 1967. It’s impossible not to notice the reverence for Guevara when visiting Cuba, with street art, statues and museums dedicated to the man Cubans simply call ‘El Che’ found all over the country.

Today

In April 2011 Fidel Castro was succeeded as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba by his brother Raul Castro. Cuba’s political relationship with other countries, including its close neighbours, is ever-evolving, with the US recently beginning to ease restrictions on trade, tourism and other industries. But a snapshot of 50 years of isolation remains in the cars, architecture, and culture that is a contemporary Cuban street.

Cuba may not have culinary fame compared to some of its neighbours, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be missing out on some great food during your time here. Cuba typically doesn’t have access to a wide range of ingredients, so your dining experience may not be as varied as you’d expect from some other nearby destinations. Regardless, there are some Central American favourites that are definitely worth trying.

What to eat in Cuba

Pastelitos

These small pastries can be either sweet or savoury. Cream cheese, guava and beef are the most popular fillings and make for a cheap, tasty meal on the run. Think empanadas, Cuban style.

Cuban sandwich

Otherwise known as a mixto, this sandwich is a simple snack that has made its way north into Florida and has become one of the quintessential images of Cuban food beyond its borders. Ham, pork, cheese, mustard and sometimes salami layered between bread and grilled – what’s not to like?

Ropa vieja

Not only is this one of the national dishes of Cuba, but it’s also found all over the Caribbean, in Spain and even the Philippines! It may literally translate to ‘old clothes’, but that’s definitely not what it tastes like – slow-cooked pulled beef with vegetables, usually served with maduros (fried plantains), black beans and rice.

Fritura de maiz

These deep-fried cheese and cornmeal fritters are popular street food snacks in Cuba. A great choice for vegetarians; throw a couple of these back and you’ll be feeling the Cuban spirit.

Moros y cristianos 

Rice and beans is not just rice and beans. Black beans and white rice are added to a base of peppers, garlic and onion and simmered with herbs, creating a flavourful addition to any meal and served up at virtually every Cuban restaurant you'll come across.

Tostones

If you're feeling a little bit peckish and are on the go, seek out some tostones. These twice-fried plantain chips are very popular in a lot of Latin American countries and are an easy (and often cheap) snack.

Flan

Although flan is knon all around Central and South America as an essential dessert, Cuban flan has a slightly different spin. It's made with evaporated and sweetened condensed milk, giving it a thicker and creamier caramel custard finish than fresh milk varieties. Get ready for a seriously delicioys sugar high.

Coppelia ice cream

Line up with locals to savour a sweet scoop from Coppelia ice cream parlour. This Cuban institution serves tried and true flavours like chocolate and vanilla as well as exotic favourites like mango and coconut.

What to drink in Cuba

Rum

The tipple of choice in Cuba is rum, obviously. Savour some Havana Club straight up, have it mixed in a minty mojito or sip on a Cuba Libre – rum, cola and lime.

Coffee

Cuban coffee is of legendary quality, so be sure to get your caffeine hit with a small but rich cup of liquid gold. Drink it like the locals do, as a cafecito or Cafe Cubano. This type of espresso-style coffee is usually sweetened with raw cane sugar and stirred in with the first drips of espresso to get the best result.

This island nation sitting in the Caribbean Sea is home to a diverse range of environments: rolling hills to tobacco plantations, beaches and coral reefs to tropical rainforests. With more than 20% of the island covered with natural parks, there's incredible biodiversity, making it a great place for eco-adventures, hiking, snorkelling and diving.

Large cities like Havana evoke a time gone by. Grand buildings dating back to the 1950s exude a fading beauty, which makes for great photographs but can also make daily life quite difficult. Due to a lack of building materials, new housing and infrastructure are rare, making living conditions quite cramped for Cuban city-dwellers. Rural life offers more space and a quieter pace, but reduced access to services. Regardless of where you holiday in Cuba, the people are generally kind and hospitable in both the big cities and small towns.

Cuba may not be known for its shopping, but look closely and you’ll find lots of unique souvenirs to take home as a reminder of your holiday. Before heading home, check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to import some items back into your home country. Australia and New Zealand, for example, have strict quarantine laws. The United States also has restrictions on the amount of tobacco and alcohol that can be brought back from Cuba.

What to buy

Art

Cuba has a keen appreciation of the fine arts, so it’s not hard to find unique artworks by up-and-coming local artists being sold at galleries and markets. It also makes for a meaningful memento of your time away.

Cigars

The cliche is unsurprisingly true – cigars are everywhere in Cuba. Be sure to buy cigars from authorised sellers, as fakes are common. Purchasing straight from the factory is usually best.

Coffee

Cuban coffee is top quality, so stock up before you leave to enjoy a taste of Cuba in the comfort of your own home. Do check, however, if your country of origin allows plant-based materials to pass through quarantine.

Music
With such a rich musical heritage, Cuba is a great place to pick up a hand-crafted instrument or, if travelling light, a CD or a local artist’s info to add to your playlist.

Havana International Jazz Festival

Local and international artists head to Havana every January to become a part of the happening jazz scene. From the impressive Teatro Nacional de Cuba to the city streets, the sweet sounds of jazz fill the air of Havana for the duration of the festival.

Habanos Cigar Festival

In February, cigar connoisseurs gather to celebrate their love of the best cigar in the world – the Habano. With tastings, visits to plantations and factories, master classes and cigar-rolling contests on offer, this festival will intrigue curious travellers and delight cigar enthusiasts.

Santiago de Cuba Carnival

Watch this historic city come alive in July with street parades full of vibrant costumes, drums and dancing. This epic public celebrations date back to at least the 17th century and are held all around the country, but Santiago de Cuba hosts the biggest, brightest and most traditional of them all.

Public holidays that may impact travel include:

• Liberation Day

• Victory of the Armed Forces

• Anniversary of Jose Marti’s birth

• Bay of Pigs Victory

• Labour Day

• National Revolutionary Festival

• Anniversary of Che Guevara’s death

• Independence Day

• Anniversary of Camila Cienfuegos’s death

• Anniversary of Antonio Maceo’s death

Please note dates of Cuba's public holidays may vary.

Thinking about a trip to Cuba but still browsing other destinations? Or, maybe you've already travelled to Central America and you're looking for somewhere similar? Check out tours to neighbouring locations:

• Mexico
• Costa Rica
• Guatemala
• Belize

For inspiring stories to prepare you for your holiday in Cuba, check out these books:

• Our Man in Havana – Graham Greene
• Before Night Falls – Reinaldo Arenas
• Broken Paradise – Cecilia Samartin
• Take Me with You – Carlos Frias
• Adios, Havana – Andrew J Rodriguez
• Blessed by Thunder: Memoir of a Cuban Girlhood – Flor Fernandez Barrios
• Conversations with Cuba – C Peter Ripley
• Havana Fever – Leonardo Padura
• The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love – Oscar Hijuelos