Why We Built Discover Cuba
Cuba is one of the most fascinating and misunderstood destinations in the Western Hemisphere. We built this site because most Cuba travel content is either outdated resort guides or political commentary — neither of which helps you plan an actual trip. We wanted to create the honest, practical, visually rich resource we wished existed when we first started exploring the island.
I've been obsessed with travel planning for over two decades — 40+ countries and counting. Cuba caught my attention because it's genuinely unlike anywhere else. The classic cars, the architecture frozen in time, the live music on every corner, the warmth of the people despite decades of hardship. But when I tried to plan a trip, I hit a wall: most information online was either from the resort bubble or years out of date.
Cuba's dual currency system, the casa particular culture, the transportation quirks — these things change constantly, and generic travel blogs don't keep up. I wanted to build something that gives real, current, practical information alongside the beauty and culture that makes Cuba magnetic.
I'm not a travel blogger. I work in healthcare IT. But I've spent 20+ years turning trip planning into a science — spreadsheets, maps, budget trackers, the works. Discover Cuba combines that planning obsession with AI technology to help you build a trip that actually works, with real prices and honest recommendations.
How This Site Came to Be
What was supposed to be a week in Havana turned into an island-wide exploration — Trinidad, Viñales, Cienfuegos. The reality was so different from expectations. The warmth of the people, the complexity of daily life, the music that never stops. Cuba demands to be understood, not just visited.
Multiple return visits, each one going deeper — Santiago de Cuba, Baracoa, Camagüey, the rural countryside. Building relationships with casa particular owners, learning the real transportation network, documenting prices and logistics that change with every season.
Years of notes, photos, and trip planning spreadsheets finally become a real travel resource — with an AI trip planner, honest pricing, and destination guides built from actual experience. Not recycled content. A guide for people who want to see the real Cuba.
The People Behind the Pages
Healthcare IT professional by day, travel planning obsessive the rest of the time. Based in Southern California. 40+ countries visited, but Cuba stands out as one of the most rewarding and challenging destinations. The dual currency, the casa particular system, the Viazul buses — Cuba rewards preparation. This site exists to give travelers the practical knowledge that generic guides miss.
What You'll Never Find Here
We built this site because we got tired of Cuba travel content that's secretly a press trip recap or a sponsored hotel review dressed up as honest advice. We don't want you to experience the same challenges we did — early on and even recently. Discover Cuba exists because we wanted the resource we wished we had back in 2003.
ever
free hotel stays
travel planning
CUP & USD
More Than a Travel Blog
Discover Cuba isn't a collection of "Top 10" listicles. It's a living resource built on real travel experience and technology that actually helps you plan a better trip. Here's what makes us different:
- Video guides for select destinations — see the waterfalls, streets, and beaches before you book
- An AI trip planner that builds custom itineraries with real prices in CUP and USD
- Every price listed in both CUP and USD, updated regularly based on what we actually pay
- Content from real on-the-ground experience — not recycled resort reviews
Get the Guide Before Everyone Else
We're building new destination guides, video content, and trip planner features every month. Drop your email and we'll send the good stuff first — no spam, no affiliate dumps, just real Cuba travel intel from two people who actually go there.
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