Will US Tourists Change the Cuba Travel Experience?

As the U.S. and Cuba continue to work towards improved diplomatic relations, tourism to the island nation has surged, prompting worries of impending changes to its historic charm. According to a report by NPR, many current tourists fear that Cuba will soon be sprouting Starbucks and McDonalds in the midst of the colonial architecture of … Read more

How Latin America Feels About the US-Cuba Thaw

By the Cuba Journal staff A new report by Pew Research Center reflects approval from Latin Americans regarding the normalization of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba. A median of 77 percent of those polled expressed approval for the recent re-establishment of ties between the nations, and 76 percent support an end to the … Read more

Cuba’s Economy is Booming

By the Cuba Journal staff It may be from a rapid influx of new visitors or the country’s recent lightening of foreign investment restrictions — but Cuba’s economy is booming. The country posted a 4.7 percent growth in GDP in the first half of 2015, the government said this week, which would make it one of the … Read more

Sailors Are Navigating To Cuba’s Astounding Coastline

Sailors Are Navigating To Cuba’s Astounding Coastline

by Cuba Journal staff image by: LC Gateley Sailors generally have a good eye for beautiful coastlines and the serenity of secluded private coves. Cuba has an abundance of both owing to its accidental preservation as a result of five decades of economic stagnation. A glimpse of Cuba from space reveals the magnitude of Cuba’s … Read more

New Flights from Houston to Havana

Eastern, HavanaAir to partner on new service By the Cuba Journal staff Miami-based HavanaAir Charters is launching new weekly direct service between Houston and Havana, the company announced this week. HavanaAir will be operating the service with air carrier partner Eastern Air Lines Group. “We are very pleased to open the Houston to Cuba market with … Read more

Western Union Films New Ad Campaign in Cuba

“Cuba is an important market for us” By the Cuba Journal staff Western Union is encouraging money transfers to Cuba through a new series of TV spots filmed on the island, according to a report by Advertising Age. These Spanish-language spots are some of the first produced in Cuba by an American-based company since the  … Read more

Francis Ford Coppola Visits Cuba

By the Cuba Journal staff Legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola visited Cuba this week at the invitation of the International School of Cinema and Television in San Antonio de los Baños. Coppola, whose portfolio includes the Godfather films and Apocalypse Now, among others, said he had been to Cuba many times. Much of The Godfather … Read more

How to Make a Hemingway Daiquiri

How to Make a Hemingway Daiquiri

The Hemingway Daiquiri – a twist on the classic cocktail of rum, lime juice and sugar – is the subject of some debate among the drink’s enthusiasts. The recipe commonly associated with the order of the “Hemingway Daiquiri” is actually that of “Daiquiri #3,” the long-time house Daiquiri of Havana’s El Floridita Bar, where Hemingway first ordered … Read more

Carnival to Launch Cruises to Cuba

Above: the MV Adonia By Alexander Britell MIAMI — Carnival Corporation is heading to Cuba. The cruise ship giant will become the first US-based cruise line to sail to Cuba, following approval by the US Department of the Treasury and the US Department of Commerce. The company will begin Cuba cruises in May 2016 on … Read more

This Top Cruise Line is Adding a Homeport in Havana

This Top Cruise Line is Adding a Homeport in Havana

Above: Havana By the Cuba Journal staff A major cruise line is adding a new homeport in Havana. MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately-owned global cruise line, will begin homeporting its MSC Opera in Havana in December. The 2,120-guest-ship will homeport for the winter 2015-16 seaon to offer 16 Caribbean cruises. The ship will include … Read more