New life for the Brisas Covarrubias By the Cuba Journal staff A major hotel in Cuba’s Las Tunas province has reopened its doors. The Brisas Covarrubias hotel, located on the beach in Puerto Padre, has 180 rooms, along with three bars and an international buffet restaurant. A government statement said the property had received major … Read more
By Alexander Britell Cuba Journal Travel giant Apple Leisure Group has its “eye on Cuba,” the company told me in an interview last week. While US hotel companies cannot currently expand their brands into Cuba, despite loosened restrictions, interest in the island remains high for hoteliers. “The size of the island and its rich culture … Read more
By the Cuba Journal staff United States Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker arrived in Cuba on Monday for a high-level visit. Pritzker is just the second US Cabinet official to visit Cuba in more than a half century, following US Secretary of State John Kerry’s recent visit. On Tuesday, Pritzker was set to co-chair a … Read more
By the Cuba Journal staff Legendary rock star Mick Jagger visited Cuba this weekend. Jagger was reportedly on a “private visit,” according to an official report. Jagger posted a photo of his trip to his Twitter account, writing “On a break in Cuba!” But other reports suggested he was scouting the area for a possible … Read more
By the Cuba Journal staff Fathom, Carnival Corporation’s new “social impact” cruise brand, has announced it will visit three Cuban ports of call — Havana, Cienfuegos, and Santiago de Cuba — when it begins operations next year. The company has also unveiled the seven-day itinerary travelers will experience during their Cuban “cultural immersion.” In June 2015, Fathom … Read more
The channels continue growing By the Cuba Journal staff In a testament to the strengthening commercial relations between the United States and Cuba, shipping company SC Line has begun service between Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades and the Cuban seaports of Mariel and Santiago, according to a report by the Sun Suntinel. The company’s Caroline Russ … Read more
Explaining the latest changes By the Cuba Journal staff The United States has further loosened travel restrictions to Cuba. Though ordinary tourism remains banned, Americans can now visit Cuba, without applying for a license from the government, for the following reasons: visits to close relatives, academic programs, professional research, journalistic or religious pursuits, and participation … Read more
Can they happen? By Peter Quinter Op-Ed Contributor Since I first moved to Florida in 1981, worked as an attorney at U.S. Customs in 1989, and been a private attorney for one of the largest law firms in Florida since 1994, I have been intrigued by the international relations between the United States and Cuba. … Read more
Delegation explores business ties By the Cuba Journal staff A business delegation from Belgium is visiting Havana this week, in a bid to explore new investment opportunities in Cuba. The group, which includes representatives of 12 companies in Belgium, is reportedly the first of its kind visiting the island. “With this mission, in addition to boosting … Read more
Central Holidays’ newest itinerary at sea By the Cuba Journal staff Central Holidays has announced the launch of a new eight-night people-to-people ‘Cruise Around Cuba’ aboard the Celestyal Crystal. This announcement follows the tour operator’s recent addition of five on-the-ground Cuban programs, its first itineraries that will allow American travelers to explore the island nation. … Read more
