Most of my trip planning routine is making lists and executing them, and this was especially true when planning my 3 week Cuba itinerary. I placed a focus on what to bring & where to go within the country, then getting more specific. I actually ended up going to Cuba for a couple of weeks …

Cuba and Korea are unbelievably similar. I was only in Cuba for a little over five weeks last summer, but I’ve now been in Korea for a little over five months, and these are the numerous similarities I’ve noticed between the two countries since my arrival in the land of morning calm. This is in spite of the …

Rum and coke, anyone? Fancy cocktails and quality drinking in Cuba are world famous, and for many tourists, they’re a huge part of the overall appeal of a Cuban vacation. This is even before you consider all the fresh juice, morning espressos, and local hot cocoas. But don’t forget about Cuban food! Rum & coconuts …

Cuban street food in Cuba is a mix of absolutely delicious local cuisine, and an entire country just doing their best with what they have. Communism in Cuba didn’t end just because Castro died, and Cuban street food is the prime example of how this lack is felt by every single Cuban, every single day. …

It is fascinating looking back at all of the notes I stamped out on my phone in Cuba. Many of them are so passive-aggressive, or even actively aggressive. I had a largely positive experience in the country, but it was regularly overshadowed by several big things I’ll reveal in this more overtly personal, and much …

In my opinion, the short answer to this question of backpackers in Cuba is “not quite.” The Single-Traveler Tax On the island, they still shuffle through the same dozen or so “tourist favorites” that every musician knows by heart, and literally everybody has a CD they want to sell you for $10CUC. In this regard, …

Castro’s death has changed everything for Cuba. I was talking to my sister on the phone just now, chatting about her Thanksgiving the night before, and and she casually asked me if I had heard the news that the elder Castro had died. I didn’t believe her; I thought she was joking. But alas, no. …

Baracoa is the best Cuban city to visit for those of us who just aren’t city people. It’s ocean side, known for nature and curried seafood, as well as chocolate. On our first full day in the area, my travel companion and I each spent just $10 on our activities, near half of which was …

“Food in Cuba is so repetitive” is heard by anticipatory travelers to Cuba all around the world. I won’t deny this, either. Cuban food in Cuba can be rough, and over the course of our long trip to Cuba, we had our fare share of crap (and a few meals fit for royalty). Cuban food …

You sometimes get frustrated in Cuba— that’s fine and expected. I spent nearly 6 weeks on the island during summer 2016, and sometimes it hit me right in the gut. A Disclaimer for Cuba Just try your best to remember that it’s not the fault of the Cuban people; they can generally do even less …