Travel Cuba
El Caimán
As a dreamer and professional wanderer, I keep a running of list of places I would like to travel, and I had not thought of Cuba—until I thought of Cuba. I went for my 25th birthday in 2019 as my first international and solo trip. Often described as a country frozen in time, Cuba is a place where history and rhythm shape everyday life. With a population of just over 11 million people, Cuba’s identity has been forged through revolution, restriction, creativity, and an unmistakable sense of pride. Like much of the Caribbean, this island operates on its own rules and pace. I spent my time in Cuba in Havana, Viñales Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Varadero, where I experienced the country through local homes, family-run businesses, tobacco farms, and shared meals. These were moments that revealed how connection, ingenuity, and hospitality sustain daily life beyond what most visitors ever see.
Before I actually began traveling, I had a running list of places I wanted to visit, mostly international. I had not thought of Cuba…until I thought of Cuba. I found an article that listed places off the east coast with relatively inexpensive flights and Cuba was one of those places.