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Backpacking Cuba Travel Guide 2024

Vinales buying ganja

For decades, Cuba has been a reserved communist island nation very much cut off from the majority of the outside world. In recent years, Cuba has began to slowly open its doors to foreign visitors—which is awesome. The result is that backpacking Cuba has become a must-visit destination for travelers looking to experience a truly unique country in its tourism infancy. Cuba is one of the least explored Caribbean nations and there are many opportunities for budget backpackers to go on pretty epic adventures. Point being… backpacking in Cuba is a ton of fun! In this guide, I break down everything you need to know to have a truly rewarding backpacking experience in Cuba. This Cuba travel guide will help you get to grips with this fascinating country. No matter what kind of travel adventure you are after, you can be sure that backpacking Cuba will be a truly epic life-experience. There is something for every backpacker to discover! The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Cuba is made up of several distinct geographical regions and landscapes and many more sub-cultural regions. Cities like Havana and Santiago de Cuba make up the most populous urban centers. Of course, Cuba is an island so there are world-class beaches and coastal stretches too. The main highways of the country determine what is accessible and what is not. Large sections of the north coast of Cuba are not developed and there the main continuous highway does not run along that portion of the country. Cuban cities offer up the biggest dose of Cuban culture. Some classic white-sand beaches like Cayo Levisa are touristy, whilst many other beaches are virtually off the radar. There are at least 10 major biospheres, nature reserves, and national parks in Cuba. Each one has something unique and interesting for backpackers. In fact, the diversity of Cuban landscapes make up a large part of what makes Cuba such an awesome place to visit. Looking for a Cuba backpacking itinerary? Whether you have 2 weeks in Cuba or a month to really explore, I have assembled several Cuba backpacking itineraries to help you make the most of your time in this epic country. Cuba is a surprisingly big place. A realistic 7 day itinerary for Cuba does keep you moving, though with some restraint so that you can actually enjoy and experience the places you are visiting! To get to grips with Cuba, you are going to need a few days getting to know the great time machine that is Havana. I recommend spending at least three days in Havana. Over the course of your three days in Havana, you will start to picture what modern life is like in a country slowly stepping into the modern world through a communist filter. Here is what you should do with your time in Havana:. After Havana, head a few hours down the road to Vinales. Vinales is one of my favorite places in Cuba. Spend a day or two exploring the beautiful green limestone mountains. Check out a tobacco farm. You can hire horses to visit a far-flung farm in the valley. Next stop is Trinidad. This day itinerary allows for a bit more in-depth exploration of a few places mentioned in the 7 day itinerary above. Choose between places and really experience those places. Backpacking Cuba is all about taking things slow, so embrace it! For this 14 day Cuba itinerary, you will be taking another route out of Havana, saving Vinales for the end. After exploring Havana for a couple of days, head to Cienfuegos. On your second day in Cienfuegos, you can cross the bay on the ferry to Castillo de Jagua , an 18th-century fortress. After Cienfuegos, take between days to really settle into Trinidad. Waterfall hikes, gorgeous beaches, tobacco farm tours, and horseback riding adventures are all on offer here. Certainly, dedicate a full day to exploring Parque Natural Topes de Collantes , which is best experienced if you hire a guide and some horses. You can spend your final few days in Cuba falling in love with beautiful Vinales. If you have a month or more to explore Cuba you can really see a good chunk of the country. This Cuba itinerary will take you off the beaten path and allow you to get to know a part of Cuba that few travelers ever get to see. With so much time on your hands, there is no need to rush. Really like Havana? Spend a week there. Fall in love with Vinales? Stay a little longer. Another benefit of having a month to backpack Cuba is that you can make it to the less visited eastern part of Cuba. Point being, there is no real time pressure on you so you can take the opportunity to be spontaneous, explore the national parks, go scuba diving, learn Spanish, etc. If you manage to extend your visa for another 30 days, I recommend volunteering on a farm or in a school during your Cuba backpacking adventure. Remember, you can always fly or take the train from Havana to Santiago de Cuba and start your 1 month itinerary from there. You should note that internal flights within Cuba are expensive. Since you are in no hurry, a combination of bus, train, and hitchhiking is the way to go. Want to save money on accommodation? Havana is without a doubt the beating heart and vibrant soul of Cuba. Cuban music wafts out of open windows. Street vendors sell tasty treats from carts sometimes drawn by horses. As much as Havana conjures up nostalgia, it is certainly a city on the move. To start, head directly to Old Town Havana to walk the cobblestone streets and soak in the colonial architecture from the Spanish era. Whilst Old Town is charming as hell, Havana Centro is where the real action is. We opted to stay in Old Town for the first four days of the trip. Old Town Havana is shockingly touristy in places, so do your best not to get ripped off for simple things like taxi rides and food. For lunch, eating at a paladar is a quintessential Havana experience. A paladar is a sort of in-house restaurant run by a small family. They often offer cheap, delicious eats. For a slightly cliche yet thoroughly entertaining activity, rent an old car to transport yourself back in time in style. The small town of Vinales and the surrounding Vinales Valley are blessed with some of the most stunning natural scenery in the whole county. Rolling green tobacco farms and impressive rocky outcroppings make a big first impression. Rent a bike in town and head to the Mural de la Prehistoria 4 km from Vinales. The mural itself took 18 artists a staggering 4 years to complete! Very impressive indeed. In the hills above the mural, you can undertake a hike to the tiny community of Los Aquaticos. Be aware of scammers offering fake tours. For one of the best sunsets of your life, you can head to the Valle Del Silencio. You can find some reasonably priced real tours in town, but a sure way not to get scammed is to go through the Villa Los Reyes hotel. Not bad, right? Cueva de la Vaca is one of the best climbing spots! For some reason, few backpackers head further west to the coast after visiting Vinales. Be sure to negotiate heavily for a fair return price. Also, confirm the exact time you want to head back as many drivers will not make the journey after dark. The French colonial town of Cienfuegos is a charming Cuban town on the south-central coast. It is a very lowkey place with a much more relaxed, local vibe. Havana or Trinidad — it will feel like either a welcome or abrupt change of pace. Most people travel to Cienfuegos just to catch a boat to Cayo Largo. It could be worth spending a day or two in the city though. The city center is the natural place to begin your exploration of Cienfuegos. Blessed with beautiful French colonial architecture and attractive streets, the city center of Cienfuegos has been a UNESCO world heritage site since One of the best and most attractive parts of the city is in and around Jose Marti Square. Bring your A-game. Cubans really know how to cut a rug. The beaches around the city have the reputation of being polluted and dirty, but certainly, the severity of this depends on the season. You can take either a very crowded local bus or a private taxi to get there. Trinidad is another Cuban city that makes you feel like you woke up in a different decade: classic cars and stunning colonial architecture abound. In the boom years of sugar cane, tobacco, and cattle production often worked by African slaves in the past , the town became very wealthy indeed. The extravagant plazas and brightly painted houses are a reflection of that economic period. Trinidad is an excellent place to keep it simple. One could easily spend days in Trinidad, walking the cobblestone streets, catching live music shows, partying when the sun goes down, or just relaxing in a cafe after hitting up a museum or two. Highlights of the city include the Plaza Mayor avoid the touts by going in the early evening , a climb up the Bell Tower for epic views, and eating delicious Cuban food anytime. The Cave Disco Club is a pretty happening spot to catch some nightlife. When the urge arrives to hit the beach, head down the road to Playa Ancon. Be aware that at certain times of the year, the mosquitoes can be fucking terrible at Playa Ancon. I itch just thinking about it. Shady history aside, Playa Larga is a must-visit beach if you are in the area. Playa Larga is one of the best places in Cuba to go diving. Some of the best diving can be found around Punta Perdiz, though there are quite a few badass dive sites in the Playa Larga area. Another fun option for the afternoon is to rent a bike. With a bike, you can easily get to Criadero de Cocodrilos , which I have mixed opinions about. On one hand, this crocodile farm essentially saved a nearly extinct species of Cuban crocodile. On the other hand though, some are eaten or made into leather handbags. Individual judgment is for you to decide. If you have even the slightest interest in learning about Che Guevara or the Cuban revolution, you will find Santa Clara to be a fascinating place. In addition to being a great museum for all things Che, it is also where Che is buried and home to his mausoleum. You can take a laid-back tour of the factory and sip locally roasted coffee—cigar in hand— at tours end. Take in the pulse of modern life in Santa Clara at Club Mejunje. Any given night of the week there is something interesting on here. For an even more locals-only type spot, head to Parque Leoncio Vidal. The mountains and dense jungle that make up Parque Nacional de Turquino also include an area known as the Sierra Maestra. Why is the Siera Maestra important? The high mountains averaging 4, feet are draped in thick tropical vegetation, mist, and well, plenty of places to hide. To familiarize yourself with the park, you can climb Pico Turquino. It is the tallest mountain in Cuba at feet. A hell of an adventure and epic views of sprawling tropical forest await. There are various routes to choose from to get to the summit—each of which will take you at least days round trip. Unfortunately, guides are mandatory in order to tackle this hike. I do not have any information about doing this hike independently, other than it is technically forbidden. The police may or may not enforce this. Definitely hike Pico Turquino in the dry season. Since guides are mandatory, they can be arranged through Flora y Fauna employees at Villa Santo Domingo or at the small hut at Las Cuevas. For music lovers, a night at the Casa de las Tradiciones will be one for the ages. There are many hidden gem and hole-in-the-wall music venues in Cuba, and Casa de las Tradiciones is one of them. Spend a few hours taking in the scene at the often crowded, smoke-filled bar, and get the essence of what backpacking Cuba is all about. Carnival in Santiago de Cuba July is a real treat. If you happen to be in Cuba during July, plan on spending 10 days in Santiago de Cuba for a marathon period of parades, music, rum, and dancing. Located on the eastern tip of the island, Baracoa receives a fair bit more rainfall than other parts of Cuba, and the result is a lush green, dazzling subtropical landscape. It is possible to visit some of the awesome cocoa and coconut plantations that dot the rural interior around Baraco, though the main attraction in Baracoa is the canyon of the Yumuri River. That said, if you just want to hang out in the town center, play some dominoes, and relax on the beach, I understand. The Yumuri Canyon looks like something out of the Lost World. The water is a clear turquoise-blue and the vegetation snakes its way up the steep canyon walls in a sea of green and tangled vines. Hiring a boat is the best way to see the canyon and all it has to offer. From Baracoa, Playa Manglito beach is just a short taxi ride or hitchhike ride away. The Taberna Yayabo down by the river is a fine place to grab a drink and hang out with locals. For live music, head to the Uneac Club. For one, the island is fairly big and large-scale, wide-spread tourism infrastructure does not exist yet. To get the most out of your backpacking Cuba adventure, getting off the beaten path will allow you to experience life like the locals, which is crucial to understanding and capturing the magic that is Cuba. The wild north coast of Cuba is not heavily trafficked by foreigners, making it a prime candidate for exploration. The small towns and villages in the rugged and remote interior are full of untapped cultural gems and beautiful natural landscapes. Some of the best beaches in Cuba are not famous and do not see the same tourist hordes as the others. Camping and doing a bit of cooking for yourself is also very crucial to getting off the beaten path in Cuba. If you are self-reliant, you can really discover a whole other side of Cuba. Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop! Cobblestone streets, classic cars, and beautiful brightly-painted townhouses that transport you back in time? That is L a Havana Vieja. Cubans are mad about baseball, their national sport. Cuba is blessed with some truly excellent scuba diving opportunities. The best part? Diving is affordable in most places! This few hour day hike out and back to one of the prettiest waterfalls in Cuba was one of the best things we did on our entire trip. If you go to Trinidad, this waterfall hike is an absolute must. Che Guevara is one of the most important and iconic revolutionary figures from the 20th century. His legacy in Cuba is forever enshrined in his museum in Santa Clara. Vinales and the surrounding area offers up some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Cuba. Like in most Latin American countries, Carnival is a big deal. Cuba is no different. Come and experience the biggest festival on the island, and remember to pace yourself… it is indeed a marathon. Finding backpacker accommodation in Cuba is not always easy. There are just a handful of hostels on the island as of now. Though luckily, the hostels that do exist are often found right where you need them, along the Cuba backpacking route. Surprisingly, Havana alone has over hostels! When hostels are not available, the next best thing is casas particulares. Casas Particulares are basically glorified homestays of typically solid and dependable quality and less expensive than hotels. Many casas particulares do not have websites another new phenomenon in Cuba is business marketing. Hotels are without a doubt the most expensive option in Cuba, and a great way to eat a huge hole in your budget. We used Airbnb a few times too. You can find some solid options on there including casas paticulares. Wild camping is legal in Cuba; I never heard otherwise. There are plenty of awesome places to pitch your tent. You might find camping to be rather uncomfortable at low elevations on the coast. Cuba is hot and humid and the mosquitoes can be insane! Coastal camping might prove to be more trouble than it is worth. Pray for a breeze if you wind up camping at the beach! In general, if you pitch your tent around dusk and are gone by 7 am or so, no one should hassle you. If you are in the market for a solid, lightweight, and reliable tent, I highly recommend the MSR Hubba Hubba 2-person tent. Backpacking in Cuba is neither super cheap nor crazy expensive. Your biggest costs for backpacking in Cuba will be your accommodation and food. Solo travel in Cuba is a bit of a bitch in regards to the cost of accommodation and transportation. If you are a couple or a group of several friends, splitting the cost of rooms and taxis will save you cash. With this amount, you can eat well, do fun stuff, take a few cab rides, split a private room, and knock back a few mojitos. Just ask the host of your casa particular about changing money and they will likely give you the fair rate. We never had any problems changing money around Cuba — just never do it at the bank or at an official money changer otherwise you will lose a lot of money in the exchange. Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful. And I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment! As Cuba is a Caribbean island , it enjoys fairly mild weather year round…with a few exceptions. The best time to visit is from December to May , when you can expect dry, sunny days and plenty of blue skies. The wet season begins in June and, usually, tourists avoid travel in Cuba entirely between August and October , when there is also a risk of hurricanes. Hurricane season in Cuba is NOT to be underestimated. That said, you will find lower prices and fewer tourists in September and October. Also you could be lucky and have long stretches of fine weather save for a little bit of rain. Get your haggle game ready and you can score some seriously good deals on things like car rentals, accommodation, and food. Pick up a good rain jacket, especially if you plan on visiting during the hurricane season. Check out my list of the best jackets to take traveling. Having a waterproof backpack does have its advantages as well. There is always something fun to get into in Cuba. Depending on the time of year you find yourself backpacking in Cuba, there are many cool festivals to check out. Here are a few of the top festivals in Cuba :. Properly packing for Cuba is the first step to having a successful trip. On every adventure, there are six things I never go traveling without:. Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs. Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be. Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with players and guarantees happy days. Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. I am pleased to report that Cuba is one of the safest countries to visit in all of Latin America. Certainly, in terms of other Caribbean nations like Jamaica for example , Cuba is super safe. I have heard very little about backpackers being the targets of pickpockets, and even less so of violent crime pretty much unheard of. Maybe this safety situation is partly due to the extreme and authoritarian nature of the Castro regime spanning the last 50 years. Though one thing to watch for are jineteros. Jineteros are dudes that will offer to take you to the closest casa particular…with a catch. Check out Backpacker Safety for more tips and tricks to stay safe whilst backpacking in Cuba. Drug laws in Cuba are severe. Whilst you can get a way with smoking a joint or two, even buying weed can be risky. People may try to sell you cocaine that actually ends up being laundry powder! I was asked by random dudes on the street if I wanted to buy both coke and weed and I was also approached by prostitutes three times in Old Havana. Once out of Havana, street hustlers pretty much left us alone. The obvious drug of choice in Cuba is alcohol. I suggest that if you befriend a local whom you TRUST, inquire where you might be able to discreetly buy a little pot. In Cuba, there is no shortage of occasions or opportunities in which to get down. I am all for people having a good time and letting loose. I am far from innocent. There have been many times during my travels where I let myself and the situation get out of hand. Traveling without insurance would be risky so do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure. SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it! Surprisingly though, there are 10 international airport in Cuba! That said, flying into Havana will be the cheapest option. All travelers to Cuba must possess a valid passport, a return ticket, travel insurance policy with medical coverage, and a visa or tourist visa. They might ask you to present all or none of these things when you go through customs in Havana. Print all the documents needed just in case. When you buy your flight to Cuba you may receive a day tourist card along with your ticket and often travel insurance too as was the case when I booked with Jet Blue. As far as I know, there is not a streamlined rate for tourist cards. I literally just walked up to the counter and got it sorted in 5 minutes. I think you do not need to go with any sort of visa service for this. For American backpackers traveling to Cuba, things are not as easy as they are for Europeans or other nationalities. America and Cuba have not had diplomatic relations essentially since the time Fidel Castro seized power in In March , President Obama announced the beginning of a process of normalizing relations between Cuba and the United States. Since then, Trump has done his best to fuck up the US-Cuba relations progress Obama opened up just like he is doing with every other aspect of the county. You must obtain a license from the Department of Treasury or your travel must fall into one of 12 categories of authorized travel. The 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba are: family visits; official business of the U. Many backpackers just say they are Catholics going to Cuba to visit its impressive churches and cathedrals and get a tourist visa based on religious grounds, with little to no proof required praise the lord. You can opt to take internal flights within Cuba but these are very expensive as I mentioned before. When it comes to taxis it is all about the negotiation process. When it comes to long-distance transport by private car, aka a taxi — I was truly shocked at how expensive it was. In general, transportation options in Cuba are very slow and very limited — so there were times on my trip where we had no choice but to take a taxi up to 4 hours away. If we did not do it that way, we were looking at losing potentially days of time from our trip working around bus schedules. Viazul bus is the top bus company in Cuba for backpackers. Their prices are not super cheap but they make up for that by having very comfortable buses. The distances in Cuba can be huge, especially if you are traversing the entire island. Sometimes the prices of the bus and the taxi are the same or less0, so if you have time to check both and compare, there might be an opportunity to save some money. Renting a car or a motor bike will certainly give you the freedom to roam and go where you want. Each car rental company has different rules regarding how far you can travel in your rental car. Car rentals can also be expensive so shop around to find the best deal. We recommend purchasing the rental insurance with RentalCover. The other main option is the train. Cuban trains are generally in poor condition, never run on time, and make for a pretty rude journey no matter how far you are going. That is what we heard. I actually did not take the train once while I was in Cuba fyi. Since Cuba is an island, you will certainly be flying out when the time comes to wrap up your backpacking trip. There are cheap daily flights running between Havana and Cancun, Mexico if your journey is taking you to Mexico and beyond Central America. For flights to the US, the cheapest option will probably be to fly into Miami and catch another flight from there. I recommend checking out Skyscanner for the best prices on cheap flights from Cuba. For most countries, Cuba included, solo travel is the name of the game. That said, if you are short on time, energy, or just want to be part of an awesome group of travelers you can opt to join an organized tour. Joining a tour is a great way to see a majority of the country quickly and without the effort that goes into planning a backpacking trip. However—not all tour operators are created equal—that is for sure. There are conflicting opinions regarding hitchhiking in Cuba. On one hand it may be illegal for Cubans to have foreigners in their cars without the proper bullshit paper work. Other folks have told me that by law, drivers are required to pick up hitchhikers! Polar opposite information, I know, but I have not come across anything from the Cuban government specifically speaking to this. I have also heard that in Cuba, picking up hitchhikers is mandatory by government vehicles , if passenger space is available. Hitchhiking is encouraged, as there are few cars in some areas, and designated hitchhiking spots are used. Waiting riders are picked up on a first come first go basis. In any case, you should not find it too difficult to hitch a ride in the rural areas of Cuba and there are many of them. For the record, I have not personally hitchhiked in Cuba, otherwise I might have a more informed opinion on all of this. There are many ideal Central American bases that are enticing for Digital Nomads…and speaking from experience — Cuba is not one of them. Out of all the countries I have traveled to, the internet situation in Cuba is so out-dated, expensive, and slow that working online from Cuba in any sort of real capacity really is not possible. Also because of the nationalized nature of the communist system — it is not easy, nor financially viable for foreigners to try to work for Cuban businesses. Maybe this will change down the line, but for now, it is possible to check your email in Cuba, but beyond that consistent, accessible, fast internet does not exist. A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic — booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM! Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and ditch the plastic. Getting wifi access requires a bit of effort. There are special government shops that sell them, but the lines are often insane. I recommend going to any big hotel — like the Hotel Inglaterra in Havana for example — and buying as many as they will sell you You then need to find places with a wifi hotspot, like big hotels, public parks, and sometimes even cafes. You have to then individually input the card numbers every time you connect. Not the most efficient system in the world. Volunteering abroad is an amazing way to experience a culture whilst helping your host community. There are plenty of different volunteer projects in Cuba including teaching, construction, agriculture and pretty much anything. High levels of poverty throughout Cuba mean there are plenty of opportunities for backpackers to offer up some time and skills. The country is in constant need of medical volunteers, English teachers, and help with conservation projects. Most travelers can volunteer in Cuba on the regular tourist card for up to 6 months. Our go-to platform for finding volunteering gigs is Worldpackers who connect travellers with host projects. Have a look at the Worldpackers site and see if they have any exciting opportunities in Cuba before signing up. Alternatively, Workaway is another excellent common platform used by travellers searching for volunteering opportunities. You can read our review of Workaway for more info on using this terrific platform. Volunteer programs run through reputable work exchange programs like Worldpackers and platforms like Workaway are usually very well-managed and reputable. However, whenever you are volunteering do stay vigilant, especially when working with animals or children. Onto one of my favorite subjects! There are plenty of tasty Cuban dishes to try in Cuba. The various origins that make up the Cuban population greatly add to the diversity of flavors found in their cuisine. Tamales : Similar to the Mexican tamales. In Cuba, however, the meat is actually mixed with the dough and not used as a filling. Pernil Relleno de Moros y Cristianos : This Cuban dish is made more interesting as it is filled with another Cuban dish! A pork shoulder is marinated in orange juice, garlic, oregano and pepper and then filled with rice and beans and cooked in the oven. Ropa Vieja : The national dish of Cuba. A tasty blend of slow cooked tender beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices. Ajiaco : This stew contains a little bit of everything: potatoes, pumpkin, malanga a vegetable similar to topinambur , plantain, corn, meat, tomato paste, spices, beers, lemon juice and pretty much any other ingredient available. Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different backgrounds. There is a West African cultural component West Africans were brought to Cuba to work on plantations as slaves which has been somewhat influential, with many Afro-Cubans also being of Jamaican or other Afro-Caribbean origin. After years of being closed off from the world under a rather harsh dictator, I believe Cubans are genuinely happy to have more travelers visit their island paradise. If you can speak some Spanish, many are keen to open up for a good conversation. Certainly, Cubans are very hospitable and welcoming people. Learning a bit of Spanish is a great way to get the most out of your trip. When I became fluent in Spanish, it really changed the way I was able to travel in Cuba and beyond. It is such a useful language to know! You can speak it in over 20 countries! Dating and sex in Cuba are just as complicated as every other unique-to-Cuba aspect. One should consider that prostitution in Cuba for both men and women is very wide-spread…some would say rampant. Because of this, it is hard to know when someone is actually interested in a romantic relationship with you vs trying to seduce you into paying them for sex — this is very true for young foreign men yeah mate, she might actually be that into you. Cuba almost feels like a country under some kind of strange conservative Sharia law… except when you go out and see what the people are wearing it actually has nothing to do with conservative law. On the law books, Cuba actively enforces tourist-Cuban segregation. Which feels equally bizarre. That said, I had plenty of experiences hanging out with local Cubans and the police did not bother us. In Havana, inter-nationality mingling is commonplace. Here are some of my favorite books set in Cuba:. Here is a short but important timeline to consider when trying to understand a bit of the history of Cuba:. Fast forward nearly years.. Castro becomes prime minister, and his brother, Raul, becomes his deputy. Che Guevara becomes third in command. A year later, all US businesses in Cuba are nationalized without compensation. Basically, from until the present day, Fidel Castro until his death in , and now his brother Raul in have governed Cuba under communist rule continuously. For many backpackers, coming to Cuba opens up a whole new world of exciting life experiences. Between the friendly locals, beautiful natural landscapes, nightlife, and great food, backpacking Cuba is a never ending feast of awesome experiences. Be prepared for what life throws at you. After years of government restriction, the wild landscapes of Cuba have opened up to trekkers for the first time. Here are the 5 best hikes in Cuba:. El Yunque : The approximately four-hour hike is a challenging one, especially if the trail is wet. Wildlife is abundant along the trail and the view of Baracoa and the Rio Yumuri from the top is breathtaking. After an hour or so of hiking through jungle-forest, you reach the epic falls and turquoise pool. An excellent place to swim as well! Revolutionary Hikes : There are a number of old hiking trails formerly used by rebel soldiers during the Cuban Revolution. You can now make the 4 km hike to see the site of the old camp. Pretty awesome if you like a mix of history and beautiful scenery. Parque Nacional Alejandro Humboldt Hike from Moa : You can hire a guide for a short, but epic 7 km hike through one of the most biodiverse wildlife habitats in Cuba. Scuba diving in Cuba can be excellent, depending on the time of year. Thanks to strict environmental protection laws and the resulting crystal clear waters, scuba diving in Cuba is world-class. Myself and a few friends went diving off the coast of Playa Ancon. We went with Playa Ancon Dive Center located at the end of the beach, next to the big hotel. Staff were professional and nice. I recommend that you come to Cuba as a certified open water diver. If you are not a certified diver already, you can get your certification in Cuba, it is just more expensive than getting it in say Thailand, for example and PADI does not operate in Cuba we found out. Here are some of the best scuba dive sites in Cuba to get you stoked on some prime Cuban diving:. Cuba has done a great job protecting its coastal ecosystems. G Adventures is a solid down-to-earth tour company catering to backpackers just like you, and their prices and itineraries reflect the interests of the backpacker crowd. You can score some pretty sweet deals on epic trips in Cuba for a fraction of the price of what other tour operators charge. Check out some of their awesome itineraries for Cuba here…. You are now fully armed with the important information you need to have an awesome time backpacking Cuba. Climbing on ancient fort walls, revolutionary monuments, or other historical artifacts should be avoided. Cuba is one of the most untouched gems in the Caribbean, and all of Latin America for that matter. Traveling the world makes you an ambassador for your country , which is awesome. The entire world is changing a little every day and Cuba is no different. Sure, in 20 years Cuba will no longer be a off the beaten path destination, but such is life in the 21st century. Whenever you do indeed make it to Cuba, I hope your time there is magical and rewarding. Cuba has a lot to offer backpackers, and it is my hope that you take the time to enjoy it thoroughly. In fact, Andrea is one of the best up-and-coming travel photographers and drone operators around. A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one! You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. I plan on traveling to Cuba from the United States for weeks in January I want to do some Snorkeling and diving, As well as some swimming. I am also interested In music and dance. I generally prefer Villages to cities, but I am open to both. I am a retired teacher so I do not have lots of money. I plan on staying in casa particulares. Just looking for clean safe places nothing fancy. I want to connect with the Cuban people as well. I have been having Spanish conversational lessons online for a few years now so I can have conversations in Spanish, especially if people speak slowly enough. I live in the mountains in North Carolina where we have lots of natural beauty and waterfalls. So I might be looking for something a little different than that. I do not like to lay out on the beach. I actually prefer watching waves crashing into rocks than Sandy beaches. I know some mosquitoes are inevitable But I would prefer to minimize biting insects, maybe with a windier beach? I am interested in visiting caves and Swimming in natural pools. I plan on using transportation such as collectivos and viazul. Usually just 1 country for each trip of Just to say traveling in Latin America is not new to me. Then maybe to playa larga, to do some tours in Cienaga la Zapata. Then Trinidad for the music at night and Topes De Collantes during the day. That might be it for weeks. Based on my criteria of snorkelling diving swimming caves connecting with cubanos, Not spending too much money, and avoiding too many tourists. Does this sound like a good plan? Would you suggest additional or substitute Locations? Are the northern beaches windier and less mosquitoes? Any recommendations of where to see waves crashing into rocks? Any possibility of going to Snorkeling and diving sites with more Coral and animal life without spending too much money? Other ideas of where to see music and dance, again without spending too much money? Do I need to reserve my transportation between cities beforehand with viazul? Or could I go In colectivos? That way would I not need to reserve in advance? Are colectivos usually air conditioned or At least comfortable? Do I need to reserve casa particulares in advance? I greatly appreciate your time and advice. Any idea how the internet situation has developed since this article was written? Hello, I have been in Cuba as recently as 2 weeks ago and I can tell you that the internet situation has NOT improved at all. Cuba is decades behind the rest of the world in terms of internet access. It is an awesome country to explore and disconnect for a digital detox, but perhaps the worst country I have ever been too in terms of getting shit done online. Hi Craig, are you sure? Or only if you are coming in with a cruise? Is that true? Check out this article for more info on what that entails. Good luck! When you buy your plane ticket there are different categories and I select support for the Cuban people, which is indeed why I go. Loved the article and I took a lot of notes. We actually cover all of those topics in our Cuba Safety Guide! Fantastic and thorough article, thanks for all the great info! This feels like it could be a one-stop shop for any Cuba adventure planning needs. Thank you so much for publishing this! Great help. Do you have any specific recommendation based on your experience on where to camp and where not to? For instance you were talking about avoiding the coastline. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Skip to content. Backpacking Cuba Travel Guide Vamos Pues…. Viva la revolucion!!! Photo: taya. Table of Contents Show. Best Travel Itineraries for Backpacking Cuba. Show me the deals! Places to Visit in Cuba. Havana Vieja. Photo: Chris Lininger. Sunset outside of Havana. Soaking in the vibes on a tobacco plantation in the Vinales Valley. Photo: Andrea Cacciatori. Vinales Hills around sundown. Doing what I do best: being a beach bum Photo: taya. Book Your Vinales Hostel Here. Sweet sweet Havana rum Photo: taya. Chilling out with this dude in Trinidad. In around the Bay of Pigs is some pretty excellent scuba diving! In Santa Clara, it is all about Mr. Che Guevara. The legendary Pico Turquino. An old cannon at Castillo de San Pedro. Exploring the Yumuri Canyon is awesome. Cuba is full of hidden gems… get to know some them! Top Things to Do in Cuba. Fall in love with Havana town Photo: taya. Baseball stadium in Camaguey. Scuba Diving in Punta Perdiz. Meet a badasstobaccofarmer. Epic water fall outside Trinidad. Pretty powerful vibes at the Che museum in Santa Clara. Climbing Pico Turquino makes for an awesome few days of trekking. Everyone is having a good time at Carnival. Small Pack Problems? Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear…. Backpacker Accommodation in Cuba. Hotel views Photo: taya. Where to Stay in Cuba. The Sierra Maestra is full of awesome camping spots…. Cuba Travel Costs. Cuban Pesos. Best Time to Travel to Cuba. Havana Sunrise in January. Check Best Price. Keep your laundry organized and stink free. Stay Dry With a Micro Towel. Make Some New Buddies…. Reduce Plastic — Bring a Water Bottle! Staying Safe in Cuba. La Floridita: birthplace of the iconic daiquiri Photo: taya. How to Get Into Cuba. My Cuban tourist card. One of my best American friends in Cuba looking a whole lot like Cien Fuegos. Have you sorted your accommodation yet? View on Booking. How to Get Around in Cuba. Taxi and Private Car When it comes to taxis it is all about the negotiation process. Viazul bus Viazul bus is the top bus company in Cuba for backpackers. Train The other main option is the train. Hit the highway, stick out your thumb, and see what happens. Working in Cuba. Attempting to get some work done and failing in Cuba. Grab an eSIM! Find a Volunteer Placement. Food in Cuba. Delicious Lobster in Havana! So damn good. Tasty tasty Ropa Vieja. Cuban Culture. Weird and wonderful street art in Havana Photo: taya. Hello — Hola How are you? What is this? Dick head! Che and Fidel circa Photo: Alberto Korda WikiCommons. Some Unique Experiences in Cuba. This is Cuba at its best. Buy on REI. Waterfalls in beautiful El Yunque. Just look at that water color. Visibility for days. Punta Frances: Off the Isla de la Juventud. Cayo Largo: Another fine south coast site. Punta Perdiz: Right next to Cayo Largo, but located near the coast. Bay of Pigs: Cool shipwrecks and fish spotting around the Bay of Pigs. Cayo Coco: West coast, popular, though very good diving. Final Advice Before Visiting Cuba. Is Central America Safe for Travel? Traveling on a Budget. Make Money While Travelling How to hitchhike. See Our Editorial Process. Will Hatton Founder. Adventurer, entrepreneur and vagabond. Master of the handstand pushup. Conqueror of mountains, survivor of deserts, and crusader for cheap escapades. Will Hatton is the founder of The Broke Backpacker and has been writing for the site since January He has been on the road for more than a decade, travelling to far-flung lands on a shoestring budget. His mantra? Growth begins at the edge of your comfort zone. Share or save this post Pinterest. Stay connected everywhere. Enjoy internet connection on every adventure and forget about expensive roaming bills. Support The Broke Backpacker. Booking through our links helps me and my team produce FREE content for you :. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Welcoming atmosphere and charismatic people. Once a luxurious city, today seems to be a post-war city. Hostel Cuba Attic style apartment. A valley to feel the authentic and relaxed Cuban culture — with the best mangos in the world! Tobacco farms, prehistoric caves, and outdoor activities. Villa Maceo y Gladis. Casa Margarita. Charming colonial city more relaxed than Havana with an impressive botanical garden, and a natural park full of waterfalls nearby. Hostal Navarro. A picturesque colonial town between the mountains, Caribbean beaches, and waterfalls. Hostal Alcuria. Casa Magdalena. Playa Larga. Diving and snorkeling paradise. In a bay, this place has white sand, crystal clear water, and palm trees. Dreamy beach except for the mosquitoes. Casa Alex. Casa Yoan y Zoyli. Santa Clara. Iconic city of the Cuban revolution. A good example of a more typical Cuban city. Hostal La Caridad. Santiago de Cuba. This historic colonial city with Afro-Cuban cultural influences is the birthplace of trova, son, and revolution. This is the authentic laid-back vibes Cuban culture. Casa Don Pedro. Casa Azul. The oldest colonial city in Cuba. This place has a stunning natural bay surrounded by mountains and incredible views. You need to try their coffee and cocoa. Casa Yindra y Ruben. An authentic, small-colonial town experience in Cuba. Colorful buildings and narrow streets, this could be a relaxing stop after those touristy places. Hostal Boulevard.

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