Cuba feels different from the rest of the Caribbean — and I mean that in a good way

I’ve been lucky enough to visit a few Caribbean islands — DR, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and I just got back from Cuba for the first time. It honestly felt like a totally different rhythm… in the best possible way.

There’s this slower, unplugged vibe to Cuba that hit differently. No rush, no pressure, just long beach days, live music in the evenings, and genuinely warm people everywhere we went.

We spent time in both Cayo Santa María and Havana, so got a bit of both worlds, crystal-clear water and white sand one week, classic cars and cobblestone streets the next.

It’s not as polished as some other destinations, but that’s kind of the charm. It felt real.