Meet EEAbroad Tour Guide: Ron Infante
Meet one of our fan-favorite, expert Cuban Tour Guides, Ron! For those who already know and love Ron, we thought you’d enjoy reading what he’s has been up to. In this blog, Ron shares what it’s like being a tour guide in Havana and why he thinks everyone should come visit Cuba.
One EEAbroad experience that Ron is best known for is the quintessential Old Havana Walking Tour. And now, you don’t have to book a trip to Cuba to hang out with him and see what makes this tour so special. You can join Ron from anywhere at any time on the EEAbroad Old Havana Virtual Tour. Check out the trailer below to get a taste of what the virtual experience is all about.
So why wait? There’s no better time to Dream Now, Travel Later!
On the EEAbroad Old Havana Virtual Tour, you’ll have the opportunity to:
Learn about 500 years of history and witness the mix of old architecture and contemporary trends in Havana’s historical center.
Access intimate spaces where tourist groups can’t fit.
Enjoy an engaging, multimedia experience not only walking the streets but riding a bicitaxi.
Visit the homes of Ron’s grandma and aunt to learn about everyday life in Cuba.
Get a real taste of Cuba and feel inspired to Dream Now, Travel Later, and pre-book an in-country cultural travel experience where you can share a cup of coffee with Ron and talk in person.
In the meantime, we hope you enjoy getting to know Ron as he shares his thoughts and experiences.
Ron with a group of students from Saint Joseph’s University.
How long have you worked for EEAbroad as a tour guide?
I’ve been working with EEAbroad for about three years.
What kind of tours do you give with EEAbroad?
I usually do historic/cultural tours around Havana and Cuba (such as the Old Havana Walking Tour, which is now also offered virtually) for EEAbroad cultural travel experiences, and I also serve as an interpreter and lead Cuban guide to many experts in different fields who are part of EEAbroad custom faculty-led programs.
What makes EEAbroad stand out from other travel providers?
As an EEAbroad tour guide, I’ve had the opportunity to show a more real and down-to-earth Cuba than I did before with other travel providers and agencies. EEAbroad allows me to go beyond the tourist barrier and off-the-beaten path into the real essence of Cuba. Their itineraries are crafted in ways that travelers can experience Cuba as a participant and not just a guest. I believe this is a unique way to create unforgettable experiences. Their ever-changing itineraries are constantly adding new and interesting activities, and I’m always excited, waiting to see what’s next. This is why EEAbroad stands out from other travel agencies.
Why is the Old Havana Tour, whether experienced in-country or virtually, a "must-do" for Cuba?
The Old Havana Tour is a must for many reasons. One reason is due to its importance as a city that was established during colonial times. Havana slowly became one of the most important cities in all of the Americas due to its central location. Secondly, in visiting Old Havana, one can appreciate the incredible restoration of the historical center along with its unique fort system, which was strategically designed for defense and is the biggest in all of Latin America.
Finally, Old Havana has one of the most incredible architectural diversity of all Latin American cities, from Moorish and Baroque colonial buildings to Neo-classical and Gothic Revival churches and Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings. The Old Town of Havana is magical. On a walking tour, you will discover how sweet Cuban churros actually taste, or you can learn about how a famous and charismatic bearded homeless man got himself a bronze sculpture. The Old Havana Walking Tour will always be a must, and the awesome thing is you can now experience it virtually with me as your guide.
Check out the Old Havana Virtual Tour to get a taste of Cuba through the eyes of Ron.
What are your goals when giving tours to EEAbroad travelers?
I take great pride in what I do for a living. This job has helped me accomplish many things that would be unthinkable to many Cubans who are 29-years-old. This means that I own who I am and what I have to do for a job, and that’s why I always give my very best.
Being a tour guide sounds like an easy task, yet it’s very complicated. A tour guide has to think of many things —we have to be aware of the time, weather, traffic, and many other variables so the experience can be a success.
My goal with EEAbroad tours is to help visitors understand this rich yet complex island, and believe me when I say it’s not an easy task. However, I’m always up for the challenge. Traveling to Cuba is such an enlightening and eye-opening experience that it’s likely to never be forgotten.
I remember about four years ago; I led a tour with an Italian couple for about two weeks. We traveled around the entire country. By the end of the tour, the woman told me that they had traveled to 89 countries. I remember thinking, “Wow, that’s a lot of hours in different planes.” I’ve never been on a plane, and I’m not eager to. (I hate closed spaces.) She told me that even though they had traveled a lot, she remembered very little about most of the places they’d been. Then, she told me that it was not the first time she had traveled to Cuba.
“I came here about 20 years ago, and I remember it as clear as now.” Then she added, “Cuba changed me in ways I cannot comprehend. This is why I do not forget.”
I’ll never forget those words. Since then, that has been my goal as an EEAbroad tour guide — to do the best I can to a life-changing experience.
Ron leading a discussion with a group of students from the University of Michigan.
Why should people visit Cuba? What do you want people to know about Cuba?
Cuba has a lot to offer travelers. Those looking for an artistic experience will be able to learn about Wilfredo Lam, a Cuban painter who was taught by Pablo Picasso. Perhaps those inclined to music will go to la Casa de la Música for a splash of “Cubanism” at the rhythm of an iconic traditional Cuban band. Those in love with nature can go to Escambray Mountain. There, one can experience being surrounded by the quiet of the forest aside from the birdsongs in the background while having coconut water in a crystal clear river and wondering if this island is truly paradise.
Cuba is also a great place for sports fans, being one of the most important sports nations in the world and often having terrific results in the Olympics (despite the fact we are a small third-world country). Those that are passionate about history will be able to time travel through Cuba’s unique, restored historical centers while admiring the juxtaposition of contemporary trends. The old cars, delicious food, and most importantly, friendly people will help any traveler enjoy the simple pleasures of life. This is why you most definitely need to travel to Cuba.
This is why EEAbroad suggests Dream Now, Travel Later, and begin to get to know Cuba and Ron through a virtual tour through Old Havana.
What inspired you to be a tour guide? What do you like most about it?
Honestly, I started in tourism because it’s one of the best industries in our country. I knew from the very beginning that I had to work somewhere in which my compensation would allow me to support my family since we were not doing well economically.
Before working as a tour guide with EEAbroad, I first started with doing transportation transfers to Varadero in the Matanzas Province. Varadero is one of the biggest and most important tourist areas in Cuba, mostly known for its beaches and white sand. The transfer took nearly four hours. I would usually do those transfers after I finished my university classes around 8 p.m. I had to wait at the airport for nearly 35 passengers to arrive, then once on the bus; I would give a brief overview of Cuba and take them to their respective hotel, which was about 145 miles away.
It was exhausting. I usually got home around 4 a.m., or later, in which case, I would go directly back to university the next day looking like a zombie. During the transfer, I had to speak Spanish, Italian, and English since the transfer agency was huge and had many markets all over the world.
I remember thinking at the beginning how many gaps there were in my knowledge of Cuban history, and that’s what inspired me to become better as a tour guide — I needed to better understand my country’s story. During those transfers, I was asked many random questions, such as about Fidel Castro, weather, economics, politics, or even geography. I realized then that the gap I had wasn’t just with history. This further encouraged me to become a bookworm. Before I realized it, I was reading for my own curiosity rather than for a professional purpose.
To be honest, I think it was a necessity that inspired me to become a tour guide. My family really needed the money; however, as time passed, working in tourism allowed me to get a “bigger” picture of my people. I realized that I had a beautiful and incredible island, and just like that, I discovered my passion for Cuban culture and its people. There is nothing I enjoy more than helping others learn about Cuba.
Ron with EEAbroad Cuba Country Director, Alejandro Murillo, and EEAbroad cultural travelers.
What do you look forward to once travel resumes?
There is a lot to look forward to! I’m dying to hug my mom. She lives in Mexico, and I haven’t seen her for nearly two years now.
What's a Ron fun fact?
I love singing. I come from a family of musicians. My Dad, my uncles, and my grandfather are all musicians. However, I pretty much changed this family tradition by singing. I did practice piano until I was 18-years-old and then I won several singing competitions. Usually, when I visit my dad in Mexico, we do gigs and sing together. It’s something that I enjoy a lot. One of my dreams is to record an album with my family.
I also love superheroes. I prefer the DC Universe and Superman is my favorite superhero.
As a kid, I dreamed about being a pilot in the army. However, an accident prevented me from pursuing a military career. Thank goodness for that.
Finally, I strongly believe we are not alone in the universe.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to do photography — it’s something that I enjoy a lot. I walk all over the city and try to capture Havana in the most beautiful and interesting moments. I also love reading and playing video games.
Thanks for sharing a glimpse into your life, Ron!
We, at EEAbroad, are so glad to have Ron on our team and as an amazing tour guide. We hope you enjoyed getting to know Ron better and feel inspired to Dream Now, Travel Later by booking the Old Havana Virtual Tour led by the one and only. We can promise you it will be an experience that will leave you wanting more of Cuba.