Cuba Journal Want to buy a box of Cuban cigars in Cuba you can actually bring back? A reddish brown petit corona, the Sancho Panza is a wonderful if largely unknown smoke. Geared largely the Spanish market, as its name would suggest, Sancho Panza is one of Cuba’s undiscovered brands, offering great taste and, even more importantly, … Read more
Launching a new destination in Cuba By Dana Niland Cuba Journal Contributor Copa Airlines has announced it will begin nonstop flights two times a week between Panama City and Holguin, Cuba. The new route will go into effect as of June 21, 2016, the company said. “We are pleased to announce Holguín as our third destination … Read more
Santiago de Cuba’s hotel product is getting better. The city’s Gran Hotel and Imperial Hotel, located on the city’s Calle Enramadas, are now opening following large renovation projects. Both are located within walking distance of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes Park, and will be operated by the Cubanacan Group. The Gran Hotel, formerly the Bayamo Hotel and … Read more
Shortly after President Obama announced the normalization of relations with Cuba in December 2014, his administration created exemptions around the embargo for U.S. telecommunications companies to invest in Cuba. Since then, the U.S. and Cuba have routinely held talks about expanding Internet access in Cuba, which has one of the lowest connectivity rates in the … Read more
Cuban President Raul Castro returned home on Wednesday afternoon after a major state visit to France. During his trip to France, Castro and French President Francois Hollande signed several bilateral agreements aimed at strengthening the economic ties between the nations. On Monday, an agreement was signed that converted $230 million of Cuba’s $390 million remaining … Read more
Cuba’s rapidly-expanding hotel product has a new addition: a boutique property in Santiago de Cuba. As part of a wider crop of new hotels in the far southeastern corner of the country, the Punta Gorda hotel has opened its doors. The 12-room hotel is set on the bay that’s close to the city’s Marina Marlin, … Read more
It is no secrete that Cuba’s future economic development plans includes a focus on travel and tourism. Current US rules have so far restricted US firms from doing business in Cuba. Although Obama has loosened some restrictions, the travel and tourism sector remain off limits for US-based firms. Recently, Choice Hotels’ Steve Joyce visited Cuba. … Read more
According to an announcement made on Sunday by ETECSA, Cuba’s state telecommunications company, a pilot project to bring broadband internet into Cuban homes is moving forward. The announcement was made by Odalys Rodríguez del Toro, ETECSA’s director for Havana. Del Toro also stated that three parks will receive new WiFi service including the Castillito and … Read more
According to Reuters, France is expected to sign a deal offering more debt relief to Cuba during Raul Castro’s five day trip to Paris. Mr. Castro’s visit, which begins on Saturday, is the first trip of a Cuban head of state since his brother, Fidel Castro, visited France in 1995. Half of the outstanding arrears … Read more
By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon Caribbean Journal Travel Editor If you’re intrigued by the prospect of going to Cuba and you’d like to get there in jetset style, consider the new private jet charter service being offered between the U.S. and Havana by JetSuite. The nation’s fourth-largest private jet charter company will whisk passengers south on either … Read more
