The Best Books About Cuba You Need to Read Before You Visit

A world famous Cuban cigar
A world famous Cuban cigar | © Ba-Su / Pixabay
Jack Guy

Prepare for your trip to Cuba by reading a few of these books. Not only will it help you to understand more about the island, it might even inspire you to visit places that you hadn’t thought about before.

Havana: Autobiography of a City by Alfredo Estrada (2007)

This detailed history of the Cuban capital spans centuries and is very enlightening for anyone intrigued by the city of Havana. It’s a place that takes some explaining.

Street scene in Havana, Cuba

Anyone who would like a primer on the complex political history of Cuba would do well to pick up this book. The author is fair in her assessment of the situation, and manages to avoid taking too much of a position on a polarizing nation.

Pitching Around Fidel by S. L. Price (2014)

Cubans are known for their passion for sports, including baseball and boxing. Here Sports Illustrated writer S.L. Price looks at the reasons for their fervour and meets some of the biggest sporting heroes on a journey through the country.

Baseball practice at the Estadio Latinoamericano, Havana, Cuba

Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba by Tom Gjelten (2009)

The author expertly weaves the story of the famous rum brand, which fled Cuba following the revolution, into that of the country itself. A great read for those wondering why one of the most iconic alcohol companies in the world left the place of its birth.

Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life by Jon Lee Anderson (2010)

You will see Che Guevara everywhere in Cuba, and this book will explain why. It’s a detailed look at the Argentine revolutionary turned Cuban hero who ended up dying in Bolivia.

The image of Che is ubiquitous in Havana

Adios Hemingway by Leonardo Padura Fuentes (2005)

This novel tells the story of a fictional murder investigation during the final days of famed Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway’s last days in Cuba. It’s a thrilling read.

Dirty Havana Trilogy by Pedro Juan Gutiérrez (2002)

A fictional account of an ex-radio journalist who turns to vice after falling on hard times, this story earned Gutiérrez comparisons with Charles Bukowski for its gritty realism.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Winter Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

X
Edit article