
Cuba Through a Photographer's Eyes
Type “Cuba” into your search engine and the first photos you’ll see are bright images of old-school cars and colonial-style buildings. But that’s a small part of Cuba. The real Cuba is chattering local women, cooling down with cups of lemonade, or fishermen passing time on the Malecón. Yes, the cars are there (and they are Insta-worthy) but there’s much more to local life on the island. For those of us who can’t hop on one of the first, direct commercial flights to Cuba from the United States, here’s a look at the island nation through the eyes of photographer Luis Cárdenas.
By
AFAR Editors
, AFAR Staff
- 1 / 13The Best Way to Start the DayCuba’s famous cigars are part of daily life in Havana.
Photo by @lvis.ca - 2 / 13Cuban CarsIt’s true that there are many old American cars in Cuba, but this popular model, called a Lada, actually comes from Russia.
Photo by @lvis.ca - 3 / 13Fiesta de CumpleañosHow to party in Havana!
Photo by @lvis.ca - 4 / 13Freshly BakedWherever that bread is going, we’d like to go too.
Photo by @lvis.ca - 5 / 13Viñales ValleyEver smoked a Cuban cigar? Those tobacco leaves were probably grown on a plantation like this one, located in the Viñales Valley.
Photo by @lvis.ca - 6 / 13Making ShadeThe best way to stay cool in the hot Cuban sun? By creating your own shade, of course.
Photo by @lvis.ca - 7 / 13Cooling DownDrinking cocktails is another way to take a break from the Havana heat.
Photo by @lvis.ca - 8 / 13Trinidad UpkeepTrinidad is famous for its colorful architecture, and this blue facade doesn’t disappoint.
Photo by @lvis.ca - 9 / 13Afternoon RideA young guajiro (farmer) takes a ride in Viñales Valley.
Photo by @lvis.ca - 10 / 13Fruit VendorIn Santiago, you can buy mamey—a mild, soft fruit that’s often compared to a sweet potato—for an afternoon snack.
Photo by @lvis.ca - 11 / 13Carriage on the MaleconThat’s one way to get around!
Photo by @lvis.ca - 12 / 13Sweet RidesWe just can’t resist these rides.
Photo by @lvis.ca - 13 / 13Looking NorthTwo young fisherman look north from Havana’s iconic Malecón.
Photo by @lvis.ca