Cuba Journal 
Cuba is the only country in the world where Americans are subject to travel restrictions, and importing goods from Cuba adds another layer of complexity for people seeking import compliance for Cuban goods. But it’s worth it. Importing Commercial Goods from Cuba Commercial imports authorized under § 515.582 of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR), … Read more
Cuba’s social and economic opening has an unexpected expression in a growing pro-LGBTI movement. Mariela Castro, President Raul Castro’s daughter, last year led Cuba’s largest Pride event to commemorate the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHAT). Ms Castro is the head of the Cuban National Center for Sex Education and is Cuba’s most … Read more
It’s hard to believe that it’s been a decade since Habanos released the game-changing Cohiba Maduro 5 line, a range of maduro cigars with wrappers far darker than the traditional Cuban puro. 10 years later, the range still honors the best tradition of Cuba’s “capa madura” or dark wrapper cigars. The maduro wrappers use the … Read more
Habanos has announced a new portfolio of Ediciones Limitadas, or limited edition, cigars for 2017. The new limited editions will be arriving in shops worldwide in the coming weeks, according to the company. The new slate includes three cigars: the Montecristo Dantés, the Trinidad Topes and the Romeo y Julieta Capuletos. Habanos’ limited editions typically … Read more
Traveling to Santiago, Cuba, the island nation’s second largest city, is like stepping back in time but with far fewer tourists. Founded in 1515, the city has much of the historical charm of Havana but less of the development and tourism growth compared to Old Havana. CasaCuba is a family-owned B&B that offers more than … Read more
Carnival Cruise Line reports it has received approval to sail to Cuba – Havana will be added to select Carnival Paradise voyages from Tampa beginning in June 2017. There was no mention of Carnival’s experiential brand, Fathom. Less than a year ago, Carnival’s small ship, Adonia, was the first cruise ship to travel to Cuba … Read more
Business Insider publishes an annual ranking of the best Caribbean Islands. This year, Cuba ranks #1. Business Insider Distance from NYC: 3 hours and 35 minutes Average hotel room cost: $124 per night Cuba’s unique architecture, ’50s-era Chevy taxicabs, and sandy beaches have been just out of reach for American tourists until recently. Years of US embargo have … Read more
Cuba is gaining influence as a trending destination in the Caribbean as various industry players reshape their regional travel schedules. The most recent example of cruise industry changes is the announcement by Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) that it decided drop its Grand Bahama stopover in favor of newly awarded Cuba approval for its 2000-passenger ship, … Read more
The collapse of the Soviet Union hit the Cuban economy severely. The island nation lost approximately 80% of its imports, 80% of its exports and its Gross Domestic Product dropped by a third, virtually overnight. Entirely dependent on fossil fuels to operate, the major buttresses of Cuban society – its transport, industrial and agricultural systems … Read more
On January 12, 2017, the U.S. and Cuba signed an agreement to further normalize the evolving migration relationship. Under the agreement, the Department of Homeland Security ended the Cuban Medical Professional Parole (CMPP) Program. The CMPP program was terminated along with the wet foot/dry foot policy for Cubans. Cuba agreed to accept the return of … Read more
