We booked 2 weeks at an all-inclusive resort but hated it. After 3 nights, we left to create a better vacation.

The beaches in Varadero, Cuba, were beautiful, but we wanted to see more of the country than just sand and sea. 

A few years ago, my partner and I decided to go to an all-inclusive resort for the first time.

The resort was in Varadero, Cuba, and our package seemed like an excellent value since the property had everything we thought we needed on-site — accommodations, meals, activities, and entertainment.

We were on a tight budget, so we also liked knowing how much the holiday would cost upfront. It sounded so good that my sister even flew out from Australia to join us.

When we arrived, we felt like we were in paradise. The three of us spent hours soaking up Caribbean vibes while lounging on the beach and enjoying the bottomless booze and buffets.

But — and I cringe admitting this — by day three, we started to get bored.

Our meals felt repetitive since they were all being served on the same property. We’d stopped drinking the unlimited alcohol because we’d experienced horrible hangovers. And though the resort had activities available, we found ourselves growing uninterested in the karaoke and games.

Before long, we felt trapped in our very large, very Westernized resort. Although we’d already paid and committed to staying there for two weeks, we unanimously decided to leave early.

After only three nights, we left our biggest suitcase in the room, packed our essentials in smaller backpacks, and set off to explore more of the Caribbean country.

We had the time of our lives experiencing Cuba outside our resort

We ended up having the time of our lives exploring Cuba.

First, we took a bus to Trinidad, a picturesque colonial town with pastel-colored buildings, cobblestone streets, and some of the most hospitable people on the planet.

We paid $10 a night to stay with a local couple who prepared us fresh lobster for dinner at a small charge. They told us about life in modern-day Cuba and took us salsa dancing under the stars.

From there, we headed to Viñales, near the beautiful Sierra de los Órganos mountains and the Viñales Valley. We rented bikes and cycled around, visited a coffee farm, and explored local caves.

Last on our circuit was the capital city of Havana. Highlights included visiting El Floridita, one of the famous writer Ernest Hemingway’s old haunts, and going on a cigar and rum factory tour.

As we walked along Havana’s waterfront and marveled at the crumbling buildings and vintage cars, I felt as if we’d finally experienced the “real” Cuba.

Or, at the very least, a more authentic version of it than what we’d seen from the resort.

We still haven’t changed our minds about resort travel

All-inclusive travel is great for people who love to lounge and don’t want to venture out of a resort for food or entertainment, but we can confidently say it’s just not for us.

We even recently tested the waters again with another resort-style holiday, this time in Bali with our three kids. But despite the luxury property’s perks, such as a kids club and multiple pools, we hated it.

Instead of staying at curated slices of paradise, we prefer to connect with locals and experience authentic countryside and cuisine on trips. For us, that’s the best part of traveling to another country and what keeps us hungry for more adventures.