Trip Bacon

Rick Steves' Guide to Cuba

Rick Steves' Europe

Rick Steves' Europe

🥉Knowledgeable

👁️ 31K views📅 2 weeks ago⏱️ 43:41

Atlas Ocean Voyages

World Traveller

What This Creator Said

3½ Happy Bacon

Creator RecommendsTips & Advice🥉Knowledgeable Creator

👦 Best for Family (Teens)Veteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

I was just there with my family. We learned a lot and I'm so glad to share with you the lessons I've learned.

I cannot imagine, frankly, anybody skipping the opportunity to let a local guide enjoy the business and have an insider to take you privately around.

When you connect with the people in Havana, that's what gives you the most vivid memories.

Don't even bother with hotels. That's absolutely right. The hotels are booked up, they're charging too much, and I don't know why you'd stay in a hotel.

Creator's Tips & Advice

✓Hire a private local guide for the first few days to navigate the complexity.

✓Stay in 'casa particular' (private homes/B&Bs) instead of hotels for a better experience and to help locals.

✓Bring crisp new bills (20s and 50s) because credit cards do not work.

✓Change US dollars into local pesos at hotels or exchange desks; do not try to spend dollars directly.

✓Use taxis to get around, but consider hiring a driver for longer trips between cities to avoid bus station chaos.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Legality of travel — Travel through an educational tour or declare one of the 12 categories for a general license and stick to your story.

Finding a place to stay — Avoid hotels; book a casa particular via Airbnb or similar to get a better, more authentic experience.

Safety — The creator felt completely safe even in poor neighborhoods at midnight.

Questions This Creator Answers

QHow do Americans legally travel to Cuba?

QWhat is the best way to find accommodation in Cuba?

QHow should travelers handle currency and money in Cuba?

QIs Cuba safe for travelers?

QWhat are the best ways to get around the country?

Port Highlights

Havana4 Happy Bacon

Top: Private local guide ($100 a day)

Trinidad4½ Happy Bacon

Viñales4½ Happy Bacon

Top: Horse ride through the valley

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Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

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YouTube Video Description↓

In this travel lecture (from 2016 — with updated message from Rick in 2026), Rick Steves describes his experience traveling through Cuba as the US began easing decades of travel restrictions for American tourists. Expand your travel horizons and learn about the time-passed elegance of Havana, Cuba's classic American cars, fine $5 rum, the best Cuban cigars, and the idealistic charms of this remarkable island and its people. (Produced by Seattle's KCTS 9.) UPDATE: The entry requirements for Americans visiting Cuba have changed since this was filmed in 2016. Check the latest details before planning your trip. *Check out more Rick Steves’ Europe travel resources:* • “Rick Steves’ Europe” public television series: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show • “Travel with Rick Steves” public radio program: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/radio • European tours: https://www.ricksteves.com/tours • Guidebooks: https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/guidebooks • Travel gear: https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/ • Travel classes: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/travel-talks • Rick Steves Audio Europe app: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-europe Rick Steves, America's most respected authority on European travel, writes European travel guidebooks, and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio.