To be honest, I can probably think of 100 reasons to visit Cuba after my 2 weeks sprint in this stunning archipelago last month.
However, somehow, I managed to shortlist and cherry-pick my top 7 reasons to travel to Cuba.
After reading this post, I am sure Cuba will be on top of your bucket list and you will stop wondering “Is Cuba worth visiting or not”.
Why Visit Cuba? – Top Reasons to Travel to Cuba RIGHT NOW!!!
Why go to Cuba? I have not 1 but 7 solid reasons for you here.
If you are looking to travel to a place like NO OTHER, then read on. If there’s one take from my second trip to Cuba it is – Cuba is an “experience” not a destination.
Time Travel to the 60’s
Have you ever wondered how it would be to go back in time using a time machine? Well, if you visit Cuba, you can still experience this – without actually having to create a time machine or understand astrophysics.
As soon as you start getting the feel of Cuba while walking around quaint towns like Havana, Vinales, Varadero, Trinidad, Camaguey etc, – you will soon realize it is as close as you can get to living in the retro 60’s.
The world just seems to have stopped over the last several decades in Cuba.
Life is slow, you are mostly offgrid (Due to wifi/ connectivity issues), you see vintage cars all around, cute nooks and crannies, local houses with only basics in place – all this makes you feel like you have stepped back in time several decades.
The best part is the locals are always smiling and they seem “content” with this life.
The first few days might come as a cultural shock since we come from our modern metropolitan cities. However, give it a few days and Cuba will grow on you as no other destination can.
The charm of Cuba lies in its old-school vibes.
During my first visit to Cuba, pre-COVID, things seemed even slower and “classic” somehow. It was both challenging (With wifi/ currencies/ cards/ language barriers etc) and enchanting.
Post-COVID, Cuba now has several amenities for tourists – faster connectivity, unification of dual currency, easier bookings, card payments etc to make your travel to Cuba easier.
Still, due to the embargo, Cuba still looks like an eclectic mix that has somehow survived the last several decades on its own accord.
It’s the real deal and you really cannot experience this anywhere else in the world.
Mesmerizing Private Keys – Welcome to the “Cayos”
Cuba has over 4000 pristine islands – hence it’s considered an archipelago.
With so many stunning stretches of miles and miles of untamed natural beauty, the government recently started developing some of these ‘keys’ as all-inclusive resort destinations.
This helped boost tourism as Canadians started flocking to these keys in search of sunny Caribbean shores at a fraction of the cost. Ideal for a quick reset from city life.
Imagine indulging in private all-inclusive swim out suites or beachfront rooms without having to spend a bomb – THIS is the USP of the keys for you.
With miles and miles of untamed natural beauty, pink flamingoes, world’s smallest bird and other exotic species – the keys abound in flora and fauna and are an underrated haven for nature lovers.
Most popular keys in Cuba are – Cayo Guillermo (in Jardines del Rey), Cayo Cruz (for water activities and beach party), Cayo Santa Maria (for swimming with dolphins), Cayo Coco (for exotic tropical fish and coral reefs), Cayo Largo Del Sur (known as sanctuary of turtles), Cayo Iguana (for spotting gorgeous Iguanas), Cayo Saetia (for a safari experience) and many more.
With so many tropical all inclusive Caribbean keys to choose from, and amazing resorts at groundbreaking prices, you really need NO other reasons to resist the Cuban charm.
I was lucky enough to be hosted by MGM Muthu hotels and got to experience their gorgeous beach front property in Cayo Guillermo – Gran Muthu Rainbow. The very first LGBTQ+ friendly accommodation in Cuba.
The entire resort was so full of love and light that I got into the Caribbean vibe right away.
From friendly staff to non-patronizing tourists, this hotel is the perfect all-inclusive adult-only resort in Cuba. Click to read more or book your stay at Gran Muthu Rainbow – Last month they had a 50% off going on so keep glued to their site for the latest offers.
There are 2 other MGM Muthu hotel branches in Cayo Guillermo if you want to check them out as well – Gran Muthu Imperial and Grand Muthu Cayo Guillermo.
Efforts by the Tourism Ministry & Other Travel Partners
Since my trip to Cuba was a hosted FAM, I was privileged to attend three press conferences and have my questions addressed by dignitaries.
I have never seen such major efforts being taken to pull tourism to a country. Everyone we spoke to was highly motivated to put Cuba on the world map (Especially India, since it has huge potential).
I had the honor of attending press conferences with the Minister of Tourism of Cuba – Mr. Juan Carlos GarcÃa Granda, the president of Gaviota group – Mr. Carlos Miguel Latuff Carmenate and Mr. Luis Miguel Diaz Sanchez, director of Hotel Nacional de Cuba.
In all press notes, the emphasis was on making Cuba more accessible to travellers from across the world.
For Indian travellers, there are plans to launch Indian restaurants in top cities like Havana, making visas easier, better connectivity and easier travel bookings, among other things.
The government has also launched reputed sites like cubabooking.com which offer all activities, tours, transfers, hotels under one trusted umbrella.
With so many initiatives by the Cuban government towards welcoming tourists from across the globe, this surely is one of the best reasons to visit Cuba in 2024 – and beyond!
Cute Towns Packed with History and Culture
Cuba is full of so much history, heritage, culture, and pure unadulterated old world charm. You cannot NOT fall in love with Cuba – it’s that simple!
After visiting towns like Havana, Vinales, Camaguey, Varadero – I was even more smitten by Cuba this time, during my second trip.
Just a walk around the stunning town of Camaguey was enough to fall back in love with Cuba, for me.
I could easily spend a few days here doing pretty much nothing. Just walking the colorful streets, trying to understand the Cuban way of life, talking to locals, and making new friends.
I spent most of my time in Camaguey in this art gallery of a local artist – Eduardo Rosales Ruiz. He welcomed me to his art studio and his home, showing me various mediums, layers, and techniques he uses. I was so impressed by the hospitality and stunning art displays. I could see myself joining an art workshop and spending a few days in this lovely town – and it only took me a few hours to settle in.
During this 2 week Cuba itinerary , I had a chance to explore another beautiful town on foot , one of my favorite from my previous visit too- Havana.
I am a big fan of Old Havana and if someone just leaves me wandering around the squares for a few days (With food, water and rum) , well, I won’t complain.
I visited the rum factory, chocolate museum, presidential train, luxury watch showroom, Havana Cathedral, all 4 squares and pretty much soaked in the vibe of Old Havana.
Rum and Cigars
If you think of Cuba, you will most definitely think of rum and cigars – it is just THAT simple.
Cuban rum is renowned world over for its unique flavor. When in Cuba, you will most certainly be trying popular rum-based concoctions (provided you are over the drinking age) like – Cuba Libre, Daiquiri, Mojito and Pina Colada.
Top rum’s in Cuba are – Havana Club (most popular and crowd favorite), Santiago De Cuba & Ron Cubay. Surely the most popular ones to pack in your bags and take back as souvenirs.
Cigar factories and farms are everywhere in Cuba and a visit to one is must do. Here you can see how the best cigars in the world are made, learn how to roll a Cuban cigar and also how to smoke a cigar – the right way.
You can buy back cigars as souvenirs too at around $5 a pop in such farms (a fraction of the cost from labeled brands like – Romeo y Julieta, Cohiba, and Montecristo sold in hotels but of similar quality).
Salsa and Live Music Everywhere
Music and dancing is in the very soul of Cuban culture.
You can see a live band at almost every restaurant, quaint street corner, or even during tours/ attractions. The musicians are always smiling, friendly and love to shake a leg with you if you so fancy.
Often while dining or walking around a street, you will see dancers popping out of nowhere and showcasing their salsa moves.
With parades, street performances, and concerts – there is no dearth of opportunities to bask in Cuban music or dance and soon you will see how engraved this is in their culture.
Cuba is for EVERYONE
You may have little interest in history but go ga ga over nature or can get lost in colorful streets, art and architecture. No matter, what your travel style or agenda might be – Cuba is for you.
You can do Cuba on a budget by simply staying in Casa Particulars (rooms on rent in local homes) in all major towns and eat in local restaurants. You can also have an ultra-luxury vacation in Cuba (that too without breaking the bank).
If you are into birding, the mountains of Sierra Maestra are an excellent spot. Cuba also boasts of world’s smallest bird – the Bee Hummingbird which is endemic to the country. Apart from this, the national bird – Cuban Trogon is quite a vivid sight in the colors of the Cuban flag.
For stunning Caribbean beaches, dancing or going back in time – whatever your travel goals might be, Cuba is the answer. Do you still need more reasons for going to Cuba? Check out my other posts on Cuba for inspiration.
Cuba Tourist FAQ’s
First time in Cuba? Fret not, I have covered all basic FAQ’s a first time traveller might have for Cuba.
Is Cuba Safe?
YES! Contrary to popular belief, Cuba is one of the safest Caribbean islands to visit. After spending around a month in Cuba, spanning over two trips, I never felt unsafe (even when I traveled the first time as a solo female traveler). That being said, anything can happen in any country so being street smart helps.
How to Buy Travel Insurance for Cuba?
It was very surprising for me to note that most Indian travel insurance companies don’t cover Cuba at all. So I had to opt for an international company (whom I use often for my worldly escapades).
I purchased a 2 week travel insurance to Cuba through Heymondo. I would highly recommend their annual multi trip worldwide insurance plan for frequent flyers (this was my previous plan with them and it was such a relief to not worry about booking insurance before every trip).
How to get a prepaid SIM Card in Cuba?
During my first solo trip to Cuba, I wasn’t even aware of various websites to pre-book my SIM card and had to rely on prepaid cards in hotel lobbies or shabby public wifi spots. Mostly it ended up being an off the grid trip, which I enjoyed a lot.
This time, though I was totally prepared and booked my SIM at – suenacuba.com. You can then collect your SIM card at their counter once you land at Havana airport – easy peasy!
Ofcourse that does not guarantee connectivity throughout the country (Esp in obscure spots) but it works effectively.
So these were my own handpicked reasons to visit Cuba. I hope this leaves you with no excuses and ample ideas to make the most of your Cuban adventure 😉 Cuba WILL win you over if you give it a chance – that’s my promise.
This alongside regular visits to Indian jungles in search of the Royal Bengal Tiger, fueled her zest for adventure, nature and wildlife.
Now she is a renowned travel blogger, outreach expert and has worked with over 500 travel brands in the last 15 years.
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