Claire Boobbyer home page

Travel, insight, images

Riveted by a friend’s tale of hearing Elton John’s Candle in the Wind '97 set to reggae in the back streets of Santiago de Cuba, and knowing Pope John Paul II had asked Fidel Castro to reintroduce Christmas Day as a public holiday, I left for the Caribbean.

I arrived in Havana a few days before Christmas 1998 with a Mum-made Christmas cake. Cuban customs insisted the cake went through X-ray, quizzed me about its cultural connotations, and gasped at its monster weight. I’ve been returning to Cuba ever since.

I write for The Telegraph, The Independent, The Guardian, BBC Travel and The Times. Magazine bylines include The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, Wanderlust, CondΓ© Nast Traveller, Time Out, Travel&Leisure Asia and National Geographic Traveller.

I've penned guidebooks to Cuba, Guatemala, Morocco, Vietnam and Laos. My latest guide, the award-winning Havana Pocket Precincts, is published by Hardie Grant. I project managed and edited dozens of city and country guides while working for publishers Time Out, Michelin and Footprint.

My images have appeared in international magazines, newspapers, guides and illustrated books.

I've worked with US, Australian and British tour companies as an itinerary designer, fixer, guide and tour manager in Cuba bringing my 20 years' experience on the island to these roles.

I'm the Cuba expert for bespoke travel curator Essentialist.Β  www.insidecuba.co is dedicated to Cuba stories, and to trip planning.


Copywriting & Consultancy

  • Cuba Travel Network
  • Cuba Private Travel
  • Esencia Experiences
  • Thomson Holidays
  • Consultant, meeting organiser, and tourism and economy report writer for NGO Fauna & Flora International
  • Adviser and fixer to journalists and photographers

Guidebooks

Radio, reviews, interviews &Β awards

Trip design & planning

  • Essentialist
  • Political Tours
  • Private clients

Guidebooks

  • Co-author, Footprint FocusΒ GuatemalaΒ (2011), 1st edition
  • Co-author, FootprintΒ Belize, Guatemala & Southern MexicoΒ (2005 & 2008),Β 1st & 2nd edition
  • Major contributor, FootprintΒ Mexico & Central America (Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras & Mexico) 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2008
  • Researcher and writer, Alastair Sawday’s Green Places, 1st edition (2006)
  • Author, FootprintΒ Guatemala 1st edition (2002)

Radio, reviews, interviews & awards

Southeast Asia stories

Press features

Guidebooks & Apps

Radio, reviews, interviews & awards

Morocco stories

Press features

Guidebooks & Apps

Latest news


Havana’s hottest new stays

Life in the fast lane

For commissions, image enquiries & to discuss projects contact me on info@claireboobbyer.com

I've worked closely on copywriting projects for several Cuba tour companies. I create compelling content due to my intimate knowledge and love of the island developed through dozens of trips over the last 20 years. I'm available to work on any branding or new freelance projects.