Cuba is one of the only places I’ve ever been where the reality lives up to the images you’ve seen before. It’s also a complete contradiction. On the one hand, it’s incredibly poor and almost all of the buildings and infrastructure is crumbling. On the other, it’s a vibrant, energetic positive island.

There are severe shortages of every-day goods. In fact, at one point we met someone begging on the street asking not for money, but for soap. On top of this, there’s extremely limited access to information, and internet access is limited to a few public squares. Even the tourist infrastructure is dilapidated. We took an open-top tour bus around Havana and were surprised to find the seats weren’t actually attached to the floor!

Yet at the same time, Cuba is colourful, vibrant and uplifting. I’ve often wondered whether this is because of it’s beautiful, bright, sunny Caribbean setting. It’s a lot deeper than this though. Cuba has a feeling of equity unlike any other country I’ve ever visited. Everyone is relatively poor, but it genuinely feels like everyone is in it together. The warmth and generosity of the people is also unlike almost anywhere else I’ve ever been.

Nothing is easy in Cuba - whether it’s trying to get a snack for lunch, or picking up your pre-booked rental car (that takes a whole day of negotiations). Visiting the supermarket isn’t even straightforward, with rows and rows of empty shelves only a handful of products and hour-long queues. I’m British, but there are limits. 

Booking a hotel isn’t even straightforward. The majority of tourist accommodation is provided by casa particulares which are mostly booked through word of mouth. A casa articular is basically a homestay. This means a visitor you get to meet local people and get a unique glimpse into the life of Cubans. Every Casa particular is unique. 

One particularly wonderful place we stayed was Estudio de arte run by artist Jesus Gastell Soto and his wife Aliuska. Their home is set in the verdant Sierra del Rosario mountains and is packed full of beautiful paintings, sculptures and is framed by beautiful tropical gardens. This is one of the most serene places we’ve ever stayed in.

Summing up Cuba isn’t easy. Cuba is in an undoubtedly difficult place. More than 60 years of isolation have left it crumbling and economically undeveloped. Yet this situation is arguably what has made it such a special and unique place. 

Despite this, my enduring memory of Cuba is of delicious tropical fruits, free-flowing rum-filled daiquiris, intoxicating live music, colourful scenery and wonderful, welcoming people.

Cuba, you’re a crazy mess, but I absolutely love you!

A few other posts from our visit to Cuba:

Viñales - Illegal hiking in the "Zona Milita", waterfalls and rum

Day Tripping - Viñales to Cayo Juitas beach