Every year, around this time, I start thinking about where I’d like to go for a summer break. Normally, the idea of hopping over the border into the U.S. would be on the table. Not this year.
Between the chaotic political climate, rising costs, and a general feeling of unrest, I’ve lost my appetite for American travel for the time being. Add to that the riots, the crowds, the long waits, and the feeling that everything’s just more expensive than it should be, and suddenly staying away doesn’t seem like such a bad idea.
So I’ve made a different decision: I’m going to Cuba.
I’m skipping the typical winter travel window and heading out during the hottest season. Yes, I’ll sweat, but who cares when you can simply take a short walk and cool off in the ocean at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Here’s why that makes sense, and why maybe you should consider it too.
Cuba offers more than beach chairs and piña coladas
It’s easy to think of Cuba as just a resort destination, but the reality is much richer. It’s history, music, and culture wrapped into one. It’s late-night salsa spilling into the streets of Havana, it’s the rolling hills of Viñales dotted with tobacco farms, it’s the quiet kindness of locals who are genuinely happy to see you. Here is why most Cuba visitor end up becoming repeat customers: The People. Cuba feels like family.
There’s a warmth to Cuba that goes beyond the weather. It feels personal. Human. And these days, that kind of travel matters more to me than ever.
Off-season travel gives you the best of both worlds
By travelling outside of the peak months—say, May through early August, before hurricane season really hits—you may be in the intense heat of mid-summer, but the heavy crowds of the holiday season are now bygone. Resorts are quieter. The staff have more time to talk, to share stories. Flights and accommodations are often far more affordable. You can get a premium experience for a fraction of what it would cost during the winter months. On Voyages Bergeron, I’ve seen prices as low as $515 for a one-week all-inclusive. Driving to the States, that probably wouldn’t even cover my gas.
Also consider that because fewer tourists are around in Cuba in the summer, your presence goes further! You’re helping support local businesses in a time when they actually need it.
It’s not just about money—it’s about peace of mind
When I think of what I want out of a trip right now, it’s not rollercoasters or flashy attractions. Or riots. It’s space to breathe. It’s an environment that feels safe, calm, and welcoming. With all that’s going on in the world, especially in the States, that sense of safety and ease has started to matter more to me than ever before.
Cuba gives me that. I know there are issues there too—no country is perfect—but as a traveller, I’ve always felt respected, welcomed, and at ease. I can sit on the beach without checking my phone every five minutes. I can walk through town without being bombarded by ads or noise. I can connect with people, face to face, without distractions. There is so very little commercialism over there, it’s a great way to detox from our Western ways.
Real travel should leave you feeling better than when you left
That’s the standard I’m holding myself to these days. I want my vacations to feel meaningful. I want to come home with stories, not receipts. I want to support places that value connection and community. Cuba does that for me.
So this year, I’m skipping the hustle of American cities and crowded airports. I’m trading it in for ocean breezes, slower mornings, and conversations with people who make me remember why I fell in love with travel in the first place.
If you’re feeling the same way, maybe it’s time to look beyond the usual options. Sometimes the best trips aren’t the ones everyone else is taking.
They’re the ones that feel right.
