According to a report by Fox News Latino, ATMs in Havana will now accept MasterCard cash advances, including those from Stonegate Bank, the first US bank authorized to provide this service in the island nation, and the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico. Cuban Central Bank (BCC) vice president Irma Margarita Martinez confirmed that MasterCard is … Read more
Copa Airlines has launched a new route to the city of Holguin, Cuba. The flight will operate twice weekly between Holguin and Panama City. It will depart Tocumen International Airport in Panama on Tuesday and Saturday mornings at 9:01 a.m., and the return flight will depart Holguin’s Frank International Airport at 1:21 p.m. on the … Read more
Peggy Goldman is one of the top Cuba travel experts and specialty tour operators, serving as president and co-owner of Friendly Planet Travel, making Cuba travel even easier. Cuba Journal recently spoke with Goldman about a range of subjects, including her favorite places in Havana. Here are her picks for must-visit sites. The garden and … Read more
On April 22, 2016, one of US President Obama’s efforts to relax restrictions of the Cuban embargo included the removal of an import restriction for HTS 0901, otherwise known as coffee, originating from Cuba. It didn’t take long for coffee entrepreneurs to understand the branding potential of an island nation with a long history of … Read more
As more and more Americans are flocking to Cuba following the lifting of the international travel ban, many are opting for the experience of life with a local host through channels like Homestay.com. The online marketplace is reporting growth in Cuba, with more travelers looking to rent rooms in private homes, with hosts present throughout … Read more
A small regional bank with a big idea about banking in Cuba just issued the first US credit card that functions in Cuba. Stonegate Bank made headlines last year when it become the first US bank to establish a correspondent banking relationship in Cuba since Washington and Havana normalized relations. While it has been technically … Read more
Yes, Cuba is an island in the Caribbean Sea. Her terrain is similar to other Caribbean islands, but different. Her history is similar, but different. Her culture is similar, but different. Indeed, almost everything about Cuba has some similarity to her Caribbean neighbors but Cuba is a destination like no other. Celebrated travel writer Kay … Read more
It’s increasingly clear that Cuba is a destination that appeals to the luxury demographic in the United States. And now there’s another new way to take an authorized luxury trip to the island. Luxury operator Ker & Downey is now offering customizable private people-to-people journeys to Cuba. The tours include a private car and driver, … Read more
Cuba is planning a major expansion of its marinas. In light of the expected increase in recreational arrivals to Cuba (in large part from the United States), the business group Boating and Marinas Marlin SA is promoting foreign investment proposals aimed at creating new facilities and expanding those in existence. According to Business Director Ramiro … Read more
Cuba announced yesterday the next step in its economic transition by allowing private businesses to have legal status. Previously, the communist government permitted individuals to operate as self-employed workers under several hundred clearly-defined roles such as taxi driver. The latest announcement will likely take months to become law. “Private property in certain means of production … Read more
