Why stay in a casa particular instead of a hotel? Why should you choose this type of accommodation in Cuba? Are casas particulares better than hotels or beach resorts? Will they add to the Cuban experience in a way that hotels can’t compare to? In this blog post, we give you the top 15 reasons to favour a casa particular over a hotel while throwing in the cases where a hotel or beach resort might be the better option.

Why should you consider going on a group tour at all? Is it really worth it? Will it really enhance your travel experience in ways independent travel can’t? We answer these and many more questions regarding group tours in Cuba (or anywhere in the world) in this blog piece. Click on to read more!

If you wonder where in Havana to base yourself for a Cuba holiday tailor-made to your particular needs and interests, this is the blog you need to read! We tell you where to stay in Havana for a memorable experience that ticks all the right boxes!

Close your eyes for a second, I want you to focus on one word: Cuba… What were the first images that came to mind? A tropical destination? White sands and crystal blue seas, perhaps? You might even have travelled slightly further down the list of Cuba trigger words and landed at ‘cigars’ and ‘mojitos’. But in all honesty, was there much to separate Cuba from any other sunny destination? Or, if you fancy the Caribbean, is there really much difference between each island?

Well, we’re here to tell you that yes, there is! Read on to find out the top 5 reasons why Cuba is so much more than just your average sun and beach destination.

All-inclusive beach resorts seem like the perfect plan for a holiday. Varadero, the most coveted beach destination in Cuba, ticks all the boxes: amazing beach, white-powdery sand, and perfect weather all year long. But, trust us, after four to five days of an all-inclusive buffet, after seeing the same people lying under the umbrellas at the beach, and after saying “Hi” to the same folks in the hotel lift, you’ll be screaming for a day break like… now!

There is no denying that here at Cuba Direct^TM we're all Cuba enthusiasts, and we're lucky to have members on our team from all over the island who can tell us about their favourite cities, towns and excursions. Carlotta, our London-born but now Havana-based representative, made it to Trinidad last month and is keen on sharing some of her top places to visit and things to do in Trinidad. If you have any interest in visiting the beautiful island of Cuba or perhaps have been before and are eager to return and try something new, keep reading to find Carlotta's top picks for excursions, food and nightlife.

Beaches, ecotourism and scuba diving – there’s more to experience on a holiday to Cuba than the charming architecture and contagious music of Havana. Taking a break from the city without sacrificing too much time in road trips is possible with day tours from Havana. Here’s a list of the six best day trips from Havana, listed according to how long it takes to get there. All these tours take less than a day and do not require booking for accommodation.

Beach getaway or city getaway… Beach getaway or city getaway… Beach getaway or city getaway… Ah! What if you could have both without having to sacrifice travel time or spend money on transfers? What if you could have amazing city fun AND incredible beach time without leaving Havana? Sounds interesting? Well keep reading!

If you’re thinking of finally taking the plunge and booking that once-in-a-lifetime trip to Cuba, then you may want to consider penciling Costa Rica into your plans. In recent years, twin-country holidays have been trending amongst globetrotters, as travelers seek to get the most out of the time and money they’ve invested in journeying halfway across the world. Those looking to be seduced by the rich colours and history of revolutionary Cuba will find that Costa Rica’s verdant jungles and volcanic hot springs can offer the perfect contrast, throwing the Caribbean’s largest island into new and exciting contexts. A bio-diverse Central American treasure and a communist Caribbean time-capsule, Costa Rica and Cuba complement each other through their cultural and geographical diversity. And they’re conveniently close too – lying just across the stretch of the glittering Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica is only 2h20 mins away from Cuba’s vibrant capital!

Whether you’re planning a day or a week in Havana for your next holiday, one thing’s for sure, well, five maybe – you’ll be wanting to make the most of your time and experience the things that, once you get back home, will make you say “I was in Havana!”. Don’t know where to start? Here’s the lowdown of the top five unmissable things to do in Havana while on holidays, dissected by two of the most common questions we get from our clients: Why do you think I’ll enjoy it? What makes it unique?