Cuba Unexplored

Picture yourself in Cuba – driving province to province on a coastal road so close to the sea that you can feel the ocean spray hit your face through the open windows, in a location so deserted that you don’t see a single vehicle for six hours. Imagine camping out in the remote Sierra Maestra mountains with a group of “campesinos” (farmers), drinking rum and playing dominos until the early hours. What would it be like to snorkel amongst the hulls of sunken warships, sunbathing on top of the wreck protruding from the water? How would it feel to row through mangrove forests, come face to face with endemic and endangered species, and make a pilgrimage to Cuba’s most sacred spot? Envisage yourself drinking mango mojitos, eating succulent seafood, and partying at sunset with local Cubans on a virginal beach with wild pigs and gangs of kids running along its shore.

These stories aren’t fiction or fantasy; they are the real experiences that we (Katya and Álvaro) had as we traveled across the East of Cuba for a project with Lonely Planet. We are two best friends, one Brit and one Cuban, living in Havana and working in tourism, who got to get up close and personal with this lesser-known region. It was an epic trip of a lifetime.

We were struck by how natural and unspoiled the landscape and the people were. It became clear how few travelers had experienced the endless beauty and intrigue of this overlooked part of the country. Heading back to Havana, we realized that these adventures were just scratching the surface of what is half of Cuba – untapped and untamed.

As is always the case, the most special part of the trip was the people: we bonded with many passionate and talented Cubans itching to work with us to offer meaningful, immersive, and fun-filled experiences in these far-flung locations. Now more than ever, in an increasingly challenging Cuba, they need us to connect them with mindful travelers so that they can make a living, share their way of life, and tell their stories to the outside world.

So, don’t just imagine yourself here – we invite you to join us as we explore the unexplored Cuba, together.

OUR FOUNDERS

Katya (@explorerpensadora)

“I am a British-born, Havana-based writer who first came to Cuba in 2017, spending a month backpacking around the island. When my taxi from the airport drove down the Malecón and through Havana’s streets for the very first time, I was instantly overcome by the feeling that this place was meant for me. I came back in 2019 to spend a year at the University of Havana as part of my degree in Latin American Studies. During this time, my real Cuban education came from living with a family in Central Havana where I had to integrate fast into the Cuban way of life so different from my own. Since then, I have worked in marketing and event planning for Cuban rum brands, boutique hotels, and travel agencies, and I am now a published writer for Lonely Planet’s latest Cuba guidebook.”

Álvaro (@alvarofoodie)

“I’m Álvaro, a Cuban entrepreneur, tour guide, and food blogger. I studied History and Sociology at Havana University and Marketing and Communications at Melbourne University in Australia. Born and raised in Cuba, but lucky enough to have also traveled to several countries, I bring the best of both worlds: using the knowledge I gained abroad with my deep local understanding of Cuba to offer the best possible experiences to travelers. With over eight years working in the travel industry in Cuba, with a focus on culinary tourism, I am passionate about connecting travelers with the stories behind every dish and every bite. For me, and perhaps for you as well, food and travel are more than just hobbies; they’re a way of life.”