As of March 2017, there were reports emanating from the Cuban government that premium gasoline would be rationed in the coming months. According to official Cuban data, the island nation’s economy fell 0.9% in 2016 despite significant increases in the travel and tourism sector. (Readers should note that the Cuban government tracks and publishes very … Read more
While U.S. pleasure boats are not restricted from sailing to and from Cuba, there are special rules that apply only to Cuba for vessels traveling between the U.S. and Cuba. Planning is critical to avoiding fines and/or seizure by the U.S. government whether the vessel is foreign or U.S. flagged. RELATED: Cuba Travel Guide Persons … Read more
Last year, the Obama administration further adjusted Cuba-specific restrictions on importing Cuban cigars for personal use. “For personal use” is important because it means you can bring them back in your luggage from your trip to Cuba (or elsewhere), but it remains illegal to sell Cuban cigars in the U.S. The tax free limit is … Read more
Americans traveling to Cuba have surged in the last year due to the relaxation of travel rules and the re-introduction of regular commercial air service between the two countries. Cuba is the only country in the world where Americans face travel restrictions. Americans can go to terrorist hot beds like North Korea and Saudi Arabia … Read more
Cuba’s vast coastline (40% longer than Florida’s) and diverse terrestrial features are just now being discovered by adventure travelers. The Adventure Travel Trade Association defines adventure tourism as a trip (travelling outside a person’s normal environment for more than 24 hours and not more than one consecutive year) that includes at least two of the … Read more
Rum is in everything in Cuba, part of the rhythm and the melody of life on the island. And when rum is enjoyed among friends, a few drops are poured out of a new bottle to the floor (or, in rural areas, to the soil), as a symbol of thanksgiving. While the ceremonies can vary … Read more
Staying at the Santa Brígida Convent does not require you to take the oath of chastity during your stay, but it will put you in a quiet place and perhaps transport you to some earlier time when things were simpler. The convent (Santa Brígida’s Convent of the Order of Santa Brígida’s Saint Saving (Century XVIII), … Read more
Oceania Cruises announced yesterday ten new sailings, called Journeys to Cuba, for 2018. Sailing roundtrip from PortMiami, itineraries range in length from 7 to 10 days and include calls in Havana, Cienfuegos, and Santiago de Cuba. Earlier this month, Marina became the first of Oceania Cruises’ ships to call on Cuba. The small ship cruise format appears to … Read more
In September 2016, Albert A. Fox Jr faced a $100,000 fine from U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for alleged violations of the U.S. embargo against Cuba during two trips to the island over recent years. This January, the government settled the case against the pro-Cuba/anti-embargo Fox for $10,000. el Nuevo Herald, … Read more
According to music legend Carlos Santana, Francisco Aguabell teaches how, “music and spirituality are one and the same.” Francisco Aguabella was born October 10, 1925, and raised in the Matanzas drumming tradition of Cuba. In 1953, he immigrated to the U.S and established himself in California as an olu batá (batá drummer). Batá drumming is … Read more
