Salsa, revolutionary history and Caribbean heat. That's an exotic cocktail that definitely sparked my interest and made me want to visit this country. The people in Cuba are desparate for change, still barely recovered from the Cold War's hangover. It is a proud nation with significant influence within Latin America, long outweighing its small size. This new photo series features classical American cars, the warm local people, worn out buildings, the mausoleum of a communist hero and beautiful nature. Let's go!
Timeworn but magnificent, dilapidated but dignified, fun yet maddeningly frustrating – Cuba is a country of indefinable magic. - Lonely Planet
All photography is original and mine
When to go?
High season tends to be from mid-November till March as it is the coolest, driest and busiest season. May and June are very wet, but there are a few highlights during these months as well like the tobacco harvesting and Carnival, so if you don't mind getting wet now and then this could be cool (and it is significantly less busy!). July to November is hurricane season, so beware, especially towards late August to early October when it's the peak of the hurricane season.
Eating out? Go to the "Paladares Particulares"
Cuba has 2 types of restaurants, the state-run restaurants and the privately run ones known as "paladares particulares". The private ones tend to have better quality food at the same price, so go there. Don't expect anything particularly culinary, as sanctions against Cuba have made it more difficult to providing quality food.
Che Guevara Mausoleum in Santa Clara
One of the most special locations in Cuba can be found in Santa Clara. This memorial houses the remains of the revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara and 29 of his fellow soldiers killed in 1967 during Che's attempt to spur an armed uprising in Bolivia. It was one of the best places I have visited in Cuba - not because I am a supporter of his politics in any way, to be clear -as it embodied the great respect and love that a lot of people still feel for Che Guevara. It is an impressive monument and it has an interesting museum. There are soldiers on watch here all the time, so be careful and don't take photos in the sanctuary itself.