We left Chicago on a chilly gray day and landed in a lush, green country full of life. A border patrol agent checked our passports and took our photos. After feeling a little nervous throughout the whole planning phase, we were glad to receive little pink stamps in our passports saying "Republic de Cuba, 26 Oct 2018, José Martí." (If you love passport stamps as much as I do, you'll be happy to know we got another upon exit.) Some people say Cuba is like another world. It definitely feels like a place frozen in time. It's charming, colonial, and decaying. Still, despite years of uncertain economic circumstances, the people there are full of energy. Everywhere there are neighbors in the streets chatting, bartering, smoking, and playing.
Category: Blog
5 challenges you’ll face in Havana, Cuba and how to overcome them
If you've never visited before, some aspects of culture Havana, Cuba will surprise you at first. Here are five challenge you're sure to experience after arrival. 1. Feeling terrified your taxi will run someone over Taxis are the main mode of transportation around Havana and the rest of Cuba as well. We read that the driving was crazy before we arrived, so we were somewhat prepared for that. Drivers used their car horns on a wide range of occasions—equally when they were happy and when they were upset—at other taxi drivers, at pedestrians, and at their friends. If you are out walking in areas like Old Havana (Habana Vieja) where the streets are very narrow and used both as a road and sidewalk, and hear a horn, it's best to move to the side as quickly as possible.
Inspirational travel quotes to help you start your next adventure
It's 2019! If you're like me, you're busy setting your yearly travel goals. Below are the quotes that brought me inspiration during the process and will help you embark on your next adventure too!
Unforgettable Cuban Airbnb Experiences
Airbnb Experiences are the best way to get to know Cuba. I used these unique and authentic tours to visit organic farms, learn how cigars are made, and go snorkeling with locals.
ViaHero Cuba: My real experience and review
ViaHero planned a 10-day Cuban vacation for my new fiancé and I in November 2018. As a travel blogger, I have always organized my adventures on my own. But, as a US citizen, the more I researched, the more nervous I became about the technicalities—especially the many different visa types and their various requirements.
Sustainable farm tourism in Viñales Valley, Cuba
For eco-tourists, Viñales is an absolute paradise. The sustainable farms are a glance at what the future of agriculture could be.
15 beautiful tobacco farm photos that will put Viñales, Cuba on your bucket list
Tobacco is the Viñales Valley region's biggest crop by far. Viñales is the place where all the big name Cuban cigars come are grown—Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Cohiba, and more. And it's all grown the same way it was over 200 years ago.
Casas Particulares in Cuba: The three types
The casas particulares system in Cuba is actually pretty simple. It's basically an Airbnb, plus homecooked meals (if you choose). You can stay in accommodations where you have a whole apartment to yourself, where you stay in the room of a home with a host family, or where you stay alone in a private room [...]
Action Cameras for Travelers—Do you really need one?
An action camera (a.k.a. a GoPro-style camera) is the perfect travel accessory... for certain kinds of travelers. No, I really don't think they're for everyone. And honestly, when I bought mine, I had no idea what I was getting into. I did so much research on the tech specs and the mounts, but I didn't really know how well an action camera would work for me and my travel style.
I wrote this post hoping to create a resource that's just that: a clarifying guide for anyone still on the fence.
How to pick your next travel destination
With cheap airfare to destinations all over the world, choosing a travel destination is harder than ever. You really can go almost anywhere (which is a great problem to have) but then where should you start?
The truth is, a quiz really can't tell you where you should go. And neither can your friends and family.
I really, truly believe that, deep down, you know exactly where you want to go. And in this post, my goal is to help you realize exactly where that is.