Stories from the Islands
Travel stories, practical guides, and food adventures from 20+ trips across the Cuban archipelago.
These are our stories to you — from the places we've been, the food we've eaten, and the people who've shaped every trip. We'll keep them fresh, like the mangoes in the Cuba.
Cuba in Summer: Heat, Hurricane Season & the Quiet-Season Trade-Offs
June through October is Cuba's low season — hotter, wetter, cheaper, and less crowded. Here is an honest look at what summer travel to Cuba actually involves and whether it makes sense for your trip.
A Casa Particular Stay: What Cuba's Homestays Are Really Like
Cuba's licensed private homestays — casas particulares — are where most independent travelers sleep, and they are unlike any accommodation category in the Caribbean. Here is what to expect.
Beyond Havana: Viñales, Trinidad & Cuba's Countryside
Havana is extraordinary, but Cuba's real countryside — the tobacco valleys of Viñales, the colonial cobblestones of Trinidad, and the roads in between — is where the island shows its quieter, stranger self.
Is Cuba Worth It for American Travelers in 2026?
An honest assessment of whether Cuba is worth visiting for Americans in 2026 — the legal situation, what's changed, the practical challenges, and whether the experience justifies the effort.
Cuba Currency Guide 2026: MLC vs CUP Explained
How money works in Cuba in 2026 — the Cuban peso (CUP), MLC cards, USD on the street, and how to avoid getting ripped off as a foreign visitor.
Havana's Classic Cars: More Than a Tourist Gimmick
The vintage American cars in Havana aren't just photo props — they're a working transportation system with a history that explains a lot about Cuba itself.
What Nobody Tells You About Traveling to Cuba in 2026
The practical realities of visiting Cuba that the travel blogs don't cover — cash, internet, transportation, and what the country actually feels like on the ground.