Despite everything, the Caribbean's most impressive island offers one of the world's great travel experiences, from its music and culture to Havana and its other cities, as well as beaches and nature.
In Cuba, Go West, to Pinar del Río & Viñales
marcin jucha For visitors to Havana, one of the most popular day and overnights trips besides colonial wonder Trinidad is a visit to the far west of Cuba, the mostly rural province of Pinar del Río (whose locals, by the way, have over the years endured much teasing by other Cubans as guajiros – "country-bumpkin" peasants – though at least these days inaccurately, as far as I’ve been able to tell). It’s home to not only the eponymous city – which makes for a charming visit in its own…
Read more…
Comments
Delete Comment
What is the wisdom on traveling to Cuba from here (NYC) to there ? In terms of logistics of travel regulations, and general stay ? I really want to do this before the coming hurricane season.
There is great opportunity here to write a how-to-manual rather than a tour brochure for US Passport holders who want to get their feet wet in the cuban waters, and quench their thirst with a real mojito or two :)
You know, Anil, the Caribbean islands really pushed for this because they have good relations with Cuba. Your comments are absolutely right; leaders of those other islands will wake up one morning and say,
What were we thinking? Cuba is taking our business.
Ed: To answer your question, I am not a travel expert; but I do know data. And I do understand psychology. If history of travel is any indication; the caribbean islands will begin to see a drop in american tourists. Cuba will see inflationary push to basic commodities. If a far off place like Vietnam (JFK-NRT-SIN-HAN 24 hours of flight time) saw a measurable uptick in american visitors after normalization and now, USD has become an alternate currency, then Cuba is a small island which will get the good and the bad of the mass american tourism.
The question is, who will get landing rights, and from where ?
my two cents. :)
And thank you, Anil, for making me smile. Oh yes, and welcome home!
Hello everybody ! I am back !
Just returned from 'Nam the other forbidden country from the '80s :) I am willing to carry your camera gear ! Just to go to Cuba !
Travel Channel is running a repeat of Anthony Bourdain on Cuba right now (828PM Thursday EST)
Thank You Obama !!
That is good to hear. I am the only one of my friends who has NOT been to Cuba! They have seen the sights but they spend most of their time at beach resorts.
Donna, I was with a humanitarian group that brought donations to schools and clinics and visited must-see tourist sites. I stayed with the group most of the time, but like any good tour itinerary, there was plenty of time in the sked for solo exploration, and lots of time to interact with the people. It's one of many countries I want to visit again.
Evelyn, I'm a Canadian so these American rules always seem strange to me. Did you have to stay with your group? And how much beach time did you get?
US tourists, even those with no relatives in Cuba, have been visiting Cuba legally for years. I flew out of Miami, legally. And you can, too. For a vintage car nut like me, Cuba is a museum on wheels. My article on How to travel to Cuba from USA legally
Normalization of travel between the U.S. and Cuba -- or not? What do you expect to see in the coming year? Ditto, over the next five years?
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
of 7 Next