Looking for a change of surroundings during spring break without spending millions of dollars to have fun? Don’t search any longer, Cuba is waiting for you. Thanks to former President Barack Obama who lifted the embargo imposed on the island since 1962, you can now go to Cuba and enjoy the sun, the beach, the mountain, and the food. And you will definitely not regret it, as it is an island of many surprises.

The first surprise is not the most pleasant one, however, being that the logistical process can be pretty stressful. Indeed, tourism is not yet officially authorized for American citizens or for any person flying from the US to Cuba. But when you are asked the purpose of your trip, you can actually go under the “support to the Cuban people” flag. This is not illegal because as an unofficial tourist, you spend money which is a way of supporting the Cuban economy. Furthermore, the Cuban people are happy to welcome you so you will not have any problem entering the country once there. And when you come back to the US, although the custom officer may not be the nicest person you will meet in your life, you don’t have anything to worry about as why you are entering American soil, especially if you are traveling on an American passport. Now that the logistical problem is lifted off your shoulders, the fun part begins.

What to do in Cuba?

Cuba may not be very big, but you can do absolutely everything: hike, lounge on beautiful beaches, visit engaging museums, explore various cities, eat amazing food, and drink awesome cocktails. It is probably one of the best vacation spots when traveling with people who have different wishes because everybody can be easily satisfied. Depending on the length of your stay, you can visit the whole island which takes a minimum of three weeks. If you have less time, you can just stay in Havana and do a couple of trips a little further away for a day or two, which is great for a one week vacation.  

A must-do on your list is of course the capital, Havana, one of the many surprises the country offers. There you can see the beautiful and colorful monuments in the old city, and only a couple of meters away, you end up in a “ruined” street. This contrast shows the true colors of the communist regime. But even though misery still lingers in the country, you will never see people happier than in Cuba. Always talking to you, giving you advice, and smiling no matter what, they will make it worth your while.

If you want to hike and see nature, another spot on your to-do list should be Vinales, the amazing valley where the landscape will take your breath away, just a couple of hours away from Havana. Large crops, high mountains, and wooden houses will surround you throughout your hike. A last stop for a short vacation in Cuba apart from the postcard-like beaches is Trinidad, a typical town and a little less touristic spot than the first two places mentioned above.

These three spots are the main destinations for tourists and must be seen. However, you will be surrounded by tourists from everywhere which can be a little frustrating. This is why you must go to Cuba before the island opens itself even more, before it loses all its charm and traditions. Going to Cuba is like hopping in a time machine and seeing how life was 60 years ago, with the old cars, no internet, no flush lavatories or no grocery stores with unlimited supply. If you want a real change of scenery and a break from the “outside” modern world, Cuba is the perfect place for you.

Ojo! Last bit of advice to avoid a bad surprise: be prepared to buy bottled water because you can’t drink it from the tap. Also, the best time to go to Cuba is during the spring as it is already very hot at that time, while other seasons are all-but-unbearable.

To sum up, if you don’t want to go to those overrated destinations such as Mexico or Miami and prefer to go off the beaten track while spending an amazing break, Cuba will provide you with everything you need. Be ready to enjoy the $2 mojitos, responsibly of course!

photo credit: szeke Havana via photopin (license)

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Marie Terrier is a French exchange student at Georgetown University in Washington DC in the Fall 2016 and Spring 2017 semesters. While her home institution Sciences po Lyon provided classes in all social sciences disciplines, she specialized herself in the United States in history and international relations. When she comes back to France, she is going to start a master’s degree in journalism, as she wants to be a journalist in international relations. Marie is using her year abroad to travel to many places across the US and even in other countries such as Canada and Cuba. She also loves track and field and helping people by given them advice, therefore, she can’t wait to share her own amazing experience!
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