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

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 Organos 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 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 like 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, like 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.