Cuba Libro

05/05/2026

Our socials slumber while we support real life community, in real time. Our latest donation: 68 soccer/football jerseys to the boys from local schools Panchito Gómez Toro and Tio Ho.

Dedicating this post to our donors. We extend our deepest gratitude for walking the walk and bringing smiles to Cubans during these extraordinarily difficult times.

And BIG UPS to Team Cuba Libro who keep our local development project alive and thriving.

Our donations may not go out as fast as others, but that is because they are bundled and targeted after consulting with recipients and other community projects about needs (also: our budget is shoestring w just 1 ebike for donation distribution).

PLEASE message or email us if youd like to learn more about our reliable, transparent donation program, disarming skeptics since 2014.

12/02/2026

Need an escape? Listen to Agent Stoker poke around Havana, including your favorite bookstore/café/oasis.

We love collaborating with creatives, authors, responsible journalists and podcasters. Hit us up!

Since 2013, weve been featured and interviewed for scores of pieces, books, and podacasts. Some of our favorites: Drift; Travel Channel; Made in Cuba; AP; Minnesota Public Radio and many more.

12/01/2026

💪🏾 In 2025, the wonderfully community-minded folks at suggested we team up with nearby local project .nativa by donating our used coffee bags for their plantings.

💪🏾 Our team jumped on board ('Sweet Chief! We're swamped with saved bags. Get on the horn with the red.nativa people!') and we began this small, circular economy initiative

🌿 These dedicated and expert horticulturists are greening Vedado & Nuevo Vedado one little plant at a time in "micro nurseries"

🌿 Our oasis, on the same corner since 2013, is a green island populated by brown thumbs and nearly 100% shade. 😅 Our garden has always been...a challenge, so we turned to the experts.

🌿 Last week, Juan Carlos of red.nativa did us a solid and nurtured our education and collaboration by donating 'philodendron lacerum', native to Cuba. He also informed our team about where/how to plant and care for this climbing beauty, native to Cuba. Thanks for setting down its roots!

🌿 If "Mesa 1" is your favorite spot, consider giving some love to our newest addition, which has medicinal properties and will not hurt our sacred almendro tree 😍

Collaboration is the future! Climb on board, now.

07/01/2026

✊🏾 Desde 2013, PDL Cuba Libro se mantiene un lugar seguro para todos.

Que significa?
☕️ 100% libre de alcohol
☕️ 100% libre de odio
☕️ 100% libre de homo/trans/bifobia
☕️ 100% libre de racismo
☕️ 100% respeto para los demás, incluyendo los animales y plantas

🎉 lugar acogedor para todas las edades
🎉 condones de calidad gratis
🎉 agua potable gratis
🎉 la mejor vibra

Si no estás capaz de adherirte a nuestras políticas (y contrubuir a nuestra visión de paz y luz larga), nuestro oasis no está para tí.

Nuestro equipo reserva el derecho de admisión, siempre.

01/01/2026

Accepting donations while closed. Please pv message

21/12/2025

The #1 reason we are still here and relevant after 12+ years: it's the people. Although not everyone in this photo from a 2024 article is still with us at the cafe/in the country, it's no less true with our current team and community. And if you ever had questions about the cafe, this article will likely answer them. Let the mutual love and respect proliferate.

Link in first comment

07/12/2025

For new kids on the block: Since 2013, Cuba Libro has been rocking the corner of Calle 24 & 19. Little did we know we were creating an enduring legacy. Have you celebrated a birthday, wedding, homecoming, anniversary or other major event at our oasis? Do you know folks in these photos? Drop it in the comment!

These photos 2015-2016. Pictured: Angelo, Dudu, Alfredo, Sweet Chief, Amaya, Imo, Ariel, Gaby2

17/11/2025

A pesar de....

🕯🕯🕯 apagones

🤒 🤒 🤒 miembros del equipo/familiares enfermos

🍗🍗🍗 hambrita

🌀🌀🌀 huricanes

🥊🥊🥊 y la luchita generalizada

Seguimos apoyando
Seguimos bailando
Seguimos amando
Seguimos tomando café de primera

Juntos podemos. 💜

10/11/2025

Local Development Strategy #23 for keeping prices low/project growing, circa Nov 2025: People are always asking how we manage to offer 90 cup espresso (100% Cuban, 0% chicharro!) and food items (all freshly-made, in-house) beginning at less than 500 cup; pay dignified salaries & share profits; maintain free classes; and meet all tax and licensing obligations...

A big part of the strategy is 'a lo cubano:' saying 'hell no!' to programmed obsolescence and repairing (over and over and over again) our equipment. That espresso machine? Dismantled at least half a dozen times (the magnesium in Cuban water, even though we treat it, is a killer of electronics) and still going. The little toaster oven? Thermostat fixed multiple times and contact hard wired after the first couple of fixes means it soldiers on another day to make delicious bruschetta, sandwiches and more.

This is only possible thanks to the "Mago Magon" Jose Salgado who really, can fix ANYTHING, but also makes the parts, calibrates, and guarantees his work. Its really tragic to see what people throw away.

This disposable attitude has infected the island as well, but not PDL Cuba Libro. Every visit, comment, donation and kind word or deed helps us keep on steppin'

07/11/2025

Thank you. GRACIAS to our donors, collaborators and CMMLK, PDL Cuba Libro sent over 75kg of needed materials to the victims of Hurricane Melissa.

Y salimos desde la sede de nuestro Centro Memorial "Martin Luther King" hacia el Oriente de para acompañar a nuestros hermanos y hermanas afectados por el huracán Melissa.

🙌🏾🔥 Un cargamento de donaciones que, entre muchas manos y esfuerzos, logramos recopilar para servir al pueblo cubano en esta zona del país.

🇨🇺 Estaremos contando cada paso y detalle de las entregas. Esperamos, al menos, ayudar a 1100 familias con módulos de comida, ropa y aseo en Santiago de Cuba y Granma.

💜🙏🏾 ¡Que el Dios de la vida nos siga permitiendo llegar ahí donde su amor brota en medio de las dificultades!

01/11/2025

IYKYK: We are preparing a massive donation for the victims of Hurricane Melissa (will be sent with the Center Memorial Martin Luther King, Jr in Marianao) and need a volunteer to help us organize the donation. A targeted, well-organized donation makes a big difference.

Commitment: 6-8 hours
When: From Wed, Nov 5
Skills: Doesn't need too much hand-holding (but will receive lots of CL-style gratitude!); spanish not required
Contact: private message

Picture is just a portion of what we've got. Includes school and medical supplies, diapers, hygiene products, condoms, water purification tablets, toys, medicines.