Almost as soon as I landed in Cuba, I was struck by its unique sense of identity. It looked completely different to anywhere else I had been. And after more than 50 years of isolation, it looked like time had stopped.
Though it’s not just the way it looks with its Spanish colonial-style buildings painted in beautifully bright colours and the 1950s American fin-tail cars that make Cuba unique. Its deep-rooted love for dancing and music are just some of the ways you can explore and enjoy Cuba’s distinct culture.
Here are 10 things to do for the best cultural experiences in Cuba.
1. Try Salsa dancing
Oh man, how I wish I had taken a few salsa classes before I arrived in Cuba, because dancing with locals is the best way to interact and let your hair down. But, like me, even if you don’t know the technical foot-work, don’t worry and just give it a go. Dancing is just about having fun and Cubans love showing you how to have a good time.
It’s amazing to see how Cubans dance, no matter their age or size, it’s just simply in their DNA. Any man, woman or child will take your hand and encourage you to get up and dance wherever you are. It’s in these communal moments that you realise how transformative music and dance can be. It’s joy. It’s escape. And it’s absolutely meant to be shared. You’ll be a bit shy at first, but don’t let that stop you!
Hosts are usually very knowledgeable about Cuban history, customs and culture and happy to answer any questions you might be curious to know more about.
2. Enjoy the local street musicians
It’s often said the best things in life are free, and Cubans seem to understand this well. Music and dance is at the bedrock of the country’s social tapestry and there’s plenty of opportunities for you to see how Cubans like expressing themselves in this way.
Dressed in colourful costumes and shaking to the beat of the conga, performers take over the historic streets of Old Havana daily. You’ll also easily find gifted musicians across bars and during the evening main squares quickly begin to fill up in the bigger cities with a few crooners.
3. Explore Viñales Valley countryside by horseback
The Viñales Valley offers dramatic views of rocky outcroppings surrounded by lush mountains. You’ll see tobacco fields and witness traditional farming methods in action including oxen pulling rickety carts and hardened farmers cutting leaves by hand, giving anyone visiting this region a truly authentic feel.
Read more → Horseback riding in Viñales, Cuba
4. Experience Cuban hospitality in a casa
Discover Cuban hospitality by staying in a family home, known as a ‘casa’ in Spanish. This is your chance to try delicious home-cooked food (honestly, it’s way tastier than restaurant offerings) and get a better insight into the area and the Cuban way of life.
Staying in a casa connects you with locals. If you stay for a while, your host can feel almost like an adoptive mother since she’s looking after you and making sure you’re okay and enjoying yourself. However, this makes saying goodbye more difficult!
5. Ride in a vintage car
Cuba is synonymous with classic cars, they’re iconic. You can hire them for out-of-town sightseeing or just to cruise around the city. Instead of doing that we used one as a taxi ( agree first on a fare) – and even better – the host of our casa in Viñales owned a super cool one and took us for a spin. Now those are the kind of personal touches I’m talking about!
6. Visit a tobacco field and discover the art of cigar rolling
Tobacco is one of Cuba’s biggest exports and if you’re partial to a cigar then there’s nowhere better to indulge. During my time in Viñales I visited a tobacco farm and tried my hand at rolling a cigar. It was more fiddly than I imagined it would be but I had fun trying!
Leaves from different parts of the plant are used for wrappers or flavour or to assure that the cigar burns smoothly. In the drying barns and out in the tobacco fields, the farmers are happy to tell you all about it. Yes, they’ll light one up for you, but even if you’re not up for a puff, I’m sure you’ll all probably know someone back home who would enjoy some real Cuban cigars. In that case, look out for Cohiba cigars, these were created as the personal smoke of Fidel Castro in 1966.
7. Play a friendly game of chess
Cuba is known for cigars, cars, communism… and chess. Yes, that’s right! Cubans love chess and the game has been a source of pride ever since Capablanca became world chess champion in 1921.
I stumbled across Capablanca chess club in Havana and also had a game of chess at another club in Cienfuegos. I signalled if I could play a game with the chess teacher, and it took no less than 15 moves for him to put me in checkmate! It was an ego-crushing defeat but any loss I felt was offset by the joy of meeting wonderful, talented locals who share my passion for this beautiful, intriguing game that transcends all language barriers!
Read more → One Night in Cute & Colourful Cienfuegos
8. Sample the markets & street food
Ruchi and I were always buying fresh fruit from the local markets. You could buy huge watermelons and coconuts at super cheap prices – exactly what you need to keep refreshed under the heat. For street food, Havana was the best place we visited. Try chicharritas de platano (thin slices of fried plantain) and if you’re after something more substantial sample pan con lechon (roast pork sandwiches sprinkled with pork juices). I didn’t try one myself but heard its a favourite among locals and tourists. And for something sweet? Churros, of course.
9. Take a dive
There are many diving areas along Cuba’s 5646 km of coast. Akin to its culture, Cuba’s coral reefs seem trapped in time. They are unspoiled and healthier than any other reefs in the Caribbean. You can see goliath groupers, whale sharks and hundreds of other fish in this decadent and brightly coloured seascape. For the best places to scuba dive in Cuba read more here.
10. Sip mojitos at noon
When bartenders from the United States migrated to Cuba seeking jobs during the Prohibition era they truly helped define today’s Cuban cocktail culture. You can get rum based drinks everywhere but make sure you order a mojito at some point because they really are the best in the world. The classic mojito consists of five ingredients: white rum (Havana Club), cane sugar, fresh-squeezed lime juice, sparkling water, and mint.
Whilst in Havana, head to El Floridita—where famed writer Ernest Hemingway would seek respite from the city’s sultry heat.
Have you been to Cuba? Or planning a trip?
If you have any questions, feel free to write in the comment box below and I’ll get back to you.
