Cuba news.
By Alexander Britell A major new hotel brand is coming to Cuba. Ultra-luxe hotel company Banyan Tree has announced plans to open its new Dhawa Cayo Las Brujas hotel in Cuba next year. The hotel is part of the company’s newest brand, Dhawa, which focuses on high design and includes elements like “Cocoons” instead of … Read more
By Alexander Britell Was that Manu Chao? It sure sounded like him, coming from the far back corner of the second floor of a tucked-away paladar in Havana called La Familia. La Familia wasn’t one of the more famous paladares, or private restaurants, in the capital; it was simple, hidden away upstairs off a side … Read more
By Alexander Britell WILLEMSTAD — It’s not yet certain when the US and Cuba will ever sign an air services agreement that would pave the way for regularly-scheduled flights. But several airlines are already operating frequent charter service between the US and Cuba, most notably JetBlue, which has been serving Cuba through charter flights since … Read more
By the Cuba Journal staff The Environmental Defense Fund and the Cuban government are joining forces on a plan to implement new protections for sharks in Cuban waters. Scientists believe that the area is home to nearly 20 percent of the world’s 500 shark species, many of which have been in steep decline in recent … Read more
According to reports by Russia Today and Russian news agency RIA, the Russian government has ratified an agreement to provide generators at Cuba’s Maximo Gomes and Este Habana power plants, among other concessions. The Maximo Gomes power plant in Mariel municipality will be equipped with a new 200 MW unit, while Este Habana in Santa … Read more
By Carol Fletcher, photographer and The Aniplant Project board member If you are a dog lover and have ever been to Cuba–or to any third world country for that matter–you know the helpless heartache of seeing painfully thin and sick animals on the streets. And while Cuba is a highly educated, healthy and empathetic population, … Read more
By Alexander Britell HAVANA — The food scene in Havana has changed significantly in recent years. As in, now, there is a food scene. Or a nascent one, at least. With the birth of the paladar, or privately-owned restaurant, several years ago, there are more and more ways to find high-quality food in Cuba. And yes, that … Read more
By Alexander Britell HAVANA — If you’re wondering where the background is, you won’t find it. Because it’s you. The jazz singer’s voice is muted by the mic, slowly rising with the bass and the keyboard. She is looking at the small crowd, but not singing for them. She is just singing. Because in Havana, … Read more
By Alexander Britell HAVANA — It’s the most famous hotel in Havana: the Nacional, the one where Frank and Mickey and Ernest used to stay from time to time. Now, like much of Cuba’s hotel product, it’s a paean to another time, tour groups mingling with ghosts. And while the Hotel Nacional has some of … Read more
By Dana Niland Cuba Journal Contributor Blue Diamond Resorts has announced the addition of Aguas Azules to its portfolio of all-inclusive Cuba resorts. Located just 45 minutes from Varadero Airport and 15 minutes from downtown, Aguas Azules occupies a stretch of Varadero’s famous beachfront, and features lush tropical gardens and scenic views incorporated into its … Read more
