Angela and James tied the knot on 7th June this year and, five days later, they embarked on their honeymoon to Latin America organised through Royal Travel, splitting three weeks equally between two countries: Cuba and Mexico.
In Cuba, they enjoyed a road trip that saw them visit most of the island’s Western coast, starting off at the capital Havana, and continuing with rural tobacco town Viñales, pearl of the South Cienfuegos, quaint colonial town Trinidad and Cuba’s version of Comino, Cayo Santa Maria, before returning to Havana for their final night.
Angela credits her husband as the sole driver throughout the trip and admits that she wouldn’t have felt comfortable sitting behind the wheel. “Not only do you have to get used to driving on the other side of the road, but some road conditions were not wholly unreminiscent of Malta,” Angela recalls.
James stifles a smile but agrees that some stretches of road were indeed quite unforgiving. “Distances in the Americas are far longer than what we are used to here, and most highways are never-ending stretches of road with no pit-stops along the way – popping a tyre in the middle of nowhere would definitely have caused a dent, and I’m not only referring to vehicle damage.”
The road conditions might have left a lot to be desired, but their proximity to such a warm, lively, unique and laid-back culture compensated for the bumps along the way. Part of their lodging arrangements across Havana, Viñales, Trinidad and Cayo Santa Maria took the form of casas particulares – a system where Cuban people open their own living quarters to travellers, with their estate doubling as both a home and a guest house.
Although James and Angela were keen on immersing themselves in the culture, they opted for a more private arrangement. “We didn’t want to spend our quality time with people we didn’t know, so we selected boutique-hotel-style casas particulares that gave us the best of both worlds,” Angela explains.
Both are hesitant to pick a favourite spot, but, after giving it some thought, Angela and James agree that Havana is the most vibrant of all. “It’s very rich culturally and the buildings are not only beautiful but a rare treat to an eye which is accustomed to more Western styles of architecture,” Angela asserts.
James recalls the warm, friendly and vivacious atmosphere prevalent throughout Cuba, but especially in the capital. “It was a mystical experience walking at night through music-filled streets jam-packed with dancers and life,” he says.
Trinidad, on the other hand, was the best-kept city they visited. Its cobbled roads, neo-baroque square and vast usage of horses and carriages was evocative of idyllic life in the early 20th century. Equally mystifying, with backdrops of mountains and beautiful valleys, tobacco capital Viñales was another highlight, with the pair able to witness the entire tobacco-farming and cigar-making process first-hand.
It was soon time for the second country on their travel itinerary. A short flight from Havana to Cancun in Mexico transported them from exciting island to blissful paradise. James and Angela wanted a more relaxing ending to their honeymoon, and Royal Travel had the newlyweds set up in two different hotels, including an all-inclusive resort, for the ultimate comfort experience in Mexico.
Their time at the resort was split between long tanning sessions by the pool sipping on cocktails and shopping around Playa del Carmen. Having gotten their sightseeing fix during their Cuban road trip, the couple opted for two day trips on their second leg of their honeymoon: one to Chichén Itzá and the other to Tulum.
Both expeditions included visits to different Mayan structures, yet the couple agree that Chichén Itzá provided the more wondrous experience.Their last three nights were spent in a different but equally pleasurable and memorable resort in Puerto Morelos. Multiple DJs were spread across the hotel, with one even located in the reception.
Do they have a favourite country? “Cuba was more rural, happy and lively, while Mexico had overall better WIFI access,” Angela muses. In the end, James leans towards Mexico for its comfort and ease, while Angela settles for Cuba’s unique, quirky and laid-back aura as her final answer.
Both decide that preference is ultimately a matter of opinion, as both countries cater for all types of travellers. “It is a completely different type of lifestyle on that side of the world, and total enjoyment boils down to one’s ability and willingness to forego European social norms and immerse oneself in it.”