is it better than say mexico or hawaii?

everyone is all about the dominican these days but cuba looks so gorgeously exotic... any experiences to tell of? i want to book a vacay for early next year and it's time to investigate now.

Cuba is amazing. gorgeous landscape. La Habana is such a pretty city.
check out La Bodegita del Medio (Hemingway's fav back in the day) and Tropicana. They are a bit of tourist traps, but I think when you're there, why not.
if you want to travel around, you might get yourself a personal driver, it's really recommendable, they know all the good spots.
enjoy!

sounds great thank you!

My mom was born there and I can't go till I get my Greek passport but she says it's gorgeous. She's showed me pics and stuff and its real pretty. Like you said , it's not the typical Mexico and Dominican Republic destinations (even though theyre gorgeous). And prob less tourists since therell be like no Americans.

Cuba is a very beautiful Island.

The people are friendly...

Everything is really affordable

Everything is like first class to the moment you land in Cuba to the moment to take off from Cuba.

The only thing you have to watch out for is the woman are wild down there and just love tourist... The local Cuban people can your personal tour guide, personal maids etc all at a really low price.

The food is better in Cuba than in Dominican. The island is nicer too, a nicer and very varied landscape, with distinct regions. The beaches are probably similar, although I think that Varadero (Cuba) is nicer than Bavaro (DR). Also, as mentioned, there is a bit of culture if you want it (eg, Hemingway), which DR totally pales in comparison.

Compared to Mexico: that's tough. Mexico is a huge country. If you're comparing Cuba, to say, just the Yucatan, then they're comaparable in some ways. Cuba is safer. I like both Cuban and Mexican food, but they are different. Cuba might have a very slight beach edge also. But I've heard good things about some beaches on the Pacific side of Mexico, so that's yet another comparison.

I've never been to Hawaii, but it is much more expensive than any of your other choices. Although, except for some more-populated sections, everyone says it truly is like paradise there.