Of all the things to do in Cienfuegos, perhaps a tour of the architecture is the most interesting. Elegant, refined, sedate, Cienfuegos, (which translates into one hundred fires) is a step back not only in time but in geography. The center […]
Caribbean
DON’T JUST TRAVEL TO CUBA, EXPERIENCE CUBA LIKE A LOCAL
Want to travel to Cuba and experience it like a local? This is the guidebook for you. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate through all aspects of travel to Cuba so you can make the most of your time […]
TEN DO’S AND DON’TS FOR YOUR TRIP TO CUBA
Considering a trip to Cuba? Ever since the U.S. government eased its restrictions on U.S. citizens’ travel to Cuba, it seems everyone you talk to is either planning a trip there, returning from Cuba or seriously thinking about going. U.S. […]
SURPRISING HISTORIC CEMETERIES OF LATIN AMERICA
Exploring historic cemeteries is a great way to understand a little bit of the culture and background of a city. Latin America has many beautiful and historic cemeteries with avenues of majestic mausoleums as well as peaceful churchyards. Take a […]
THREE CUBAN TOWNS THAT TIME FORGOT BUT YOU WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER
Three Cuban towns that you will always remember; Santa Clara, Holguin and Gibara. Here, time seems to have stopped, but it stopped in an enchanted period of interior patios, leafy central squares and 17th-century churches. As secondary and even third-tier […]
HOW TO ACCESS THE INTERNET AND WI-FI IN CUBA
Using Wi-Fi in Cuba is, admittedly, a big pain in the neck compared to what one is accustomed to. It can be inconvenient and time consuming. Here are a few ways to minimize the hassle while accessing Wi-Fi in Cuba. […]
WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE TO STAY IN A CUBAN CASA PARTICULAR (BandB)
People ask me what it’s REALLY like to stay in a Cuban casa particular. Here is the long and truthful answer with a little bit of personal experience thrown in. TRIAL AND ERROR As a Cuban-American, I’ve been to Cuba […]
UNIQUE CUBAN EXPRESSIONS: WHAT THEY MEAN AND HOW TO USE THEM
Cuban expressions are, well…expressive. I recently overheard a conversation in Spanish between a man and a woman on a Havana street. A “dictionary” translation would sound something like this: Man: “You know, Jose has no delayed steaks because he is […]
6 DELIGHTFUL THINGS TO DO IN VIÑALES, CUBA
There are tons of things to do in Viñales, Cuba, the certifiably spectacular town 3 and a half hours west of Havana. How many times have you heard someone say, “WOW!, this is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen”? […]
FOUR CUBAN COCKTAILS THAT CIRCLED THE GLOBE
My article, Four Cuban Cocktails that Circled the Globe, first appeared in The New Worlder …. Daiquiri, Mojito, Cuba Libre and Canchanchara — cocktails that conjure up images of swaying palm trees, balmy breezes and rhythmic island music. With origins in […]
LAS TERRAZAS, CUBA: ECOTOURISM CUBAN STYLE
Las Terrazas, Cuba is a UNESCO biosphere reserve found about an hour west of Havana, on the way to Pinar del Rio, Cuba’s westernmost province. ECOTOURISM IN LAS TERRAZAS, CUBA Started in 1968, Las Terrazas, Cuba is an eco-project initiated […]
CUBAN TRANSPORTATION: HOW TO GET AROUND.
Cuban transportation can be challenging if you don’t know your way around. Here are examples of Cuban transportation modes and how best to navigate them. CLASSIC AMERICAN CARS These are hold-overs from the 50s before the Cuban Revolution. These cars are cherished and […]