Historic Backpacking Journey Across Cuba

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• published: 20 Nov 2015
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With U.S. Cuba relations improving and the American embargo soon to be lifted, I decided to race against time for an authentic experience. Subscribe and Check out my other travel videos! Blog | http://www.aperezvoyages.com Instagram | Aperezvoyages Facebook Page | https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Perez-Voyages/287145441393779 Cuba is an incredibly unique experience like no other place in the world. That experience for Americans is even better considering the difficulty to get there. Since 1962, The American Embargo imposed against Cuba not only has made like for everything native Cubans hard but for American travelers to visit as well. Since January 2015, President Barrack Obama made travel less restrictive making it easier for travelers from the United States visit the island as long as it wasn't for tourism. Because I know the effects of American Imperialism, I decided I had to race against time to visit Cuba before the inevitable, the removal of the embargo, and the invasion of mass tourism and American interest. While travel is less difficult from the U.S. to Cuba, it is still very difficult and expensive as you still have to apply for a license and fly out of South Florida. Other options, such as mine, was flying into Cancun, Mexico as my layover then flying into Havana. From the complications of politics, high travel costs, and flight delays with our Cuban airline, my mom and I successfully made it to Havana to begin a memorable journey. With time being as limited as it was, we only spend one full day in Cuba, enjoying nice walks along the Malecon to the Hotel Nacional de Cuba and American Embassy, Plaza de la Revolucion, el Capitolio watching American classic cars and salsa, to Habana viaja, and sunset watching on the Morro Castle / fort. We also enjoyed a nice evening with our hosts drinking Havana Club rum, dancing salsa and watching life on the street below. Thankfully, we had the priviledge of taking the Viazul bus to Vinales for an amazing 5 hours touring tobacco farms, indian caves, a wall mural, and finding a good deal on Cuban Cigars: Cohibas. Heading back to Havana, I was fortunate enough to interview my driver about the harsh lifestyle in Cuba, the low average salary, and how the American Embargo affects everyday Cubans. In Trinidad, we had the opportunity to enjoy walking the cobble stoned streets, listen and dance to live Cuban salsa music, drink and dance with our Casa hosts, and enjoy Playa Ancon the beach nearby. I can see why Trinidad is so popular, because it is a piece of history, nestled in between mountains and see, with American Classic cars parked in a pastel colored city. After my mom and I seperated, I continued onto Cienfuegos to enjoy more of old architecture, american classics, and sunset watching over the bay in La Punta. Although delayed with some rain and a blackout in Santa Clara, I still was able to enjoy a gorgeous view of the city and monuments of Che Guevara and the Battle of Santa Clara. Next stop was the slow paced, laid back town of Sancti Spiritus where I enjoyed a beer in the town center and Yayabo Bridge. Camaguey was a town where I extended my budget with Cuban pesos, enjoyed some ice cream, and had an amazing dinner with my casa hosts. After a 12 hour bus ride to the southeast coast, Baracoa offered a unique Carribean vibe with a small coastal town of more salsa dancing and more beach time in Playa Maguana. My last stop, Santiago de Cuba, was filled with some more sightseeing, great convos with my host, a beautiful sunset on the fort, San Pedro de la Roca Castle, and finally, my return back home. After 2 weeks in Cuba, I realized that despite the difficulties, everything was completely worth it. Life in Cuba is really hard considering people make a low salary with a lot of work, cars are expensive to buy and drive, and internet is new but limited and expensive. Despite the negative, Cuba is a really safe country and the people are really friendly, something I miss dearly. The American Embargo has made life for Cubans really hard and since this will soon be lifted, much will change in Cuba, The American Classic cars, local businesses, and authenticity will go away once American tourism opens up. After coming back, I realized that the Cuban people want and need this as they see hope in it for a better life. As long as they want that, i want it to. I am glad I learned that first hand on this amazing journey across Cuba :) Footage captured with with an iPhone 4s and GoPro3 Compiled with Final Cut Pro