If you are travelling to Cuba, then you need to be aware of the potential dangers. While Cuba does have one of the lowest crime rates throughout Latin America, and is one of the safest tourist destinations, nowhere is completely immune to crime. It is always better to be safe than sorry, so listed below [...]]]> Tweet

If you are travelling to Cuba, then you need to be aware of the potential dangers. While Cuba does have one of the lowest crime rates throughout Latin America, and is one of the safest tourist destinations, nowhere is completely immune to crime. It is always better to be safe than sorry, so listed below are some of the risks you could face.

Of the crimes found, petty crime is most common. Pick pockets operate in all tourist destinations, Cuba included. Be aware when you are in crowded areas, and good advice is to keep your wallet in your front pocket where it is less accessible. Keeping your passport in your hotel safe is a wise move, and making sure your suitcase has a padlock doesn’t hurt. This allows you to lock everything away to prevent temptation.

Sexual crime is very rare in Cuba, but some individuals will take their chances. As a female tourist you must be vigilant about the young Cuban men who may try to befriend you. Male tourists meanwhile need to be careful not to accidentally perpetrate sexual crimes. Foreigners have previously been charged with crimes against minors; make sure to ask for ID to ensure that any female companion is of legal age.

Car crime occurs in Cuba. It is rare for an entire car to be stolen, but it is much more likely that parts of a car, such as windscreen wipers or hub caps could be stolen. To prevent this, it is worth while paying a dollar or two to a parking attendant in order for them to keep an eye on your car. These small stolen parts can be sold on easier than a car, and is the most likely form of crime you could encounter.

You do not need to be worried about violent crime in Cuba. The violent crime rate is incredibly low, and especially so against tourists. The people you will meet are very friendly and helpful, and it is really very unlikely that you would be mugged while there. In order to make sure of this, do not go anywhere dark and isolated with people that you’ve only just met. If you are in a public place you will be safe.

In fact, when visiting Cuba the biggest risks you face will be at the hands of other tourists rather than Cubans, but so long as you are sensible, this is also very low.

The island of Cuba is a land of great beauty and a lot of contrasts, nowhere more evident than in the capital city of Havana, and in many ways typified by El Malecon.  Stretching for about seven kilometres, or a little over four miles from the mouth of Havana Harbor in the old part of [...]]]> Tweet

The island of Cuba is a land of great beauty and a lot of contrasts, nowhere more evident than in the capital city of Havana, and in many ways typified by El Malecon.  Stretching for about seven kilometres, or a little over four miles from the mouth of Havana Harbor in the old part of the city to Vedado, or downtown, it is often called ‘the soul of the city’ – and that applies in many respects to the country as well, since almost every every coastal city has its own ‘malecon’.

El Malecon translates as ‘the breakwater’, ‘the promenade’, ‘the embankment’ and other variations, but it is really all of them.  It’s a seawall that protects a broad pedestrian walkway running along the coast, with the open sea on one side and a fascinating display of Havana’s different aspects on the other.  A landmark in its own right, the Malecon is also one of those enticing (and fairly rare) spots where a visitor can blend right into the local lifestyle with barely a ripple.

The promenade is a popular hangout for Cubans of every sort, from small children to elderly cane- and wheelchair-assisted grandfolks, including a good portion of young lovers admiring the sunsets and each other.  A visitor strolling along the walkway is almost always greeted with smiles and hello’s – in Spanish and English – and it’s easy for a stranger to feel like a part of the whole scene.

First time visitors to the city should make the Malecon one of the first stops on their agenda, as there is no better place to soak up the essence of Havana at its best.  The views alone are well worth a long look, and sunsets are almost invariably spectacular.  If the weather is stormy the spectacle is even more intense, but it’s also likely to be wet; it’s not unusual for good-sized waves to crash over the seawall and douse walkway and pedestrians alike.

Construction on the Malecon started in 1901 and it was not really completed until about 1923; since then it has been well seasoned by wind, sea and sun, so that the buildings along the inside have faded and many are crumbling, but renovation is in progress and looks to be the trend of the near future.  However, much of the Malecon’s charm comes from the very weathering that has taken place and the real sense of history that is unmistakeable and captivating.

Though initial construction began under U.S. authorities after the Spanish-American War, and the Malecon walkway is bordered by a six-lane boulevard that serves as the main artery from Old Havana to the newer areas downtown, it has always been a favorite social gathering place, and the way to appreciate it is by foot or perhaps horse-drawn carriage.

Traffic may whiz by on the boulevard, but the pace on the walkway is an amble, with frequent stops to enjoy the view and the varied entertainment that goes on day and night.  Musicians, single or in small groups, are a common sight and sound; on festival days the Malecon is a popular place to go for celebrating whatever the occasion happens to be.

There are quite a few man-made points of interest along the way, but probably the most attractive (for visitors anyway) are the old colonial buildings along the central city part of the Malecon.  For Havana residents they’re familiar background, but many a visitor has come away with indelible memories of a  breathtaking sunset, reflected from serene pastel walls and showering rose and gold on the horizon.

The Malecon isn’t a beach; you will see kids playing I-dare-you in the rocks below the breakwall, and  fishermen casting a line for their supper, but swimming is not recommended in most spots and can be very dangerous even in relatively calm conditions.  The thing to do is stroll and enjoy the sights; if it’s adventure you want, try it when the waves are crashing – you can easily be sent to the ground when a big one comes over the wall.

There are no statistics readily available on just what percentage of the world’s population smokes cigars, but if you consider that 25,000 of them are hand-made every day in just one cigar factory, you have to conclude that there are a fair amount of people who buy them.  That productive factory would be the Real [...]]]> Tweet

There are no statistics readily available on just what percentage of the world’s population smokes cigars, but if you consider that 25,000 of them are hand-made every day in just one cigar factory, you have to conclude that there are a fair amount of people who buy them.  That productive factory would be the Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagas, to English-speaking visitors simply the Partagas Cigar Factory.

Partagas cigars have quite a history as the oldest Cuban brand and one of the most revered among cigar connoisseurs around the world.  Established in 1845 by Don Jaime Partagas of Spain, the original factory is still in operation, just behind the Capitol Building in Old Havana.  Don Jaime also owned several  plantations in the best tobacco-growing region of Cuba, the Vuelta Abajo.  Legend has it that he was killed at one of them – a jealous rival in a love affair was supposedly part of that picture – and his son Jose took over the business.

During the intervening years the Partagas brand changed hands several times until it was confiscated, along with all the other cigar factories in Cuba, by Fidel Castro when he came to power.  It is still owned by the State but managed by highly experienced and dedicated personnel; in the factory it’s business as usual when it comes to producing fine cigars.

The entire process, from sorting the leaves through rolling and banding the finished product is all done by hand with painstaking care and considerable expertise.  The factory offers tours conducted by knowledgeable and informative guides in English, French, German and several other languages; you can choose your language when you buy your ticket at one of the nearby hotels (no tickets are sold at the door).  At last report the tours cost 10CUC and last about 45 minutes.

Don Jaime was also reportedly the first owner in the industry to instigate the practice of reading to his employees.  A reader was designated to enlighten and entertain the whole assemblage of workers, either with news and sports or ‘edifying’ literature;  the Romeo y Juliet cigar was so named for Shakespeare’s play.  This practice still goes on today, though the content is somewhat constrained – the workers don’t hear any hot gossip or anti-government sentiments, but sports news is quite popular.

As for the work in progress, this is a fascinating insight for visitors, not just into the making of a fine cigar, but to some extent into the ‘mindset’ of the relatively select few who are hired to work in this venerable establishment.  Some have been there for decades, but the majority are under 30 years of age and a lot of them are women.  A nine-month ‘apprenticeship’ is required for any new hire, and there is a real sense of pride in the excellence (and fame) of the end product.

That’s not to say that working conditions are ideal;  American and British visitors in particular will often comment about lack of air conditioning and other amenities that most of the modern world takes for granted.  You can’t take a camera into the factory, but you can ask as many questions as you like and get as much information as you can absorb.  You can also toss your scruples to the wind and fill a deep pocket or two with some of the three-per-day cigars the workers are allowed – so the stories go.

The Partagas Cigar Factory is well worth a tour, certainly for cigar-lovers but also for non-smokers.  There is a very pleasant gift shop on the premises where those with scruples intact can choose from a wide variety of the world’s best cigars, high quality t-shirts at excellent prices and fabulous coffee (expensive) and/or rum (cheap).  Be aware that the heavenly aroma of superb tobacco leaves will cling to your person long after you leave the building.

The times they are a’changing in Cuba, as in many other countries in the world. Some changes are certainly for the better, at least for some of the population. In the case of Cuba, one of the most profound changes came just last week, when an amendment to the property laws was introduced [...]]]> Tweet

The times they are a’changing in Cuba, as in many other countries in the world. Some changes are certainly for the better, at least for some of the population. In the case of Cuba, one of the most profound changes came just last week, when an amendment to the property laws was introduced by Raul Castro’s government.

Under the laws that were introduced when Fidel Castro came into power in 1959, Cubans were not allowed to buy and sell their homes or other real estate. If someone wanted to move to a different residence, they had to find someone else with a similar property who was willing to make an even trade. In effect, all property was owned by the state, and Cubans were granted the right to live in the homes they occupied and to bequeath them to family members or friends.

Under the new ruling, effective today (Nov. 10th) buyers and sellers will be permitted to set the value on a home and to move whenever they like without permission from the government. They will be able to buy and sell or trade at prices agreed upon by the parties involved, but unlike the former swap system, the government will get a piece of the action. A ‘stamp duty’ of 8% of the purchase price will be charged, half to the buyer and half to the seller.

In addition, buyers will have to somehow prove that the funds used in the transaction came from legitimate sources, in this case Cuba’s Central Bank, which will also be charging as yet unspecified fees. Since the average state worker earns the equivalent of approximately $20 a month, this might present a discouraging problem to a lot of hopeful buyers.

Just about all of the analysts agree that for the most part, funds are going to be coming from the U.S. via family and friends. Since Obama’s administration made the ruling in 2009 that Cuban-Americans would be permitted to travel to Cuba and send money as often as they wished, the influx of U.S. dollars has increased dramatically, and now there is much more attractive reason for those who can afford it to invest in Cuban real estate.

Raul Castro is proving to be a bit more ‘progressive’ than his brother Fidel.  The announcement last week of a change in Cuba’s property laws led one expert in Cuban-American relations, Pedro Freyre, to tell The New York Times, “This is the foundation, this is how you build capitalism, by allowing the free trade of [...]]]> Tweet

Raul Castro is proving to be a bit more ‘progressive’ than his brother Fidel.  The announcement last week of a change in Cuba’s property laws led one expert in Cuban-American relations, Pedro Freyre, to tell The New York Times, “This is the foundation, this is how you build capitalism, by allowing the free trade of property.”  Maybe, maybe not.  Cuban officials say not.

The new law supplants the system of swapping homes of equal size in a government-approved trade with the government retaining ultimate ownership of both properties that has been in effect since Castro’s revolution.  However, Cubans are still limited to ownership of just two properties, a primary residence and one ‘vacation’ home.  They are also required to go through the Central Bank for financing and pay the required fees, which are presently undisclosed.

The ultimate results of the change are expected to be far-reaching and dramatic, but there is considerable debate on whether the changes will be for the better or the worse; the most likely outcome is some of both.  Certainly, a vast amount of previously ‘stagnant’ real estate will be freed up for sale.

The questions posed by this scenario are many and complicated.

The view of Cuban economists who favor the change is that home sales will generate money to be invested in  private enterprise and rejuvenation of the economy in general.  The other side of that coin, so to speak, is the expectation that the freedom to buy and sell at open market prices will create a tremendous dichotomy in the social structure, with the wealthy moving to better areas and a widening gap between social classes.

Another change foreseen is the possibility of mass migration away from Cuba.  In the past, Cubans who migrated to foreign shores had to forfeit any rights to their home unless they left at least one family member behind to maintain a presence and take care of the property; otherwise the property was confiscated by the state.  Now that they are free to sell and keep the proceeds, it is anybody’s guess how many will stay to see how the ‘new age’ develops.

Belgium and Cuba are cooperating in an innovative exchange of culture, music and dance with the 6th ‘Belgium Week’ to take place in Havana on November 8th through 14th.  The event will include a variety of concerts, shows and films showcasing both Cuban and Belgian culture and the different contributions of the two.

Belgium Week is [...]]]> Tweet

Belgium and Cuba are cooperating in an innovative exchange of culture, music and dance with the 6^th ‘Belgium Week’ to take place in Havana on November 8^th through 14^th.  The event will include a variety of concerts, shows and films showcasing both Cuban and Belgian culture and the different contributions of the two.

Belgium Week is co-sponsored by the Belgian Embassy, the Cuban Ministry of Culture and the Office of the Historian of Havana.  It will begin and end on the streets of Old Havana, with La Nouvelle Flibuste, a Belgian conga that originates from a workshop with Cuban and Belgian adolescents.  It represents a combination of the post-modern and the African origins of traditional Cuban music.

Special events include an exhibition of lace from Flanders, both modern and traditional, and a conference on Belgian folklore.  A sample of Belgian cinema will be presented, to include such titles as “The Iceberg”, “Ultranova” and “Crazy Love”.

Belgian and Cuban performers Irene K and Retazos respectively will put on contemporary shows, and together the groups will stage a show called “Inside Time/Outside Space” that will include installations that direct the viewer’s attention to the landscape.

Camerata Romeu from Cuba will present a concert of Cuban and Belgian music, with songs by Marc-Henri Cykiert and Guillaume Lekeu of Belgium, and musicians Carlos Farinas, Yadira Cobo and Diez Nieto of Cuba.  The intent of the whole week’s events, said the Belgian Ambassador, is to create new perspectives from the melding of two diverse cultures.

The long-standing embargo on U.S. tourism to Cuba has relaxed just a little since President Obama issued a new policy in January this year.  The expressed intent was to allow more travel between the U.S. and Cuba for specific purposes of educational, religious and cultural exchange, and Americans are lining up for tickets.

Island Travel & [...]]]> Tweet

The long-standing embargo on U.S. tourism to Cuba has relaxed just a little since President Obama issued a new policy in January this year.  The expressed intent was to allow more travel between the U.S. and Cuba for specific purposes of educational, religious and cultural exchange, and Americans are lining up for tickets.

Island Travel & Tours, a travel agency based in Tampa, Florida has been approved to begin weekly flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to Havana beginning March 21, 2012.  At present, those flights are for designated travelers only, to include government officials, cultural and performing arts groups, academics, business interests and a few other rather loosely defined categories.

The easing of restrictions also applies to U.S. citizens with relatives in Cuba; previously they were allowed to visit only once every three years; now they can go any time and as often as they wish.  Bill Hauf, CEO of Island Travel & Tours, noted that the approval for his charters still prohibits travel for purely ‘tourist’ reasons, but there is speculation that restrictions will loosen up even more in the near future.

Imagine thirteen miles of practically pristine sand the color and texture of refined sugar, bordering the clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean, fringed with swaying palm trees, all of it basking in one of the most heavenly climates on Earth.  If you can do that, you’ve got a pretty good picture of Varadero Beach, about [...]]]> Tweet

Imagine thirteen miles of practically pristine sand the color and texture of refined sugar, bordering the clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean, fringed with swaying palm trees, all of it basking in one of the most heavenly climates on Earth.  If you can do that, you’ve got a pretty good picture of Varadero Beach, about 90 miles south of Havana on Cuba’s Hicacos Peninsula.

Varadero is the largest and most popular beach resort area in the country, but according to the high-end travel agencies, it’s not up to standards set by the discriminating traveler.  At last count there are only about 45 hotels with a total of about 17,000 rooms, and most of them leave something to be desired in terms of luxury and modern conveniences.

Mind you, there are a few that come very close to the ideal, such as the Melia Varadero with 490 rooms (most with satellite TV) and live shows every night, plus fine dining and poolside salsa lessons, to name but a few of the amenities.  Blau Varadero is another hotel with all the modern comforts in an elegant setting, with spectacular sea views from just about every room.

Now attend to what hotel consultant Charles Suddaby has to say.  He states that hotel developers are gearing up for the time when the U.S. government lifts its embargo on tourism to Cuba; the capacity to handle two or three million American guests is not there yet, but it is certainly ‘in the cards’.  On its website cubatravelusa.com says that .. .”only a handful of right-wing Cuban Americans. . .” still favor the U.S. embargo.

No one knows for sure how the whole situation will play out, but with all those American tourists, so close yet restrained from pouring into Cuba for a wonderful cheap holiday, it appears to many as a foregone conclusion.  Cubatravelusa is urging its U.S. customers to reserve right away or risk losing out on Paradise, but maybe you remember how many times Paradise has been turned into a parking lot.

Depending on which online post you read, or which newspaper, or which TV show you watch, Cuba is portrayed as anything from a repressive communist dictatorship to a land of pristine beaches, heady rum drinks and heavenly cigars.  The reality lies somewhere in between, and the lines are being re-drawn from all sides.

It is inarguable [...]]]> Tweet

Depending on which online post you read, or which newspaper, or which TV show you watch, Cuba is portrayed as anything from a repressive communist dictatorship to a land of pristine beaches, heady rum drinks and heavenly cigars.  The reality lies somewhere in between, and the lines are being re-drawn from all sides.

It is inarguable that much of the country’s economy depends upon tourist dollars.  At present tourism is the leading industry, and as one result, taxi drivers and hotel bellboys often make more money than doctors, lawyers and such.  The average Cuban citizen is very poor if you base that condition on the amount of income, and there is a dramatic contrast evident in the spending capacity of Cubans and foreigners.

The charms of the country and its friendly people have long been a big attraction for U.S. travelers, both the cosmopolitans and the backpackers, but the political climate in the States has kept the majority of them from visiting Cuba.  There have been changes in recent years, with pressure from different groups on both sides to open up the tourist market.

While the ban on U.S. tourism to Cuba has been in effect, many thousands of Americans have skirted the law with relative impunity by booking flights from Canada, Mexico or other nearby countries.  With Obama’s administration, restrictions have been loosened still more, but one issue that’s not getting much coverage is the likelihood that if the Americans are given carte blanche, the very qualities that have been the basis of Cuba’s attraction will be swept away in a commercial tide.

Cuba is a beautiful and enticing country, not least because up to now it has escaped much of the ‘improvement’ that inevitably follows when foreigners discover an unspoiled landscape that also boasts a temperate climate and warmly inviting seas.

With changes in government policy in recent years, a lot of Cuban citizens are now allowed to [...]]]> Tweet

Cuba is a beautiful and enticing country, not least because up to now it has escaped much of the ‘improvement’ that inevitably follows when foreigners discover an unspoiled landscape that also boasts a temperate climate and warmly inviting seas.

With changes in government policy in recent years, a lot of Cuban citizens are now allowed to provide restaurant facilities and overnight accommodations in their own homes.  This is a huge draw for visitors, as the prices are considerably lower than in the average establishment in Havana or other tourist-oriented cities and resorts.  The food is often just as good or better, and the ambiance is irresistibly welcoming.

Paladares, or private restaurants, began as a means for Cuban householders to earn some extra cash, and they have sprung up everywhere.  Dilapidated apartment buildings may house lovely, romantic dining venues, and many private homes with little or no advertising except word of mouth have made a minor name for themselves in the tourist industry.

No question, a large part of the attraction, especially for Europeans and North Americans, is the ‘old time’ feeling of partially renovated hotels such as the Hotel Nacional de Cuba.  The 1930′s landmark has retained much of the glamour of pre-revolution Cuba, when celebrities partied there and gambling was still allowed.

However, Cuba is in many respects a carefully policed country, and residents are basically forbidden to speak out on issues that are subversive to the communist leadership.  Times have certainly changed, but this is not a democracy and the government does not gladly tolerate dissension.  Though Cuba welcomes the tourist dollar/pound/yen etc. and most Cubans are exceptionally welcoming to visitors, talking politics is not an accepted national pastime.