One of the three primary sources of the Cuban culture is African. From the nation’s birth, throughout the formation of its identity, the African beat lies strong in the heart of the island. In recent years entrepreneurial efforts have been encouraged like never before; it is no surprise that the Afro Cuban community is also immersed in this new wave of changes. However as in many parts of the world these efforts need to be…
My introduction to Cuban cinema wasn’t in one of the old but glorious 1000 + seater cinemas in Havana. It was on a tiny tv on a Via Azul tourist bus to Trinidad de Cuba late February 1997. There, during my first trip to Cuba, I saw The Last Supper, by the celebrated director, Tomas Alea. Over the next few years I was to be treated to several other Cuban greats such as the classic,…
Cuba is literally a rolling car museum. Everywhere you look is an old-school American brand vehicle. From Oldsmobile to Chevrolet, Buick to Ford with a nice sampling of Chrysler’s old Plymouth brand, in a myriad colors. There’s even a few Russian Volgas thrown in the mix, and old Jaguars, Austins, Hillmans and MGs in Havana. Certainly, these are all vehicles that the majority of American car lovers would spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on.…
Travelers to Cuba tend to think about this Caribbean island as the place for Cuban rum and tobacco, the sandy beaches of Varadero, the colonial streets of Trinidad, or beautiful Havana. But Baracoa, in the east of Cuba, has among its many treasures, luscious, delicious cacao! For many, no trip to Cuba is truly an unforgettable experience unless you travel to Santiago de Cuba and Baracoa, and experience Cuban nature, music, and food at its…
There is much to choose from when it comes to street food in Cuba. There is no reason to waste 2 hours of a holiday in Cuba sitting in a restaurant, when you can safely explore a city or town while enjoying delicious street food. And mind you, there are amazing restaurants in Cuba! Cuba has an undeserved reputation as not the ideal destination for foodies. Decades of economic shortages and the impact of the…
