Stunning Photography On The Streets Of Cuba

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A busker plays the guitar in Trinidad, Cuba

For travel photographers, landscapes and wildlife can be exhilarating and magical. But if you’re looking to capture the real essence of a country, the best place to find it is on the streets. And there’s nowhere more bursting with life and photo opportunities than the streets of Cuba.

I went to Cuba for no other reason than for the photography. I’d seen so many beautiful images of Cuba streets, with the ornate architecture, the charismatic people, and the eye-catching classic cars, and I was just desperate to see it all for myself. I was not disappointed.

Why visit Cuba?

The country is gradually starting to modernise, but for more than half a century Cuba was locked in a time warp. Subjugated by Fidel Castro’s Communist regime and battered by an economic embargo that prevented outside influences, the streets of Cuba have remained virtually unchanged while the world around them transformed.

Cities like Havana, Trinidad, Cienfuegos and Remedios look much as they did a century ago, with ornate, colourful buildings, cobblestones and wide plazas, entirely unspoiled by the garish signage of brands like McDonalds or Starbucks. Most of the cars you see driving about are vintage American vehicles from pre-1960, restored and repaired countless times and mostly held together with string and a prayer. It’s like being in a living museum.

Everywhere you go in Cuba you'll see beautiful classic cars on the streets — Everywhere you go in Cuba you’ll see beautiful classic cars

While Cuba’s political and economic struggles have been devastating for the country and its people in many ways, they have had one clear benefit. Frozen in time, the Cuban streets have held onto their historic beauty, with an antique charm that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

And here’s a fun fact about Cuba: did you know that it’s home to a massive NINE UNESCO World Heritage sites, making it a bucket list destination for street and travel photography.

So here are some of the photos I took on my trip, and a few tips for what to look out for and how to make the most of your time taking pictures on the streets of Cuba. You can click into each photo gallery to expand the images.

Cuban streets in colour

Cuba's streets are full of brightly-painted old buildings — Cuba’s streets are full of brightly-painted old buildings

Despite its struggles – or perhaps in response to them – Cuba is a country full of creativity, energy and vitality. It’s a vibe that really comes across as you walk the streets of Havana or Trinidad, where every building is brightly painted in different colours. Vivid shades of yellow, green, pink and blue pop out at every turn and glow magnificently in the glorious Cuban sunshine.

And it’s not just the city centres or the main streets that enjoy this vibrance. It’s the same in smaller towns and tiny, off-the-beaten-path areas. Everywhere you go with your camera, you’ll find that Cubans have poured their passion into dressing even the most run-down and dilapidated buildings in their Sunday best.

Top tip: Cuban streets in colour

For the best colour-pop photos, try shooting in RAW so that you can boost the vibrance or saturation a little (don’t overdo it though!). Or if RAW is not for you, check to see if your camera has a ‘vivid’ colour mode to really bring out the colours in your Cuban streets photos.

The crumbling buildings of Havana

Many of the buildings on the streets of Cuba have suffered decades of neglect — Many of Cuba’s buildings have suffered decades of neglect

One of the things I was especially drawn to when doing street photography in Havana was the dilapidated, crumbling buildings. The ones that hadn’t been touched or probably even lived in for many decades, their former glory still obvious despite their peeling paint and rusty ironwork.

There’s something incredibly poignant and sad about all these decaying houses, the victims of years of poverty and neglect. But from a photography point of view I think they’re incredible, with that fascinating blend of opulence and ruin that perfectly sums up Cuba’s history.

Top tip: old buildings

As you walk the streets of Havana, don’t forget to look up! Some of the houses are so decayed that plants have started sprouting from their walls; others are decorated with stunning plaster mouldings or intricate balconies and window frames.

Daily life on the streets of Cuba

Woman sweeping balcony, Havana — This woman enjoyed posing for me as she swept her balcony

In Cuba, life is lived on the streets. Everywhere you go people are outdoors making the most of the sunshine: doing business, talking with friends, repairing their houses, or simply sitting in their doorways watching the world go by.

Whether you’re there for the photography or just soaking up the vibe, the spirit of any place lies in its people, so keep your eyes peeled for interesting characters. Cuba’s streets are fantastic because they are so full of energy, and if street portraiture is your thing they provide the holy trinity: engaging personalities, great weather and quirky locations.

One of my favourite place in Cuba for street photography was Trinidad. It’s a really beautiful and colourful town, and I felt very safe walking around with my camera. I highly recommend you add Trinidad to your Cuba itinerary.

Top tip: photographing Cuba street life

People in Cuba are incredibly friendly, especially in the smaller towns and cities, so if you spot someone you’d like to photograph, just point at your camera and smile. In Trinidad I set myself a little project taking pictures of people sitting in doorways, and almost everyone I asked said yes.

Music on the Havana streets

Street musicians, Havana — A band playing Cuban rhythms on the streets of Havana

Music is an essential part of life in Cuba. From amateur musicians to the legendary melodies of the Buena Vista Social Club; from rap, jazz and rock to the more traditional salsa and rumba, in Cuba you are never more than 10 feet away from a singer, band, dance hall or music venue (probably).

But you’ll also find much of it on the streets. As you walk around Cuba’s towns and cities, you’ll come across plenty of buskers, street performers and dancers, all filling the air with their joyful rhythms. Stick about and soak it up, have a dance, or just take pictures – whatever makes you happy.

Top tip: Cuban street music

This one’s a literal top tip: if you’ve enjoyed the music or taken a few nice photos, why not pop a dollar or two in the performer’s jar? It won’t make much difference to you but could mean a lot to them.

Workers on the streets of Cuba

A book seller at Havana's second hand book market — A book seller at Havana’s second hand book market

Of course, it’s not all chilling out and having fun. People have jobs to do and businesses to run, and a lot of that happens outside too. And that makes for another brilliant angle for your Cuban street photography.

Whether it’s the famous second-hand book market in Havana, fruit and veg or meat vendors, shoe shine guys, street food cooks, road sweepers or entrepreneurs in fancy costumes selling souvenirs to tourists, the streets of Cuba are full of interesting faces going about their day. And that, of course, provides a great opportunity for interesting photography!

Top tip: Cuban workers

If you want to avoid the tourists and the clichés, try wandering down a few side streets. Get a bit lost, and you never know what – or who – you may find!

Classic Cars on the streets of Cuba

Cuba has never had its own car manufacturing industry, so in the first half of the 20th century Cubans imported hundreds of thousands of American classic cars. But in the 1960s the USA bought in a trade embargo, which meant Cuba could no longer buy new cars or even get spare parts for the all old ones.

The ever resourceful Cuban people found ways to keep their cars running, and the result is what you see today: streets full of stunning vintage cars in every possible design and colour. Even if you’re not a petrolhead (like me), these beautiful old vehicles against the backdrop of Cuba’s iconic buildings will really make your photographs sing.

Top tip: Cuban cars

Try to include people in your car photos for a sense of scale and extra interest. Or book a tour in a classic Cuban car – it will allow you to get hands on with one, and is one of the most popular things to do in Havana.

Animals on the streets of Cuba

Stunning Photography on the Streets of Cuba — Animals are a common sight on the streets of Cuba’s towns

Cuba may be full of classic cars, but in smaller towns and villages animals are also a mode of transport. You’ll often see people using horses or donkeys to pull a cart, or riding them along the streets.

There’s a gentle rusticity about seeing working animals in built-up areas that I really love.

Top tip: photographing animals on Cuba’s streets

While I think it’s fine to photograph people with their animals from a distance, I would not recommend photographing or taking a horse-drawn carriage ride. You may see these on offer on the streets of some Cuban cities, but there is a huge question mark over whether these are ethical or fair to the horses, so best avoided.

Locals playing dominoes on the streets of Trinidad

Have you been to Cuba? What was your favourite part? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Stunning Photography on the Streets of Cuba

Why visit Cuba?