More Than Just a Tourist in Cuba
I’m a group travel planner organizing travel experiences around the world that have a positive impact. This year I’ve put together a group trip for solo travelers to explore Cuba. US travel to Cuba can be a little tricky to organize due to the restrictions on American tourism but we can go under the ‘Support the Cuban’ people category. We should all consider traveling in a way that gives back wherever we go, and especially in a country like Cuba that is suffering the isolating effects of the US embargo.
Let’s be honest; Cuba doesn’t always have the most positive portrayal in the media. Whether it’s movies, TV shows, or even books, there’s a lot of negative stereotypes playing into people’s fears and adding to misconceptions and misunderstandings about the country.
So, why should you join me and travel to Cuba?
It’s simple — those negative stereotypes are not a true representation of what the country really is.
Worth All the Hurdles
Cuba is wonderful, beautiful, and a feast for the eyes (and mouth). It boasts a rich history, colorful architecture, yummy food, and exciting Latin music. Most of all, Cuba is filled with friendly, warm, and welcoming locals who always seem to have smiles on their faces, whatever their circumstances may be. Don’t let anybody — or any TV show — try to tell you otherwise or keep you from seeing the country first-hand.
If you’re an American, you might be wondering, how am I able to experience the beauty of Cuban culture firsthand? Doesn’t the U.S. government have restrictions and embargos on traveling there?
You’re not totally off-base, but you’re not totally right either–it’s a very common misconception for Americans to think they cannot travel to Cuba. There are definitely restrictions for Americans traveling to Cuba, but visiting the country isn’t outright banned. The restrictions and embargo placed on the country mostly concerns the distribution of goods. This is why basic necessities, like medicine and even household goods, are difficult to afford for Cuban people.
However, U.S. travel to Cuba is still authorized. The only catch is that you can’t go as a straight-up tourist. That’s the only real “restriction,” and there are still 12 approved categories for traveling to the country.
There’s nothing really stopping you from having a culturally immersive travel experience in Cuba. Don’t get me wrong—there are more things to consider and definitely hoops to jump through, but all that was worth the time and effort once I got to explore Cuba.
Being a More Mindful Traveler
Cuba is still largely a hidden travel gem, especially for us Americans. The country is full of natural beauty, filled with mountains, waterfalls, hidden caves, and hundreds of stunning beaches — many of which are still free from the marks of overtourism (something I value heavily).
My trip to Cuba helped make me a more mindful traveler. Instead of only thinking of the experiences I can gain, I was also mindful of the impact I could make towards the locals I met. It made me be a more responsible buyer and think more about whether my money was actually benefiting the local community.
This proved invaluable in my aim to give back and support the local communities.
As a group travel organizer, it made me be more mindful of the destinations and accommodations I chose. It made me consider each and every travel decision I made more carefully and be more respectful of the local way of life.
Leaving a Positive and Lasting Impact
Many don’t know that I was on my way to Cuba in March of 2020 with a suitcase full of supplies for the Cuban people. Needless to say, neither I nor that suitcase made it to Cuba three years ago. We got halted in Miami as the world started to shut down, and I was heartbroken.
My suitcase ended up getting donated to a nearby homeless shelter, and I made a pact with myself that I would go back again with the same mission of helping as much as I possibly could.
I had no idea at that time that I’d not only be back three years later with two giant suitcases full of supplies, but that I’d be starting a travel business and bringing groups with me to Cuba to help support its people as much as we can.
Each group trip to Cuba will be a Positive Impact Trip, which is 100% in support of locals. I went to Cuba this time with the aim to give back to the Cuban people. I will be staying in casas with local hosts, taking tours and classes with locals, and having authentic culturally immersive experiences that support the Cuban people.
The idea of giving back when traveling isn’t a new concept.
The thing is, not a lot of tourists think about it. Many tourists, focused on how they’ll spend their vacation time, only think about their own experiences. If they ever do think about giving back, it’s usually along the lines of how their money might help boost the local economy.
Positive impact travel made me think deeply about how I could leave a mark on my travels. Each trip I’ve taken has left a mark on me–some significantly more than others. So it’s important to think about how I can do the same for the locals I meet and the countries I’ve fallen in love with.
Instead of focusing only on myself and what I can gain from my visit, I’ve focused on also giving back and supporting the locals who have welcomed me to their countries with open arms. I put myself in their shoes, thought about their needs, and did my best to give back after I received so much from my own travel experiences.
What You Can Do for Cuban People
How can you help support Cuban people? You don’t need to do something grand or extravagant. I certainly didn’t. What you need to do is learn and be open minded and genuinely curious about people’s situations, take note of what they need, and listen to local guidance.
Cubans don’t need outsiders with hero complexes sweeping in, thinking they know what their country needs. What they need are people open to understanding the country, their complex history, their current situation, their needs, and acting upon those accordingly without judgment.
They need people who can share their experiences with others, who can listen to the locals’ stories and bring them to light so more people will know about them and extend a helping hand.
Cuba Donation List
If you’re planning to take a trip to Cuba, here are some of the best gifts and donations to help the Cuban people right now:
Paracetamol or Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Ibuprofen
Aspirin
Multivitamin supplements (especially B6, folic acid, and children’s vitamins)
Muscle pain relief gels or creams
Vicks VapoRub
Blood pressure medications
Antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, doxycycline, or azithromycin (even if not a full course, they will take them)
Soap or body wash
Shampoo and conditioner
Dog and cat deworming medications
Tick or flea treatments
Clothes and shoes (especially anything name brand like Nike)
Children’s toys
Gifts and donations like these may not seem like much to you and I, but for the Cuban people, the smallest items can make a huge difference.
I just took two suitcases with me full of donations in March, but if you want to get involved, I’ll be taking a group trip in December and taking donations over again. If you want to join in and support the Cuban people directly, you can come along.
Group Travel Like No Other
As I’ve mentioned, traveling to Cuba comes with a few more hoops to pass through than a typical trip. Planning any international trip can already take a lot of time and energy to get organized but even more so when there are extra logistics to consider—it’s situations like these that having someone to take care of all the organizing is invaluable. Group travel planners do much more than schedule activities. In my case, I not only make sure that you have all the requirements met to take a trip to Cuba that’s legally supported under one of the currently approved reasons for travel, but I also make sure you have a transformative travel experience that gives back to the local people.
It’s even better when you’ve got someone who truly prioritizes culturally immersive travel experiences — someone who already immersed themselves in the culture, knows the local hangouts, can speak the language, and much more.
You know you’re not getting cookie-cutter group travel packages with me. You’re getting authentic experiences, really learning the culture, and most importantly, connecting with the locals. You get a meaningful group trip where you can give back to the locals who have helped enrich your life by welcoming you into their country.
Visit Cuba With Me!
It’s no exaggeration when I say that visiting Cuba is one of the most transformational travel experiences I’ve ever had. If you’re interested in having a life-changing and culturally immersive travel experience yourself, don’t hesitate to sign up for my January 2024 Cuba group trip.
