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!

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.

Cuban-style roast pork, congri, yucca with mojo and a refreshing mojito: there's no better way to explore Cuba’s multi-cultural heritage than through its syncretic gastronomy. Tantalise your taste buds and prepare yourself for a journey full of flavour – here’s the lowdown on what dishes and drinks to try on your next trip to this beautiful island, along with some bits of history and advice on wining and dining in Cuba.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall Camilla visited Cuba in march 2019 as the first members of the royal family to land in Havana after the 1959-revolution. The royal couple visited Old Havana, drove a classic car to the Lennon Park, and prepared their own mojitos at a local restaurant. Before them, Edward of Windsor, Winston Churchill, Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger also jumped at the opportunity of visiting Cuba.

What were they eager to see and what did they do? Read on to find out.

If you're looking for an exhaustive guide on LGBTQ+ travel to Cuba, then you've come to the right place. We've got you covered on everything you need to know - from travel advice, bar recommendations, and hot playlists - to the low-down on Cuba's sexual politics and an insight into gay-friendly destinations outside Havana. This is a long one, so bear with us - we promise its worth the read.

If you’re looking to experience Cuba like a local, enjoying authentic adventures informed by insider knowledge, then you’ll want to book yourself into a casa particular (private homestay) ASAP. Cuba Direct has long been a champion of this kind of accommodation, recognising the many unique and immersive opportunities that they offer travellers as well as the positive impact they have on the ordinary Cuban families who run them. They offer excellent value; in fact 30 out of the Top 50 Best Value Hotels in Cuba are casas particulares according to the popular reviews website TripAdvisor. It comes as no surprise when you consider the casas’ enviable locations, authentic dining options and the wealth of tips and information the local hosts provide.

Here we outline just what a casa particular is and what makes them so special, giving our top 5 reasons why you should consider one for your Cuba holiday.

A bucket list for Cuba almost always includes the famous beaches of Varadero, Cayo Santa María, Cayo Coco, or Guardalavaca. But there’s a handful of other truly unspoilt, off-the-radar sandy paradises, waiting to be discovered all over the island. Absent from most travel guides, and a long way off being ‘conquered’ by tourist busloads, the 10 beaches listed below are recommendations from our Travel Consultant Liam, an avid-traveller who loves to venture off the beaten path. He spent three years sating his wanderlust in Cuba and, on his travels, discovered these gems.