Cuba is far more than its headlines. This section explains, in English, the traditions, symbols and people that shape Cuban life on the island and across the diaspora, from the numbers of the bolita to the songs everyone’s grandparents still know by heart.
Start with our complete guide to the Cuban charada and its 100 numbers, discover the Letter of the Year and find out why the flags of Cuba and Puerto Rico look alike. Music lovers can revisit Compay Segundo and Pablo Milanés, and film fans will enjoy our list of the best Cuban movies.
Cuba has 9 UNESCO sites, the world’s smallest bird and a Guantánamo rent check it cashed only once. Here are 30 fact-checked fun facts about Cuba for 2026, plus 8 popular myths that are wrong or out of date.
The 36 original figures of the charada china in English, from horse (1) to pipe (36), how Cuban bankers hung the animal and paid 30 to 1, and how the list grew into the Cuban charada.
Lourdes Margarita Torres Ortiz was born on April 29, 1940, in Guanabacoa, Cuba. From a young age, she demonstrated remarkable musical talent. At just twelve years old, she began her career as a lyrical singer in the choir of professor María Adams. However, her true entry into the larger musical scene occurred under the mentorship…
On July 14, we mark the 21st anniversary of the death of Compay Segundo, a legendary figure in Cuban music. Born Máximo Francisco Repilado Muñoz on November 18, 1907, in Siboney, a small town in Santiago de Cuba province, Compay Segundo left an indelible mark on the world of music with his exceptional talent and…
The journey of the pirulí, a quintessential Cuban treat, begins with an inspiring story of cultural fusion and innovation. This beloved candy’s roots trace back to a Basque immigrant, José Arechavaleta, who embarked on a life-changing journey from Gordexola, Spain, to Cuba. Seeking prosperity in the New World, Arechavaleta found himself at the heart of…
The Letter of the Year is an ancient tradition with Yoruba roots, deeply ingrained in Cuban Santería. It consists of a ceremony where the babalawos, Ifá priests, gather at the end of each year to consult the oracle and receive predictions about the coming year. The exact origin of this ritual is uncertain, but historians…
In 2016, a baffling phenomenon emerged in Havana, Cuba, affecting American and Canadian diplomats. This phenomenon, known as the “Havana Syndrome,” has intrigued the international medical and intelligence communities. Those affected reported a series of unexplainable neurological and auditory symptoms, creating a mystery that remains largely unsolved to this day. The first cases of the…
At the remarkable age of 64, Diana Nyad achieved a monumental feat of endurance and strength: swimming 111 miles from Cuba to Florida without the safety of a shark cage. Now, ten years following her awe-inspiring accomplishment, her story has been transformed into a Netflix film aptly titled ‘Nyad’, with powerhouse actors Annette Bening and…
Dive into the world of Cuban apps like toDus, Apklis, and Comprando en Cuba! Here’s a guide to the most sought-after apps in Cuba. Ready to download? Let’s go! 1. Apklis Apklis holds the title of being the official Android app store in Cuba, often compared to a Cuban version of Google Play. It operates…
Rebeca Martínez is a Cuban vocalist, actress, entertainer, and musical comedian recognized throughout Cuba for her participation in the television program “Para Bailar”, where she won first place along with Miguel Ángel Masjuán. Beginnings in television From a very young age, Rebeca received dance lessons at the Sociedad Artística Gallega, excelling in the Spanish genre…
Who is really Lis Cuesta Peraza, the wife of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel? What does she do? What is her biography? Is it true that she has a tattoo on her back? Why is she often the subject of memes?
Cuban singer-songwriter Pablo Milanés passed away on Monday night, November 21, at the age of 79. Milanés was hospitalized in Madrid for more than a week. Along with other prominent musicians such as Silvio Rodríguez and Noel Nicola, Milanés is considered the creator and architect of the so-called Nueva Trova. The wake will be held…