Being in social isolation doesn’t stop us dreaming of all the places we’d like to visit; in fact, now we’ve got even more time to daydream. Escape on a virtual vacation to bring a little piece of Cuba to your living room.
Whether it’s the fluid movements of salsa dancers, the blare of a trumpet, or the waft of cigar smoke in the air, Cuba is a country that lingers in the mind. From the rural valleys in Viñales to the winding streets of Camagüey, the Caribbean nation is so much more than classic cars and pretty beaches.
Popular Films Set in Cuba
Romance:
- Before Night Falls (2000): The life and struggles of Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas.
- Fresa y Chocolate (Strawberry and Chocolate, 1993): This film explores the improbable themes of homosexuality and communism in 1979 Havana.
- The Waiting List (2000): A group of people waiting for a bus that never arrives decide to transform an old decrepit Cuban transit station.
Drama:
- Che: Part 1, The Argentine (2008): This biopic focuses on Che Guevara’s Cuban years.
- Mambo Kings (1992): A tale of two Cuban brothers who bring a different type of music to 1950s USA.
- El Ojo del Canario (2010): An atmospheric biopic of José Martí, Cuba’s national hero.
Documentary:
- Sons of Cuba (2009): A deep dive into the Havana Boxing Academy and the journey of a group of 9-year-old boys training to become the best boxers in the world.
- Havana Suite (2003): This unique documentary uses sound and images to follow 13 Cubans in their daily lives.
- Celia: The Queen (2008): A look at the life and rise to fame of Celia Cruz, the “Queen of Salsa.”
Classic Cuban Music
Cuban Hip-Hop
Cuban Classics:
- Our Man in Havana (1958): Graham Greene lampoons both the British Secret Service and Batista’s corrupt regime in this classic novel.
- The Old Man and the Sea (1952): Ernest Hemingway’s last major fiction about an aging Cuban fisherman who battles a giant marlin.
- Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life (1997): Jon Lee Anderson’s meticulous research helped unearth Che’s remains in Bolivia.
Fiction:
- Havana Blue (1991): Leonardo Padura’s whodunit novel centers on a Cuban police lieutenant solving a high-profile case.
- Dirty Havana Trilogy (2002): An in-depth study of life and sex in Havana during the Special Period.
- Three Trapped Tigers (Tres tristes tigres, 1965): Guillermo Cabrera Infante’s praised tale of a man’s quest for home in pre-Castro Havana.
Popular Cuban Podcasts
- History of the Cuban Revolution: An exhaustively detailed podcast about Cuba’s history.
- CubaCast: A podcast covering news, politics, travel, and history related to Cuba.
Spanish Language Resources
- Duolingo: Fun lessons available via app, desktop, or mobile device.
Cuba’s culinary scene has certainly grown over the years. While it may still not be on the same level as other Caribbean countries, there are numerous dishes to enjoy. Most Cuban dishes include rice, beans, meat (primarily pork, chicken, and beef), and plantains. Here’s a recipe for ropa vieja.
No trip to Cuba is complete without a classic mojito. You can easily make this sugary and herbaceous cocktail at home with a simple recipe.
Tropicana Cabaret Cuba
Valley of Viñales
Old Havana
Clasdetina
Known as “Cuba’s first independent sustainable fashion brand,” this boutique offers tote bags, hats, and t-shirts.
Alma
A small boutique that specializes in goods produced by Cuban artisans from around the country.
