Cuba is becoming a destination for lavish quinceanera parties - here's what they're like

Quinceañeras, which celebrate a girl's 15^th birthday and her official transition into adulthood, have been a part of Latin America tradition for centuries.

Now, thanks to the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba, in addition to reforms that have permitted small-scale private businesses, trips to Cuba are becoming more and more common among girls who are finding that lavish parties can be had at a cheaper cost on the island.

Quinceañera celebrations in Cuba typically include photo sessions with dozens of elaborate ensembles and the chance to ride to their party in gorgeous classic cars.

A photographer with the Associated Press recently documented what the world of quinceañeras is like on the island, revealing the age-old traditions that remain as well as those that have shifted over the years.