World-Famous Celebrities Who Visited Cuba

Far from the skyscrapers and high-tech conveniences of the modern age, Cuba draws a unique profile with its natural beauty, warm people, and colorful, nostalgic cities—captivating world-famous figures from all over the globe.

Here are some of the international celebrities who have visited Cuba:

Beyoncé and Jay Z

Beyoncé and her rapper husband Jay Z walked the historic streets of Old Havana, drawing a crowd of hundreds of locals eager to catch a glimpse of the couple.

They visited Cuba in April 2013 for their fifth wedding anniversary and dined at the iconic restaurant La Guarida, where police had to intervene to manage the crowd. Their mothers also joined them on the trip.

Katy Perry

Pop star Katy Perry visited Cuba in October 2015, calling the country “one of the most ALIVE feelings ever” and describing it as “Disneyland for creative minds.”

She said the highlight of her trip was visiting La Colmenita, an after-school music program for children:

“This program gave me a joy I’d never experienced before and a rhythm I’d never felt. It was electrifying!”

Ludacris

The rapper Ludacris celebrated his birthday in September 2015 in Cuba with fellow artist Usher, calling it “The Best Birthday Ever.”

Josh Hutcherson

The Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson visited Cuba during the filming of Seven Days in Havana, a film made up of seven short stories about life in Havana, each directed by a different filmmaker.
He was joined by actors and directors including Benicio Del Toro.

Ry Cooder

Renowned slide guitarist Ry Cooder produced the 1997 album Buena Vista Social Club, which introduced previously unknown Cuban musicians to the international stage.

Cooder first visited Cuba in 1996, recording with local artists—many of whom were veterans of Havana’s famed Buena Vista Social Club.

Together with collaborator Juan de Marcos González, Cooder organized a group of legendary Cuban musicians and recorded at EGREM Studios in Havana. The album went on to win the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album.